What would you do if you were defending your property from a burglar and they accidentally died? That’s the dilemma Um Hassam and her family faced one night in their apartment in Aleppo, Syria. The rooms are in darkness due to a power cut,...

This week I’ve been thoroughly engrossed by Charles Paul Collins’ historical novel The Remembering: Of Leather & Stone. A fictional account of the lives of real members of the author's family throughout the ages, this book manages to give a compelling insight into the history...

Yesteryear's Wish by Zixiao Yu is an evocative tale that seamlessly weaves nostalgia, mystery, and the warmth of family bonds. Set against a beautifully crafted, almost dreamlike backdrop, the novel unfolds with layers of tender memories and profound reflections that touch the heart. Each chapter...

Becoming Mariella by Janet Constantino is a heartwarming story about Mariella Russo, a young woman from Sicily eager to find her path and break free from her family's expectations. She feels the weight of her mother Yolanda's dreams, who is excited at the thought of...

Beware the Bantam Fighter by David Santiago follows a Puerto Rican family's experiences over the years living on the mainland. With her baby in the stroller, Josephina Burgos walks through the street to confront her son's bullies in the neighborhood. A young Roberto and his...

In the city of Naghaar, women are regarded not by their worth but by their appearance and are sold upon passing the required inspection. In The Willow Tree, Komal Akhtar explores this popular ritual which is practiced by many Eastern cultures. Under the oppressive Allotment...

And Then Came You by Dorothy Elizabeth Love is an emotionally rich contemporary romance exploring the delicate interplay between past trauma and new beginnings. The story centers on Parker Ryan, a man still haunted by previous heartbreak, who finds himself unexpectedly drawn to the magnetic...

Musical Chairs by Ruth Bures is a historical fiction novel that tells the true story of four musicians, Babette, Freda, Orville, and Walter, who perform a classy vaudeville act in the early 1900s. As vaudeville declines, they settle in a small town in southeastern Minnesota,...

Caroline Bella Kennedy’s I'll Be There: Vignettes of an Intrepid Traveller is a fascinating journey through the eyes of a fearless woman who has traversed some of the world's most treacherous terrains and rubbed shoulders with the most iconic figures of the 20th century. Her...

Imperfect by Katy Motiey is a compelling and heartfelt story set against pre-revolutionary and revolutionary Iran. It offers a powerful narrative about a woman's resilience and fight for her rights in a deeply patriarchal society. Motiey draws inspiration from her mother's life, making the story...