A Million Things
by Emily Spurr
A seemingly "small story" about a million things (5/1/2021)
I loved this book about unthinkable abandonment and how that feels to a 10 year old with an "old soul." The fragile and oddly reliable relationships were completely real to me, even though it was all from Rae's perspective. On occasion It seems a bit unrealistic for a 10 year old to be so mature and capable, but then I thought again and remembered how much some kids deal with. Spurr's storytelling drew me in from the very beginning, and her portraits of people were comforting, despite everything. A number of flawed people, but no human demons. The book is a quick read, though I did not want to rush it, and let it unfold at its own pace.
For dog lovers, Splinters is a gem.
The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Already recommending to many friends! (2/4/2021)
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict was a page turner for me, and I loved every page. Somehow this author included history, art, race and identity, social norms, family ties and secrets in this great story. The backdrop of the developing Pierpont Morgan Library and brewing World War adds to the fascination. I seldom see an author cover so many themes so well in one book. Belle da Costa Greene was an extraordinary figure for many reasons, yet I had never heard of her. I am glad this very readable piece of historical fiction introduced me to her. A final word of praise: I really appreciated the author's note at the end describing how closely she incorporated known history, where she altered a few minor points and how she filled in the missing parts of the story Belle never revealed.
The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World: A Novel
by Laura Imai Messina
Spare writing that goes straight to the heart (12/17/2020)
This book was a gentle and irresistible invitation for me to inhabit the world of two very likeable Japanese adults who are grieving their losses from the 2011 tsunami. This author conveys their pain without insisting that the reader feel horrible, and allows us to root for the magic of the phone booth at the end of the world.
I appreciated that the book focused on Yui and Takeshi, without straying too far into the lives of the people closest to them. For me, this provided a clean and simpler focus that enhanced the story and inner lives of Yui and Takeshi.
This is not a story about a tsunami and the country it ravaged, it is really the story of grieving individuals, stumbling toward hope and supported by a unique and spiritual place.
The Thirty Names of Night
by Zeyn Joukhadar
This might be several different novels (8/15/2020)
Joukhadar creates beautiful and haunting scenes throughout this tale of three generations of Syrian-Americans. Blending immigration, ornithology and sexual identity is an unusual mix, and it mostly worked. The overall storytelling was where the book lost me.
I wanted to like this book more, but it fell short for me. There is a lot going on and the pace did not carry me along, keeping me engaged. The build-up to the concluding events dragged too much for me, without the enjoyment of heightening anticipation. The author creates a world for the stories main characters across the generations, and keeps within that rather narrow world. It seems quite narrow even for an immigrant community story, and I was not sure that this would be that satisfying even for Syrian-Americans eager to read stories related to the Syrian experience in New York and the upper Midwest. Perhaps the story of accepting one's own sexual identity—and supporting others in their own quest- will be the story that appeals to more readers.
The Smallest Lights in the Universe: A Memoir
by Sara Seager
Widowhood and astrophysics make a compelling read (7/21/2020)
I dd not expect to like this book as much as I did, and worried that it might be too manipulative and/or too scientific. The author actually found a balance that worked and keep everything quite readable. Someone who is rather extraordinary in several ways has written a memoir that made me empathize with her struggles and admire her professional perseverance in a scientific field I knew very little about that she describes poetically. (I still know very little about astrophysics, but a bit more!) Although the author was quite candid about many experiences, which is expected in a memoir, this is not one of those dramatic reveal-all confessionals. It is well written book about an unusual person's story.
The Stone Girl: A Novel
by Dirk Wittenborn
Murder and so much more (4/7/2020)
I enjoyed this book ,and it would have been a great read even if I did not need a good distraction during a long period of self-quarantining! Believable characters and many plot twists in wild scenarios—but somehow, not entirely preposterous. Good writing to create a sense of place and just enough history to provide good context the present dramas in the story. This story is about love, friendship, revenge, justice, fear, power—all the makings of a great read. Eve Quimby is a likeable protagonist, and I was rooting for her from the start.
I would definitely recommend this to people who like a good mystery, and perhaps need a good beach read. I had the luxury of being able to stay up late reading to complete is rather quickly, which I did. The 5-star review is in reference to books of this genre.
The Mountains Sing
by Nguyen Phan Que Mai
Family and the civil war in Vietnam (1/19/2020)
It seems odd to note that a book about such painful events is "easy to read," but this poet, essayist and novelist tells her characters' story with clarity and beautiful language. Nguyen Phan Qu Mai protects the reader from the pain of her story more than some authors do when telling the story of civil war and family losses, as she focuses more on human resilience and kindness in the face of brutality.
I found one passage in the middle of the book that seemed to capture the intent of this novel as it blended the stories of a family and a country. Dieu Lan is telling her granddaughter, Huong, more family history: "We're forbidden to talk about the events that relate to past mistakes or the wrongdoing of those in power, for they give themselves the right to rewrite history. But you're old enough to know that history will write itself in people's memories, and as long as those memories live on, we can have faith that we can do better."
It was refreshing to read about the Vietnam war in a story where the Americans were a relatively minor backdrop to personal stories of a family torn apart by the civil war in Vietnam. The story covers a relatively long time span, providing a rich historical context. Read if you are interested in Vietnam from a Vietnamese writer's perspective.
The Sun Down Motel
by Simone St. James
Ghosts and suspense worthy of late night reading (10/28/2019)
I would have been happy if this was just a good mystery to read between some heavier documentaries. This was much better and fun to read. The author makes some old themes fresher again: small towns and their secrets, adults who disappoint the children in their care, and ghosts giving us warnings. The suspense got me from the start and pulled me into the small world of Fell, NY, past and present. I appreciated the uncluttered writing style that did not give away clues too easily or create red herrings.
I would recommend this to those who like mysteries, and readers young and old. My book groups would probably find this too "light" for good discussion, but my beach buddies will enjoy it next summer. I am already looking for Simone St James' earlier works.
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