book reviews 2021

Well, the last year or so has been challenging on the reading front. Why? I'm not sure that the logic works, but it's the reality. It's been a year of isolation and a nothing-but-time-at-home situation 24/7 situation, so one would think that I'd be doing nothing but reading. Unfortunately, my ability to concentrate has been on a roller coaster ride, with more time spent zoned out in front of a screen than consuming words on a page. 

But, like most things, it ebbs and flows, so even if I make no reading goal for the year or participate in a total of zero reading challenges, I know I'll still spend some amount of time with good books over the next year. I'm not going to compare these covid years with any time in my documented reading history, so we'll simply have to see how it goes.

While I'm not ready to hold myself to any previous standards or expectations, it is habit to note all the previous years I've been keeping track of my reading. This is now my 14th year in this journey, as I started way back in 2008, and have kept it going through 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

20. 11/24/21

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

Maverick Carter was such a compelling side character in THE HATE U GIVE that even though Angie Thomas wasn't planning on writing his story, fan requests changed her mind. And I'm glad all those young people spoke up, because seeing it gave more context to Starr's. Maverick's full humanity is explored as a Black teen who becomes a father at a young age while trying to find his place in his community, and it's a heartfelt read.

19. 11/22/21

Ten Days in a Madhouse by Nellie Bly

Last month, I was motivated to finally seek out this 1887 investigative piece about the treatment of female patients in an 'insane asylum' that I had some basic knowledge about, but I couldn't bring myself to pick it up for a couple weeks because I was hesitant to read the details. While reading this through my 21st century perspective caused me to judge Nellie Bly's unchecked biases and lack of critical questioning of the societal forces that led to the women's captivity, I am still thankful that she had the strength to go undercover. My family history of mental illness makes me selfishly grateful for living in a time with psychiatric medicine and an understanding of its need as treatment. I hope there are more advances to come for those who come after me, and my heart mourns all who suffered before me.

18. 11/20/21

Class Act by Jerry Craft

I read Craft's NEW KID back in 2019, and I was going to read this follow-up earlier this year, but I opted to save it to read around the time that Jerry Craft was going to do three virtual visits in our community. (I love my job!) I was impressed by the continued realistic voices of the adolescent characters, and I appreciate the perspectives of the kids from a variety of different backgrounds and family lives. There is a great emphasis on the characters having their assumptions and biases about their peers checked. With Craft now working on the third, and likely final, book in the series I'm looking forward to having at least one more round with Drew, Jordan, and Liam.

17. 9/20/21

Hell of a Book by Jason Mott

There is a magic to this book that is disorienting and confusing... until it isn't. Until the blurriness and overlapping of characters and storylines begin to make sense. Then the brilliance becomes apparent, and with that clarity comes the pain. This novel is pure emotion and I know that as a white woman, I can't even understand the full depth of it. Still, I was moved to feel and to think, and even more than with Mott's other novels which I deeply enjoyed, I was left in awe at this incredible author's skill.

16. 8/23/21

You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey:Crazy Stories About Racism by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar

I wish I could say that I wasn't surprised by some of the stories of what was said to Lacey or how she was treated, but I'm a white woman in a world of white supremacy. Even if I know how racism can manifest, it's never happened to me directly and so it was jarring AF to read of these disgusting experiences. I'm a huge Amber Ruffin fan, and I appreciated her familiar 'voice' in the writing, as she and her sister Lacey Lamar tried to laugh at the ridiculousness of the experiences as a whole, while still emphasizing the serious fuckedupness of it all.

15. 6/13/21

Love from A to Z by S. K. Ali

This YA novel has a lot going on - - teenage romance is at the heart of it, but there's a depth to the development of that romance that's based in the protagonists' Muslim faith. They each have specific struggles they're trying to work through, as well, that are more serious than the average romance. The effects of Islamophobia are explored through a teen's eyes, and her passion and anger are palpable and relatable. I was taken with this one, and I'd recommend it to teens who usually don't go for the romance genre.

14. 6/1/21

Happy Endings by Thien-Kim Lam

I can't say that I've read very many romance novels since my obsession with 'bodice rippers' when I was a teen. *Ahem.* This, however, was definitely a modern tale of a relationship, and no bodices were harmed in the telling. Now, that's not to say that there weren't any spicy scenes, because the heat absolutely rises and the characters' passionate experiences are described in detail! But what I appreciated the most was the diverse representation of cultures and communities and the authentic voices of the characters. I'd be interested in a follow up that features some of this book's secondary characters in the spotlight! Full disclosure, I do know the author, and I'm thrilled for her debut!

13. 5/31/21

Periodical Cicadas: The Brood X Edition by Gene Kritsky

I read these 100ish pages in the car en route to what would hopefully be a Brood X adventure, and while it was cool to confirm that I knew a bit about the periodical cicadas that I first experienced in Maryland in 2004, it was also awesome to learn even more. I especially enjoyed the historical records of cicada emergences and the ways in which people described them. Timely read for my MD buddies, if anyone's interested!

12. 5/24/21

The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
Danielle Evans' talent is beyond belief. Her characters are vivid and come to life immediately. This collection of incredible short stories address race, class, and relationships, and in Evans' very capable hands the nuance and detail are doled out in perfect amounts. The collection is capped off with a Novella with a premise that I truly want to see become a reality, and it inspired the title of the book itself. Highly recommend.

11. 4/14/21

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Well, that was something. Not sure I would have picked this up on my own, but as a book club selection, I dove right in and found myself intrigued immediately. I can't say that I had the mystery all the way figured out, but I had some hunches. A quick read, this was a lovely little distraction.

10. 4/10/21

The New One: Painfully True Stories from a Reluctant Dad by Mike Birbiglia

Becoming a parent is wildly misrepresented in pop culture, whitewashed and polished up to look magical in a way that isn't quite realistic. Somehow, Mike Birbiglia found a way to show its true magic, all the dirt and dark and wonder and fear and worry-filled-joy in this collection of essays, punctuated with poems by his wife J. Hope Stein (Clo, for MB fans). I loved every single bit of this book, and even though I am 13-20 years removed from my times as the parent of a newborn, every note rang true and memorable. Highly recommend.

9. 3/1/3/21

One of Us is Next by Karen M. McManus

I read the first book a couple years ago and I remembered really enjoying it as I sped through it. Today I got the sequel on my Kindle from the library and spent the next couple of hours completely engrossed. I could have slowed down a bit more and it probably would have helped with my occasional character confusion, but I just couldn't help myself. I had quite a bit of it figured out before the big reveal was presented, but then I was slapped with shock as something else came to light at the very, very end that I didn't see coming at all. Well done, McManus.

8. 3/10/21

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

How had I never read this before today? I'm glad to have corrected this oversight, as this was a beauty. Cisneros creates her characters quickly and concisely, colorfully and vibrantly. Totally masterfully. Her vignettes may be very short stories, but they're like small sections of one larger picture, and all put together, an entire community is formed.

7. 3/8/21

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

morninglightmama 7 for 2021 I believe I've underlined more in this book than any other before. Informative and encouraging, Ijeoma Oluo's book educates and pushes readers to action. I'm taking away many, many opportunities for self-reflection and a greater sense of urgency to be aware of my own biases and be more thoughtful about my actions. In discussions about this book in a work-based book club, I hope we can get into action-oriented conversations specific to our community.

6. 3/8/21

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I picked this book up from the counter of the campground laundry room because the dryer had only 11 minutes left on it and I didn't have my phone on me. It was cheesy from the beginning, but not so much as to dissuade me from continuing. It was entertaining enough in its exploration of what could happen to the protagonist if she makes one decision two different ways. Alternating chapters tell the stories of these two different paths, questioning the concept of fate. I kept thinking of the Tim Minchin song "If I Didn't Have You," and enjoying the idea of infinite universes with infinitely different lives.

5. 3/3/21

I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are by Rachel Bloom

Going for some long rides? This is the book for you! You'll absolutely forget how monotonous and relentless 8 hours as a vehicle passenger can be, and you'll stop focusing on how anxious you get from long car rides because you'll be knee-deep in Rachel Bloom's anxiety and more! I was already a fan of CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, and now I'm a fan of Bloom's, specifically. She doesn't hold back in this series of comedic essays/painful memoir vignettes, and it's reassuring to me that there are other people out there who think and talk like she (and I!) do.

4. 2/28/21

Circe by Madeline Miller

I had heard all the hype about this one when it came out, and I figured I'd read it eventually, but I wasn't in a rush. Then it was announced as my book club's selection, so I started it with neutral expectations, because I wouldn't necessarily say I'm into mythology. But, as it often goes, I ended up being really taken with this novel! Circe the character is intriguing and multifaceted, and her perspective kept me reading for long stretches. I Googled other characters incessantly as I read, and I was impressed with how the author wove in their stories and expanded their personalities. Also, Odysseus was a douche.

3. 2/20/21

Survival of the Thickest by Michelle Buteau

I needed a light read to remind myself that I actually do enjoy reading, and Michelle Buteau did not disappoint. I adore her stand-up, and her comedic essays are written in the same voice. I could hear her in my head. The content is funny AF, but she has been through the wringer, too, and she doesn't hold back in sharing her pain.

2. 2/8/21

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

Oh, Jacqueline Woodson, you are a master shaper of words. This short novel in verse is evocative and lovely, a celebration of family and the bonds between parent and child. The young protagonist is a boy who is open with his feelings and who has a core group of friends who all have his back as he watches his pro-football player father struggle with what we now know as CTE. There is pain, and there is beauty. Woodson writes of life with all of this in mind.

1. 2/4/21

The Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

I finished this a few days ago, but like most things lately, it's taken me longer than usual to post. This was a gentle fantasy that was confusing at first, but mostly because I read it in fits and starts, which I don't recommend. There's a book within the book, and the narratives were hard for me to get back into after a few days away. (It's been hard to concentrate, can you tell?!) But once I was able to stick with it, I quite liked the adventure and it was a fun escape.

Happy reading,