The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 576 pages
Published: October 2021

In 2023, I am not trying to reach a certain number of books completed within the year but rather enjoy the journey of reading. This liberating reading goal has allowed me to consider longer books in my TBR (to be read) list. I was rewarded The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles by Book of the Month as it was one of the finalist for 2022’s Book of the Year. All loyal members with BFF status get to select either the BOTY winner or a finalist for free in their January box delivery. Since I’d already read the winner, I chose this nearly 600-page book. 

The story is set in the 1950s where a young man, Emmett, previously in juvenile detention for involuntary manslaughter is released at the end of his punishment and goes home to pick up his 8-year old brother, recently orphaned due to an absent mother and a deceased father. Emmett has plans for the two to get out of town and make a fresh start in Texas. However, his little brother, Billy has other aspirations for them in California. Similarly, Emmett’s fellow detention-mates, Duchess and Wooly, who escape the detention center, want Emmett to join them in hopes of securing Wooly’s hidden family treasure in New York. So, a young man’s best laid plans are soon thwarted, and over the course of 10 days, the reader follows the follies of these characters plus a few others along their trip across the United States. 

Even though this book is nearly twice as long as the average book I might read, it didn’t feel like it. The writer employs a good cadence that keeps the story moving and even once you reach the end of the story, you’re still longing to learn more about the characters and what they might get into next. I found this book to be both plot and character driven, but I really enjoyed the development of the characters over a relatively short time frame. This was shaping up to be a 5-star read for me until the very last chapter, which I found to be odd and incongruent. The perfect book would have been if it simply ended one chapter earlier. 

Recommendation: This was my first read by Towles. I’ve heard that A Gentleman in Moscow is an excellent read as well. I might consider picking that one up in the near future. I definitely recommend this book and might even go so far as to say to future readers: Stop reading one chapter early. Although that might prove difficult — This book is simply unputdownable! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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337 by M. Jonathan Lee

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Pages: 337 pages
Published: November 2020

Hideway Fall publishers contacted me a few months ago with an email teaser about M. Jonathan Lee's intriguing sixth new novel, 337. I get a lot of these requests through my blog contact form. After learning a bit about this book, I allowed the publisher to send me a ARC for review. And I am glad I did. 337 pulls the reader in before even opening the book. I noticed the title was displayed on the cover in a font that mimicked the author's last name (if you flipped it over). The book's page count is 337. Beyond those two elements, I'm not sure how the title relates to the story. The book is about and narrated by a young man, Sam, whose mother (Sandra) disappeared when he was just 12 years old a day after the family's annual family picnic. Her disappearance leaves Sam and his 7-year old brother with their neglectful and abusive father, Ray. The book is a double-ended and upside down, for reasons I am still trying to discern. I started reading from the side of the blue cover. After learning about the disappearance of Sandra, the book fast-forwards 25 years and Ray, Sam's father, calls and asks him to go check on Sam's dying grandmother. Then, the book instructs the reader to flip and turn the book to page 16 and continue reading normally.  

From the outset, it seems as though the story is about a man trying to come to terms with the unresolved disappearance of his mother, and it is about that to a certain degree. However, the bigger story is about Sam's reconciliation and reconnecting with his family and, in a sense, himself. The overall tone of the books is somber. The story, told from Sam's point-of-view, is very descriptive. Honestly, there's very little action, which makes the short chapters seem a little longer than they are. However, the writing style and Sandra's disappearance create enough intrigue to keep the reader hooked. 

There's a little plot twist at the end that I can't say I saw coming, but it didn't really surprise me either. I am wondering if it was even necessary. The mystery portion of the novel left me with more questions than anything. I think this novel is about personal growth and overcoming tragic circumstances and the ending just felt a little expendable to me. Having said all of that, Lee is definitely a gifted writer. The PR packet I received with this book makes me want to read some of his others. 

Recommendation: This is not an action-packed mystery. It is a beautifully written story about grief and healing. I devoured this book in a short weekend, and I would definitely recommend it with the caveat that one shouldn't put too much stock in the synopsis for guiding you through the story. In fact, I'd say, just skip the author-provided synopsis and dive right in. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Please note: The double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only.

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 387 pages
Published: February 2016

The Fort Worth Library's Stay At Home Book Club prompted me to dig into the fantasy/horror of Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff this summer. Coupled with the recently released series of the same name on HBO, I couldn't pass up this opportunity to read the book even though neither fantasy nor horror is my favorite type of book or movie. 

So, basically this book is told is eight vignettes all set in 1954 on the backdrop of Jim Crow racism in the United States. The inciting story is about a young man, Atticus, who returns from military service in search of his missing father. He partners up with his uncle who is the publisher of The Safe Negro Travel Guide (which is based on the real Negro Motorist Green Book that Black people had to use to find safe shelter and resources while traveling not so freely though these United States of America) and, reluctantly, with his childhood friend (possibly crush) Letitia. On their quest to find Atticus' father they are faced with some dangerous encounters with racists and horrific ones led by Samuel Braithwhite and his son Caleb, who are attempting to secure salvation for their secret tribe, the Order of the Ancient Dawn, that only Atticus can provide. 

I found the first chapter of the book to be attention-getting and engrossing. Being a historical fiction buff, the Jim Crow thematic elements are what kept my interest. At times I wasn't sure what was more nerve-racking, the overt racism or the fantasy and horror elements of each short story. All of the stories are intertwined, and you would need to read the book in order to get a full understanding. My favorite chapter was the one that focused on a secondary character, Ruby who is Letitia's sister.  

I don't really know much about Lovecraft or his type of horror writing; however, I think if I did I would have had a greater appreciation for how this author put his spin on it. I enjoyed the book for what it was, but I do think fans of horror would enjoy it more. 

Recommendation: If fantasy and horror float your boat, you might enjoy this book as it has a little more depth by adding the racial element. However, if you're looking for something about racism or the Jim Crow era, choose another book. 

Thanks to the Fort Worth Library for this ebook loan! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Pages: 352 pages
Published: January 2020

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano is about a family of four who board a fully booked plan in Newark, New Jersey headed for Los Angeles, California. Midway across the United States, the plane crashes leaving a sole survivor, Edward, a 12-year old boy and the youngest son of that family. Edward's story makes him a national celebrity as he navigates how to heal, physically and emotionally, and live life without his parents and his older brother. 

This is really a coming of age novel, and it is sad because a plane crash that kills nearly 200 people is sad, but it is also hopeful. It's about healing and learning who you are in spite of the most challenging circumstances. I fell in love with Edward and the secondary cast of characters who rallied around him to make sure he was OK after such a horrible tragedy. This book was very touching and very real to me. I know there has been a lot of criticism about the technical accuracy of the airplane and its crash, and I cannot attest to that. However, if you read the book for the beautiful piece of literature it is, I think you can overlook any technical errors that might be in place. 

Recommendation: No one is really traveling very much right now, so it's a good time to read a book like this. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 369 pages
Published: March 2020

Last year I read One Day in December by Josie Silver and enjoyed it. I was excited to see this as a Book of the Month Club (BOTM) suggestion. Because I am trying to be realistic, I only purchase one book per month from BOTM. For this month, I chose to purchase another book and I borrowed The Two Lives of Lydia Bird from the Fort Worth Digital Library. I am glad I did. 

The protagonist, Lydia, had been with her long-time boyfriend, Freddie since high school. Now in their 30s, the two were engaged to be married when he was tragically killed on Lydia's birthday in a car accident. On top of that, his best friend Jonah, who Lydia doesn't particularly care for, survived. This story is about Lydia's path to healing. In her grief, she finds a way to connect with her lost love through somewhat of a fantastical realm. These encounters help her learn more about herself and what her identity will be post-Freddie. In her real life, she goes through the stages of grief with the help of her sister, Elle, and her mom. This book is truly a story of personal growth. 

In its totality I enjoyed this story. The first two-thirds of the book were very sad and read quite slow for me as I walked through the darkness with Lydia as she mourned her fiancé. The last part of the book picks up as she starts to discover herself and come out of her grief. And the ending was perfect. I think the book hit home with a lot of passages and how someone deals with losing someone who was close to them. 

Recommendation: I enjoyed this book. I don't know if I enjoyed it more than One Day in December. It was a different story that evoked different emotions, but I can say that I enjoyed them both. I recommend picking up a copy for yourself.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Pages: 245 pages
Published: March 2014

Crossover by Kwame Alexander is a young adult fiction novel told in verse. It is relatively short, and because the story is written like a poem it is a fairly quick read. It is about twin brothers, Josh and Jordan, who are somewhat locals stars on the middle school basketball team. They have two caring parents - their father, who had some success on the international basketball circuit and their mother, who is the principal of the school they attend. In this story, Josh and Jordan experience personal growth through common challenges for their age group, but they also are required to mature because of a tragedy that affects their family.

The thing I just loved about this book is that it could have been about any two brothers. The story featured an African American family and black culture, but it wasn't the central to the story. I truly appreciate when authors are able to highlight the culture without being stereotypical or using easily accessible tropes. I also enjoyed the way it was written in verse. I think this makes it easy for young people to enjoy, especially young boys who may not find reading to be cool. I liken Alexander's style to Jason Reynolds. They are both writing impactful stories that are engaging an important demographic. Having said that, I think any young adult (or adult, for that matter) can appreciate this rhythmic story.

Recommendation:  This was a fun book to start wrapping up my reading year. (I think I have one more read to conquer in 2019.) I highly recommend it to anyone, but I think it will resonate with teenagers the most.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Length: 143 pages
Published: February 2018

Heart Berries is a brief but powerful memoir written by Terese Marie Mailhot. In this book, she shares her most raw and vulnerable experiences that have made a lasting impact on her life, including her romantic relationships, her relationships with each of her parents, as well as her relationships with her sons. The book's perspective vacillates between the author's thoughts (whether they be in epistolary, essay, or stream of consciousness form) and character dialogue. I found this to be a little complex, at times, making it difficult to focus on each page. Having said that, I found Mailhot to be relatable in the experiences she shared. 

One theme that permeates the book is that of sexual abuse and the negligence her mother demonstrated in dealing with it. I found the portions of the book that focused on this the most difficult to read because it was just so infuriating that Mailhot was not protected as a child should be. Earlier this year, the author was interviewed by Trevor Noah on The Daily Show where she stressed the importance of her searching for and displaying her authentic indigenous voice in her writing. While I found most of her struggles with abuse and her love life to be universal and irrespective of race or ethnicity, I do think she was able to beautifully tell her story in the most poetic way. For example: 

I don't think I am lonely. I think I am starved and maybe ravenous for the very thing you withhold from me. (p. 39)

While I understand we, as the audience, are getting only Mailhot's perspective, I found her boyfriend (and, I believe, now husband) Casey to be a complete jerk. He was not a very likable presence in the book, and I was actually shocked to learn they are still together. I was also a bit disappointed that she misspelled Salvador Agron's name in her historic detail. 

Overall, this was an interesting book. I can understand why it's a bestseller. I am thankful for the opportunity to have read and review it, and many thanks to my local Fort Worth Library for the digital loan! 

Recommendation: I think this is a great read for most adults, but I think it would resonate with women more than any other demographic. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful. 

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Truevine by Beth Macy

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Length: 448
Published: October 2017

Many moons ago, I set up an IFTTT.com recipe where the most popular book-related articles from The New York Times are gathered and delivered to my inbox each week. I am pretty sure I learned about Truevine: Two Brothers, a Kidnapping, and a Mother's Quest: A True Story of the Jim Crow South by Beth Macy through this weekly email. I added the book to my ever-growing TBR (to be read) list, and I finally got the opportunity to dive in May.

Truevine is a historical account about two albino brothers who were essentially kidnapped by a circus manager and forced to work in the circus for many years without pay. All the while their mother searched for them eventually finding them and taking on one of the biggest names in the circus industry. 

Macy did a great job of researching, synthesizing, and presenting the information, not only about George and Willie Muse, but also about life in the circus during this time and the Jim Crow south. I cannot summarize this book accurately in one short blog article. There is a lot of detail that provides a greater picture of what people of color had to endure from the early 1900s through present day. My mother asked me why I wanted to read such a painful book. She is correct. It is a painful book, but it is an important one in that it adds another facet of African American history to my personal knowledge. Moreover, it gives me a greater appreciation for my blessings today. We have yet a long way to go, but we have come so far because others have paid the price. Reading George and Willie's story continues to teach me that. 

Recommendation: This is one of my favorite non-fiction reads. I would recommend it to students, to adults, to anyone seeking a greater understanding of the sordid history of our country. We must learn it so we dare not repeat it.  

Until next time ... Read on!

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Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew J. Sullivan

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Length: 337 pages
Published: June 2017

I consider myself a bookish person, so somewhere at some point of time between June 2017 and April 2018 I read good things about Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew Sullivan. As a result, I put a hold on the ebook at my local library. (Support your local libraries, people. Please!) By the time it became available, I honestly had forgotten what I heard or even what the story was about. I had some time to spare, and I just jumped in and started reading. And once I started, I could. not. stop. I finished this book in three week days, which is a record for me! 

I would consider this work of adult fiction a fast-paced thriller that begins with the suicide of a young man, Joey, in a bookstore. In death, he leaves his meager belongs to the main character, Lydia, as well as cryptic clues about his life in the books he'd purchased from the bookstore at which she worked. From there Lydia's past meets Joey's death, and we're taken on a wild ride to solve the mystery with her.  

I found this book to be entertaining, moving, and suspenseful. I enjoy a good mystery, and it was really fun that this one had a bookstore as its central setting. I was not able to figure it out till nearly the end, which always makes this mystery genre enjoyable to me. 

Recommendation: This was a great, quick read to supplement my April reading choices. I'm glad I put the book on hold and very glad that it became available at a time in which I was able to thoroughly enjoy it! 

Until next time ... Read on!

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WE'RE ALL DAMAGED BY MATTHEW NORMAN

Credit: goodreads.com

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of We're All Damaged by Matthew Norman from Amazon.com's Kindle First benefit for Prime members in May of 2016.

In this adult fiction book the main character, Andy Carter has moved to New York and is recovering from an unexpected and recent divorce when he is called back to his hometown in Omaha to be with his dying grandfather.

Going back home proves challenging as Andy's self-esteem has taken a hit because his ex-wife divorced him for a paramedic who lived down the street from their marital home. Andy returns home to find that the once-lover is now married to his ex-wife and living in the house she and Andy once owned together. On top of that, his father is possibly having an affair. And his mother is completely wrapped up in furthering her career as a conservative, right-wing talk show, which is causing turmoil in their new posh neighborhood.

While in Omaha, Andy meets the mysterious Daisy who seems to have a personal relationship with his grandfather. She becomes a pivotal character in the development of the story and also Andy's healing process.

This read was quick and light. It gave me a relief from some heavier stuff I had been reading. There was a nice inspirational message for those who have experienced heartbreak. I found many parts of the book to be funny. My only criticism is in the inclusion of the political banter. I don't know that it really added value to the book. It seemed unauthentic and a cheap way to get in some personally-held political viewpoints. Without that, I might have considered giving the book another star.

Recommendation: There's not really a lot to say about this short book. If you're looking for a quick read that will leave you with a smile, I'd recommend picking it up. It would be perfect for weekend or beach reading.

Until next time ... Read on!

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BORN A CRIME: STORIES FROM A SOUTH AFRICAN CHILDHOOD BY TREVOR NOAH

Credit: goodreads.com

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I adore Trevor Noah. I appreciate his comedic style. I find him to be intelligent, quick-witted, funny, and I'm not gonna lie, easy on the eyes. When I heard about his memoir, Born A Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood, I immediately added it to my to-be-read list on goodreads.com.

This year, I've vowed to learn how to really listen and pay attention to audiobooks. In addition to my traditional reading, this has quickly helped me get through more reads. I've found that listening whilst on the treadmill is a way to metaphorically kill two birds with one stone. And as any reader knows, the more you can read; the happier you are. So, I thought this book would be a good one for audio.

Noah opens the autobiography with a story that illustrates the relationship between he, someone who seems to struggle and question faith, and his mother, a lifelong and devout Christian. This theme not only sets the stage for what is to come but permeates the entire book.

When I decided to read this, I thought I might get some laughs. Don't get me wrong, there are some funny parts. But since I have listened to the book, I've heard that Noah intended the book to be a tribute to his mom. Now knowing his intention, I would say he did not fail to accomplish the task. It was nice to get to peek into his life. (Isn't that always fun? That's why we are a reality TV society.) But more importantly, learning of his love for his mother and hearing it through his own voice as he narrated the book truly made her the heroine. The stories he shared were heartfelt, and I could tell through his reading that he was very vulnerable in some of the information he shared.

My critique of the book is that it jumps around in time from telling stories about his toddler years to his parents' illegal relationship before he was born to post-high school.  (During apartheid interracial marriage was illegal, therefore, procreation between two different races was very much a crime.) Sometimes the overall story was a little hard to follow since the vignettes were not told in linear format. However, I think he composed the book thematically - sharing stories about his relationships, race relations and apartheid in South Africa, and his struggles with his identity of not really fitting in anywhere.

Recommendation: I would definitely recommend this book, and I would actually recommend it as an audiobook. There are several parts in the book where Noah speaks in various tongues. He always offers translation. I also think him acting out the characters gave the book more depth. After reading this book, I adore Trevor Noah just a little bit more than before.

Until next time ... Read on!

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BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE BY FREDRIK BACKMAN

credit: goodreads.com

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

As with most of his books, Fredrik Backman's Britt-Marie Was Here gave me all the feels. A departure from how I normally consume books, I listened to this one. I've read all of Backman's books with the exception of his latest book, Beartown, released this May. You can read my reviews of: A Man Called Ove, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, and My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell you She's Sorry - all on this blog.

This story starts out with Britt-Marie in search of a job, and ultimately a new life, after she learned that her husband of more than 40 years had cheated on her. Right after the financial crisis, the only job she is able to land is a temporary caretaker/house cleaner at a soon-to-be demolished recreation center in the pitiful town of Borg. While there, life happens to her. No matter how hard she tries to avoid it, she connects with people. A wheelchair-bound lady, named Somebody, Sven, the local police officer, Bank, a soccer legend with sight limitations, the delinquent - Sami, and a myriad of children who convince Britt-Marie to be their team's soccer coach. In this odd little town, we see that someone in her 60s can still come-of-age.

Similar to the Terry McMillan novel I read earlier this summer, we learn it's never too late to change the direction of your life by choosing ... you!

As I've mentioned before, the reason I enjoy Backman's stories is because of his beautifully-constructed prose. He takes simple themes that we've all read or seen and illustrates them in a very emotional, heart-tugging way. The main characters is most of his books are in their third act of life, but they are full of life and quite relatable. Britt-Marie is all of us, teaching us lessons that we can appreciate in any time in our life. Wanna get filled up and experience a variety of emotions from laughter to anger to sadness to joy? Read this book ... or any of Backman's novels.

Recommendation: This is a solid 5 stars out of 5 for me. I liked it a little more than Ove, and that was my book of 2016. My only caution is that this book has more profanity than the others. Don't let this dissuade you though. You'll find yourself wanting to visit Borg yourself!

Until next time ... Read on!

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THE THINGS WE KEEP BY SALLY HEPWORTH

credit: goodreads.com

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth is the first book for my newly-formed book club, Richly Read. We will be meeting to discuss in mid-July.

The fictional story centers around Anna who is a thirty-eight year old (former) paramedic suffering the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. When it is no longer feasible for her to live with her twin brother and his family, she takes residence in the Rosalind House where another thirty-something, Luke, who has been diagnosed with a different form of dementia, also lives.

The reason I describe Anna as suffering and Luke as diagnosed to illustrate the point that Anna was having difficulty coming to terms with the disease (that the author insinuates is genetically received from Anna's mother), whereas Luke seemed better equipped to deal with his reality.

Anna and Luke fall in "love." And there is much debate and dialogue in the novel regarding the ability for two people with memory deficiencies to fall (and stay) in love.

The secondary protagonist is Eve. Rashly thrown into the role of a single mother due to a recent tragedy in her life, Eve comes to the Rosalind House as head cook and temporary housekeeper. She's also dealing with her young daughter's grief and trying to manage her difficult school life. When Eve learns of Anna and Luke's guardians' desire to keep them separated, Eve must decide whether she will risk her livelihood to help them.

This book was very easy to read. The medical portions were explained in such a way that anyone could understand. The tempo of the book was good. Each chapter was narrated by either Anna, Eve, and Eve's daughter. Some chapters were told in present time while others worked from the past and flashbacks, which made the read a little cumbersome. I also think Hepworth took on too many heavy topics (dementia, healthcare, scandals, bullying, grief, romance, among many others) to cover in such a short book. It seems like she ran out of time (or energy) and wrapped up the ending a little too tightly for my liking.

Recommendation: I like that this book offered a different perspective to dementia, and I feel like I learned some things. It's worth a quick read on a summer weekend.

Until next time ... Read on!

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THE DINNER BY HERMAN KOCH

credit: goodreads.com

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

I purchased a copy of The Dinner by Herman Koch at my local Half Price Books store for $4 plus tax. I'm glad I didn't spend anymore, or I might have felt cheated. The book is set at a posh restaurant in Amsterdam and occurs over the course of dinner shared between two brothers and their respective wives. Through flashbacks, we learn about some sinister activity involving each couple's respective 15-year old son.

The story is basically one that involves a moral dilemma: How far would a parent go to protect his or her child? By the end of the book, the reader learns that no one at the dinner (or their offspring) are exceptionally moral in character. The characters seemed a bit out of touch with reality, self-absorbed, and highly unlikable. I suppose this makes them realistic, but not particularly enjoyable to read. The one character who tries to exercise sensible judgment suffers a horrible fate at the hands of his/her family members.

There was no happy ending in this book. There was no redemption. It was a simple story told over nearly 300 pages with a very unsatisfying ending.

Recommendation: I really can't think of one thing I could offer a recommendation for this story. The book has been turned into a movie featuring Richard Gere. So, maybe go see the movie and enjoy the Gere eye-candy. Sorry, that's the best I can come up with.

Until next time ... Read on!

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