#54 10 Minutes 38 Seconds In This Strange World, by Elif Shafak
Booker Prize : Shortlisted 2019 Plot Time and Place : Istanbul, present day. Opening sentence : "Her name was Leila." Plot summary : Leila has been murdered and lies in a dumpster, but the brain still works for 10 minutes after death, so she remembers scenes from her life and her friends. Review : Great. This book is a sensitive and beautiful portrayal of life for women and girls in a conservative society; a love letter to the city of Istanbul; and an ode to friendship. Rating : 4/5