An own voices, roadtrip novel, full of queer longing and self discovery, the importance of art making, and carving a path for oneself. We follow Bernie and Leah, first they meet as housemates, then as the story unfolds, they embark on a roadtrip, documenting what moves them, forming relationships and creating art along the way.
If you decide to pick this one up, I urge you to listen to I Know the End by Phoebe Bridgers - it’s a perfect pairing.
I’ve seen such positive reviews of this one, so it absolutely has an audience - I enjoyed my time with it, but it’s not going to be a favorite of mine. Because of the narration, (I would’ve loved a dual POV from the two main characters, I’m sure this was a specific choice I just didn’t understand) I felt the characters were a bit removed and distant; however, I could see many people relating to one or both of these characters in a way I never could.
If you find yourself interested in this one, might I recommend preordering it ahead of #pridemonth ~
As much as I loved Saltwater, it pains me to DNF this one. As someone who prefers lyrical/poetic prose, I am shocked to find I just think this is a tad bit overwritten (for my taste). I know many who adored this novel, and I can see why, but personally I couldn’t see past the teenage-angst feel of it, and just didn’t care enough about the characters to continue. TW: disordered eating.
I loved Brooklyn. And Brooklyn also happens to be one of my favorite films. So I was eager to read this sequel, however, I think we could’ve ended with Brooklyn and been happy. I don’t think we needed this sequel, and now I’m left with a bad taste in my mouth with regard to the character of Tony. I’ll certainly pick up The Magician, but I can’t force myself to finish Long Island. I’ll go wash these 68 pages from my brain with a rewatch of the film adaptation of Brooklyn instead.
I buddy read this one with Noelle and we both really enjoyed it.
A modern day/contemporary retelling of the Persephone and Demeter myth. — Cory is young, lost after graduation with no plan in sight, just that she knows she doesn’t want to return home from summer camp (as a camp counselor) to her mother, who has high expectations for her. Instead, Cory takes an offer from an older man, a CEO of a large pharmaceutical company, to come to his remote, private island to care for his children. Cory’s mother knows something is amiss, and desperately begins to search for her daughter.
A page turner of sorts; a story of feeling lost, addiction, desire, and complicated mother/daughter dynamics. I found Lyon’s use of comparing genetically modified things in the modern world, to immortality described in the Greek myth, to be really interesting. I also really enjoyed the alternating POVs, it made the story feel more compelling and propulsive.
I loved how sensory it felt, I could feel the sticky heat, taste the bitterness. This is very much a book that should be read in the summer. Full of lush and vivid prose, I was in awe of Lyon’s writing style.
I’ll be keeping this one on my shelf, and looking forward to more of Lyon’s work in the future.