End of October

 The Midnight Library by Matthew Haig

"The many worlds interpretation of quantum physics, suggest there are a infinite number of divergent parallel universes. Every moment of your life you enter a new universe. With every decision you make." Nora's life sucks. Like super sucks. She's lost her job, her cat has died, and her brother no longer speaks to her, thus death looks like the best option. But what happens if instead of life, or death, Nora finds a library...the midnight library, where each book is a life choice. I think if I was in a cynical or snarky mood, I don't think this book would have hit me where it did. But I'm in search these days for heart and love and kindness, and most of all, HOPE. This book hit me exactly where I needed, because "Sometimes regrets aren't based on fact at all. Sometimes regrets are just...a load of bullshit."

The Searcher by Tana French

Ah, how I love a beautifully written, well-constructed, character-driven mystery...and in eight books, Tana French has rarely let me down. In The Searchers, she has written my favorite of them all. On the surface, it is the story of a retired Chicago cop, Cal, who has moved to a small town in Western Ireland and befriends a needy young teen named Trey, whose brother has been missing for six months. But dig a little deeper, and this story is about the deep waters that run through the town, the prejudices that have existed for generations, the influence of just one good adult in a child's life, and the way that secrets fester and damage. I didn't find any black and white heroes in this book, and sometimes cringed at certain actions or words. Yet these characters were so alive to me, so authentic and human, just people trying to figure their shit out, doing the best they can, sometimes messing up, and sometimes getting it right. If you're looking for a fast-paced thriller, this is not it. But if you're looking to sink into a small Irish town and roll around in their lives, pick this one up. 

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

While this is one of my favorite movies, I thought it was time to read this modern day classic to see where it all began; it did NOT disappoint. I do love a book of letters, and these letters from Celie to God show the dynamism of this character. As the reader, we see Celie in her youth, abused and vilified by her father, sold in marriage to Mr. _, and forced to raise children not her own. All this time, we see Celie's inner thoughts in her letters to God, and then to her sister, Nettie, and how life changes Celie in profound ways. Admittedly, I did not enjoy the letters from Nettie and her life in Africa, but that was a 'me' issue as I was so madly in love with Celie. If you have only seen the movie, I highly recommend the book - it is simply brilliant.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

I am now 3/3 on poet Elizabeth Acevedo's books, in just two months. Yep, I am a FAN! This is her book not written in verse, and admittedly, as much as I liked it, I missed the cadence of her voice (and yes, she narrates all her own books). The premise in this book is a teenage mother, trying to raise her young daughter with her grandmother's help, her father living back in Puerto Rico, and her mother dead. Cooking is Emoni's jam and provides a motif that pulls us through her school world, as well as her personal life. I thought Acevedo did a fantastic job of looking honestly at the huge difficulties of being a teenage mom - the workload of both school and friends, trying to get good grades as well as keep a job to pay the bills, how to reenter the dating and social world, and ultimately, figuring out what is the best future for both herself and her child. Each time, this author gives her readers a glimpse into Latinx life that is authentic and engaging.

All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

If I had a friend, or son, or relative who was struggling with their sexual or gender identity, this is the book I would put in their hands. What a beautiful memoir from a young Black writer, who is able to look back at his childhood and teen years with openness and honesty, showing us the pain and struggles, but also the joy and happiness. I wanted to just sink into his family home (I mean, his Nanny is just the most amazing grandmother ever!). As George explores his love life, his college days, his burgeoning romances, the death of a friend or a cousin, I felt like I was standing next to him as he told his life story. Highly recommend this one in audio - it is a powerful story.

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

One of the preeminent Black sci-fi writers of the last fifty years, I have wanted to read one of Butler's books for ages, though admittedly I am not a huge science fiction fan. This book is the perfect mix for me, more historical fiction and alternative history. Think about it...a Black person from 1976 being yanked back in time to Maryland of 1815. Imagine...someone owns you, can whip you or rape you or abuse you without consequence, can force you into unpaid labor of the worst kind, can dehumanize you. That is what happens to Dana, who gets transported back and forth through time, without warning. It is a fascinating concept, trust me. I read this one in just 24 hours, and it left me with a huuuuge book hangover, thinking constantly of this story for days after the final page.

The Boys' Club by Erica Katz

As fast as I read this book, it left me with a sour taste in my mouth. Perhaps that was the point? The story begins with a lawsuit, and then goes back in time to follow first year associates in a Big Law firm, fighting and scrapping to make a name for themselves, as well as to be 'matched' into the most prestigious practice group. So many truly awful tropes were used...women who will use sex to advance their careers, the token Black lawyer who turns to drugs and alcohol, the privileged boys who use power to get whatever they want, literally. I mean, could we not overuse these tropes?? It feels like the more they are used, the more these ugly stereotypes are perpetuated? Ultimately, there really weren't any characters that I could even find a modicum of respect for, ruining the entertainment value somewhat for me. 

October 2.0

 Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie

Picked by Good Morning, America for its September read, it is refreshing to see big names/organizations choosing debut novels by bipoc writers. For me, this was a uniquely beautiful, yet also weirdly frustrating, book. The premise is so unique - in post WWII Japan, young Nori, the product of an aristocratic Japanese mother and her African-America lover, is left at her grandmother's house in Kyoto. Imprisoned, beaten, insulted, Nori's life has no joy...until her half-brother Akira comes to stay. The story of the following years of Nori's life is fascinating, impossible to look away even when drenched in sadness or trauma. At times overly melodramatic for me, I also found myself wondering what life would have been like for them without the benefit of great wealth? And the ending...aargh. Yet, with that said, this would be a fantastic book club choice as there is sooooo much to mull over, discuss, argue over, and analyze. 

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

Having taught this book for years, it was time for a reread of my very favorite Toni Morrison novel...and of course, it did not disappoint. If anything, having read so many other books this year on social justice and race issues in America, this book was even more profoundly moving. Based on the Black man's Odyssey, Morrison uses the main character of Milkman to show the journey of identity in post WWII America. Part One shows us Milkman's childhood, the complexity of his family relationships, and truly, the degradation of his character as he practices self-hate. You will hate Milkman by this point in the book, trust me. And then Part II will blow your mind, as his odyssey takes him on a journey of self-realization about his family, his race, his history. Quite possibly the finest last paragraph in American literature, this book is EVERYTHING.

A Knock at Midnight by Brittany K. Barnett

If you loved Just Mercy, this book is for you. Life-changing in the very best sense of the word, attorney Brittany Barnett tells her story, as well as her journey to changing the world. Raised in a household where drug addiction was the monster, Brittany put herself through law school, with a goal of climbing the corporate ladder, while at the same time visiting her mom who was incarcerated in a federal prison. Brittany chose to take on pro bono cases involving Black prisoners sentenced to life in prison for ridiculously minor drug offenses. This memoir will make you angry, will make you question the idea of 'justice' in America, will make you cry as well as cheer for both Brittany and the prisoners she helps, and will make you want to join her cause for prison reform. Check out Buried Alive, the organization she and others started in order to find true justice in our country.

The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull

Start with ideas from Downton Abbey, mix in some of The Crown and research from the History Channel, and then sprinkle some People magazine on top, and you've got a page-turning historical novel. This debut by Turnbull looks at the time period of the 1920's and 30's, as the white privileged people thought their power and ability to fascinate would never end. Turnbull focuses her story on Thelma Morgan, whose identical twin sister was Gloria Vanderbilt (yes, mother to Anderson Cooper's mother, THE Gloria Vanderbilt). I was knee-deep in royal intrigue as Thelma marries a Duke, has a years-long affair with the Prince of Wales, and fatefully introduces him to Wallis Simpson. Juxtaposed with the British world, is the 'trial of the century,' as Gloria's aunt battles for custody of Little Gloria amidst some very dirty laundry. This book had my attention until the bitter end.

The House by the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Kline

There's a reason why literally everyone has been raving over this book...because it is EVERYTHING I needed right now. While America has become a raging dumpster fire, this book made my heart grow three times the size. The premise is simple: Linus Baker must travel to the house on the Cerulean Sea, and inspect the six occupants of this orphanage to see if the head master is treating them correctly. Simple, right? Except that these six children have 'interesting' backgrounds and skills. This story is written for ages from eight to one hundred, seriously; I loved it so much I had to go purchase a copy to keep on the shelves for future grandchildren:) In other words, DO NOT MISS this book - it will give you hope and make you believe in the goodness of humanity.

Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz

First, let's be real, this book should count as TWO books! Just as in its predecessor, Magpie Murders, this mystery is a book within a book. Same lead character, Susan, who is no longer a book editor but living in Crete running a boutique hotel with her partner. But due to her previous working relationship with the same old curmudgeonly mystery writer, Susan is once again dragged back to England to help find the missing young mother, as well as try to figure out whodunnit eight years ago in the same hotel. I love a smart mystery, and Magpie was my favorite mystery of the year, but this book? Meh. Between the original story and the embedded novel inside, this book was overabundantly peopled - as in, I couldn't keep them all straight and eventually just gave up. Horowitz has a clever yet sometimes supercilious voice, too busy patting himself on the back to notice that he is boring the reader with extraneous chapters and description. More judicious editing might have saved this book for me, yet some of the subtle xenophobia and homophobia helped sink it as well. 

October

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson

THIS is the book of 2020 for me, seriously. I have read a lot of books about social justice these last few months, but no other book has everything like this one does. It provides the basis, the foundation, the history, the explanation, the justification, the reasoning, for all those other books. Every television show and movie I have watched since has been seen through a new pair of spectacles. This is the most eye-opening book I think I have ever read. It is not an easy read; it is long, dense, and required lots of highlighter and note-taking by me. At times it hurt my heart, but it also inspired me. If you want to learn, read this book. If you are open to a new way of looking at race/caste in America, read this book. If you are a teacher, read and then use this book in your classroom. Please read this book because..."Caste is a disease, and none of us is immune...A world without caste would set everyone free."

Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell

Lisa Jewell, a popular British thriller writer, has never let me down, and I think this is one of her best yet. The drama involves two families: one is the stereotypical mom (Cate), dad (Roan), and two kids, where Roan is a child psychotherapist, amongst other things and Cate has rather a lot of 'trust' issues; the other is Saffyre, orphaned and raised by her uncle, and a former patient of Roan's. The glue that pulls these two together, as well as the plot line, is the character of Owen, an odd, socially-challenged, 'off' guy who lives across the street from Roan and Cate. When Saffyre disappears, Owen is the first guy the cops look to, wondering how this 'weirdo' is involved. The rabbit hole of possibilities are endless, and Jewell does a masterful job of taking us down every dead end path, as well as roads open to possibility. This one is impossible to put down; if you're looking for a thriller that works, this is it:)

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline

If you read Orphan Train or A Piece of the World, you know Kline tell an engrossing tale; I loved those books, but her new one, The Exiles, has charged to the front of the line as my very favorite. I opened this book one evening, and finished it the next afternoon, living in 19th century Tasmania. Kline develops such rich characters (the naive vicar's daughter sentenced to 14 years transport, the young pickpocket whose life is devoid of safety, the pregnant street walker, the aboriginal child adopted by the governor, the convict ship doctor, the sailor with no moral compass), yet she doesn't abuse any stereotypes; her characters are complex, authentic, intriguing. As the story unfolds in the London jail, moves to the long ship's journey across oceans, and ultimately to Van Diemen's island and the life of the convicts, it was hard for my brain to leave this story, giving me a huuuuge book hangover. If you like historical fiction based in solid research and enhanced by beautiful writing, you will love this book.

Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema by Lindy West

Do you love movies? Do you like sass? Do you need a good laugh these days? If you answer "YES" to any of these, I highly recommend this audio. Lindy West narrates it herself, as she skewers, raves, and picks apart some of our favorite all-time movies, rating them against her personal favorite, The Fugitive. Admittedly, I liked it best when I was familiar with the movie, even when she pokes at a movie I love (ahem, The Notebook), but overall, I was thoroughly entertained and highly amused by this one.

Dear Child by Romy Hausmann

It has been a looooong time since I was scared to read a book at nighttime, but this book did just that. A story ripped from the headlines, a young woman is 'found' after having gone missing twelve years ago, allegedly kept in captivity along with her two children. But this dark psychological thriller has much more in store for its readers, with a grief-twisted father, a deeply disturbed child, and the victim herself telling the story. Don't even try guessing where this story leads as the rabbit hole is long and twisted, and made me want to lock all my doors as I read the final fifty pages. This debut novel has changed my negative perspective on thrillers; Hausmann does far more than look for a quick twist - she uses brilliant mind games with her readers to keep us obsessively turning pages. I will be on the lookout for her next translated novel.

When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole

Yikes, this book...how to describe it? Maybe a mix of farce, horror, and thriller, with a dose of social justice thrown in. The plot revolves around two characters: Sydney, a long-time Brooklyn resident whose neighborhood is historically Black as is Sydney, whose mother has cancer, who works in the block garden and sees some shady stuff going on; and Theo, her white neighbor with a rocky past, who is unemployed, whose romantic relationship has hit the skids, and wants to help Sydney research for a historical walking tour of their 'hood. Can I just say...this synopsis does not do this story justice? I could NOT stop listening to this audio - the narrators are fantastic, the racism displayed is raw and enraging, the creepiness is legit, and the ending was beyond cathartic (perhaps not realistic, but hey, I wasn't looking for plausible - I was looking for vengeance). 

Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Starting her career as a slam poet, Acevedo's debut novel is just simply stunning. Written in verse, this book, especially the audio, flows and ebbs and embeds itself into one's heart. The main character, Xiomara (hence the title, Poet X), is raised in a conservative Domincan family, forced to go to church and confirmation classes when really, she just wants to see the boy she likes and attend the after-school poetry club. This is the story of being a teen, of wanting one's freedom, of being different, of standing up for oneself, in finding liberation from a parent as well as connection. I might have shed a few tears over this one, and the ending is just...magical. This would be a fantastic book to use in a classroom, and/or to broaden one's own knowledge of different cultures and neighborhoods.

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

I know lots of people love this author, and I do find her family dramas compelling, but if you're looking for a good mystery, this is not it, in my opinion. She uses and abuses stereotypes in an epic manner: rich white male lead whose ignorance of his privilege is monumental, nerdy smart girl who is shamed for her brain not celebrated, obligatory hot yet disloyal best friend, ice queen mother and creepy father whose privilege protects them all the way to the final page, and bestie who is murder victim and described as a 'sex kitten' when really, she was horribly sexually harassed yet that was never explicitly addressed. Ugh. If you need a good mystery, go dive into Louise Penny's series.