‘Kidnap’ Book Review

First and foremost, true crime is not a genre that I gravitate towards. This book was a gift and I am willing to give any genre a go! ‘Kidnap’ started out strong. The writing style begins as narrative nonfiction really immersing you into the story. The sections of the crime and investigation were fascinating and intriguing. Theories were constantly changing.

Once the investigators think they have caught the suspect we then go into the longest part of the book, the trial. I am someone that courtroom scenes typically go over my head. That stayed true here. The writing style suddenly changed for this section. The pacing was no longer fast but slow. It went from a narrative style to tedious dialogue. These chapters in this section would go on for thirty pages, again, it was tedious and confusing. I would get lost in the dialogue. That being said, I dreaded picking up the book at this stage. The majority of the book I was dreading.

I do think this case was what laid the stones on how kidnapping and missing persons cases are now handled in the modern age. At this later date, it is so easy to see where things went wrong. It seems as though a lot was learned from the handling of the case of the Linbergh baby to help children and families in the present and future. I do not strongly recommend this book but this isn’t typically my kind of story.

2.5 out of 5 stars.

‘Horse’ Book Review

“Horse” by Geraldine Brooks is a historical novel that intertwines multiple narratives across different time periods, centering around the life of a remarkable thoroughbred racehorse named Lexington. The story explores themes of art, history, and the bond between humans and animals, particularly through the perspectives of various characters, including a 19th-century painter, a contemporary art curator, and a young Black man in the present day. Through the lens of Lexington’s legacy, Brooks delves into issues of race, class, and the complexities of love and ambition, ultimately showcasing how the past continues to shape the present. The novel highlights the intersection of personal and collective histories, revealing deeper truths about society and the human experience.

These characters could have been so much more. We are first introduced to our characters in the modern plotline in 2019. They really didn’t bring anything new to me. Yes, they are interesting roles, as one is a scientist at the Smithsonian and the other is a PhD student. However, there is a lack of emotional connection to these characters, and I found them to be quite irritating by the time the novel is over. As for the historical characters, I really wish the bond between man and animal, specifically between Jarrett and Lexington, had been deeper; there would’ve been more depth there. Again, it lacked emotional connection.

I did really enjoy the atmosphere of going through all these different time periods, with our main focus being the ones in the 1800s and then in 2019. You can really tell that the author did her research on the locations and historical figures involved. I don’t have anything strong to say about the writing; it was fine, but this was incredibly slow to get through, making it a very slow-paced book.

I love the idea of this plot, how all the storylines across centuries are connected to one another. They’re all linked by this one horse, one of the greatest racehorses of all time. How could an author screw that up? Well, they managed to create a slow-paced and boring book with characters lacking emotional depth. My favorite plotline was personally the one about how the painting was connected to the story. However, this is the one that we saw the least of on the page. As I stated before, the slowness really made me bored, and the book was lacking intrigue. I have to mention that the last 50 pages of this book are so bizarre; the author really wants to hone in on our current times of police brutality and COVID. Those are important topics and do need to be addressed in fiction, but I don’t think this book was the place to do it. This was a fine book, but it was overall lacking in many categories and did not live up to my five-star expectations of it.

3 out of 5 stars.

‘Symptomatic’ Book Review

“”Symptomatic” by Danzy Senna is a psychological thriller that delves into themes of identity, race, and belonging. The novel follows an unnamed biracial woman who, after securing a prestigious fellowship in New York City, moves into a new apartment and starts a promising relationship. However, her life begins to unravel when she meets an older, enigmatic woman named Greta Hicks, who is also biracial and works at the same magazine.

Greta becomes increasingly obsessed with the protagonist, seeing her as a mirror of herself and projecting her own insecurities and experiences onto her. As their relationship intensifies, the protagonist finds herself drawn into Greta’s unsettling world, leading to a series of chilling events that challenge her sense of self and safety.

Senna’s narrative is a gripping exploration of the complexities of racial identity and the psychological impact of feeling perpetually out of place. “Symptomatic” is a suspenseful and thought-provoking novel that examines the intersection of personal and societal issues with masterful tension and insight.”

These character dynamics were extremely intriguing. We have a nameless narrator, which is always fun. I love to unravel why the person remains nameless and how we can get into the head of said person without even having their name. It’s always interesting when an author can do that. However, the story really picked up when the character of Greta was introduced. Both women are in similar circumstances as they are both mixed race, but they experience those circumstances completely differently. We will talk more about that when we get to the plot of the story. This book is for those who love the unhinged woman trope, but this is from the perspective of the friend of the unhinged woman, and I’ve never read anything like that. If you like unhinged women and weird girl books, I would definitely recommend picking up this book.

The atmosphere was 1990s New York City. I always like the 90s and early 00s for New York. It always feels nostalgic for me, even though I wasn’t necessarily there. I think it has to do with a lot of movies and TV shows I watched as a child taking place in New York City, so there’s a bit of a magical feeling. The story does not feel magical, even though I had ideas of how to make this magical realism, but that’s irrelevant.

The writing was good. It was fast-paced and easy to read. However, at times, there were really weird and vulgar descriptions that made me double-take what I was reading.

Now we are back to the plot. The main theme of the story is racial identity. This book was published in 2004 and takes place in the early 1990s, but I still think the story remains relevant 20 years later here in 2024. Both of the main characters come from mixed-race families. Greta is somebody who I think is very lost, mainly about her race, not fitting in with the Black community and not fitting in with the white community. She’s somebody that would very much latch onto labels, wanting to label herself. I think it stems from Greta wanting to feel a part of something.

In contrast, our main character, the nameless narrator, seems more go-with-the-flow. She didn’t really care about her race as much. There is also a big age gap between these two women, with Greta having grown up and been in her 20s during the 1960s civil rights movement. I think that may be why she cared more about race than our main character.

Regarding the main twist towards the end of the book, I would have liked a little more explanation on that. It was lacking some logic. The story was intriguing throughout, but it’s not one that I loved, though it was thought-provoking.

These character dynamics were extremely intriguing. If you like unhinged women and weird girl books, I would definitely recommend picking up this book.The atmosphere was 1990s New York City. The writing was good.However, at times, there were really weird and vulgar descriptions that made me double-take what I was reading. The main theme of the story is racial identity. The story was intriguing throughout, but it’s not one that I loved, though it was thought-provoking. This was a good book and I would recommend picking it up if you are inclined to do so.

3.25 out of 5 stars.

‘Nightcrawling’ Book Review

“Kiara and her brother, Marcus, are scraping by in an East Oakland apartment complex optimistically called the Regal-Hi. Both have dropped out of high school, their family fractured by death and prison. But while Marcus clings to his dream of rap stardom, Kiara hunts for work to pay their rent–which has more than doubled–and to keep the nine-year-old boy next door, abandoned by his mother, safe and fed.

One night, what begins as a drunken misunderstanding with a stranger turns into the job Kiara never imagined wanting but now desperately needs: nightcrawling. Her world breaks open even further when her name surfaces in an investigation that exposes her as a key witness in a massive scandal within the Oakland Police Department.”

Kiara is a character that you can root for. She is finally realizing that she has to stand up for herself after years of trying to help others around her, that she herself is also important. Even if she is coming to terms with this, she is still constantly trying to be of help to those that she loves. How can you not want what is right for her? Marcus, her older brother, has been the caregiver for Kiara since the abandonment of their parents, but he too, is wanting to do something for himself after all these years. The two siblings go about it in totally different ways. Kiara is a realist and Marcus is a dreamer. If you are someone who loves to read about familial dynamics, this is a book for you.

The atmosphere is gritty, that of a truly American city. It depicts the life that so many Americans are living, a reality that many people don’t even want to think about. The setting is East Oakland, California, where so many people are just trying to get by every day, to survive.

The writing was the first thing that stood out to me as I flipped through and read the first few pages of the novel. It features beautiful prose that is full of metaphors and vivid scenes. Some chapters read like poetry, even through truly brutal scenes. However, after the first third of the story, the momentum did start to fall back, and scenes began to get repetitive. It was not enough of a hindrance to my reading experience, but it’s worth mentioning and something that I can see the author improving on as her literary career takes off.

This is truly a story of survival in the modern sense of the word: doing whatever it takes to keep a roof over your head and food in your belly. It’s a rough read that will make your jaw drop and make you need to take a breather every so often. Then, you have to realize there are likely hundreds of thousands of people living this story every day. It is a lot to take in, in less than 300 pages. Other themes included are finding yourself, the modern iteration of the American dream, police misconduct, and poverty. I love that in the author’s note, Leila Mottley, mentions hearing stories similar to Kiara’s in the news but she wanted to create “a world beyond the headline, and for readers to have access to this world”. Such a powerful way of showing what is truly happening beyond what the media portrays, and that everyone has a story and reasoning for why they did something that you might find as shameful. Please know the full story before making a judgment of a person.

Kiara is a character that you can root for. If you are someone who loves to read about familial dynamics, this is a book for you. The atmosphere is gritty, that of a truly American city.The setting is East Oakland, California, where so many people are just trying to get by every day, to survive. The writing was the first thing that stood out to me as I flipped through and read the first few pages of the novel. t was not enough of a hindrance to my reading experience, but it’s worth mentioning and something that I can see the author improving on as her literary career takes off. This is truly a story of survival in the modern sense of the word: doing whatever it takes to keep a roof over your head and food in your belly. Please know the full story before making a judgment of a person. A new favorite book for me.

5 out 5 stars.

‘The Four Winds’ Book Review

“In this uncertain and dangerous time, Elsa Martinelli—like so many of her neighbors—must make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or go west, to California, in search of a better life. The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American Dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation.”

Elsa is the strongest character that I have read in a while. Her character development and journey were fantastically done. In the earlier parts of the book, she was so relatable. I am honestly stunned and left with not a lot of words as I sit here and think of the journey we went on with her character. However, there was one character who ruined the whole book for me: Loreda. When she was first introduced in the story, she was fine; I had no strong feelings towards her. As the book progressed, she only displayed negative traits. Sure, she was courageous and determined, but the bad outweighed the good here. I felt angry reading from her perspective and seeing her make things even harder for herself. In Hannah’s previous works, they left me with a gut punch. ‘The Nightingale’ was the first ever book to make me cry and also an all-time favorite book. This one, while the journeys of the characters did make me feel slightly emotional, was nothing like her previous works.

At first, I did not notice how great the atmosphere of ‘The Four Winds’ was, not until my friend pointed it out to me. The atmosphere of this book is literally hell. The scenes of the Dust Bowl left me feeling anxious and claustrophobic. When we got to the Great Depression, it left me with a feeling of despair.

The writing is what I don’t have a lot to say about. Its style or prose was just average. I had no feeling towards that aspect whatsoever.

There were so many themes presented in this novel, and they are another reason that I loved it. There is the theme of motherhood and the instincts that come along with that role. I even think this book is relevant in comparison to the modern-day border crisis. The way that so many people dehumanize immigrants, it’s awful, and this book really made me realize that even more. The main theme here is dreams: the American dream and all its variations. We see that dream in the sense of Hollywood and New York City, wanting a life like the stars. Other characters dream of basic things like love and family, things we need in life. Even more, like the Martinellis, they dream of having a better life in America than they did in Sicily, for their son and grandchildren to have the opportunities that they didn’t, like going to school. This is such a thought-provoking and reflective book. It would be a great choice for a book club so that the readers can discuss the themes.

This one, the journeys of the characters did make me feel slightly emotional but nothing like her previous works did. At first, I did not notice how great the atmosphere of ‘The Four Winds’ was, not until my friend pointed it out to me. Its style or prose was just average. It would be a great choice for a book club so that the readers can discuss the themes. I loved this book but it will not be an all time favorite for me like the other works of this author.

3.85 out of 5 stars.

‘Kindred’ Reader’s Guide Answers

Both Kevin and Dana know that they can’t change history: “We’re in the middle of history. We surely can’t change it.” (page100); and “It’s over . . . There’s nothing you can do to change any of it now.” (page 264). What, then, are the purposes of Dana’ s travels back to the antebellum South? Why must you, the reader, experience this journey with Dana? – I think this book was probably really eye-opening at the time (1979) in showing the brutality of slavery, and how naive the modern population is, and that we shouldn’t forget our history and where our nation came from.
How would the story have been different with a third person narrator? – I do not think the story would have been different with a third-person narrator. Personally, I prefer third person, but I believe the same points would still have been conveyed.
Many of the characters within Kindred resist classification. In what ways does Dana explode the slave stereotypes? In what ways does she transcend them? – Dana transcends these roles by teaching and educating the other slaves. I believe it’s the magic of her ability to time travel, while the others cannot, that ultimately leaves a sense of wonder and raises questions about her.
Despite Dana’s conscious effort to refuse the ‘mammy’ role in the Weylin household, she finds herself caught within it: “I felt like Sarah, cautioning.” (page 156), and others see her as the mammy: “You sound just like Sarah” (page 159). How, if at all, does Dana reconcile this behavior? How would you reconcile it? – I do not think Dana reconciles her conscious efforts with her behavior. I never really noticed this behavior to begin with. I don’t think I would reconcile them. I would just continue to live my life not caring what others thought.
I do think that in the 21st century, we still have conditioned responses to slavery because of what people have been taught in school for so long. Many people don’t really care for history; they just acknowledge that ‘yes, this is bad,’ but they don’t truly realize the brutality of it.
How do you think Butler confronts us with issues of difference in Kindred? How does she challenge us to consider boundaries of black/white, master/slave, husband/wife, past/present? What other differences does she convolute? Do you think such dichotomies are flexible? Artificial? Useful? – Butler challenges us to consider the boundaries between the people in the story by showing the complex relationships between all of the characters. As for other differences, I think it really shows the differences in time periods and how far we have come as a country, but also how there are still a lot of the same stigmas.
Compare Tom Weylin and Rufus Weylin. Is Rufus an improvement or simply an alteration of his father? Where, if any, is there evidence of Dana’s influence on the young Rufus in his adult character? – I don’t think there really can be an improvement between Rufus and his father. Both were awful, and both did terrible things. I do think you can see hints of Dana’s influence on Rufus, mainly in regards to his children, but I won’t go into too much detail, as I don’t want to spoil the story.
Of the slaves’ attitude toward Rufus, Dana observes “Strangely, they seemed to like him, hold him in contempt, and fear him at the same time.” (page 229) How is it they can feel these contradictory emotions? How would you feel toward Rufus if you were in their situation? – I couldn’t feel these contradictory emotions. I don’t think any of the slave characters seemed to like Rufus. I think they all thought he was a bit of a pest and annoying, and I would feel just like them. I would hate him too if I were in their situation.
Compare Dana’s ‘professional’ life (i.e. her work as temporary help) in the present with her life as a slave. – Dana’s professional life in the present, with her riding, allows her to do something she wants to do. She gets to choose her job, so obviously it is way better than her life as a slave.
When Dana and Kevin return from the past together, she thinks to herself: “I felt as though I were losing my place here in my own time. Rufus’s time was a sharper, stronger reality.” (page 191) Why would the twentieth century seem less vivid to Dana than the past? – I think the 20th century will seem less vivid to Dana than the 19th century because it was so brutal in the past, and people were just trying to survive. In the 20th century, they had the pleasure of doing what they wanted. They had freedom.
Dana loses her left arm as she emerges—for the last time in the novel—from the past. Why is this significant? – From what the author has said, this is significant because everybody came away from slavery broken. Even today you can still see the impact it had on society . In how it divided people.
Kevin is stranded in the past five years, while Dana is there for almost one. Is there a reason why Butler felt Kevin needed to stay in the past so much longer? How have their experiences affected their relationship to each other and to the world around them? – I saw Butler felt the need to have Kevin stay in the past so much longer than Dana, so he could truly understand the experience that she was going through because for a white man it was easier tremendously easier than to be a black woman in the 19th century, I think it definitely affected their relationship to each other, because of how different the mentality and morals were of the past.
A common trend in the time-travels of science fiction assumes that one should not tamper with the past, lest s/he disrupt the present. Butler’s characters obviously ignore this theory and continue to invade each other’s lives. How does this influence the movement of the narrative? How does this convolute the idea of ’cause and effect’? – This influences the movement of the narrative by characters, not having to be scared or constantly having to have the same train of thought to me. It did not convolute the idea of cause-and-effect at all.
Dana finds herself caught in the middle of the relationship between Rufus and Alice? Why does Rufus use Dana to get to Alice? Does Alice use Dana? – Rufus uses Dana to get to Alice because he sees them as the same woman he doesn’t see them as their own person so he thinks that Dana thinks like Alice does I would say Alice does use Dana as well because she knows that Dana have some kind of holdover Rufus, because of her abilities to travel through time.
The needs and well-being of other residents of the plantation create a web of obligation that is difficult to navigate. Choose a specific incident; and determine who holds power over whom and assess how it affects that situation. – I think Dana holds a lot of obligation because she ultimately knows what will happen in history to all of these people maybe not individually but as a whole.
Dana states: “It was that destructive single-minded love of his. He loved me. Not the way he loved Alice, thank God. He didn’t seem to want to sleep with me. But he wanted me around—someone to talk to, someone who would listen to him and care about what he said, care about it.” (page 180) How does the relationship between Dana and Rufus develop? How does it change? What are the different levels of love portrayed in Kindred? – The relationship between Dana and Rufus develops of her, taking care of him after all his near death experiences, and that they hold each others lives in their hands in a sense, but like any relationship, you can grow tired of the other person just from constant neglect of the relationship and I think you can really see that here all different levels of lover portrayed in Kindred, romantic family. There are so many complex relationships in the story.
Discuss the ways in which the title encapsulates the relationships within the novel. Is it ironic? Literal? Metaphorical? What emphasis do we place on our own kinship? How does it compare with that of the novel? – I think the title is ironic, literal and metaphorical. You can take it in any way you want; literature is art and it’s meant to be interpreted by the reader. I’m not sure how it compares with that of the novel; it’s something that I would definitely have to think about.
Do you believe that Dana and Kevin’s story actually happened to them, or that they simply got caught up in the nostalgia of moving old papers and books? – I do believe that Dana and Kevin story actually happen because it is us too far out to get caught up in nostalgia, examining old papers and books.
Butler opens the novel with the conclusion of Dana’s time travels. The final pages of the book, however, make up an epilogue demonstrating a, once again, linearly progressive movement of time. How does the epilogue serve to disrupt the rhythm of the narrative? – I do not think the epilogue serves to disrupt the rhythm of the narrative. I thought it fit in with the story perfectly as the characters were getting closure on the events that they went through.
After returning from his years in the nineteenth-century, Kevin had attained “a slight accent” (page 190). Is this `slight’ alteration symbolic of greater changes to come? How do you imagine Kevin and Dana’s relationship will progress following their re-emergence into life in 1976? – I do think this alteration is symbolic of greater chances change is to come I think that being in the past for so long definitely did change Kevin’s mentality how I imagined Kevin and Dana‘s relationship of progress following reentry to life in 1976 I can see them staying as a couple because they went through this incredible traumatic journey together, but also how the mentalities were impacted as I keep saying I don’t know if it would be good for them to stay together or not.

January Book Haul

In 2024, I am allowing myself to buy as many books as I read the month before. In January, that number is eleven. However, you will see more than eleven books included. Why is that? I did receive one gift, aka I did not buy that book, and all my Book of the Month subscription books will only count as one. Let’s get into the haul!

Jezebel by Megan Barnard

When Jezebel learns she can’t be a king like her father simply because she’s a girl, she vows never to become someone’s decorative wife, nameless and lost to history. At fifteen she’s married off, despite her protests, to Prince Ahab of Israel. There, she does what she must to gain power and remake the dry and distant kingdom in the image of her beloved, prosperous seaside homeland of Tyre, beginning by building temples to the gods she grew up worshipping. As her initiatives usher in an era of prosperity for Israel, her new subjects love her, and her name rings through the land.

I picked up ‘Jezebel’ at Barnes and Noble. It caught my attention after reading ‘The Red Tent,’ a book I loved in 2023. I wanted to add more biblical retellings to my TBR list!

The Prospectors by Ariel Djanikian

Bringing the Klondike and turn-of-the-century California to vivid life, Ariel Djanikian weaves an ambitious narrative of claiming the American Dream and its rippling effects across generations. Sweeping and awe-inspiring, The Prospectors is an unforgettable story of family loyalties that interrogates the often-overlooked hostilities and inequities born during the Gold Rush era.

I’ll be honest; the cover drew me in when I saw the sun reflecting on the gold at Barnes and Noble. Upon opening the book, I discovered it’s a family saga with two timelines, and of course, I was sold. Funny thing is, I had no idea this was on my ‘want to read’ list on Goodreads! I guess I know my taste well.

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

Ireland is falling apart. The country is in the grip of a government turning towards tyranny and when her husband disappears, Eilish finds herself caught within the nightmare logic of a society that is quickly unravelling.

This is the book I set out to buy on my Barnes and Noble trip. I aim to read as many Booker Prize-nominated books as possible. The bonus here is that it’s a dystopian novel with an Irish setting!

Flight of Icarus by Caitlin Schneiderhan

Recording costs money. Money Eddie doesn’t have. But he’s willing to do whatever it takes, even if that means relying on his dad. Al Munson has just stumbled back into Eddie’s life with another dubious scheme up his sleeve, and yet Eddie knows this is his only option to make enough dough in enough time. It’s a risk, but if it pays off he will finally have a one-way ticket out of Hawkins.

This one caught me by surprise. I had no idea this book existed until it popped up on Amazon one day. Having read all the other Stranger Things books and generally enjoyed them, I’ll be continuing the series with this one. My expectations aren’t high, as it seems like this book may be more of a fan service for Joseph Quinn fans. However, I hope I’m wrong and end up enjoying it!

Elvis and Me by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley

Decades after his death, millions of fans continue to worship Elvis the legend. But very few knew him as Elvis the man. Here in her own words, Priscilla Presley tells the story of their love, revealing the details of their first meeting, their marriage, their affairs, their divorce, and the unbreakable bond that has remained long after his tragic death.

In late December, I watched the movie ‘Priscilla,’ which is based on this book. It was an alright film, but I believe the book will offer much more insight into Priscilla’s life!

The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

A dazzling magical realism western in the vein of Cormac McCarthy meets Gabriel García Márquez,The Bullet Swallower follows a Mexican bandido as he sets off for Texas to save his family, only to encounter a mysterious figure who has come, finally, to collect a cosmic debt generations in the making.

We’ve reached the Book of the Month books. This one was my January pick. I’m a fan of a good western and family saga. Plus, being compared to Gabriel García Márquez – need I say more?

Mercury by Amy Jo Burns

The Joseph brothers become Marley’s whole world before she can blink. Soon, she is young wife to one, The One Who Got Away to another, and adopted mother to them all. As their own mother fades away and their roofing business crumbles under the weight of their unwieldy father’s inflated ego, Marley steps in to shepherd these unruly men. Years later, an eerie discovery in the church attic causes old wounds to resurface and suddenly the family’s survival hangs in the balance. With Marley as their light, the Joseph brothers must decide whether they can save the family they’ve always known—or whether together they can build something stronger in its place.

I noticed that ‘Mercury’ is set in the 1990s. I love books from that time period; they always evoke a sense of nostalgia for me. Being a nostalgia chaser, I couldn’t say no to this ‘historical’ novel.

The End of October by Lawerence Wright

At an internment camp in Indonesia, forty-seven people are pronounced dead with acute hemorrhagic fever. When epidemiologist Henry Parsons travels there on behalf of the World Health Organization to investigate, what he finds will have staggering repercussions. Halfway across the globe, the deputy director of U.S. Homeland Security scrambles to mount a response to the rapidly spreading pandemic leapfrogging around the world, which she believes may be the result of an act of biowarfare. And a rogue experimenter in man-made diseases is preparing his own terrifying solution.

In January, I focused on reading science fiction so I did want to buy more of those as my stack has dwindled. One of my favorite sci-fi tropes is pandemic fiction. And then I lived that in real life… that only makes it more fun (?) to compare how a pandemic is on paper versus in person.

Cataclysm by Lydia Kang

After five years of conflict, the planets Eiram and E’ronoh are on the cusp of real peace. But when news breaks of a disaster at the treaty signing on Jedha, violence reignites on the beleaguered worlds. Together, the royal heirs of both planets—Phan-tu Zenn and Xiri A’lbaran—working alongside the Jedi, have uncovered evidence that the conflict is being orchestrated by outside forces, and all signs point to the mysterious Path of the Open Hand, whom the Jedi also suspect of causing the disaster on Jedha.

As mentioned earlier, I delved into a lot of sci-fi in January, and one of those books happened to be ‘Convergence,’ the prequel to this one. I’m determined to do a better job at getting through series instead of letting the plot fade and the book sit there for years. Here’s to doing better in 2024!

City of Dreams by Beverly Swerling

In what will be the greatest city in the New World, the fortunes of these two families are inextricably entwined by blood and fire in an unforgettable American saga of pride and ambition, love and hate, and the becoming of the dream that is New York City.

It’s pretty obvious that I love big chunky historical novels. This is the first book of a series, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to go down that rabbit hole. I found it at a used bookstore called Books and Moore in Calabash, North Carolina.

The Physical Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

A spellbinding, beautifully written novel that moves between contemporary times and one of the most fascinating and disturbing periods in American history – the Salem witch trials.

It’s kind of crazy how I found this one. The night before my trip to Calabash, I was scrolling through Goodreads and came across this book with dual timelines and about witches. I added it to my ‘want to read’ list and had no idea I would find it the next day. It’s so rare to discover a book you just heard about at the used bookstore the next day!

Fortunes of War: The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning

The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning

The Balkan Trilogy is the story of a marriage and of a war, a vast, teeming, and complex masterpiece in which Olivia Manning brings the uncertainty and adventure of civilian existence under political and military siege to vibrant life. Manning’s focus is not the battlefield but the café and kitchen, the bedroom and street, the fabric of the everyday world that has been irrevocably changed by war, yet remains unchanged.

I discovered this trilogy through the YouTube channel Hard Cover Hearts. I’m intrigued to learn about a new place in a time that I have already learned so much about. I purchased this book at the best independent bookstore I have visited in South Carolina, and that is Book Ends in North Myrtle Beach.

Mister Hockey by Lia Riley

For fans of Icebreaker—sparks fly between a hockey player with a dirty mouth and an awkward bookworm in this spicy hockey romance.

A hockey book set in the NHL and not at the collegiate level? Oh my! Yeah, I had to grab it off the shelf at Target. It’s short, so it will be perfect for adding to my reading list of romance books for February, and it was on sale!

The Employee by Olga Ravn

Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize, The Employees reshuffles a sci-fi voyage into a riotously original existential nightmare. Aboard the interstellar Six Thousand Ship, the human and humanoid crew members complain about their daily tasks in a series of staff reports and memos. When the ship takes on a number of strange objects from the planet New Discovery, the crew becomes deeply attached to them, even as tensions boil toward mutiny, especially among the humanoids. In chilling, crackling, and exhilarating prose, The Employees probes into what makes us human, while delivering a hilariously stinging critique of life governed by the logic of productivity.

Lastly, we have the book that was gifted to me by Ben. Thank you! This is our only piece of translated fiction on the list, and it is coming to us from Denmark. I have seen several reviews for this book on YouTube and cannot wait to give it a try. I plan on reading it this week!

‘Wanderers’ Book Review

“”Wanderers” by Chuck Wendig is a gripping speculative fiction novel that follows the journey of a mysterious epidemic sweeping across America. People begin sleepwalking in vast numbers, becoming part of a silent, enigmatic march towards an unknown destination. As society grapples with fear and uncertainty, a group of individuals connected to the sleepwalkers embarks on a perilous quest to unravel the truth behind this phenomenon. The story delves deep into themes of humanity, survival, and the consequences of societal breakdown in the face of a catastrophic event.” – Summary from ChatGPT.

The characters were my biggest struggle in ‘Wanderers’. They are great in concept. We follow a girl whose sister is a sleepwalker, a CDC scientist, an evangelical preacher, and a few others who are not as directly impacted. Shana, the sister, drove me crazy. I do not believe that the author could write a female teenager well. She was so much like ‘I’m not like other girls’, so edgy and rebellious. You can make a character like that but also not make their chapters a major eye roll. I felt no strong emotional pull to these characters, but Benji, the scientist, and Matthew, the preacher, were my favorites to read from. I loved that we got to see the apocalypse from so many perspectives: religious, scientific, and then your normal everyday person.

I always love it when a science fiction novel takes place in our real world. This is very much an American-centric novel, but we do get bits and pieces of what is happening in other parts of the world. The reader goes on a great cross-country journey with these characters, and you can really feel the struggles of the atmosphere around them.

The writing is another aspect that I had a bit of a hard time with at the start of the story but grew more accustomed to as the novel went on. The dialogue wasn’t realistic; the way characters talked was just strange—people don’t really talk like that. This book was comedic at times, and I don’t know if those instances of dialogue, mainly Shana’s chapters, were supposed to be like that on purpose. Going along with that, the reader gets every little detail of the characters’ thought process, which I found to be unnecessary. This is a very heavy book, not just by subject matter, but the scientific discussions might go over the head of some. I found them to be interesting, so that did not hinder my experience, but this is a very heavily written book.

Here is a rare statement to come in a book review written by me: The plot was the highlight. This is one of the best science fiction plots that I have read in years. It is so logical and therefore scary by how real it feels. I do not have any clue how this book was published before the COVID pandemic because the author hit the nail on the head on how Americans react to a pandemic. There is a lot of commentary on politics and society. Yeah, if you are not a political person and read for escapism, maybe don’t pick this one up. There were so many twists and turns that I did not expect—some made me gasp, while others just made me sit back in almost despair. It is hard for me to sum up this plot by how epic it was.

The characters were my biggest struggle in ‘Wanderers’. I always love it when a science fiction novel takes place in our real world. The writing is another aspect that I had a bit of a hard time with at the start of the story but grew more accustomed to as the novel went on. Here is a rare statement to come in a book review written by me: The plot was the highlight. I loved this book even though at times, I did contemplate not finishing. I am glad that I stayed on and finished the journey with the characters. This was a great book, and I loved it, but it is not a new favorite.

4 out 5 stars.

The Best Books of 2023

The best books of 2023! Three of these, the TJR ones, were rereads, so I was iffy on including them, but here they are! It’s hard to believe that a short story collection was my first five-star read of the year! That was followed by a thriller and a romance, which is equally as shocking as I struggle with those genres at times. “The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois” takes the cake as the best book of the year, followed closely by “Betty” and “Love, Pamela”. It was a great year with 125 books read in total!

Florida by Lauren Groff:

It takes a lot of talent for a writer to be able to make you connect with a character in a fifteen-page short story. Sometimes, I cannot find a connection with characters in a five-hundred-page tome. Lauren Groff has that talent. The reader is dropped right into Florida with this one. Groff hit the nail on the head by having her writing perfectly match up with the setting. Speaking of the writing, it was captivating and poetic. The main theme here is survival, not necessarily out in the wilderness, but sometimes just getting through a long day that never seems to end, just getting through day-to-day life. I loved this book. It’s my first five-star read of the year and my new favorite.

No Exit by Taylor Adams:

Wow! Me, giving a thriller a perfect five out of five rating? This is an incredibly rare event that I never thought would happen. The book completely exceeded my expectations, delivering a thrilling experience that kept me guessing until the very end. This is exactly how a thriller should be written, with unexpected twists and turns that leave readers on the edge of their seats. I’m truly amazed by this exceptional book.

Get a Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert:

Chloe Brown emerges as one of the most relatable characters I’ve encountered in literature. The representation of chronic illness and the accompanying anxieties was handled impeccably. Towards the end, Red’s character began to grate on me due to the weight of his unresolved baggage; however, this didn’t significantly detract from my overall enjoyment of the story. The British setting, which I hadn’t anticipated, added a delightful dimension, complemented by a wonderful sense of humor throughout. While the writing style was average, this book fulfilled my ideal romance criteria, ranking among the finest I’ve read. It’s undeniably become a new favorite of mine, and I wholeheartedly recommend it!

Betty by Tiffany McDaniel:

Recently, I’ve discovered that many writers tend to overwhelm their narratives with numerous characters, leaving them as mere names on a page devoid of distinct traits. However, this book defies that trend brilliantly. It presents a family of eight vibrant characters, each with their own well-defined personality, ensuring the reader never confuses one with another. The emotional bond formed with these characters is palpable, particularly in the poignant portrayal of Betty and her father, Landon. The book encapsulates the essence of ‘Americana,’ a gritty and authentic depiction that resonates universally. The writing is exceptional, adorned with memorable quotes, especially those about the ever-changing yet perpetual seasons. The story, much like the mother’s quilt referenced throughout, is flawlessly woven together without plot holes, exhibiting impeccable logic. Themes of poverty, trauma, life’s stages, and most prominently, womanhood, are skillfully explored. ‘Betty’ embodies the idea of staying true to oneself amidst societal pressures. This book, touted for its emotional impact, lived up to its acclaim. I feel profoundly moved upon its completion, making it the first five-star prediction fulfilled in my 2023 reading project.

Love, Pamela by Pamela Anderson:

Authentic, intelligent, and deeply relatable. In the closing pages, Pamela reflects on a director’s observation about her vulnerability, a quality missing in today’s stars, and that sentiment encapsulates this book perfectly. It’s refreshingly open and distinctive, penned entirely by Pamela in various forms, seamlessly interweaving poetry and prose. Her ability to reclaim her narrative, shedding the constructs imposed by men and the media over the years, is empowering. The raw honesty shines through, making this book a standout for me, earning a spot among my newfound favorites.

Beach Music by Pat Conroy:

Conroy exhibits exceptional skill in character development, intricately weaving captivating family relationships in his narratives. In ‘Beach Music,’ South Carolina becomes the pulsating heart of the story. Conroy masterfully captures the essence of this setting and its atmosphere, crafting an unparalleled portrayal. While his depiction of Italy is remarkable, his depiction of South Carolina truly stands out. His writing is richly descriptive, possibly overwhelming for some readers, making it best suited for those more accustomed to immersive storytelling. The plot defies easy description, carrying an epic quality that is both striking and challenging to articulate. While Conroy employs recurring tropes, making binge-reading less advisable, his works remain a compelling choice for seasoned readers seeking depth and complexity in their literature.

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman:

I’m honestly astounded by this author’s ability to create a multitude of characters, each so distinct and wonderfully developed—a truly rare talent. This narrative brilliantly builds upon the community introduced in the previous book, crafting a setting that feels exceptionally vivid and tangible. In my opinion, this is Backman’s most finely written piece, executing flawlessly with impactful and emotionally charged prose. The plot had me on an emotional rollercoaster—screaming, tearing up, and experiencing every emotion in a way that’s truly exceptional. This book has become my favorite among the author’s works; it’s a standout.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid:

The characterization in this book stands as the pinnacle of my reading experiences. My sentiment from 2021 remains unaltered in 2023—it’s simply the best. Initially, I didn’t particularly like Evelyn, but I found her captivating to read about. However, this time around, I not only loved her character but also aspired to embody her spirit. On the other hand, my disdain for Celia St. James remains steadfast. The portrayal of old Hollywood was utterly perfect, reigniting my fervent wish for more tales set in that era. Taylor Jenkins Reid delivers her finest writing in this narrative. The plot’s uniqueness, narrated as a celebrity’s memoir, captivated me entirely. This reread was even more satisfying—I’m giving it a well-deserved 5/5 stars.

Laika by Nick Abadzis:
A graphic novel that moved me to tears—plain and simple. While prose novels rarely evoke such emotions in me, ‘Laika’ achieved what others couldn’t.

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid:

This was my second reread of this incredible book, an all-time favorite that somehow managed to captivate me even more this time! The characters are intriguing; they’re not inherently likable but exude chaos, which makes them immensely entertaining. While Billy remains my book crush from the first read, Warren, the drummer, caught my attention this time. Yet, Daisy’s perspective stole the show for me on this revisit. The dialogue-driven writing style ensures a swift read, but for first-timers, I highly recommend the audiobook experience! This book embodies the essence of rock ‘n roll, transporting you to the seventies with nods to your favorite classic rock bands throughout the story. For fellow music enthusiasts, this is a must-read!

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid:

If there’s one remarkable skill Taylor Jenkins Reid possesses, it’s crafting compelling characters. In her previous works, I found the characters intriguing to read about, though I didn’t necessarily like them as individuals. However, the Riva siblings changed that for me; they’re characters I rooted for and genuinely liked. The side characters, despite limited page time, are impressively developed, each distinct and memorable. They could easily carry a story of their own, much like Carrie Soto. Malibu, almost a character in itself, vividly comes to life, particularly in the earlier parts of the book, evoking a palpable sense of its historical past. This novel showcases the author’s finest writing, a departure from her previous works. It delves into themes of nepotism, probing the distinction between fame from family ties versus genuine talent. Moreover, it explores the profound impact of generational trauma on an individual’s psyche, emphasizing how parenting shapes one’s mentality. While the story unfolds in just a day, the characters undergo significant development, embracing their identities. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s adept storytelling and thematic depth continue to captivate me—I adore her approach to writing!

The Love Songs of W.E.B Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers:

Reviewing exceptional books is always a challenge, and ‘The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois’ might just top my 2023 reads. While Ailey might not be a character I personally relate to, her journey resonated deeply with me—from toddlerhood to becoming a resilient woman, navigating life’s highs and lows. The multitude of characters can be daunting, but the family tree in the opening pages proved immensely helpful for reference. Many characters resembled individuals from my own life, reflecting the authenticity of the Southern culture depicted in the novel. The setting, with its dialect, cuisine, social intricacies, felt incredibly genuine. Astonishingly, this is the author’s debut, despite her background in poetry, evident in the poetic, lyrical, and breathtaking prose. Though lengthy, the book is impeccably crafted, every element falling into place organically, defying predictability. I followed along with the audiobook, but any format would serve this masterpiece well! The plot fulfilled a long-held desire—an expansive American epic chronicling a family across generations, executed flawlessly by Jeffers. Ailey’s mentor’s advice on studying history struck a chord, reminding us that this fiction mirrors the lived experiences of countless people throughout history. The emotional depth of this narrative left me drained at times, akin to Ailey’s mentor suggesting a break after intense research—an apt metaphor for this immersive journey. ‘The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois’ is a book that leaves me both overwhelmed and at a loss for words, destined to linger in my thoughts for a long time. Undoubtedly, it’s a new favorite.

Some honorable mentions are as followed:
A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman

The Red Tent – Anita Diament

Still Life – Sarah Winman

‘Babel’ Book Review

“1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel. The tower and its students are the world’s center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver-working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—has made the British unparalleled in power, as the arcane craft serves the Empire’s quest for colonization. – Description from Goodreads.

At first, I loved Robin as a character. He had this innocence of childhood to him and we see him come to age as a young man enrolling, in university, at Oxford. His story truly felt magical, it was very reminiscent of the vibes that the Harry Potter series gave to me as a child. Ramy, he was a character that I hated. He was a jerk and yes, he was treated poorly, but that does not give him the right to go and treat others the same way. Now, yes, it is realistic that bullies were usually bullied or insecure themselves but the book seemed to not think he was doing anything wrong when he was. Victorie, there was not a lot to her character. SHe was mainly just off to the side so I liked her alright but I wish there could have been more dimension to her. I loved the epilogue that was at her perspective. Letty, a character that I felt bad for. I liked her but she was just done dirty. Let’s get into that. Robin and Letty both practically snapped. They took complete turns, in their character developments, in the last quarter of the novel. Now, I do understand how these arcs can happen but there was not enough development from point a to point b to get us to where their stories ended. I was shocked by how poorly these characters were written but maybe this just needed to be a series like ‘The Poppy Wars’, rather than a standalone.

I really enjoyed the Georgian and Victorian settings. I am so used to only seeing this setting portrayed in England, which the majority of this was, but we also got to venture to China as well. I’ve read several books with Chinese settings this year and I have enjoyed getting to see that country’s history. This is a dark academia setting as well as the majority of the story takes place at Oxford. Dark academia does not do anything for me but I do know that a lot of people love that subgenre. However, the school setting did feel magical. Again, it was really reminiscent of Harry Potter.

The writing is another reason why I did not absolutely love this book like I thought I would. First, it was very dense. I usually have no issue for heavier size fiction but here it was just too much for me. I could only read about twenty five pages in one sitting when usually I can read double that. I would not recommend this book to someone just getting into reading as it is a lot to digest. That being said, this book could have been about a hundred to hundred and fifty pages shorter than it was. Yet, the characters still needed more time to develop. It’s confusing but I stopped caring about the plot after so long, this book was not executed properly.

The plot was fantastic and unique. I have not read anything like this novel. There are slight hints of ‘The Name of the Wind’ and ‘Harry Potter’, but, as I said, slight. The coming of age storyline feels so magical and you can just feel the childlike wonder coming off the pages from Robin. The writer also discusses themes of colonialism and racism. Racism is obviously a hot topic nowadays but I had never read a book dealing with colonialism until this one. My goal in reading is always to see the world through someone else’s eyes and ‘Babel’ did a great job at that.

I was shocked by how poorly these characters were written but maybe this just needed to be a series like ‘The Poppy Wars’, rather than a standalone. I really enjoyed the Georgian and Victorian settings. The writing is another reason why I did not absolutely love this book like I thought I would. My goal in reading is always to see the world through someone else’s eyes and ‘Babel’ did a great job at that. I still enjoyed the majority of my time reading “Babel’, and would encourage you to give this story a chance. However, it did not live up to the five star prediction set in the book.

3.5 out of 5 stars.