I wrote a whole post before I wrote this one. It was saucy, it was controversial, and while it wasn't negative it certainly wasn't going to give anyone heart flutters. I rarely pause before I post, but today I did. I do want to make all of the points I wrote, and I do stand by them, but the post just didn't feel like me. It wasn't solutions-oriented, it was provocative. And fortunately or unfortunately, provocation for the sake of provocation isn't my thing. So I'll find a different way to tackle the topic over the coming weeks, and in the meantime I’ll go back to the path of being sincerely positive.
I've been thinking about this concept of writing "author love notes" for a while now. The idea is simple: after I finish reading a book I absolutely love, I'll write the author a note. I did this once before--I was so moved by Carlota Gurt's Alone that I DM'ed her and to my great surprise she DM'ed me back--but I've read countless books that I've loved since then and I haven't written to the authors.
Then I read Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar and it turned my literary world upside down. I'm not kidding when I say I probably read a book every other day, and most of them are written by authors who are at the absolute top tier of the craft, but I haven't read a book like Martyr! in years. I felt compelled to reach out to Kaveh, and lo and behold--he responded!
This made me think of two things:
Why don't you try the Author Love Note challenge with me and personally DM or write to the authors of the books you truly loved? Believe me, it will make your day and theirs.
My style of "book review" is now going to come in the format of author love notes.
So, here's my love note to Kaveh:
Dear Kaveh,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. In a world where long-form media is being swapped in for clickbait headlines and most people are all too eager to avoid hard conversations for a multitude of reasons, it's increasingly more important that writers and creators find new ways of telling stories that matter. I feel that you've done this perfectly with Martyr! You created a book that tackles so many prescient issues (being a child of immigrants, racism, sexuality, trauma, depression, to name a few) in both a meaningful and accessible way. This is a book that anyone can (and everyone should!) read, but it's got such emotional and narrative depth that it makes you truly empathize with the protagonist and all of the challenges he faces.
At its best, storytelling creates empathy. We are in severe need of empathy. I just spent a couple of weeks back in the states and it saddens me tremendously to see how divided the country is. Not only do we not understand each other, it seems we don't want to put any effort forward in trying to understand each other. I really think your book helps bridge that divide.
And again, your book isn't even about these topics, at least not "really". It's a story, like all other novels, with great pacing, character development, and plot points. It keeps the reader engaged, wanting to know what happens next, and the "twist" is so well executed.
You've done everything right with this book and I am so grateful that you made yourself vulnerable enough to publish this. You're the reason I work in the book world.
Thank you,
Amy
Which author do you want to send a love note to?
I love giving folks their flowers while they can still enjoy them, great idea, Amy.