Madeline Miller’s Circe is a feminist reimagining of the life of the exiled witch from Greek mythology. Born to Helios, god of the sun, Circe is dismissed as strange and powerless—until she discovers her gift for witchcraft. Banished to a remote island, she comes into her strength, crosses paths with gods and mortals alike, and ultimately chooses her own fate in a world that tries to define her. It’s a story of solitude, transformation, and the power of becoming. I’ve had Circe on my TBR list for so long that I wasn’t sure I’d ever get around to reading it, but a recent eight-hour train ride gave me the perfect opportunity—and I’m so glad it did. I truly enjoyed this book. I’ve always loved Greek mythology, but I had never read anything focused on Circe herself, so it was fascinating to learn about her story. I even found myself going down a rabbit hole of research afterward. What resonated most with me was her journey of self-discovery. Watching her come into her power, often in...
For our book club meeting for the month of October, we dove into How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz, and what a fantastic choice it was! This novel offers a refreshingly original structure and a protagonist with a voice that resonates. I listened to it as an audiobook, which I’d highly recommend—the narration brought Cara Romero’s story to life in a way that added warmth and depth to an already engaging read. Cara, the novel’s protagonist, is a woman in her mid-50s navigating a life turned upside down. After losing her long-term job at a factory during the Recession, she’s pushed back into the job market and begins a series of job counselling sessions. But rather than talking careers, Cara reveals her life story across twelve vivid sessions, recounting memories of love, friendship, family, and survival. Cruz does an incredible job with character development, particularly with Cara, who is as morally complex as she is relatable. She’s been through turbulent relationship...