August 2.0

A Traveler at the Gates of Wisdom by John Boyne

It was difficult to contain my excitement about a new John Boyne book; he has been a auto-buy author for me for awhile now. I have a lot of thoughts…First, I applaud Boyne’s boldness, his ambition, his creativity. He has created a unique story of a nameless man, who lives his live one time-chunk at a time, each in a different spot. He begins in Palestine, Year 1 AD, and each short chapter, his live continues in a different country, decades ahead in time.The main character is always artistic, his father always wants a warrior, some killing is always deemed necessary etc. Each static character has a role to play in the march through time. Thematically, we see how human emotions are universal as love and revenge drive the main character. However, for me, it just did not work. Each time I felt invested in a story line, it changed. My love for Boyne rests in his ability to deeply draw a dynamic character, to show how life changes them, both good and bad, to see how other people shape them. In Traveler, the characters felt flat to me, never changing, never growing, allowing circumstances to eternally dictate the same actions and reactions. I had hope for the ending, but the chapter on 2016 turned into a wild farce of Trumpeteers, which just seemed so off the rest of the book’s previous serious writing style. Perhaps it is my belief in the human ability to change and grow? Perhaps it is my hope that in another life, another universe, I make better choices? Perhaps my expectations were too high? Regardless, I am sure others will enjoy this creative novel, but it was not for me.

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

The author of Room is back with an exceedingly topical book - a story of three women working at a hospital in Dublin in 1918. Yeah, there's a flu pandemic. Nurse Julia is in charge of the fever/maternity ward, when Bridie comes in to be her volunteer and Dr. Lynn is on duty for the deliveries. Each woman has a rich and deep history that Donoghue explores in order to delver deeply into the societal issues of the day: war trauma, poverty, lack of proper nutrition, classism, the Irish rebellion, spousal abuse, etc. It is a masterful novel. This is not a book that that make you turn pages quickly; instead it is a rich character drawn story of three strong women, from three different circumstances, who are all put in one place in time, doing their best to stave off the Bone Man as he comes to collect the sick for his deathly mansion. And if you like a good audio narrator, the Irish accent is sublime.

My Vanishing Country by Bakari Sellers

I had seen Bakari Sellers on CNN as an analyst, but I did not know that he was the youngest person ever elected to the South Caroline state legislature, that he had been 'raised' and influenced by the lions of the Civil Rights movements, that his father stood and watched LBJ sign into law a pivotal law, that the Orangeburg Massacre scarred a community, and a state, forever. (Have you even heard of the Orangeburg Massacre? Yeah, me either - look it up. Generational anger is righteous) This is an intriguing, short, memoir of a young Black man's life growing up in rural South Caroline, and his own journey through personal and public tragedy, to offer a fairer, more equitable, safer, healthier life to Black folks in his state. I am curious to see where life takes Mr. Sellers in the future - he's got my vote.

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

Think Groundhog Day but in a sweet fluffy YA book. Three high school seniors are best friends: Jillian, class valedictorian; Francisco, star athlete and Jillian's boyfriend; and Jackie, best friends to both Jillian and Francisco, but secretly in love with Jillian for years. But what happens when Jack meets Kate at a college tour, and falls madly in love? But...Kate has an illness and dies. Yeah, no spoiler alert - it happens early. Jackie is pushed back through time, over and over, as he tries to save Kate but messes up so many other areas of his life. It is a cute story, a bit repetitious and a bit too long, but middle and high schoolers may love this:)

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

How did I miss this YA fantasy book when it came out last fall??? It has everything I love about this genre: beautifully crafted world with witches, soldiers, and priests,  a hot love relationship, loyal friends,  and mysteries galore. When Louise (witch in hiding) meets Reid (witch hunter) sparks fly, sassy comments abound, and transparency is hard to come by. But my oh my, this book is impossible to put down. If you're looking for adventure and humor bound up in a fantastical plot line, pick up this book. I was only halfway through before I already preordered the sequel, out next month. This book is amazing:)

The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya and Elizabeth Weil

 

Clemantine Wamariya was just six years old when she had to flee her grandmother's house outside of Kigali, Rwanda in 1994. This is the story of her years of wandering through Africa as a refugee, of her exploring her own psyche and its reaction to genocide, in her journey through American life as a displaced person, and in her varied emotions surrounding the people, her family, and organizations who aided or abandoned her. This memoir is the perfect companion book to Elie Wiesel's Night, and if I was still a high school teacher, I would use them in tandem. It shows how history does repeat itself, how the 'savers' can muck things up, how just one person can change a person's trajectory for both good and bad, how hope is in short supply sometimes, how anger can overwhelm, and how stories of survival can inspire. It will be a long time before I forget this memoir. 

The Cold Vanish: Seeking the Missing in North America's Wildlands by Jon Billman

I am not usually a True Crime reader (they kinda freak me out), but this one intrigued me from the beginning as much of it takes place in my backyard, the Pacific Northwest. Author Jon Billman explores the hidden phenomena of missing persons in our national parks, using Jacob Gray's disappearance here in WA state as the anchor of his book. Jacob went into Olympic National Park, and was never seen again, leaving behind his bike and little else. Billman strings together the search and rescue routines of many different parks and states, the use of tracker dogs (okay, their training is fascinating!), and the deep, unadulterated sorrow for the friends and family who have no answers. Some of the victims may have been lost, or injured, or murdered... some may have just wanted to leave the civilized world. This was an engrossing look at a world that is little seen, and should have more attention given to it. It will also make it so you question your decision to hike alone ever again!