Contemporary Fiction: The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida

Hard to believe, but we have reached the last Friday of 2025. I try to put a little (and only a little) more thought into my selection for both the last post of the year, and the first. So for 2025, the last post will be all about Sonoko Machida's The Convenience Store by the Sea. I first spotted this book during a Barnes & Noble visit with my mother, and the cover image stayed with me long enough that I eventually had to buy it.

The Situation: In the small seaside town of Mojiko in Japan, there is a 24/7 convenience store that is quite popular, if also a bit odd. The Golden Villa branch of the Tenderness convenience store has a loyal local following, especially with its proximity to a senior living complex, but its customers also know it has the best food any convenience store can offer. And if its exemplary food and customer service were not reason enough to visit regularly, there is also its incredibly charismatic manager, Shiba. It seems there are very few who are immune to his charms, and the man even has his own fan club made up of some of the older women who live in the attached building. Everyone who enters and works there has a story, and it does seem that Shiba genuinely cares for each one.

The Problem: Shiba's fan club can be a bit overwhelming, even for the people who work at Tenderness and are used to it. Mitsuri works there part-time now that her son is older, while also working on her manga series at night. Her son may currently be in his sullen teenager phase, and is even a bit embarrassed about his mother's interest in manga, but for the most part he is a good kid. Yoshiro is a teacher who has no passion for his job, something that is obvious to his students, one of which is Azusa, a young woman who is attempting to decide if she wants to be like the other popular girls in her class, or chart her own path and do what makes her happy. And Takiji is proud of the life he has built that led to his comfortable retirement, though there is a loneliness he cannot explain, until he meets a young boy with a loneliness of his own. They each have their own feelings about Shiba the store manager, but the Tenderness convenience store ties them all together.

Genre, Themes, History: This book is a work of fiction, and most of the action centers around a Tenderness convenience store located in the small town of Mojiko, Japan. While each of the six chapters focuses on one customer or employee of the store, Shiba and his brother Tsugi feature in all of them in some way. The customers of the store range in ages from still in school, to already retired. The youngest is wrestling between the desire to do what is expected, and the chance to do what she wants. While the oldest is realizing he may have always done what he believed was best for his family, but now he is not sure if this is the life he and his wife really want to have in their old age. Each character ends up making a connection through the convenience store, where the manager genuinely enjoys serving his customers, and it shows in the convenience store's popularity.

My Verdict: While I enjoyed the book quite a bit, there is something a bit disjointed about its structure and the way it ended. With only six chapters, each one focuses on someone different, with the first and sixth chapter following Mitsuri, a wife and mother who works at the convenience store. The store's manager, Shiba, features in each chapter, but this is not quite enough to bring each chapter in to make one cohesive story. There is something still lacking after the final page, even with the small reveals that the last chapter and the epilogue give to the reader. I suppose for me it was more of a short story collection than an actual novel, but still made for an interesting read.

Favorite Chapter: "Chapter Three: A Melancholy Strawberry Parfait," is my favorite chapter, as it follows a young school girl named Asuza who is not sure if she still wants to follow the path of her popular, but not very nice friend, Mizuki.

Favorite Character: Tsugi is known as the "Whatever Guy," and is also Shiba's brother. He proves to be a strange ally to many of the customers and workers of the store.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Haruki Murakami's After Dark.

Young Adult Fiction: The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson

Author Tiffany D. Jackson has returned with another young adult thriller, this time taking place on a college campus during a young girl's first semester of her freshman year. During a time of new experiences and people, in a new and exciting, though unfamiliar place, she will find herself finally feeling like she fits in, until another newcomer soon has her questioning every part of herself.

The Situation: Jordyn Monroe arrives in Washington, D.C. ready to start her first semester of college. After attending a predominantly white prep school in Connecticut her entire life, she is excited to be attending Frazier University, one the most established HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) in the U.S. It may go against her parents wishes, who are still furious with her for turning down her spot at Yale, but Jordyn is determined to make her plan work. When she is immediately embraced by her three roommates, Vanessa, Loren, and Kammy, Jordyn wants to believe that fitting in here will be much easier than it was in high school.

The Problem: While finding a rhythm with her three roommates proves to be fairly easy, and a welcome development, having Vanessa's brother, Devonte, appear in their common living room, needing a place to stay, certainly throws things off balance. The older man is fresh out of jail on a false charge, and the last thing Jordyn wants is to have to say no to Vanessa. It helps that Devonte is charming, intelligent, and helpful around the dorm, but the longer he is around, the more reasons Jordyn has to suspect that something is up. As Devonte continues to impart his wisdom on his young audience, the number of people hanging around the dorm continues to grow, as do Jordyn's suspicions. And when a roommate goes missing, Jordyn reaches out to an likely source for help.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in and around the campus of the fictional Frazier University, an HBCU that Jordyn chose to attend over Yale, despite her parents' obvious disappointment. It is her first semester in college, living on campus with three other roommates, all from different places around the country. What Jordyn wants more than anything is to make friends and fit in, making it that much harder to risk being the only one to object to Devonte's continued presence, despite his heavy and incessant lectures, and intense attention. His ability to make himself the center of their world is as troubling as it is insidious, and breaking his spell will not be easy.

My Verdict: This book is intense. I could use all of the cliche adjectives to describe it: roller-coaster, wild ride, action-packed, page-turner...you get it. It is the first book that I have managed to finish in one morning in a long time. But I did it, because I had to know how it all turned out, even though there were many moments that were hard to stomach. Sure, the villain is terrible and does terrible things, but there are some decisions Jordyn makes that were hard to accept, even as I turned to the next page or moved on to the next chapter. This one is great for lovers of thrillers, true crime, and also people who love watching documentaries about cults. It is Jackson doing what she does best.

Favorite Moment: Jordyn gets the opportunity to go home with a friend for Thanksgiving, and their family is easily the most delightful group of people in the entire novel.

Favorite Character: Nick is the lone white student on Frazier's campus, but he manages to hold up under the inevitable scrutiny that comes his way.

Recommended Reading: Earlier this year, Jackson published her first middle-grade novel, Blood in the Water. 

Nonfiction: Vagabond by Tim Curry

Fans of legendary actor Tim Curry can remember what role it was from his long career that first introduced them to his voice, his range, and his talent. In his memoir, Vagabond, the British actor talks candidly about his life and career, including the stroke that nearly ended everything in 2012. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a memoir in which Curry starts at the beginning, with his early life in Britain, and continues on through his childhood; his early career; his experience with the roles his fans know and love; and into modern-day when a serious stroke almost took his life, but his recovery has allowed him to continue acting almost exclusively through voice work. Curry explores the effect his father's death had on him and his outlook on life, as well as his relationship with his mother, and how his older sister was one of the most important people in his life. He details the full extent of his role as Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, both on stage and in the film, and how it led the way to him playing other memorable characters, Pennywise the Clown, and Wadsworth the Butler among them. 

My Verdict: Despite having a career that has extended over 40 years, Curry manages to tell his story in less than 300 pages, and seems to leave very little out (besides what he very pointedly tells the reader he is leaving out on purpose). Curry is open about the events of his life without being tacky, and without exposing those he may not have gotten along with as he went about his career. There is some occasional mention of another actor or perhaps a director he may not have gotten along particularly well with, but Curry simply speaks of what happened, gives a few reasons for why he believes it was the way it was, and then moves on to the next chapter. In fact, if there is a phrase that could be used to sum up how the actor has approached most things in life, it is to 'get on with it,' as he finds whining to be useless and boring. And one thing he is certainly glad to have held onto is his sense of humor, which comes through clearly on the pages of this book.

Favorite Quote: "Even so, whining is a f*cking bore for everybody involved - and it's highly unproductive. I'd rather spend my time focusing on other things."

Recommended Reading: Either of Stanley Tucci's books would be a great follow-up. Both Taste and What I Ate in One Year are fantastic reads. 

Young Adult Fiction: The Book of Anansi by Angie Thomas

The second book in the Nic Blake and the Remarkables series is here! Author Angie Thomas is continuing her middle grade series with The Book of Anansi, and once again, Nic and her brother Alex, along with her best friend JP, must do their best to outsmart and outrun very real dangers, while a troubling prophecy hangs over her head, making her question every decision she makes. 

The Situation: Life is indeed now very different for Nic than it was for her first ten years. Not only does she have a present mother, and twin brother, but she now lives in the hidden city of Uhuru and is about to begin attending a school only for Manifestors such as herself. Nic is glad to be around her mother and brother, and more than relieved that the punishment for her dad is not more severe than it is, and she still gets to see him whenever she wants. But the truth still remains that she is prophesied to be the Manowari, the person who will bring about the destruction of the Remarkable world. It feels like a truth everyone is tiptoeing around. Well, everyone who knows anyway.

The Problem: Nic's former favorite author, Tyran Porter, knows about the prophecy, and is determined to fulfill his part of it as the one who is supposed to stop the Manowari. While he is currently in exile, it has not stopped him from starting his own podcast, one that was initially dismissed as the rantings of a conspiracy theorist, but is gaining listeners by the day. If that was not enough, a mysterious but powerful group has tracked Nic down, and demands she locate a powerful artifact, or they will reveal the truth about her. It feels as if Nic has no choice but to do what they say, but every adventure brings more problems, as well as opportunities for her to use this new power that she is terrified of. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a book geared more towards middle grade readers, and is the second book in Thomas' Nic Blake and the Remarkables series. Having survived the events of the first book, and finding out she has a mother and twin brother, Nic now finds herself living among other Remarkables in Uhuru, and about to attend a school for Manifestors. She cannot help but make comparisons between this world and the Unremarkable world she grew up in, and it does not take long for her to realize that they both have issues regarding class and discrimination, no matter how much her grandmother insists that everything is for 'the greater good.' And then there is the prophecy she wishes she could outsmart, but despite everyone's attempts, it seems Nic is on track to become something she is not sure she wants to be.

My Verdict: This is a wonderful follow-up to 2023's The Manifestor Prophecy. Nic is now in a new place, attending a new school, complete with five different kinships that the students are sorted into (think the houses in Harry Potter). And while her brother Alex and best friend JP have returned for more adventures, there are still plenty of new characters to get to know, as well as a few new villains. Plus, readers get a look into the wider world of the Remarkables, which includes fairies, mermaids, werewolves, shapeshifters, even giants who are known for their ability in a sport closely resembling basketball. The story is complicated, but not overly so, and deals with identity, as well as what it means to protect those you love.

Favorite Moment: I love any mention of JP's life back in the Unremarkable world. 

Favorite Character: It is a tie between Ms. Lena, one of Nic's good friends from her previous life, and Mami Wata. Both women have no time for nonsense, but ultimately want to be helpful.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Tiffany D. Jackson's first middle grade book, Blood in the Water, also published earlier this year.

Winners of the 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards

The day has come! The winners of the 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards have been announced, and as usual, there a few surprises, as well as a few 'of course' reactions. 

And immediately, with the first category, a DSN has won for Favorite Fiction. Fredrik Backman's My Friends has taken the top prize in one of the most competitive categories. And for my first 'of course' reaction, we have Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid winning for Favorite Historical Fiction. 

And another 'of course' goes to Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins winning for Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Sci-Fi. And while I am thrilled that John Green's Everything Is Tuberculosis won for Favorite Nonfiction, I did not think it was a given due to the other competitive entries.

So four DSNs managed to win in their respective categories, which is about right, though there were five that won in 2021. As usual, this only makes me look forward to next year, while I also research those books that I missed in 2024. 

Historical Fiction: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

Before the end of the year came and went, I wanted just one more historical fiction book to cover. Thankfully, Patrick Ryan's Buckeye caught my attention. The description promised a story about choices and consequences that have long-lasting effects, and I looked forward to experiencing all that it had to offer.

The Situation: When Margaret Salt and Cal Jenkins first meet, neither of them have any idea that their lives, and the lives of their families, are about to be changed in unimaginable ways. Margaret never knew either one of her parents, but after growing up in an orphanage, she managed a life on her own before marrying Felix. Cal was born with one leg shorter than the other, a condition that would make him exempt from serving in the war, which is both a relief and a burden. It bothers him more than it does his wife Becky, who stays busy helping her clients contact their dead loved ones. It is 1945 when Margaret marches into the store where Cal works, desperate for a radio that will tell her what she already suspects is true: Germany has surrendered to the armed forces, which means Margaret's husband Felix may soon be coming home.

The Problem: Margaret does love Felix, or at least she is fairly certain that there is something close to love there. But their marriage has always left her a little underwhelmed, and she is not sure what to expect when he returns. Cal and Becky look great on paper, but he has never been too sure about her little 'hobby,' and the truth of that has always hurt his wife more than a little. When Cal and Margaret have an encounter that neither of them saw coming, the next few decades of their lives in the small town of Bonhomie, Ohio will be full of secrets and quick glances, as well as hushed conversations. In time, everyone will have to confront the truth of what happened, and what kind of people they really are.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that begins the narrative in 1920, when Cal is born, and continues on through two World Wars, the Korean War, and then the Vietnam War, before ending in the early 1980s. At the center are two couples: Margaret and Felix Salt, and Cal and Becky Jenkins. Divided into three parts, the history and background of each of the four main characters is thoroughly explored before reaching the point in history where they marry their spouses and begin to build a family. The difficulty of human relationships remains a focus, especially during and after World War II, when the couples are younger and are figuring out life together. And what makes this even more difficult than it already would be are the things not being said, or acknowledged.

My Verdict: I wanted a sweeping epic that covers a large span of time while staying focused on only a few people, and that is exactly what I got. This story of the Salts and the Jenkins is incredibly specific, while also feeling like it could be about anyone's neighbors in any small town in the U.S. There is not necessarily a hero in the story, or any one true villain, as everyone makes mistakes and assumptions, and the consequences that follow are simply part of the natural course of events. Nothing feels forced or overly dramatic, and the small bits of humor are subtle and appreciated. And I enjoyed the exploration of the complicated and often conflicting emotions that come with the revelation of family secrets, and the reality that sometimes people do not try their best, if only because they do not want to. 

Favorite Moment: Roman, Cal's father-in-law, may not be the most sympathetic character, but he gives his son-in-law some marriage advice that is blunt, to the point, and needed to be said.

Favorite Character: Cal's father Everett is a hoarder and an alcoholic, and loves to write angry letters to the President of the United States (whoever that may be at the time). His and Cal's relationship borders on contentious most of the time, but he is more than just a grumpy old man who has lost more than most and wants to be left alone.

Recommended Reading: I could not help but be reminded of John Steinbeck's East of Eden. 

Goodreads Choice Awards 2025 Final Round

The voting has now opened for the final round of the 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards, and after this, the winners will be announced on Thursday, December 4th. It is time to see which of the 20 nominated DSNs did not quite make it to this last round of the competition.

For the Favorite Historical Fiction category, it looks like not enough people put in votes for Patrick Ryan's Buckeye (review will be published this Friday), a sweeping epic about two families in early 20th century middle America. But Charmaine Wilkerson's Good Dirt remains, so it will keep my vote. Yiming Ma's These Memories Do Not Belong to Us suffered a similar fate in the Favorite Science Fiction category, while Nnedi Okorafor's Death of the Author holds strong. 

Joanna Miller's The Eights failed to gather the votes to stay in the Favorite Debut Novel category, leaving no DSNs in the running. But it is no surprise the Suzanne Collins' Sunrise on the Reaping is still in it for Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Sci-Fi, while the same could not be said for The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor. 

And heartbreak of heartbreaks, not one of the three nominated DSNs made it to the final round for Favorite Young Adult Fiction. Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours, Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley, and Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams are all left out of the top ten for the category. A man who is known for his YA books, John Green, has a nonfiction book that is still in the running for Favorite Nonfiction. Everything Is Tuberculosis could very well take it all, but sadly, Imani Perry's Black in Blues has not moved on.

So it seems eight of the 20 nominated DSNs have not advanced to the final round of voting, but that means 12 still remain. This final round will stay open to reader votes though this Sunday, November 30, and we will all find out the results the following Thursday, December 4th.