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@hhitz_lit

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📝 English teacher & bookworm
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👯‍♂️ 🧬 E X I T P A R T Y This novel opens in 2031 Los Angeles, in a sort of apocalyptic future in which much of the United States has fractured into smaller, independent countries with their own laws and sets of surveillance systems. Ari Walker has just been released from prison after serving 18 years, and she and her roommate, Gloria, are attending a party to celebrate the lifting of curfew restrictions. What happens at that party will lead to multiple lives, timelines, countries, and doppleganger characters overlapping and crisscrossing throughout the rest of the novel. It’s hard to summarize the plot without revealing spoilers and because the story does not unfold linearly. St. John Mandel artfully plays with time and space and multiple dimensions as she reveals layers to this complex narrative. There is Timeline A and Timeline B. At any given time, I would think I was confused. Then the next section would make me feel like I had things figured out. I found myself looking back in the text for the seeds planted earlier and wanting to know more. St. John Mandel is so skilled at engaging readers in this way. This book is not a “mystery,” per se, but rather it combines elements of speculative fiction and dystopian literature to create both a character study of relationships as well as a fast-paced adventure story. It explores questions about how identity is formed—through our innate tendencies or from our surrounding environments. I LOVED Station Eleven and really enjoyed The Sea of Tranquility. I don’t normally consider myself a “speculative fiction” reader, but St. John Mandel is such a brilliant and creative writer. I kind of want to read this one again to see what I can pick up on detail-wise the second time around. For now, that will have to wait…so many books I want to get to! And how stunning is this cover? 🔎 what to read next, book recommendations, book club books, speculative fiction, dystopian fiction, character-driven novels, contemporary literature, literary fiction, books that stay with you by @hhitz_lit
4
13 hours ago
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🐕 E T N A When I was in grad school, I took a course in which we studied The Odyssey as our core text and used the other literature to examine how Homer’s epic was mirrored, expanded, or subverted. Etna would have been a perfect addition to the reading list. Set in a nameless country, this short novel is narrated by the hero, who happens to be a dog (just go with it), as he attempts to find his way home in the aftermath of war. It’s not clearly not a “new” concept, and this is not a “war” book, but the horrors of war as a result of humanity’s evil are shown through Etna’s eyes. From Etna’s perspective, we follow his journey through loss, grief, and the ultimate desire of most humans—to return home to be with his family. He is more than just loyal; he is contemplative and wise. In his odyssey to find his way back, Etna’s POV about his future transforms as he encounters other dogs, animals, and humans. It was an emotional read the entire time, as I could not stop picturing the innocent Etna, a shepherd mix dog who, as a puppy, is taken from his seaside home and trained to become a military dog. This novel could have easily been simplistic, but it explores questions about humanity, relationships, life, loyalty, and love. Yoon’s writing is complex and descriptive, as he skillfully uses Etna’s sensory abilities—particularly smell—to highlight the depth of Etna’s feeling. It’s a fast read but really well written. I love it when a short novel packs a powerful punch! And dogs are amazing. Unfortunately, I do not have a dog of my own, so I borrowed my parents’ dog, Sheena, to make her Instagram debut with the book! 🔎 what to read next, book recommendations, short novels, novels about dogs, war novels, magical realism, character-driven novels, contemporary literature, literary fiction by @hhitz_lit
5
a day ago
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💥 S E P T E M B E R R E A D S 💥 🧨 Big Little Truths 💥 The Disappearers 🧨 Fruit Fly 💥 Taipei Story 🧨 Exit Party 💥 Switzy 🧨 Etna 💥 This was a banger month for new releases! I had been looking forward to reading so many of these books, and they did not disappoint. 🧨 Everything I read this month was engaging and meaningful in its own way. Very behind on my reviews, but I will catch up soon. 🧧 My absolute favorite this month was Taipei Story! 💥 This was also a big birthday month 🥳for me and I’m OBSESSED with the new U2 singles being released from their upcoming album. 🧨 What were your top September reads? by @hhitz_lit
5
4 days ago
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🇯🇲 T H E D I S A P P E A R E R S In Jamaica, 1988, eight gay men came together to rehearse a play. They did so in secret, because to be gay in Jamaica was to be hated and hunted. While the men range in age and class, the first section centers the POV of Eddy, a nineteen year-old, and his journal entries. All of their lives are shattered one night—literally and figuratively—as they are brutally assaulted by a savage mob. This section was one of the most violent scenes I’ve ever read in literature. It reminded me of how I felt reading the Battle Royal scene from Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man (except much more intense). The next section of the book is the most significant in size and in action, and it details the aftermath of the attack primarily through the POV of a character named Jordan Brown. The devastating effects of that night play out in horrifying and disturbing psychological ways, leading Jordan to seek something like revenge. In some ways, he reminded me of Hamlet. Jordan is tortured, riddled with guilt and shame, consumed with anger. He will never be free from the trauma of that night, and his path crisscrosses Eddy’s while each of them explore the meaning of their suffering. We also hear from another member of the group, who was older at the time of the assault. These different perspectives traverse time and place and ultimately shed light on the complex ways queer Jamaican men have been compelled to reconcile with their true identities. I don’t even know what I can say about this book that hasn’t already been said better about the brilliant ways Marlon James has crafted the voices in this novel to express the pain but also the beauty of what it means to be gay inside and outside of society’s expectations. The emotional experience of reading this 600+ page novel cannot be understated. There were so many literary and pop music and culture references that were just perfect as well. I will be thinking about this novel for a long, long time. 🔎 what to read next, book recommendations, historical fiction, AIDS stories, literary fiction, queer novels, LGBTQ, character-driven novels, contemporary literature, Booker nominee by @hhitz_lit
14
13 days ago
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🍊 🪰 F R U I T F L Y Mallory Maddux once experienced literary success years ago with a bestselling novel, but she hasn’t written anything in seven years. She’s currently making a living as a therapist (with questionable credentials) and married to an insufferable Netflix executive named Ronan, who exerts control over much of her life. Seeking a creative spark, Mallory stumbles into the dark world of gay sex work and drug culture in London’s underground network. She meets a young struggling addict named Liam, and she becomes instantly obsessed with his traumatic story. Mallory has found her inspiration, and the novel begins flowing onto the page. Her agent is thrilled she’s uncovered an “urgent” and important voice, offering the promise of monetary advances and literary recognition. The narration alternates between Mallory and Liam, evolving into a twisted and fast-paced thriller that explores psychological manipulation, social commentary about the publishing industry, and questions about identity and trauma. The first part of the book was casually funny—Mallory is a super CRINGE narrator (think Yellowface vibes), but over the course of the novel, parts of Mallory’s past reveal how trauma has affected her as well. The book does get a bit dark towards the end! I don’t read thrillers very often, and overall this book was a very readable debut. I hope to read more from this author in the future! 🔎 what to read next, book recommendations, unhinged narrators, trauma novels, character-driven novels, contemporary literature, psychological thriller, books about books by @hhitz_lit
8
15 days ago
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🌊 B I G L I T T L E T R U T H S I remember reading Big Little Lies many years ago, but I remember watching the HBO limited series more because of the amazing director, Jean Marc-Vallee, who passed away in 2021. The outstanding actresses—Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, Zoe Kravitz, and Meryl Streep (yes, Meryl Streep!) kept coming to mind when I picked up this sequel. I had forgotten about Meryl Streep and her character, but all of these women—their issues and struggles, their desires and wants—came flooding back. This story takes place ten years later in Pirriwee, Australia (not Monterey, as the TV series did). Several characters are now firmly situated in midlife, managing all the aches and pains that come with it: aging parents, menopause, angsty teenagers—the list goes on. This collection of women are still friends, years after the scandalous “accidental” death of Celeste’s husband at the hands of Bonnie, the new-agey yoga teacher who is married to Madeline’s ex-husband. It’s a very tangled web of drama, but it worked in the first book, and it works here, too. New to the mix is teenage drama, as their children are all about fifteen years old. There’s a mystery planted early on in the book at the children’ s school involving a new teacher and a mysterious figure. There are also some heavier life issues the women are dealing with, and I felt more empathy towards their situations as they navigate through them. I haven’t read anything from Liane Moriarty beyond these two books, but I like her characters. The plot is a little loopy in some parts, but overall this was just kind of a good fun read. I love Australian expressions and accents so I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this one! 🔎 what to read next, book recommendations, summer reads, character-driven novels, contemporary literature, sequels, drama filled novels, mystery novels, female friendships by @hhitz_lit
6
24 days ago
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🪵 🏳️‍⚧️ W O O D W O R K I N G The term “woodworking” is used to describe how trans people can “transition” into their new lives and cut ties with their previous lives—essentially, disappearing into the “woodwork” and starting anew as a cisgender people. It’s 2016 in small town Mitchell, South Dakota. Erica Skyberg, a high school English teacher, has just realized she is trans. The only other trans person she knows is an outspoken and rebellious junior student named Abigail Hawkes. Within the first chapter, Erica comes out to Abigail, and they form a connection that lays the foundation for the novel. The story progresses swiftly, with several characters and moving plot points: Erica’s ex-wife, Constance, now pregnant by her conservative boyfriend; Abigail’s ongoing conflict with her estranged parents, who continue to use her dead name; and an impending local (and national) election, with a traditional religious candidate in the running, to name a few. The POV alternates mostly between Abigail’s HILARIOUS biting, sarcastic, teenage first-person narration and Erica’s third-person narration. Erica leans heavily on Abigail to mentor her through the transitioning process, and at first I was a little uncomfortable. But it became clear their roles were intended to be reversed as teacher and student, as their generational divide highlights the complexities of trans experience at different points in time. Overall, I thought this was a beautiful, funny, heartwarming, and humane novel that explores a wide range of issues related to transgender identity, such as community, acceptance, and the significance of individual experience about what “transitioning” means and entails. I appreciated @emilystjams author’s note, and I am grateful to her for creating and sharing this story. Also, a huge thank you to @tellmebry for reviewing this book and recommending it! I am always looking for meaningful queer stories, and this novel was not on my radar. 🔎 what to read next, book club books, book recommendations, character-driven novels, books that stay with you, LGBTQ novels by @hhitz_lit
3
a month ago
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🤖 M A R J O R I E P R I M E I may be super late to this party, but I had not heard about the play Marjorie Prime, written by playwright Jordan Harrrison in 2015. In the first act of the play, we learn that Marjorie, an 85-year old woman experiencing dementia, interacts with a “prime”—a hologram of a man who resembles a 30-year old version of her deceased husband, Walter. He is essentially an AI version of Walter, programmed to draw upon the “data inputs” Marjorie feeds him as they converse about the memories she recounts of their life together. “Walter Prime” functions as a grief and dementia management protocol, causing conflict between Marjorie’s daughter, Tess, and her husband, John, who biews the development of “Primes” as means to rewrite the past. However, Tess is troubled by artificial “intelligence” and the recreation of her childhood memories, which were fraught with unresolved issues related to the death of her brother and communication problems with Marjorie. The play evolves in three acts. I can’t really reveal much more about the next two acts without spoilers! However, the current conversations about AI, its implications on human connection and authenticity, and the ethical questions about its use are clearly issues we are still grappling with today. I can’t remember the last time I read the full text of a play (besides Shakespeare). Even though I see about ten drama productions a year, I always find myself saying I wish I had a copy of the play in my hands and/or I wish I could pause and reread a scene or line! I happened to read this one for work and it was so eerily relevant and timely I felt compelled to share it. I believe there is a film adaptation on Amazon Prime (no pun intended) so I am hoping to check it out. 🔎 dramas, plays, AI ethics, science fiction, theatre, fiction, technology, grief, trauma, aging by @hhitz_lit
2
a month ago
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🍄 C O U N T R Y P E O P L E Miles and his wife Kate are academics from the Bay Area who have been offered an opportunity to spend a year living in Vermont with their two young children. Kate, a highly successful and esteemed literature professor, will be teaching at a prestigious college. Miles, an eternal graduate student, will enter year fourteen of writing his dissertation on Russian folklore. The plot may seem predictable, but I was happy to follow this family along on their adventures in the New England countryside as they adapt to their new life and encounter a hilarious cast of characters. Learning to ski, managing household pests, hunting for truffles—these are a few of the humorous experiences described with sharp wit and amusing detail. And while Kate is killing it professionally and in her new social circle and the kids are thriving with curiosity at school and in their activities, Miles feels a little abandoned and lost. He finds ANYTHING to avoid writing that damned dissertation. If you have ever procrastinated on something important, you will empathize and understand Miles’ plight. Overall, this novel was just a lovely, witty, enjoyable read. For several years, I had a front-row seat watching my husband navigate the world of academia and the laborious process of writing a dissertation, so I felt a special kindness towards Miles. This book is lighter than North Woods, Mason’s most recent book and the only other book of his I’ve read. I remember enjoying that one, but this one was much different. I’d recommend Country People if you just want something light but well-written. I listened and read, but I loved the audio version sections and found myself preferring to hear the narration because it was even funnier than just reading! 🔎 book recommendations, tbr pile, literary fiction, humor, contemporary fiction, family novels, feel good reads by @hhitz_lit
6
a month ago
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🫀 N E V E R L E T M E G O This Ishiguro novel was published in 2005, and I read it many years ago. I wanted to reread it with a teacher’s eye to see if I might add it to my AP Literature class. Set in the UK during the 1990s in an alternate reality, the novel is narrated by a woman named Kathy, now in her thirties. In this dystopian world, Kathy works as a “carer,” whereas other characters are designated as “donors.” Like other Ishiguro narrators, Kathy reflects on the past, recalling events and memories from a school called Hailsham where she grew up with her schoolmates, Tommy and Ruth. This special boarding school was led by “guardians,” and it separated Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth from the regular population. In Kathy’s memories, their lives were filled with normal and trivial experiences; however, a dark and sinister undercurrent emerges when the real reason for their existence is revealed. This realization becomes clear to readers about halfway through the novel. Through Kathy’s reflections, Ishiguro explores many complex thematic ideas: the lasting impact of friendship, love, and connection; the purpose of art and creativity; and what life means to those who know their fate. I am still not sure if I will add this book to our curriculum. While I LOVE Ishiguro, I worry that students do not have enough patience for his narrators and the way they slowly unfold their observations and insights over the course of an entire novel. While that is certainly a reason TO read the novel, there were also a few other scenes in the book that would be more appropriate for mature students. This isn’t my favorite Ishiguro novel (that will always be The Remains of the Day), but I am still thinking about this book. It’s definitely a slow burn. Give yourself time to read it and avoid distractions to appreciate Kathy as a narrator. I had to start over a few times to do it justice. Also, there is a 2010 film adaptation I haven’t seen but I would love to see now! 🔎 classic book recommendations, book club books, tbr pile, literary fiction, science fiction, classic novels, coming of age novels, books that stay with you by @hhitz_lit
16
a month ago
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✏️🍎 A U G U S T R E A D S 🍎 Dandelion Wine ✏️ Five 🍎Yellow Pine ✏️The Namesake 🍎 Heather ✏️ Never Let Me Go 🍎 Marjorie Prime (a play!) ✏️ Woodworking 🍎 Country People 🏫 The start of the school year is always super busy, but I still managed to squeeze in a handful of books. I had to remind myself to be ok with whatever I had the capacity to read. It’s ok to reread and slow down to regain focus and attention when feeling distracted and overwhelmed. Once the school year got going, I actually read a play one Saturday afternoon while sitting on my deck (after we got rid of the 🦨 family living underneath). 📚 Top reads were Heather, Woodworking, and The Namesake (reread). I’m a little behind on reviews so those are coming soon! 🏆 What were your fave reads this month? by @hhitz_lit
0
a month ago
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🇮🇳 🇺🇸 T H E N A M E S A K E In Bengali culture, there is a distinction between one’s “good” name and an informal “pet” name that is used by family members and close friends. Ashok and Ashima Ganguli, Indian immigrants living in Boston, anxiously awaited the arrival of a letter from India that would distinguish the namesake of their firstborn son. It never arrives. Thus begins the life of Gogol Ganguli, who could be labeled an ABCD (American-Born Confused Desi). He is named unexpectedly after his father’s favorite Russian novelist, yet this name will burden him as he remains constantly divided between an American and Indian identity. This novel also highlights the challenges of immigrant parents raising their children with American influences but still trying to maintain the values and connection to their homeland. Growing up biracial myself, there are so many scenes I connect with in this novel. Many of my students say the same, and they also say it’s one of the only Indian writers they have ever read. I reread this novel every fall. Not only is it one of my favorite books, but it is the first novel we study in my AP Literature class as the perfect way to introduce how setting and character are intertwined. Lahiri’s attention to detail in describing how a setting can reflect a character’s growth, discomfort, or epiphany is brilliant. I highly recommend this book to everyone! 🔎 classic book recommendations, book club books, tbr pile, character-driven novels, literary fiction, coming of age novels, Indian literature by @hhitz_lit
5
a month ago
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