This week, readers from our First Impressions program discuss Gabriela Garcia's arresting debut novel, Of Women and Salt. Moving back and forth in time and place, the book tells the story of a family of Cuban immigrants to the U.S. and explores complex issues like addiction, the repercussions of abuse and intergenerational trauma.
We also revisit our book club discussion on Alka Joshi's The Henna Artist as it is just released in paperback, and bring you the latest book news, a giveaway and more.
Very best,
Davina
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Each month we give away books to BookBrowse members who live in the U.S. to read and review. Members who choose to participate receive a free book about every 3-4 months. Here are their opinions on one recently released title. |
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Of Women and Salt
by Gabriela Garcia
"Of Women and Salt is a book about unseen forces and how they shape us. For a relatively short book, it covers a lot of ground - two families and a timeline that crosses through many generations. We see the effects of generational trauma on several women and witness the loss and gain of fortunes. The settings are rich, from Cuba to the U.S., and the characters are complex and interesting. Readers should be aware that Garcia tackles some difficult topics - addiction, sexual abuse, and death, to name a few. Still, there is hope and beauty in this book, and the beginning and end of the story have a wonderful (yet realistic) symmetry. I highly recommend this novel and I look forward to reading more from this fabulous debut author." - Kathy (southern ME)
"So much is covered in 200 pages, yet the novel never feels crowded or overwhelming. It's sad, violent, but dotted with glimmers of hope." - Margot P. (Mandeville, LA)
"This debut novel is a must-read! From the cigar factories in Cuba to the streets of Miami, Garcia's writing compels the reader to encounter the lived experiences of each of the female protagonists. Immigration and detention, poverty, isolation, drug and/or marital abuse, and mother/daughter relationships are predominant themes. While at times difficult to savor due to the traumas experienced by each of the women, this timely book should be on everyone's reading list." - Karna B. (Long Beach, CA)
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Flatiron Books. Novel. 224 pages. Published March 30, 2021
Number of Reader Reviews: 26, Readers' Consensus: 3.9/5.0
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Last year, our online book club discussed The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. It was a popular selection, so we're revisiting it now the book is released in paperback. |
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The Henna Artist
by Alka Joshi
From the Jacket
Escaping from an arranged and abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone from her 1950s rural village to the vibrant pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the henna artist - and confidante - most in demand to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own…
From the Discussion
"I loved The Henna Artist and read it again in two days. I think Lakshmi was such a deep character. I loved the relationships between the women. There were lots of complexities within them that made for a great read!" - sheyc
"The Henna Artist drew me in right away and kept my attention - I loved how the smells, tastes and sounds all came alive. There was strong character development without being too forced, and it covered difficult subjects in a thoughtful way." - TBM
"I really enjoyed this book, especially the historical time frame it was set in as Indian society scrambled to find its footing after independence from the British, and lawmakers set out to establish reforms that defied old traditions regarding age of consent and divorce. A very immersive and engaging historical/domestic/romantic novel that flowed seamlessly, with a great wealth of knowledge on Indian cuisine and herbal remedies. One of my top reads so far this year." - bookfabulous
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The discussion of The Henna Artist took place in March last year, so the forum is closed for new posts at this time, but you can read the almost 300 comments on 25 topics, or explore more about the book, via these buttons.
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Mira Books. Historical Fiction. 368 pages. First published in March 2020. Paperback published April 6, 2021 |
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For Members: The BookBrowse Review |
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The just-published issue of The BookBrowse Review, our twice-monthly membership magazine, is packed with new reviews and articles; plus author interviews, recommendations for book clubs and previews of notable books publishing over the next two weeks.
Membership is the equivalent of just $3.25/month. And we're currently offering a free one-month trial.
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BookBrowse is also available through some public libraries. Patrons have full access from any device at any time. You can check to see if your library subscribes, and if it does, access for free with your library card at bookbrowse.com/library.
Here are some libraries that currently subscribe:
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Vail, CO
Glenview, IL
Siuslaw, OR
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Bridger, MT
Santa Cruz, CA
Barrington, RI
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Harborfields, NY
Shelter Island, NY
Monterey County, CA
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Please do tell your book-loving friends and family living in these areas! |
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BookBrowse Around the Web |
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Book review newsletter Book Post recently published an article about reading during the pandemic that offers some analysis of our "Book Clubs in Lockdown" report. The article draws some interesting connections between our findings and those of the Panorama Project, which breaks down information about book buying and book club participation by different demographics. Check it out!
About Book Post: Ann Kjellberg, who worked for many years at the New York Review of Books, created Book Post in 2018 in response to the shrinking visibility of book reviews in the general press. Book Post sends short reviews by well known writers to subscribers and advocates for bookstores, librarians, and other book communities across the land.
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Over on the BookBrowse blog, we've been looking at what book club members had to say about conducting meetings over Zoom in our 2020 survey "Book Clubs in Lockdown."
In Part I of the post, we focus on the general pros and cons of holding virtual meetings, as reported by the survey's respondents, and in Part II, we talk about how book discussions tend to unfold in this format compared to in-person discussions. |
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- Houghton Mifflin sells HMH Books & Media to HarperCollins
- George R.R. Martin signs five-year, eight-figure deal for more HBO projects
- Beverly Cleary, beloved children’s book author, dies at 104
- National Book Critics Circle awards announced
- Eight writers awarded $165,000 Windham-Campbell Prizes
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Piranesi narrated by Chiwetel Ejiofor wins Audiobook of the Year award
- Online writing groups thrive during the pandemic
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The Beauty of Your Face
by Sahar Mustafah
From the Jacket
The Beauty of Your Face tells a uniquely American story in powerful, evocative prose. Afaf Rahman, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, is the principal of a Muslim school in the Chicago suburbs. One morning, a shooter - radicalized by the online alt-right - attacks the school. As Afaf listens to his terrifying progress, we are swept back through her memories, and into a profound and "moving" (Bustle) exploration of one woman's life in a nation at odds with its ideals.
Media Reviews
"Stunning...A timely family saga with faith and forgiveness at its core." - Marie Claire
"How each member of the family finds his or her footing is worthy of an entire series of books, but Afaf’s particular strain of determination and optimism is what propels you to the end of this one...A story of survival and hope, forgiveness and connection." - New York Times Book Review
"Mustafah writes impressively and convincingly of her Palestinian American immigrant community...[A]n adept author well worth reading." - Booklist
"Mustafah powerfully demonstrates the human capacity for redemption and renewal. This inviting, topical tale will stay with readers." - Publishers Weekly
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W.W. Norton & Company. Novel. 320 pages. Paperback published Apr 6, 2021 |
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At BookBrowse, we believe that the very best books do more than just entertain and engage, they also enlighten, wrapping us in their world, giving us a window into the lives of others or a mirror to reflect on ourselves. These are the books we seek out and feature on BookBrowse, both fiction and nonfiction. |
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Published every Thursday, BookBrowse Highlights is one of BookBrowse's four free newsletters. We also offer Publishing This Week every Sunday, and Book Club News and Librarian News monthly.
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