Happy reading!
57. 12/26/17
Turtles All the Way Down by John GreenBefore I was able to start reading John Green's newest YA novel, I'd read/skimmed a couple reviews, and I was left with this overwhelming sentiment-- well, it was no THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. At this point, I'm pretty sure that TFiOS isn't all that TFiOS is said to be. (And no, don't take that the wrong way-- I LOVED TFiOS.) After such overwhelming success with a piece of art that captivated people on both the page and the screen, what would JG have to write to not have some react with disappointment? Most reviewers out there are much more critical of books than I am... I'm easy to please-- Did I enjoy spending time with the characters? Were they interesting? Was their conflict intriguing? Relatable? Informative? Was I moved to laugh or cry or think or just feel? For all of these, my answer was yes, so to me, John Green has created another incredible story filled with the types of adolescents that I truly want to be present in this world-- ones who are able to self-reflect and express their emotions, hopefully, so that they will retain those skills into adulthood so they can become the changemakers of the next generation. It's possible, we know, because John Green has done it and is doing it, one book or vlog or video at a time.
56. 12/23/17
Me of Little Faith by Lewis BlackWell, I really, really wanted to love this. I adore Lewis Black. I'm more than a little skeptical about organized religion, and I love to finish my year out with a comedic book that makes me laugh repeatedly. Unfortunately, there wasn't much LOLing for me on this one. There was plenty for me to like, and maybe even chuckle now and again, but much of it just didn't connect with me, not sure why.
55. 12/14/17
The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories by P.D. JamesI went through a period during my teenage years in which I read a lot of mystery novels, mostly Agatha Christie. I don't remember any of the plots all these years later, but I remember I enjoyed when they weren't too serious, inasmuch as a murder mystery can be playful. I read this collection of four short stories for my beloved book club (at a wine bar, with an incredible host!!), and I absolutely adored the slightly amusing undertones of the tales. Yes, there were four distinct murders (one indirectly caused, but not stopped by a knowing observer), but there was a lightness to the stories that made them quite entertaining without being too dark and twisty. Perhaps there is more P.D. James in my future readings!
54. 12/9/17
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. MartinI watched the series with my husband earlier this year-- from season 1 through season 7 in just a few months. It was intense, to say the least. In the beginning, I truly had no idea what I was watching. It took more than halfway into the first season for me to actually get interested, but by the last season out so far, it could be argued that I was more than a bit obsessed. But, I still had no desire to read the books, much to my husband's chagrin. He'd read all the books years ago, though he couldn't remember much about what differed between the show and the books. I had a lull in my review reading, so I told him I'd give the first book a chance. While I actually loved reading the story, it was frustrating at times that it was just SO SO SO long, when I already knew what was going to happen. But, there were several examples of the book providing a more in-depth explanation behind the course of events or a character's motivation, and I definitely appreciated that. I'm not sure if I'll continue reading, but probably not right away. This book was a COMMITMENT at over 800 pages, and I think I need a change in subject for a bit.
53. 11/25/17
True Grit by Charles PortisNever in a million years would I have picked up this almost-50-year-old novel on my own. When it was announced last month for the next book club reading, I inwardly groaned, sad that I would miss a month of drinking wine and talking books with this cool group. But, then I thought that I should just give it a try, especially when I heard our host say that it's actually a little humorous. I borrowed it from the library, and when I started reading it, I was shocked to find that I didn't want to stop! I actually enjoyed this for its narrator character, a feisty and strong teenage girl whose inherent strengths were clearly not typical at the time. Her portrayal like this surprised me from a male author in the 1960s. I'm looking forward to watching the more recent film adaptation as I've heard that it sticks closely to the book's telling of the story.
52. 11/22/17
Poison by Galt NiederhofferI should preface my thoughts by saying that I'm not one to usually read suspense novels or thrillers, but the synopsis sounded interesting, so I gave this one a go. In the beginning, I was wondering what was happening occasionally, with parts of the narrative seeming to jump inconsistently, but I thought it was just me. Very quickly, the plot is revealed, and almost immediately, it's overly evident that the protagonist's husband is a BAD guy. There are events that take place that seal the deal and would have logically resulted in evidence to confirm suspicions, and yet we go for another 200+ pages of the protagonist questioning herself and putting herself and her children in extremely dangerous situations. I just couldn't believe the lengths that this story went to or the fact that all the major people in the narrator's life were completely and utterly disinterested in her well-being. I wanted to like this, but it hit sour note after sour note for me.
51. 11/19/17
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine PatersonThis was my second reading of this middle-grade novel, but this time I read it aloud to my 10- and 11-year-old children, and man, this is a tough one to read aloud by the time you get to the final chapters. Neither of them knew to expect a tragedy, but I had opted to stop our reading one night so that we wouldn't introduce the tragedy right before bedtime. (A rare parent win!) Instead, we read together on a gray Sunday afternoon, the three of us in various stages of sniffling and crying. Oh, what a heartbreaking story.
50. 11/19/17
You'll Grow Out of It by Jessi KleinI found this memoir/essay collection to be humorous and relatable, which was exactly what I was looking for in a read right now. I needed some distraction and some lighthearted laughs, which this book perfectly provided, and I appreciated the familiarity of the author's voice-- she writes like a friend you love. She's bold and frank in all the right places, hitting the right notes with me. I'm glad I finally got around to reading this one, since I've been a fan of Klein's writing (even when I didn't know it was her behind the scenes) and her appearances on "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!"
49. 11/9/17
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail HoneymanUtterly enchanting. I couldn't stop thinking about Eleanor over the few days it took me to read this novel. She is wholly incomparable, a character with oddities and quirks who can be brusque and difficult to understand, but who is clearly an individual with internal pain and a longing for connection. The exact details of her past may not be common, but the loneliness she begins to become aware of is most definitely relatable. Eleanor's unique understanding of social norms and cues could be humorous at times because of her inner dialogue. I simply adored this book.
48. 11/5/17
Hunger by Roxane GayThere are no words that do a sufficient job in explaining how compelling, how devastating, how emotional, and how affecting this book was to me. I have the utmost respect for Roxane Gay, for her intense honesty and her utter openness when she splays her thoughts and feelings on the page. I do not have the same weight situation as she does, but I have my own understanding of many of the sentiments she shares here, and her viewpoint never fails to make me think and pushes me to examine my own prejudices. I couldn't stop reading this once I really started, and stayed up until 1 AM to complete it.
47. 11/3/17
Ready Player One by Ernest ClineSo, at first, it would seem that this would not be the best reading match for me. But, I have been a bit behind on my goal of reading a dystopian novel each month in 2017, and this one could loosely fit in that genre. It was readily available since I had bought it for my teenager a while ago, and both he and my husband said that they absolutely loved the book. I figured that I'd give it a try, even though I have zero connections to the 1980s gaming geekdom it celebrates. I was a child of the 80s, and I did find things to giggle in recognition at in this story, but that wasn't what ended up appealing to me the most during my read. I simply loved how FUN this book was. I needed a fun distraction this week, and this book was just perfect. The fast pace and energy of the quest were addictive, and the protagonist character was likable and relatable, a kid with grit who I wanted to root for. I honestly have no idea how this is going to translate to the screen because of the sheer magnitude of the different gaming worlds present, but I imagine we'll all be heading to the theaters when it releases.
46. 10/30/17
Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamilloMy nine-year-old son and I read this (mostly) together over the course of several weeks. After a few nights of not being able to read together as we neared the end, he simply couldn't wait for me and plowed through on his own one morning before school, so I ended up finishing it on my own, too. What a delightful and utterly original story DiCamillo created here. Having seen her speak at a couple National Book Festival events, I'm not surprised. She is feisty and a bit odd, but in a wonderful way, just like the characters she creates. I was especially thrilled with the complex vocabulary in this book, which made reading it aloud a fun, educational experience for my son, and honestly, sometimes me, too!
45. 10/25/17
Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Yes, yes, yes, hell to freakin yes. This manifesto is 100% pure awesomeness, truth that needs to be said even though all of it should be logical and common sense to anyone who's ever lived among women. Damn, Adichie speaks powerfully and precisely. I started underlining key passages to highlight the parts I really wanted to emphasize to my own daughter, and I had to restrain myself from underlining every word. This should be mandatory reading for every single person able to read.44. 10/22/17
The Graveyard Book Volume 2 by P. Craig RussellUnfortunately, when it came time to switch to this volume, I realized I needed to simply plow ahead with the novel so I'd finish it before book club met. That meant that I read this volume all at once, after I had completed the original work. I don't know that it changed the experience significantly, but I was more emotionally expressive by the end of the book, knowing what was coming and watching it play out in illustrations. I admit to shedding a few tears at the end of this one, but not at the end of the original novel, interestingly enough. I thought both graphic novel volumes were done quite well, even helping with character development in more detail than the novel. I'm glad that the library had all three books so I could read them together.
43. 10/21/17
The Graveyard Book by Neil GaimanI'd been meaning to read this book for several years, knowing that it was highly acclaimed and still not yet having read anything by Neil Gaiman. It jumped to the top of the list when it was announced as a book club selection, and because I love going to the wine bar to drink and talk books, I gladly signed up. I was surprised at how much I did enjoy it, and I have to say that the graphic novel volumes that I read alongside the novel itself helped with both my visualization and understanding. At the heart of this story are the caregiving relationships, which is its greatest strength. This kind of coming-of-age tale may be unique in its specifics, but the general themes remain universal.
42. 10/20/17
The Graveyard Book Volume 1 by P. Craig RussellI read this book one chapter at a time after I'd read each chapter in the original novel, and this process helped greatly with my comprehension of the story. The illustrations filled in some gaps left for me by reading the narrative alone, and clarified some images I was forming in my head. For example, in the very beginning, I didn't realize that Silas was a vampire, but one look at his appearance in here, and that fact was crystal clear. (I think I would have gotten the idea eventually had I only read the novel, but this made it immediately evident.)
41. 10/16/17
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik WikingI may not have any family history connected with Denmark, but I'm happy to report that I totally *get* hygge. I've been doing much of these practices for a long time, especially when living in a house that gave me much consternation for 13 years, as a way of trying to make myself happier in the space. Some of the specific practices, especially around the celebration of the Christmas holidays, were familiar to me, as my family has been friends with a family with a Danish matriarch who has brought us into her family's fold for holiday gatherings. There's much to take away from this little book, and I hope to retain the spirit of it for a long time to come.
40. 10/16/17
Start Without Me by Joshua Max FeldmanDamn if this isn't the worst Thanksgiving ever. This novel had me wincing again and again, out of empathy and judgment, I admit it. Overall, I enjoyed the narrative, even as I wondered what the hell was going to happen that could possibly be worse. I want to believe that two strangers could meet under odd circumstances and end one day together feeling as if they truly knew each other. The two protagonists here had some pretty rough hands dealt to them, and neither made the best choices in how they dealt with the crap doled out, but by the end of the book, there are some small rays of hope that both will see better days ahead.
39. 10/5/17
On Such a Full Sea by Chang-Rae LeeHonestly, I don't know what happened with this book. It took me over a month to read, mostly because I would put it down and then forget that I was reading it. For some reason, nothing about it stuck with me for long-- the way that I usually feel about a book and how I always want to return to the characters just didn't kick in. But, when I did (kinda force myself to) go back to it, I would be engaged, and it was enough that I didn't want to abandon the book altogether. That said, I wasn't satisfied by the end, though I know that a neat and tidy ending wouldn't have fit in with anything about the narrative at all. While I can recognize that the writing here was simply beautiful, I just couldn't connect with this book. I'm a little ashamed that I didn't love it.
38. 9/14/17
The Stars in Our Eyes: The Famous, The Infamous, and Why We Care Way Too Much About Them by Julie KlamWhen I first heard about this book, I was immediately intrigued as I know I've long been a fan of the concept of celebrity. My own celebrity encounters rank among my absolute favorite stories to tell. (Who did I cry upon making laugh and then awkwardly ask if I could give her a hug? Who kissed me on the cheek and made me turn beet red? Who turned out to be just a tiny little boy-man instead of a hunky sex symbol?) So I went in with high hopes, but I think this reading experience ended up just being 'meh' for me. The celebrity interviews that she outlines in the book are with folks I don't really know, so the spark wasn't there for me on that part, and her insights on "why we care way too much about them" were fairly elementary and predictable. Overall, it was a generally basic read for me.
37. 9/5/17
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay AsherI watched the Netflix series earlier this year, knowing that I had meant to read the book when it came out, but it dropped off my radar. Knowing the story, as fully told and fleshed out as it was in the series, made this reading experience quite different than if I had read the book first, so I know that influenced my opinion. As a result, I felt like the book only skimmed the characters, because, of course, I was picturing their onscreen portrayals. Even so, I understand the draw of this YA novel, and I hope that teens who read and/or watch this story talk with adults in their lives about the impact mental health can play in someone's life, as I don't think either the show or the book delved terribly deep into the clinical depression and isolation experienced by Hannah's character.
36. 8/24/17
Theft by Finding: Diaries (1977-2002) by David SedarisOh, David Sedaris. You were writing with biting wit even when you had no audience. Unless you knew that someday your personal diary entries would be seen by others? Regardless of your intent all the way back to the late 70s, your voice has always been the same, and your critical eye of those around you along with yourself has always been appealing. Even your mundane experiences over the years were fodder for your reflection and assessment, and it was entertaining, to say the least, to get a small taste of them. Now, when will we see the next edition?
35. 8/15/17
The Hate U Give by Angie ThomasMy heart hurt reading this ultra-realistic and authentic narrative. My 17-year-old son put it in my hands immediately after finishing it in one day, insisting that I read it right away. This timely novel hits upon themes that have been a fact of life for people of color for pretty much ever, but perhaps many non-POC are only recently becoming more aware after publicized police shootings. Sigh. This YA novel doesn't sugarcoat anything, giving teen readers a story as familiar as the real-life ones they've watched get covered in their social media feeds. It also addresses the code-switching that many people of color describe when having to go between different communities, in the protagonist's life spent between her home in a lower-income, mostly minority neighborhood and the affluent, mostly-white private school she attends. Angie Thomas clearly and passionately voices the perspective of a teen trying to understand her identity, dealing with racism both overt and covert, and witnessing a horrible act of police violence. A tough, but important, read.
34. 8/3/17
Fates and Furies by Lauren GroffA marriage seen from two perspectives, complete with truths and hidden truths, propels this narrative along, and it's fucking brilliant. Love is work, and sometimes work is hard and not terribly enjoyable. So goes a long marriage. These characters are incredibly portrayed on the page as realistic and full of flaws, and even when they recognize those flaws in each other, they still remain together because it's a choice that they make. Again and again. I loved every bit of this novel, but probably the second half (when it switches perspective!) even better than the first. This is a book club read for later this month, and I cannot wait to discuss it with others.
33. 7/26/17
Exit West by Mohsin HamidEverything about this novel was simply beautiful. The language was gorgeous, and the way that Hamid built long, winding paragraphs that flowed up and down with emotion was entrancing. Not only did we follow two protagonists in their journey through a realistic experience of fleeing a war-torn country via fantastical means, we had the pleasure of meeting several background characters whose other experiences helped to show the universality of the struggles even if they were only the page for a few paragraphs. Hamid has created a pure piece of art with this narrative. It is absolutely a MUST read.
32. 7/20/17
The Unit by Ninni HolmqvistDamn, this book had me hooked, after a slightly slow start. The dystopian premise is incredibly interesting, and makes readers evaluate if our own current society places similar values on human life-- do we declare some people "dispensable"? The writing here was spare and clean, nothing flowery or overly descriptive, which matches the clinical atmosphere in which the people living in the unit find themselves. The author's note at the end of the novel affected me greatly, knowing how she thought about her own "dispensable" nature before penning this novel. I highly recommend this, and I'm thrilled to have read it as part of my personal dystopian challenge this year.
31. 7/6/17
An Untamed State by Roxane GayHoly cow, if I thought Gay's collection of short stories that I read last was intense, this one was off the charts. Gay forces readers to imagine the horrifyingly unimaginable as the protagonist is kidnapped in Haiti and then tortured and raped repeatedly as she's held for thirteen days. The descriptions of the violence done to her are graphic and without a filter, making for a terrifying read. In the first half, I could only read for a little bit at a time, but by the second half of the novel, after she has been freed, I couldn't stop reading. This was the first stay-up-until-2-am-to-finish book for me in a long time. Gay's writing style grabs you, rendering you unable to think of anything else but the story in front of you, which is an incredible skill, but quite disconcerting with such a heavy subject matter. For at least the last quarter of the book, I couldn't see the screen of my kindle for the tears that were flowing.
30. 7/4/17
Difficult Women by Roxane GayWoah, heavy stories ahead. There were many parallels from story to story, through different settings and characters, there were similar feelings of failure and the need to be punished among many of the women. The loss of a child occurred in more than one tale, and the devastation in the aftermath brought more than one character to a place of desperation, and very often, self-abuse. It's hard to say that I "really enjoyed" this collection, as the stories were depressing and heartbreaking, but Roxane Gay is a master storyteller, and she creates worlds of pain and sorrow again and again here from which I was unable to look away.
29. 6/25/17
The Gypsy Moth Summer by Julia FierroI wanted to really like this book, for its storylines seemed focused on self-discovery, racial identity, socioeconomic status, and familial relationships, both positive and downright abusive, all themes with the possibility for great exploration. Unfortunately, I ended up feeling like each storyline either met a dead end, especially in one particular case that was actually quite disconcerting for a teenaged boy, or it just didn't get explored with the depth or authenticity that I longed for. Though racism is significant to several of the stories of the large cast of characters, in the end, it seemed that it only served to push the white characters' forward in their views, at the sacrifice of the only two major characters of color, who (mild spoiler alert) don't meet with success or positive ends by the final page. The imagery of the gypsy moth invasion and their ever-present metamorphosis paired well with the overall plot of an island on the edge of a significant and unalterable change, though in the end, the metaphor may fall flat with how events actually play out. It was an interesting read, but it too often felt as if the author took on too many characters and no one's motivations were fleshed out adequately, while stereotypes and literary tropes were relied on too heavily.
28. 6/21/17
Bad Feminist by Roxane GayWell, damn, this woman has rocked my world. I have immense respect and admiration for Gay, most especially because her presentation of her opinions was just so freaking honest and thoughtful. Even in her most strongly held ideals, she still acknowledges other perspectives and even points out the 'flaws' or inconsistencies in her own. This doesn't make her sound wishy-washy or wavering in her opinion, though. If anything, it makes her sound extremely intelligent and thoughtful. Strike that, it doesn't "make her sound" like anything. She is clearly insanely intelligent, and she obviously looks at issues from multiple angles, examining her own opinions as strongly as she does those of others. I would very likely be quite intimidated by her in person, but I would love to engage in conversation with her, no doubt. I can't wait to read everything she's ever written now, and I'm frustrated that it's taken me this long to start.
27. 6/15/17
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo MbueI was mostly captivated by this novel, even when I found myself questioning if the characters were embodying the stereotypical behaviors too strongly. But perhaps what I was sometimes seeing as stereotypes were simply commonalities that are prevalent enough to warrant these characterizations. Either way, the differences were immense between how the immigrant protagonists navigated and perceived the world of modern day New York City and how the uber-rich Wall Street funded family for whom they worked did the same. Painfully different, embarrassingly and shamefully different. These perspectives and experiences weren't unexpected or unfamiliar, but when they appeared right next to each other on a page, the sharpness was undeniable. I highly recommend this novel as a reminder to Americans just what privileges we have by order of our birthplace.
26. 6/7/17
When She Woke by Hillary JordanThis novel started so, so strong for me. I was enraptured, even reacting physically to the plot and needing to take a break when the intensity increased. But somewhere after the halfway point, it started to fray a bit for me-- the storyline seemed to be trying to do too many things, and pieces of the plot seemed to fizzle off. The premise was solid, but when the protagonist begins to question her religious upbringing, she does so immediately on all major sociopolitical points, in a way that was just too neat and tidy. At about 75% read, I googled to see if I had missed the fact that this was the beginning of a series of some kind, as I've done before, most notably with my first reading of THE HUNGER GAMES. I questioned this because I couldn't see how everything would be fittingly addressed and/or resolved by the end of the book. Well, no spoiler in saying that this is not part of a series, and the ending is rushed and unbelievably neat.
25. 6/3/17
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane MoriarityThough I read them occasionally, I know that suspense novels are really not my thing. I usually can't handle the waiting, the not knowing, the pacing that goes from a trickle to a downpour. But, every once in a while, I'm drawn to a plot synopsis, as I was with this novel, and I can't help myself. This novel deftly came just under the line of annoyance/frustration/agita when I would have had to just look up a wikipedia page on it to cheat and find out the big mystery. But, I couldn't just put the book down and wait to find out in another sitting. I read until my eyes closed on their own last night, and then today, I abandoned all parental and house managerial duties to simply sit and feverishly finish it. These characters were loosely sketched and then slowly and delicately filled in with details as the chapters progressed, and alternating among six different perspectives and narratives could have been utterly confusing and messy, but it was instead like a delicious layer cake, each contributing its own flavor. This book is meant to be consumed.
24. 5/31/17
Today Will Be Different by Maria SempleThis was the perfect book to consume over a long day of traveling, with its mix of serious emotion and dark humor. I just adore the character voices that Maria Semple creates. Again, this protagonist is somehow unusual and relatable, with a perspective that never fails to entertain. She's certainly wacky and possibly more than a bit troubled, but I couldn't help but adore her and hope for her to find some resolution, and even to stick it to her frenemy while she was at it. I do hope Semple continues to write more off-center novels!
23. 5/22/17
Never Let me Go by Kazuo IshaguroI had seen this movie years ago, without even knowing that it had first been a book. I was reminded of it when I was searching for dystopian novels to read this year, and this became May's pick. This novel was unlike the other dystopians that I've read this year in that it wasn't overtly dark and set in an unfamiliar world. It was more of a character study, and the dystopian scenario in which the characters lived added another layer to their experiences. However, there was a universality to their human experience of emotions and development that overpowered the dystopian setting. That setting certainly made me as a reader think about moral and ethical questions of medical and scientific technology and advancement, though. Overall, this was a beautiful and touching novel about the human spirit and heart.
22. 5/15/17
I'm Judging You: The Do-Better Manual by Luvvie AjayiLuvvie did not disappoint with her first book, and I do hope there are more to come. She tackles serious and timely issues with humor and grace, a little bit of a self-deprecating tone, and straightforward talk. I enjoyed every chapter and found myself highlighting passage after passage, out of agreement and appreciation of her clever writing. I borrowed this from the library on kindle, but I'd really like to buy a physical copy of the book to keep.
21. 5/9/17
You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe RobinsonPhoebe Robinson somehow manages to be freaking hilarious and totally goofy while also addressing wholly serious, timely topics. Her voice is real, emotional at times, self-deprecating in the way that I love my comedy, and honest and raw. Why haven't I been listening to 2 DOPE QUEENS already? Damn, I will never catch up, but I gotta get in the habit of listening to her podcast, because I didn't want this book to end.
20. 5/3/17
Shrill by Lindy WestPitch perfect, from beginning to end. I didn't realize that I was familiar with Lindy West until many chapters in, but even then, I didn't know her name, just some of the more "viral" pieces of writing and appearances that have put her in the spotlight in recent years. I feel like an ass for not getting on the LINDY IS FREAKING AWESOME bandwagon years ago. How have I not read everything she's ever written? Talk about authentic and honest and unabashedly being oneself. West isn't afraid of any of it, or more likely, she's terrified, but she does it anyway because she wants to be heard and she wants to speak up for others who aren't able to do so for themselves. I want to be her when I grow up. I want to push this book into the hands of anyone and everyone I see in the hopes that it will open their eyes to the misogyny in our culture, and most especially, the way fat people get treated inhumanely on a daily basis. Lindy West's voice is anything but shrill, it's perfection.
19. 4/30/17
Brave New World by Aldous HuxleyI know this is routinely marked as one of the best books ever written, but it was just so difficult for me to get into and understand what was happening with the narrative. I'm not sure if the formatting is different in print than in the ebook version I borrowed from the library, but it made it challenging to differentiate when a change in focus happened on the page. Once I got a feel for the characters, I was able to navigate the transitions better. Damn, if this wasn't a depressing vision of a possible future. No art and no beauty-- not a sacrifice I'd be willing to make for the absence of pain. (And honestly, for many consecutive chapters, I couldn't get over Huxley's freaking obsession with the word "pneumatic" to describe the women. Geez, we got it quickly, Aldous. You loved boobs.)
18. 4/21/17
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldI've read this several times now, and I can't exactly articulate why I keep coming back to it. I can't find anything likable in the vast majority of the characters, and the others are ones I simply pity. There is racism and prejudice throughout the novel that is common to the time period, but still painful to actually read. But I can't escape the beauty of the writing, even when it's ugly in content. "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy-- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made. . . ."
17. 4/17/17
The Color of Our Sky by Amita TrasiThis was an intense and emotional read, though its writing was somewhat repetitive. The saga was personal and terrifyingly detailed, and it is heartbreaking to know that it represents the reality for way too many people, especially children, in the world right now. Though the ending is tidy, it is a long and tough road to get there, making this a book you don't want to read slowly.
16. 4/6/17
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca SklootHoly crap. I don't know what else to say. The story of Henrietta Lacks and the HeLa cells that came from her is amazing, heartbreaking, remarkable, and shameful all at once. And when you add in the story of Henrietta Lacks' family, both before and after her, the drama is seriously heart-wrenching. I meant to read this years ago when it first came out, and I've had a vague sense of the story, but it wasn't until I saw the trailer for the HBO movie coming out that I was reminded and finally pushed to get the book from the library. I can't believe I waited this long. Lacks-- and her descendants-- deserved so much more than she was given in life, and the amount of suffering she withstood is truly unimaginable. This has really gotten me thinking about the ethics behind medical research, which is ironic as I'm just beginning to pursue the idea of donating my body after my death. So much to think about.
15. 4/3/17
Miss You by Kate EberlenThis was just delightful to read, pure fun at first before delving into the deeper aspects of the two protagonists' lives. That's fitting because, at 18, they were not entirely carefree but had a bit of a blank canvas ahead of them, or at least they believed so. Each character's life would have made for a lovely novel on its own, so the random and largely unrealized times when their paths crossed was a delicious addition to two solid individual stories. The ending was a bit tidy, but the alternative would likely have broken my heart, and both Tess and Gus were surely due some moments of bliss after the tough years before. I adored this novel, and I know who I'll be sending recommendations to immediately!
14. 3/29/17
The Wide Circumference of Love by Marita GoldenThis was a powerfully emotional book that frightened me at times with its harshly realistic portrayal of a family dealing with the diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's. The perspectives of all those involved are given voice to at times, from the distinguished, professional man who received the diagnosis, to his wife and children, allowing for readers to see the disease through several different eyes. It was heartbreaking, no doubt about it, but it also showed the perseverance that humans are capable of, in the face of tragedy, and this is the type of tragedy that can last for years. Tears leaked from my eyes during this read, at random times, often unexpectedly, and that definitely speaks to the quiet power of the novel's realism.
13. 3/23/17
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik BackmanThere wasn't a thing that I didn't absolutely love about this novel. Backman wrote Ove with such a perfect balance that I could simultaneously shake my head at his ridiculousness and want to squeeze him into a bear hug. This was seriously laugh out loud funny at times, and by the end, tears were streaming down my face. The entire cast of characters was fully developed, even if they only appeared briefly in the story. Honestly, this was exactly the book I needed to read right now-- one that made me feel a variety of emotions and was wholly engaging as to make me forget everything else around me.
12. 3/19/17
The Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. ButlerI knew nothing of this novel's plot before beginning, but it was recommended by a friend as THE dystopian novel to read, and as I'm trying to read one a month this year, it was a perfectly timed suggestion. Like other quality dystopian novels, it wasn't too difficult to see how our known reality could morph into what is presented in the book. Human nature was more of the focus here, rather than on the powers that took over, for it doesn't seem that the government and control have shifted too greatly. But, humans and how they react, naturally or due to the influence of powerful drugs, have turned to the basest behaviors- for some as they lose their humanity completely and for others as a means of survival. The ending seemed abrupt, so it was nice to discover that there was a sequel published, though apparently it was initially intended to be a trilogy. Unfortunately, the author died before completing the final book. I do believe that I'll seek out the second book, regardless of how it may leave me feeling unfinished with these characters.
11. 3/1/17
Dietland by Sarai WalkerWoah. Talk about dark and subversive. This novel explored feminist ideas about societal expectations of women's appearance, especially her body size, along with general ideas about the use and abuse of women in pop culture. Pretty heavy stuff, no doubt, but the protagonist's voice retains a level of sarcastic humor that I imagine most women can easily understand. Exploring the lines between revolution and anarchy, the story includes some extreme-- and pretty violent-- events that some call acts of terrorism and others call a justifiable turning of the tables. Within that larger context, the main character Plum is struggling with her own life-changing decisions after decades of yo-yo dieting. The author skillfully weaves in imagery and parallels with ALICE IN WONDERLAND that add to the overall tone. This is an unforgettable read.
10. 2/23/17
Voices from the March on Washington by J. Patrick Lewis and George Ella LyonI have to admit that it wasn't clear to me if the "voices" were fictional or not until the end notes of the collection. It didn't go unnoticed that the two authors who created these voices are white, and I read this because it was advertised on my library system's site as the selection for "Choose to Read Ohio," a program that spotlights Ohio authors and reading in Ohio. There's a part of me that wishes, though I quite liked the sentiments and viewpoints created for these poems, that the program had chosen a book written about the biggest event of the Civil Rights Movement that had been penned by African-American authors. That being said, I still appreciated reading this, and I did so to see if it was something to pass on to my 5th-grade daughter.
9. 2/22/17
Modern Lovers by Emma StraubOkay, Straub is a genius at capturing the quiet reality of relationships and the day to day ebb and flow of positive and negative feelings toward each other. Her writing captures moments that are so relatable and just damn real. This novel centered on two long-term marriages and one teenage fling that meant very different things to the two teens involved, and all three relationships had aspects that had to be familiar to all readers who've ever loved another. I just savored every paragraph in this novel, and I wished it would never end.
8. 2/16/17
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret AtwoodDamn. For much of this reading experience, I was on edge, biting my fingernails and fidgeting, all while my heart raced. Though I read this previously back in high school, I didn't remember many of the details of how this dystopian society was created from an extreme religious takeover of the United States government. Power and religion is a combination that terrifies me, and this fictionalized story exemplifies why. Atwood explains, in bits and pieces throughout the novel as well as in the "historical notes" at the end, how such a transition took place, and the possibility of it all is scary, especially in the current political climate. If I was better able to separate the novel from my real fears about the future of our country, I could focus more on the author's use of language-- the handmaid's frequent toying around with words, pointing out eerie connections between words along with the fact that language became such a regulated concept in this new society. New vocabulary was created, and concepts and old words became obsolete, even simple greetings like "hello." Access to language was strictly forbidden from particular groups, such as the handmaids, and what a significant change this created in addition to all the other practical changes in their lives. Overall, this is an utterly terrifying novel that absolutely must be read. Especially now.
7. 2/12/17
Strike by Delilah S. DawsonIt's been more than a year and a half since I read the first book in this series, so some details were a little foggy for me, but there is some context and recap provided in the beginning chapters of this second book that helped refresh my memory. I think this book was even more intense, and definitely more violent, than the first. It was hard to stomach so much killing at times, but Dawson does a good job at portraying the pain that Patsy and Wyatt experience because of the terrible tasks they've had to do in their pursuit of safety from Valor Bank. More context is provided here for the personal stories behind the rise of Valor and the resistance movement, and of course, we discover that Patsy is indeed very closely connected, in ways she could never have predicted. Each chapter ends on a highly suspenseful note, and the end of the book leaves Patsy and Wyatt with more loss, but with some direction on what is to come next. I can't seem to find any information about the next book in the series, but hopefully, it will follow suit and be released this coming April!
6. 2/7/17
My Life, My Love, My Legacy by Coretta Scott King as told to the Rev. Dr. Barbara ReynoldsThough she passed away over a decade ago, this new memoir brings Coretta Scott King back to life at a time when she is so desperately needed. In fact, the letter she wrote to oppose the appointment of Jeff Sessions to a federal judgeship in 1986 has inspired a rallying cry just this week for women who have "persisted" against great challenges. And what a life King lived, rife with violence and hatred directed at her and her family, and she rose above again and again and again. It is clear that she was an extraordinary woman with vision, strength, and an ability to persevere and love in the face of hatred. I learned many details of historical events relating to her husband, their family, and the legacy that she carried on after MLK, Jr.'s death, and I found myself repeatedly embarrassed for discovering all that I didn't know before. This was an incredibly motivating and inspirational memoir to read, especially at a politically uncertain time as this.
5. 1/27/17
Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse RosenthalI came to this AKR creation much later than she wrote it, and after many years of being a fan. In fact, our lives have crossed paths a few times, as my children and I have taken part in several of her projects. She read LITTLE PEA to my kids over the phone years ago, and then we took part in hiding a copy of that same delightful pic book under a mattress in the College Park, MD, IKEA. I've met her in person a couple times- once for an interview at the National Book Festival in which my oldest participated, and again at the NBF another year in which she let my daughter try on her "book jacket jacket." And lastly, my daughter also participated in her "Child Study" video project. Anyway, all of that is to say that I've long been fascinated with AKR's unique take on the world and the way in which she creates experiences and works that are uncommon and lovely. This book was just the same, and I enjoyed slowly reading it bit by bit. She writes about the things we think about but may not ever deem worthy of even mentioning to another. But when read about, those little things and the randomness of them brought me joy-- to know that someone else has noticed them and put them into words was reassuring.
4. 1/26/17
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola YoonWow. Immediately, I adored this book. What was it? The tone? The earnest and honest teenage voices? The challenges they faced and the nuanced way the author presented them? The clever and meaningful way that side characters' lives were intertwined with the main characters and then expanded upon in the narrative? All of the above. I loved this book so damn much. I cried and cried, and I longed to be of the age when a first love can be so all-encompassing. I couldn't get enough of this novel.
3. 1/24/17
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth WareCan you say foreshadowing? Yes, this is a literary technique that this author quite likes and uses often. I enjoyed the story, though I just kept waiting for something to happen, and when the action did come, it was doled out in such short tidbits, that I was getting impatient. Perhaps that's a positive thing in that it made me stay up late and read until I passed out, but I think I was maybe slightly more annoyed than frightened. I read this for a book club in town, so I'll enjoy chatting about it with folks, but I knew going in that suspense isn't my favorite genre.
2. 1/10/17
Everything, Everything by Nicola YoonI'm sure I won't be the first reader to say that this reminded me of TFIOS, but I believe these characters and their unique situations make it stand on its own two feet quite well. I was absolutely absorbed by the entire story, and the clever inserts of drawings and notes of varying types just sweetened the reading experience. I had my suspicions early on about a key plot point, but I still deeply affected by the big reveal near the end of the novel. Wonderfully done debut, and I'm not-so-patiently waiting for my library hold to come up on Yoon's second novel.
1. 1/4/17
1984 by George OrwellIt isn't a coincidence that this was the first book I chose to read this year. I have great fears about what may result from our latest major elections, and I thought this would both a symbolic and perhaps even instructive read. Sadly, I hadn't remembered many of the details of this dystopian tale, so I forgot how devastating and depressing it truly is... not so fantastic to finish up right before bedtime. It's more than a little terrifying how many aspects of this 68-year-old novel so closely resemble what we have become accustomed to in our society today and if that means we should expect even more similarities in the future.
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