Jamrach’s Menagerie

Jamrach’s Menagerie weaves a story quite unlike anything I’ve ever read. Set in mid-1850s, the book evokes Dickens-esque images of the working class people struggling to survive in the filthy, seedy areas of London. Jaffy Brown is eight years old when he beholds a sight that will capture his imagination for years to come: a

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

I’m not usually a fan of magical realism, but as a huge Aimee Bender fan, I couldn’t wait for this book to come out.  The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake centers around Rose Edelstein, who discovers her unique gift just before her ninth birthday: she can taste people’s emotions in the food they have prepared.