The Bibliophile's Compass

Title : Second Class Citizen Author : Buchi Emecheta Publication Year : 1974 Pages : 175 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Literary fiction, Postcolonial literature, Source : Book Have you ever read a novel whose characters invoke feelings of rage and fury so intense that the word "anger" feels inadequate? This is one of those novels that has provoked such emotions in me every time I’ve read it (three times so far). I know that if I read it again, I will feel the same fury, or even more! However, that doesn't mean it deserves anything less than five stars. The ability to evoke such strong feelings in readers earns this novel all the accolades! "Second Class Citizen" by Buchi Emecheta, a Nigerian author, tells the story of Adah, the main character, who faces numerous struggles. Adah has always dreamed of obtaining an education and moving to the UK for a better life, eventually returning to Nigeria. Motivated by her father's views on the UK, Adah defines a singul...

Title : The Man That Was Used Up Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1839 Pages : 10 Rating : ⭐⭐ Genre : Satire Source : Ebook @everand_us What on earth did I just read? And what in the world did the narrator just witness? You think you’ve unraveled Poe’s twisted humor and can roll with the absurdity, only for him to throw you a curveball! This tale follows a narrator who’s determined to crack the enigma surrounding his beloved war hero. He details the Brigadier-General’s anatomy in excruciatingly vivid detail to the point where it feels more like a medical file than a story. But trust me, that’s just the warm-up act! Armed with a veritable catalog of every limb and feature, our narrator still can’t unearth the city-wide mystery that everyone else seems to know. He interviews each citizen, but they all respond like malfunctioning robots, recycling the same nonsensical lines without spilling a single clue. It’s enough to drive anyone mad! You’d think they were all cast...

Title : The Bullet Swallower: A Novel Author : Elizabeth Gonzalez James Publication Year : 2024 Pages : 272 pages Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Historical fiction, Magic realism, Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Western Source : Audiobook @everand_us I read “The Bullet Swallower” last year, and I still vividly remember the narrator’s voice! I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, as it adds different layers to the story of Antonio Sonoro and his family, both before and after him. The narrative spans generations, beginning with the biblical figures Abel and Cain and continuing through to Jaime Sonoro in 1964, who is the grandson of the legendary Antonio Sonoro, known as the bandido El Tragabalas. Antonio Sonoro crosses the river separating Mexico and the United States to commit a crime in an effort to save his family from poverty. However, he ends up on a long journey seeking revenge for the death of his companion. Along this journey, we are introduced to the harsh realities of life f...

Title : The Persians Author : Sanam Mahloudji Publication Year: 2024 Pages : 384  Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction Awards : Women's Prize for Fiction Winners (shortlisted) Source : Audiobook @everand_us "The Persians" (not the one by Aeschylus) tells the story of several generations of Iranian women from a prominent and wealthy family. Some women remain in Iran after the revolution, while others uproot their lives and escape to the U.S. to find a life away from the chaos and oppression during and after the Iranian revolution. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of Elizabeth (the grandmother who stays in Iran), Shirin (the daughter who leaves her own daughter, Niaz, behind and moves to the U.S. before the revolution), and Seema (another daughter who also moves to the U.S.). The next generation includes Bita (Seema's daughter living in the U.S.) and Niaz (Shirin's daughter, who is left behind in Iran to live with Elizab...

Title : The Devil in the Belfry Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1839 Pages : 10 pages Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Satire Source : Ebook @everand_us I’ve discovered yet another delightfully absurd satire by Edgar Allan Poe, and it’s truly a treat! Picture this: we’re in the quirky town of Vondervotteimittiss (yes, I said "wonder-what-time-it-is"—try saying that three times fast!). This isolated Dutch enclave is utterly fixated on two things: time and, you guessed it, cabbage! Everything in this town is as precise and orderly as a Swiss watch, from the perfectly manicured landscapes to the cookie-cutter houses and the brightly colored clothing of the townsfolk. It’s as if they’ve been trapped in a time loop since the dawn of... well, time! But we all know that nothing, not even time, stays the same forever. Enter the Devil, the ultimate disruptor, ready to rain on their meticulously scheduled parade. As the townspeople eagerly await their beloved clock to strike 12...

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Title : The Yellow Wallpaper Author : Charlotte Anna Perkins Gilman Publication Year : 1892 Pages : 28 pages Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Horror, Gothic, Feminist Literature Source : Physical book For me, “The Yellow Wallpaper” stands as one of the true masterpieces of short fiction. It’s not often that I return to a text multiple times—my reading habits usually lean towards the "one and done" strategy. But with Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s work, I found myself drawn back again and again. Sometimes it was out of necessity, perhaps for class or discussion; other times, it was entirely out of my own desire to bask in the brilliance of early feminist literature. The story features an unnamed first-person narrator who shares her thoughts through her diaries—think of it as her version of a podcast, but without being broadcasted. She describes her prescribed “rest cure,” a supposedly innovative treatment for what was then labeled a “nervous disorder.” Back then, if you felt anythin...

Title : Ligeia Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1838 Pages : 18 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Gothic, Horror, Satire (?) Source : Physical book You might have heard of Shakespeare's poem, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" It's a classic rhetorical question. Now contrast that with Edgar Allan Poe's "Ligeia" (pronounced /laɪˈdʒiːə/), where the first-person narrator seems to think he's writing the longest love letter ever. He drones on about his wife's beauty, making you want to shout, "Alright already, we get it! She's drop-dead gorgeous!" Just when you think he's finally wrapped it up, he starts gushing about how smart and educated she is. Really? We didn't need a thesis on her intellect! After all this flowery praise, he casually informs us she's kicked the bucket, but good luck figuring out how or why! Those juicy details are lost in his love-fest. Then, in what feels like a speed dating session, h...

Title : A Predicament Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year: 1838 Pages : 12 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ Genre : Satire, Gothic, Horror Source : EBook @everand_us Alright, let’s get into the delightful chaos of this story! We have a narrator speaking directly to me (the reader)—almost like I’m her therapist—but she can’t quite finish a thought. We’re dealing with run-on sentences that spiral like a rollercoaster! And then there’s a dog and a slave thrown in casually? Classic! This narrator, Signora Psyche Zenobia, might be Poe’s quirky experiment with gender roles since female narrators are pretty rare in his tales. But boy, is she quite a character! If I expected to read a simple gothic story, surprise! It’s more like a bizarre mashup of horror, comedy, and a thesaurus showdown. Seriously, there’s a dash of racism (so normal those days) and whimsical mutilation? Absurdity reigns supreme here, and time is literally taking that scythe to our narrator’s neck—tick-tock, tick-tock, time is...

Title : How to Write a Blackwood Article (Signora Psyche Zenobia #1) Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1838 Pages : 13 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Satire, Gothic, Horror Source : Physical Book One colossal blunder I made was reading “A Predicament” before “How to Write a Blackwood Article.” Who knew it was the opener of Signora Psyche Zenobia's saga? After wading through this satire masquerading as a short story, it dawned on me why the sequel is such delightful nonsense. I bumped my rating from 3 to a generous 4 stars! Our charming narrator—Signora Psyche Zenobia, a rare female voice in Poe's short stories—launches into her whimsical lessons with the legendary Mr. Blackwood on crafting tales for The Blackwood magazine. As she details the “must-have” features of a horror and gothic short story (which sound absurdly ridiculous), I couldn’t help but chuckle and facepalm in unison. Poe's humor is pure gold! Who knew the recipe for a gothic thriller was just a hint ...

Title : Martyr!: A Novel Author : Kaveh Akbar Publication Year : 2024 Pages : 331 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Queer, Literary fiction, Awards : Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2024, A  New York Times  bestseller, Source : Audiobook @everand_us Martyr! is a touching story of a queer Iranian-American poet grappling with profound depression and addiction while navigating the aftermath of his parents’ deaths decades apart. What sets this book apart is the deep connection I felt with the protagonist due to his Iranian roots. As an Iranian, I often shy away from novels about my homeland because of the painful familiarity of those stories. The anguish they depict is frequently too raw, especially when it resonates with my own experiences. I have only second-hand witness to most of those historical events mentioned or experienced in the book. Initially, picking up this book felt like a mistake; it seemed too painful, as if it forced me to confront the darkest aspects of existence ...

Title : The Magic Toyshop Author : Angela Carter Publication Year: 1967 Pages : 200 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Coming-of-age, magic realism, fantasy, Source : Physical Book Angela Carter’s novel intricately orchestrates Melanie’s journey from innocence to the complexities of adulthood—a narrative trajectory familiar to many, particularly for those navigating the tumult of orphanhood. Yet, what elevates this tale beyond the ordinary is Carter’s masterful infusion of fantasy and magical realism. She weaves a tapestry rich with theoretical allusions and symbolism, crafting an otherworldly narrative akin to a dark fairy tale. As the eldest sibling, Melanie’s world shifts dramatically from dreams of bridehood to the stark reality of orphanhood. She, along with her sister and brother, is thrust into the unsettling refuge of their enigmatic uncle’s household, above a magical toyshop that serves as both a sanctuary and a prison of sorts. To fully appreciate the horror and beauty that enve...

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Title : Rejections Author : Tony Tulathimutte Publication Year : 2024 Pages : — Rating : DNFed Genre : Satire? Source : Audiobook @everand_us Warning : I just couldn’t take the level of discomfort Life's too short for books that make you squirm, or as one book-lover said, it would dislocate your jaw! The first two short stories were a quirky little adventure, but by the third, I was ready to hurl. Disgusted and nauseous? Check! I gave it my best shot, but this literary journey wasn't for the faint of heart.

Title : Pics (Rejections) Author : Tony Tulathimutte Publication Year : 2024 Pages : — Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Satire? Source : Audiobook @everand_us Warning : A little bit disturbing for me This short story isn't exactly my cup of tea—it's raw and realistic, leaning more toward the naturalistic type of narration than I prefer when it comes to relationships and sex. That cost it one star right there! I lost another star because reading the group messages made me feel like a relic from the Jurassic period. Seriously, those acronyms had me skipping whole sections as if they were a complicated crossword puzzle! Do people really send messages like this? I needed a dictionary of current messaging terms to understand them. So, why did I stubbornly cling to my three-star rating? First off, the story's raw honesty struck a chord with me. I appreciate it when writers avoid the sugary facade and portray people without turning them all into victims. You think The Feminist short ...

Title : The Feminist (Rejections) Author : Tony Tulathimutte Publication Year : 2024 Pages : — Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Satire? Source : Audiobook @everand_us Warning : A little bit confused After reading “The Ice People,” reading “The Feminist” felt like I was in a bizarre déjà vu where the same male character was having a mental monologue—only this time, me with more eye rolls. Tony Tulathimutte seems to wield satire like a lightsaber, and I couldn’t help but feel he’s actually criticizing our protagonist (he is, isn’t he?): a self-proclaimed male feminist who seems to think that advocating for women automatically earns him VIP access to their hearts. Spoiler alert: he’s basically striking out with every woman he encounters and being rejected by every single one of them. So the whole story is a long rant by this guy, which is so cringe-inducing that it makes you really uncomfortable and start cursing and, of course, facepalming yourself repeatedly to the extent that your husban...

Title : The Man of Adamant Author : Nathaniel Hawthorne Publication Year : 1837 Pages : 9 Rating : ⭐⭐ Genre : Literary Realism Source : Ebook @everand_us Hawthorne takes a delightful jab at those who believe that isolating themselves with their cat and a stack of books is the secret to salvation. Spoiler alert: it’s not! Who would have thought we aren’t heading to a cat-and-book heaven? Joking aside, Hawthorne warns these religiously fanatic recluses that isolation won't earn them a golden ticket to heaven; instead, it may just turn them into cranky old stone statues—both literally and figuratively—a clever play on words! So, for anyone considering a monastic retreat, remember: salvation might be just a conversation away! One curious case. I wonder if our recluse truly suffered from an illness that turned him into stone or something resembling a real illness. I need an answer.

Title : The Cancer Journals  Author : Audre Lorde  Publication Year : 1980 Pages : 69  Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  Genre : Memoir, essays  Source : Paperback book “The Cancer Journals,” a memoir by Audre Lorde, is a profoundly poetic exploration of her battle with breast cancer, reflecting on her experiences before and after her mastectomy. In these pages, Lorde intimately shares her fears and sorrows, merging her personal journals with insightful essays that connect her journey. Through her powerful words, she seeks to redefine herself in the wake of surgery, yearning for voices that resonate with her frustrations and anxieties. As she searches for understanding and companionship in her struggles, she is met with a daunting silence. Rather than succumbing to this isolation, Lorde bravely chooses to become a voice for others, advocating for those who feel unheard—especially Black, lesbian, and feminist women in the 1980s. This memoir is more than just a narrative about c...

Title : The Ice People Author : Maggie Gee Publication Year : 1998 Pages : 319 pages Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Dystopia, Science Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Climate Fiction Source : Paperback Book Warning : Angry Review I generally begin my star ratings by the end of the first chapter, and initially, I was ready to give this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐! The beginning felt promising, evoking vibes reminiscent of "Cloud Atlas" or "The Stone Gods" (which I would rate a solid 10 stars). However, that resemblance didn’t last. While I appreciate clever allusions, I found very few in this book, at least after the first chapters. I powered through to the end, because it was a must-read for me. I settled on ⭐⭐⭐ primarily because I would feel guilty rating it lower—especially after giving Freida McFadden’s “The Housemaid" the same rating, and that book had its own unique flavor of chaos! This book, at least, is impactful with its message, even if it feels a bit like being shoved down the...

Title : The Wedding People Author : Alison Espach Publication Year : 2024 Pages : 384 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Literary fiction, Humor Source : Audiobook @everand_us When I found myself nodding along and chuckling at a character who felt like a long-lost twin—especially since we both share the title of "adjunct English professor"—I knew this book was going to resonate with me. “The Wedding People” felt like a memoir in disguise! I started with the audiobook but quickly hit pause when the main character, Phoebe, jumped off the page and seemed to say, “Look, it’s me!” So, I switched to the ebook, but listening to the audiobook while devouring every word on the screen. Phoebe and I share the struggles of being English professors, but she faces challenges that make me anxious about my own future, prompting questions like, “Am I really Phoebe?” or “Am I going to become Phoebe?” In many ways, the rest of the book might represent my future. It was uncanny how similar Phoebe’s life, wo...

Title : Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit Author : Jeanette Winterson Publication Year : 1985 Pages : 171 pages Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre : Semi-autobiographical, Queer, Feminism Source : Book Upon revisiting Jeanette Winterson's "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit," I found myself immersed in a refreshingly complex pool of emotions. This semi-autobiographical gem chronicles the life of young Jeanette—who shares her name with the author—after her adoption by fervent evangelists so strict they'd consider having coffee on Sunday morning an act of rebellion. What unfolds is one of the most poignant yet darkly humorous coming-of-age tales imaginable. Jeanette's search for identity—particularly as a lesbian in a family, community, and society that appear to be from a different planet or see Jeanette from a different planet, depending on which planet you belong to—will resonate with anyone who has felt like a mismatched puzzle piece. Her journey to find agency in a wor...

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Title : The God of the Woods Author : Liz Moore Publication Year : 2024 Pages : 490 pages, Kindle Edition Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Mystery, Thriller, Historical Fiction Source : Audiobook @everand_us “The God of the Woods” tells the intriguing story of a wealthy family whose children mysteriously vanish a decade apart. This leads readers to question whether they are cursed or merely victims of their own cowardice, as they expertly manipulate others to maintain their glamorous facade. The narrative offers a dizzying non-linear experience, jumping between different timelines and perspectives, which can be quite a mental workout. I won’t lie; the audiobook had me utterly confused at times. I was on the verge of marking it as a DNF when I decided to persevere, and I’m glad I did. A physical copy might have spared me some of the mental gymnastics. However confusing, the multiple viewpoints add depth to the story, transforming it into a broader commentary on the lives of those surround...

Title : Young Goodman Brown Author : Nathaniel Hawthorne Publication Year : 1835 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Allegory Source : Book "Young Goodman Brown" is like that one awkward family reunion where everyone puts on a nice face but secretly judges each other’s life choices! This Hawthorne classic is a beautiful, twisted allegory that I think everyone should read at least once. I’ve read it a few times: first as a student (eye rolls included), then as a teacher (double eye roll), and now just for fun—because nothing says 'good time' like existential dread, right? Each read reveals new layers of beauty and meaning, though it’s a bit like peeling an onion; it might make you cry. The first time through, I was clueless about the religious undertones and felt like I am just reading about Everyman. But once you get the gist of Hawthorne's family drama and his Puritan roast, the story transforms into a magnifying glass on human nature, complete with plot twists. By the...

Title : La Vénus d'Ille Author : Prosper Mérimée Publication Year : 1837 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Fantasy, Horror Source : Ebook @everand_us This is a quirky horror tale about a massive Venus statue with a serious chip on her shoulder. I’m not sure what her deal is—maybe she's just hangry? But let me tell you, anyone who strolls by her is in for a rough ride. We're talking everything from a nasty broken leg to you missing your wedding night entirely! The story is beautifully written; it doesn't quite scare you like Hoffman, but it gives you a chuckle while simultaneously cringing. I especially enjoyed the deep dive into the statue’s origins. Just a heads up, though: treat her with respect, or she’ll hunt you down and make you rue the day you crossed her, especially if you dare to slide a ring on her finger!

Title : The Nose Author : Nikolai Gogol Publication Year : 1836 Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre : Satire Source : Ebook @everand_us This story is utterly bonkers! I mean, we have a nose that sprouted legs and decided to live its best life, and the narrator is out here questioning the author's sanity! First, I was squirming at the thought of a nose stuck in a loaf of bread. But then, without any horror movie gore, I found myself bewildered by the sheer absurdity of it all! The plot thickens as the nose, apparently better off on its own, wanders off while the Major embarks on a wild quest to find it. I followed him from one oddball location to another, feeling like I was in a bizarre reality show. Just when I thought the universe had turned upside down, it’s like nothing ever happened—and then bam, the narrator pops back in, critiquing the poor author’s mental state! In the end, it’s as nonsensical as it is delightful! Of course, Gogol criticizes society within all this absurdity.