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She Who Tastes, Knows (Durkhanai Ayubi)A beautiful, expansive memoir on food as a vital bridge between cultures, from the internationally award winning author of Parwana. To truly understand things, we need to know them. We need to taste them. This is a story of how food connects us all not only at the table, but to each other's cultures and histories. Durkhanai Ayubi was born in Afghanistan in the 1980s, and her and her family became refugees when she was a small child. She's grown to see
A beautiful, expansive memoir on food as a vital bridge between cultures, from the internationally award-winning author of Parwana.
To truly understand things, we need to know them. We need to taste them.
This is a story of how food connects us all – not only at the table, but to each other's cultures and histories. Durkhanai Ayubi was born in Afghanistan in the 1980s, and her and her family became refugees when she was a small child. She's grown to see her ancestral lands be misunderstood as a desolate warzone of helpless people, with no history or culture worthy of mention, when the reality is in fact steeped in rich, complex, histories of incredible cultural significance. Growing up in Australia, Durkhanai's only tangible connection to the histories of her homeland was through food, first through cooking with her family, and then as an owner of her much-loved, award-winning Adelaide family restaurant, Parwana. Years on, and following Afghanistan's systemic collapse in 2021, Durkhanai realised that it was time to revisit those histories, and to tell the untold stories that can help shape a more optimistic future.
She Who Tastes, Knows is an expansive history of Durkhanai's homeland and a vivid, moving story what it truly means to understand another's culture. Through stories of food, family, belonging and migration, the book traverses cultural boundaries, weaving a tapestry of dignity, empathy and understanding. Each chapter of the book draws on a particular ingredient of importance to Durkhanai's cultural identity, explores their life cycles to uncover unseen histories of Afghan culture, the complexities of migrant and refugee experience, and how we as a society might work towards unifying our disparate cultures and ways of seeing the world. In our modern world that can feel so disjointed, this book shows us – with timeless prescience – how new possibilities for connection are just under the surface, waiting to bloom.
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4.6 ★★★★★
Based on 17 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
A book worth rereading
Format: Hardcover
This was a book club pick. Honestly, I wouldn't have chosen to read this myself, but I'm glad that I did. I would have missed out on an incredible story.
I've been reading a lot of thriller and fantasy books lately, that I forgot how much I enjoy sci-fi. This brought it back for me. There's a lot of science-heavy discussions in the book and I loved it! When I got to a subject or term I didn't know, I would go online and learn more about it. I feel that Grace is a dork like me because he wouldn't curse. He had little anecdotes he uses in place of swearing. Something I definitely do myself!
A lot of the book is the MMC talking to himself. Surprisingly, it worked. There's so much humor that it kept the story going. There was not a lull. Usually I dislike info-dumping as an introduction to get all the background story told, but I didn't mind it at all. Maybe I'm being biased because I love science talk.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
What makes the whole plot engaging is the fact that the plot doesn't seem too fantastical. It's something that could happen. There's a lot of ethics and morals involved in determining what should be done. I would hate to be in a position where I have to chose what's best for everyone. That's why Stratt is a necessary character. I hated some of her decisions and how she operated, but you need someone who's focused on the general welfare of humanity. I would be too focused on myself, my family, etc. As much as it hurts to admit, I'm selfish (and a coward) like Grace. I wouldn't want to die. But was it right for Stratt to force him on the mission? This could also be taken religiously. If God has a plan and things happen for a reason, is it our right to deter what's going to happen? God wiped out the world many times because of humanity's sins, what if this was God's doing? So many questions and debates on right vs wrong, ethics vs morals, and religion vs humanity made for a incredible book club discussion.
I love how this book ended. I wish I could continue reading about Rocky and Grace's adventures, it's that fascinating. However, I think Grace staying on Erid was the best outcome. If the roles were reversed, I don't think Rocky would have the same welcome. I feel that those in charge would have dissected and kept Rocky hostage, all in the name of science. Just as the Astrophage were first introduced, the first things the scientists did was poke and probe. Essentially torturing the Astrophage to see what makes them tick. I think Rocky would have the same fate.
Oh, and my favorite part is the relationship between Rocky and Grace. I cried so many times when I was reading. Scared that something bad was going to happen to either of them. Especially in the scene where Rocky busted out of his tunnel to save Grace. I got upset and told the book that 'if Rocky dies, I swear, this is the worst book ever!' And the scene where Rocky learns about radiation poisoning. How he slowly becomes aware of what happened to his crew, his friends. I was a mess.
This book is definitely one that I could go back and reread.
I did watch the movie afterwards. There's a lot of differences to adapt the story to screen, but it was okay. They got the humor down pat, but I didn't get the direness of the whole situation nor the special bond that both MCs had.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2026
★★★★★ 5
A Brilliant, Emotional, and Unforgettable Sci-Fi Adventure
Format: Paperback
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is one of those rare novels that delivers everything you could want from science fiction: gripping suspense, fascinating science, humor, heart, and a genuinely moving story about survival and friendship.
The novel follows Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher who wakes up alone on a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or why he’s there. As his memories slowly return, the stakes become clear: humanity is facing extinction, and he may be the only person who can stop it. The mystery unfolds at a perfect pace, blending high tension with moments of discovery that keep you turning the pages.
What makes this book stand out is how seamlessly it combines hard science with accessibility. Like the author’s earlier work, the scientific details feel authentic and well researched, but they never overwhelm the story. Instead, the problem-solving becomes the engine of the plot. Each obstacle feels real, and the solutions are both clever and satisfying.
The biggest surprise—and the emotional core of the novel—is the relationship that develops during the mission. Without giving anything away, it adds warmth, humor, and depth that elevate the story far beyond a typical survival thriller. By the end, the novel becomes less about science and more about courage, trust, and the willingness to sacrifice for others.
The pacing is excellent throughout, with a balance of suspense, humor, and heartfelt moments. If there’s a small drawback, it’s that some plot developments feel a bit convenient. But the strong characters and emotional payoff more than make up for it.
Overall, this is a must-read for fans of science fiction, space exploration, and anyone who enjoys smart, character-driven storytelling. It’s thrilling, funny, deeply human, and surprisingly emotional. I finished it feeling both entertained and uplifted. Highly recommended.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Proof that lightning strikes twice ... Weir has done it again!
Format: Hardcover
According to a 2003 article on the NASA website, "NASA-funded scientists have recently learned that cloud-to-ground lightning frequently strikes the ground in two or more places ..." and that the third and fourth strokes of a lightning flash will follow the same path as the second stroke. In other words, lightning DOES strike the same place twice.
But you don't need to search the web for this information. If you want proof that lightning strikes twice, just read Andy Weir's newest book, Project Hail Mary, and you'll see that Weir has created a giant sci-fi bestseller, in the same electric path as The Martian.
Ryland Grace has a puzzle on his hands. He wakes up without a clue as to where he is, but he seems to be alone except for a computer AI that was keeping him alive. Unfortunately it didn't seem to be doing the same for two others in his ... wherever he is ... as he notes the decayed corpses in their creches on the ... well, it's a ship. A space ship. And bit by bit Grace puts the pieces of the puzzle together.
An alien microbe has been discovered. Ryland Grace is brought on to the science team to learn more about the life form because Grace, currently a middle school science teacher, wrote papers about the notation that there does not need to be water to create life. Only in a biozone such as Earth's would water be needed, but other building blocks could be used in other systems.
The science community as a whole mocked Grace, which is why he left and went on to teach kids, but now, he may be the best suited to understand this new life form. And as he remembers more and more, he also remembers that this life form is feeding on the energy output of the sun, which is decreasing the energy that gets to Earth, which spells disaster - as in the end of all life as currently known - on Earth if something isn't done.
Scientists discover that Sol isn't the only star that is losing its energy output - likely due to the alien consumption, but that there is one star, in the center of all the known stars losing their energy, that remains constant with its output. In which case, the answer to the survival for Earth is likely found there, at Tau Ceti.
The world's best scientific minds come together (by force and coercion) to create a ship that can get to Tau Ceti in twelve years (using the alien microbe as fuel) with shuttle pods to bring back answers to how to save the planet, but for the crew, it's a one-way trip.
Knowing why he's there is only the first puzzle for Grace. Now he has to figure out how to save Earth. There's a very small window of time for him to discover the way to save the human race and get the answers sent back. Take too long and the shuttles will return to a dead planet.
This book is amazing.
Author Andy Weir brings us back to the magic that made The Martian so successful - an abandoned scientist trying to survive. But Ryland Grace's story is more complicated because he's not just trying to survive, but also help humanity survive.
There's lots and lots of science - which is part of Weir's writing signature - and there's also a really wonderful story.
It's hard for me to tell you just what I liked about this book because anything I write will be a spoiler and a huge part of the joy in this book is making the discoveries with Ryland Grace.
Grace is our main character, but through the liberal use of flashbacks, we have a full cast of characters - at least one quite important to the story. Everyone is unique and individual which makes it easy to read, but just as with The Martian, where Mark Watney's personality carries the story, Ryland Grace here is the smart-mouth, sometimes funny, obsessed scientist infusing his personal tastes into his discoveries. He's also quite smart - which is good since he will need his intellect to save all of humanity.
This is a page-turner. I did not want to put this book down. Neither did my 21 year old son who picked up my copy after I was well into it and finished it before I did. And days later he's still talking about how much he liked it and quoting sections of it to me at the dinner table.
I hope Ballantine Books will do a very large print run because this is going to be huge seller and you definitely don't want to miss out on the biggest thing to come out in 2021.
Looking for a good book? Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is proof that lightning strikes twice as this has all the excitement and energy of Weir's debut novel, with a more complicated storyline that will hold the reader all the way to the end.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2021
★★★★★ 4
Excellent Hard Sci-Fi… Until the Politics Pull You Out
Format: Kindle
I was really excited to dive into Project Hail Mary. As a longtime Isaac Asimov fan, I’ve been craving fresh, modern hard science fiction that actually respects the science. This book delivered — at least for a while.
The author injects real science into the story in a way that’s both fun and fantastic. You don’t need to be an engineer to follow it; a solid high-school education is plenty. The concepts stretch your imagination without ever feeling impossible, and for the first chunk of the book I was hooked. I genuinely thought I’d found a new favorite author.
Then the jarring interruptions started.
Out of nowhere you get yanked out of the immersive sci-fi world by modern political pandering that feels completely unnecessary. A random parenthetical about Columbus “discovering an already inhabited world” when comparing something to the New World. Casual pronoun lectures. Characters selected or described by race and identity in ways that scream “check the boxes.” These moments don’t serve the story — they feel injected. Once you notice the author’s leanings, it becomes hard to unsee.
Each time it happens, the fantasy evaporates. It takes several chapters to sink back into the story… only for the next micro-lecture to pull you right back out.
Overall, I loved the writing, the hard science, and the imagination. It’s some of the best sci-fi I’ve read in years. I just wish the author had trusted the story instead of sneaking in real-world politics. It’s like eating the best meal of your life… and then finding a hair or two in it.
Strongly recommended for the sci-fi, with the above caveat.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Tucker and His Southern Drawl Made Me Swoon!
Format: Kindle
I LOVE sports romances and last year I came across the Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy. I devoured The Deal, the first book in the series, and eagerly got my paws on the next books in the series as soon as I could! These books are typically classified in the New Adult and College or sports romance genres because most of the main characters are college students and several of them are usually athletes. I love Elle Kennedy's writing style in these books because she makes most of her characters likable and funny, not to mention relatable. That being said, when I saw that The Goal was being released this fall, I pre-ordered it way back in the summer and couldn't wait to dive back into the world of the Briar University athletes and their girls!
"'So money doesn't matter once you get down to it. It doesn't matter how thin or thick anyone's wallet is. We all hurt. We all love. We're the same. And your past, who you live with, where you came from, it doesn't have to matter. You're creating your own future, and I want to see where the road forward takes you.'"
Sabrina James is pre-law at Briar University who works two jobs to make ends meet and is planning on applying to Harvard Law School. She's had a bit of a crazy life, with both of her parents leaving her at a young age so she was raised by her grandmother. As a result, she has a hard time loving people and keeps her guard up with most people she meets. She has a couple of close friends but never makes time for a boyfriend, both because of her dreams of becoming a lawyer and she doesn't want to be disappointed if someone doesn't love her back.
"'You might want to get a sandwich. I'm gonna keep you in bed for a long time.'"
Sabrina is at a bar with her friends one night when she meets John Tucker, a hockey player at Briar. He's from Texas and after graduation, he plans to move back to the Lone Star State to be close to his mom and invest in a business down there. Since he was born and raised in the South, he's got the southern drawl that makes all of the girls go crazy (every time he said "darlin,'" I think my heart skipped a few beats!). He and Sabrina are attracted to each other but they agree to get together for just one night and that's it. However, Sabrina's intelligence and beauty keep Tucker wanting more while, as much as she won't admit it, Sabrina is attracted to the way Tucker genuinely cares for her and wants to be around her.
"My goal, once upon a time, was to succeed. I didn't realize that success wasn't grades or scholarships or achievements, but the people I was lucky enough to have in my life."
When I started reading The Goal, it felt a lot like the other books in the Off-Campus series. They take place at Briar University, full of good-hearted hockey players and their girlfriends, and are written in a fast-paced manner because of the hilarious dialogue between the characters. About halfway into the book, there is a dramatic turn of events which cause (I believe) a shift in the typical feel of these books. No longer was the book about college athletes and their comical antics, it was about college students who have to make real-life choices that greatly affect themselves and others. I think The Goal starts out as a typical NA book but finishes with more of a mature feel to it, given the circumstances Sabrina and Tucker now have, though there are still elements of the NA genre in the second half of the book. There were times when I wanted to shout at Sabrina and tell her to stop being so stubborn but that's just her character and in the end, she realizes what she really wants.
"Because love is the ultimate goal. It's not the one I had strived for, but I was lucky enough, so d**n lucky, to achieve it."
In summary, I loved The Goal and it made my heart happy to see how the development of the characters unfolds and what they choose to do in their lives. Those familiar with the other Off-Campus books and who are looking to read The Goal may just want a bit of advanced warning that this book isn't exactly written in the same style. The first half is similar to the other books but the second half is a bit more serious and mature as the characters deal with some serious life events. Personally, I loved it but I also love books about love and family so The Goal satisfied my desires to read about college life, sports, as well as family. This book can be read as a standalone but I feel you will get more out of it if you read the other books first. I was also bummed to see that this is the last book in the series BUT there will be a spinoff for anyone, like me, who is eager for more! I loved The Goal and recommend reading it, especially if you have read and enjoyed the other books; just know that the second half has a different feel, even though I think it ends on a good note and the series is wrapped up nicely.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2016