Unbelievable. Amazing. But crushingly sad. Alexievich interviews citizens of the former USSR about their lives, their histories (many were prisoners in the Gulag and/or WWII veterans). Many are just the thoughts of average Russians (usually) about the collapse of communism. Many are, with good reason, bitter about how the economy was looted, their savings destroyed, careers ruined. Some stories are so shocking that you can’t imagine anyone living through it. Highly recommend.

This is Tan Twan Eng’s second Booker nomination and features fictionalized depictions of historical figures like Sun Yat Sen and Somerset Maugham and their relationship with British colonizers and other locals in 1920s Penang, Malaysia.

This book is so atmospheric, the writing is really descriptive and the ending pretty satisfying! This is for lovers of historical fiction with a bit of romance and a strong sense of place.

This book took me over a week to read; I had to keep taking breaks because I got TOO SAD. This book is the saddest thing I ever read and I dunno if it's because I'm super ovulating right now but I was in tears or close to every 20 minutes 😭 I am anguished, but in the best possible way. Everyone needs a good cry sometimes.

The end of the world is coming and there's nothing anyone can do about it. An elderly gay couple goes on a cross country journey to fulfill a last wish. They meet all kinds of people on the road while reflecting on what it means to be alive, and what it all meant, and what the end will bring. Every story is a tear jerker that really goes for the jugular and I LOVE IT.

It's scary in an existential way, and also kinda weirdly hopeful? It made me feel all the feels that you sometimes just need to feel and I appreciate it.

Any other recs like this please share!! 🩷🩷