Another week of a strong slate of new releases! Here are books that are on my radar (and I think should. be on yours, too):

Babylon, South Dakota by Tom Lin

Why it interests me: I especially appreciate stories with Chinese immigrants in the American West. I think this may also have a speculative nature.

House of Margins by Tlotlo Tsamaase

Why it interests me: a haunted house story set in Africa. A missing author after being invited to a writing retreat. Have I ever mentioned how much I enjoy books set at author/artist retreats?

Dead Weight by Hildur Knútsdóttir

Why it interests me: Hildur's previous work, The Night Guest, was one of the first horror books I read and was at the beginning of my realization that horror often has the theme work that I love. This one is translated from Icelandic and described as "gruesomely cathartic."

Pretend You're Dead and I Carry You by Julián Delgado Lopera

Why it interests me: a literary fiction book with queer characters by a Colombian American author.

The Redemption Center is Closed on Sundays by Andrea Hairston

Why it interests me: this looks like science fiction in horror skin.

No God but Us by Bobuq Sayed

Why it interests me: our main character participates in Istanbul Pride, and appears to explore Turkiye's growing authoritarianism and queer freedom.

Now for the full book discussion. Reading the last of this book made me so angry. Even though this is the 3rd time I've read this book, the "school" just seems so incredibly cruel. What was the point? It just seems like torture to make these mothers "parent" dolls for a year and then take away the doll too.

The last line hurts me in the same way that the ending of 1984 does.

Let's take a final look at our identified themes:

Us vs. Them

I think that the dolls highlight this theme. Are they human? Are they treated better than those that are? I'll admit I chuckled when someone said to "believe women" when they were talking about the accusations of the doll.

The Expectations on Mothers

It's abundantly clear that nothing short of absolute perfection is okay. This same message is found in our culture, if less overt. Just take a look at the Mother's Day advertising, so many lifting up sacrificial motherhood as the standard.

Misogyny in a Patriarchal Society

If a woman is just a mother, she isn't a person. She only exists to serve others and deserves nothing in return.

What did you think of the book?

Here are some of my thoughts on Chapters 10-14 (p. 165-241) of The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan.

This section feels weaker to me. I don't fully understand the inclusion of the interactions with the fathers and what it adds. Still, let's review the themes I've noticed.

Us vs. Them

I feel like the interactions with Tucker provide some clarity here. In a way, he sets himself apart from the other parents through his "wokeness" and they seem differently because he makes these distinctions.

The Expectations on Mothers

It made me so angry when it's brought up that a mother should have all their needs fulfilled through being a mother. Of course it's not true, but I've also never met a mother who didn't feel guilt when they had needs that weren't met through motherhood, as we should be ashamed to be full people. Perhaps this isn't as overt in our society as in the book's but it's definitely there.

Misogyny in a Patriarchal Society

I think this is most emphasized in the differences between the fathers' and mothers' training, down to the fathers not having to claim to be narcissists.

Additionally, we see Frida come to terms with the way Harriet will be seen by men as she grows up. And of course, there's the lesbophobia...can't have women being fulfilled apart from men and motherhood!

Additional Questions for Discussion

Did the fathers section make more sense to you than it did to me? I'm hoping someone can help me understand why it was included.

As the weather gets warmer, I can't wait to be reading next to a pool. Here are some new releases that come out this week that would be great candidates, wherever you are reading!

Make Me Better by Sarah Gailey

Why it interests me: I'm always down for a new book from Sarah Gailey, especially the weird girl ones. This one seems culty? My preorder is in the mail!

We Dance Upon Demons by Vaishnavi Patel

Why it interests me: contemporary fantasy speaking to reproductive justice.

The Bone Door by Frances White

Why it interests me: It's supposed to be queer and fat positive. It's fantasy but leans horror, so I did decide to put it on hold at my library, though fantasy hasn't been appealing lately.

Coyoteland by Vanessa Hua

Why it interests me: Contemporary fiction exploring hypocrisy in upper class progressive culture.

Electric Shamans at the Festival of the Sun by Monica Ojeda

Why it interests me: Set in the near future at a pseudo-spiritual festival.

A Siege of Owls by Uchenna Awoke

Why it interests me: clifi with magical realism set in rural West Africa.

Here are some of my thoughts on Chapters 5-9 (p. 73-164) of The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan.

This section made me angry, rightfully so. A continued look on the themes identified last week:

Us vs. Them

We continue to see the mothers compare themselves to one another, which is understandable. It's easier to consider your own faults "not that bad" or excusable, while others' aren't.

The Expectations on Mothers

This really comes to light in this section, with the mothers at the school required to parent their dolls in a particular way (down to the number of seconds a hug should be??!!). There's no doubt that these mothers made mistakes that harmed their children, but it doesn't seem like the formulaic parenting they're forced to do is the answer.

Additionally, it seems like these expectations are one-sided, given how many mothers have been sentenced to this education compared to how many fathers.

And a new theme to consider:

Misogyny in a Patriarchal Society

The misogyny has been there since the beginning: Gust cheating on and leaving Frida, how Frida is talked about. But the scene that stood out to me the most was how the mothers had to keep asking for pads on their period, instead of being provided more than 2 at a time. This seems designed (or at least implying) that their feminine need is a defect that shouldn't be coddled (as if hygiene supplies can coddle someone).

Additional Questions for Discussion

What do you think about Frida's interactions/thoughts of Susanna?

What do you make of Lucretia's experiences?

What role does race play in the school?

May is looking to be a great months for new releases. Here are some May 5th new book releases on my radar (and should be on yours!).

Saturn Returning by Kim Narby 4.25/5 stars

Put this on your TBR if you enjoy character-forward stories about messy lesbians who face real-life struggles.

Homebound by Portia Elan 3.5/5 stars

Put this on your TBR if you like a book that explores both the path and the future. The 1980s queer coming of age story was especially intriguing.

And the ones I haven't gotten my hands on yet:

Seek Immediate Shelter by Vincent Yu

Why it interests me: explores the aftermath of a ballistic missile warning on a community that was a false alarm.

The Girl with a Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean

Why it interests me: diverse fantasy. In full transparency, I ordered this through Aardvark but will probably hold off until I'm excited for fantasy again.

One Leg on Earth by 'Pemi Aguda

Why it interests me: it's said to exploring coming of age and motherhood, set in Nigeria.

Now Then by Morgan Radford

Why it interests me: a multigenerational novel exploring a Cuban American family.

The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee

Why it interests me: everyone loves Fonda Lee's writing, and I think I will too.

Republic of Memory by Mahmud El Sayed

Why it interests me: it's comped to A Memory Called Empire. I love books like this, set on a generational ship.

Honey by Imani Thompson

Why it interests me: a feminist rage novel. If we don't read about it, maybe we'll be forced to act on ours.

John of John by Douglas Stuart

Why it interests me: it sounds like a quiet novel exporing queerness in a rural, traditional setting.

How is it May already?

For May, I'm excited to discuss The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan with you and hope that you'll pick it up, too!

Here is my schedule for discussion:

• May 1: Chapter 1-4 (p.1-72)

• May 8: Chapters 5-9 (p. 73-164)

• May 15: Chapters 10-14 (p. 165-241)

• May 22: Chapters 15 - end (p. 242+)

So, now on to my thoughts on chapters 1-4!

I've heard some recent critique of the dystopian elements of this book (that we haven't really gotten to yet). But these first chapters remind me why I love this book so much, as the themes are evident from the beginning.

This is my 3rd time reading it, but on my first time reading it, my daughter was just a bit older than Harriet. While my circumstances were different than Frida's, I very much related to what Frida is going through.

Here are a couple of themes I observed:

Us vs. Them

Repeatedly we're reminded that Frida isn't like "those" mothers who harm their children. Class and race separate her from the "those" people who don't deserve to be mothers with an emphasis that it's not typically mothers from her neighborhood under investigation. While Frida isn't white, she is "pale enough" that she will likely be treated better than others who are not.

The Expectations on Mothers

Frida is on trial for her mothering. While I think we would all agree she made a bad decision, it's not hard to see why she was brought to that point. The expectations on mothers is high, but the supports are lacking.

And now that Frida is under investigation, even reasonable and typical behavior will be frowned upon. She must be perfect.

And even fellow mothers are holding each other to these standards. Any weakness or struggle must be hidden, while the front of perfect, sacrificial motherhood is showed to others.

And finally, Frida is holding herself to unreasonably high standards, being her worst critic. This has always been me (even before becoming a mother) to the point where my parents would regularly tell me that they wouldn't punish me for less than perfect grades, because I would punish myself plenty.

Some questions for further discussion:

• What stood out to you from these first few chapters?

• Did you relate to Frida? Did you find yourself judging her?

• What about Gust and Susanna?

Here are some April 28th new book releases on my radar (and should be on yours!). Though I've asked the publishers for these, I haven't gotten my hands on any of them yet...let me know if you have!

Fat Swim by Emma Copley Eisenberg

Why it interests me: a collection of stories exploring bodies, queerness, size, and more? Okay.

Liar's Dice by Juliet Faithfull

Why it interests me: a coming of age story set in 1970s Brazil.

Dreamt I Found You by Jimin Han

Why it interests me: A retelling of a tragic love story set in the Korean immigrant community. I already have her The Apology on my physical TBR so I'm interested in this one too.

The Original by Priya Parmar

Why it interests me: a novel about Katharine Hepburn, exploring the cost of fame.

Break Room by Miye Lee

Why it interests me: translated from Korean, a gripping and incisive psychological game-show drama.

Molka by Monika Kim

Why it interests me: The Eyes are the Best Part was one of my favorite horror books last year, so when I heard she had a new one coming out, I immediately preordered it.

Now for the discussion of the fourth and final section of Good People by Patmeena Sabit (Judgment Day, pages 251-end) as well as the book as a whole.

I think this is what really sold me on the book...we don't get resolution just like we don't in life. In full transparency, I remembered that we found out that it wasn't an honor killing, though on re-reading I realized that was just my interpretation. That said, having the opposite assumption on re-read helped me notice all the times we're clued in to the accusations being groundless.

What was uncomfortable for me (and thus an opportunity to grow) is how easily I was willing to believe it was an honor killing, even though the evidence at most was weak and circumstantial. This playing on stereotype draws attention to Islamophobia in a way that creeps up on you.

What are your thoughts?