2020 Goodreads
JANUARY
The challenges of finding home and identity in the midst of so many challenging variables.
It wasn’t until I was invested in Greetings from Bury Park (Sarfraz Manzoor), that I realized this was the book that inspired the movie, Blinded by the Light. Fortunately, it seemed to me, that the movie was pulled from only one chapter.
I believe this book might have been organized differently. Some parts seem redundant or appeared to contradict. I would still recommend as a read, however. 288 pgs 4 stars
The Winter in Anna is written with an intriguing simplicity. A love story of friendship and the surprising influence we can have on someone - even when we live most of our lives off camera.
I fell in love with Anna and all that she emoted.
Highly recommend. Kudos to Reed Karaim. One of those books you can curl up with and read in one sitting. You may even shed a tear in the end. 254 pgs almost 5 stars
The subtle mysteriousness kept me reading Lions (Bonnie Nadzam). I tried to set it aside as I would have easily with another book but it kept quietly tapping on my shoulder. 288 pgs. 3 stars.
I tend to love quiet stories like this steeped in the richness of a simple character and life but I started to roll my eyes 160 pages in. The consistency of tragic loss in The Signal Flame (Andrew Krivak) seemed exaggerated and was really disruptive to the alternative pace of the book. As a side note, I suppose I would have been moved by the loss had I initially felt connection to the characters. Unless it’s a gem in writing,
I don’t have the tolerance for a predictable ending either. 272 pgs. And the lower end of 3 stars.
I don’t have the tolerance for a predictable ending either. 272 pgs. And the lower end of 3 stars.
All You Can Ever Know by Nicole Chung taps into the intense layers, perplexities and life long challenges of interracial adoption. The beginning of this book is informative.
The remaining reads like a novel while the author simultaneously tells her personal story: finding her biological family, deciding with whom to maintain relations, grappling with how to share a sense family history and culture with her daughters. 240 pgs. 4 stars.
FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY
After going without a new book for twelve days, I realized Bad Blood (John Carreyrou) had just come out in paperback and went to my local bookstore to purchase. This book had been on my reading list for quite awhile. It did not disappoint. Page tuner. Reads like a thriller (just like the cover states). 339 pgs Generous 4 stars.
I cannot believe how difficult it has been to find a good book. I have had racks of books on hold at the library, loaded up my book bag and not one book has stuck. And I’ve cycled through this process three different times. I kept reading for reading sake, but didn’t feel the need to finish or mention anything here.
I almost finished both Wolf Season (Helen Benedict) and The Flamingo Rising (Larry Baker) just because I didn’t have anything else to read. How disappointing to return these books to the library with only 30-60 pages remaining and not have any regrets. What kept me reading The Flamingo Rising was that the author had attended the Iowa Writer’s Workshop and I have found I usually appreciate authors who have been affiliated.
I cannot believe how difficult it has been to find a good book. I have had racks of books on hold at the library, loaded up my book bag and not one book has stuck. And I’ve cycled through this process three different times. I kept reading for reading sake, but didn’t feel the need to finish or mention anything here.
I almost finished both Wolf Season (Helen Benedict) and The Flamingo Rising (Larry Baker) just because I didn’t have anything else to read. How disappointing to return these books to the library with only 30-60 pages remaining and not have any regrets. What kept me reading The Flamingo Rising was that the author had attended the Iowa Writer’s Workshop and I have found I usually appreciate authors who have been affiliated.
MARCH
I started and finished A Prayer for Travelers by Ruchika Tomar. 344 pgs. 3 stars. I wouldn’t recommend. It held my attention enough to finish but, gol’, where are the good books lately? I even purchased and returned another book to my bookstore. It was so disappointing.
I think I may have finally found a fit though.
And, indeed, I did. Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder and a Woman’s Search for Justice in Indian Country written by Sierra Crane Murdoch.
With my incredible interest in Indian reservation culture (especially since I read On the Rez by Ian Frazier years and years ago), this book confirmed worries and fears regarding the fracking in South Dakota. Written with an investigative journalistic approach, this book became another page turner for me. 379 pgs. 4+ stars
The setting took on a personality of its own that was intriguing to me in Nada (Carmen Laforet, translated by Edith Grossman). The inner dialogue and first person of Andrea did as well. Still a sluggish read, however, in the depression of the times. 244 pgs 4 stars
I started and finished A Prayer for Travelers by Ruchika Tomar. 344 pgs. 3 stars. I wouldn’t recommend. It held my attention enough to finish but, gol’, where are the good books lately? I even purchased and returned another book to my bookstore. It was so disappointing.
I think I may have finally found a fit though.
And, indeed, I did. Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder and a Woman’s Search for Justice in Indian Country written by Sierra Crane Murdoch.
With my incredible interest in Indian reservation culture (especially since I read On the Rez by Ian Frazier years and years ago), this book confirmed worries and fears regarding the fracking in South Dakota. Written with an investigative journalistic approach, this book became another page turner for me. 379 pgs. 4+ stars
The setting took on a personality of its own that was intriguing to me in Nada (Carmen Laforet, translated by Edith Grossman). The inner dialogue and first person of Andrea did as well. Still a sluggish read, however, in the depression of the times. 244 pgs 4 stars
APRIL
I did fall in love with Aunt Ruth in Hill Women written by Cassie Chambers. And this is important to me - that I find at least one character with whom I create an attachment. I did appreciate the author’s passion and sentimentality. This book is definitely a juxtaposition to Hillbilly Elegy (which I feel certain was the author’s mission). This could easily be the difference between a male/female experience/voice, however. 304 pgs. The much lower end of 4 stars.
Bland and repressed in beige suburbia in Arlington Park by Rachel Cusk. Only midway through the book are we given the relief of contrast with characters, Paola+Sonny, the sensitized + desensitized: “You have to save up life for that. Maybe she’s spent it all.”. Dead end lives where there seems to be no escape (other than to come close to a breakdown in the midst of a dinner party). A low grade thread of unsettling+disturbing with only a minor break. 256 pgs. 4 stars for convincing characters and brilliant writing.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson soothed my sentimental soul as a Laura Ingalls Wilder would. I loved the historical references and the topic of books and their influence on Richardson’s beloved characters. 308 pgs. The higher side of 4 stars.
How does one review John Steinbeck? Well, I appreciated traveling alongside him here (in Travels with Charley). It is more often than not that I am disappointed in how a book end. But that last chapter sealed the deal for me. I believe it should be required reading for all. The appendix, too, provided an extra kick. 214 pgs. 4 stars
An eye opening (can't get enough of those), difficult and painful read throughout. At the same time, highly recommended. A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum. 336 pgs. 4 stars.
Instead of flipping back and forth with different narrators between chapters as many authors have chosen to do (quite frankly, I find this too disruptive), Tayari Jones created this split mid way through Silver Sparrow. A brilliant strategy, giving the reader ample time to dig in and care about both characters and perspectives. 352 pgs. 4 stars.
I did fall in love with Aunt Ruth in Hill Women written by Cassie Chambers. And this is important to me - that I find at least one character with whom I create an attachment. I did appreciate the author’s passion and sentimentality. This book is definitely a juxtaposition to Hillbilly Elegy (which I feel certain was the author’s mission). This could easily be the difference between a male/female experience/voice, however. 304 pgs. The much lower end of 4 stars.
Bland and repressed in beige suburbia in Arlington Park by Rachel Cusk. Only midway through the book are we given the relief of contrast with characters, Paola+Sonny, the sensitized + desensitized: “You have to save up life for that. Maybe she’s spent it all.”. Dead end lives where there seems to be no escape (other than to come close to a breakdown in the midst of a dinner party). A low grade thread of unsettling+disturbing with only a minor break. 256 pgs. 4 stars for convincing characters and brilliant writing.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson soothed my sentimental soul as a Laura Ingalls Wilder would. I loved the historical references and the topic of books and their influence on Richardson’s beloved characters. 308 pgs. The higher side of 4 stars.
How does one review John Steinbeck? Well, I appreciated traveling alongside him here (in Travels with Charley). It is more often than not that I am disappointed in how a book end. But that last chapter sealed the deal for me. I believe it should be required reading for all. The appendix, too, provided an extra kick. 214 pgs. 4 stars
An eye opening (can't get enough of those), difficult and painful read throughout. At the same time, highly recommended. A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum. 336 pgs. 4 stars.
Instead of flipping back and forth with different narrators between chapters as many authors have chosen to do (quite frankly, I find this too disruptive), Tayari Jones created this split mid way through Silver Sparrow. A brilliant strategy, giving the reader ample time to dig in and care about both characters and perspectives. 352 pgs. 4 stars.
It's August and I am attempting to catch up here. We'll see how I /if I can do this. Fortunately, I reviewed on goodreads, so I'll just need to copy and paste them here. Maybe this will be enjoyable: to look back and review what I've been reading.
APRIL (continued)
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
Really? That's it? I threw my hands up after reading the last page. A bit too neat and tidy for me. 4 start for writing and readability. 2 stars for storyline. I was intrigued by George's character, however. What trials did he have to experience/overcome to be who he was in the midst of all of this? It would have been a lot more interesting to read this story from his perspective. 390 pgs, 3 stars
MAY
Ohhhhhh my gawwwwwwwwd, talk about character development! Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead written by Olga Tokarczuk knocked my socks off. PERFECTLY INCREDIBLE. I found the story to start waning 2/3s of the way through (the reason for 4 stars instead of 5). I wasn't even that impressed with the ending either. In fact, I thought it to fall flat. Yes, I would still recommend the first eight chapters, AT LEAST, to ANYONE. WOW. Thank you. More please. I really needed this one. 4 stars
Washington Black written by Esi Edugyan
334 pgs, 4 stars
Agnes Martin: Writings
176 pgs, 4 stars
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland
400 pgs, 4 stars
JUNE
Normal People by Sally Rooney
I think this was the first book I have ever read after seeing the movie (or tv series, in this case). The series knocked my socks off. I have watched it from beginning to end two solid times at least. What a brilliant adaptation of the book (now that I've read it). Because I don't feel I can look at the book objectively having loved the televised version so much, I find 4 stars (as opposed to 5) a fair rating.
273 pgs, 4 stars
The Suwannee: Strange Green Land by Cecile Hulse Matschat
296 pgs
Coconut by Kopano Matlwa
190 pgs, 4 stars
The Heart's Invisible Furies written by John Boyne
I haven't been this attached to the storyline or the characters since I read Lonesome Dove. This is sensational. I was too overwhelmed with gratitude for the book to write a review following it.
I rarely cry while reading a book. I definitely mourned the end of this book and the love for the main character. 582 pgs, 5 stars
JULY
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Stout
289 pgs, stars
I found The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein difficult to read. And I continued for the content, a deeper education of that era and the artists. Chapters 3 and 4 were my favorites. I pushed my way through the rest. Funny, the only think I seem to have learned about Alice is that she enjoys embroidery. And wasn't this her autobiography? Clever ending, Ms. Stein. Way to lighten the mood and attempt to change the reader's mind about you in one, mini swoop. 252 pgs, 3 stars
Charlotte's Story by Charlotte Arpin Niedauk
4 stars
I tend to steer clear of books like this: More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are by Elaine Welteroth. It seems everyone (who is "anyone") writes a book like this. It was well written and easy to read. I stuck with it to reap as much as I could learn from her first hand experience as a young, professional biracial woman in her field. I wouldn't recommend though. 336 pgs, 4 stars
The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
464 pgs, 4 stars
The Last Madam: A Life in the New Orleans Underworld by Christine Wiltz
read like poor journalism. 264 pgs, 3 stars
Everywhere I Look by Helen Garner
272 pgs, 3 stars
AUGUST
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
304 pgs
Another 5 star book! WOW. I was so impressed with Such a Fun Age (written by Kiley Reid)! There were so many subtleties to process and digest. To me, the storyline was based on how overcompensating (the main character's desire/obsession with proving she was not racist) can go south - quickly. The hypocracy of lifestyle in the main, white, female character was so discouraging as well (but SO REAL and spot on)!
310 pgs, 5 stars
This quick read, Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss, was a bit of a thriller/page turner. Moss has the ability to establish an eery feel from the get go. 152 pgs, 4 stars
Gol' I was so disappointed in the book, Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams. It was exhausting to follow along with the main character's lifestyle (although I understand the benefit of this and I give the author credit for having the ability to wear the reader tired). The (what seemed like endless) details regarding the numb yet sharply physical sexual relations with men Queenie had was extremely upsetting. Again, I see why this might be a good investment to make for the author. The fact that she had the ability to upset me, gives the author credit, again. Why not use this platform to elaborate and really dig deep to a stronger point?
I held out for the recovery process I had read to expect. Turns out everything was wrapped up in a bow in the last few chapters. First of all, if anyone were to have similar experiences, here, in addition to coming from a challenging past (the book only touches on this briefly), friends, family, relationships with men and therapy don't all come together as one in one, big perfect swoop. Completely unrealistic, draining and a waste of time. I would have rather Queenie just carried on. At least this may have left the reader something to ponder. I think the message here is misleading and dull. It was too heavy to be considered solely "entertainment" either. 330 pgs, 3 stars
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