en-US Thu, 12 Jun 2025 19:43:08 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review7650237943 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 19:43:08 -0700 /review/show/7650237943 Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile gave 4 stars to The Ruins in Which We Bleed (World War II Historical Fiction, #3) by Steve N. Lee
4.5⭐


Having read and enjoyed the author’s previous works of WWII fiction, A Song of Silence and To Dream Of Shadows, I was eager to read Steve N. Lee’s latest offering and I’m glad to say the author does not disappoint.

Set in WWII Warsaw and inspired by true events, The Ruins in Which We Bleed follows thirteen-year-old Helena Sliwicka in the years following the Nazi invasion of Poland. Though the novel begins in 1943 Poland where we meet sixteen-year-old Helena, the narrative moves back and forth between 1939 and 1943 slowly shedding light on the events that impact the lives of Helena and those around her.

The vividly described setting and the author’s meticulous attention to detail transport you to WWII Warsaw and life in the Ghetto with Helena and her family. The descriptions of the living conditions within the Ghetto, the hardships faced by those struggling to survive and the violence inflicted upon them by the Nazis, render this an emotionally intense and heart-wrenching read. The author sensitively portrays the physical, emotional and psychological impact of the horrors Helena experiences and witnesses. I was moved by her attachment to Sparkles and Mati amid the devastation around her. The author beautifully captures Helena’s love for her family, her courage and her resilience in the face of much adversity.

The pacing of the narrative is on the slower side, but the story flows well and I was completely invested in Helena’s journey.

Overall, I found this novel to be a well-written, informative and emotionally impactful work of historical fiction that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who are interested in reading Holocaust fiction inspired by true events. Helena is a memorable protagonist and her story will stay with me for a long time.

Do read the author’s “The Story Behind the Story” wherein he discusses the people, places and events that inspired this work of historical fiction. The author also provides glimpses into his research along with photographs from his travels. This segment (downloadable via the link provided at the end of the novel) certainly enriches the overall reading experience .

I voluntarily reviewed a digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Connect with me! ✏ ✏ ✏ ]]> Review6360422795 Tue, 06 May 2025 05:37:44 -0700 /review/show/6360422795 Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile gave 5 stars to James (Hardcover) by Percival Everett
bookshelves: audiobook, physical-arc, favorites, 2024-favorite-reads
*Winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction*

*Winner of the 2024 National Book Award*

*Shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize*

“With my pencil I wrote myself into being. I wrote myself to here.”

When James (“Jim”), an enslaved man, hears that he is to be separated from his family and sold to a man from New Orleans, he runs away, intending to find a way to secure freedom for himself and his family. He is joined by young Huckleberry Finn, who is running from his abusive father. James is aware of Huck’s plight and is protective of him. The narrative is shared from James’s first-person PoV as he embarks on a life-altering journey.

James by Percival Everett has essentially been described as a reimagining of Mark Twain’s classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In my humble opinion, Percival Everett’s masterpiece is much more than that. The first segment of this novel explores familiar territory from within the framework of the classic that inspired this novel, but presenting the story from James’s PoV adds much depth and perspective to the story many of us have enjoyed over the years. James’s perspective adds a dimension of maturity and a more somber tone to what many of us consider a childhood classic.

“Waiting is a big part of a slave’s life, waiting and waiting to wait some more. Waiting for demands. Waiting for food. Waiting for the end of days. Waiting for the just and deserved Christian reward at the end of it all.”

Frankly, I thought the lighter moments described in this novel were less humorous (the satirical element and the irony evoke amusement) and more thought-provoking. The author never resorts to embellishments, even in the most intense moments. James’s approach to life as an enslaved man compelled to suppress his true self, sharing his wisdom on how to survive and navigate through a world that has mostly been cruel to him and his fellow men, is expressed eloquently but often in a reserved tone.

“White folks expect us to sound a certain way and it can only help if we don’t disappoint them..”

As the narrative progresses, the author takes a detour from his source material and assumes ownership of James’s narrative, presenting our protagonist as a brave, perceptive and wise, self-taught learned person with compassion for his fellow beings. He holds no illusions about the consequences of his actions, fully aware that if caught his fate would differ from that of his fellow runaway Huck. His musings on slavery, racism, religion, the human condition and humanity in general are expressed through his imagined conversations with characters whose works he has been reading in secret.

“How strange a world, how strange an existence, that that one’s equal must argue for one’s equality, that one’s equal must hold a station that allows airing of an argument, that one cannot make that argument for oneself, that premises of said argument must be vetted by those equals who do not agree.”

James’s journey is not an easy one and the author does not try to paint it as such. Each of James’s experiences, the consequences of the choices he makes along the and the people he meets (slavers, tricksters, liars and fellow enslaved men and women who have experienced unimaginable cruelty at the hands of their masters) contribute to his understanding of the world around him and the perils he will inevitably face on the road he has chosen to travel. His companion Huck is often unable to comprehend the dangers James could potentially face , often puzzled by what he assumes is James’ uncharacteristic behavior, leading to many meaningful, heartfelt conversations between the two. Needless to say, some scenes are difficult to read, which is to be expected given the subject matter. Set in the years leading up to the Civil War, James is aware of the growing tensions over the issue of slavery but what does this mean for James and his quest for freedom? Will he be able to protect his family from a fate decided for them by those whose intentions and actions are driven by self-interest and utter disregard for human life? Everett tells a story that will stay with you long after you have finished this novel with a surprise revelation toward the end that will change the way you think about the characters and the books that inspired this one.

Heart-wrenching, brutally honest, yet brilliantly crafted and immersive with superb characterization and emotional depth, James by Percival Everett is a memorable read. This novel is surely going on my list of favorite reads of 2024. I read an ARC of this novel and promptly ordered a finished copy for my personal collection.

After the novel was published, I also listened to the audiobook narrated by Dominic Hoffman who has done a remarkable job of breathing life into the characters and this story. All the stars for the audio narration!

This is my third time reading Percival Everett, after The Trees and Dr. No , and I’m glad to say that with James, he does not disappoint!

Many thanks to Doubleday Books for the gifted ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. James was published on March 19, 2024.

Note: I would suggest reading/revisiting the events described in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn before picking up this novel to better appreciate Percival Everett’s creativity and brilliance in crafting James.

Connect with me! ✏ ✏ ✏ ]]> Review7376668239 Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:51:02 -0800 /review/show/7376668239 Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile gave 4 stars to A House for Miss Pauline (Hardcover) by Diana McCaulay
“Miss Pauline thinks about the meaning of land. She knows it’s not eternal. If it can be owned, it can be stolen or sold and new owners can do as they please with it, excavate it down to bedrock and deeper, lay it to waste. Even weather wages war against land, land can shake and rend and tear itself apart. And once people arrive, land ceases to be itself. It becomes the place where human events unfolded, it becomes its memories, ghosts and tragedies.”

Ninety-nine-year-old Miss Pauline Evadne Sinclair, a resident of the small village of Mason Hall, St. Mary parish, Jamaica, takes the noises she hears at night—whispers she believes are coming from the shifting stones her house is made of—stones extracted from the ruins of a white slaveholder's home—as an omen signaling that her time on earth will soon come to an end. Miss Pauline has led an eventful life and has braved many storms, but she has held her own and lived life on her own terms. Though she lives alone, she has a lifetime of memories—some happy and others not—that keep her company, among which are secrets that have haunted her for most of her adult life. Believing she doesn't have much time left, Miss Pauline decides the time has come to find the people she has wronged and confess. She engages Lamont, a local teenager, and her U.S.-based granddaughter, Justine, to help her in her venture. The narrative follows Miss Pauline as she recalls the significant events and people that have defined her life while embarking on a journey to confront her demons and own up to her wrongdoings—an endeavor that will lead to revelations she could not have imagined.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading A House for Miss Pauline by Diana McCaulay. A well-structured narrative, an interesting cast of characters and strong character development make for an engrossing read that revolves around themes of family and community, resilience, racial identity and much more. The vivid imagery and descriptive writing transport the reader to Mason Hall, Jamaica. Miss Pauline is an admirable protagonist - brave and resilient - and I thought the author has done a brilliant job of not only capturing her personality, thoughts and emotions but also life in a small Jamaican village from the lens of our protagonist. The element of magical realism was well embedded in the story and the author deftly incorporates the history of the village and the legacy of colonialism and slavery in Jamaica into the narrative establishing how the same shapes the lives of our characters. I enjoyed Miss Pauline’s interactions with Lamont and loved how they grew to trust one another. The author injects a fair share of lighter moments into the narrative. I particularly enjoyed Miss Pauline’s experience with the internet/social media which was both realistic and amusing. I did wish Justine had been featured more in the narrative, but I was satisfied with how the story gradually unfolds. The pacing does falter in parts, but read with a bit of patience, this novel is certainly a rewarding read.

“What people build holds their stories, buried, it’s true, but sometimes a new fissure lets them escape to find all who might listen. And there are many different witnesses to a life.”

Do read the exquisitely penned Author’s Note where she discusses the people, events and places that inspired this work of fiction.

Many thanks to Algonquin Books for the digital review copy of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Connect with me! ✏ ✏ ✏ ]]> Review7355874412 Tue, 25 Feb 2025 19:48:51 -0800 /review/show/7355874412 Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile gave 5 stars to Nesting (Hardcover) by Roisín O’Donnell
4.5⭐


“Leaving is one thing, but staying away is another.”

Set in 2018 Dublin , Nesting by Roisín O’Donnell revolves around Ciara Fay , former English teacher and presently homemaker and mother of two in her mid-thirties, who decides to take her two young daughters, Sophie and Ella, and leave her controlling and emotionally abusive husband, Ryan, after five years of marriage. This is her second attempt to escape her marriage to Ryan, who outwardly appears to be an ideal life-partner, having left him once two years before only to return soon after. Ciara’s family lives across the sea and she has no close friends she can turn to for support. Having given up her career after marriage, Ciara has only a bare minimum of funds to support herself and her children until she can find a job and is put up in a hotel room as waits for her turn on a long list of those awaiting social housing. Complicating matters further is Ryan, who oscillates between asserting his parental rights, threatening to take legal action and emotional manipulation, resulting in Ciara doubting herself and second-guessing her decision on more than one occasion. We follow Ciara, pregnant with their third child and concerned for her children’s well-being, as she navigates her way through financial struggles, homelessness, Ryan’s manipulations, and limited means of social aid as she strives to rebuild her life.

“I cannot hear myself think. I do not know who I am anymore. I do not know if I exist. I feel like a ghost. Life energy drained. A bloodless, cowered feeling.”

Nesting by Roisín O’Donnell is a dark yet realistic and emotionally impactful novel. The author writes eloquently, with insight and compassion (with minimal melodrama) as she addresses several sensitive themes including marriage and motherhood, gaslighting and emotional abuse, homelessness and much more. The author brilliantly captures Ciara’s state of mind - her fears and insecurities, her loneliness and moments of self-doubt as she navigates her way through much adversity. Ciara is a memorable protagonist and admired her courage and resilience and was invested in her journey of hope and healing.

Written against the backdrop of the Irish housing crisis, the story also paints a realistic picture of how women such situations are left to depend upon the kindness of strangers and the limited resources available for shelter, counselling and financial support. It is impossible to not be affected by this novel and reflect on Ciara’s circumstances and the difficult choices women in similar situations are forced to make and how important it is for them to have a support system to help them through the process . This is not an easy read but is definitely an important book that highlights relevant and important social issues.

Heart-wrenching but hopeful, I found this novel to be an evocative, thought-provoking read and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

Please note that the subject matter and certain themes addressed in this novel may be triggering for some readers.

Many thanks to Algonquin Books for the digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Connect with me! ✏ ✏ ✏ ]]> Review7313480387 Tue, 11 Feb 2025 20:05:36 -0800 /review/show/7313480387 Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile gave 3 stars to A Season of Light (Hardcover) by Julie Iromuanya
3.5⭐

”The world went on in spite of its prisoners.”

Set in 2014, Florida A Season of Light by Julie Iromuanya revolves around the Ewirike family: Nigerian immigrant Fidelis- a barrister and former POW of the Nigerian Civil War and his wife Adaobi, an educator and their children sixteen-year-old daughter Amarachi, “Amara” and fourteen-year-old son Chukwudiegwu “Chuk".

News of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping in Borno State, Nigeria, triggers a traumatic response in Fidelis, taking him back to the year he spent fighting the Civil War in Nigeria and the tragedy that befell his family and the disappearance of his younger sister Ugochi. His sense of past and present blurred, concern for his daughter’s safety prompts Fidelis to lock Amara, who bears a strong resemblance to Ugochi, in her room keeping her from leaving the house. Though he makes a point of attending to her needs, he offers no explanation or justification for his actions. We follow the family members as they try to cope with Fidelis’s increasingly erratic behavior while struggling with their own trauma.

“War had wounded his flesh and a prison had wounded his psyche. Anything more would be an assassination.”

With its fascinating premise and well-defined characters and touching upon themes of war, PTSD, generational trauma, mental health, family dynamics, immigration and assimilation and much more, A Season of Light by Julie Iromuanya is a thought-provoking novel. The narrative, shared from multiple perspectives follows the family members as they try to make sense of their reality and the shifting dynamics within the family. Past events are mostly shared through recollections from Fidelis or Adaobi’s perspective. The author deftly incorporates a few elements of Nigerian tradition, belief and history into the narrative and has done a commendable job of describing the reactions of the children, who were unaware of the family history and the events that trigger Fidelis as well as Adaobi who shares much of Fidelis’s trauma, and her efforts to balance her husband's needs while trying to do the best for her children. Of all the characters, I was most drawn to Adaobi, though I did question a few of her decisions. I also appreciated getting to know Amara, who struggles to find a voice under the weight of expectations within a strongly misogynistic family framework. The character of Chuk, bullied by his peers yet trying to conform to his father's expectations as the son of the family, could have been explored in more depth.

Despite the strong premise and interesting characters, the narrative lacks cohesiveness and as the story progresses, the introduction of certain subplots -relatively inconsequential details and storylines - slows down the pace of the story and distracts from the central themes of the novel. As the different threads of the story converge toward the end ( which I felt was a tad rushed following a relatively slower build-up), the narrative not only becomes a tad disjointed and lacks in emotional depth, but also leaves certain aspects of the novel unexplored. Had the past timeline been described in more depth, this would have rendered the novel a more well- rounded, intense and affecting read.

This novel certainly has potential and though there is a lot about the writing that that is praiseworthy, overall, it does fall short in its execution.

“They had all been through too much. The world could never understand. Their children would never understand. No one could ever understand the choices they had made, even the ones for which they might never atone. War is a cruel wit.”

Many thanks to Algonquin Books for the digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Connect with me! ✏ ✏ ✏ ]]> Review7270902242 Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:02:44 -0800 /review/show/7270902242 Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile gave 4 stars to Tell Me What You Did (Paperback) by Carter Wilson
RTC ]]> Review7268069193 Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:43:02 -0800 /review/show/7268069193 Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile gave 5 stars to Penitence (Hardcover) by Kristin Koval
bookshelves: arc-widget, netgalley-arc, netgalley-alc, immersion-read
4.5+⭐️

RTC ]]> Review7268055413 Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:38:45 -0800 /review/show/7268055413 Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile gave 5 stars to Head Cases (PAR Unit, #1) by John McMahon
bookshelves: netgalley-arc, arc-widget
4.5⭐️

RTC ]]> Review7268049097 Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:36:26 -0800 /review/show/7268049097 Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile gave 4 stars to Death of the Author (Hardcover) by Nnedi Okorafor
bookshelves: netgalley-arc
4.25⭐️

RTC ]]> Review7243277628 Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:08:37 -0800 /review/show/7243277628 Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile gave 4 stars to The Rainfall Market (Paperback) by You Yeong-Gwang
bookshelves: netgalley-arc
“Rainbows are funny things, aren’t they? The harder it rains, the more beautifully they shine. Who knows? Maybe it’s a gift from God, for those who’ve endured the storms.”

The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang (translated by Slin Jung) is a fantastical story that revolves around a young girl named Serin who wins a “Golden Ticket” to a mysterious market that operates only during the rainy season – an experience that is rumored to enable one to change one’s life. Serin, a lonely girl with a fair share of troubles and though a tad doubtful, hopes that she will find a way to change her life for the better.

The author weaves a fascinating tale with a meaningful message, combining elements of Korean myth and folklore, wit and wisdom, magic, mystery and adventure. I had a wonderful time following Serin’s journey and loved how the author describes the Dokkaebi and the magical market. I loved how Serin bonded with Issha, the spirit creature (in the form of a cat), who guided her through the market, coming through for her on more than one occasion. Several subplots featuring a large cast of characters - some friendly and helpful and some more devious - are deftly woven into a well-paced, engaging narrative that touches upon themes of kindness, friendship, loyalty, courage, self-realization, hope and healing.

Though I wasn’t the target audience for this book (the simplistic and straightforward prose is indicative of the fact that the book is meant for younger readers), this in no way detracted from my overall enjoyment of the story. Delightful, imaginative, adventurous and thought-provoking, I found this book to be an entertaining read. I hope the author continues Serin’s story as there are a few plot points that remain unexplored.

Finally, I love the beautiful cover art!

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for the digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Connect with me! ✏ ✏ ✏ ]]>