The Beautiful Things this book bears

Final season one New Canon...

Hello readers! The finale is upon us. The last season one episode of The Book Maven: A Literary Revue is dropping tomorrow. With it, I have one more New Canon for season one.

I love books, movies, and TV shows that are set in the place I live. Scandal, Criminal Minds, Wonder Woman to name a few … this book is a must read if you live in Washington D.C.!

WHO: The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears by Dinaw Mengestu

WHERE: The Book Maven Podcast New Canon

WHAT: This book is set in Washington D.C. and follows an Ethiopian immigrant and two of his friends. The main character is trying to make his failing store successful, and reflects on what brought him to the U.S. and his journey to get where he is today.

WHY: I read this book as part of the MFA program at American University in a literature class focused on Dante. While there are themes tied to Dante’s Inferno, I think it is a really inspiring read and speaks to the endurance of the human spirit. While reading it I forgot that it was fictional and not a memoir written by Mengestu. This speaks to his craft ability and how real and tangible the characters seem.

I am canoning The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears!

What was your favorite New Canon book from this season?