A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

*****I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy, this in no way impacted my review****

Goodreads Summary:
A Place for Us unfolds the lives of an Indian-American Muslim family, gathered together in their Californian hometown to celebrate the eldest daughter, Hadia's, wedding - a match of love rather than tradition. It is here, on this momentous day, that Amar, the youngest of the siblings, reunites with his family for the first time in three years. Rafiq and Layla must now contend with the choices and betrayals that lead to their son's estrangement - the reckoning of parents who strove to pass on their cultures and traditions to their children; and of children who in turn struggle to balance authenticity in themselves with loyalty to the home, they came from.

In a narrative that spans decades and sees family life through the eyes of each member, A Place For Us charts the crucial moments in the family's past, from the bonds that bring them together to the differences that pull them apart. And as siblings Hadia, Huda, and Amar attempt to carve out a life for themselves, they must reconcile their present culture with their parent's faith, to tread a path between the old world and the new, and learn how the smallest decisions can lead to the deepest of betrayals.

A deeply affecting and resonant story, A Place for Us is truly a book for our times: a moving portrait of what it means to be an American family today, a novel of love, identity and belonging that eloquently examines what it means to be both American and Muslim -- and announces Fatima Farheen Mirza as a major new literary talent.

My Thoughts:

It took me a bit to get into this story. I can't say that I can put my finger on the exact reason why. The writing is awesome, but I think I needed to be in a specific mindset to read this book. At times this read is hard to get through, only because you feel so badly about what is happening to the characters in the story. You get the chance to see complicated family dynamics from a variety of viewpoints. One small thing to one member of the family has huge consequences for another member of the family. 

I found this book very relatable. I am not Indian or Muslim but that didn't prevent me from connecting with each person. Lately, I have read a lot of books from the POV of white women so it was nice to get out of that space and see through the eyes of someone other than myself. 

I will say that I was disappointed by the ending of this book. Since I don't feel like giving a load of warnings about spoilers I will just say that it left me wanting more. Which I suspect is the point. We all are left wanting more or wanting closure or wanting something that will never be. Life is messy and rarely ends the way we want it to. I think that was part of the story but still, I was disappointed. I felt like the book was building toward something and then just didn't hit the goal. I am still thinking about the book a full 24 hours after finishing it. Clearly, it has lingered with me which is always a good thing.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new and creative voice in fiction. 

While writing this review I was listening to the hum of the AC.

Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy #2) By Deborah Harkness

Goodreads Summary:

IT BEGAN WITH A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES.

Historian Diana Bishop descended from a line of powerful witches, and long-lived vampire Matthew Clairmont have broken the laws dividing creatures. When Diana discovered a significant alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, she sparked a struggle in which she became bound to Matthew. Now the fragile coexistence of witches, daemons, vampires, and humans is dangerously threatened.

Seeking safety, Diana and Matthew travel back in time to London, 1590. But they soon realize that the past may not provide a haven. Reclaiming his former identity as poet and spy for Queen Elizabeth, the vampire falls back in with a group of radicals known as the School of Night. Many are unruly daemons, the creative minds of the age, including playwright Christopher Marlowe and mathematician Thomas Harriot.

Together Matthew and Diana scour Tudor London for the elusive manuscript Ashmole 782 and search for the witch who will teach Diana how to control her remarkable powers...

My Thoughts:

So this book is written for the history buffs. This is the most historical fiction book of the series. All of the books have large doses of history but this book actually takes place in the past. Diana has serious power, so much that her Aunts can't help her and every other witch that she meets can't help her or sees her as a threat. 

Here's the thing about this book. It makes a statement about segregation in gene pools. If you limit where your genes come from it limits evolution. While Deborah Harkness is applying this to witches, daemons, and vampires it could also be applied to humanity. Just look at the weak-chinned royal families we know and it is a case in point that limited genes are not a good thing. I like that she is making this social statement. We shouldn't try to limit where love comes from and we should embrace it when it shows up for us.

Diana and Matthew have to figure out what their love means for themselves and they are given that chance while in the past. Diana can time walk, which hello, hella awesome skill to have. Can you imagine all the awesome times and places you could go?!? Obviously, Deborah Harkness wishes she could go back in time, but that is predictable seeing as she is a historian.

I felt like this read was true to modern characters while also being true to historical characters. I think we see people from the past as stupid, closed off, and incapable of understanding complex thought. This is not how Deborah Harkness writes her characters. They are full-bodied people of their time, open and understanding and whole people. A lot of historical fiction forgets that people are of a time and place, but they are also just people. I guess that is the biggest complaint I have with a lot of historical fiction, too much of it is over the top and not enough of it is relate-able. I like a story that I can see myself in, regardless of the time.

I would recommend this book to historical fiction lovers, history nerds, and anyone who loves a good story.

While writing this review I was waiting for my Indian food. Mmm naan. Also, I have a bitch of a cold and nothing helps a cold like Indian food.