Book Review - Coleman Hill by Kim Coleman Foote

 

Coleman Hill by Kim Coleman Foote follows two Black women who migrate north during the Great Migration and the ways their families’ lives become intertwined across generations. In 1916, Celia Coleman and Lucy Grimes fled the racism and poverty of the South and moved to Vauxhall, New Jersey, hoping for a better life.

They quickly realize that life in the North is no easier. Like in the South, women are hired mostly for domestic work, money is scarce, opportunities are limited, their children struggle in school, and Black men often die young. Within only a few years of their arrival, both women lose their husbands, leaving them to navigate an unforgiving new environment alone.

Relying on one another for support, Celia and Lucy become close friends and confidantes, and their children grow up together as well. But when an incident occurs, their bond begins to fracture. Over time, the rift between the families deepens, and the consequences ripple through future generations, leaving lasting trauma.

I found this novel both powerful and difficult to read. It is a story steeped in trauma, grief, and abuse, with no lighthearted or uplifting moments, which at times made it emotionally heavy. What I especially appreciated, however, was the structure—each chapter is told from the perspective of a different character in a different time period, giving the novel a rich, multigenerational depth. That said, I often wished the narrator of each chapter had been made clearer at the start, since the large cast of characters sometimes made it hard to keep track.

Overall, Coleman Hill was a compelling, if heavy, read. Though emotionally challenging, Kim Coleman Foote’s storytelling was strong, and I would be open to reading more of her work in the future.

Book Review - The Wish Switch by Lynn Painter

 

The Wish Switch by Lynn Painter  follows sixth-grader Emma, who accidentally loses her magical wishes to her classmate, Jackson, and must find a way to retrieve them before one of her wishes causes real harm. Before her beloved Nana passed away, she told Emma that magic exists and left behind detailed instructions on how to access it. Hoping to make her middle school year more memorable, Emma decides to give magic a try.

She carefully follows Nana’s instructions at the magical wishing well, planning every step perfectly—until Jackson, the new kid, interrupts and tosses in his own wishes, knocking hers astray. At first, Emma doesn’t understand why none of her wishes are coming true, until she realizes that Jackson is the one benefitting from them. When she confronts him, the two uncover that one of Emma’s wishes could have serious consequences for their families unless they work together to undo the mix-up.

I thought the book was an okay read with a few fun moments. However, I found the tone a little confusing. At times Emma and Jackson acted like children their age, but other times their dialogue and behavior felt much older, which made me unsure who the intended audience was. The pacing also felt uneven—it started off slow and then picked up very quickly near the end. I also wish the magic system had been explained in more detail, since it felt a bit underdeveloped.

While this wasn’t a standout read for me, I would still be open to trying more books by Lynn Painter in the future, though I wouldn’t necessarily seek them out.

Book Review - Cast, Catch, Release: Finding Serenity and Purpose by Marina Gibson

 

Cast, Catch, Release: Finding Serenity and Purpose by Marina Gibson is a memoir where Marina shares the rekindling of her childhood passion for fly fishing and discovering a greater life purpose. On her twenty-first birthday, Marina’s parents offered her a choice between two gifts: jewelry or fishing rods. Marina decided to pick up the fishing rods and reconnect with a childhood passion and family tradition initiated by her mother. She has fond memories of fishing with her family in the rivers of the Scottish Highlands.

As Marina focused more on fishing, she wanted it to become a full-time career. She enjoys the silent moments of angling and the mysteries of the river. The rituals of casting have provided her a sanctuary for her failing marriage and a sense of comfort for her mind and soul.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading this book. I’ve been trying to read more books outside my comfort zone, and this was one of my recent picks. The book had some interesting moments, but it wasn’t something I would read again.

Marina is a talented angler, as is evident from her technically dense writing. The book is divided into three sections: cast, catch, and release. Each chapter also has three parts: a technical fishing story, the biology behind salmon, and a personal story. I liked the personal stories the most. I found the background on salmon to be quite interesting. I didn’t realize that salmon have so many life stages and different migration patterns. The fishing stories were somewhat interesting but often over my head, as Marina used many technical terms I wasn’t familiar with. I’ve never been fishing, so many of the terms were new to me, and my eyes glazed over during that part of the book. While it isn’t a bad book, I think people who enjoy fishing or have experience with it might find it more engaging than I did, as none of the personal experiences shared offered insights that could be applicable to me.

Book Review - Break Wide the Sea by Sara Holland

 

Break Wide the Sea by Sara Holland follows a young woman, Annie Fairfax, as she navigates dangerous waters to break a centuries-old curse that has haunted her family. The people of Kirkrell have long feared the finfolk—bloodthirsty fae who haunt the seas, cursing those who cross them and their bloodlines. These sea-dwellers are known for sinking the ships of those who hunt the magical whales. The magic from the whales has brought prosperity to Kirkrell.

Nineteen-year-old Annie inherited her family’s business, the Fairfax Whaling Company, after the tragic death of her parents. Although the family has been successful, their fortune comes with a dark cost: they are cursed to slowly turn into monsters if they experience heartbreak. Since her parents’ deaths six years ago, Annie has begun to grow scales that creep up her arms, and claws have started to emerge from her fingertips.

Her fiancé, August, has been a steadying presence in her life—until she hears rumors that he plans to take over her company. After learning this, her curse intensifies, growing stronger with each passing day. Annie begins to fear that her time may be running out.

When she discovers that Silas Price—a young captain who is half-finfolk, half-human—might be able to help, she jumps at the chance. Silas promises to take her to the finfolk queen who can lift the curse, but only if Annie agrees to end whaling forever.

As they sail north, Annie struggles with the promise she’s made. She’s determined to find a way to cure herself without ending the whaling that sustains her city. But as she hesitates and begins to backpedal, she realizes she’s not the only one hiding secrets. Her feelings for August begin to fade, while her connection with Silas deepens. Torn between duty and desire, Annie feels the weight of her responsibility as the heir to the company. But as her curse worsens, she must face an impossible question: will she choose to save herself or preserve her family’s legacy?

I found this novel to be an interesting read. The writing style was engaging and made it easy to feel transported into Annie’s world. The book started off strong, though I found the middle section a bit slow. It did pick up again toward the end, but I was expecting a more satisfying conclusion—only to realize it’s part of a series. That said, I’m definitely curious to see what happens next, especially with the cliffhanger ending.

I especially enjoyed the scenes with Annie, her siblings, Silas, and his cursed crew. I wish we had learned more about each crew member’s curse and how it affected the story. Their dynamic reminded me of one of my favorite pirate crews, the Straw Hat Pirates from One Piece. While some parts of the book were repetitive and a bit slow, I still enjoyed the overall experience and would be open to continuing the series.

Book Review - Madga The Big Tournament by Nicolas Wouters

Madga The Big Tournament by Nicolas Wouters follows a twelve-year-old named Madga competing in a galaxy-wide children’s cooking competition called the Intergalactic Cooking Tournament. Madga was born on Azuki, a tiny moon planet renowned for its incredible plant life, especially broccoli. Madga is a bit of a messy child, but she is a talented chef who creates unique and delicious dishes. Kids all over the galaxy hope to win a chance to compete in the challenge. The prize is Nectar, a precious resource that can reshape worlds and save dying ones. As Madga participates in the competition, she uncovers something sinister at play.

It took me a while to get into the graphic novel. I didn’t really like the drawing style. I felt like the graphic novel needed more world-building details because everything was new. As someone who loves cooking shows, I would have preferred it if they used real food ingredients and techniques instead of imaginary ones. I think that would have made me more invested in the story. I also sometimes felt unsure about where the story was heading, and there were elements that didn’t add much to the narrative. Unfortunately, it ended on a cliffhanger, but I am in no rush to find out what happens next.