More August Reading

 China Room by Sunjeev Sahota

A Booker Long List nominee and a Book of the Month Club choice, this is a unique story. Told in two different voices, in two completely different time periods, I was intrigued yet not all the way "In" on this one. The story of Mehar in 1929 gripped me from the very start: a fifteen year old girl, married off to one of the brothers in the house, abused by her mother-in-law, puzzled as to which brother is her husband,  naive yet seeking independence, trapped in a life not of her own making. The parallel story is of her great-grandson, a young man raised in England, shaped by the racism in his small town and the prejudice against his shopkeeper parents, struggling with addiction and his sense of identity. These two worlds collide through Sahota's writing, as he takes pieces of his own history and weaves them into fiction. The writing is beautiful, though not always the style I care for as it is very descriptive. While I did not love this book, I liked it very much, learning of a different culture, making my brain breathe bigger.

A Different Dawn (Nina Guerrera, #2) by Isabella Maldonado

This is an example of a book where the writing just did not strike me as that good - it is a bit choppy for my taste, a bit simplistic, a bit pedestrian. Yet did I care? Nope, not after the first few chapters as the story and the characters once again drew me in. As a former police officer, Maldonado clearly knows her stuff - this police procedural nails all the investigative twists and turns needed to find a highly intelligent, super creepy serial killer. She develops her main character in a way that pulls us into Nina's life, rooting for her and cheering her on, even when she makes mistakes and falls into trouble. The high chance of coincidence made me roll my eyes more than once, but still, I was thoroughly entertained + I appreciated the diverse case of characters rather than the typical 'all-white male cast with one token female badass." Once the writing skills get honed a bit more, I think this detective series will be really solid.

Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland

Ah, what a sweet escape this book was as I journeyed back to the Borscht Belt, where Jewish hotels and bungalows were the place to go for New York Jews, a time where families played games, did silly shows, and competed against other similar families. In this case, two families come together to decide if they should sell their old, behind-the-times resort, or update it and try and make a go of it for the sake of the grandparents who started the hotel back in the 60's. I adored all the characters of this multi-generational stories - as we get beyond the surface of a grandmother whose hair is never out of place, a daughter whose marriage is imploding, a grandchild whose career is an 'influencer,' all the lives come together in an amazing way, one in which they must see each other as YES, times change. A little bit of Mrs. Maisel, a bit of Dirty Dancing, a bit of reality television, this book charmed and thoroughly entertained me.

The Forever War by Dexter Filkins

This book was chilling to listen to while the whole Afghan withdrawal/debacle unfolded across every international headline. New York TImes war correspondent Dexter Filkins embeds himself with a variety of soldiers, rebels, villagers, you name it, to bring us the long drawn out story of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. I mean, let's be honest - how often have many of us even thought about these wars lately? My guess is, if you're like me, not much until America decided to withdraw the troops in August of 2021 and the Taliban once again took over in Afghanistan. I mean, we've lost thousand of soldier, translators, interpreters, support staff, correspondents, you name it, over the last twenty years. Are you still confused as to what the hell we were doing there all this time? I was. This book answers many questions, yet also left me questioning even more. Filkins puts the reader right in the middle of the action, literally - at times, I could almost feel my heart beat race as his platoon was trapped by a sniper, or a village was being bombed, or a soldier was being raced to a medi-vac. As much as I normally love listening to non-fiction, I wouldn't recommend the audio. Too many people, too many names, too many different scenarios for my brain to keep up - being able to see each small incident on paper would have been a better fit for me.

Are We There Yet? by Kathleen West

This book is perfect for any parent of a middle schooler, or if you're a teacher, or if you have had a teen, or even know a teen - in other words, I loved it! The three families that tell this story are so engaging - each kid, each parent does some seriously impulsive, stupid shit, like we all do at times. Yet when you add in social media (IG, FB, Snapchat, Tik-Tok), that dumb behavior becomes permanent, forever, alive for all time. I read this book in 24 hours; it was like watching a train wreck - you know what's coming but oh my, it is compelling to witness!

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

This is such a popular memoir, but it did not hit the right note for me, probably because it hit too many of my 'sore spots.' Told by a young woman who is half-Korean, half-Caucasion American, it is the story not just of her childhood and young adult life, but more about the death of her mother and the impact it has had on Michelle. Don't get me wrong - it is a very powerful, compelling story, told with honesty and authenticity. However, having sat at the bedside of two dying parents myself, it was just too painful for me to listen to (tho the author is a fabulous narrator). It truly is a fabulous memoir, but too drenched in sadness for me at this time.

August 2.0

  Lightning Strikes by Willian Kent Krueger

The author of This Tender Land and Ordinary Grace is back to his Cork O'Connor mystery series, but this time with a prequel. And my oh my, how I loved this book!!! Having read three of the series, it felt like I was coming home as I re-entered the town of Aurora, MN, with all the beloved characters but decades past. Taking place in 1967, we meet a twelve year old Cork, his two best buddies, his heroic father who is the current sheriff, and the Native tribe members who mentor them all. Mysteries abound with unsolved deaths amidst the lake country on reservation, as Krueger uses the prejudice against the Anishinaabe to highlight the hatred that can kill. And if you have not read the rest of the series, this prequel stands alone and gives the reader an incredible tour of the small town of Aurora, Minnesota and the compelling characters who inhabit it.

Things We Lost in the Water by Eric Nguyen

Featured on Obama's summer read list, as well as Book of the Month, this book has sat on my shelves for awhile. It is the tale of the immigrant, the refugee who flees a war torn country, who seeks safety wherever they can find it it, who lands in America alone, not knowing the language or culture or idiosyncrasies of society. Debut author Eric Nguyen nails all the feels of the refugee in his tale of a Vietnamese family in New Orleans, spanning three decades of time. The tale is told through the eyes of the mother and her two boys as they grow into manhood, as we see the hole left by the father who did not get on the boat. At times, the story loses me as it jumps around frequently in time; I found the character of the youngest boy, Binh/Ben to be the most compelling and wanted to hear his voice more. The water motif is used throughout, as the push and pull of prejudice, the struggle to survive economically, and the desire to fit in moves each member of the family through their own ocean currents. I thought of my own life, remembering Lynn Nguyen in my seventh grade class, wearing hand me down American clothes, having just arrived in Seattle. I remember not knowing what to say to her, not knowing what she had been through, not knowing her experience - I wish I had known more. This book is worth the read.

We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

Quite honestly, I was surprised by how much I loved this book. A debut novel, full of Irish Catholic siblings, family drama, financial stresses, relationship issues, this book gripped me from the very first page. When the estranged daughter comes back to her New York home, after a distance of five years and thousands of miles, the story began and never let go of my heart. Tautly written in just 300 pages, I found myself wanting more of the Brennans; I look forward to her next novel!

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Murray

If you are planning a trip to New York City, read this book. If you like historical fiction, read this book. If you get annoyed with formal voice and dated prose, I would not recommend it. For me, it was a fascinating story of the personal librarian of J.P. Morgan, charged with cataloguing, acquiring, and organizing the millionaire's enormous collection of original manuscripts and books, as well as paintings. And what was most amazing was that this force of nature was a woman born into a close-knit Washington, DC Black family, yet raised to 'pass' as a white woman. For all her life, Belle da Costa Greene was really Belle Greener, daughter of a prominent civil rights activist, yet also daughter to a mother who wanted to give her children the same opportunities as white people had at the turn of the century. It is an intriguing tale, and even more intriguing, told by the dual team of a white author and a Black author who forged a friendship through a pandemic as well as the research and construction of this book. PS if you read the Authors' Notes, you do find out the reason for the formal voice!)

Land of Big Numbers by Te-Ping Chen

Here was another Barack Obama summer-read-list choice, and once again, he has compiled a list that opens my mind to other times and places. This book is a compilation of short stories of modern-day China, of the immigrants that left and came to America, of those that stayed, of some who worked in factories and others who work in shopping malls, of ordinary lives and ordinary people. As always with a short-story collection, I found some stories to be better than others, and some characters more compelling. What I truly enjoyed about this book, though, was the way it opened up my brain and forced it to breathe. I know very little about China of today, except for the news headlines, which quite frankly don't give us much on the people and how they live. While I did not necessary love this book, I am glad I listened to this great group of narrators.

Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal

Here's a classic example of "Don't judge a book by its cover." This book was physically gorgeous, with black pages and flowers painted on the edges. I mean, incredible. Sadly, the story inside...not so much, at least for me. This historical fiction focused on the obsession with freak shows during Victorian England (yes, the Queen was a huge fan, sadly), as well as the horrendous manner in which these performers were treated. If the author had stuck with that, I think I would have liked to book more. The main character, Nell, has leopard spots on her body and is treated as a freak in her home village, so dad sells her to the circus and Nell finds fame (she kinda likes that). She also finds love with the brother of the circus owner. Yet, the author also splices in a weird telling of the Crimean War and its impact on the two brothers; this just did not work for me and felt very disjointed. Ultimately, I ceased to care much about the circus performers and was just glad when the book was over.

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

I adore VE Schwab and her adult books; I mean, Darker Shades of Magic was a five-star trilogy, and I adored Addie LaRue. Yet, her YA books have left me a bit more meh. The Vicious duology was fine, a unique story about dying to become a super hero. This first book in this duology is more 'monstrous,' as in some characters are monsters created from a traumatic event in a weird, messed up America. There's the trope-ish 'bad girl' who is very human, and the 'good boy' who fights against his family's past and just wants to be a good monster. I mean, it entertained me but I won't pick up the second book, so there's that.

August Reads

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

I was filled with trepidation as I opened this book; I had heard it was trauma overload, so I went in prepared. What I was not prepared for was the inability to put this book down. The writing is gorgeous, pulling me directly in to the story of generations of a family who summer in the back woods of Cape Cod, in a small cabin known as the Paper Palace. It is a family full of sorrow, ugliness, and long-held secrets with the ability to destroy itself. Each character owns various morally questionable choices, making them hard at times to like, but always compelling to watch. Some of them are strong, with an uncanny ability to survive the ugliness of life. Some allow their desires to rule them, others their anger or hatred. Yet throughout this family drama, I consistently found the story provocative, the writing stunning, and the entire book completely unforgettable. This one will be a top book of 2021 for me. Fair warning: Difficult scenes of sexual abuse will be disturbing. 

American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West by Nate Blakeslee

Every wolf in every story is the villain. Think about it - fairy tales, common sayings, fantasy stories, you name it. Always the bad guy. Have we been lured into thinking wolves are the devil? After listening to this engrossing tale, I have come to think so. Nate Blakeslee spent hours teaching me about wolves and their re-introduction into the American West, after being decimated for the previous hundred years. I got to know the wolves and their families, their heroic tales (if you don't admire the female alpha 06, you have no heart!), the volunteer wolf hunters, and the Yellowstone ranger whose life revolved around these wolves. Blakeslee tries his best to stay subjective, looking at both the hunting community, the fish and wildlife government agencies, and the environmentalists; it is an even-handed tale. Yet ultimately, it is impossible not to see the wolves as vital part of our eco-system. Want to be utterly fascinated? Then listen to this book - trust me:)

Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley

Having read Rowley's previous books, The Editor (liked) and The Guncle (loved), it was time to pick up his first book. Let's just say I was...underwhelmed. The premise was right down my alley, as a fellow dog lover -Ted lives with his dachshund Lily, who at the ripe age of thirteen has developed a tumor on her head. Ted calls it an octopus and spends the rest of the book trying to capture, kill, convince the octopus to leave Lily alone. At first, this metaphorical tact is cute; eventually, I found it a bit wearing, confusing, and kinda annoying. "Just tell the love story of dog and owner," is what kept running through my head as I skimmed the final chapters. It had some good stuff to say about the purity of a dog's love, but ultimately it did not even come close to living up to The Art of Racing in the Rain, the pinnacle of dog lover book heaven.

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

The Booker Prize winner of 2019, yet it took me two years to pick up. Wow, the wait was soooooo worth it. A collection of stories about women - gay women, educated women, abused women, women of color, women of both poverty and riches, shy women, angry women - you name it, Evaristo examines them all. Threads of connection run throughout the story, often of friendship and of maternal bonds. I literally picked this book up figuring I would read a story, then move onto another novel, coming back and reading a story at a time. Not a chance - I could not put this one down. The writing is unique - no capital letters, no ending punctuation, no quotation marks. It doesn't matter - my brain filled it all in, or it just did not care. What I did care about was each woman's life, her choices, her connections to others, her work, her dreams, her sorrow, her triumphs. Many of them were very different from my own life choices so my brain expanded and breathed bigger. Oh, how I loved this book.

The Husbands by Chandler Baker

Let me preface this with…I thoroughly enjoyed 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬, which used the perfect tone of snark and humor, mixed with social commentary, in order to deal with the serious issue of sexual harassment. In her latest book, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴, Baker takes on the idea of equal partnerships when both spouses are working. Hot topic, right?! Yet, imo, she misses the mark. The snark is not tinged with enough humor; instead, it is reeking of a bit too much meanness for me. So many questions…A main character who verges on whininess and was often inexplicable to figure out,  a husband that just wasn’t that horrible? A lawyer friend whose presence was confusing? A best friend who’s used for what purpose? Look it, there have definitely been times I wanted to shake my husband awake, to look at all the unpaid work I did for our family so I see the potential plot line here concerning the topic of equality in the home and family life but potential was ultimately squandered a bit for me.

The Killing Kind by Jane Casey

This is a stand-alone from one of my favorite mystery writers; I have read the entire Maeve Kerrigan series and loved them all). This was a 486 page book, that could have been shorter, read remarkably fast, and ultimately left me a tad underwhelmed. This legal mystery starts out strong, with a barrister, Ingrid Lewis, whose life has been turned upside by a sociopathic stalker. Over the years, he has pretty much destroyed most everything in her life, except her work as a criminal defender. And just when Ingrid thinks her stalker has disappeared, he rears his ugly head again as more murders and weirdness enter her life. I turned pages quickly, found some implausibilities in the final 100 pages, and just wished for a tighter, more logical finish. Still... a solid, entertaining mystery.

The Perfect Family by Robyn Harding

I was intrigued by this thriller as it is set in Portland, one of my favorite PNW cities. Yet, I was thoroughly not entertained by this one. A family who is FAR from perfect, is victimized with random vandalism which escalates into some weird, creepy stuff. The story is told through the four members viewpoints, with none of the family members like-able in the least bit. Halfway through the book I found myself rooting for the vandals. And don't expect a well-wrapped, tight conclusion - didn't happen.

More July Reading

All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle

People compared this one to Ove, but honestly, I think I liked this story better! Hubert tells the story of his life as a Jamaican immigrant to England, his marriage, his work, his friends, his family. His past is woven through his current life of loneliness, as a widower waiting for his daughter's visit. As Hubert tries to make friends to keep his daughter happy, he creates a group of eclectic humans who also want to combat their own loneliness, as well as the town's where they live. Ultimately, it is a thoughtful look at the disease of loneliness, a disease that kills in and of itself. The audio is exceptional - highly recommend:)

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

Are you like me, tired of WWII novels? If so, this book is worth the exception. It tells a unique story, of the women who worked as code breakers at Bletchley Park in the UK, during the war years. (think Hidden Figures meets The Imitation Game, and yes, Alan Turing makes a guest appearance). The research done by Quinn is exceptional - when I took issue with Prince Phillip being made a character, I learned that YES, he did date a suspected codebreaker during the war. I mean, who knew?? This was a fascinating read.

Boundary Waters and Purgatory Ridge (Cork O'Connor, #2 and #3) by William Kent Krueger

If you're looking for a new mystery series, look no further - this one from the author of Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land is a WINNER! And just like the Louise Penny series, each book is better than the last. Boundary Waters is an incredibly tense odyssey through the lakes district as a diverse crew of Native, family, and law men search for a famous young woman. And Purgatory Ridge was literally un-put-downable, combining the story of a decades old ship wreck, eco-terrorism, and deadly love. Each book has Native lore and characters woven through, and the character of Cork O'Connor is a brilliantly flawed lead man.

An Emotion of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi, Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram, and Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri

Okay, it might be weird to put three separate books by varied authors in one review, but trust me here. All three are young adult, written by Persian authors, and each tells the story of Iranian immigrants through a young person's eyes. Emotion focuses on the teen daughter, who is struggling with how to be accepted when wearing a hijab, how to accept the young love in front of her, and how her family deals with great tragedy. In Darius, we meet a teenage boy, struggling with clinical depression in the midst of his first trip to Iran to see his mother's family. It is a thoughtful look at mental health, as well as dealing with peer pressure. And finally, in Everything, we meet a younger Iranian boy who acts as Scheherazade to his classroom, spinning tales of his ancestors in Iran as well as making his parents into storybook heroes. I laughed out loud over some poop stories, and fell in love with this memoir. What a wonderful group of diverse books for any young person in your life!

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur (The Henna Artist) by Alka Joshi

If you liked The Henna Artist, I suspect you will like this sequel. I did - not as much as the first, but it's a worthy follow up. Years later, we meet the entire cast of characters from Henna, as Lakshmi has now married and works in the mountain country, Malik has been sent to learn the world of construction, and Nimmi, the tribal girl, seeks a new life with both Malik and Lakshmi. Threaded through the life story of these three, is the mysterious collapse of a movie theatre in Jaipur. I'm not sure if I would have liked it quite so much on paper, but oh my, the audio was truly spectacular.

The Premonition: A Pandemic Story by Michael Lewis

The latest book from Michael Lewis (𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘩 𝘙𝘪𝘴𝘬, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵, 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭) had my full attention. As in, I could NOT put it down. This one is less about the 2020 pandemic than it is how America got where it did in dealing with it. Once again, this author writes a gripping story of facts that had my jaw dropping over and over. And Dr. Charity Dean is just simply my hero: “𝘔𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘮𝘦…𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘺. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯.” If you want to learn, read this book.

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

A story of three people - Reese, a transexual who identifies as a woman, former lover of Amy; Ames, aka Amy, a former transexual who has detransitioned, and is now once again living life as a man; and Katrina, Ames' boss and lover, who finds herself pregnant with Ames' baby. This is a groundbreaking tale of family, gender identity, social bias, work-place culture, and sooooo much more. I struggled with this one at times, as I did not much care for the characters of Reese and Katrina, but was so invested in Ames/Amy. I wanted to stay in their story the entire time, and occasionally was resentful when it went back to the other two characters. I found myself skim reading towards the end due to my aggravation (probably not fair), but ultimately I was glad to have read such a unique book. And oh my, what a book club discussion this book would elicit!

July 2.0

 The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry

Take the multiverse of Dark Matter, mix it with the time traveling serial killer of The Shining Girls, and put it all together with the wild brain of the author of Lexicon, and you've got a helluva ride in this new book from Max Barry. Madison, aka Maddie in some worlds, has multiple career choices, the same tired ex-boyfriend, and the same creep following her around, just waiting to stab her to death. Felicity, erstwhile political reporter, falls into the coverage of her first murder and the hunt across the multiverse commences. Don't even try to figure out all the worlds, the signs, the clues, the mind-bending chases across worlds - just sit back and enjoy the ride because it is AWESOME!

The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson

Part of the Truly Devious YA mystery series, this book stands alone, so if you need a quick unhealthy snack, pick this one up - I dare you to be able to put it down! It's a delicious little mystery, involving a summer camp and every hilarious trope of the famous 80's slasher movies. Johnson's ability to do tongue-in-cheek and laugh at her own plot twists is genius, as is her development of an entertaining and eclectic troop of characters. Feel free to start with this one, and then backtrack and do the rest of the trilogy; these books are just plain FUN!

Falling by T.J. Newman

Written on the napkin during a flight, this debut by a former flight attendant is chilling, suspenseful, and all together impossible to put down. Not since Gone Girl have I been tempted to just go buy the book when I was listening to the audio, because I could not listen fast enough. Yes, my dog got extra long walks and I might have made two batches of cookies just so I could finish this audio in 24 hours! As far as the actual plot goes, think airlines pilot put in a REALLY bad position, the ultimate rock-and-a-hard-place, and enjoy the heart-clenching ride. (PS skip the prologue - it's gory and completely unrelated to anything in the book - it was just weird). 

Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

If you are up for an epic saga, that marches across the aviation history of the 20th century, then this book is for you. However, strap in because it's a looooong ride, as in over 600 pages. Shipstead's writing is sublime as she explores the life of Marian and Jamie Graves, twins abandoned by parents, raised by their uncle in Montana, both dreaming, searching, finding unique lives as an aviator and an artist. Spliced into the story is the modern day take of an actress enmeshed in pop-culture controversy while playing the fictional Marian Graves in a film. The intertwining of these two stories was at times, awkward for me, but ultimately, I think I understood the reasoning behind it. Is this book 150 pages too long? Yes, it was for me. Was it worth? Also, Yes, it was for me; I loved the female-centric focus, the push and pull society puts on women who want to soar above the men, the strength and weakness it takes to be different, the loneliness of those choices. 

Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-lyimide

This YA debut novel is a a combo of satire and social commentary, amidst a high school mystery and I LOVED it! This new young author sets the scene at the very start, as we meet the private school prefects during the beginning year assembly; the focus stays on Chiamaka, a wealthy young Black teen who's all about staying at the top of the popularity hill, and Devon Richards, a young gay Black teen whose single mom has worked three jobs just to keep him in this 'special' school. Soon, these two teenagers will find out how 'special' this school is as this roller coaster ride takes off through the history of white supremacy, privilege, and secrecy. This was a hard one to put down, stating some hard truths, providing some uncomfortable moments, and a lot of tension as each rabbit hole gets explored.

The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin

I was super excited by this new fantasy debut, intertwining the idea of climate change and the society of witches. Yet, ultimately, I was rather disappointed. The plot focuses on a society of witches who each have magical power connected to a season; the main character, Clara, though, is an Everwitch who can call on all the power of the seasons, no matter what time of year. There's some tension over climate catastrophes, the humans (aka shaders) who want to ignore it (hello GOP), and a little romance with her fellow student. However, the world-creation was a bit weak for me, and some thin plotting did not help. Sadly, this was not my favorite.

Good Company by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

I was not a 'theater kid' in high school; my school was so crappy I'm not even sure we had a drama program??? But as a high school English teacher, the drama kids were always some of my favorites and this book played right into that theme. Focused around two couples, we watch their lives unfold with the small theater group named Good Company used as the backdrop. What I loved about this book was the interplay of their lives, with all the messiness of marriage, parenting, careers, health issues, and friendship; I thought Sweeney nailed that. While the middle dragged a bit for me, if you love theater, family drama, and character-driven stories, I suspect you will like this book as much as I did.

July Reading

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby 

“𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳. 𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘱 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘛𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘺. 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘮.” Two men lose their sons…one Black, one White, married to each other, leaving a child behind. So what do these dads do??Isiah’s father, Randolph, wants to stay out of trouble, after spending 15 years in prison. Derek’s father, Buddy Lee, wants retribution. And for the record, Buddy Lee has some shady friends, with LOTS of guns. This is not a story of hope, of redemption, of healing - it is a story of Vengeance. The racism, the homophobia, the violence - it is all disturbing. The complexity of the fathers’ feelings about their sons is heart wrenching. But it is the authenticity of it, the brutal truth of it all that disturbs. This latest novel from the author of Blacktop Wasteland hits every current problem in America today - homegrown terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of war, hatred of the ‘Other.’ This is a tour de force that I could not put down until the final page was turned. I understand why Hollywood already optioned it; every great actor should be chomping at the bit to get their hands on these two lead roles!

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdhich

"The services that the government provides to Indians might be likened to rent. The rent for use of the entire country of the United States." Yeah, let that quote sink in a little bit. Fishing rights, taxes, federal aid, etc.  - is it a handout, a hand up, or just due to an indigenous people against whom America has committed genocide? In Louise Erdhich's Pulitzer prize winning new book, she provokes us to think about all these issues as she embeds us into a tribe of people who are fighting to keep their tribe as a recognized entity of the government. Based on Erdhich's grandfather, this is a story of the Turtle Mountain people, of Thomas the night watchman, of Pixie the jewelry bearing plant worker, of Wood the boxer, of Vera the kidnapped sister, of Valentine the friend and sister, of Stack the math teacher. So many characters, so many connections, so much heartbreak and love and connection. This book slowly and insidiously wormed its way into my heart; it is unforgettable.

Aristotle and Dante Discovered the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Two boys and a friendship in 1987 California - can it be that simple?? Yes. And it is one of the most beautiful coming of age stories I have ever read. Seriously. This book has been a huge hit for the last eight years, and should be put in the hands of every teenager, read by every parents, as well as every adult. It is that good - don't miss it as the long-awaited sequel comes out this fall!

The Fortunate Ones by Ed Tarkington

This is the story of a poor kid pulled into the world of Nashville's rich society, and an ugly look at the entitled, privileged, 'fortunate' people. When Charlie is offered a scholarship to the elite private high school in Nashville, he thinks it is a dream come true. His single mom had struggled for years in a bad part of town so they said a resounding yes to all the perks that came their way - a new job for mom, clothes and friends for Charlie, a guest house on the grounds of a wealthy family. Yes, there's a catch and when it comes, it impacts Charlie and his life for decades. This was a page turner for me, and provoked much thinking about what people will, and won't do, to get to the head of the line - push, pull, trample whoever gets in their way. It would be a fantastic book club read as there's a lot of meat on that bone to discuss.

Bath Haus by P.J. Vernon

Are you looking for a dark, gritty thriller that you cannot put down? Found it! Wow, this book led me on quite the ride, with one bad decision after another. It begins with Bad Decision #1 by Oliver - go to a gay bathhouse to cheat on your live-in boyfriend, Nathan, and then try to cover up all the bad shit that happens afterwards. And trust me, it is baaaaaad. This book has it all - betrayal, murder, social media, deadly secrets, family dysfunction - it will keep you up far later than you want just to find out what the heck is actually going on!

The Plague Year: America in the Time of Covid by Lawrence Wright

Yes, the same man who wrote The End of October (remember, that prescient thriller on a plague that came out in April of 2020!!), has now written a non-fiction book, examining the year of Covid. I cannot begin to tell you how fascinating this book is, and no, it was not too soon. If anything, it was perfect timing for me. To see where this pandemic emerged, the mistakes made by so many different countries, the lack of compassionate leadership in countries that the world depended on for sanity, the variety of people trying ot make to make their voices heard. At times, he gets stuck in the weeds a bit scientifically, which is why the audio worked so well for me. Highly highly highly recommend this one - knowledge is power, for the next time a plague comes to call.

After the Fall: Being American in the World We've Made by Ben Rhodes

In the aftermath of 2016, when many of us were shell-shocked by a television reality star conning his way into the presidency of America, a former official of the Obama administration decided to find out what happened, and not just with Brexit and Trump winning. Ben Rhodes goes in search of how the world has shifted from the pro-democracy direction that was at its zenith in the early 90's, to the embracing of autocracies world wide over these last thirty years. He looks specifically at Hungary, China, Russia, and yes, America, but all in the context of how we got here, and how to course correct. If you're a political junkie like me, this book will satisfy every nerdy obsession you have - I loved it. (Okay, not as much as his memoir The World As It Is, but I did learn an enormous amount)

The Ivies by Alexa Donne

This book is just a YA potato-chip-bag-of-temptation! Mean girls + cutthroat college admissions + boarding school = addictive entertainment. I couldn't eat, I mean read, it fast enough. Just pure fun!

More June Reading

The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

You know those books that you sneak away to read, even if it’s only a few pages? The ones you can’t put down, that live and breathe in your brain, that envelope every moment and invade your dreams? Think Game of Thrones meeting Arabian nights, creating the most incredible Middle Eastern world. Chakraborty gives us a strong complicated female lead, a rigid yet compassionate second son, and a hot, fairly amoral djinn, tied together in a world of six unique kingdoms, some political and cultural disagreements, and some pretty cool magic tricks. I was already requesting book two from my library before I was even finished. And since then, I’ve finished the entire trilogy, all 1,800 pages, all 5star reads. This is escapist reading at its finest level!

We the Animals by Justin Torre

On the surface this is the story of three brothers, yet it is so very much more. It is 127 pages of lyrical writing that makes your heart sing, as well as break. It is the story of love and loss, poverty and want, family and warped love, of identity and finding oneself against all odds. And that’s all I’m gonna say except - take an afternoon and read this from beginning to end. It broke me in some places, left my soul aching, but also inspired me with the resilience and talent of this incredible writer. Perfect finish to my Pride Month reading.

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

More outstanding Pride Month reading in this adorable rom-com, read to me in the perfect British accent. Luc is the son of a very famous old rock star (think Mick Jagger-ish), so the nasty British tabloids love him, and make his life fairly miserable. On top of that, Luc is rather immature and still recovering from a nasty break up. On the verge of losing his job over his personal life, he listens to his riotously hilarious and totally wonderful friend group and goes about getting a 'fake' boyfriend. Enter Oliver, an uptight London barrister, with a super judgmental family and issues of his own. I laughed out loud so often, swooned a few times with these two lovely men as they fell in love for 'reals' and thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment.

Iron Lake (Cork O'Connor, #1) by William Kent Krueger

I know MANY of you have read and loved 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘛𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥  and 𝘖𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦, yet may have never read Kent’s looooong mystery series on Cork O’Connor?! I do love this man’s pen and a good mystery so of course I had to check it out. 𝘐𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 did not disappoint! Take a troubled ex-sheriff, separated from his attorney wife and his children, place him in his hometown of Iron Lake, in the middle of the Anishinaabe reservation, and mix in a few murders, some politics, some money - you get the drift. Solid mystery, very intriguing characters, beautiful mix of nature and indigenous lore, I already have book two on hold. If you’re as excited as I am about Kent’s new book coming out this August (𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘦), a prequel to the Cork O’Connor series, trust me - you’re gonna want to read this first one:)

Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe

I thought I knew everything I needed to know about the opioid epidemic, the complicity of the drug companies, the bribery of the medical community, etc. But oh, how wrong I was! This deep dive into the Sackler family, from its inception to the finality of settlements in 2020 is utterly fascinating and well worth the many hours of the listen. Patrick Keefe, who also wrote Say Nothing (incredible book about the Troubles in Ireland), is a masterful author, combining long ago history, family connections, interviews with current employees, medical professionals, and FDA authorities. And yes, the Sackler family is a monstrous entity. One of the best non-fiction books of 2021!

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

My heart has been a bit heavy lately so I knew I needed a sweet lil rom-com to lighten the load and this latest from Lauren did not disappoint. My beef with rom-coms is usually the sexism in them, but not with this author! She creates a strong female lead, single mom Jess, a brilliant statistician who runs her own business. Jess meets Dr. River Pena (okay, his name is soooo cheesy!) who has created a new matchmaker app using DNA to find your 'soulmate.' (Okay, the whole soulmate term is also a lil cheesy for me but I rolled with it!). Of course, Jess and River 'match' and all kinds of romance, problems, and issues ensue. Fun escapist romance:)

Majesty (American Royals, #2) by Katherine McGee

This isn't even a potato chip book; its a cotton-candy book. I mean, so sweet, occasionally nauseating, and nothing worthwhile in it and yet...I couldn't put it down. I loved American Royalty and the way it flipped American history on it's nose, with George Washington saying "Yes" to a crown, and hence, we have an American Royal family. This sequel was not quite as good for me, maybe because it no longer felt so unique? The royal kids are still getting up to their shenanigans and I did chuckle out loud a few times, but I also gagged more than once, so there's that. If theres a third, I don't think I'll bite.

The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker

Oh my, I felt like I needed to take a shower after this book. I mean, the premise alone is rather stomach churning: After an eight year old girl commits murder, we see her now as a young mother, trying to raise her own child. The time line moves back and forth, showing us the neglect and abuse of Chrissie, the truly devastating impact on a child, the aftermath of the years lived in custody, the attempt to assimilate back into society. This book asks some big questions: is a child responsible for horrific crimes? Is a parent responsible for those crimes? Is it possible to find redemption, remorse, a moral compass? The brilliance of this book comes in the aftermath of reading it, as to be honest, I didn't care for it much as I read it. It was just so ugly and dark. Yet...I have thought about it since, rather more often that I would like. It made me think more deeply about how our society today neglects abused children, looks away, ignores, or throws the book at them - what is the right answer?

Providence by Max Barry

The Martian meets up with the Hail Mary Project, unleashes Alien on Independence Day, and we get the ending of every Bruce Willis action film ever. Yeah, this sci-fi took me on a ride! I loved his previous book, Lexicon, also a total mind-f#*k of a plot line. This one is more straight forward: Earth has met aliens, and they’re not very nice, so in typical bull-in-a-china-shop, asshole-American style, we try to kill every one of them (unlike in Weir’s book Hail Mary Project, where they make friends!). Needless to say, this was some awesome entertainment, especially for someone who doesn’t read a lot of science fiction:)