If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha | A picture of modern-day Seoul focused on current popular trends: K-pop and K-beauty!

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an orphan and always need to prove yourself to the world? Have you ever wondered what it’s like to lose your voice and having to adjust to whole new life, a whole new world around you? Or having to do anything in order to support yourself and your family, even when that “everything” encompasses selling your own body?

«If I Had Your Face» is a debut novel, set in modern-day Seoul, South Korea, following four different women who live in the same apartment building. There is Ara, the girl who lost her voice and works in a hair salon while sharing her apartment with her childhood friends Sujin. Kyuri, the girl who works in a “room salon” [completely different from the hair salon!], a prostitute who made it to the top of that industry. Miho, an artist who is dating one of the wealthiest heirs in Korea. And finally, Wonna, the wife whose relationship is going through a rough time.

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Songs from the Deep by Kelly Powell | Misleading book cover and title?

I’m always very sad when the book I have high (or even moderate) expectations for, ends up being a complete miss. «Songs from the Deep» by Kelly Powell promised a dangerous world where sirens weren’t a myth but a reality that tourists from all over the world came to witness. 

Instead of following this fantastical thread, Kelly Powell led the plot differently. It often felt like the author couldn’t decide what genre she wanted to write, and ended up mixing mystery, fantasy, historical fiction (??), romance and a love letter to music. In turn, I found my mind wandering from one plot element to another, not able to focus or care about any of them.

Three Ways to Disappear by Katy Yocom | The most stunning debut of 2019!

This ARC has been on my Kindle for a couple of months already. After requesting it on a whim, based on the most gorgeous cover and interesting blurb, I was a little wary to actually read it. I couldn’t be more wrong! 

In this brilliant debut novel, Katy Yocom brings us closer to the fatal reality of the extinction of Bengal tigers, layering her novel with intricate family relationships, and emotionally-gripping journey of two sisters, Sarah and Quinn.  

«Three Ways to Disappear» is by far one of the best Literary Fiction books of this year! With such a powerful first novel, Katy Yocom instantly became my new favorite author, and I can’t wait to see what else she will come up with in the future.