Contemporary Fiction

Becoming Me can be a good read for teenagers struggling with their own faith. The book provides insight on how a girl's re-discovery of her faith leads her to self-discovery and how she navigates through the challenges of adolescence. The unique feature of the book is that it is written in the form of a diary, which gives readers an insight into the character's thoughts, emotions and experiences.

If you've ever found solace or companionship in the escapism of movies, "Finding Colin Firth" might resonate deeply with you. It weaves the lives and tribulations of three women with the charm of the titular actor playing a cameo in their personal stories. Through a blend of humor, emotion, and the quaint setting of a Maine town, this book could offer you both comfort and the thrill of uncovering life's unexpected connections.

Love, Rosie is a heartwarming tale of two best friends who navigate their lives and feelings for each other through misunderstandings and distance. It offers a unique perspective on how love doesn't always follow a straight path and takes you on a rollercoaster journey of emotions. This book can be a good read for anyone looking for a relatable and realistic love story that explores the complexities of friendship, love, and the different challenges that come with them.

"Emergency Contact" by Mary H.K. Choi resonates with anyone who's felt out of place or sandwiched between life stages. It's honest, and its portrayal of young love and personal growth is both achingly real and refreshingly contemporary. This book reflects the messy yet hopeful side of transitioning into adulthood, making it a comforting companion during your own metamorphoses.

If you've ever felt like you're on the outside looking in, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" might resonate deeply with you. It’s a candid exploration of the highs and lows of teenage life. Chbosky’s writing will transport you back to the heartaches and triumphs of growing up, all while encouraging you to find your place on the dance floor of life.

This book would be a great read for anyone who enjoys a mystery intertwined with intellectual commentary and a coming-of-age story. Marisha Pessl's unique writing style and use of literary references throughout the novel add a distinctive touch to the story, keeping readers engaged until the very end.

Recommendation: Born Free is a raw, edgy portrayal of modern family life, with characters that leap off the page in their authenticity. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys darkly comic family dramas and is looking for a fresh, unique perspective on modern life.

Zoë Wicomb's complex and deeply evocative fiction is among the most distinguished recent works of South African women's literature. It is also among the only works of fiction to explore the experience of "Coloured" citizens in apartheid-era South Africa, whose mixed heritage traps them, as Bharati Mukherjee wrote in the New York Times, "in the racial crucible of their country. "Wicomb deserves a wide American audience, on a part with Nadine Gordimer and J.M.Coetzee." - Wall St. Journal Wicomb is a gifted writer, and her compressed narratives work like brilliant splinters in the mind, suggesting a rich rhythm and shape."- Seattle Times "[Wicomb's] prose is vigorous, textured, lyrical. . . . [She] is a sophisticated storyteller who combines the open-endedness of contemporary fiction with the force of autobiography and the simplicity of family stories."-Bharati Mukherjee, New York Times Book Review For course use African literature, African studies, growing up female, world literature, women's studies Zoe Wicomb was born in 1948 and raised in Namaquland, South Africa. After 20 years voluntary exile, she returned to South Africa in 1991 to teach at the University of the Western Cape. She currently lives in Glasgow and teaches at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland. Marcia Wright is professor of history at Columbia University and a member of the executive committee for the Women Writing Africa series. Carol Sicherman is professor emerita of English at Lehman College, CUNY.

Pomegranate Soup could be a good read for someone who enjoys heart-warming stories of cultural integration and new beginnings. The book is most unique for featuring traditional Persian recipes alongside an engaging story of three sisters bringing life to a small town. The book has been praised for its vivid descriptions of food, which help to transport the reader from the pages of the novel to the streets of Ballinacroagh.