Beach Read by Emily Henry

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 361 pages
Published: May 2020

A solid 4 stars for Beach Read by Emily Henry. I learned about this book from Book of the Month but snagged a paperback copy during Target's "Buy 2; Get 1" sale this summer.

The story is about two writers, January, who writes romance novels that are happily ever afters and Augustus, who is committed to dark literary fiction. The two genres and writers are as different as their seasonal names suggest (i.e., summer/winter). They have a history with one another dating back to their college days and consider each other literary rivals. Both writers are also at difficult points in their personal lives, suffering from writer's block in their professional ones, and just happen to be living in adjacent beach houses. Their professional troubles lead them to make a bet of sorts, January will write a literary fiction as her next novel and Augustus will write a romantic one for his. This agreement takes them on several adventures togethers, and as you might suspect, a friendship develops.

By the cover, you might think this book is chick lit or a rom-com, and that would be true, there are some steamy scenes. However, the plot much deeper than romance. The personal issues the protagonists are struggling with are very real and somewhat dark. I picked up this book thinking I would get a light read, but I got more than I bargained for and I think it made for a successful story. A reader might be looking for a light, thoughtless read to push through the hot summer days, and there are plenty available. Beach Read is a little heavier, and as a more mature reader I appreciated the mix of light and dark.

The reason for the lacking star is the slow start. It takes awhile for the author to build the story and early on the construction of her sentences made some parts difficult to understand causing me to have to re-read several sentences. I feel like about a third of the way into the book she found her rhythm and the pace picked up for me.

Recommendation: It was a slow start but well worth the finish. A great beach read for my summer quarantine sans the beach.

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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Boy on the Beach by R.D. Maddux

Genre: Mystery / Thriller

Publisher: Ezekiel 12 Publications

Date of Publication: March 11, 2017

Pages: 304

Synopsis | My Review | Buy Now | About the Author | Giveaway | More Blogs

Andrew Foster, a real estate developer in San Diego, is a man suddenly haunted by his past. Memories, like specters from his former life of sex, drugs and rock and roll have come crashing into his current world of business in this sunny coastal city. The ominous, repeated appearance of a black SUV at the beach where he meets his sister each week, has triggered fears that it’s payback time for a bad choice he made years ago.

To add to his frustrations, his hopes of a big breakthrough in the San Diego real estate market haven’t come to pass. He’s starting to wonder if his visions of success will ever come true when an investor offers to finance his dream project. Soon things start to fall into place for Andrew in business, life, and even love. He starts dating the beautiful and business-savvy Nicole but even with her at his side he can’t seem to shake the ghosts of his past. As the relationship with Nicole deepens, Andrew opens up to her about the many loves and adventures that have taken him from the crazy days of living in Big Sur and Joshua Tree to business success in San Diego. Her wise insights help him face the character flaws that have caused him to fail in his past relationships. 

Rounding out his social life is his once-a-week task of assisting his sister with her nanny job watching a young boy named Chandler. They build sand castles on the beach and enjoy the beauty of nature together. But the now ominous weekly appearance of a strange car at the beach has awakened Andrew’s fears. Is the boy in danger? Or worse, has an enemy from Andrew’s past come seeking revenge and now Chandler’s caught in the middle? 

A strange twist of events threatens to destroy Andrew’s dreams, but as he searches for answers, a sudden revelation offers hope of a future he never imagined.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars 

Boy on the Beach by R.D. Maddux is a moderately-paced yet suspense-filled drama featuring Andrew Foster as the protagonist. Andrew is a 57-year old real estate developer who is down on his luck in his professional life and filled with regret regarding his personal one. The one spot of joy for him is his weekly visits with Chandler, the young child for whom his sister is the nanny. When Andrew notices a strange vehicle that seems to be following he and Chandler, he wonders if Chandler is in trouble or if it's his past that is catching up with him or both! The reader is taken on an engaging emotional rollercoaster that alternates between present day and 37 years in Andrew's past to a surprising conclusion! 

I found the book's synopsis enticing, and I looked forward to diving into this story. The title of the book is a bit of a misnomer as it leads the reader to believe the book's focus is the little boy - Chandler. The actual story is interesting and pushes the reader forward in a quest to learn what's really going on in Andrew's life. Therefore, I think it would be better served with a more appropriately-descriptive title. 

The story is set in California, and it helps frames the plot. However, the author offers up acronyms and shortcuts without explanation for the non-Californian's benefit. There was an overabundance of the main character's mental or self talk. While each chapter changed perspectives from one character to another, the majority of the chapters focused on Andrew's perspective, and he often appeared a little whiny in his self-reflection. While an interesting character, I didn't find Andrew to be very likable. I honestly feel like some of what he received was just. 

As an African American blogger, I often try to read and review from that perspective. One interesting tidbit in the book for me was the description of Nicole, Andrew's love interest. When they first meet, in his mental talk, Andrew focuses on her age (40-ish) and her physical appearance saying she was "working hard to keep the wrinkles at bay." It made me pause and smile because being a 40-ish woman, wrinkles are not something I have to contend with. 

In many of Andrew's flashbacks he shares his experiences during the period of free love in which people pretty much did whatever they wanted with respect to sexual intimacy and drug use. The author provides some pretty detailed accounts of what it feels like to have an acid trip, making me wonder if some of this was autobiographical. Not to sound like too much of a prude, but I will never understand what people get out of drugs. The whole thing sounded rather unpleasant to me. 

At about the halfway point of the book, it's hard to discern exactly because the book contained no page numbers, the author finally tied the past with the present to get us to the peak of the action and make an understanding of the previously two disparate stories. The second half of the book takes the reader to the rather nice and tidy conclusion.  

Recommendation: This book kept my attention. I liked the story, but I think there could be some improvements to the structure and writing to help make this great premise a tighter, more enjoyable novel. 

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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R.D. Maddux has story telling in his blood. Since he was young he’s always loved a good tale. He’s been writing seriously since he was in high school and college. His novels range from Mystery and Intrigue to Sci-fi/fantasy. With Boy On The Beach he’s set the story in modern America, to be exact, on the West Coast of California. He’s a native of the golden state and has been a resident of San Diego since 1987. Before that he grew up in northern California and lived in the Sacramento Valley and Bay Area with sojourns in some of the beautiful parts of our state.

Living in California for over 60 years he couldn't help but watch the way things have changed in our culture and the impact this coast makes on the rest of America and the world. So even though Boy On The Beach is fiction, like most serious novels, it is not without a context and comment on issues we all face in our changing world. It takes place in real locations that are very familiar to him and its characters, which are fictional, no doubt have their counterparts in the real world. Boy On The Beach is a story of intrigue, suspense, revenge, love and redemption with flashbacks to the era when sex, drugs and rock and roll set our culture on it's inevitable journey to our present day. This idea has been rattling around in his heart and mind for a decade and it's finally coming to the page.

Connect with R.D.: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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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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BROKEN GIRLS BY J. M. RYAN

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Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Broken Girls by J. M. Ryan is a young adult work of fiction about a teen girl who was once a part of a "mean girls" clique and quickly falls from grace and becomes the persona non grata amongst her high school peers.

In just under 200 pages, Ryan crafts a story that touches on many important and relevant topics to teenagers today including popularity, academic success and college pursuits, grief, shame, divorce, friendship, and peer pressure. The book is narrated by the unlikable protagonist, Candace. We meet her and her friends: Luke (boyfriend), Drea, Allison, and Mindy. Very early in the book, we learn of an act her father commits that vastly changes the course of her senior year in high school. While Candace starts off as unlikable, the author does develop her character throughout the novel. Candace doesn't become totally likable by the end, but we do see growth in her, which makes the story more realistic.

I enjoyed the story and its related themes, but there were a couple of issues I had with the book. In my opinion, the author opened the story by introducing too many characters in the first few paragraphs. It was difficult to discern what role each one was going to play. Because many of the young girls in this book were influenced by peer pressure, their personalities were similar, so I had to jot down the names and a brief description to keep them straight in my mind. Candace, narrates the novel, but we don't learn her name well into first chapter of the book. Broken Girls is Ryan's debut novel, and I can certainly tell that it was a labor of love; however, there is definitely some more polishing that could have been done. I found several typos (probable instead of probably; Robbie when the character had been referred to as Robby for 2/3 of the book). I felt that some of the language the author used wasn't typical of the way teens speak today, and the Shannon character could have been more fully developed (or removed from the story). As a character, the author hinted that Shannon was going through some very difficult (maybe even criminal) situations, but the introduction of that information wasn't carefully constructed or resolved.

Recommendation: For the young adult audience, I think this book would bring about meaningful discussion on topics that most teens face. My only caution is that there is heavy language and some sexually-explicit scenes. I was gifted an electronic copy of this book in exchange for a critical review.

Until next time ... Read on!

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LOVE ANTHONY BY LISA GENOVA

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

My book club decided to read Lisa Genova's book, Love Anthony, for our upcoming meeting in November. I am probably part of a small minority of readers who has not read Still Alice (nor seen the movie), but I did read Left Neglected and enjoyed it immensely. I had hoped I would enjoy Love Anthony just as much, but it kind of fell flat for me.

The story is starts off rather depressing and doesn't offer much hope throughout. There's a slight glimmer at the end, but I finished the book just feeling, eh. It wasn't a horrible book, but it didn't wow me. I was quite ready to move on to the next story in my ever-growing to be read pile.

The book features two main characters, Olivia, who had a son with autism who died at age 8, and Beth, who is recently separated from her philandering husband. To reclaim her identity, Beth begins voraciously writing. The outcome of her efforts is a story about a young boy who has autism. As a reader (or even if you aren't a reader), you can tell where this story is going, right? Both women cross paths and are drawn together by the account of a fictional and real boy with autism who is used as a vehicle to help them both manage their grief and loss.

The story is promising, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I found the parts where the little boy, in the book within the book, narrated to be mundane. I get that Genova was trying to give the reader a fuller picture of what having autism is like, but it was a little much for me. Similarly, there were parts where Olivia re-read her journal during the time that she cared for Anthony. It seemed that the book was comprised more of the characters reading and re-telling events than it included actual substance of what was going on in present time.

Recommendation: Genova is a detailed storyteller. Her background, as a neuroscientist, provides another dimension of depth to stories like this. If you're looking to gather another perspective on autism, this might be a good choice. However, I would recommend reading it when you're in good spirits because it is quite sobering.

Until next time ... Read on!

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THE HATE U GIVE BY ANGIE THOMAS

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Rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a fictional account of a very real scenario that happens in the United States quite frequently. With the current state of police and race relations at the forefront and prolific rapper, the late Tupac Shakur as a backdrop, this creative take on a conflict with which people in the United States struggle was powerful and also refreshing. The author certainly took on a larger-than-life topic for her debut novel, and I certainly see why it's all the buzz for 2017. 

The main character, sixteen-year old Starr, witnesses her unarmed friend since childhood get shot and killed by a police officer after a traffic stop. Starr, who lives in a predominately African-American neighborhood but attends a private school with predominately non-African-American students is torn between two worlds. Her character struggles with two personas, the one she is at home versus assimilating while she's at school. It's a coping mechanism that many African Americans practice everyday. 

After the killing, the literary conflict tool of (wo)man versus self is employed with Starr trying to determine whether she should speak up or remain in the shadows and about who she truly is and what she saw. The storyline is somewhat predictable, but I found the true beauty in the first-person perspective from which it was told. I think the author offers readers, who may not completely understand these relevant issues from the African American perspective, another dimension from which to draw. 

We are all flawed people, so like any other, the book has some weaknesses. I do feel as though Ms. Thomas was speaking her truth, but some depictions seemed to toe the stereotypical line, which causes concern for me. My hope is that people read this book for what it is - one person's perspective of this issue. I don't want people to paint a broad brush and assume that all African Americans think, act, or feel this way. The issue is complex. The people are complex. And there's no "right" way to illustrate it, but this is Ms. Thomas' way, and I think she did a fine job. She is one woman who is using her vehicle to voice her perspective. While she may echo similar sentiments of others, this is her story. I think it's important to keep that in mind with any story, but especially hot topics such as this one. 

My other issue with the book is there were some parts that seemed to celebrate reverse racism under the guise of humor, and I didn't really feel comfortable with that. Just like I don't want people to make assumptions or generalizations about my culture, I don't want others (whether they are the majority or a minority) to experience that same judgement. In the book, Starr experiences some things in the African American community that I, as an African American, never have. So, I didn't think it was fair when some of the African American characters made sweeping statements about Caucasians. In one sense, it enhances the book because it is a reflection of life. But on the other hand, I think it could have been handled in a better way. 

The book is very real. The characters are relatable. I find myself thinking about them since I've finished the book. I do think this was a story that needed to be told in this way. The topic is heavy, and this isn't necessarily a book you will want to read to escape reality, but rather to help develop a more complete picture of your current reality. 

Recommendation: This young adult novel is almost 450 pages, but reads rather quickly. It would make for a good rainy-day weekend read. I definitely think readers should check it out. 

Until next time ... Read on!

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BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE BY FREDRIK BACKMAN

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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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HOMEGOING BY YAA GYASI

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Rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is what I call a solid debut! Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing was a wonderful read that spoke to my soul. Not because it was a story about slavery, necessarily, but rather one about family.

Secondary to the familial theme was the author's documentation of the African and black American cultures. Her work is proof that knowledge and maturity do not necessarily correspond with age. If this work is indicative of her budding career, I would bet she will have a long and successful one as a writer.

Homegoing is about two half-sisters born in Ghana and later separated from their homeland as a result of circumstances beyond each one's control. From the 1700s to present-day, we learn about each sister's fate and their lineage. Effia marries a British slaver while Esi becomes a slave shipped off to the U.S. From there, each chapter focuses on one person from the next generation, alternating between Effia's and Esi's respective families.

My only complaint about this novel is, because of the structure, the family tree that is printed in the front of the book is required for understanding. This might make it a little more difficult for those who choose the audio book and do not have the ability to refer back to the family tree.

The descriptive writing, the careful detail, and the honor to the culture are all factors in my rating. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I do believe we write what we know, and that is typically what resonates with us as readers too. Gyasi has done a fine job, and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Recommendation: Even though this book tackles difficult topics, it does it in a way that makes it an easy read. I highly recommend it for those seeking to read about the African slave trade from a different perspective.

Until next time ... Read on!

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THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR BY NICOLA YOON

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Rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Sun is Also a Star is a young adult novel by Nicola Yoon in which the bulk of the story takes place over the course of one day. Jamaican-born, straight-laced, facts-and-figures Natasha, her parents, and brother are on the verge of deportation from the United States. On her last day in New York, she meets Korean-American, dreamer, and poet, Daniel.

Whether fate, chance, or something more, the two high schoolers who were once strangers end up spending the day together learning more about themselves, each other, and the (sometimes, harsh) realities that result from their interactions.

This was a quick read that garnered a varied emotional response from me. Each chapter is told from a different character's perspective. Intermixed with the narratives are some well-researched topics about Jamaican, Korean, and North American cultures. The author did a splendid job of taking a fairly deep topic and making it easily digestable for the intended audience. For most people, the teen years are often wrought with emotions and uncertainties of who we are and who we will become. I think Yoon did an excellent job of illustrating those feelings in her book.

Sometimes a book finds us at just the right time, and this was an uplifting book that I needed to read. It didn't hurt that I'm a sucker for romance! While this is my first read by this author, it is her second novel. Her first, Everything, Everything, is set to debut on the big screen in May of this year, starring Amandla Stenberg.

Recommendation: If you're looking for a fun read that will make you think, smile, and maybe even cry a little, this is a good selection.

Until next time ... Read on!

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A MONSTER CALLS BY PATRICK NESS AND SIOBHAN DOWD (CONCEPTION)

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Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Patrick Ness took Siobhan Dowd's idea and completed what would have been her fifth book - In A Monster Calls. Sadly, Dowd lost her own battle with cancer before she could realize her idea.

In this fantasy book, we meet 13-year old, Conor O'Malley who is grappling with the imminent death of his mother who is stricken with cancer. Through his dreams, he meets a monster who helps him come to terms with what is happening in reality.

This is a children's novel, so it is told in such a way that a young reader could relate. However, there are beautiful nuggets of wisdom sprinkled throughout this ~200-page book. The way in which Ness conveys the confused emotions of a youngster having to cope with such an adult problem makes this story a masterpiece.

A Monster Calls was also made into a movie starring Lewis MacDougall as Conor and Liam Neeson as the Monster, and it was released Christmas 2016. It seems as though the film did not have wide range appeal as it was only widely released for a few weeks. I haven't seen the film, but I highly recommend the book. And as I'm sure my fellow readers know, the book is always better!

To sum up my review of this book, I will close with one of the more poignant quotes from the story. I hope it offers comfort to those who might need it:

Belief is half of all healing. Belief in the cure, belief in the future that awaits. 

Recommendation: I think Ness did Dowd justice in telling a story of grief in such a creative way. This is a gift for children (and people, in general) who have taken on the challenge of dealing with such a difficult situation. May you believe and be healed.

Until next time ... Read on!

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BEST BOOK OF 2016: A MAN CALLED OVE BY FREDRIK BACKMAN

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Rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I started this blog, I wasn't sure what direction it would take, but I knew I wanted to memorialize each book I read by drafting a review that included an overview of each book as well as my opinion on its worth. I also knew that would serve as the general framework or structure of the blog. I was certain of that and one other thing - I wanted to review the best book I read each year.

Earlier this year, I had an inkling it was going to be A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, but I started this blog in late summer of 2016. So, I wanted to keep my mind open in the event I read something that eclipsed Ove. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead got close, but Backman's heart-wrenching prose kept it in the lead until I finished my year in books. So, let me tell you about the best book of 2016 according to me - A Man Called Ove.

Ove is a bit of a curmudgeon. He's set in his ways. He's a creature of habit. He's cantankerous. He sounds pretty unlikable, huh? And truth be told, when I first started this book I didn't like Ove. But like a lifetime friendship, a classic song, or a persistent suitor, Ove grows on you. We get a peak into his life of solitude, that against his will changes, in the present day, but we also learn what made the man through flashbacks of his life from childhood through marriage.

Ove is a simple story that is beautifully told. It may seem impossible, but I believe that men, women, and young adults - people of all walks of life, can fall in love with a grumpy old man. I've mentioned before I have become a fast fan of Backman's writing style, and as a result, I will continue to seek out his work.

Recommendation: It should really go without saying that my best book of the year receives a resounding recommendation in the affirmative. If you haven't picked up a copy of this book, do yourself a favor and get to your closest bookstore or local library today!

I'm excited to see what books will gift me for 2017. Until next time ... Read on!

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AND EVERY MORNING THE WAY HOME GETS LONGER AND LONGER BY FREDRIK BACKMAN

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Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Earlier this year I read A Man Called Ove by Fredik Backman, and it gave me all the feels. So, when a co-worker shared his love for Backman's novella, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, I braced myself for another heart-tugging read. Backman did not disappoint.

In this book, Backman introduces us to Grandpa, his grandson Noah, and his son, Ted. We learn about a man who's lived a lifetime and loves his family, despite their differences, in the midst of him attempting to hang on to what once was.

With A Man Called Ove, Backman offered many life lessons illustrated through the all too familiar stories. The beautiful nugget that this author gives through his writing is in the way he crafts each story. He takes care of the characters. In identifying traits and feelings that most of us experience or have experienced, he draws the reader in, leaving a lasting impression. This little book can probably be read by most in one sitting, but it will have you thinking and feeling days after you finish.

This short but sweet book can be summed up what most of us already know ... Life. Goes. On.

Recommendation: Backman is becoming one of my favorite authors. I strongly recommend this book as well as his others. I already have My Grandmother Asked me to Tell you She's Sorry on my list for early 2017.

Until next time ... Read on!

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DARKTOWN BY THOMAS MULLEN

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Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Set in pre-civil rights era, Darktown by Thomas Mullen, opens with two of the first African Americans on the Atlanta Police Force encountering a young and beaten African American woman in a car with a Caucasian man. Because of racial tensions and limited police authority, the African American officers are not able to investigate properly. So, when the young woman turns up murdered days later, these "beat" officers along with another (Caucasian) rookie work in an unofficial capacity to solve the case.

Told from a third person perspective, the author captures the essence of the time, illustrating the inequality and atrocities that many African Americans, in reality, faced during the late 1940s and early 1950s ... and still today in 2016. I found the story to be formulaic but suspenseful enough to hold my interest and finish the book. Having said that, it seemed to bog me down in some places with too much description and unnecessary detail. I got the feeling that Mullen was writing with the intent to option the book for a movie. And sure enough, the story will come to life starring actor Jamie Foxx.

If you're looking for a detailed pseudo-detective story with racial overtones, this just may be the book for you. I won't say it's a bad book because the story is compelling and the writing is decent. It just simply wasn't my cup of tea. Rather than motivating me to turn another page before bedtime, it put me to sleep night after night over a three-week period.

Recommendation: I would recommend this book for someone who enjoys police dramas. I think it's better suited for an independent read as there isn't too much to discuss in a group setting.

Until next time ... Read on!

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ORDINARY GRACE BY WILLIAM KENT KRUEGER

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Rating: 3 of 5 stars

My latest read Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger is narrated by Frank, a man who reflects on a summer consumed with death, destruction and lost opportunities when he was 13 years old. The story begins with the death of a young boy, Bobby Cole, and the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. From there, the reader is welcomed into a small, quaint town where the plot is slowly developed and extreme care and detail is put into the development of the characters and their surroundings. The story includes Frank's older sister, Ariel, who has inherited her musical talent from Frank's mother and his younger brother, Jake, who has a speech impediment. Frank's father, Nathan, who had initially planned a career as an attorney but changed his course as a result of serving in the military during war time, and is now the local Methodist minister. Frank's mother is a housewife who begrudgingly serves in the church, feeling as though she got a little less than she bargained for when Nathan became a minister.

My favorite character is Frank's brother, Jake, who tries to remain insignificant because of his stutter, but throughout the book emerges as the most empathetic and thoughtful character. I also enjoyed the religious themes in this book. The author put the Nathan, the minister, in a positive light by portraying him as open-minded and indiscriminating. (For me it was certainly welcomed during a time when religion/Christian-bashing is a societal norm.) In addition to religion, specifically Christianity, the book touches on various other dark themes: racial discrimination, people labeled as outcasts due to physical limitations, homosexuality, and statutory rape.

My major complaint with the novel is I had a bit of difficulty getting into it and finding my reading pace. I found the writing to be very descriptive, painting a vivid picture. However, it took about half of the book to get to the crux of the story. The benefit of plowing through this relatively short novel (300 pages) is that the loose ends are neatly tied at the end. The epilogue was most touching, and the last line of it was my favorite part of this book:

The dead are never far from us. They're in our hearts and on our minds and in the end all that separates us from them is a a single breath, one final puff of air. 

Recommendation: The gem in Ordinary Grace is that it beautifully shares ordinary lessons and themes in an extraordinary way. I would recommend this book for someone who is willing to invest the time in the slow plot development for its rewarding ending.

Until next time ... Read on!

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THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD BY COLSON WHITEHEAD

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Rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of two Oprah 2.0 book club sections this fall, The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead is a historical fiction account set during the pre-Civil war era. Before I delve into my review, I will preface my forthcoming comments with this: I will not be able to compose a review that does this book justice. This is my first exposure to Whitehead's craft, and I find his vividly creative prose simply stunning. I hope to one day write half as well as he does. Furthermore, I am sure my review means about .25 of a cent compared to what media mogul Oprah Winfrey had to say about it. But it's one of my favorite books of 2016, so I will attempt to convey my awe in this brief review in my little space in the blogosphere.

 The story's protagonist, Cora, is a young field slave forced to work a vicious plantation in Georgia. Motivated by a fellow slave, Caesar, and inspired by the mother who abandoned her in search for her own freedom, Cora, too, decides to run. The book progresses with Cora traveling from state-to-state on a literal railroad underground. Each stop offers an opportunity for the author to capture racial inequities and subjugations through historical storytelling. Driven by a piercing curiosity of her mother's fate and burning desire for freedom, Cora discovers"the true face of America" through her travels. Through every page Cora, as well as the reader, hopes that her ticket on this railroad is not round trip, and both Cora and the reader learn that captivity extends beyond shackles and chains.

The gem in this book is, although it's set over 100 years ago, the themes are real and relevant today. People get tired of being mistreated and abused and just decide to do something. Each action, in an attempt to move society - sometimes begrudgingly - forward. At it's core, this book is a demonstration of what real-life rabble rousers did then and still do today - They say this is enough, and I am going to do my part to change the course by changing my story. After reading this book and examining the disparities in how people of color are treated today, it begs the question - how far have we really come? How do we move forward without looking back, and should we? And will we ever truly be free?

Recommendation: I would definitely recommend this book. Most of what I've learned about American history (read: American, not African-American) has come post-education. While this is a work of fiction, it is a nice supplement to my quest for knowledge. Please note it depicts the atrocities of the time, so it the illustrations are vivid, graphic, and extremely violent.

Until next time ... Read on!

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TRULY MADLY GUILTY BY LIANE MORIARTY

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Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Liane Moriarty failed to disappoint in her latest novel, Truly Madly Guilty. Having read Three Wishes, The Husband's Secret and Big Little Lies, she is clearly becoming one of my favorite modern authors. Her stories typically jump right in providing information a bit at a time until the driving event and central idea are revealed. In my opinion, Moriarty has always done a good job of tying up loose ends leaving the reader satisfied but not necessarily with a perfectly happy ending.

Truly Madly Guilty is a story is about three couples, three children, and the intertwining relationships of all six people. From the publisher's synopsis and the first chapter of the book, we know that something major occurred at a family barbecue one afternoon that affected and transformed the lives of all the characters. However, and this is my only complaint, we don't find out until more than halfway through the book what actually happened at the darn barbecue. I felt like the author dragged that bit out a little too long. The remainder of the book focuses on the after effects of the tragic event at barbecue. And that's where we see Moriarty at her best - character development. She has a knack for painting a vivid portrait of the characters and making them so relatable. We are truly all more alike than different, and I think by exposing the vulnerabilities in her characters is what makes them so realistic and relatable to her audience.

The other books I've read by this author don't necessarily end this way,  but Truly Madly Guilty's ending is a bit of a happily ever after. And I think it works for this storyline.

Recommendation: I enjoyed this book immensely, finishing it in less than one week. It tackles some heavy subjects in a lighthearted manner that makes you think but also leaves you with a smile. I think this is the author's trademark talent. I would recommend this read for a book club selection or a quick read on your own. A caveat - you must be patient and willing to endure the build-up. Enjoy the journey, and don't get so wrapped up in the destination. Her writing is simply marvelous!

Until next time ... Read on!

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