Book Review- Beth Nguyen's Owner of a Lonely Heart

Thank you to NetGalley and Scriber for a copy of Beth Nguyen’s memoir, Owner of a Lonely Heart.

At less than a year old, Beth Nguyen left Vietnam with her father’s family to begin a new life in Michigan. In the tumult of fleeing at the end of the Vietnam War, Nguyen’s mother was left behind. Nguyen was raised in a new country with a completely different culture, not meeting her mom until she turned nineteen. Her mother also immigrated to America, but was living in a different state with a new family.

When Nguyen and her sister finally met their mother, the reunion was not as they had anticipated. Their mother was distant and seemed flighty, often abruptly cutting their meetings short or canceling all together.

Nguyen estimates that in her adult life, she has spent less than twenty-four hours with her mom, time spent during those shortened visits. Now, a mother herself, Nguyen reflects on this fraught relationship with her mother and the pain that her mother must have felt at being separated from her daughters.

Owner of a Lonely Heart is a force of a memoir. It’s an emotional, difficult read, but also so very beautiful. The beauty comes from the ultimate kindness and understanding that Nguyen affords her mom. Initially, Nguyen is hurt and struggles to understand why her mom keeps her distance. I don’t think the hurt disappears, however, when Nguyen has her son, she can understand that it’s not because her mom doesn’t love her, it is because the hurt is too great. Her mom is protecting herself from further pain and they might be able to have a deeper relationship, but it will take time.

Nguyen also acknowledges the relationship with her stepmother, who has been part of her life from a young age. This is the woman who mothered her and there is so much love in their family. However, Nguyen has curiosity about her birth mother and their life in Vietnam.

Owner of a Lonely Heart is about exploring unanswered parts of your family and past. I connected with this theme. My father died when I was four and due to the sensitive circumstances, it was not discussed. I’ve always felt there were things unanswered that I want to know. I can fit the things I know about my dad on two hands, so I can understand Nguyen’s jumping at the opportunity to meet with her mom and try to understand her, even though her mom is reluctant.

A truly gut wrenching memoir, Owner of a Lonely Heart is a must-read. One of the best non-fiction books I’ve read in 2023.

Book Review- Natasha Leggero's The World Deserves My Children

Thank you to Libro FM for providing me with an audio arc of Natasha Leggero’s The World Deserves My Children.

Full disclosure, I accepted this audio arc without knowing anything about the author. I had not heard of her previously and just thought the premise of her memoir was appealing. Leggero is a comedian and her memoir is read by her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even more so listening to it told by Leggero. She’s funny, very funny and listening to her voice was probably better than if I had read the physical version of the book. She has a keen sense of timing and perfect delivery, plus her voice is very animated, adding to the comedic effect.

Leggero writes about her decision to have children when she was in her forties. She froze her eggs when she was younger “just in case” she changed her mind about having children. Although she makes it clear that while this was a wise decision, it wasn’t foolproof. It was still very touch and go as to whether or not she could get pregnant. Leggero discusses the pros and cons of waiting, mostly the pros in that she was happily married and in a place of financial security when she finally decided to have kids. However, she also talks about general ideas of having kids when the world is such a messy place and the environmental problems are only growing worse. There is conflict in this decision.

I grew to really like Leggero. Not only is she hilarious, but she has a interesting perspective on many topics. I felt that she was relatable and engaging. I will definitely seek out some of her stand up specials to see if her comedy acts are as good as The World Deserves My Children.

Book Review- Agustina Bazterrica's Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird: Stories

Thank you to Scribner for the arc of Agustina Bazterrica’s Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird: Stories.

In her horror collection, Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird: Stories, Argentinian author Agustina Bazterrica writes unsettling and downright shocking stories. Bazterrica has a quirky, dark sense of humor and a feminist bent. One of my favorite stories involves a young girl that warns a sexual predator that she has a rabbit named Roberto that lives between her legs. Of course, he does not believe her and when he attacks her, he meets Roberto.

The most shocking and unusual story is The Continuous Equality of the Circumference, where a woman desires to turn herself into a circle. A circle. An actual circle. She physically alters her body to become a circle. It’s absolutely bonkers and filled with imagery that stuck with me long after finishing the story.

I work at a bookstore and Bazterrica’s bestseller, Tender is the Flesh, has long caught my eye. I have not read it yet, but it is on my list. I jumped at the chance to get an arc of Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird. I’ve confirmed my suspicions that I would like Bazterrica’s style.

I think it’s also important to read outside of ones own language and culture. Originally written in Spanish, this is a translated work. I wish I was skilled enough to read it in its native language, however, even if you need to read a translation, I think there is value in experiencing works from other countries. The themes and way of storytelling can vary culture to culture, and this is just an interesting way to gain new perspectives.

If you like horror (gruesome horror) and short stories, make sure to add Bazterrica’s Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird to your reading list.