Young Adult Fiction: The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Seeing the name of author Ruta Sepetys on a future new release is always exciting, and this time she has joined forces with another author, Steve Sheinkin, for The Bletchley Riddle. Set during World War II as Hitler advances across Europe, Sepetys and Sheinkin present the adventures of the Novis siblings, and the codebreakers of Bletchley Park.

The Situation: Nineteen year-old Jakob Novis is proud to be at Bletchley Park as part of Britain's top secret team of codebreakers working to solve the riddle of the Nazi's Enigma cipher. He knows this means humble living quarters, long hours, and, if they are not successful, possible future devastation for all of Britain at the hands of Hitler. But something Jakob did not expect was to have his 14 year-old sister Lizzie join him there. She was supposed to be on a ship headed for America to stay with their grandmother, since their father died years before, and their mother disappeared when Hitler invaded Poland. But Lizzie is not only determined and resourceful, but also convinced that life in America with her strict grandmother is not for her. She has her own riddle to solve, and must stay on this side of the ocean to do so.

The Problem: The work Jakob is doing is tough, but he does love it. Even Lizzie's presence brings some comfort as he is glad to have his sister close, and she has found a purpose as a messenger, physically delivering correspondence all around Bletchley Park. But things quickly take a darker turn as Lizzie insists what they were told about their mother cannot be true. Then there are the mysterious notes and letters that start arriving at the Park, along with the appearance of an intimidating inspector who begins making uncomfortable accusations. With two riddles to solve, in the middle of an ever-present war, the Novis siblings will have to decide who to trust, what is true, and which secrets to keep.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel that follows 19 year-old Jakob and 14 year-old Lizzie in Bletchley Park in 1940. As a young man with a mind for mathematics, Jakob finds himself working as a codebreaker in the same eccentric facility as famed mathematician Alan Turing, with a team that is doing their best to crack the Enigma cipher. Lizzie arrives after escaping her grandmother's plan for her to travel to America, but her powers of observation and straightforward manner serve her well in her new environment. Bletchley Park is the place known for cracking the Nazis' Enigma cipher during WWII, and various methods of coding messages is discussed, along with how they are solved, and have evolved through time.

My Verdict: With this book being tagged as both 'young adult' and 'middle grade,' it is served well by having both a 19 year-old narrator, and one that is only 14. Jakob is serious and committed, and so is Lizzie, but she is also more willing to take risks in a search for the truth. I think people of all ages will relate to her desire to be believed and trusted. While I found the first 100 pages to be less than exciting, things do pick up quickly, and discussions regarding codes and codebreaking were informative as well as interesting. Plus, it is always fun for readers to see if they are able to solve a puzzle before the characters in the book can, and then to still be surprised by the book's plot when they think they know what is coming.

Favorite Moment: Jakob and Lizzie's grandmother's presence is felt mostly through her letters, the stories they tell about her, and her henchman Mr. Fleetwood. Even so, it is enough to get a sense of what type of woman she is, and I enjoyed any moment that Lizzie managed to outmaneuver her.

Favorite Character: Lizzie is a lot. I imagine if I met her in real life I would do what I could to avoid her. But from a distance, I can appreciate her straightforward manner and ability to get things done. Also, she is incredibly self-aware and knows her flaws.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Sepetys' I Must Betray You, which also deals with secrets and mysteries in 1989 Romania.

Historical Fiction: This Motherless Land by Nikki May

The last historical fiction post for 2024 will discuss a book that takes readers between Nigeria and England over a 20-year stretch. This Motherless Land by Nikki May looks at the lives of two young girls who are connected as family, but often separated due to events that happened before they were born, and the people in their lives that cannot seem to let go.

The Situation: Funke was happy with her life in Nigeria. Although NEPA (the National Electric Power Authority in Nigeria) routinely shut off their power, and it was obvious that her little brother was her dad's favorite, Funke had little to complain about. Even with her mother being a teacher at her school, Funke preferred that embarrassment over the daily slights she now feels living with her mother's family in England. She loved listening to her mother's stories of this place when she was young, but the reality is not quite as enchanting as she imagined. Her one bright spot is her cousin Liv. Lively, full of joy, and fiercely protective, Liv has her own struggles, but still resolves to be Funke's protector, and the two girls grow up as best friends.

The Problem: The only thing that could possibly come between Funke and Liv is the members of their own family. Liv's mother has long held resentment against her sister, Funke's mother, over decisions made long ago. Now as a bitter and angry woman, she is determined for Funke to not receive the same benefits that her own children would. And after a terrible night of conflict, and misunderstanding, which all leads to the two being separated again, it seems that there will not be anything that can bring them back together. As they move into adulthood, each woman is determined, though neither one is living the life they imagined for themselves.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that begins in 1978 when Funke is ten years old and still enjoying a childhood in Nigeria. When she is sent to live in England after a terrible tragedy, she cannot help but make note of all of the differences, and not just between the two countries. There is a difference, and disconnect, between the England her mother told her about, and the England she now sees. There is also the difference in her lodgings, how she is treated by her own family, and how people look at her. As the story continues over the next 20 years, both Funke and Liv will struggle with identity, while reconciling their own privilege in both settings, and what it means to be a family.

My Verdict: The premise is intriguing. The plot is interesting and full of twists and turns, but not so much to be exhausting or ridiculous. The settings are bright (even when they are not) and easy to see. And the characters feel like real people, each one reminding the reader of someone they knew or still know. If there was any issue I had with this book, it was the pacing in certain points. Sometime things seemed to move way too quickly, while the ultimate (and almost predictable) conclusion seemed to approach at a snail's pace. But the juxtaposition between Nigeria and England is handled so well, and I simply wanted to read more. I wanted to continue moving back and forth between the two and reliving the different experiences. It is an excellent read full of heartache and triumph.

Favorite Moment: There is some discussion of the difference between a "stipend" and an "allowance," mostly in how that difference is very small (at least in the way the words are used in this book). Liv gets to make this point in the end, and it is wonderful.

Favorite Character: Funke and Liv's grandmother is a good woman, but she has her flaws and regrets like everyone else. Ultimately, she wants to do the right thing, and even manages to hold out against her stubborn daughter on some things.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Maame by Jessica George.

Graphic Novel: Adulthood Is a Gift! by Sarah Andersen

The fifth collection of comics in the Sarah's Scribbles series by Sarah Andersen is Adulthood Is a Gift!, which once again contains always humorous, often insightful, and sometimes thought-provoking illustrations about life and what it is to survive in the world today. I am always thrilled to pick these up and laugh at life, and at what I find in these comics that reminds me of myself.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a collection of comics that follows 2021's Oddball. Andersen once again tackles familiar territory of adventures at social events as an introvert; the stress and uncertainty that comes with being an artist; and what cat ownership really entails. Also included are more topical comics dealing with the changes to Twitter, the rise of TikTok, the return of early 2000s fashion, and even the obsession our society has with true crime and serial killers. Near the end, Andersen reflects on the last ten years of her career, how it started, and how she got here. Included are some of her earliest comics, as well as a few pages dedicated to showing how each comic goes from an idea to a finished product. And a delightful inclusion with this book is a page of stickers at the end, because as one of my friends recently pointed out, no one truly ages out of the ability to have fun with stickers.

My Verdict: I have enjoyed all of the collections in the Sarah Scribbles series, but this one may be my favorite. They have all made me laugh out loud, and shake my head, and occasionally roll my eyes and some of the more painful truths. But this one shows more maturity (which makes sense as it has been 10 years since Andersen started this journey), while still being funny and remaining true to what brought such a large audience to Andersen's work in the first place. And her thoughts and reflections at the end of the book provide an interesting look at her process, growth, and some of the lessons she has had to learn along the way. I am happy to be able to slide this one in next to the others on my bookshelf, and am excited to see what follows.

Favorite Comics: There is one comic that employs the phrase "Christian Autumn Girls" and I laughed out loud, because that is certainly a thing. And then there is the comic where a minimalism advocate is stressing the importance of clean lines and empty spaces, while Andersen's character expresses exactly what those of us with large and very full bookshelves think of that kind of advice. But the winner for me - the one that made me laugh out loud the longest and hardest - would be a comic where an aging Andersen with a walker is talking to Death, and his response is so perfect and classic that I may end up printing out this comic and pinning it on my board at work.

Recommended Reading: I of course recommend every book in the Sarah Scribbles series, but also the work of Kate Beaton, and the graphic novel A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat.

Young Adult Fiction: The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow

As someone who completely missed the train for 2016's Girl in Pieces, I am glad to have picked up this year's The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow. With addiction and alcoholism at its center, I expected a story full of intense situations, big emotions, and hard conversations, and that is exactly what is in this book.

The Situation: Fifteen year-old Bella's previously good grades are starting to slip, and she knows the last thing her mother needs is to deal with her daughter's suddenly poor academic performance. If her job does not have her working odd hours, then there is Bella's younger sister, Ricci, to worry over, not to mention the crazy aftermath that comes from divorce. Bella's dad needs her to be normal too, as well as helpful and agreeable. What Bella needs and wants is the ease and comfort that came from hanging out with her grandmother, but her recent passing has removed that option, leaving an empty house where Bella can do the one thing that has brought her any form of comfort lately.

The Problem: For Bella, drinking is no big deal. First of all, everyone does it. Even her grandmother did it. Her friends certainly do it, and why wouldn't they? It makes everything better. And easier. Including high school, which is a feat in and of itself. Even when Bella starts missing assignments and having arguments with people who have always been her friends, some of whom she would drink with, Bella does not think alcohol is the issue. But everything changes when Bella wakes up in the hospital after a party with a fractured face, and a few painful and embarrassing memories of what happened. She is only given one option, and it is rehab, which feels to Bella like an ending, but the real journey has only begun.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book set mostly in and around modern-day Tucson, Arizona. Bella is a 15 year-old girl who lands in rehab after a night of partying that ends in a hospital visit. There are many things that lead Bella to look for a bottle of vodka to add to her Sprite; or a hidden bottle of rum to steal sips from; or even a bottle of NyQuil from someone's medicine cabinet to chug from for a quick fix. There is the grief over her grandmother's death; her parent's divorce and their constant fighting; her dad's inability to communicate effectively; and of course, the general nightmare that is high school. Glasgow admits in the author's note that she writes from experience, and that the stories in the book may be fiction, but they are common.

My Verdict: Like pretty much any story about addiction, this one was difficult to read in many places. Decisions are made; things are said; and events happen that we wish were pure fiction and had no correlation to real life, but they do...even for 15 year-old girls. What I appreciate about Glasgow is the respect that she shows not only for the subject matter, but to the characters, and not just Bella. The reader will meet kids with different issues, and the story is thoughtfully planned out and not gratuitous in its telling. There is careful thought behind every scene, allowing for a story that feels honest, and not contrived or pandering.

Favorite Moment: Something that Bella deals with when it comes to her parents is this constant feeling of "Bella do it." There are things that her parents should do, but they don't, so Bella just takes care of it herself, sometimes when they ask, and sometimes on her own. This plays out perfectly in a scene involving her little sister when they are staying at her dad's house for the week. It is actually a pretty tough scene, but it perfectly displays the "Bella do it" issue and how her father so easily employs this, while actually doing and saying very little.

Favorite Character: There are a few here, but I will go with Bella's friend Amber, who makes it very clear where their friendship will stand if Bella keeps drinking. There is also Tracy from the rehab, who has clearly seen enough teens in trouble to not be at all bothered by one more angry/scared/hurting resident. 

Recommended Reading: Jeff Zenter's Colton Gentry's Third Act is a novel for adults that follows a man attempting to piece his life together after a regrettable tirade he had on stage while drunk.

Winner of the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards

The results are in, and it is time to announce the winners of the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards.

Of the 22 DSNs that were originally nominated across the various categories, I am pleased to see that two of them won! 

Kristin Hannah's The Women won by a landslide for Favorite Historical Fiction, with Percival Everett's James coming in second. And Kaliane Bradley won for Favorite Science Fiction with The Ministry of Time. 

Every year the competition is incredibly fierce, and I am always amazed that any DSNs are nominated. With the omission of many well-loved authors who have had nominations in the past, this year has proved that just because someone was included in a previous year (or years), it does not mean their book will make the cut again. There are always surprises in the list of nominations, as well as the list of winners.

I once again look forward to next year, and will be looking into some of the nominees that I may have missed.

Historical Fiction: Songs for the Brokenhearted by Ayelet Tsabari

Historical fiction readers know that reading books in this genre is a great way to learn about the past. Even though the main story may be fiction, or even fictionalized using real figures from history, the opportunity to learn is there, and I have often become curious enough to do more research and find out more. This was the case with Songs for the Brokenhearted by Ayelet Tsabari, a story set in mid-1990s Israel, while also telling the story of two would-be lovers in the 1950s.

The Situation: Before Zohara received a phone call that changed everything, she was a graduate student in New York, fast approaching burnout as she struggles to finish her dissertation. This is why she is actually vacationing in Thailand when she answers her sister Lizzie's call, the one that informs her that their mother, Saida, has died. Zohara quickly packs up and flies home, reuniting with a sister she has felt distant from; a now nearly adult nephew, Yoni; and a house full of memories of both of her parents, and the tension she always felt growing up there. 

The Problem: Returning home to grieving family and friends, while also attempting to manage her own grief and complicated feelings about her mother, is a difficult task. It seems Zohara can never say the right thing to her sister, and while cleaning out her mother's house, she begins to find small items and clues about her mother's hidden past, specifically from when she first came to Israel from Yemen, including a series of tapes where Saida recorded herself singing. Meanwhile, tensions outside of the house rise as peace negotiations commence, but car bombings and other terrorist activities increase. Zohara is not sure she is prepared for the answers to all of her questions, especially as they begin to contradict everything she thought she knew.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in Israel, mostly around Tel Aviv in the the mid-1990s, while also telling the story of a young Yemeni Jewish man in the 1950s, shortly after Israel became a nation, and he and his family came into the country from Yemen. For Zohara, returning home means confronting the things about her childhood that caused her to leave her home country, including her feelings of abandonment when she was sent away to attend an elite boarding school as a teenager. But things become more complicated when what Zohara remembers turns out to not be the full truth. Meanwhile, protests continue as the Israeli-Palestinian peace process continues, and Saida's early days in Israel are revealed through chapters told by Yaqub, bringing to light a complicated past that Zohara never knew.

My Verdict: As I mentioned in the introduction, I enjoyed learning more about the history of Israel, especially in the context of a young Yemeni Jewish man, as well as a 30-something woman returning home after her mother has died. The way the story behind the story unfolds is masterful and keeps the reader engaged. And the same can be said for the history of Israel and the conflict with Palestine as it leads up to key historical events. While Zohara, Yaqub, and Yoni's stories all have their interesting points, I often found myself annoyed when the narrative switched from one to the other, as is often the case when a book has more than one character as the focus. But overall, historical fiction readers will enjoy this one.

Favorite Moment: There are several moments when Zohara is confronted with her own selfishness, but there is one in particular where someone (who is not her sister, who calls her out often) is direct with her, pulling no punches, and it proves to be effective.

Favorite Character: Nir is a local shop owner who helps Zohara with some translation, and he is not only helpful, but also honest without being mean.

Recommended Reading: The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan is another historical fiction novel set during World War II as Japan was invading Malaysia, and explores one woman's desire to be more than a housewife, and a decision that helps bring conflict and oppression to her country.

Goodreads Choice Awards 2024 Final Round

The final round of voting is now open for the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards. The choices in each award category have been cut down from 20 to ten, and it is time for readers to put their support behind their favorite titles...granted they are still in the running.

Unfortunately, it looks like Danzy Senna's Colored Television did not make it to the final round for the Favorite Fiction category, but both I Hope This Finds You Well and Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop did, so my vote for the former remains.

For Favorite Historical Fiction, five of the seven DSNs that were originally nominated remain, which means half of the options available are books covered on this blog...I am thinking for the first time ever. While The Bullet Swallower and The Storm We Made did not make the top ten, Xochitl Gonzalez's Anita de Monte Laughs Last did, and I have given it my vote once again.

In Favorite Science Fiction, I will have to pick a different book to vote for as Beautyland did not make the final round, and neither did Cebo Campbell's Sky Full of Elephants. So I will put my support behind Scott Alexander Howard's The Other Valley, a book that takes an interesting look at time travel. 

It seems that Vanessa Chan's The Storm We Made and Cebo Campbell's Sky Full of Elephants also did not garner enough votes to make it to the final round for the Favorite Debut Novel category, along with Morgan Talty's Fire Exit. But just like with the Favorite Fiction category, Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop is holding strong. 

For the two young adult categories, Bethany Baptiste's The Poisons We Drink is no longer in the running for the Favorite Young Adult Fantasy category, but both Where Sleeping Girls Lie and The Reappearance of Rachel Price remain in Favorite Young Adult Fiction, and I have voted for the former.

And when it comes to nonfiction, looks like I can no longer vote for There's Always This Year in the Favorite Memoir category, or Madness in the Favorite History & Biography category. Oh well, such is the nature of the competition.

Of the original 22 DSNs that were nominated, only 13 remain, and a few have a decent chance of winning their categories.

The final round of voting closes this Sunday, December 1st, with the winners being announced Thursday, December 5th. Happy voting!