Review 186: The Arctic Fury

The Arctic Fury by Greer Macallister
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The book is told in alternating time points as well as alternating viewpoints, yet it remains focused on Virginia Reeve. Virginia was asked to lead an unusual expedition, of all women to the Arctic, in order to see if they could find out what happened to the British Navy men led by John Franklin.

Most of the book is taken by the court proceedings that happen just after Virginia returns to Boston. She is charged with murder of one of the women, Caprice Collins, during the expedition. The prosecution also states she did this on her own, without the funding by Lady Franklin.

The set up for the expedition was mysterious and a bit odd, but in those times women weren’t seen as capable, so perhaps that part could be explained by the unusual nature of the undertaking, only women and led by a woman.

The alternate time lines are mostly between the court and the expedition, with a few exceptions going into Virginia’s past as well. She previously had been a guide leading people on the wagon trail from the east to west.

Personally I found the trial portion a bit tedious in the beginning. I wanted to hear the story of the women exploring, going out on their own. That seemed to be slow in the development of the book. Also, I was under the impression that the different women would have more of a voice as characters in the book, but instead it was focused mainly on Virginia. Somewhere along the way, I gave up my expectations and enjoyed the book more.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 185: The Road

The Road by Jack London
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a series of essays about Jack London’s time of hoboing and tramping along riding the rails. He was young, about 15 to nearly 19. There are two essays that cover his getting arrested, just as London entered the town near Niagara Falls and the sham trial that happened so quick it was obviously a sham. The next essay was of the thirty days he spent in jail from walking into town too early and without being registered at a hotel. Serving time in jail was part of the life, but this was London’s first time in prison, and he learned many lessons.

London writes with the slang in quotations and often explains the meanings. He talks about how he got into living on the road, names or monicas that people use or are given, and different types, such as road-kid, gay-cat, and “profesh”. There are of course the bulls, the police and all the railroad men that try to keep these free loaders off their trains.

Despite the writing being of a different era it is very readable. The first essay of London explaining how to beg for food at people’s houses reminds us of a different time, although maybe people weren’t happy to see strangers they weren’t nearly as leery as they are today.

I live near enough to a train station that during times while reading the book I could hear the freight trains passing and the engine whistle blow. It was the perfect back drop to this book.

Note: The version of the book I read isn't displayed. There are many editions in goodreads, and yet still missing many, particularly the older versions, and the edition I read wasn't there. The one I read was published in 1970 with an introduction by King Hendricks. The cover is an appropriate a man riding a train on the outside, hanging onto a "ladder" with the wind blowing his coat, all in blue. Love the cover of the book I read, and had to mention it here.

2nd Note: This book came to by from my Grandparents on March.11.2006

They were clearing out their books, I chose from their selections, and got a small box of books, mostly classics.

Brief Review 184: Ready Player Two

Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

The first book was much better (Ready Player One). That book was original and surprising, and for a sequel it just can't be unique. Felt like this one was more focused on a few key "referenced works" and not as broad as the first book. Overall it was a good adventure, just not spectacular. Definitely enjoyed Wil Wheaton as the narrator.

Previous book:

• Ready Player One - 5 stars  
• Print book read December 15- 17, 2011
• Audio book read July 6-16, 2015

Review 183: Joe's Word

Joe's Word by Elizabeth Stromme
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The completion feeling at the end didn't redeem the book. I felt like stopping early on. Keep telling myself to trust those feelings, move onto something else.

The book was odd, the main character Joe is a "Public Writer" and many of his clients are not your average 'Joe'. This is a neighborhood type book. Joe walks from his dingy apartment to his work, where he rents space in a hair salon. We meet various neighborhood characters, including a homeless man who's rants are fairly factual. It sounds like it should be okay, but there was so much creep factor and misogyny, that I'm surprised a woman wrote the book. The book would've worked better without that emphasis.

FULL REVIEW: (with spoilers)

Perhaps I should have stopped reading early on. It wasn’t all that great in the beginning and it didn’t do well overall. Yet there was a bit of completion, there was a little redemption. But was it worth it? No, not really.

This guy Joe has a business, he calls himself a public writer. He has a small shop inside a hair salon, and it’s close to his dingy apartment so he can walk home and be part of the neighborhood. This is a neighborhood book! It’s about the people in the area, the local characters.

Joe’s main client is this guy, older and retired from tossing peanuts at the Dodger’s Stadium. He like the mail order bridal catalogs, writes to potential women (really has Joe do that) and gets the photos, be part of their life and drops them when they plead too much for him to visit or otherwise make this more than a letter writing thing.

Joe takes up with a pretty girl (Clio) getting a haircut, but doesn’t treat her well, being boring really, just sitting at home reading and listening to classical music. They do go to ballgames on occasion, or the local bar, which is a cop bar. The one time she pleads with him to do something, go to a function her client invited them both to, he finally relents then gets stupidly drunk. Joe isn’t much of a likeable character. This book is full of characters.  [They end up splitting up]

One redeeming quality was the homeless man. Turns out he is one of Joe’s clients as well, has lots of money and donates it. [Gave $10,000 to the local library!] Probably a trust fund guy, but likes to live on the streets and preach. People do pay him attention, gather around him listen to his antics and his “birthday party” stuff.

 Near the end Joe’s ex-girlfriend and him find the body of Beanie. They neighborhood is outraged, has a fund and tons of explanations on who killed him. Then suddenly he shows up in the hair salon. Going to move on. He said the actual dead person was already dead and he just dressed him up as himself so he could fake his death and move on to a new city. Maybe somewhere else they will listen to what he’s saying.

Oh, and all the theories of Beanie’s are supposed to be real and actual facts. He just sounds crazy since he rants about it and is homeless, plus has these props like twirl wind things, confetti and such.

 Joe is a scum ball, womanizing and not really a nice guy. The glimmers of his redeeming qualities are barely anything. There’s a lot of sex in the book, not explicit but deeds and such. Oh, and one of Willy’s mail order brides showed up and shakes up with Joe for a while and he gives in to her and they end up constantly having sex and she’s young, like 20.

And surprisingly this book was written by a woman. Published in 2003 but takes place in 1995. Around the time I was hanging around Echo Park area.

Review 182: Girl Gurl Grrrl

Girl Gurl Grrrl: On Womanhood and Belonging in the Age of Black Girl Magic by Kenya Hunt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a book of essays, and there are a few other writers with contributions. Admittedly it confused me at first, not realizing that this book wasn’t solely essays by Kenya Hunt. But I’m glad they were included. What I was looking for, and found here, was more voices of lived experiences. One of joys of reading is being inside the body and mind of another person who is not you. Learning what other people experience in their life is one aspect I want from reading. Other times, it’s just enjoyment, but not when I pick up a book of essays that are understandably largely autobiographical.

Kenya Hunt is an American and British woman who works in the fashion industry. Since she is black, she is often an Only, the only one who looks like her, or a First, for holding a specific job title or reaching further up the ladder in fashion. I don’t know much about fashion, actually have little interest in it, but understand that it does influence many, too many, women and girls.

My favorite essays were in the beginning portion of the book, but no essay did I wish I hadn’t read. They all had something important to say and are well written. The essays do have varying lengths. A few are very short, but it said what it needed and moved on, I appreciated that. No fluff contained therein. While most essays speak to the overall culture, American primarily, but some British, there are some deeply personal experiences.

Thanks to Amistad and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 181: People of the Thunder

People of the Thunder by W. Michael Gear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second, and conclusion in the “Moundville Duology” that started with People of the Weeping Eye. Typically, the books in the “North America's Forgotten Past” series are standalone books. This one is book number 16. I’ve read 18 books in series. I do enjoy them. The series used to be called “First North Americans” but the new series name is more appropriate.

This book’s main plot is balancing of Power. There is white power that represents peace and trade. The red power, which represents mostly blood and war has been in ascendance and is coming to a head with a huge war with many of the peoples, lead by the War Chief Smoke Shield at Split Sky City of the Chikosi, or Sky Hand People. They have subdued and made slaves of most of the Albaamaha peoples, who are plotting an uprising. The Yuchi in the north and the Chata people are also potential foes ready to strike. The Chahta had recently been dealt a huge blow with the sacking of White Arrow Town.

In the center are two traders: Old White, also known as Seeker and Trader, who was Green Snake. Trader had fled Split Sky City ten years ago after killing his brother Rattle, but we know he survived and is now known as Smoke Shield. The two also have a contrary, Two Petals, who joins them on their journey and a dog Swimmer. The contrary is led by Power, she sees things in the future and thus lives her life in reverse. They are making their way along the river, trading with the different peoples and towns, heading to Split Sky City as power has directed, hoping to bring back balance to the red and white power.

It is a thickly weaved plot that did take two full books to develop. There are so many other aspects and characters to the story than the brief summary above. It had been so long since I read the first book of these two that I just about forgot everything that happened. I read a few summaries and the book itself had a few reminders added in to help the reader. The overall story came back to me as I was reading as well, but probably better to read the two books closer together in time. Happy that I finally read the book.

Previous Book:

• People of the Weeping Eye - 4 stars 
• Read: June 21-30, 2017

Review 180: The Short Reign of Pippin IV

The Short Reign of Pippin IV: A Fabrication by John Steinbeck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was something completely different from your typical Steinbeck. Funny and still holds well to today. Only Kings are outdated! Enjoyable and easy read.

Have to admit one of my favorite parts is the King of France scooting around and the image on the cover! 😄

Also, love the little line drawings that are in the book.

Not serious one bit. Is it making fun of France or the United States, or both?  United States corporations are run like governments, so the book says….or the corporations take place of government is more accurate.

 

Kings are outdated. The world has moved on from a reigning ruler based on heredity.

Read a library book copy, as I bought a first edition of this book in November 2018. The library copy was also a first edition, which held up well to a lot of use. As Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors, and I love the cover, I had to splurge on a 1st ed. of this book. It is in my treasured library. Happy to now have read the book as well.

Review 179: Political Sign

Political Sign by Tobias Carroll
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With the recent ending of the 2020 U.S. election season over, at least as far as voting, I figured I could approach this book. Honestly, there is way too many political signs, commercials, mailers and everything else thrown at you for long months when there’s an upcoming election. It can become exhausting just sifting through the daily mail of circulars by the various candidates.

There is a good reason behind that, which Tobias Carroll points out early on, which is name recognition. That is one of the top ways a political candidate gets voted into office. Makes sense, as most people want to know at least something about the person they are voting for, even if it’s only a name and the party they are align themselves with.

The book took on much more than the typical political signs you may think about, such as yard signs, billboards, and those placards people carry when marching in the streets. I was surprised at the breadth that political signs may appear. Yes, tattoos make sense when you think about it. One of the bigger surprises for me was sporting events, particularly in soccer, or football as the rest of the world calls it.

All in all, this was a thorough book on the topic and short enough that the material doesn’t get bogged down with too much. The coverage is mainly focused on the United States, but veers away from time to time, into the UK and other countries where football (soccer) is the main sporting event. There was some discussion about the history of political signs as well, but not in depth.

This book is part of the Object Lessons series, and they are all fairly short, and focused topic reads.

Thanks to Bloomsbury Academic and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 178: The Battle For Scotland

The Battle For Scotland by Andrew Marr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



The book was more political than I'd hoped. Being that it's not my country a lot of it was too in the weeds for me, but got a little more history on the subject.

some notes: Did it end before the referendum? No…it mentioned the “Better Together” campaign. But that was an intro, or added on in the beginning, I think. A reviewer said this was a rehashed, well, it seems like it was an old book with update chapter and new introduction. Most of the book covered Scotland and the attempt at independence and why it never happened. I did wish for something more concise, not as many details of the politics. 

Review 177: Desert Oracle: Volume 1

Desert Oracle: Volume 1: Strange True Tales from the American Southwest by Ken Layne
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

The book starts out very wisely in letting you know how to survive the desert – bring lots of water, more than you think you need. If you get lost, or your car breaks down, stay by your car! There are brief mentions of those who didn’t make it out…

The next section is about the Yucca Man, and other very short tales of a creature seen in the desert called by many names, such as Bigfoot.

A little boy is lost. A scout leader failed in his job.

It goes from there….

These are little vignettes…tales of quirky people and tales of mysterious things that may be true, or not (ghost bighorn sheep).

Most of the entries read like snippets, not complete stories, and the writing tends to jump from one thought to another, then end abruptly. But don’t let that dissuade you from reading this. It adds to the sense, a layer to the oddness that are desert dwellers.

As a compilation, there tends to be a few places where something is repeated. For myself, too much on UFO’s and aliens when considering the whole work, would have liked more on history of place, or characters, those were the better entries. The snippets are of varying length with one section about cowboy music being very long. The writing isn’t polished either, you take what you can get when you’re out on the desert.

The book also contains photos and line drawings, which adds to the character of the book.

You don’t have to love the desert, but if you do this book will thrill you!

I'll read a volume 2, if/when that comes out.

Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 176: The May Bride

The May Bride by Suzannah Dunn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The book was slow plodding along, with so much based on looks and few words actually spoken, yet tremendous weight placed on what was said. Perhaps that's how it was during that time and station, withholding, not revealing all that you thought or may want to say. But it made for a slow book. Then suddenly something happens, revelations are made, decisions. The last 30 pages or so, the book is quick and briefly goes through the rest our narrator's life, being sent to be a lady in the queen's court at the behest of her eldest brother.

Turns out this queen is the first of Henry VIII's wives, and Jane, the narrator will be the third. This is historical fact. I do not have much knowledge of England's Royalty over the years other than some generalities, and this book has a focus of Katherine Fillol who married Jane's eldest brother Edward Seymour. To be honest, the facts for me save the book, even though I didn't know this until the end with a summary of history as it pertains to this book.

I received a free copy of this book at a library conference. I was not required to write a review, but felt like it and, of course, the above opinions are my own.

Review 175: The Exiles

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Taking place in the mid-1800s, this book is focused on the transport of prisoners from Great Britain to Australia. We are immersed with characters that find themselves in situations they couldn’t imagine, while thrown in with people never suspected they would end up being around.

The book is full of tragedy, and feelings of punishment that is unjust. It is a scathingly look at colonialism and British superiority, along with class and disregard for human life if anyone steps beyond the bounds of their station or duties.

It is well written, engaging, captivating, and a quick read.

Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Although I did get an advance review eBook, I ended up listening to the book borrowed from a public library. The narration was excellent and if anything added to the experience of the book.

Review 174: Fat

Fat by Hanne Blank
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fat. It is a necessary part of being human, as without it you will die. As the author states, that is starvation. Fat encases our brains, and other organs, it does things in our body to maintain it, such as regulate our body temperature. There are different types of fat, most of the “extra” society denigrates is generally the white fat, which actually looks yellow. There is also brown fat, which is the type that typically encases our organs. And a mixture of the two that is, of course, beige fat, a small part but useful to survival. This science part was found only in the beginning.

The book dove into several aspects of fat, societal expectations, discrimination, and sexuality as related to being a fat person. Being a large person is not easy, and society rails against it in every way, and surprisingly to me even with salary. A fat person generally makes less than anyone. Discrimination is rampant.

The author’s first book was about being large and sexuality, one of the first of its kind. So then, the focus for the last portion of the book isn’t surprising.

The book is not about weight loss. Gosh no! It’s more about acceptance of the body you have and how it operates. All bodies are different, how the food we eat is used and distributed around the body. This part was enlightening to read.

This book is part of the Object Lessons series, and they are all fairly short, and focused topic reads.

Thanks to Bloomsbury Academic and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 173: Down Along with That Devil's Bones

Down Along with That Devil's Bones: A Reckoning with Monuments, Memory, and the Legacy of White Supremacy by Connor Towne O'Neill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The book is focused on Nathan Bedford Forrest – the monuments displaying his image, and his biography: founding grand wizard of the Klan, a confederate soldier, who quickly ran through the ranks from private to lieutenant general, a profiteer from slave trading. Modern times explains the history of the monuments after him, how they came to be, and torn down, some raised again. To many in the area Forrest is a hero, a white supremacist. The park named after him, streets, so many places are named after him. Also, why his name should not be remembered so well, and what it means to the people who are of color.

The book shows by this how racism is steeped into everyday life, particularly in the south, by this example of someone still strongly revered, yet justly being removed from memorials. A well written investigative book.

Thanks to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 172: The Mirror Man

The Mirror Man by Jane Gilmartin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sometime in the possible future a PR guy gets cloned by his company that released a unique drug called Meld. Those two aspects are intertwined, although different aspects, and it's a bit of a crazy book. The writing was okay but not exceptional.

What was up with all the references to beer drinking? The interesting aspect to the book is looking at who you are, and realizing where you can do, or be, a better person.

Thanks to MIRA/Harlequin and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 171: We Keep the Dead Close

We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half Century of Silence by Becky Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A long book, nearly too long, but in the end it was worth it. Becky Cooper weaves in a tale of a murder that took place the night before Jane Britton’s exams at Harvard. Cooper delves deep into every aspect of Jane’s last days, who occupied them, investigating anyone who may have been the killer, even remotely.

The deep dive takes over ten years of Cooper’s life, with her own becoming intertwined with Jane’s life. While keeping the focus on Jane it is inevitable that the present day and what Becky Cooper is up to gets into the narrative, and she does that in a way that we don’t have an intrusive narrator. We also find tangentially other unexpected deaths or murders with some investigations into those that relate to the same suspect as the possible perpetrator of Jane’s death.

While at moments I wished for a shorter book, I’m not sure what could be cut that would make for a better book. It does feel like misleads when going down the path of each suspect, however remote, but it adds to the fullness of the story, and to who was in Jane’s life. Even the side stories bring fullness and entirety to the work, plus everything was very well written.

Cooper also provides an overarching meaning, not just to the death, but do what Jane was doing, in academia in anthropology. I get a better sense of what it means to be a professor in an academic setting from this book than any other I’ve read. (not that I’ve sought that out, but it was informative!) There are also ties to larger movements, particularly with women.

I’m not one to often read true crime but this one was very well done. If you do pick this up, be prepared to spend some time with the book.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 170: November Road

November Road by Lou Berney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I went into this book without knowing much about it. All I knew was the backdrop was the time of Kennedy’s assassination. Turns out that is the reason why a thug (good-looking guy from New Orleans) is on the run from being rubbed out next from his own boss no less, for knowing too much about what happened in Dallas. Then there’s a young wife who’s had too much of her drinking husband and leaves Oklahoma for a life in California taking her two young girls and the epileptic dog with her. Of course these two meet up on the road. The writing is well done, so I stuck with it for the story.

I received a free **signed** copy of this book at a library conference. I was not required to write anything about the book, but felt like it and, of course, the above opinions are my own.

Review 169: Independence Square

Independence Square by A.D. Miller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Book listed here is slightly out of order of reading. 

It was difficult getting into the book, disorientating and it nearly assumes the reader knows the politics and what happened during this moment in the Ukraine. Perhaps one familiar with the history of the Orange Revolution and what happened in Kiev in 2004-05 will have less trouble with the beginning. I remember the news of this, but not any details. 

It was a bit of a strange one for me. It felt like a spy thriller novel, but it wasn't really that at all. It was hard to understand what was going on for a while. It got slightly better when the characters were defined. It felt like a book that forgot to write the intros or something.

October 5, 2020 – Started Reading

October 8, 2020 – 

page 73

 

 32.02%

October 11, 2020 – Finished Reading

Review 168: The Cold Millions

The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There seemed to be the same character through most of the stories. Not much happens in any of them. They do have a way of placing you quickly in the story, but overall they are okay but not great.

This is a character driven book which pulls you directly into their lives. 

Rye Nolan is the main focus, a young teenager who goes on the hobo road after his parents and other siblings died. He finds his brother Gig (Gregory) and they tramp around until settling for a while in Spokane, WA sleeping on the porch of an old Italian woman, who promised they could buy her backyard orchard land to build their own house. Gig meanwhile is taken up by the IWW (International Workers of the World) and their cause for better pay and working conditions for workers, especially the miners. Rye isn’t sure what to believe, but gets pulled into the action when the police chase and attack them after a drunken night that ended sleeping on a baseball field, and end up in an overstuffed jail. And that is the beginning, as there is so much more to the book.

We get a diverse cast of characters and the point of view shifts to several of these, which was done well. The way Walter writes these individual people you get immersed in each of these individual lives, understand their motivations. This isn’t done with all of the main characters, but enough to give us a more rounded view of this brief moment in time.

It’s an interesting fictionalized version of the real events that happened around the free speech movement and a brief time of the IWW in the beginning of the 20th century.

Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 167: Always Happy Hour: Stories

Always Happy Hour: Stories by Mary Miller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There seemed to be the same character through most of the stories. Not much happens in any of them. They do have a way of placing you quickly in the story, but overall they are okay but not great.

Review 166: Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther

Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther by Craig Pittman
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

From near extinction the Florida panther was pulled back from the brink to a healthy population. This book is organized well and tells the story of when people weren’t sure the panthers were in Florida or not, to a celebrated animal for the state. There are some wild stories, perhaps something that could only be found in Florida. Although one would expect biologists to support the animal they study, not all went that way. Then there’s the poor scientific published study, with nearly 40% of gathered data thrown out since it didn’t support what the author wanted. As expected, there are the politics and battles for habit versus development nearly wanting to pave everything. There’s even a little bit about Domino’s Pizza in the book!

An interesting read!

Book rating: 4.5 stars

Thanks to Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.


While I got the book from NetGalley I ended up listening to an audio copy from the library. The narrator was handled the material with expertise. Sometimes non-fiction narrators sound bored, but not there, the narrator was engaged with the writing and made the book that much better.

Review 165: 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus

1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



A great book!  It changed my understanding of the Americas, how many people were living here and their accomplishments. Large cities flourished for hundreds of years. The Amazon area was man-made 

Review 164: Ham on Rye

Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bukowski isn’t for everyone. He is a "dirty old man" although in this case he is a young kid growing up to be that. There's a lot of foul language and a focus on sex, women, alcohol, fighting, a rough life. He tells the hard truth, the painful side of life and he is smart too. This is my first novel by him, read a few of his poetry collections. Yet this novel is thinly fictionalized version of his life, growing up. It’s painful but realistic. Reading this you get a sense to understand who is Bukowski and why.

It’s brutal too. Yet there is humor inside, you have to listen/read carefully to see it. Yet it's also hard not to feel for him, or at least Henry the main character. Every Saturday his father made him mow the lawn, water, take care of the plants, everything and if one "hair" was not cut, if the lawn wasn't perfect he would get a beating. And of course, every Saturday he would get beaten. It was as if his Father needed an excuse to hit him. It was a different time, the book takes place during the depression era, right up to WWII.

Listened to the audio book and own an eBook copy.

Review 163: Members Only

Members Only by Sameer Pandya
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book steps into some issues that are going on in the country, with race relations, cancel culture, freedom of speech, and yet it doesn’t dive very deeply. The book takes, mostly, one horrible week, for the main character Raj Bhatt, Sunday through Friday, with an extra chapter for the aftermath. First problem arose due to a horrible joke at his tennis club.

This alone would be enough for a bad week, but an even bigger issue comes up where Raj teaches. The students become overly critical about his lectures that criticizes some aspects of the Christian society. Things get out of control when videos are posted online, and a student protest ensues.

Raj doesn’t do the right things, it’s a bit messy. But that is life too, when faced with incredible situations we don't always say or behave in the best way. The novel gives many details in Raj's life: phone calls by his mother, what goes on with his kids, of course there being some minor issues popping up there as well, and a skin issue on his foot. It is one of the worst weeks anyone can imagine.

We get many details of Raj’s life, mostly in the present, also some from his past. They do fill in fully about Raj, and what I mostly found was that Raj isn’t honest, with anyone. He constantly tells little lies.

Perhaps all these details is more than necessary. There’s a moment with the dean telling Raj this deep secret no one else knows at all, how did that fit into this story? Did Raj get anything out of it? Not really. So what was it put into the book? It feels like it’s a misdirection, like maybe that would allow the character to take a real good look at himself, but no, not really. Instead he stumbles into buying a gun, (not the right type for his situation) let alone that in reality he would not get the gun that same exact day, there is a waiting period.

At the end, I was left with the feeling that Raj is never fully truthful to anyone in his life, and question if he was even to himself. So while the book was decent it fell a little flat for me.

Thanks to Mariner Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

I listened to the audio book copy of the book from the library. The narration was done superbly.

Review 162: How to Fly: In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons

How to Fly: In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons by Barbara Kingsolver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book of poems. They are readable, relatable and mostly understandable. The book is broken into seven sections. Each has a theme, the first being a quirky sort of “how to” that pulls you straight into the book.

My favorite section is the second “Pellegrinaggio” where these poems take you on the journey of her and family traveling in Italy with her mother-in-law.

If you’ve never read poetry before, this book may pull you in.


Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 161: The Book of Two Ways

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Upon finishing book (Sept-12-2020): I really enjoyed this book. I've read a few of Picoult's books before and this one has a different structure. More thoughts soon.

I enjoyed this book, not only did it bring out of a (short) reading slump, I think this was her best work yet (at least of what I’ve read, this the 5th). The style of this book is somewhat different from the others I’ve read, and for me that was a good thing. I enjoyed her other books, but this one I’ve rated the highest.

There were many different parts of this book, and that is like life. One aspect that nearly gave me a pause was the focus on death, it isn’t an easy subject and at times one I’d like to avoid. Yet it is inevitable and the characters take you with them on their journey.

The main character is Dawn Edelstein, who faces her husband’s possible infidelity while also facing up to her own passionate past, along with a profession she left behind in Egyptology. When her plane crashes, escaping her own death as one of the few survivors Dawn’s life is changed. Even though Dawn is a death doula, being that close to her own mortality, made her examine past choices, as anyone might.

The story is woven well; shifting from Egypt to Boston in each section, along with reminiscing of the past and current work being done. Add in the alternate universe theories of Dawn’s husband who is a scientist, and yeah, there is a lot in the book.

Despite being content heavy I felt that enhanced the book. I enjoyed learning about Egyptology alongside reading about relationships and questioning one’s truth.

For me this is the best book by Picoult yet. I look forward to her next project.

 

Thanks to Ballantine Books/ Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 160: Stakes Is High

Stakes Is High: Life After the American Dream by Mychal Denzel Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a short book of just a few long essays that have a powerful punch. The book is sharp, intelligent, and well reasoned, as a statement about the most powerful issues the American people are grappling with today, and in the past. Smith covers race, policing, prisons, power men hold over women, the current presidency, and much more.

Smith covers Shirley Chisholm, which I had very little knowledge about her, being the first black person to run for presidential nomination of a major party, and the first black woman elected to Congress. He imagines, briefly what might have been if she won the 1972 election and became president.

There is the part that strikes home, how when we say “American” we mean the people living in the United States, when it discounts all those people living in the continent of America, more North and South of us. How the United States is an Empire, with colonies such as Puerto Rico.

There is so much more here. The book is densely packed. A book that is part of the conversation that is not to be missed.

Thanks to Bold Type Books/Perseus Books and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 159: The Fallen Architect

The Fallen Architect by Charles Belfoure
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked the story, but I didn’t like the writing style.

There were too many moments of telling, and this telling was something to a modern reader how things were during that time period. It was awkward and every time it pulled me out of the story. These things didn’t need to be explained!

August 16, 2020 – Started Reading

August 18, 2020 – 

page 79

 

 23.51%

August 19, 2020 – 

page 100

 

 29.76%

August 20, 2020 – 

page 122

 

 36.31%

August 21, 2020 – 

page 151

 

 44.94%

August 24, 2020 – 

page 194

 

 57.74%

August 25, 2020 – 

page 246

 

 73.21%

August 26, 2020 – 

page 258

 

 76.79%

August 28, 2020 – Finished Reading

Review 158: With or Without You

With or Without You by Caroline Leavitt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I fell for this book. I really enjoyed reading it. It is very much a relationship book. A couple in their early 40's are having the fight, get married, have a kid or not, settle down?  Simon is a musician and has an opportunity across the country, while Stella, Simon’s long-time girlfriend, wants him to give that up and get something more stable, and live a more normal life. The night before he leaves Stella ends up in a coma and Simon must decide if he will stay with her or go try following his musical heart.

Quickly we find the answer to that question. There is such a strong sense of all of the characters, not only Simon and Stella, but also her friend and doctor. I liked the viewpoint of Stella while she was in a coma, then in recovery too. I love the growth we see here as well.

 Something here grabbed more. Maybe it was just a better book than the string I've recently read.

Thanks to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 157: The Bee-Loud Glade

The Bee-Loud Glade by Steve Himmer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a different sort of book entirely. Partly creepy and partly sedate. Not a lot happens in the book.

Would you accept a job to be a hermit that is watched constantly? I'm fairly sure I would not, where is the privacy? Yet this job seemed to have some freedom for Finch. At least he found it better than the desk cubicle job.

some good lines, such as...“I allowed myself to be provoked, others dictate my own feelings for me, others I don't even know"

Review 156: Road Out of Winter

Road Out of Winter by Alison Stine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My reading interests sometimes gravitate towards the post-apocalyptic or dystopian types of books. Unfortunately, this one didn’t grab me as a good entry in the genre. The beginning of the book seemed solid enough. But as the story progressed it weakened for me.

The book is slow paced. When the characters are on the road although they seemed to be driving forever they didn’t get far. They story really bogged down here and took up nearly the rest of the book. The writing felt misleading. How fast were they going, or how often did they stop for gas? Maybe the small details aren’t needed but at times it felt like weeks and other days, it was very unclear, but certainly they should be going somewhere, unless it was in circles.

This was one of the areas that pulled me out of the story. The story wasn’t linear, it would look back to her friend or her mom and boyfriend, how thing used to be. Some of that expanded as we moved through the story but then other situations started to appear that felt like they were convenient for this novel, but not true to what the character development. I don’t want to give spoilers, but it didn’t ring fully true for me.

It got to the point where I did want the book to end and stopped caring what happened to our main characters. Yet I feel like it wasn’t a horribly written book, just not as good as it could have been. There’s a lot of potential that didn’t quite work out well.

One the bright side, if you read this during the heat it may help you feel cooler as this world is frozen over.

Book rating 2.5 stars, rounded up for the strong beginning and atmosphere.


Thanks to Harlequin/MIRA and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 155: Coffee

Coffee by Dinah Lenney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

upon finishing reading (Aug.19.2020): learned more about the author and her family than about coffee, yet well written....more thoughts soon. 

 

This book is one in a series called “Object Lessons” where the focus is on one object, this book is clearly enough about coffee. I love the idea of this series, and I have a few of the books checked out from the library, yet this is the first one I’ve actually read. I thought it would be more focused on coffee but instead it was more a meandering with the author’s life.

After reading the book I found that is actually within the scope of the series, so it was my misunderstanding. Okay, but still I did want a bit more about coffee than I did get here. I understand it isn’t to be fully comprehensive, there are other books for that. But even within the pages, Lenney tells us early on about a survey she sent out to people about coffee for writing this book but it seems to drop off early on and we didn’t get much out of that. It felt odd to bring it up so thoroughly yet not discuss it in details.

In any case the book is enjoyable, the writing decent. I liked the coffee diaries entries, and overall the light tone of the book.

Book rating: 3.5 stars

Thanks to Bloomsbury Academic and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 154: Leave the World Behind

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book had some interesting moments but overall I wasn’t a fan of the book.  It is certainly an AirBnB rental that doesn’t go well. It could be stuff of nightmares. Not only do the owners (so they say) show up late at night, but they bring bad news, something is going on out there. What, exactly, no one can say for certain. Being in a secluded area, no cell service or tv, it could be anything. Suggestions are made, a few alerts popped up before all information is cut off.  Yet, the book turns not so much as an apocalyptic but, a study into what does a family, or two, do when thrust in this odd situation.

Each character gets a moment of being the center focus of the omniscient narrator. It is smart and jabs at stereotypes, classism, racism, and stuff of everyday life. Things are revealed that none of the characters will ever know, at least in the confines of this novel. And yet it is the unknowing that pulls the story along.

The end I found unsatisfying and mediocre, somewhat how I felt through a large portion of the book. For myself it may be the genre or type of book this is, or trying to be, that isn’t what I’m much of a fan.

This book does feel like it will reach a wide audience and likely many will enjoy it much more than myself. I can recommend the book, if only for your own experience, to discover if this is what you like, or don’t.

 

I listened to the audio book and found the narrator handled the material very well. Her voice changed enough for character distinctions.  I would give the narration a 4.5 stars.


Thanks to Harper Audio and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Brief Review 153: The Toll

The Toll by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good third book, and satisfying conclusion to the series.

Previous books in Series: Arc of a Scythe:

• Book 1: Scythe - 4 stars
• Read June 18-20, 2018

• Book 2: Thunderhead - 5 stars
• Read February 27-March 03, 2020

Read all books in series via audio

Review 152: Migrations

Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is a bit of a mystery in this book, and it’s about our central character’s life, Franny Stone. What happened in her past? She is obsessed with birds and since nearly all are now gone, she has taken it upon herself to follow the Arctic Terns migration from the north to Antarctic.

Franny certainly has a penchant for swimming in icy cold oceans. In the first pages she jumps into the cold waters to rescue what looks to be a drowning man. And her luck is with her as he turns out to be a captain of the fishing boat she was looking to join.

The book is dark and bleak, with nearly the entirety of animals gone from this world. The story is told by going from present to past and various points in the past. I really loved the part where she and her husband meet and grow to know each other. Fanny is one who leaves, and gets that wandering from her family. Franny is never easy on herself, and it seems to come out even more during her sleep while sleepwalking she can do terrible things, or nearly.

Despite how difficult the book was to read at times I did enjoy it. The language had a feel of poetry and it drew me in right away. I wanted to know what happened with Franny, her past, her family, and slowly it was revealed. This is not a long book, but it is on that can stay with you long after reading.


Thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 151: People of the Canyons

People of the Canyons: A Novel of North America's Forgotten Past by Kathleen O'Neal Gear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is magic based and mostly concerned with evil, witches and the dead. The leader of the Straight Path nation is known as evil cannibal witch. He used terror, force and witchcraft to rule, but now is old, nearing death. He dispatches his daughter Blue Dove to find a wellpot claimed to hold his enemy Nightshade’s soul, hoping it will free him to travel to the afterlife. At the same time there is a battle with religion, the old and new, though that is more in the background of the story.

Blue Dove searches out Maicoh known to be a powerful witch killer, taker of souls. She finds a few elder healers, Tocho and Crane instead. Then an albino joins who claims to be Maicoh. Mixed in with these is a young orphan girl Tsilu, who wants to save her adopted grandfather Tocho as he is being marched back to the Flowing Waters Town, the center of the Straight Path nation.

Most of the book leads up to the events when the party arrives in Flowing Waters Town. This is also where I think the book is the weakest. And the ending leaves things very primed for a follow-up book.

While reading this book some of the characters and history felt familiar. None of the summaries I read mentioned this book being a continuation of others, but one reviewer did mention it is a continuation from the book People of the River, which is book 4 in the series. It probably would help to read that book first, but it is not necessary. If you read it a long time ago like me, then you may want to refresh your memory of the story.

For readers new to the series of books, I’m not sure this is the place to start. But since it is mostly a standalone book you won’t be lost. I think there were some stronger books in the series. I always enjoy these books by the Gears. This book did not disappoint, but not my favorite either.

Thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

This is the latest book in the series at number 26.
Previously I've read (more or less in order) books number 1 through 15.
All rated 4 or 5 stars.

Review 150: Slam

Slam by Lewis Shiner
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

For much of this book I kept asking myself, why am I reading this book? Somewhere I had a recommendation for the book, which became the hook. The book was short enough that I wanted to see where it would lead.

Dave is released out of prison as the book opens after serving six-months for evading taxes, not paying them, somewhat out of principle. Dave comes across as someone who just floats through life, see what happens next and doesn't have any ambition to speak of, and is running up to aged forty.

There is some weird stuff that happens, weird people show up, while Dave tries being a caretaker of 23 cats all in this one house. I found myself being reminded me of the movie Pulp Fiction, although this book really is completely different. I guess it was the odd stuff that kept happening. Dave hooks up with a grocery store clerk who is half his age, and squatting in an abandoned art house with a few other runaway skaters. Dave befriends one of them too.

Things seem full of despair in this story, but somehow Dave starts to do the right things, by some accounts. There is some philosophy about how to live, and society, and a couple other ideas that actually saves the book. Yet it comes so late in the book that it’s a slog to get there.

Review 149: The Refugees

The Refugees by Viet Thanh Nguyen
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars



The more books I read the less I enjoy short stories, so perhaps my rating is reflected in that aspect. And I would rate it closer to 3.5 stars. I never felt fully immersed in the stories, perhaps that is due to the format. The writing was decent, straight forward. Most of the stories had the theme of children and parents not getting each other, certainly common with immigrants and the next generation.

I listed to the audio book of this collection of short stories. I wasn't a fan of the narrator. Perhaps that did sway my overall rating for this book, but doubtful. Generally I can pay attention to the words, what is being said and not have the narration effect the book itself. Although a good narrator does enhance!  That said, I do not books that start out with ghosts.

Review 148: Greenwood

Greenwood by Michael Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Somewhere in the early part of the book this book was reminiscent of a book I read last year, The Overstory by Richard Powers. Well, soon enough turned out I was mistaken, this book isn’t about trees in that way, with eco-activists and fighting for the trees, although one of the main characters does do direct actions to save trees. Powers book was also a bit more scattered with many stories within, and while this book also has many stories, it’s also more linear and cohesive.

This book is surrounded by trees, it is the subtext, the backdrop, the way all the characters survive, but each has a different approach to the trees. One rails against those cutting them down, while her father was the one doing the cutting. There’s a scientist studying the trees, and another creates thing from the wood.

And yet the book is really about family, and orphans. The opening pages have an image of a cut tree with the rings, with dates attached. This is also the framing of the book, which works great. Each year listed we visit in the book, starting with the future point at 2038, then going back to 1908, stopping along the way at specific years, then going back forward and ending with 2038. The bulk of the book rests in 1934. I like the layers and how the different time periods play upon each other, the years as rings as in a tree.

I enjoyed this book, despite all the bad decisions that the various characters seem to make. I liked the way the family is explored and revealed.

Review 147: The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley

The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley by Malcolm X and Alex Haley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Incredible, powerful book. 

Despite it being a book written 55 years ago, it is an excellent read for these times, unfortunately. Too much has remained the same, and much of what Malcolm X says is still true and valid. For instance, the economic situation has been rigged against Black Americans to gain any economic progress. He pointed out even in Harlem how few businesses were black owned.  Although what he is most known for is more sensational statements. What may not be understood is how he was changing his views as more knowledge was learned.

Reading alongside the climate of today makes you realize, sadly, how little has really changed since the 60s. What would Malcolm's views been if he was able to live decades longer? How ironic that he was killed teaching what he strongly believed in, echoing his father's death. Malcolm was left without a father at aged six, his oldest child about the same age.

READING PROGRESS

June 14, 2020 – Started Reading

June 15, 2020 – page 12 - 2.28%
June 16, 2020 – page 41 - 7.78%
June 17, 2020 – page 74 - 14.04%
June 18, 2020 – page 103 - 19.54%
June 19, 2020 – page 133 - 25.24%
June 23, 2020 – page 146 - 27.7%
June 24, 2020 – page 179 - 33.97%
June 25, 2020 – page 195 - 37.0%
June 29, 2020 – page 306 - 58.06%
June 30, 2020 – page 338 - 64.14%
July 1, 2020 – page 384 - 72.87%
July 2, 2020 – page 406 - 77.04%
July 3, 2020 – page 429 - 81.4%
July 5, 2020 – Finished Reading

Review 146: The End of the River

The End of the River by Simon Winchester
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a long essay, or a mini-book. A novella length if this was fiction. The writing style of Winchester’s in this piece is splendid, particularly in the beginning pages. The essays tell us the history of man engineering the Mississippi River and what the future may hold for it. The engineering and taming of this massive river is ultimately going to end in failure, according to Winchester. Perhaps the plans for the nearby Red River and Atchafalaya can be engineered enough, built quickly enough, to take enough of the pressure off the Mississippi to avoid complete disaster.

There are a few images that show the various versions of the Mississippi alongside the Red River with the various stages. The old 16th century natural flows, then how it naturally changed by the 19th century. This is when mankind started to muck about and change the flow.

It is an enjoyable read of history of engineering of the river. I would have liked a longer work as well, adding in more history of the region; although as it stands now it is enough. It is short enough that it could be read in one sitting (but I didn’t). This wasn’t my first read of Winchester, but it reminded me of his writing and the other books I have awaiting my attention.

Thanks to Scribd Originals and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book. 

Review 145: Roadside Americans

Roadside Americans: The Rise and Fall of Hitchhiking in a Changing Nation by Jack Reid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book provides an insight to economic conditions and sentiments towards self-reliance, leisure, community versus individualism, within the context of hitchhiking.

I must admit I was surprised at how the author connected the overall sentiments of the country with hitchhiking, but the premise is valid and certainly explains the rise and fall of the popularity.

During times of economic scarcity, many people relied on hitchhiking as a valid mode of transportation. Drivers understood the need of hitching and in the cooperation of social good, picked up strangers standing by the side of the road. During WWII some towns built stations for soldiers looking for rides to and from base, so they could get rides without violating the military policy of not hitchhiking.

Even during times of prosperity college students and well dressed men were the most likely to be picked up. During the turbulent 60s more women attempted to get rides, but frequently found unwanted sexual advances, particularly when travelling alone. The 60s also brought in a new style of dress from the younger aged hitchhikers that resembled the itinerant travelers that a typical driver would avoid picking up. But the thumb trippers often found rides from fellow hippies, so the practice was common.

The 1980s brought in more self-reliance and individualism with a strong focus on materialism, which meant young people were more interested in owning their own car than the unreliability of hitching rides. Combining law enforcement curtailing the practice with new laws against hitchhiking, and a strong focus on the danger aspect of strangers, hitchhiking was nearly stamped out.

This was a good book on the rise and decline of hitchhiking. There are personal stories along with newspaper accounts of individual’s experience of getting around for free. The chapters were arranged by time periods, starting out with the Great Depression era of 1928–1940. The epilogue dealt with today, comparing ride sharing with hitchhiking as people jump into cars driven by strangers.

The biggest disappointment for the book was the repetition. The introduction could almost have stood for the entire book, while each chapter goes into more depth. The book is an academic overview of a nearly lost mode of transportation. If anyone has any interest in the topic, the book is recommended.

3.5 stars, rounded down for all the repetition.

Thanks to University of North Carolina Press and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 144: The Lions of Fifth Avenue

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is told between two alternating time lines, around 1913 and 1993, and both take place around the New York Public Library. The early time line is when the library first opens, with Jack and Laura Lyons with their two children live in an apartment inside the library. Jack’s job is superintendent of the library and one of the perks is the apartment. Jack also is writing a novel, and Laura also has ambitions and joins the Columbia University School of Journalism.

In the more modern time we have Sadie Donovan who happens to be Jack and Laura’s granddaughter, and she works with the Berg Collection at the New York Public Library. Sadie is divorced and her relationships with men take up some part of her story, along with her family, an older brother, his wife and their kid.

There are many similarities between the two time periods, one of which is rare books are going missing from the library and no one can figure out how. Once Sadie learns the same happened during her grandparents time at the library, she wonders if they two are connected, and she becomes wrapped up in solving this mystery.

The frame of the book with the alternating time lines is the style of the author. It works well, and in this book the pacing is well done. Each time line leaves at a moment when you really want to know what happens next. There are some unexpected moments and of course some coincidences. I enjoyed this book and found it a good diversion, with a wonderful backdrop of a story.

Really enjoyed this book.

Thanks to Dutton Books/Penguin Group and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.