#TNReads: Real Quick Reviews for Lazy Readers Featuring Soniah Kamal

Soniah Kamal sets classic Pride and Prejudice in modern day Pakistan, which is weirdly really similar to 19th Century England. Both have mothers who fret and obsess over seeing their daughters married well, and a culture that places a woman’s entire value in a) her virtue, and b) her family connections. A culture that thinks the only respectable career for a woman is that of a wife and mother. Enter our heroine, Alysba “Alys” Binat, certified spinster by choice. As an English Literature teacher, she tries to impress upon the teenage girls in her class the importance of exploring one’s options. It rarely goes over well. As Alys notes, “An unmarried woman advocating pursuits outside the home might as well be a witch spreading anarchy and licentiousness”.

Wry and insightful, Kamal beautifully translates the beloved story and makes it her own. It is vibrant with Pakistani culture and tackles the rampant gender double standards with unapologetic but humorous honesty. Indeed, Alys’ strivings against the subjugation of women in her culture almost overshadow the romance with “Darsee”, and honestly, I was here for it. I think Jane Austen would approve.

Ever since reading Mariana Zapata for Boozy Book Club, I can’t stop reading her book. Full author crush post forthcoming, but in the meantime, I’ll settle for a quick review of Luna and the Lie, her most recent book.

Luna has had a hard life, but she hasn’t let that affect her attitude. She’s sweet, caring, and just wants to be needed. Enter Rip, Lucas Ripley to be exact, her crotchety boss who won’t give her the time of day. Also, the man that she can’t seem to stop thinking about and giving attention too…oops. What ensues is a will they, won’t they, misunderstanding-filled romance that burns so slowly that you won’t be able to put the book down until they FINALLY get it on. No spoilers but I’m pretty sure you knew that was coming…

Some people might not be here for Zapata’s style of unfulfillment until you’re about to burst, but I love it. It makes every moment count, and makes the inevitable all that much hotter. She is also the queen of Mr. Darcy style men – kind of mean, seemingly uncaring, but then they come out with a heartfelt speech to melt your panties…what could be bad about that?

P.S. It’s on Kindle Unlimited!

Sometimes life (God, the universe) sends us into situations we would never have expected, putting us in the path of people we didn’t know were missing from our lives. Mark didn’t expect to be the sole heir to the estate of his Aunt Vivian who he had stopped hearing from years before. As Mark sorts out his aunt’s estate, he gets new insight into the woman she was and the secrets she carried. Enhancing his trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, travelers begin showing up to stay at the bed and breakfast Aunt Vivian was running when she died. Emily Davis who’s witty repartee delights Mark, a confused elderly man and a unique couple trying to circle Lake Michigan in an electric car all complicate what was supposed to be a short simple trip.

In his first novel, Dennis Cuesta combines family secrets, stories of friendship and a bit of humorous chaos. Stuck in Manistique is a journey of discovery, healing and building bonds, and reminds us some of the best trips we take are the ones we never planned.

Middle age is semi-horrifying and not for the faint of heart. Best selling author Pamela Druckerman (Bringing up BéBé) delivers essays on aging in comical prose that may bring you comfort when you learn that other women have hair there too. Druckerman has a unique perspective as an American living in France where opinions on aging, sex, fashion, parenting, food…often vary wildly from our own.

Each chapter begins with a “You know you’re in your 40’s when” list. These might be the best part of the book. With observations like “You sometimes wake up hungover even when you’ve had nothing to drink” and “You’re not considering Botox, but you are considering bangs”, you’ll laugh, you’ll cringe but you’ll know for sure you are not alone in the journey through your 40’s.