Mirika’s Reading Range

in Hartford, Connecticut. It follows his coming-of-age journey as a gay male teenager, growing up as an immigrant and living in poverty. This book took me on an emotional journey. It felt less like reading a novel, and more like reading passages about several connected moments. Brief sections give glimpses into Little Dog’s life and the complexity of his relationships with his family and immigrant life. The lyrical prose challenges the traditional narrative of a novel, but also provides more introspective reflections in free form. It’s not a conventional novel, but the thematic and linguistic elements have made On Earth

We’re Briefly Gorgeous one of my favorite books that I’ve read recently. Another must-read is The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. The book follows the journey of Esperanza Corder, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago. She moves from apartment to apartment each year with her family until they buy their first house on Mango Street. The book is told through a series of vignettes, similar to On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous . As Esperanza grapples with her different identities and tries to define herself as a woman and artist, her perception of her identity changes throughout the novel. She transforms from a child to a young adult, and the setting of Chicago showcases the intersection of ethnicity and class as she grows up. Esperanza accepts her place in her community, and uses writing to help her understand her identity. Writing her own stories and poems allows her to leave Mango Street emotionally and physically. These different snapshots show how Esperanza changes and how these experiences have opened her eyes in a new way. There’s no real central plot line of conflict, so the book lacks the conventions found in short stories or novels. However, it’s a book that is definitely worth reading for the introspection that follows. It wouldn’t be right to end off without a rom-com recommendation in the spirit of Valentine’s Day. The final book you should add to your collection is Book Lovers by Emily Henry. It has the perfect combination of character development, comedy, and romance, without any element being overplayed or too sentimental. The story revolves around Nora, a successful literary agent, and Charlie, an editor with a reputation for finding bestsellers. I enjoyed watching the development of Nora’s and Charlie’s relationship throughout the book. Witty banter, amusing emails, and bookstore interactions craft a perfect contemporary romance. The smalltown vibe adds a cozy element to the book, and the characters jump off the page. It’s a humorous and emotionally warm hug of a book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In the meantime, I’ll be waiting for Emily Henry’s next book, Happy Place, to be released in April. Some honorable mentions that are also rom-coms include The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle, People We Meet