I don't often read fiction these days, but this one kept my interest enough to finish. I was particularly intrigued that the author includes two real-I don't often read fiction these days, but this one kept my interest enough to finish. I was particularly intrigued that the author includes two real-life women, Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter Cutter, as minor characters in the novel. I'm now reading a nonfiction book about these two, called Brave the Wild River, describing their hazardous journey through the Grand Canyon in 1938 to collect rare botanical specimens....more
Ahead of this year's Banned Books Week, I'm reading several titles from the American Library Assn's lists of most challenged books. Most seem to be YoAhead of this year's Banned Books Week, I'm reading several titles from the American Library Assn's lists of most challenged books. Most seem to be Young Adult titles, but this one is for younger kids; the main character here is a 10 year old boy who identifies as a girl. It was interesting to read about this very unhappy young person who cannot express something so deeply felt. The book was an easy read, but probably could have been somewhat shorter....more
My "beach read" for this summer - found in a Little Free Library in my neighborhood. Not a casual read, though: readers need to pay attention, as it aMy "beach read" for this summer - found in a Little Free Library in my neighborhood. Not a casual read, though: readers need to pay attention, as it alternates among three different time periods and a number of characters. There were a few plot connections that weren't immediately obvious, but overall it kept my interest to the end. The authors took on an extra challenge, as this was a group endeavor; they clearly had to work closely together to make sure all the storylines meshed. I appreciated their creativity and attention to detail in knowing the location (Newport, RI), and the historical periods involved, well enough to develop the story. ...more
This novel became more engrossing as it went along, so that by halfway through, I was really eager to see what would happen next. Alternating one narrThis novel became more engrossing as it went along, so that by halfway through, I was really eager to see what would happen next. Alternating one narrative of the kidnap and cruel treatment of children, with another depicting strong family bonds and caring individuals, the author keeps us from being too traumatized by the horror nor put off by a budding romance that might otherwise seem overly sentimental or contrived. Especially because it's based on true events, Before We Were Yours presents a story that stays in the reader's mind--this reader's, at least-- to ponder long after finishing the book....more
I've lately been reading several re-tellings of the Robin Hood stories, and have found this to be one of the best. At the beginning we're told clearlyI've lately been reading several re-tellings of the Robin Hood stories, and have found this to be one of the best. At the beginning we're told clearly how our hero was forced to become an outlaw, and how he shaped a group of ordinary guys into a loyal band of followers, training them to handle weapons and defend the oppressed. At the end [spoiler alert-- but you probably already know this], his outlaw status was removed by the timely return of the rightful king. Unlike other accounts that end with his death--and Marian's, this one has him instead looking forward to a much less dangerous new life on the right side of the law, albeit with a sigh of nostalgia for the strong friendships and fierce sense of purpose they had enjoyed living outdoors in the forest. The full-page illustrations were a beautiful bonus....more
I read the abridged edition of this as a fun way to revisit stories I loved as a child. I still enjoy the aspects of adventure, daring, helping the poI read the abridged edition of this as a fun way to revisit stories I loved as a child. I still enjoy the aspects of adventure, daring, helping the poor, and "in your face" attitude toward authority, but now I'm more aware of the violent and misogynist mindset of this time period....more
I'd liked Euphoria, a previous novel by Lily King, so I picked this one up. Here I enjoyed the sparkling conversations among very believable characterI'd liked Euphoria, a previous novel by Lily King, so I picked this one up. Here I enjoyed the sparkling conversations among very believable characters, especially the protagonist Casey's co-workers at the restaurant. Casey herself is quite likable, trying to get her life together while facing considerable challenges. One of her talents is her rapport with children and teens, and also noteworthy is her persistence as a writer. [Spoiler alert] However, I was quite disappointed in the way Casey's difficulties were resolved almost magically in the final pages. For example: how likely was it, despite receiving numerous rejection letters, that she'd be able to sell her first novel for enough money to pay off her $73,000 debt plus cover a year's rent for an apartment? How likely that she'd get a car from her mother's estate exactly when she needed it to go on job interviews? How likely that she'd accept and seemingly be happy in a teaching job that she at first was repelled by? And that she'd suddenly decide which of her two boyfriends to choose, when she'd been going back and forth between them for many months? Don't get me wrong, I like happy endings, but this was too much too quickly to seem plausible. ...more
Focusing skillfully on a close relationship between siblings, rather than parents/children or romantic partners, makes The Dutch House intriguing. TheFocusing skillfully on a close relationship between siblings, rather than parents/children or romantic partners, makes The Dutch House intriguing. The author also nails telling the story in the first person from a male viewpoint. However, the novel's implausibilities just about sink it, and to comment on that will require me to reveal spoilers.
The biggest hard-to-swallow element was that a young man would choose to go all the way through medical school, with all the years of hard work and difficulty that entails, when he had no interest in ever becoming a doctor. Huh? And that he would do so just to spend money in a trust fund to get revenge on his stepmother. Next, how likely is it that a generous-hearted woman, sufficiently compassionate to want to go live in India to help the poor, would abandon her own children primarily to the care of servants, as the children's dad was distant at best? Then years later, we are expected to believe that she would become caregiver to the stepmother who had been cruel to those same children, her children? How likely is it that Danny would buy a house sight unseen to surprise his wife, which she later said she never liked, given that his father bought the Dutch House as a surprise for Danny's mother, which she hated and which led to her leaving Danny and his sister? And so on.
Ultimately however, The Dutch House was worth reading because it is different, the storyline keeps readers' interest, and it explores deeply the meaning of family....more
A most intriguing premise, carefully plotted, kept me reading to see how it would play out. I was amply rewarded for my time and, as every author wortA most intriguing premise, carefully plotted, kept me reading to see how it would play out. I was amply rewarded for my time and, as every author worth reading should do, left with questions and new ways of looking at ordinary life.
[Spoiler alert] The main character ultimately realizes that "You could eat in the finest restaurants, you could partake in every sensual pleasure, you could sing on stage to twenty thousand people, you could soak up whole thunderstorms of applause, you could travel to the ends of the Earth, you could be followed by millions on the internet, you could win Olympic medals, but this was all meaningless without love."...more
I loved Mandelbaum's novel The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals, so wanted to catch up with her earlier writing. Kansas twenty-somethings are the mainI loved Mandelbaum's novel The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals, so wanted to catch up with her earlier writing. Kansas twenty-somethings are the main characters in these stories, seeking--in some cases, struggling--to discover themselves, establish a sense of purpose, and create stable relationships. Some are not above being manipulative, even deceitful and mean, to accomplish their desired outcomes, even when it's fairly obvious those outcomes are unlikely to succeed. In one story, a vegetarian woman is sure that a man she has recently met, who is a hunter, would be an ideal partner. In another, a man whose girlfriend leaves him just as they are moving in together for the first time, tries to repair the relationship even when it becomes clear that she prefers her previous female partner. The characters in these stories, typical of that age group, are often driven by loneliness, confusion, and the desire to prove themselves. The author demonstrates a gift for believable conversations and motivations, but leaves most of the stories unresolved, so that readers are left to supply their own ending, or not. As someone who was born and grew up in Kansas and moved away right after college, I was greatly amused by this interchange between a prospective landlady and tenant: "What brought you to Kansas? School?" "A girl, actually," he said. It seemed, now, like a stupid reason. "It's either school, a job, or a girl," she said. "Or death. Those are the only reasons for coming to Kansas. Unless you're born here, of course. Then it's a matter of escaping." She smiled, letting Cliff know this was a joke....more
With books like this one, just reading them all the way through is a major effort, and not just because of length. Well, I read every page, but I'm stWith books like this one, just reading them all the way through is a major effort, and not just because of length. Well, I read every page, but I'm still not sure exactly what the author was trying to communicate. I think it is that 1) trees are amazing, much more complex than we'd thought, and 2) widespread deforestation is a major threat to our planet, but trying to do something meaningful about it can get you in trouble. I must say I resented how much trauma the author throws at readers: every major character, it seems (and some minor ones) suffers a serious handicap, accident or grisly death. At one point, I put the book down for several days because I just didn't want to find out what would be the next horrible blow. I also felt it was a serious omission that he didn't write more about the role of livestock agriculture in deforestation. The author's imagination is quite remarkable, but surely the message that our planet is in serious danger from deforestation could have been conveyed with less violence and fewer pages....more
Ah, dysfunctional relationships--where would fiction be without them? [Spoiler alert] Stoner, the protagonist, with whom we sympathize, is unfortunatelAh, dysfunctional relationships--where would fiction be without them? [Spoiler alert] Stoner, the protagonist, with whom we sympathize, is unfortunately an enabler of such relationships. I kept hoping he would stand up and do something to extricate himself and find more supportive situations in both work and home life. It was particularly sad that his neglect allowed his daughter to spiral downward into eventual alcoholism. He was emotionally handicapped from the beginning by being the only child of parents who lived on a remote farm and were sort of grim and uncommunicative. Then as a young adult he seemed clueless about getting to know his wife-to-be before committing to marry her. Later, when she turned out to be a selfish bully, he just put up with it. I realize divorce was not an acceptable option in the early 20th century but maybe living apart might have been possible, and a teaching position in another state. Or something -- one hates to see a warm-hearted and talented individual so badly treated. I was drawn to this because the author was a longtime writing instructor at the University of Denver near where I live. His portrayal of Stoner was perceptive and beautifully rendered....more
It was a pleasure to read about characters who care about animals, and who work hard, despite setbacks, to maintain an animal sanctuary. Thankfully, tIt was a pleasure to read about characters who care about animals, and who work hard, despite setbacks, to maintain an animal sanctuary. Thankfully, they "get it" that meat comes from slaughtered animals, and so eat only vegetarian meals there. We meet quite a few of the nonhuman residents as well. The story examines difficulties in family and romantic relationships and how long-established dysfunctional habits can, with attention and perseverance, be addressed and improved. These are people that readers can relate to and care about, some we'd like to reach into the pages and hug. At the beginning, their stunned disbelief (in 2016) that Trump has been elected was perhaps most relatable of all. Also meaningful to me is the story's setting in Kansas, particularly Lawrence, where I lived for several years as a KU student. Well-written, warm-hearted, highly recommended. I'll be watching for more from this author. ...more
Author Kate Quinn weaves together in this novel an imaginative mix of fiction along with actual people and events of World Wars I and II. Its structurAuthor Kate Quinn weaves together in this novel an imaginative mix of fiction along with actual people and events of World Wars I and II. Its structure alternates between two different time periods, one told in first person and the other in third, yet always easy to follow. Her style is what I'd call cinematic -- filled with well-paced action and wrenching emotion, vivid enough to transfer smoothly to the big screen. As one might expect, however, given that the novel's primary focus is espionage behind enemy lines, its undercurrent of suspense erupts often in violence, brutality, revenge, fear, lies, exploitation, despair, death and destruction. Too often for my taste; I found it stressful to get through, despite some moments of courage and love. ...more
I'd noticed this on the NYTimes bestseller list for some time, and since I have the goal of reading more books by people of color--and since the plot I'd noticed this on the NYTimes bestseller list for some time, and since I have the goal of reading more books by people of color--and since the plot sounded interesting--I went for it. I'm glad I did, because the author tells a compelling story about members of an African American family trying to navigate our racist society. I have a much better understanding of what "passing" means, how having lighter-colored skin could confer privileged status, but at a cost. Another section of the book takes a close look at the struggles of someone who is both black and transgender. The writing style is smooth and sympathetic, and seems grounded in actual experience. I love books that lead to a deeper understanding and compassion for others....more
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