My Friends

My Friends by Fredrik Backman (2025), 434 pgs. 

Louisa wasn't looking for trouble when she got thrown out of the auction. She just wanted to see the painting, up close and in person, once before starting her new life. In the moments before she was kicked out, though, Louisa saw more of the painting than she ever had in the small postcard version of it she'd kept with her in the foster home. She had always focused on the three friends in the picture, somewhat hidden from most viewers, but now she could see the tiny, intricate details of it all in full display. Somehow, getting thrown out ends up setting Louisa on a journey across the country where she learns about the summer portrayed in the famous painting, and the group of friends whose love made it possible.

This is a story about believing in people, even when you don't much believe in yourself. It is about friendship and love sustaining against all odds. It is about art, and it is about grief, and it is about connecting with others. It is a funny, sad, hopeful tale of the summer that created a painting and the friendship which formed twenty five years later because of that painting. Fredrik Backman does a great job of balancing deep, introspective, heavy moments with light-hearted, silly jokes. He writes a beautiful story which paints a beautiful picture.

The Beautiful Mystery

The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny (2012), 373 pgs.

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his right hand man, Inspector Jean-Guy Beauvoir, are confronted with more than one mystery when they arrive at the intentionally-hidden Gilbertine monastery. As the Inspectors investigate a murder in this small, religious community, they uncover more about the mysteriously captivating Gregorian chants for which these monks have recently become world-famous. When Chief Superintendent Sylvain Francoeur, a man for whom Inspector Gamache has no love lost, arrives unexpectedly, the mysteries compound. Why has the boss arrived at this remote monastery? And is the outside world right behind him?

This story is carried by its strong characters, particularly Gamache and Beauvoir but also the monks. Penny's presentation of their differing reasons for joining the Gilbertine order, and her presentation of their lives there, is captivating. Additionally, the arrival of Francoeur, the clear villain with unclear motives, adds a level of intensity that some of the other stories lack. It took a while to get into, but the last third of the book had me on the edge of my seat. 

A Trick of the Light

A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny (2011), 339 pgs.

Do people really change? When Lillian Dyson, an old friend-turned-foe, turns up murdered in Three Pines, that is the question on everyone's mind. As Chief Inspector Armand Gamache investigates Lillian's connections to artists and alcoholics, he wonders not only about the murderer, but also the victim. He observes many changes in the people around him, but are they really different, or is it just a facade? And if people can change, who is to say that it's always for the better?

With this seventh book in the Three Pines series, Louise Penny returns to what she does best--writing a character-driven, thought-provoking, thrilling-yet-cozy mystery. Where previous books included many overlapping story lines, this one is more simple and focused on the question above. The relationship between Gamache and his second-in-command, Inspector Beauvoir, is a highlight of this whole series, and it really shines through here--without taking away from the main mystery. Overall, this is one of the strongest books in the series thus far. 

Long Bright River

Long Bright River by Liz Moore (2020), 480 pgs.

Mickey has always been a protector. She works hard to take care of herself, her son, and her community--all while fulfilling her duties as a Kensington police officer. This is no simple task, especially in the midst of the opioid crisis, and it is made more difficult by her close connection to the situation through her sister, Kacey, who has struggled with addiction most of her life. When Kacey's disappearance coincides with a string of suspicious deaths, Mickey must search her past and present to protect her loved ones. 

It is rare that a story grabs my attention right from the beginning, but this book is immediately gripping. Liz Moore paints a complete picture of Kensington with a recognition of its problems and an overwhelming sense of empathy for its community. Mickey is flawed and strong and interesting. The switches between the past and present are really well done. Highly recommend as a thriller and as a thoughtful examination of the opioid crisis and the networks of people it impacts

The Guncle

The Guncle by Steven Rowley (2021) 324 pages

Patrick, a gay man who'd been a well-known actor, is asked to care for his young niece and nephew after their mother's death. Their father, Patrick's brother, is going into a 3-month-long rehab program for substance abuse that he fell into while his wife was dying of cancer. Patrick lives in Palm Springs where he moved after he couldn't find joy in acting any longer, after his partner died in a car accident. However, you'd never know the world of hurt residing in Patrick: his interactions with the children are quite entertaining. But he's also very cognizant that the children need to grieve for their mother.

I loved this story ‒ reading it was almost like watching a movie because the descriptions and dialogue are so well done. (And sure enough, I found out that a movie is in the works for this book.)

Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone

Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson  372 pp.

Yes, the family featured in this book have killed someone either intentionally or unintentionally. The one son who hadn't when the story starts manages to before the end. They all meet for a family reunion at a ski lodge which immediately gets deluged with massive, non-stop snowstorms. A dead body found outside in the snow brings up the possibility of a recent serial killer being in the locale. The story is very convoluted but highly entertaining. The family is highly dysfunctional but takes care of its own. I actually figured out who the killer was only to discover the killer was not who they said were. Kidnapping, robbery, blackmail, substance abuse, murder, suicide, you name it and it's probably in this story. It's odd to say this is a fun book but it is.

Weather

 Weather by Jenny Offill (2020) 201 pages

Like Offill's Dept. of Speculation, this novel is written in a sort of vignette style—single paragraphs with lots of white space—that might at first seem disconnected, but as one absorbs them, they begin to tell the story. Lizzie is 40-ish, with a husband and small child and not enough money. She works in a library at a university in New York. Her mother requires time on the phone, which makes Lizzie feel bad about not giving enough time to her husband and son. Her brother, Henry, has a history of substance abuse, which caused Lizzie to quit grad school years ago. She finds herself again concerned with Henry as he marries and becomes a father, and we can feel how much it wears on her. Additionally, she works a second job for her former graduate advisor, Sylvia, who has a podcast about the climate. Sylvia seems to be getting more reclusive. Add to that a presidential election which makes the characters fear that fascism is around the corner. Lizzie is straining to help everyone, from the money she gives regularly to a beggar to running to help her brother care for his baby to trying to brainstorm with her husband where they would be safe in an increasingly frightening world. 

Offill's descriptions of people tell much with few words. The book is lyrical, symbolic, and kind of sad, while at the same time, oddly soothing.

The Nest

The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney  368 pp.

The four Plumb siblings have been somewhat patiently waiting for their inheritance, called the Nest, which their father delayed to be a nice mid-life supplement to each of them. However, Leo, the oldest brother has fouled things up in a big way by inebriated driving and a wreck. According to the terms of the will, the matriarch can use the money for emergency purposes and she does this to cover up Leo's scandalous actions, pay off the family of the teenage waitress with Leo in the accident, and to pay for Leo's treatment at a substance abuse facility. The remaining siblings have to band together to ensure that Leo finds a way to repay them at least in part for their lost inheritance. It's an okay story but parts were very predictable. I just didn't find it engaging enough.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, 289 pages.

Moshfegh, author of the novel, Eileen, and the short story collection Homesick for Another World, among others, is comfortable (or at least very good at) writing about dark situations that seem as though they should be impossible. Moshfegh makes it all seem matter-of-fact though. The unnamed narrator of this novel has decided to take a year off. Her parents, with whom she had distant and difficult relationships, have both died, she has broken up with Trevor, the boyfriend she does not really like (and who doesn't care for her), and she has lost her job. She has enough money, but nothing really appeals to her except sleep. So, with the help of a criminally negligent therapist, our narrator, decides to medicate herself into a year-long sleep. Her only friend Reva makes vague attempts at intervention, but is easily distracted by her own wants and needs. Moshfegh makes this bizarre narrative a compelling and eerily interesting book. While there is no one to root for, the story pulls you along. I listened to about half of the book and read the rest. Julia Whelan does a great job narrating the audio.

Robin

Robin by Dave Itzkoff  529 pp.

In August of 2014 the world was shocked at the news of the suicide of hugely talented, intelligent, and wildly hilarious actor and comedian, Robin Williams. This biography covers Williams life from his upper middle class childhood, through his days at Julliard and his career as a stand-up comedian which led to a long and varied acting career. He was a man who obsessively worked at his trade to make his improvised lightning wit his stock-in-trade. His near photographic memory and instant recall of things he saw or heard rendered him capable of a spontaneity that brought laughter to millions. Behind the humor was a man with his share of problems; substance abuse, poor choices of film roles, failed marriages, and increasing bouts of depression haunted him. When his body began failing him, first with a heart valve replacement, then a misdiagnosis of Parkinson's disease, Williams became a changed man. Not until his autopsy was it discovered Williams had Lewy Body Dementia, a disease which can affect movement, Altzheimer's-like cognitive, depression, and other problems. Friends and family did their best to help but Williams had never discussed suicide to anyone his choice of that ending came as a total surprise. In spite of the rumors, he was not under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he died. Itzkoff has written a heartfelt biography that describes the man, his faults, and his glories without aggrandizement.

Never Mind

Never Mind  (the Patrick Melrose novels book one) by Edward St. Aubyn  208 pp.

I started on this pentalogy before tackling the Showtime series "Patrick Melrose" starring Benedict Cumberbatch. This first book was quite dull until about half way through. In it we are introduced to  Patrick Melrose, the child, who lives with his horrible parents. His father is abusive to both his wife and son, and anyone else he can get away with. Patrick's beloved mother is an alcoholic who drinks because her husband is so awful to her. She is clueless about the seriousness of the abuse to Patrick. The couple socializes with several equally messed up people who end up looking saint-like in comparison to Patrick's father. It is a scathing assailment on the European upper classe. Apparently this series is semi-autobiographical and St. Aubyn uses this volume to suggest a cause for Patrick's problems in adulthood.

How to start a fire

How to start a fire / Lisa Lutz 339 pgs.

What is the meaning of friendship?  And how much do we need our friends?  College roommates Anna, Kate and Georgiana are thrown together but then spend their lives "being there" for each other.  This book is a series of back and forth (in time) incidents that define their relationships by examples.  Anna is sort of the ring leader who will do anything on a dare...or even without the dare.  She also has a terrible substance abuse problem that haunts her until she is finally forced to recognize that it has to be corrected.  Kate is sweet and creative and thinks her life is on autopilots.  She will take over her grandfather's deli/cafe.  Georgiana is athletic and outdoorsy but makes really bad choices when it comes to men.  Throughout the book, the three help each other and hurt each other (ok, mostly Anna does the hurting) but they stick together because no one knows them like the other 2 do.

Enjoyable and in many ways realistic.