Showing posts with label grief. Show all posts

Sunday, July 27, 2025

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 352 pages
Published: August 2018

When Hulu announced Washington Black was being released as a series, I picked up my long-overdue copy and quickly immersed myself in the ~350-page novel, eager to see the story come to life on the silver screen. (Sterling K. Brown, hello!) Written by Esi Edugyan this beautifully-told coming-of-age novel captivated me. The TV adaptation took too many liberties and ultimately fell short of my expectations. This review will focus solely on the historical novel.

The story begins with the titular character, an 11-year old enslaved field hand, on a Barbados sugar plantation whose life is upended when he is stripped away from all he knows and "given" to the slave master's eccentric brother, Titch, to assist with his scientific endeavors. Titch introduces Washington to the world of science and exploration, and the two develop a bond rooted in humanity. However, when a white man is killed, Washington is unjustly blamed, forcing he and Titch to abscond for his safety. This sets off a whimsical adventure that takes Washington from Barbados to the Arctic to Canada to London and to Morocco where he encounters experiences beyond his wildest imagination. The book explores themes of freedom, identity, belonging and abandonment.

Edugyan excels at character development, particularly with Washington, who evolves from a frightened young boy into a resourceful young man. The author creates beautiful imagery as Washington embarks on this physical and emotional journey across the globe, all the while struggling to define his identity in a world that constantly seeks to limit him. My only criticism of the plot is the ongoing tension between Washington and Titch. Given the context of slavery, abandonment, and lost family, I found it questionable that Washington's continual quest for Titch would have ensued the span of the entire novel.

Recommendation: I really enjoyed this story and the adventurous, uplifting spirit with which the author presents it. This is a must-read for anyone interested in history fiction, exploration, science, or simply a wonderfully created tale. It's sure to have you thinking past the final page.

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.

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 5+ of 5 stars

Pages: 448 pages
Published: May 2025

If you follow my reading blog, you must know Fredrik Backman is my auto-buy author. I love everything he writes, and I hope one day to have at least 1/16 of the talent he has when writing creatively. So, as you might suspect, I pre-ordered his latest novel, My Friends, and was downright giddy when it arrived in time for my long haul trip to Greece in late May. What can I say about My Friends? It's, of course, about a friend group. But it's so much more. It's about community, art, surviving, creating, dying, growing. It's about what Backman writes best - the human condition. Let me try to provide a succinct summary, and then I will attempt to convey my feelings about this stupendous novel.

In My Friends, Backman brings us four teenagers whose friendship is so strong, it literally stands the test of time and ultimately affects a complete stranger, in the very best way, when one of the friends meets the stranger decades later after another of the friends has succumb to an illness. The friend who has passed on was a famous artist, and his first painting has moved millions but specifically, Louisa - the stranger, who is an aspiring artist herself. A chance encounter with the artist's friend leads them both down a path of self-discovery (Louisa) and healing (the friend). The story is complex, and a paragraph blurb about the plot simply cannot do it justice. As with most of Backman's stories, he creates layered nuisances that slowly come full circle not only providing a satisfying conclusion, but an emotionally-filled one as well. This book made me laugh, think, and cry.

Backman's prose is top-notch. His storytelling is vulnerable, and it reaches the depths of souls. I follow the author on social media, and I know he fights against a darkness that many of us do. Before this book was released to the public, some of his social media posts hinted at the possibility that this may be his last writing. While I hope it is not, I am so grateful for what he has provided the literary fiction community thus far. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book today.

Recommendation: My Friends captures the very essence of friendship and celebrates the ties that hold us together, even in the face of the most devastating tragedies. Backman's signature writing style touches on so many themes and is sure to catch the eyes of many readers and all the bestseller lists this summer.

Don't Cry for Me by Daniel Black

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 304 pages
Published: February 2022

As I mentioned in my review of Isaac's Song by Dr. Daniel Black, I had not read Don't Cry for Me. I enjoyed the follow-up novel so much, I immediately snagged a copy of the preceding novel from my local library. Since I read the novels out of publication order, I can tell you, this novel begins with the father's perspective of events and concludes just the way the following book begins.

In this origin story, the father attempts to make amends with Issac, who is gay, for the way that he disregarded his child's identity in his rearing of him. He drafts several letters while dying in hopes of explaining and reconciling his behavior. [In the second novel, which is told from the son's perspective), he receives this communication, making a well-rounded story with a satisfying conclusion.] In Don't Cry for Me, the author crafts a poignant narrative that focuses on the themes of love, grief, and identity. I would classify it, as well as the following novel, as a heartfelt story that takes the reader on an emotional journey of the human experience. Black does an exceptional job of developing complex characters who are relatable and flawed.

For all the same reasons, I enjoyed Isaac's Song, I adored Don't Cry for Me. The storytelling is powerful and rich. The author delves into some deep topics that make the reader think outside the box. My only criticism is the first book has somewhat of an unsatisfying conclusion. Because I read the second book first and received the conclusion early, I was able to easily accept the first novel. Having heard what my book club said about both these reads, I'm kind of glad I read them out of order.

Recommendation: I thoroughly enjoy Dr. Black's writing style and storytelling talent, and I highly recommend this book. It is a carefully crafted exploration of the human spirit, and I can't wait to read more by this author.

Isaac's Song by Daniel Black

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 313 pages
Published: January 2025

I read Isaac's Song by Dr. Daniel Black with one of my virtual book clubs that focuses on selections from the Black and African diaspora. I had heard glowing reviews of the author's companion book, Don't Cry for Me, when it was published three years earlier but had read neither. At just over 300 pages, I decided to join the club in reading this latest work and discussing it later as a group.

This poignant and evocative narrative explores themes of race, identity, heritage and the complexities of familial relationships. The titular character is in a period of conflict having learned of his estranged father's death. Through Isaac's conversations with his therapist and introspection of his upbringing, Black is able to weave a tale that illustrates the struggles and triumphs of the Black experience, specifically in this case, through the lens of a challenging father-son relationship.

Overall, I found Isaac's Song to stand out for its powerful storytelling and thought-provoking ability. The characters showed phenomenal growth, and the culture backdrop made this fiction work also educational. This was my first (but not last!) read by Dr. Black, and I find his contribution to contemporary literature to be significant.

Recommendation: I was fully engaged in this story even though much of it was not directly relatable to me, which further proves the author's gift to write a thorough piece of literature that captivates a far-reaching audience. I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to reach the companion.

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 288 pages
Published: June 2024

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood was the monthly selection for the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. The relatively short story is a poignant one that touches on the themes of grief, friendship, redemption, and not necessarily how to read a book but how to a live a meaningful life. The protagonist, Violet, a young woman convicted of a deadly crime is released from prison. At a crossroads in her life, she develops a friendship with Harriet, the retired schoolteacher who facilitated the prison book club program in which Violet participated. While Violet is trying to figure out her life outside of prison, Harriet is trying to figure out what her life will look like in her third act. Both women’s lives collide with Frank’s, the widow and victim of Violet’s crime. Over the course of the nearly 300 page novel, Wood presents a thoughtful, honest story of friendship and what it means to live a worthy life.

I completed this novel in just a few days. The pace is fast, and the plot is engaging. Because a portion of the book is centered around the prison book club and the local, independent bookstore, there is quite a bit of book chatter and recommended titles throughout the reading. The author also does a beautiful job of presenting points for reader reflection in beautifully composed sentences. And as a lover and collector of words, I enjoyed those parts of the book the most!

“Amazon is the devil,” Harried informed not only Baker but whoever might be listening. She slid her credit card across the counter. “The Nazis worked with more subtlety.” - p. 20

Was this the fate of adults on the threshold of their dotage? To be turned into children by children? - p.37

A squawk of laughter came loose from On High, and Frank suddenly hated all young people, who thought they knew all things and in fact knew only some things. - p. 53

Women left prison physically diminished, but in Violet that diminishment seemed of a different order, as if the part of God that is said to dwell in all creatures had flown from her, only to perch somewhere nearby, awaiting reentry. -p. 82

Perhaps it’s an oddity of human nature to judge women more harshly. Or maybe we expect so little of men, their transgressions don’t register the same. - p. 150

Apologies require acceptance … But as I understand it, forgiveness flows in one direction only. - p. 177

The writer writes the words. The given reader reads the words. And the book, the unique and unrepeatable book, doesn’t exist until the given reader meets the writer on the page. - p. 235

Even the least eventful life holds an avalanche of stories. Any one of mine would give you a fair impression of who I was and how I lived. But the one I chose—the one that now composes this epitaph—isn’t a story at all. It’s what Harriet would call the meanwhile, the important thing that was happening while the rest of the story moved along. My name was Violet Powell. I took a life. I lived and died. Meanwhile, I was loved. - p. 273

Recommendation: This is my first Monica Wood read, and I found that she packs an emotional punch in an efficient number of pages. I think she is an author I would read again, perhaps even returning to this particular story when I need something that reads like a cup of warm cocoa tastes on a cold winter night.

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pages: 299 pages
Published: May 2024

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean had been sitting on my physical TBR (to be read) pile for several months, and for no other pressing reason than I needed a new book to read, I decided to crack open one of my last purchased books from Book of the Month in late January.

This suspense-filled novel is about a young teenaged girl - the titular character - who disappeared from a party, and she mysteriously returns, seemingly from the dead, two years later throwing everyone in her community into a tailspin. Detective Chelsey Calhoun was the lead detective when Ellie Black first went missing, and, naturally, she is put back on the case upon her return. Not only has this unsolved case haunted her but also the unsolved case of Calhoun's adoptive sister more than 20 years ago. Upon the return of the victim in the latter case, Chelsey is thrown right back into the midst of the Black family and trying to glean information from them to resolve the case. Like a dog with a bone, the detective is tenacious in trying to figure out where Ellie has been, what happened to her during those two years, and why she has shown up after such a long time.

I enjoyed this debut thriller novel that was relatively short and moved quickly. The mysterious nature of the plot propels the reader to continue turning pages until a resolution is presented. Like most of the books I've read so far in 2025, this one featured strong female characters at the forefront and provided entertaining value.

Recommendation: A dark and twisty thriller, fans of TV shows like Law & Order: SVU and Found are sure to enjoy this page-turner!

The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 68 pages
Published: December 2024

If you know anything about my reading life you should know Fredrik Backman is my auto-read author. I enjoy how he constructs sentences and crafts novels. So, when Amazon offered his short story as one of the free selections for the First Reads program, I promptly downloaded my copy. It didn't hurt that we were discussing and sharing short stories in my Literary Society the following month.

The Answer is No is a fast-paced, lighthearted, and funny short story about the complexities and absurdities of human relationships. The story centers around Lucas who lives in an apartment complex unit and just wants to say yes to playing his video game, eating his pad Thai, and having a little wine, and no to pretty much everything else. Through Backman's witty prose, the story quickly grows to include Lucas' surrounding neighbors, and what seems like a simply superficial story is actually a bit deeper. The author does what he excels at by blending lighthearted moments with profound honesty.

Backman's writing always provides all the feels, and this one did not disappoint. I found myself chuckling at one moment and pondering the human condition the next. He is a masterful storyteller, and I think this book is no exception.

Recommendation: I definitely give a thumbs up on this quick read. While short, it is a thought-provoking and satisfying read for those who enjoy contemporary/modern fiction.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 384 pages
Published: July 2024

Another summer reading pick by Barnes & Noble, The Wedding People by Alison Espach did not disappoint. Written in third person, the novel takes us on a weeklong journey where Phoebe Stone has booked a suite at the extravagant Cornwall Inn for one-night with plans to die of suicide after living through the Covid pandemic and dealing with the grief of the end of her marriage. Unbeknownst to her, Lila, who can be a bit of a bridezilla, has booked the rest of this beautiful hotel for the perfect wedding she's been planning throughout Covid and to fulfill her dying father's wish. When Lila meets Phoebe and learns of her plans, she is intent on stopping her from ruining her perfectly planned soiree.

For the remainder of the story, we learn more about Phoebe, Lila, and a diverse cast of characters. The plot has some deep elements that are a bit heavy, but the author takes great care with them. Her writing allows space for the read to contemplate the ramifications of one's actions (or inaction). Everything comes together well in the end, but not perfectly, and that makes the book all the more endearing. Life is not perfect either.

But there are a lot of perfect quotes in this book that I highlighted in the Kindle version I borrowed from my local library. Here are just a few -

“I just mean, a story can be beautiful not because of the way it ends. But because of the way it’s written.”

And Matt could do that—turn off the TV, quit a marriage—right in the middle of the climactic scene.

She was always too embarrassed to admit that she ever wanted anything, as if there was something humiliating about being a person with desires.

This is exactly what Phoebe has always hated and loved about life—how unpredictable it is, how things can change in an instant.

How are you supposed to go from being the center of someone’s world to being irrelevant? To sobbing in your best friend’s arms unthinkingly to being afraid to call them after your father dies? Phoebe doesn’t know. She, too, was caught unprepared by that kind of loss.

But Phoebe is starting to understand that on some nights, Lila is probably the loneliest girl in the world, just like Phoebe. And maybe they are all lonely. Maybe this is just what it means to be a person. To constantly reckon with being a single being in one body. Maybe everybody sits up at night and creates arguments in their head for why they are the loneliest person in the world.

At the time, the darkness felt like life. It is all about moving on. Saying goodbye to whoever you thought you were, whoever you thought you would be.

“Your husband is not going to take care of you the way you think,” Phoebe says. “Nobody can take care of you the way you need to take care of yourself. It’s your job to take care of yourself like that.”

It is not an easy thing to do, walk away from what you’ve built and save yourself.

She is so good at predicting what will happen in books, so bad at predicting what will happen in life. That is why she has always preferred books—because to be alive is much harder.

Recommendation: I really enjoyed this book. This is a story of healing, and there were many touches of humor, but I would definitely categorize it as literary fiction. I think this is one that could be read at any time.

Trigger warnings include suicide, death in the family, marital affair, and infertility.

Sisters with a Side of Greens by Michelle Stimpson

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Duration: 12:38:00
Published: March 2024

I learned about Sisters with a Side of Greens from one of my book community groups on Facebook, and I am so thankful I did. After listening to the audiobook I borrowed from my local library, I already know I would appreciate reading more by Michelle Stimpson who has a knack for women's fiction that speaks to women in general and African American women specifically. This story is about ... you guessed it ... two estranged sisters who are struggling to find forgiveness with each other and more forward to their third act in life.

Rose, who has recently retired from the U.S. Post Office plans to complete her unfilled dream of starting a restaurant using her mother's secret seasoning to pave her way to success. Her sister, Marvina, is living in east Texas and much of her identity is wrapped up in serving her community and church. However, Rose needs Marvina's cooperation and financial help to get her restaurant started. Marvina's primary church outreach service is coming to an end, and she needs to find a new life purpose. The sisters are both strong-willed and opinionated, and the author takes us on their journey of discovering what's happened in the past, what's next, and their love for each other again.

I truly enjoyed this story, and it was a bonus that it was set in Texas, so there were familiar points of reference in the novel. Stimpson has created realistic characters, a memorable story, and an entertaining read that kept me company for a couple of days on my commute to work. I can't wait to read what she writes next.

Recommendation: I am thankful for this recommendation I got through Facebook. As a reader, a foodie, and a sister, I found the story quite relatable and very enjoyable. I strongly recommend this book.

Jackpot Summer by Elyssa Friedland

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pages: 384 pages
Published: June 2024

Jackpot Summer by Elyssa Friedland was a top pick in the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club's 2024 Summer Reading Guide. It was listed under family drama, and this book had plenty of that. A year after their mother dies of lung cancer, the four adult Jacobson children gather in their family's beloved beach home for one last vacation before their father sells it to retire in Florida. While cleaning out their things, the youngest sibling, Noah decides to buy a lottery ticket. The two sisters go in with him, but their older brother and his wife refuse to participate. As luck would have it, they win and are quite literally millionaires overnight. But as we have often learned in real life, money does not buy happiness. Instead this family gets a lot of unfulfilling material items, emotional baggage including guilt and resentment, and a large physical rift amongst the haves and have-nots within the Jacobson clan.

The story was engaging and kept my interest in that I was curious to learn what happened to this fictional family, but I didn't really care. It wasn't like they were truly struggling before, and the winnings brought out some of their most undesirable traits. I do appreciate the greater lesson, the author crafted along the way. I do enjoy this particular author's writing style (see The Most Likely Club), but this story just didn't live up to the hype like I thought it would. It was a light summer read with a happy ending, and, upon reflected, I think that's all I should have expected.

Recommendation: This book was a little on the long side, and it wasn't my favorite read for the summer nor was it the worst thing I've read. I'm putting this one in the take it or leave it category.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Duration: 11:24:00
Published: May 2021

I've had an audio copy on my Audible app of The Guncle by Steven Rowley for a couple of years now. The premise sounded intriguing, and I suspected I might enjoy it audibly. Guncle is a portmanteau of gay and uncle, and in this story, Patrick is the titular character. He is often referred to as guncle and also gup for Gay Uncle Patrick by his niece and nephew, Maisie and Grant respectively. Sadly, we meet the children just after their mother, Sarah, has died from cancer, and their father is trying to overcome depression and drug addiction. Greg, the father, asks his brother, Patrick, to take care of the children over the summer in California while he is at a nearby recovery facility. So, Patrick reluctantly takes the children from the east coast to his home to help his brother and help the children during this dark time.

Patrick has some sadness of his own he's trying to heal from and in the midst of helping Greg, he self-actualizes and fulfills a greater purpose for his extended family. Throughout the novel, he espouses his "guncle rules." I think the author intended these as comedic relief for heavier topics; however, I honestly do not remember many of them. They were a lot and difficult to keep up with on audio. I do remember chuckling at some of them and the scenarios that necessitated the rules.

My main issue with this book is the religion bashing. I don't understand why religion and homosexuality always have to be pitted against one another and we can find a way to co-exist in real life and in fiction. The multiple religious mentions in a condescending manner were a put off and soured the book.

Recommendation: I finally hit play on this audiobook in hopes to quickly move to the sequel - The Guncle Abroad. However, this one didn't meet my expectations, so I instead, moved to something else more appealing. I think this book is for a specific audience that I am not a member of.

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.

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 387 pages
Published: August 2023

Happiness Falls, at the surface, is a literary mystery about a father who goes missing in a Washington DC-area park, and the last person who was with him was his young son who has a rare genetic condition that prohibits him from speaking. What's more is the fictional story takes place during the summer of 2020, which posed additional challenges in solving the missing person case in the midst of a global pandemic. On a deeper level, the story is more philosophical and thought-provoking. It begs the questions, what does it mean to be happy? What is the difference between being non-verbal and non-communicative? How does verbal language communicate intelligence? What role does race play in how we perceive and are perceived? How do we protect the ones we love, especially in the most challenging of circumstances?

The book is narrated by the older sister, who is a twin. She and both her brothers and mother come together as a family to work out and reconcile what has happened to the patriarch of their family. The specific plot of the mystery is not necessarily the most important aspect of the book, but it helps propel the story forward. I found this story to beautifully written, and I appreciated the way it made me think about things. There's a lot to unpack beyond the mystery, which is resolved in the course of the books nearly 400 pages. This is one I slowly savored and wouldn't mind reading again.

Recommendation: This book was on my TBR list for far too long. I am happy I read it. This is one of those books where you're not going to get a nice and tidy ending, but you will get a complete and fulfilling story. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy cerebral reads that can easily be discussed with others.

Up Home: One Girl's Journey by Ruth J. Simmons

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Duration: 06:51:00
Published: September 2023

I first learned about Up Home: One Girl's Journey, an autobiography by Ruth J. Simmons through one of Audible's many monthly sales. Convincing myself I didn't need to purchase another book (ha!), I borrowed the audiobook from my local library. Ruth J. Simmons did such a beautiful job telling her story, in her words, in her way, I had to purchase a physical copy.

I will start this review by providing a bit of background about Dr. Simmons. She the first African American to serve as president for an Ivy League institution, Brown University. She holds an undergraduate degree from an HBCU, Dillard University, and received her graduate degrees, including her doctorate, from Harvard University. Her research is in romance languages and literature. And as she tells the story of her humble beginnings in east Texas, she explains how her local school teacher made an impact on her, sparking her love of words. It was at this point in the audiobook I empathized with Simmons. On page 71 of the hard copy she said:

Fascinated with the precision afforded by mysterious multisyllabic words, I began memorizing some that Miss Ida Mae used. I collected words as some children my age collected dolls, stamps, or baseball cards; the pursuit was not merely empowering, it was as if I was inheriting a fortune.

It was her love of words and the way she shared them that made me fall in love with this book. I was also engrossed and moved by the story of this woman who grew up the youngest child of 12 and sharecroppers who would go on to become an effective leader in academia and be held in high regard. I'm sure no one in her family could have imagined that she would attain such status coming from a home where they often lacked the basic necessities. I related to so many parts of her story. My parents grew up similarly in their respective homes and have also overcome the odds of racism, societal expectations, prejudice, redlining and so much more to be successful pillars of society. When Simmons spoke of her childhood and her mom straightening her hair with a hot comb, again I related and I smiled.

The majority of the book, Simmons talks about her childhood, the challenges with her father, her mother's untimely death, and her quest to get an education. As a reader, I felt as though she was walking me down her life's path. I only wish the journey would have been longer and she would have shared more about her career and what challenges she faced in being the "first" in a lot of spaces. Perhaps Simmons is saving that for a future book. I sure hope so. I'm not going to fool myself. I'll be buying a copy of that one too if it comes to fruition!

Recommendation: This is definitely one of those books where representation is important and needed. Simmons testimony is not only a beautiful one but is greatly needed, and I am thankful she published her story of triumph over everything. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. said, of her book, "Destined to take its place in the canon of great African American autobiographies." I certainly agree, but I might revise his quote to say this book will take its place in the great canon of autobiographies, period.

All We were Promised by Ashton Lattimore

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 368 pages
Published: April 2024

All We Were Promised is the debut historical fiction novel by Ashton Lattimore, an award-winning journalist and former lawyer. The book is set during the pre-Civil War era in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and features three female protagonists serving as soldiers for justice: Charlotte, who has escaped slavery with her father, who is hiding in plain sight while his daughter poses as his housemaid; Nell, a well-to-do aspiring abolitionist; and Evie, a freedom-seeking friend from the plantation that Charlotte and her father absconded. All three of these characters' lives collide in Philadelphia where they help each other to make the ideal of freedom a reality because none of us are free unless we are all free (Fannie Lou Hamer).

The premise of the story is not new. There have been many non-fiction and fiction stories that covered the topic of Black people who knew they did not belong to anyone and fought for something different. Additionally, the phenomenon of passing (e.g., Imitation of Life, Did You Hear about Kitty Karr, and Passing, etc.) is touched on with the relationship between Charlotte and her father. But overall this books is about American's greatest ill - its participation in the transatlantic slave trade. Do we need another book about slavery? Yes, let us continue to tell the stories and learn from history lest we repeat them, especially in today's society when the historical facts are being skewed to pacify those who cannot accept the atrocities that occurred in these United States of America.

I truly enjoyed reading this story. I think the author did a wonderful job with portraying the horrendous acts of one group of people treating another group of people as property without being overly graphic. Her research into the actual, historical event of the burning of Pennsylvania Hall within days of its grand opening was not only handled well, but was so compelling it enticed me to seek out more about this true event. Lattimore also did a great job of created in-depth characters in Charlotte, Nell, and Evie. She also presented Charlotte's father in such a way that I was truly angry with this fictional character. To me, he was simply a slavemaster of another kind. When a book evokes emotion and provokes action, I tend to label it a good one.

My only critique was the lack of development of some of the secondary characters and plots - like that of the relationship between Alex and Nell. I would have loved to know more about the Darcel, who befriended Charlotte as well as Irene and Daniel, who she left behind at the plantation and were mentioned by name several times throughout the book but had no fleshed-out back story development.

Recommendation: This novel had strong themes of justice, grief, and belonging. The ending was a little abrupt, and I feel like there could have been so much more to it. My hope is that Lattimore writes a sequel to All We Were Promised because there are so many promises unfulfilled in this first writing. If she does write a follow-up story, I'll be first in line to get a copy.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Rating: 5+ of 5 stars

Pages: 360 pages
Published: May 2022

I read Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, and now I am in love with an endearing character named Marcellus who happens to be an octopus living out his last days at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. He is a smart sea animal who is very observant of Tova who is the tenured aquarium custodian. Having recently lost her husband and being the mother of a son who went missing more than 30 years ago, Tova's third act is a bit of a lonely, sad one. But when her ankle injury requires her to reduce her workload at the same time that Cameron — with problems of his own — comes to town, Marcellus uses his intelligence to help them both find the closure they need to carry on.

This book is a debut for Van Pelt, and it is wonderfully done. The writing is so beautiful and evokes a myriad of emotions. The mystery that runs as the book's central theme keeps the reader engaged, and the ending provides a satisfying, although not completely happy, ending. The story was well balanced and executed perfectly. It satisfied all my literary joys.

I typically like to read stories that I believe could really happen, so having a book with an octopus narrating as one of the main characters seemed to be a stretch for me. But there's something about the magic that Van Pelt created in crafting this story that makes the reader believe the seemingly impossible is possible.

Recommendation: This book made many book of the year lists in 2022 and deservedly so. I thought about this book long after I finished reading it, and I've also become more intrigued by octopuses. My only regret is I waited two years to procure my own copy.

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 309 pages
Published: April 2023

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld was recommended by Anne Bogel's Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club as a 2023 Summer Reading Guide pick. I snagged a copy from Book of the Month, but I didn't get around to reading it until this spring. When I procrastinate and the book is this good, I just want to kick myself for waiting so long. But the upside is the recommendation was solid and it was a good read, so I win ... sooner or later!

Romantic Comedy is about Sally, a sketch writer on a late-night skit show (think Saturday Night Live) called The Night Owls. With a couple of superficial relationships post-divorce, Sally has no intention of engaging in the business of love. While on the job she writes a bit called the Danny Horst Rule, which is based on average-looking Joes who are somehow able to create relationships with glamorous women (think Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian). As fate would have it, pop music star Noah Brewster guest stars on The Night Owls, and Sally thinks they might have had a brief connection during his one-week preparation and appearance on the show. Has the Danny Horst Rule come to her front door? The remainder of the book allows the reader to explore their interactions.

I really enjoyed this story. The writing was clever, and the emotions were very true to heart. The book is set during the dreadful Covid-19 years, but it was fun to watch the relationship between Sally and Noah blossom over email. People don't really write anymore; they text or video call, so this was refreshing. But the characters are both writers, so it wasn't too much of a stretch. As a lover of words, I enjoyed the discourse and the overall story.

Recommendation: To be honest, as a book with the word comedy in the title, I thought it would be a little funnier. Having said that, it did not take away from the story for me. It is heavier on the romance aspect, but I really enjoyed how it was presented in this book. That slow burn that leads to the excitement of getting to know someone especially made the book engaging. Upon completion, I listened to the author chat on the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club platform, which made this story an even more richer reading experience for me.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 380 pages
Published: August 2023

It took me a bit to get into The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. The story begins with the discovery of a skeleton at the bottom of a well. The reader is then transported back a couple of decades where an amalgamation of diverse characters living in a small community called Chicken Hill in Pennsylvania are featured. In Chicken Hill, where Black and Jewish people appear to co-exist peacefully during a time of extreme racial tension, we learn about an orphaned boy who needs protection bringing the two ethnic communities, as well as other unlikely allies, together to provide a safe haven for the boy.

There are a lot of characters in this book with just as many subplots, and while this story can be difficult to follow, if you close read it, the details are interwoven methodically to create a well-rounded story. McBride peppers the plot with are a myriad of nuggets that pull on your heart strings and sometimes make you laugh. I appreciated the emotional aspects of the story. Once I got acclimated to McBride's writing style I found my rhythm and really enjoyed how he told this slowly-unfolding story. I did find the ending to be a bit rushed, and I think the story could have been written without the abuse of a child and still been just as powerful.

Recommendation: Overall, I enjoyed the plot, prose, and especially the protagonist. I can definitely see why this book is Barnes & Noble's Book of the Year (2023) and on so many other favorited lists. It's a slow build, but I do feel the payoff in the end is worth it. Highly recommend!

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 327 pages
Published: August 2023

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus was more like a whaleFAIL for me. The cover is beautiful. The premise is intriguing, but the story simply fell flat for me. To be honest, this is not something I would normally read, but the synopsis and aforementioned cover just grabbed me. (So much for judging a book by its cover!).

The arresting plot is about a young man, Jay, who is attempting to grieve and cope with the death (by suicide) of his father, Mitt. Mitt and Jay have been estranged for sometime, and even on Mitt's deathbed, Jay can't seem to bring himself to visit and reconcile with his father. And quite honestly, I understand the hesitation. Mitt was described as a narrow-minded, chauvinistic man's man who could not process that his only son had different aspirations and was a bit more nuanced as an individual. Mitt lived his life without much emotion, and he seemed to be embarrassed when Jay showed any. But I digress.

The story opens, and Mitt has died. Jay is grieving, and has decided to go out to the ocean where his father died by suicide to find and collect his remains. What he sets out to do at the beginning of the book is so dangerous that he must do it in secret. As luck (or commonsense) would have it, he dives in with this scuba gear, encounters trouble with a squid and ends up swallowed by and in the stomach of a whale. The story is told as he travels through the four stomachs of said whale, and it claims to be scientifically accurate. I am not a scientist or a diver, but there was definitely an overabundance of technical details in the story, so yeah I guess it probably is technically accurate. But does that really matter? I would argue, no. The scientific minutiae made it difficult for me to accurately picture what was happening. Coupled with the overwrought descriptions are seemingly random flashbacks in Jay's mind of interactions with mainly his father but also his mother and sisters.

Any adult reader can discern the main character is grappling with his father's death and the overbearing whale is serving as some sort of paternal metaphor. I think the overall premise is thoughtful; however, the execution just didn't do it for me. It was erratic and disjointed, and I didn't really enjoy the journey. I was just ready to take one big breath of fresh air when it was over.

Recommendation: I always say not every book is for every one, and maybe this one wasn't for me. I don't know that I'd be running to the bookstore or library to read another book by this author. But to each his own.

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 355 pages
Published: May 2023

The Secret Book of Flora Lea was my first read by Patti Callahan Henry, and I must say her writing is as beautiful as that shimmery book cover. I snagged a hardback copy of this book from my local Barnes & Noble on recommendation of the Modern Mrs. Darcy's Book Club. Each year Anne Bogel puts out a Summer Reading List of recommendations, and this wonderful WWII-era novel was on it for 2023. To boot, the book club got to e-meet the author during an hourlong discussion!

So, the story. This is a historical fiction novel about two sisters - Hazel, the older and Flora Lea, the younger and titular character, both whom get shipped off from war-torn London. In reality and in the novel, more than 800,000 children were evacuated during the most dangerous areas of the war under Operation Pied Piper. Together are with all the children from their community, the children and relocated, out of harms way, during World War II to live in a small idyllic town that was deemed safer. To help calm her younger sister's fears, Hazel creates stories in the magical world of Whisperwood. Because Hazel is several years older than Flora Lea and they are forced orphans during this time of evacuation, she takes on a mothering role despite the girls being temporarily "fostered" by a single mom living with her son. Everything is going as best it can, considering the circumstances, until it isn't and Flora Lea vanishes seemingly forever. This inciting action affects all parties involved for years to come.

Fast forward a couple of decades later, and Hazel is working at an antique book shop where she comes across a rare book that features Whisperwood - the fictional world that she created for her younger sister. Certain this is proof Flora Lea is alive, Hazel goes on an investigative hunt, much to the dismay of her long-time boyfriend and his family, to find out more about the rare book, its author, and (she hopes) her sister.

This was such an emotional read for me because I get so invested in these WWII-era stories. Henry did an excellent job of pulling the reader into the world of Hazel Mersey and Flora Lea. Her desciptions were vivid and the plot was engaging albeit hearwrenching at times.

Recommendation: Prior to reading this book, I had no knowledge of the Operation Pied Piper program, which is a HORRIBLE name by the way, or how it has integrated itself into pop culture even today (see Paddington Bear). Learning this tidbit is one of the reasons I so enjoy reading and further proof that, yes, we do need another WWII story because there are just so many stories to tell, educate, and inform. I highly recommend this book and will be reading more by Patti Callahan Henry!

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