Happy Wednesday, friends! We’ve had sick toddlers this week, so unfortunately my reading life really took a hit as I spent all my spare time attempting to catch up on sleep. Last night was the first night all of us slept in like a week, and I feel almost human again!
The biggest focus in my reading this week is the book Despair by Vladimir Nabokov. While Lolita is probably his most famous work, this earlier novel is Nabokov’s take at a classic golden age of crime novel. Why am I reading this book? My in person bookclub picked it for the month! Never would have thought we’d be reading Russian Lit for a casual bookclub, haha. I’ll let you know how it goes!
REVIEW: The Lion Women of Tehran
Ellie and Homa are best friends. As life circumstances pull them apart, they drift apart like all friends do. Then, shoved back together by nothing short of fate, can the friends overcome their differences?
I love the deep characters Marjan Kamali writes. It is obvious she pours her heart and soul into every line of her books, and her evocative and emotional writing pulls you into the story. This coming of age story for Ellie and Homa is no different. Marjan Kamali writes about some hard things in friendship: jealousy, love, betrayal, and joy. The dual point of view really worked well, and my heart grew and ached with them. And in true Kamali style, there’s a lot of hope packed in there too! As well as some fun easter eggs from The Stationary Shop (which I would also recommend if you haven’t read it yet!).
I’d recommend this book if you’re interested in female friendships, coming of age stories, and historical fiction set in 1950’s Iran.
Content warnings: rape, war
Special thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Lion Women of Tehran to read! This book will publish on July 2, 2024.