May 2019

The Guest Book by Sarah Blake
A multigenerational saga involving a white WASP family...not exactly topical, right? Yet Sarah Blake imbues this plot line with deeply held family secrets, deeply developed characters, and a long deep walk into privilege. What are the rules? Who should follow them? Are the rules fair, right, consistent? Do they apply to everyone or just if you are white and Protestant? As the 20th century unfolds for the Miltons and the 21st century is born, each generation is confronted with these questions and many more, as the Miltons face tragedy, lost love, betrayal, and death around their lives in New York City, as well as their island life in Maine. My brain was buzzing throughout the second half, as the motifs rang loudly: the anchoresses, women who are walled into chapel walls set to pray for the rest of their life, forcing one to consider how we are imprisoned into our separate tribes; the unchanging life on Crockett Island, as we question tradition and its forces; the greedy pursuit of money and power, asking what one will do to be 'better than.' This is a provocative, stunning, gorgeously written book that is sure to be on many 'best of' lists...cannot recommend it highly enough.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
Put two things together - Appalachia and books - and you've got me at 'hello.' Then add in the Blue People of Kentucky and it is mind-blowing. Yes, blue people actually did exist in the hills of Kentucky, due to a genetic disorder with a lot of vowels that caused a lack of oxygen in one's blood. In Richardson's new book, she creates the character of Cussy Carter, a young "Blue" from Troublesome Creek who works as part of Roosevelt's social program delivering books to folks throughout the hill country. Riding on her stubborn mule, Cussy gets to know the unique characters that inhabit these hills, and so do we as the reader. Unfortunately, she also has to tolerate the racism and violence directed towards her, as we see the upheaval during the Great Depression, the fight to unionize coal workers, and the struggle to literally survive. This is a fascinating read, wretchedly sad at times, but ultimately heroic and hopeful.

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
What does one do when buying tickets to see Hamilton on Broadway? Listen to the 35 hour book it was based upon, of course. Yes, 35 hours...yikes. I listened as I drove my car, cleaned my house, walked my dog, and even brushed my teeth. At times it was a slog as Chernow throws in literally every small detail of Hamilton's life from birth until death, but about 80% of the time, it was quite interesting. One learns that politics hasn't changed that much (yep, it was nasty and personal back in the 18th century as well), that the Founding Fathers were not the paragons of virtue they have been made out to be, and that much of what they set up as the United States of America has withstood the test of time. Will this help me understand the play? Sure hope so (update: it totally did!), but even so, I am glad I  added some knowledge to my brain.

Finale (Caraval #3) by Stephanie Garber
In the first book of this trilogy, we were swept into the magic of Caraval, the magical game where the two sisters, Tella and Scarlet, show their brains, their courage, and their devotion to one another. In Legendary, we saw Legend, the master of the game, as the Fates attempt to ruin the human's lives and once again, the sisters step up. Now, in the Finale, the diabolical bad guys, the Fates, are running lose and causing murder and mayhem, literally. Poison is a nasty piece of business as he freezes entire families, the Assassin can move through by time and space creating some helpful solutions, and the Fallen Star has issues with fire torture and power envy. As Julian and Scarlet discover their love for each other, Scarlet also learns of deep secrets that involve her mother, the Fates, and her own past. At the same time, Tella and Legend take part in a love triangle with Jacks, the King of Hearts and a Fate who has an 'interesting' take on relationships. Stephanie Garber brings together the most intriguing cast of characters seen in YA fantasy. Finale is a worthy culmination to this magical and beautiful trilogy.

Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce
Think Girl on the Train...because this main character, Alison, is a HOT mess. A raging alcoholic, an absentee mother, lousy wife, marginal friend, and a pretty awful mistress as well. So if you're looking for that heroic lawyer who saves the world, Alison is not it. However, she is intriguing as is the story. Defending a woman who readily admits she stabbed her husband to death, Alison is not fully convinced; she knows something else is going on. As she investigates the many strings through all the rabbit holes, we also watch as Alison's marriage disintegrates. As the road to the culmination comes into view, I had a few prescient guesses but Blood Orange is a solid thriller that kept me turning pages.

Who Thought This Was Good Idea?: And Other Questions You Should have Answers to When you Work in the White House by Alyssa Mastromonaco, Lauren Oyler
I have now listened to Becoming by Michelle Obama and The World As it Is by Ben Rhodes which are both serious looks at the eight years of the Obama administration (obviously Becoming was a longer look at Michelle's life). This inside look written by Obama's former Head of Scheduling and Deputy Chief of Staff is a totally different take. Mastromonaco jumps all over the place, as in nothing, absolutely nothing, takes place in chronological order. Listening to this book, it at first drove me crazy. Yet I then realized that this is the nature of the beast in the business of politics - jumping from one fire to the next, putting out what one can. I found myself laughing out loud frequently, as Mastromonaco narrates the book herself and she writes some hilarious insider stories (ie. her cat dying, her visit to see the Queen, etc.) If you want to be entertained, if you want to admire the chutzpah of this woman, her brains, her drive, her ambition, all wrapped up in an honest portrayal of all her own foibles, this book is for you. Highly entertaining:)