Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme started by @Lauren’s Page Turners but is currently hosted by Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog. This meme is quite easy to follow – just randomly pick a book from your to-be-read list and explain why you want to read it. It is that simple.

This week’s book:

Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat

Blurb from Goodreads

At the age of twelve, Sophie Caco is sent from her impoverished village of Croix-des-Rosets to New York, to be reunited with a mother she barely remembers. There she discovers secrets that no child should ever know, and a legacy of shame that can be healed only when she returns to Haiti–to the women who first reared her. What ensues is a passionate journey through a landscape charged with the supernatural and scarred by political violence, in a novel that bears witness to the traditions, suffering, and wisdom of an entire people.

At an astonishingly young age, Edwidge Danticat has become one of our most celebrated new novelists, a writer who evokes the wonder, terror, and heartache of her native Haiti–and the enduring strength of Haiti’s women–with a vibrant imagery and narrative grace that bear witness to her people’s suffering and courage.

Why I Want To Read It

Happy Monday, everyone! Technically, it’s already Tuesday—I know. Monday again. Mondays aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. I, too, am not a fan of Mondays. Still, we push forward. After all, we’ve got to start somewhere, and Monday is a good starting point. It offers a chance to work on our goals; ironically, the start is often the hardest part. That said, I hope everyone had a restful weekend in preparation for the rigors of the week ahead. The weather here in the Philippines has remained unpredictable. Occasional downpours contrast sharply with the stifling heat. After a damp weekend, we have had two hot days. It’s no wonder many are feeling under the weather. As such, I hope you’re doing well—mentally, emotionally, and physically. May we all make it through (or survive) the workweek. I wish you all the best for the days ahead.

Time really does fly. Just like that, we’re already two-thirds through the tenth month of the year. We’ve completed three-fourths of the year and entered the final quarter. Despite the uncertainties the future holds, time keeps pressing forward—regardless of our readiness. While the future remains shrouded in a blanket of uncertainty, there’s still much to look forward to. I hope everything has been going well for you this year. As we approach the year’s inevitable close, I wish that the remainder of it is kind to everyone. May the remaining months shower us all with blessings, positivity, healing, and growth. I hope good news and kindness come knocking on your doors in the coming weeks. I hope you get repaid for all the hard work you poured during Wishing you success and happiness.

With the start of a new week comes a new reading adventure—and, as always, a fresh Goodreads Monday update, albeit a day late, a common occurrence this year. After concluding my journey into European literature—a journey that lasted a full quarter—I’ve now pivoted to the works of American writers. When I say “American writers,” I refer to authors across the entire continent, from North to South America, and of course, including the Caribbean. Their works—along with those of some African writers—comprise the remaining titles in my reading challenge. This is a literary journey I’m excited about, and with many wonderful titles lined up, I’m pretty sure I won’t be disappointed. That said, I’ll occasionally interject works by non-American writers.

Speaking of the Caribbean, one of the writers I keep encountering is Edwidge Danticat, ever since I discovered the beauty of Caribbean literature. I often come across the Haitian American writer whenever I research Caribbean literature. Apparently, she has been a mainstay in the literary scene since making her debut in 1994. Since then, she has published a plethora of works across different genres—ranging from novels and short stories to children’s books and nonfiction. Her work, and the diversity within it, has earned Danticat numerous accolades around the world. This mark of literary excellence began with Breath, Eyes, Memory, her debut novel. Interestingly, it was published when she was just twenty-five years old—meaning she must have started working on it even before reaching that age.

Breath, Eyes, Memory was developed from the manuscript of her master’s thesis while she was pursuing her M.F.A. at Brown University. The novel is partly autobiographical and explores the relationships between several generations of Haitian women. This already piques my interest. I don’t think I’ve read that many works of Caribbean literature—especially Haitian literature. Off the top of my head, I can only name two. That gives me even more reason to dive into Danticat’s body of work. I just hope I’ll be able to get my hands on one of her books soon. How about you, fellow reader? How was your Monday? What books have you recently added to your reading list? Drop your thoughts in the comments. For now—happy Monday, and as always, happy reading!