The Wishing Game: A Novel by Meg Shaffer is a great read that I recently finished. It centers on Jack, a young man who is having a hard time living up to his father's expectations. Jack sets out on a quest to learn the mystery behind the fabled wishing game with the assistance of an enigmatic woman. He gains valuable life, love, and family lessons during his travels. The Wishing Game: A Novel is a gripping tale with detailed descriptions of the locales and characters that give the reader the impression that they are actually a part of the action. Meg Shaffer has a fantastic writing style; her narrative is imaginative, and her prose is captivating. Jack, the primary character, is likable and relatable; his journey and struggles are genuine.

Luis Alberto Urrea's Good Night, Irene, impressed me greatly when I recently read it. It is set in the turbulent 1960s and centers on two brothers who are searching for acceptance, love, and security while dealing with racial prejudice, gender norms, and political unrest in Mexico and the United States. The flawless writing style of Urrea really struck me. He skillfully combines setting descriptions with character descriptions, adding vivid detail that draws the reader right into the narrative. There are a couple of surprising turns in the story, and it ends well. I really believe that everyone who appreciates a well-written, thought-provoking novel should read Good Night, Irene. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars overall.

North Woods by Daniel Mason is a compelling and thrilling book to read. It centers on Charlie, a young man who travels to the Pacific Northwest and discovers inner resilience in the face of a cruel and brutal environment. Mason deftly conveys the enigma and beauty of the natural world while maintaining an engaging and approachable narrative.

Mason creates vivid, exquisite prose and accurately embodies his characters. He expertly weaves together the themes of survival, bravery, and fate to craft an engrossing story. The tone and dialogue are skillfully written and appealing to readers of different genres.

Zora's journey through love, grief, independence, and self-discovery in her twenties is chronicled in the story. The difficulties faced by autonomous, unmarried women in this era particularly interested me. Zora discovers who she is and how to advocate for herself through her connections with her family, friends, and boyfriends.
It is difficult to put Noelle Salazar's poetic and engaging novel down. Her writing really captures the reader's attention; I had the impression that I was walking beside Zora the entire time. From the first page to the very last, I must admit that I was engrossed in the narrative of Zora Lily. For every lover of historical fiction, it is unquestionably a must read.

The novel is full of rich, vivid descriptions that transport the reader right into the story. The narrative is full of heartwarming moments but also raw tragedies; the contrast between poverty and the dream of one day being middle-class, juxtaposed against the siblings’ increasingly divergent lives, creates a compelling story. The characters are incredibly vivid and believable.

Above the Salt also reveals fascinating insights into Portuguese-American culture and its unique traditions and beliefs. Vaz brings the characters and the culture to life in a way that is intimate and revealing.

Overall, I would highly recommend Above the Salt. It's an amazing story that fully captures the human experience with emotion and clarity. Vaz has crafted a powerful and captivating novel that is sure to leave readers spellbound.