Classic Fiction: Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende

After learning that Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits was actually the third book in what has been labeled as the Involuntary Trilogy (or Trilogía Involuntaria), I knew that I had to eventually read the other two books. Having read the third book first, I picked up the first book, Daughter of Fortune, which was actually published second. Oftentimes, reading books in the order they were published as opposed to the intended order can be enlightening in its own way, and I am personally fascinated by the idea of an 'involuntary' trilogy.

The Situation: Eliza Sommers is somehow both the doted on and neglected adopted daughter of the fiercely and stubbornly independent Rose Sommers. The story has been told many times of how Eliza was quite literally left on the doorstep of the wealthy English family living in the British colony of Valparaíso, Chile. While Rose's strict and unforgiving brother Jeremy would be more than happy to have nothing to do with the girl, Rose could not be more thrilled to have Eliza in her care, though she often ignores her to pursue her own interests, leaving her in the care of the housemaid, Mama Fresia. Living with the Sommers may mean a life of corsets and strict rules, but it may be the only way Eliza can secure a stable future and husband.

The Problem: It is in 1848 when a teenage Eliza falls in love with a man she knows very well her adoptive mother will never approve of. But she is so immediately overtaken with the emotion that she does everything she can to meet with the boy in secret, which begins a months long affair that only ends when the young man decides to leave for California, just as many others are doing after the discovery of gold in that area. When Eliza plans to follow, she knows it will be tough since Miss Rose's other brother, John, is a well-known captain, and keeping the appearance of a young unaccompanied girl on a ship setting sail for the U.S. is near impossible. But thankfully for Eliza, she is able to employ the help of a Chinese doctor who will unknowingly become a lifelong friend.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set both in Valparaíso, Chile and California in the mid-1800s. Starting in Chile in 1843, the reader follows Eliza's story as it is told by Rose and Mama Fresia, but then moves into Eliza's adolescence when she meets her young lover Joaquín, a relationship that will set the course for the rest of her life. With a page count just shy of 500, many social issues are discussed, such as the English presence in Chile; the racism that exists both in Chile and in California as the gold rush attracts all colors and classes; the opportunities (or lack thereof) that are available to all woman, both married and single; what life is like for the different genders, colors, and classes as they make the long journey by boat from South to North America; and even the issue of human trafficking. 

My Verdict: Just as with The House of the Spirits, I love the lyrical style of the prose in this book. The story moves and flows at the pace of the most relaxing lazy river, even in the areas where the plot has hit a tense point or moment, or when a character must make a decision or take action quickly, with no guarantee of being correct either way. If there is any disappointment I have in this book it is simply in the choices of Eliza, and knowing that her obsession over Joaquín will alter her life indefinitely, and probably not for the better. Having read The House of the Spirits, and now only needing to read Portrait in Sepia, I am eager to learn even more about the Del Valle family.

Favorite Moment: Though I am not a fan of the actual action, I do enjoy how easily Eliza was able to evade Rose, proving that the girl's adoptive mother was not as invested in playing the maternal role as she liked to believe.

Favorite Character: Paulina Rodriguez de Santa Cruz y del Valle is a woman who manages to do exactly what she wants, even earning her own money (and a lot of it), while still getting married and raising a family.

Recommended Reading: I will always recommend Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude.

Nonfiction: What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci

After having read Taste back in 2022, I was simply thrilled to pick up Stanley Tucci's non-cookbook follow-up What I Ate in One Year. Beginning in January of 2023, readers are invited to follow Tucci as he talks about his travels, time with his family, his work as an actor, and of course, the food he ate along the way.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of nonfiction where Tucci starts at the beginning of 2023 (the first dated entry is actually for January 2nd), and moves throughout the entire year, recounting his day to day life, specifically what he ate and where, and who prepared it. While not each of the 365 days gets its own entry, while more than one day is sometimes covered at once, every notable meal that was eaten is mentioned, even if it was terrible. But in between the paragraphs about food, Tucci also talks about his job as an actor and whatever project he is currently working on/traveling for. There is also much mention of time spent around the table with his family and friends, the latter of which is often a who's who of celebrities, some of whom even Tucci himself admits to being intimidated by. And of course, there are quite a few recipes included, along with restaurant and hotel recommendations.

My Verdict: There is something about Tucci's storytelling that leaves me absolutely spellbound and awestruck. It happened with the previous book, and it happened again here with this one. Yes, it is partly the people he gets to meet and work and eat it. When names like Robert Downey Jr. and Guy Ritchie are thrown out, it is difficult to not be impressed (trust me there are many many more). But it is not just that. Something about simply reading about his life in London with his wife and kids, where he worries that his two youngest children may not have eaten enough vegetables that day, or if his daughter will ever move beyond noodles and cheese, is equally fascinating. And then there is the food. So. Much. Pasta. And olive oil. And cheese. And butter. The food obsessed will adore this book, as well as anyone who loves memoirs.

Favorite Moment: Tucci describes an instance when he is attempting to decide what to order at a ramen place, and fears that one of the patrons recognizes him, but is clearly struggling to identify just how he knows him. It is a humorous back and forth that offers an interesting peek into what goes on inside the actor's mind during such encounters.

Recommended Reading: It is not necessary to read Taste before this one, but I recommend reading them both, in whatever order.

Contemporary Fiction: The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami

Happy New Year! And welcome to the first review of 2025, and it felt so appropriate that it would be for the newest release by legendary Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami. I was so excited when the English translation of The City and Its Uncertain Walls had finally reached the U.S. in late 2024, and could not read it fast enough. Covering a Murakami book in the early part of the new year has become sort of a tradition on this blog, and I love being able to continue it with a new release.

The Situation: At 17 years-old, the nameless narrator is attending school and deeply in love with a 16 year-old girl. They do not go to school together, but met when they each won prizes in an essay contest. Now they see each other when they can and remain committed to each other, though the narrator admits to not really knowing all that much about her. One day, the girl tells him about a town where she believes her real self resides. The town is surrounded by a high wall, and while the narrator could go there if he liked, she warns him that her real self that lives there would not recognize him. Naturally, he is not sure if he can believe her. Unfortunately, she disappears, seemingly leaving no trace behind, and this mystery will haunt the narrator for the remainder of his life.

The Problem: Though the nameless narrator will manage to continue living on - attending college, getting a job, even dating other women - his existence does not feel complete, though by all accounts, the only thing that would appear to be 'missing' from his life is a wife and family. But even into middle age, the narrator is not able to move past the young girl he loved that disappeared years before. When he finds himself in the mysterious town the girl had spoken about, the one surrounded by a high wall, he is able to get used to the new surroundings, even securing a job as a dream reader. This begins the man's adventures between both this world, and the town with the high walls, where unicorns roam and the wall seems to have a life of its own. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of fiction set in several locations throughout Japan, but mostly in a small mountain town where the nameless narrator eventually takes a job as a head librarian, and also in the mysterious town surrounded by the high wall. As is usual with a Murakami book, I have to pull out my Murakami Bingo card and see what common themes readers can cross out. First on the list is 'mysterious woman,' but also worth mentioning are cats, urban ennui, parallel worlds, supernatural powers, precocious teenager, even cooking and unusual name (or rather, no name at all). In the afterword, Murakami mentions that this is a reworking of a novella from many decades ago, and is closely related to a previous novel, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World.

My Verdict: If you are someone who is not at all comforted by the phrase "It's about the journey, not the destination," then this book is probably not going to be for you. With over 400 pages, there is plenty that happens, with a lot intrigue and mystery, and where not every little thing is explained (even the narrator admits to not understanding everything that is happening and that is being told to him). Readers who love a solid resolution with every question answered by the end of the story may be disappointed, but there is a mystery here, and a strange quest with even stranger characters, that kept me engaged for the entire journey, even as things became more confusing. Lovers of Murakami's work, especially the ones involving parallel worlds, will be pleased.

Favorite Moment: There is a teenage boy who comes into the library and seemingly favors incredibly long books over shorter ones. My favorite moments came from when Mrs. Soeda would list off the books the boys has read.

Favorite Character: There are almost more characters without names in this book than there are with names, and Mrs. Soeda is one of the few in the latter category. She is a librarian working under the narrator in the small mountain town, and serves as a practical, helpful, and grounding presence as strange events occur around them. 

Recommended Reading: A Wild Sheep Chase remains my favorite Murakami book, but many seem to have The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle be their introduction to his work. 

And all the rest...2024 edition

It is once again time to briefly mention those books that I did read during 2024, but for whatever reason, did not get their own review on the blog. I am always surprised by just how much I manage to read in any given year, and the idea that there are even more books than the ones that have already been discussed is pretty hard to believe.

Weyward by Emilia Hart: This book won the 2023 Goodreads Choice Award for Favorite Historical Fiction. Using the stories of three women - one from the 1600s, another from 1942 as World War II continues with no end in sight, and the last from 2019 - this book explores female resilience, and the history of how unusual women have been dealt with. After leaving modern-day London, Kate will run to the cottage she inherited from her mysterious great aunt, and will begin to suspect that both the cottage and her aunt were hiding something.

Places We've Never Been by Kasie West: This is not the only West book that will appear on this list, and this one was an impulse buy during the annual LibraryPalooza that is put on by one of the school districts in my city, where West was one of the speaking authors. When Norah is reunited with her childhood best friend as both of their families prepare for a joint road trip, she does not quite get the reception she was expecting. If anything, it seems like Skyler would rather not be around her. But as the trip and the summer continues, both Norah and Skyler make new discoveries about themselves and their families.

The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami: Since I have finished all of the Japanese author's full-length novels (including the one published late this year), I have begun to tackle the short story collections, starting with The Elephant Vanishes, a copy of which I was actually able to buy while in Tokyo in April. As always, readers can pull out their Murakami bingo card and see which of the author's common themes they come across throughout the 17 short stories.

The Good Lord Bird by James McBride: After reading both Deacon King Kong and The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, I decided to read McBride's The Good Lord Bird, mostly because I found a copy at Half Price Books. When legendary abolitionist John Brown comes into town, events lead young slave Henry Shackleford to follow him out of town. But things are complicated by the fact that Brown believes Henry to be a girl. Also, while Brown is righteous and long-winded, he also has a bounty on his head and attracts trouble almost everywhere he goes. So young Henry must do his best to stay alive, and also keep his secret.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: Many readers are familiar with Backman's most popular novel, as well as both the Swedish and American movie adaptations that followed. From the outside, Ove may be the epitome of a cranky old man, but there is an intense sadness, and even loneliness, that serves as an explanation for nearly everything he does. And while he would prefer to simply be left alone, poor Ove cannot seem to escape his chatty new neighbor, her kids, and the cat that insists on hanging out around his house. This book is as funny as it is heart-warming, and incredibly touching.

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West: The second West book on this list follows Lily, a young girl with a habit of spacing out during Chemistry class, and writing song lyrics in her beloved notebook, and on her desk. One day, after sitting at her usual desk in Chemistry, Lily notices that someone has continued her song lyrics. Once Lily and this mystery writer begin exchanging actual letters via the desk, she cannot help but wonder who this person is, all while attempting to remain focused on the actual Chemistry lesson; maintain her friendships; keep her distance from one enemy in particular; and do her best on her entry for a song contest, the prize for which she could really use.

And that is the last of them for 2024. There are many books slated to be published in 2025 that already have a great deal of buzz surrounding them. Every year I am surprised and discover new (to me) authors, while also (maybe) exploring some of the classics. As always, I am excited, and ready, to see what the new publishing year will bring.

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.