July 2.0

Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl
Having loved her previous book, Night Film, I was excited to pick up this new YA book by Pessl. And wow, it is a page turner, mixing a mystery of a young man's death along with time travel, or should I say time standing still? Here's the deal: five young adults back from their first year of college, still reeling from the death of their sixth member from their last year in boarding school, are all out carousing one night. On their drunken drive home, they have a scary incident with a tow truck and are run off the road. However, it is more than a 'close call;' it is a snag in time. These five are now stuck in this one day, over and over again, and the only way out is to vote on who should be the one who gets to live. Without consensus, this day replays endlessly so they decide to spend their eternal day trying to figure out how Jim died. Was it really suicide or something more sinister? Your mind will be blown.

The Soul of America: The Battle for our Better Angels by Jon Meacham
If you want to be inspired that our country is not taking a one-way trip to hell, this is the book for you. Meacham explores the different periods in America's history where we had autocrats, demagogues, and conmen leading the way. Each time the goodness in humanity prevailed, whether through politicians who finally stood up for what is right or through the populace's voice demanding a different direction. It is a fascinating listen, though I will say Meacham is not the best narrator; I was thankful he only did the intro and conclusion. And seriously, you can skip the intro and just go straight to the first chapter - you won't miss a thing! This book gave me hope that we will survive the hateful policies and divisiveness that characterize today's politics in America...I wait patiently for the angels to appear.

The Subway Girls by Susie Orman Schnall
I am a bit torn by this book. On one hand, it is an interesting look back at New York City post WWII, as young women attempt to continue marching into the work force following WWII. In 1949, Charlotte wants a career before marriage, is attempting to complete a college degree, and is fighting to be chosen Miss Subways as part of an ad campaign that she believes could help save her father's business. At times, Charlotte is a feminist, and at other times she acquiesces to the rules of the day, making some statements about men and life which made me nauseous, but however made sense historically. However, the story of today (Olivia as an ad campaign exec, trying to win the business of the NYC subway system) is more problematic for me. She waffles between being a badass and being just a wimp; in love with her boss, it colors the story in a frustrating way for me, challenging her ability to be seen as competent employee and to deal with the blatant sexual harassment from another employee. An interesting read, but ultimately too predictable with a lack of characters I could truly cheer for and an abundance of cliched writing that just was not my style. Thanks to Net Galley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Believe Me by J.P. Delaney
Let me preface this review that I really loved the first book by Delaney, The Girl Before. I was excited to pick up the second but that faded quickly. Here's the short preview: British actress in NYC has immigration issues so chooses to work for police to try and entrap a serial killer into confessing. It is a completely implausible plot line - what police department in America, much less NYC, would ever use a psychologically damaged civilian to run a legitimate legal operation? Good grief, I've watched enough Law and Order to know better! Sorry, but this was just a laughable 'thriller.' I like my mysteries clever, twisty, and thought-provoking. Thanks to Net Galley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A Double Life by Flynn Berry
This mystery kept me thinking and turning pages for the first half of the book; a young woman continuously searches for clues to her father's existence, the father who murdered her nanny and violently attacked her mother while both children were in the home. Claire is a well-educated doctor who loves her drug-addicted brother and seems to be mildly interested in helping her patients, yet she is obsessed with the idea of finding her father, the only sitting Lord accused of murder, who fled the country years ago. Unfortunately the plot line takes a turn towards the implausible and ridiculous side of things in the last half and at times the constant switching of time periods is hard to follow needing smoother segues. And honestly, the last twenty percent just seemed rushed, as if the author just didn't care about a thoughtful conclusion or was not sure how to wrap it up creatively yet thoughtfully - very disappointing. Thanks to Net Galley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
I read the rave reviews on this one and wondered what the heck I missed?! I did not find it deep, nor powerful, nor profound. I found it to be narcissistic, shallow, and ultimately quite boring. This story follows a year where a young white woman, privileged and entitled, chooses to spend a year in her NYC apartment popping enough pills to put her to sleep for 365 days. Within this year, we see echoes of her past with both parents dying while she is at Columbia University, a sad and pathetic job at an art gallery, hilarious conversations with a complete wackjob of a therapist who hands out drugs like candy, and a cruel and selfish so-called 'friendship' with another messed up young woman. I am sure I was supposed to feel sadness for the tragedies in their lives, but all I felt was contempt. I have read gorgeously sad fiction (we all remember Jude in A Little Life), and witnessed in real life many tragedies; I know what it is like to have my heart pummeled, to weep for the unfairness in life. I just attended a memorial service for a former student, cut down by cancer in the prime of his life; that is true tragedy, not this pathetic young woman's story. This was a total miss for me and a waste of three hours. Thanks to Net Galley for a preview copy in exchange for an honest review, and yes, I am always honest:)