When We Were Birds

When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo is the tale of people from two very different backgrounds meeting in Trinidad's largest cemetery. 

Yejide St Bernard grew up listening stories about when the corbeaux (crows) became those who use magic to sooth the dead and keep them still. In her family, one woman in each generation inherits this honor/role.

Darwin grew up Rasta. One of the tenants of his belief is to stay away from death. It is a central belief. But after years of there being no jobs, he takes a job in the city - at the main cemetery. He cuts his hair and becomes a grave digger to help his family survive. 

When Yejide and Darwin meet at the gates of Fidelis Cemetery it will change both of their lives. Banwo has written a beautiful book of love in the time of change. 

Banwo, Ayanna Lloyd. (2022). When We Were Birds. New York: Doubleday. 

The City of Brass (Daevabad #1)

The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty is the first book in her amazing fantasy series set in eighteenth century Middle East.

Nahri makes her way as a conwoman in the city of Cairo. She does palm reading, reads tea leaves, performs zars to rid people of djinn spirits (in which she does not believe), and has an affinity for healing. She mostly targets Ottoman nobles. Her goal is to save enough money to go to school for healing.

During a zar to remove the djinn from a young girl, Nahri decides to sing in a language she knows from childhood - a language she has never heard anyone else speak - and calls an ancient djinn warrior seemingly out of the air.

Soon, her warrior is leading her across the desert to the city of Daevabad, a city of djinn. He says she is part djinn herself. 

I love this series! If you are a fan of fantasy and/or are tired of all fantasy being set in an ancient Europe this is the series you have been waiting for! 

Chakraborty, S. A. (2017). The City of Brass. New York: Harper Voyager. 

The White Lady

The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear is another example of her amazing storytelling! If you don't yet know her work, seek it out today at your local bookstore or library.

Elinor White was born in Belgium. She was ten when the Germans invaded. Her father left to join the army. Elinor, along with her older sister and mother were just moments late to escape by train. Now they will try to ride out the war without being noticed by the soldiers. 

Then one day Isabelle comes to their door. She wants the three of them to go on a picnic above the train tracks. And while there count the number of trains and their details. The Germans will likely overlook three women on a hill trying to make the most of the day.

In 1947, Elinor is now living in an estate in the English countryside - in a home given to her for her service as a spy in both world wars. She keeps to herself. But when she sees the young couple down the lane being harassed by to men from London, she feels the need to get involved.

Winspear's words will pull you in within the first page and take you on a thoughtful, suspenseful read. She is one of my favorite authors. 

Winspear, Jacqueline. (2022). The White Lady. New York: Harper.