How to End a Love Story

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang, 372 pages

When she was 16, Helen Zhang's sister, Michelle, killed herself by jumping in front of a car driven by the homecoming king, Grant Shepard. When Grant showed up at Michelle's funeral, Helen and her mother threw him out, and that was the last Grant and Helen saw of each other. Thirteen years later, Helen's a successful young adult author and her wildly popular series is getting a TV adaptation. One of the lead writers on the show? Grant Shepard. So now Helen has to figure out how to deal with seeing Grant on a daily basis in the writers room for the show while simultaneously figuring out her increasingly confusing feelings toward him.

I'll admit that this setup is not at all something I would expect to find in a romance novel, yet somehow Kuang makes it work. There's good character arcs and a spicy love story to satisfy any romance reader. My one quibble is that the awkward dislike/hatred between Helen and Grant shifts to sexy attraction pretty rapidly, considering there was no previous interest shown between them beforehand (maybe an unrequited mutual high school crush would've helped?). However, their complicated relationship is well handled, and that makes me less concerned about the steep on-ramp to the relationship.

I'll Be Waiting

I'll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong, 324 pages

As someone who has been dealing with cystic fibrosis her whole life, Nicola never expected to outlive her husband, Anton. But after a car accident, that's just what happened, and Nicola is left reliving Anton's final moments on the side of the road, whispering "I'll be waiting for you." Several months later, Nic is still haunted with grief, and has turned to spirit mediums to try to reconnect with her late husband. In an attempt to cut her off from the unhealthy relationship with fakes and cons, her friends and family convince Nic to try one last time, with a very scientific seance before calling it quits. That's how she ends up at Anton's grandmother's lake home with an American scientist, her brother-in-law, and a new friend from a grief counseling group. However, there's something from Nic's past that keeps popping up and potentially interfering with their attempts to reach Anton...

It's rare to find a horror novel featuring a character with a terminal illness that doesn't immediately become the center of the story, and it's lovely to see Nic portrayed as much more than her illness (it's more of a character trait than a definition). I loved the way Nic and her friends and family approached the seances (with a bit of dry humor and skepticism, even as they took part in the rituals), as well as the mix of easily explained and unexplained phenomena in the book. It does go a bit off the rails toward the end of the book, though that's the case in a lot of horror novels. All in all, this one was pretty decent. (However, reader beware if you don't like bugs. Bleh!)

What Happened to Nina?

What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan, 322 pages

Nina and her boyfriend Simon have been dating for several years when they decide to spend a week alone at his family's vast country estate in Stowe, Vermont, hiking, climbing, and generally enjoying the mountainous landscape. But when Nina doesn't turn up at home when she said she would, her parents become panicked and are convinced that Simon knows more about her whereabouts than he's letting on. Before long, the search for Nina has become a social media sensation, with increasingly crazy conspiracy theories and slanderous spin against both Simon and Nina's family (though the latter is at least partially fueled by Simon's wealthy and influential parents). Still, Nina's parents just want to know what happened to their daughter... but will they ever find out?

Based on the 2021 murder of Gabby Petito, this fast-paced thriller keeps you guessing as it bounces back and forth between points-of-view of Nina's parents, Simon's parents, the investigating police officer, and even, in the foreword, Nina herself. It's compelling and surprisingly fresh, given the "ripped from the headlines" nature of the book. A good quick read.

The Murder of Mr. Ma

The Murder of Mr. Ma by John Shen Yen Nee & S.J. Rozan, 300 pages

In this Sherlockian mystery, college professor Lao She assists Judge Dee Ren Jie in solving the titular crime, as well as a string of related murders of Chinese men in 1924 London. Judge Dee is a whip smart martial artist (as well as opium addict) whose experiences in the trenches of France give him insight into the lives of the murdered men, as well as plausible theories as to the motives behind their deaths.

The book offers a very traditional mystery setup mashed together with a stark depiction of the casual racism against Chinese people in London at that time. While I appreciated the social elements, the way in which the story was told — the brilliant detective makes discoveries and solves the crime as we watch, as opposed to hints appearing throughout to give the reader a chance to solve the mystery themself — felt a bit dated and uncomfortable for those who prefer more modern storytelling styles. Still, for those who like Sherlock stories, this one may hold some appeal.

Amazing Grace

Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace (33 1/3), by Aaron Cohen, 2011, 176 pgs.

Final Rhythm n' Books read for 2024, capping off the year of our newest book club. I'm not a god-fearing man, but I do enjoy some old school gospel--not because of any religious messaging, but primarily because a lot of the music lends itself to other genres, like soul, blues and funk. There are harmonic things going on that you don't usually encounter in other forms of music. The consensus from the book group was that this felt like a decent book report, as opposed to an in-depth exploration. I was surprised to learn that out of everything Aretha has ever done, this is her highest selling album ever. The author explores Aretha's roots in the church and how she tried to walk the line between church and secular music, while also having a voice during the Civil Rights Movement. For all its limitations, the book pairs well with the documentary of the same name that came out in 2018. But everyone in the group absolutely loved the album, whether they listened to gospel before or not. Listening to her sing a live set for over an hour seemed to make her voice a God-given superpower. But you don't have to go to church to believe it; let Aretha take you there. 

Hampton Heights

Hampton Heights: One Harrowing Night in the Most Haunted Neighborhood in Milwuakee, Wisconsin by Dan Kois, 2024, 208 pgs. 

I've seen a series of these types of books that are typically fairly short and are some kind of visitation of popular Stephen King themes. The last one I was read was A Scout Is Brave, that also had a similar retro cover, which is what first caught my eye. A Scout is Brave was ok, but this was much better. Equal parts Stranger Things, Are You Afraid of the Dark and Monster Squad, the story follows a handful of kids in the 80s who split up on a paper route to get more subscriptions, only to each encounter their own strange, Lovecraft-ian episode. The first two chapters were good, but the middle chapter really hooked me for the rest of the book. There, the boys fall under two witches' spell while listening to the story of how they fell in love. It was suprising and unexpected, and really defined the tone of the whole book. I don't really like much fiction but I enjoyed this, so you know it must be pretty good. 

A Little Devil in America

 A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqib 2021, 320 pgs.

A national book award finalist and a best book of 2021 by the Chicago Tribune, this was a bit of a departure for us in the Rhythm n' Books club in that everything here is personal essays about music or music-related icons--as opposed to what we've read so far, which have primarily been biographies or histories. Abdurraqib is not a musician, but is very reflective when it comes to his black heroes--both known and those who have been buried by the past. Of note is an essay about magicians and the "magical negro" trope often found in white culture, as well as an essay about various degrees of blackness and how even in African-American communities, those degrees can be used as weapons against each other. The essay about Josephine Baker and her willingness to sort of love a country that hated her because of her skin color was also a great essay. The book is filled with a lot of black pain that Abdurraquib seems to be working through in his own way of writing. Very personal, heartfelt and eye-opening.  

Sorcery and Small Magics

Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy

Leo Loveage is entering his final year at the Fount on probation — he's skipped class, gotten in trouble, and avoided doing any difficult magic for four years already, and if he doesn't buckle down and study now, he'll get kicked out and he'll lose the inheritance his father has promised him. Sebastian Grimm has long been Leo's rival and different from him in every way — serious, studious, and determined to use his education to make a difference in the magical world. However, when they're paired up in class, Grimm accidentally casts an illegal control spell on Leo that leaves Leo quite literally unable to resist doing what Grimm tells him to do. As discovery of this spell would mean doom for both of them, Leo and Grimm embark on a quest to track down a counterspell, a project that takes them far from the Fount and into the dangerous Unquiet Woods.

This was a lovely lighthearted story of reluctant friendship that somehow manages to also include solid backstories for both of the main characters, and wonderful worldbuilding. There's definitely a vibe of romance throughout, which I thought might be problematic given the control spell, though thankfully it's handled very well. This is as series starter, and I can say that I'll be delighted to read more books about Leo and Grimm in the future.

Island Witch

Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa, 367 pages

Amara has long assisted her father with his work as the local village's priest, helping exorcise demons and protect homes using the traditional methods. When local men start getting attacked in the nearby jungle, however, villagers who have adopted the colonizers' Christian religion start blaming him (and by extension her) for welcoming and controlling the demons instead of fighting against them. Meanwhile, Amara struggles with a growing divide in her relationship with her father, which has disturbingly coincided with a series of violent nightmares and an increase in sleepwalking. All the while, the attacks continue...

This was an intriguing look into the colonization of Sri Lanka and the ways in which it impacted local culture (it reminded me of Things Fall Apart in that sense). But it also taps into local mythology, the anger of mistreated women, and fear of the unknown. There are times at which the author does a bit more telling than showing, which is unfortunate, as so much of horror is based on atmosphere and the unsettling feelings it creates. But overall, this was a fresh and creative way to examine colonialism.

Listen for the Lie

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera, 336 pages

Five years ago, Lucy's best friend Savvy was murdered after a wedding in their small Texas town. Lucy has no memory of that night, but given that she was found covered in Savvy's blood not far from the body, everyone assumes she did it, despite the fact that the police never charged her with the crime. In the aftermath, Lucy divorced her husband and fled to Los Angeles, where she's enjoyed a much more anonymous life...at least until a popular true crime podcaster picks up the cold case. Suddenly, everyone knows who Lucy is, and it's managed to end her job and relationship in one fell swoop. At the request of her beloved grandmother, Lucy heads back to her hometown and starts working with the podcaster to discover the truth of Savvy's murder, whatever that may be.

This was an interesting, quick read with a main character that is such a mess that you can't help but shake your head at her. But she also has a fantastically dark sense of humor, which made her so realistic and likeable to me. The book is alternately billed as a thriller and a mystery, though I'm not sure it really matters in the grand scheme of things, because it's wicked fun and keeps you guessing until the end.

The Pairing

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston, 411 pages

Theo and Kit had been best friends for years before they started dating. Four years ago, they tried to take a romantic food and wine tour of Europe, and a fight on the flight over ended their romance and they haven't spoken since. Now both of them have separately cashed in their vouchers for the tour at the last possible moment, and they're separately determined to make it through the trip as friends. And what better way to do that than create a competition over who can hook up with the most locals on the trip?

This isn't exactly the most likely setup for a romance novel, and there are certainly those who will balk at Theo and Kit's free-love, sex-positive vibes. However, as she always does, McQuiston creates characters that are endearing and flawed, and situations that are holy cow spicy, which may win over a different set of romance readers. Also, I particularly enjoyed Theo's character development, as someone coming out as nonbinary and finding their place in the world — it made me miss their point of view when it switched to Kit's POV for the second half of the book. But all in all, this is another winner from McQuiston.

When Among Crows

 When Among Crows by Veronica Roth, 166 pages.

In modern Chicago the Holy Order hunts monsters from Slavic folklore with swords made from there own souls. These monsters are mostly just normally communities of people, who happen to do things like eat fear and pain. Dymitir is seeking Baba Yaga, the oldest witch of all, and dragging Ala along for the journey. She is has a bloodline curse that will one day kill her, just like her mother, and Dymitir has the cure, if she's willing to help him on his mission. They have only one day before the cure fails, and their adventure will take them all over a fascinating supernatural city.

This was a really neat little novella. To be honest I picked this book up because the cover was gorgeous, but I would say I wasn't disappointed by the interesting little adventure story inside. Roth's version of Chicago was very interesting, and I learned a lot about a branch of folklore I don't know well. I also thought it had some interesting thoughts about the nature of guilt and duty. The characters were all good, and I enjoyed seeing them interact. Overall, this is a short, exciting book that's easy to tear through, and definitely worth the time. 

A Fatal Grace

 

A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny, 320 pgs.

It's Christmas time in Three Pines, a quaint village in the forest of Quebec. Snow is falling on the picturesque countryside. The townsfolk are falling back into their traditions a little over a year after the murder of their dear friend. Everyone is preparing for a normal year of gift exchanges and communal meals, when a new member of the community is murdered at the annual parish curling match in a very peculiar manner. Chief Inspector Gamache returns to the town with his posse of Surete officers and attempts to unravel this befuddling case, learning that a frozen heart can be just as deadly as a winter freeze.

This is not my favorite Inspector Gamache mystery, largely due to the disrespectful way that Penny describes Crie, the daughter of the victim (I think she uses the term "grotesque" either more than once), but in this re-read, I found myself completely engrossed in the drama of the overarching mystery and side stories. The interwoven and complex motives driving each of the police officers are so intriguing and set the stage well for a larger story looming over the series. Penny fails to pick up where she left off with some character storylines from the first novel (mainly Peter and Clara's), opting instead to give an in-dept introduction to a set of new characters, but those characters are so interesting that I don't even mind. Overall, an interesting story with a lot of twists and turns but also some faults.

Long Live Evil

Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan, 464 pages

Three years into a battle with cancer, Rae has very few comforts in life, though her younger sister reading from their favorite fantasy book series while she's in the hospital is one of them. When an opportunity to join the fantasy world and cure herself with a magical flower presents itself, Rae jumps at the chance, not realizing that when she arrives, she's taken over as Rahela, the villainess of the series and foe of Rae's favorite character, the Emperor. It means a few adjustments, including getting comfy with her new seductive character, but Rae is determined to save herself with an evil plot... if she can keep the Emperor from executing her, that is.

While the beginning of this book is a bit confusing (Rae gets inserted into the fantasy world before the reader really knows anything about the world, other than that the Emperor exists), the rest of it is a lovely story of escapism, of being an antihero, of fighting hard battles, and of creating family out of outcasts and miscreants. And it's funny! Very much enjoyed it, and I look forward to the second book in the series.

Sword of the War God

Sword of the War God by Tim Hodkinson, 601 pages

When Hagan was in his first battle at just 15 years old, he witnessed the massacre of his people, the Burgundars, by a combined Roman and Hun army. Included in the death toll were his mother and the man that, until the eve of the battle, he believed was his father. Over the next 20 years, Hagan became a man without a home, traveling across Europe as parts of different armies and mercenary groups, before being sent by the Romans to Geneva, where the last Burgundars had gathered under a new king. While the new king was once Hagan's friend, something about the new position of power has corrupted him, and Hagan must do his best to stay on the king's good side, and thus stay alive.

This book was obviously well researched, and includes some really well-written battle scenes (some of which stretch on for 50+ pages). And it's nice to see historical fiction set in this largely ignored time period. However, there wasn't much depth to the characters, making it hard for me to fully care about them when their lives were on the line in the aforementioned battles. Read it if you want to read battle scenes, but find something else if you want something with a bit more meat.

Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop

 Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum (trans. Shanna Tan), 312 pages

Yeongju is beyond burnt out by her high-pressure job and high-stress life, so she leaves it all behind to create the bookstore of her childhood dreams. Hyunam-Dong Bookshop isn't very flashy, just a simple neighborhood bookstore, with coffee and books to suit the owners tastes. But gradually, many other local residents come and start to find the same peace in the bookshop that Yeongju does.

This is the type of sort-of cozy book with no real plot to speak of. I occasionally found it a little slow and dry, but I also found it pretty relaxing. Virtually every character is dealing with a fairly similar burnout issue, which both allows the author to examine the problem from many angles, but also implies a broader social commentary on the work culture of South Korea. Ultimately this is a relaxed, thoughtful book about what makes up a life well-lived. I'm not sure I would recommend this book for everyone, but I'm sure there are many people who will enjoy it, especially going into the dark and reflective portion of the year.  

Tangled Up in You

Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren (2024) 309 pages

Ren is 22 years old and has been homeschooled all her life, self-taught while helping take care of her family's farm in Idaho. They are off the grid, with no telephone and no internet. Her parents, who tend to be closed-mouthed, have finally ok'd her going to college in Spokane after she secretly applied and was accepted to Corona College on a full-paid scholarship, including room and board. The catch is that she can't go off campus and she must come home every weekend to catch up on her farm chores. No boys, no booze, no restaurants, no makeup, etc., etc.

On campus, Ren is totally mesmerized, and in spite of her inexperience at modern life, she's doing well. A guy she's met, Fitz, has a requirement to be at the top of each of his classes, but now, in his last semester, Fitz's future is threatened by Ren's top grades in a science class they share. Each member of the class has submitted their DNA as part of the curriculum, and the results have Ren confused. In an improbable moment, she foists herself into Fitz's road trip plans and they take off across the country. If you can accept that the driving times don't match up with reality, and also accept a few other highly unlikely occurrences, then look for a fun-filled story, with a backstory that takes its time to be revealed.

The Murders in Great Diddling

The Murders in Great Diddling by Katarina Bivald (2024) 392 pages

Berit Gardner is a writer with 10 books to her name, but she has been suffering from a lingering case of writer's block. She recently moved from London to the village of Great Diddling, hopeful that being among the quirky residents will help get her writing again.

During a tea party in the village, at the Tawny Hall estate, an explosion kills a man that no one likes, a man who had informed several shopkeepers that they will be evicted. Detective Chief Inspector Ian Ahmed and his team determine that the death was not an accident. Suspects include several of the tea party guests. Berit, the author, and DCI Ahmed share a number of conversations about possible suspects and motives. Berit looks at the murder as if it were a novel, trying to figure out the characters and the plot, how the pieces fit together, and what information is still missing.

The eccentric characters and their interactions are compelling. For many of them, there are tantalizing unknowns in their backstories to keep the reader guessing about their possible guilt. When the villagers decide to host a book and murder festival while the murder investigation is still underway, it is a bit crazy, especially on short notice. Fun story!

Hunted

Hunted by Abir Mukherjee, 382 pages

With just a week to go before a hotly contested presidential election, the whole country is on edge. A suicide bomber at a mall in Los Angeles, specifically a Middle Eastern young woman, makes everything even more precarious, with the ranting right wing candidate spouting more "close the border" and "ban Muslims" talks at his final rallies before election day. FBI agent Shreya Mistry is convinced that more attacks are coming, and is determined to do anything she can to track down the cell responsible for the bombing, even if it means ignoring everything her superiors tell her to do.

There's something very reminiscent of 24 about this book, with a tight timeline, escalating terrorist plots, and conspiracies galore. I appreciated that the points of view managed to encompass people on all sides, including the radicalized young women and men of the cell, the FBI agents, and the parents of the radicalized young adults who are just trying to find their children before it's too late. Were there some things that were completely unbelievable? Absolutely. Was it tough to read right after our own tight presidential election? Definitely. Was it better than I expected anyway? You bet.

The Sky on Fire

The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons, 433 pages

Seventeen years ago, Anahrod was the daughter of the mayor, a potential dragonrider, and had a bright future ahead of her. But then she did something that caused the elder dragons to call for her immediate execution, which her parents didn't hesitate to grant. Miraculously, however, she survived, and those same elder dragons are now calling for her head again. Meanwhile, she's being tracked by a motley crew of kidnappers who have their own reasons for wanting to track her down, and Anahrod's main goal is to survive the kidnappers and the dragons to get back to the life she's been living in exile.

The world created in this book is excellent, and I think there's a lot to explore in the relationships between the dragons and their people. However, I also think the author tried to shove too many plot devices into a single book, which made me feel like I was being dragged around the setting by a feral creature. Really, this could've been two books, if not more. (But props are due to the artist for this amazing cover. Well done!)

Death in the Spires

Death in the Spires by KJ Charles, 272 pages

Almost a decade ago, the murder of gregarious Toby Feynsham tore apart a close-knit group of friends at Oxford. Why? Because one of them did it, but nobody ever was prosecuted for the crime. So when identical notes claiming each surviving friend a murderer arrive at their places of business, one of them, Jem Kite, loses his job due to the notoriety and decides to spend his suddenly free time tracking down not only the letter-writer, but also the murderer.

Told both in "present day" 1905 and flashbacks to the friends' time at Oxford in the 1890s, this historical mystery is complex and compelling, and a look at how privilege plays out in school, life, and even murder investigations. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. 

A Deadly Endeavor

A Deadly Endeavor by Jenny Adams, 341 pages

Edie Shippen has just returned to Philadelphia from California, where she was recovering from her bout with the Spanish flu. What should be a happy homecoming is marred, however, by the fact that her former beau is now engaged to Edie's twin sister. In the midst of the engagement celebrations, Edie connects with a new crowd of artistic women, hoping they'll help bring her spirits up. Unfortunately, they keep disappearing, right around the same time some horribly desecrated corpses show up along the river. Soon Edie and a handsome city morgue doctor are teaming up to track down the killer.

I read this book about a week ago, and already, the details are sliding away from me — likely overshadowed by the absolutely bonkers ending. Overall the book was OK, nothing great, though I did enjoy Edie as a character. So there's that?

Thistlefoot

Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott, 435 pages

So I first read this book in 2022, and loved it and blogged about it then, particulary noting that I could see using this Baba Yaga story of generational trauma and magical powers for Orcs & Aliens. And whaddaya know, that's just what we did this month! It was a great book discussion, and one of the more even-keeled Baba Yaga tales around.

(Also, I would LOVE to see this author live, as she apparently brings puppets, which is a vital part of the story, to all of her author visits.)

Still Life

Still Life by Louise Penny, 352 pgs.

A quaint town in the Quebecois forest. A group of close, somewhat codependent locals. A murder. What fun!
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is called to Three Pines, a place not easily found on most maps, to investigate the homicide of Jane Neal, a beloved long-time resident and friend in the community. Her killing shocks those closest to her, but it quickly becomes clear that one of their own is the perpetrator. On the quest to uncover the motive behind this murder, Gamache and his colleagues must leave no stone unturned until more than just one deep secret is out in the open. 

With this mystery, somehow Louise Penny makes literary murder feel so cozy and inviting. Each new character introduced is given a backstory and a quirk. The town itself has its own comforting, maternal characterization. I come back to this series again and again for Inspector Gamache himself--his kindness, the lessons he teaches, the way he observes everything so thoughtfully. The legend he is. I love that Penny has such a clear view of where the series was going, even with this first novel. I highly recommend this book, and its successors, to anyone who likes a good mystery and wants to escape into the forest.

The Mercy of Gods

The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey, 422 pages

On a faraway planet that humans settled generations earlier, a team of biologists is working on ways for the carbon-based cellular life we know to safely evolve with the crystallized life native to the planet. And then aliens attack, killing 1/8 of the human population and herding the rest into transport ships like livestock. Once they reach their destination, the team is forcibly reassembled and given a task of making food out of one type of alien life to nourish a second type, with the now-ruling species threatening extermination if they do not prove themselves useful. But not all is as it seems. The team is threatened by other alien species, and unbeknownst to them, a swarm of alien life is living amongst them, gathering intelligence on the ruling species.

This is a horrible explanation of a fantastic and thought-provoking book. It's not particularly pleasant to read, particularly in the first third or so, but it certainly subverts many "traditional" science fiction tales featuring human intelligence, power, and dominance, and forces the reader to rethink everything we think we know. It's fascinating, and I'm anxious to read what's next in this series. (Also, as someone who's been curious about Corey, but not curious enough to pick up one of the doorstopper books of The Expanse, I'm thrilled that this one is a relatively short 400 pages!)

Family Family

Family Family by Laurie Frankel, 386 pages

India Allwood has always wanted to be a professional actress, and at 32, she's achieved the dream, having starred on Broadway, on a hit TV show, and now, in a new film drama. But when she makes an offhand remark in an interview about how the film's focus on the trauma of adoption isn't good, she suddenly has everyone from studio execs to the social media masses calling for her to be canceled. What those people don't know, however, is that India not only adopted her two children, but she was also a teen mom who chose to place her baby with an adoptive family. As these facts start to become public, India's trying to save her career, protect her complicated family, and be true to her beliefs about the positivity of adoption.

It's so rare to find a book that focuses on the joyful elements of adoption and teen pregnancy, so this one is a breath of fresh air. Yes, there are times that stretch believability, but overall, this is a wonderful book about all the many ways that functional families can be formed. Usually, I'm a fan of dysfunctional family stories, but this one is fully a functional family book, and I'm all in. Highly recommended.

November Totals

I've started my Christmas reading!

 

We're welcoming a new blogger this month!

Annie: 2 books, 685 pages (Welcome Annie!)

Byron: 3 books, 887 pages

Jan: 6 books, 2080 pages

John: 4 books, 2269 pages

Kara: 24 books, 8002 pages

Karen: 4 books, 1101 pages

Regan: 9 books, 2879 pages

Total: 52 books, 17903 pages

The In Crowd

The In Crowd by Charlotte Vassell, 424 pages

DI Caius Beauchamp was just trying to enjoy a bad play after his date stood him up when the next thing he knows, he's sitting next to a dead guy covered in vomit. As he looks into who this guy was and what he was even doing at this horrible drunken production of The Importance of Being Earnest, Caius learns that the dead man was in London looking into a cold case, the disappearance of a teen girl from a remote boarding school. Soon, Caius has taken up the banner and is simultaneously investigating this 15-year-old case as he also looks into the death of a woman pulled out of the Thames.

I feel like that was a horrible description of a book that ties together both of these cases, as well as the snooty upper crust of British society (that bit hinges on a surprisingly likeable milliner) in a compelling way. The twists were good and Vassell hit the sweet spot of letting the reader figure it out just barely before the characters did. This is the second in a series, and stood well on its own, even though I haven't read the first one yet. But I definitely will!

Dark Space

Dark Space by Rob Hart & Alex Segura, 290 pages

Mosaic, the first space ship to leave the solar system, is on its way to a planet where humans can settle, giving space to our ever-growing population as settlements on the moon and Mars are overflowing. However, when something catastrophic goes wrong on the Mosaic, pilot Jose Carriles must try some fairly difficult maneuvers to save the mission. Meanwhile, Jose's estranged friend, former spy Corin Timony, learns of the Mosaic's troubles when a report comes in through the long-range communication she's monitoring. But before she can do anything, the distress signal is wiped clean, indicating that something foul is afoot. Soon, both Jose and Corin are conducting independent investigations to figure out what happened and how to bring everyone home safely.

I have never hate-read a book before, but now I think I can say I have. The best thing about this book is that it's not too long and it reads quickly. Aside from that, there are lots of anachronisms (detailed baseball references and phones with apps) and contradictory details (scarcity of lumber and wood, yet lots of paperwork piled up in offices and people still drinking out of disposable paper cups) and women that were obviously written by men. Perhaps the worst bit is the fact that nepo baby Jose fails up throughout the book, as his female superior officers stand by waiting for him to fix all their problems (including speaking on behalf of all humanity!). The only thing that makes it *slightly* redeemable is that he's a Latino guy failing up, so points to Hart & Segura for that bit of diversity.

Dearest

Dearest by Jacquie Walters, 304 pages

Flora just had a baby and while her dad and stepmom stayed for a few weeks, she's now on her own for a few more weeks until her husband returns from his overseas deployment. But now that she's on her own, the sleep deprivation, nursing challenges, and general feeling that she's woefully unprepared for motherhood have Flora second-guessing everything, including her sanity. In a weak moment, she emails her estranged mother for help, and she's shocked to find her mom on the doorstep offering assistance. But not all is quite as it seems...

The first part of this book — where Flora's sleep deprived and hasn't showered in days and is having trouble getting the hang of the nursing thing and keeps getting surprised by noisy toys — is so horrifyingly real. Then it takes a turn into a different kind of horror, before a final turn to a perplexing conclusion. Somewhere in there, it goes from being scary and sympathetic toward new moms and those with postpartum depression to almost vilifying them, which is uncomfortable in the worst possible way. It icked me out, and not in a way that's horror-novel appropriate. So read at your own risk.

Just Some Stupid Love Story

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle (2024) 325 pages

Molly Marks has had some success as a screenwriter for romantic comedies, but she has no trust in love‒it just sells well. Her friends drag her to their 15th high school class reunion, where she encounters Seth Rubenstein, her boyfriend all through high school, until she broke up with him pre-emptively, so that he couldn't break up with her. Seth, meanwhile, although a divorce attorney, still has a belief in true love and "happily ever after."

Molly and Seth place bets on five couples whom they see at the class reunion, wagering on whether the couples will still be together at the 20th reunion. If Seth wins the bet, Molly has to admit that true love is real. The kicker is that one of the couples‒added to the mix by Seth‒is themselves.

Over the next few years, they take turns interacting and avoiding each other. If this book is a rom-com, they'll have to find a way to be together, but it's just not looking good. Their feelings and their dialogue are realistic and nuanced. Interactions with their friends and family add well to the mix. Couldn't put the book down.

Murder at the Elms

Murder at the Elms by Alyssa Maxwell (2023) 309 pages

Emma, a reporter for The Newport Messenger, and her new husband Derrick, who is the owner of that same newspaper, are back from their honeymoon. The year is 1901 and Emma raises eyebrows by continuing to use her maiden name as her byline. She's quite an independent woman for the times.

The Elms is a newer mansion that has been built to use electricity, as well as coal. It's also the home of owners who pay their help well, but give them no time off. Most of the help is fired when they decide to go on strike for more time off. One woman on the housestaff who is not part of the group who strikes, is murdered during a large gathering for a musical event.  When it becomes known that a valuable item is missing and that the murdered woman may have stolen it, the crime is not as clear: Is it a union vs anti-union thing, or a conspiracy of some other sort? Emma and Derrick want the story for their publication, but they also want to help the police solve the crime, as well. Being acquaintances with the rich owners helps them have access to more info.

Not having read any of the other books in Maxwell's Gilded Newport series was not an impediment to following the storyline, although I would be interested in learning more of the background of the main characters.

The Wedding People

The Wedding People by Alison Espach, 367 pages

Phoebe Stone has had a rough life topped off by a particularly difficult past few years. Her career as an adjunct professor (and the book she's writing) has stalled, the last round of IVF treatment resulted in a miscarriage, her husband left her for a friend (one with a baby already!), and after all that, her cat died. So Phoebe has taken it upon herself to travel to an overpriced oceanfront hotel and kill herself. But when she arrives, she discovers that an over-the-top wedding has completely taken over the hotel, and after she shocks herself by confessing her suicidal intentions to the bride, Phoebe soon finds herself swept up into the wedding hysteria.

The description probably makes this book seem like a cliched happy-times-save-suicidal-person sappy story. But it's not. It would have been easy for Espach to fill this book with cardboard characters, and from the outset, it looks like they might be. But those stereotypes — privileged demanding self-centered bride, day-drinking mother of the bride, womanizing best man, angst-filled stepdaughter-to-be — are pulled aside to reveal remarkably realistic characters. The depictions of depression are also very realistic, without getting maudlin. This was a phenomenal book, and, if this is indicative of Espach's writing, I need to read more of her books. 

Solitaire

 

Solitaire by Alice Oseman, 400 pgs.

Tori Spring finds no particular joy in being alive. She goes to school, talks to as few people as possible, and returns home as quickly as she can to create an entry on her blog, watch a film, or talk to her brother (who is, quite probably, her best friend). Tori finds almost everything uninteresting, not worthy of a second glance, until one day, she notices a trail of bright sticky notes which lead her to a blog called "Solitaire." She meets another student, Michael Holden, who has discovered the blog, and they embark on a journey neither of them could have expected. 

After reading, and loving, the Heartstopper graphic novels, this book's much darker tone took me a bit by surprise, but it fits well within the universe Oseman has created. Tori's external indifference and internal cycle of discovery and doubt create a frustrating, but very real, experience for readers as they see the world simultaneously through her eyes and from the outside. She discovers something new, then hides from it; she reaches out, then recoils; and no one in her life seems to understand her, except perhaps Michael Holden. Overall, the book was a bit drawn out for me--especially with the cycle of actions and emotions Tori experiences--so I would have enjoyed a slightly condensed version more, but I liked getting to know Tori better and found Oseman's world building to be very impressive.

Here

Here by Richard McGuire (2014) 304 pages

The new film Here by Robert Zemeckis starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright is based on this graphic novel. With such big stars the narrative thread must be more consistent and traditional, but I am still curious to see how it is adapted. This graphic novel is quite abstract with a "camera" view that does not move, but the time period depicted does jump wildly forward and backwards in time. It only gives you glimpses, often in small windows, into the broad stretch of time. We see ancient prehistory, history when no house is in the foreground, nearly the whole twentieth century history in the house that might be the main character, and speculation about our near future. There are some mini stories that are sequential over several pages: siblings sharing a joke, archeologists hoping to find relics on the property, Ben Franklin's family in a colonial house "across the street," a painter from the 1870s, and the building of the house in the foreground. After climate catastrophe, I especially loved the virtual tech imagined a couple centuries into our future. Following the time stamps is a nice mental puzzle, but I think the point is more to see the commonalities of how humans act and react to each other.
 

The Madness

The Madness by Dawn Kurtagich, 318 pages

Dr. Mina Murray has dedicated her professional life to helping women deal with  trauma. After all, she has her own experiences with traumatic experiences, ones that manifest in obsessive behavior that she hasn't allowed herself to address. When Mina's estranged friend Lucy contacts her for help, Mina soon discovers that Lucy is exhibiting the same mysterious symptoms as a Jane Doe she recently treated, and they're by no means the only women experiencing these problems.

This retelling of Dracula focuses on what's happening to the women that are preyed upon while simultaneously giving Mina and the other female characters more agency than the original. It's well done, and timely, and with a Welsh setting, is still wonderfully gothic (though it has me craving bara brith now).

Snapshot

 Snapshot by Brandon Sanderson, 100 pages.

Davis and Chaz are officers who specialize in Snapshots, investigations that take place in perfect physical recreations that replicate a certain day. Within the Snapshot they're the only people who are real, giving them power to do essentially whatever they want there. They decide to use this power not only for their assigned "find the murder weapon" assignment, but also to hunt a serial killer that seems to be being covered up for some reason. As the stakes climb higher, it becomes more and more uncertain if they will both make it back to reality alive.

This was an interesting little sci-fi novella. It played with familiar tropes in a way that was creative and still exciting. There wasn't a whole lot that totally blew me away, but I did have a fun time throughout following where the plot was going. This is also a little on the introspective side for a sci-fi detective novella, which I found refreshing. A fun, quick read for people who like a detective story with a twist. 

Ash Dark As Night

Ash Dark As Night by Gary Phillips, 295 pages

It's 1965 in Los Angeles and photographer Harry Ingram is risking his neck to document the Watts riots that are raging in the city. When he captures a damning photo of police officers killing an unarmed young Black man, Ingram is thrust into the spotlight himself, drawing unwanted attention from the police and others who aren't so keen on what the people are fighting for. However, the notoriety helps him out as Ingram searches for a man who went missing during the riots, a man who may have been involved in some nefarious deeds.

The era and noir feel of this book are fantastic — it captures the unrest of the time and the grittiness of Ingram's life perfectly. However, this is billed as a mystery, and that seems to take a backseat to all of the protests and investigation involved with the civil rights movement. So it's a good book, just maybe not a mystery.

I Was A Teenage Slasher

I Was A Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones, 372 pages

Tolly Oliver was just a regular awkward kid in west Texas until his dad died and he somehow became even more of a social outcast. When he gets way too drunk and commits one too many party fouls at a high school party (he wasn't even invited! how dare he!), a few members of the marching band decide to bully him to the brink of death. And something that happens that night starts changing Tolly from awkward kid into a slasher straight from a horror movie. As his best friend Amber starts to suspect the transition, the friends do everything they can to stop the inevitable. But hey, slashers gonna slash, right?

Stephen Graham Jones is a master of slasher horror, and this might be my favorite of his books. It's not as horrifying as many horror novels, though it's certainly plenty gory (careful if you're eating while reading). It's a fantastic primer for slasher tropes, and it's unexpectedly hilarious as Tolly discovers his supernatural slasher abilities. Fans of the subgenre, as well as new horror readers, will love this one.

The Family Experiment

The Family Experiment by John Marrs, 453 pages

In the near future, having kids is too expensive for all but the most wealthy people. To address that issue, an enterprising tech company has come up with virtual children, which, through the magic of haptic suits and VR headsets, can be raised and interacted with in the metaverse throughout their whole "life." To promote this new offering, the company has created a reality show in which five couples and one single man raise virtual kids at an accelerated rate over nine months, at the end of which one winning couple or individual must choose whether they want to keep their virtual child (who, if they've done everything right, they care for as much as they would a biological kid) or if they want to kill that coding and try for a real world baby.

This is a horrifying concept done disturbingly well. There's emotional manipulation, sure, but this book also features social media judgment, child abductions and exploitation, and, well, reality TV. Oh, and some really unlikeable characters. There is an audience for this book, and I know that when those people who want horrifying books about technology and AI and its impact on our lives ask for a recommendation, I'll have this one ready to hand over. Because it IS well-thought-out and executed. Disturbingly so.

The Third Wife of Faraday House

The Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers, 338 pages

Emeline Fitzpatrick is determined to marry her beau, a dashing lieutenant in the British Navy, but her guardians instead ship her off to be the third wife of wealthy Captain Graves, whose first two brides died in childbirth. Or at least that's what Emeline's told, as when she arrives at Graves' remote island home, she finds that the second Mrs. Graves, Georgina, is still alive, though just barely. Sure that her Navy suitor is coming to rescue her, Emeline is determined to keep Georgina alive as long as possible, and see if she can't figure out what's actually killing her.

This gothic tale has tinges of Jane Eyre and more than a little Rebecca, though it pales in comparison to both of those classics. This was suggested to me as a mystery, and while it's definitely mysterious, it's not A Mystery, if you will. Still, it's a fun gothic romp (if that's not too much of a contradiction!), with a helping hand from a ghost.

We Speak Through The Mountain

We Speak Through The Mountain by Premee Mohamed, 143 pages

In this sequel to Annual Migration of Clouds, protagonist Reid has made it to the safe bubble of Howse University, despite her lifelong battle with a horrendous virus and almost losing her leg to a wild boar. At the university she finds safety, shelter, and just about anything she could want — except answers. As she keeps pressing to learn more about what caused the environmental destruction of her hometown, and the virus that's affecting so many of its residents, Reid rapidly finds herself on the wrong side of the university authorities.

This was an excellent sequel to a book I wish I'd read first. This was recommended to me and I picked it up without realizing it was a sequel. Someday I'll go back and read the first book, but I really wish I'd done a bit of homework and read that one first. Because it's a fascinating world Mohamed has created, full of thought-provoking questions about privilege and how it can and should be wielded.

Sylvia's Second Act

Sylvia's Second Act by Hillary Yablon, 344 pages

Sylvia has never been happy living in Florida after she and her husband retired, and when she walks in on him in flagrante with the neighborhood bimbo, she's done. Sylvia and her best friend Edie pack their bags and with a bit of spunk, determination, and very little research or cash, move to New York City to live out their Sex and the City dreams. Before long, Sylvia has a part-time job assisting a wedding planner, and things are looking up, even if her daughter thoroughly disapproves of her new lease on life and her ex is being a jerk.

There are a million books about women of a certain age taking life by the horns and trying out new things. This definitely fits well in that pile, though I'm not sure I'd put it at the top of my list of that type of book to recommend. It's funny, but there's no real emotional depth. It's not great, not horrible, just kinda there.

Haunted to Death

 

Haunted to Death by Frank Anthony Polito (2024) 294 pages

Peter and his fiancé, JP, host a hit reality TV show called Domestic Partners, where they find and restore old houses in a Detroit suburb. JP's background as an actor helps, as does Peter's background as a writer. Their current project is to restore an old manor home that has been vacant for many years. 

Fiona Forrest has just turned 25 and learned the manor is now hers. Her parents were heirs to a fortune, but unhappy in marriage. They had hosted a Halloween party 25 years ago, when her mother turned 25, and her mother fell (or was pushed) to her death from a balcony during the party. Not long after that, her father and his second wife were killed on their honeymoon. Fiona was raised by her nanny and her husband, and not told about her background until recently.

Now, Peter and JP and their crew are at the manor, and weird things keep happening. Some vandalism and some ghostly sightings have caused some injuries and some near misses. Is the place haunted?

A funny novel written with a share of suspense in a zippy style.

After Annie

After Annie by Anna Quindlen, 285 pgs.

It was a completely normal evening for the Brown family--dinner on the stove, all four kids bumbling around the house, Bill just getting back from a job--when suddenly, it became the night that everything changed. Annie Fonzheimer Brown, the matriarch of this tight-knit family, died and left those who loved her the most with a whole lot of memories and a whole lot more hurt. Bill, Annie's husband, and their children, Ali, Ant, Benjy, and Jaime, have to figure out how to keep their family on the right track without Annie there to steer them. Annemarie, Annie's best friend since childhood, has to find a new reason to stay clean now that the one who helped her get there is gone. Together, and separately, these characters learn what it means to keep going after a great loss, and readers get to experience the joy and sadness of getting to know who Annie was through the memories of others.

I was not expecting to love Annie as much as I did by the end of this book (perhaps a surprise, since my name is also Annie), but I truly do feel as though I got to know her. My image of her is messy, formed from a mod-podge of memories and feelings--some jagged at the edges, some smooth and shiny--and I finished the book with a sense of gratitude toward the light that Annie left behind. It is so sad that when a person dies, they become a mod-podge, a light, a memory, a feeling, rather than an actual person, but it is beautiful that Anna Quindlen is able to capture that painful idea so well. The characters are pretty interesting (although Bill needed a snap to reality at times), and I love the focus on therapy for different people. Overall, kind of sad (who would have thunk!) and frustrating and urgent and slow but mostly full of love and family and strength.

The Soul: A History of the Mind

The Soul by Paul Ham (2024) 864pp

A first glance (particularly if you are an atheist) this is a seemingly impossible and definitely daunting read – 800 soul-rending pages? But in my weird librarian way I tackled it by randomly opening and diving in. Fun to skim through the thousands of years of history of the mind (Ham conflates the mind with the soul). Surprisingly I was smitten. Ham, an Australian, is a professor at an esteemed educational institute in France and is a polymath. Reading this tome felt like being in a college seminar – Ham’s brilliance and mastery of the subject never flags. He even manages a bit of humor – chapter sub-title I Kant --when he humorously claims no expertise in obtuse Kantian philosophy. Needless to say, this is an exhaustive overview and in proper pedagogical fashion the author declines to take a position. Readers are given copious rope to do with the content as they please.

John Lewis: A Life

John Lewis: A Life by David Greenberg (2024) 696pp

A heart-rending biography of an iconic civil rights legend. It is very difficult to not write a hagiography of Lewis and Greenberg doesn’t hide his admiration, but at the same time he doesn’t ignore the difficult and at times wrongheaded decisions Lewis made during his life. The author does a yeoman’s job of laying out the early life and the harrowing later years Lewis lived through. To Greenberg’s credit he details the complexity of the civil rights movement and the raucous behind-the-scenes maneuvering inherent in such a monumental endeavor. One unfortunate incident is the struggle for the leadership of SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee). Lewis is blind-sided by militant activist Stokely Carmichael who wrests control of the organization during a late-night meeting. Years later after entering the political arena Lewis has another dreadful moment during the 2008 presidential primary between Barrack Obama and Hilary Clinton. Lewis has a tight connection with the Clintons and endorses her – but backlash from constituents and the threat of a primary challenge to his Congressional seat force Lewis to awkwardly backtrack and switch sides. These two examples (among others) illustrate how hard it is to be an uncompromising human in a brutal dog-eat-dog world. Greenberg’s sympathetic yet critical biography is the perfect antidote for our tumultuous time.

Table for Two

A Table for Two by Amor Towles (2024) 451pp

My fiction selection process is pretty simple. If the book is not on the bottom shelves and it has an interesting cover and blurb I will give it a try. Naturally I end up reading (and not reading) books that should be left unopened. Vaguely aware of Towles’ reputation, I checked this out. According to the back cover it includes a collection of New York stories and a novella set in LA.  Being contrary, I started at the end with “Eve in Hollywood,” a noir story which is a continuation of an early Towles story, Rules of Civility. The story is split into seven vignettes, each from the point of view of one of the main characters. Each character has a clear voice, a motive and a part to play. Excellent writing. What a treat. This is classic noir with double-crosses, muted brutality, blackmail and vice. Equally entertaining, but not obtrusive, is Towles’ description of Hollywood in 1938. He explains the studio system and the attendant turmoil generated by the movie industry and the moguls who ran it. The reviews say it all – exhilarating, witty, humorous, erudite and sophisticated.

Factfulness

Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World -- And Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling, 288 pages.

The book starts with Hans Rosling, a professor of public health and medical researcher, gathering a whole lot of data. He surveyed people in all sort of specializations, at all sorts of income levels, in countries around the world; and found that people consistently did much WORSE than they would have guessing randomly when asked about global trends. His questions had to do with things like rates of childhood vaccination, global population trends, and extreme poverty. People worldwide consistently not only overwhelmingly got the questions wrong, but usually thought things were much worse than they were. 

This book is Rosling's attempt to get at the kinds of logical fallacies and thought traps that contribute to all of this incorrect information. Each of the ten chapters is dedicated to a different one of these "instincts" he has identified, such as the "gap instinct" or the "straight-line instinct" (respectively: the tendency to want to separate things into two distinct groups, and the tendency to think rates of change are constant). Each chapters uses both a plethora of examples and data to illustrate the point, then ends with easily actionable bullet points to help reform your own thought patterns. 

I think this is a pretty useful little book! It is both easy to read and fairly actionable, and I appreciate that the author is very excited to share where he gets his information from. This is also not written as an inflammatory book at all, but rather something that's intended to be both comforting and productive. There were times that I found his reasoning to be a little simplistic and occasionally lacking in nuance, but I would still consider this to be a book worth reading, especially with the vitality of media-literacy today. 

Humor Me

Humor Me by Cat Shook, 306 pages

From the outside, Presley Fry is on the ramp to her dream job. She's a producer's assistant on a late night TV show (the one she grew up watching), thanks to a leg up from a family friend's husband, who happened to be an executive at the network. But Presley is also dealing with lingering unresolved feelings from the death of her alcoholic mother 18 months earlier, and when she runs into her mom's old friend just before that friend's network exec husband gets named in the #metoo movement, her grief and the friend's stress become a bit too much to bear.

I feel like that's a fairly bad description of a nuanced look at life as a young female professional in New York during 2017. Because that's what this book is. It captures being a 20-something who is in the "putting in the work" part of a career that's eventually going to be amazing. It captures the complex emotions that accompany the death of a loved one that you sometimes didn't like all that much. It captures the confusing dating scene that exists in friends, hookups, and way too many apps. All in all, it's a pretty fantastic book.