November 18th when I catch you 🥷🏾 What was simply once an innocuous date and an old Drake song I like became my biggest opp while reading this novel. 

In short, Tara (our protagonist) is stuck in the same day playing itself out on a loop. One that renders her so far removed from the original day and the life that preceded it, that she has to physically escape it and start looking for a door into the next day. 

This is one of seven books in a series that explores some interesting metaphysical possibilities. You know I love me some sci-fi, parallel universe stuff so my mind was racing with possible hypothesis while reading. Beyond the compelling plot, Balle’s prose grips you from the onset and throughout. Her use of metaphor about marital loneliness in particular was heart wrenching. I also liked that so far there were no easy answers about how this happened to Tara, it allowed me to be intimately melded to her frustration and curiosity. 

Would I read it again? You know what, no. You can feel the frustration and drag of the day and “dis nou genoeg”. 

Would I recommend it? Yes! 

Would I put it on a ‘100 books you must read before you die list’? No, not mine anyway, maybe yours. But doesn’t take away from it being a wonderful read.