The Disaster Tourist

The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-Eun, translated to English by Lizzie Buehler, is the story of a specialty travel agent.

Yona Ko works for a travel agency specializing in trips to disaster struck areas. Her job is to travel to places where an earthquake, tsunami, shooting, etc...happen. Then she creates a travel package for people wanting to visit them - either to feel like they are helping rebuild, or to tangentially experience a tragedy from safely after the fact.

When Yona needs a break from work, at a company where people don't take time off, her boss tells her to choose a travel package out of the lesser purchased ones; she can relax and evaluate the trip for contract renewal/cancellation.

The island nation of Mui, off of the coast of Vietnam, is famous only for the giant sink hole that has since filled with water and just looks like a lake. 

Yona's vacation is extended when she get separated from the group, her passport is stolen, and she cannot contact her agency to help. She ends up back on Mui in what seems to be a plan to bring more tourists.

The Disaster Tourist is a very unique story that will not end up where reader expect. This is Yun Ko-Eun's first book translated into English.

Ko-Eun, Yun. (2020). The Disaster Tourist. Berkley, CA: Counterpoint.

The Old Drift

The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell is both a family saga and the fictionalized history of Zambia. This genreblend combines historical fiction, magical realism, science fiction and more. 

In 1904 on the Zambezi River, an incident involving three families sets off a series of events/results that will effect five generations of offspring.

A British explorer, Percy has been in Africa for a few years and is suffering from delirium when he attends an evening at the new hotel on the River.

Giovanna is the daughter of the Italian hotel owner. Her actions that night cause a hex on her family.

N'gulube is injured that night and caught up in the fates.

This is an amazing book, both in scope and creativity. It has been hailed as the Heart of Darkness from the point of view of those invaded instead of from the colonizers. Serpell is a wonderful writer whose characters are endearing and wonderfully flawed. This book is sure to become a classic.

Serpell, Namwali, (2019). The Old Drift. New York: Hogarth.

The Consequences of Fear (Maisie Dobbs #16)

The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear is her sixteenth book featuring the amazing Maisie Dobbs, private detective and psychologist. London, October 1941.

Freddie Hackett, a boy who runs messages through the blackout, witnesses a murder during a bombing raid. He then delivers his message to the same man he saw stab someone.

When the police do not believe him, Freddie goes to Maisie Dobb's office. He has run messages for her for her war work and knows she solves crimes. 

Winspear is a masterful writer whose research (including within her family history) makes for scenes in which you can feel the bombs drop. If you like mystery, historical fiction or just damn well written books, read this series. 

Winspear, Jacqueline. (2021). The Consequences of Fear. New York: Harper. 

Recipe for Love

Recipe for Love: A Farm to Table Romance by Aurora Rey is what happens when a New York City chef takes a job in the Finger Lakes region.

Drew Davis has accepted a job hours upstate to advance her career. Being head chef in the city is years off, but this job can jump her ahead. Even if she has to live in the middle of nowhere.

As part of her interview Drew is being sent to the farm to choose ingredients to make the restaurant owner dinner. 

Hannah Little is a farmer and the owner of 3 Willows Farms. Her product is beautiful and she loves farming. Though it doesn't leave her much time to date. 

Rey now has four books that take place in the upstate Finger Lakes area. I have enjoyed each one, though this might be the hottest one yet.

Rey, Aurora. (2019). Recipe for Love. Valley Falls, NY: Bold Strokes Books.