Young Adult Fiction: What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

After learning that author Isabel Ibañez would be appearing at this year's LibraryPalooza (though she sadly ended up having to cancel the appearance), I decided it was time to tackle her Secrets of the Nile series, starting with What the River Knows. A young girl learns about the deaths of her parents, and finds herself in the Egyptian desert chasing both forgotten magic, and dangerous secrets.

The Situation: On the surface, Inez Olivera has a life many would envy. As part of the upper society in Buenos Aires, Inez lives a life of luxury and relative ease, with little to worry about. Unfortunately, it is not the life she wants, as she has always dreamed of being able to join her parents in Egypt, where they have spent at least six months of every year for her entire life. After constantly asking if she can join them, and always being told "no" because it is too dangerous, Inez awaits the arrival of a letter that she hopes will finally have the answer she has always wanted. But the letter contains a different kind of news altogether: It seems her parents have perished in the desert, leaving her incredibly rich, but devastated. Against everyone's wishes, she decides to travel to Egypt herself and learn what happened.

The Problem: Inez manages to make it to Egypt, only to be told upon arrival that she must go back. It seems her archeologist uncle agrees with her parents' argument that Inez should not be in Egypt. But after managing to escape his watchful gaze more than once, which means frustrating and deceiving his handsome British assistant Whit, Tío Ricardo finally agrees to letting her stay after she proves to be useful, in more ways than one. Not only is Inez a gifted artist and can help sketch detailed depictions of what is found at the dig site, but she is sensitive to the magic that can still be felt in some of the places and items. This will help Tío Ricardo's team find what they are looking for, and hopefully before their rivals do. But the more discoveries Inez makes, both at the site and about her parents, the more the danger increases, as does her determination.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult historical fiction novel set mostly along the Nile River in 1800s Egypt. Starting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Inez is living comfortably with her aunt and two cousins, the only thing missing from her life being the presence of her parents. Once she learns about their death, she defies everyone's wishes and leaves for Egypt, only to encounter resistance, and a seemingly endless amount of secrets. Her uncle knows something, but is not telling, which only makes Inez more determined to stay in Egypt and learn the truth. With her parents' deaths being Inez's main driving force, there is also the larger situation that was taking place in 1800s Egypt, which was experiencing colonial expansion and imperial rule, while artifacts and valuables were being taken from temples, monuments, and tombs. And then there is a subtle hint of magic underlying everything, and that serves as Inez's guide.

My Verdict: This book is a combination of adventure, magic, and romance that so many readers crave. Not only is the protagonist traveling up and down the Nile River in an attempt to find priceless artifacts, but those artifacts often contain magic, as do the places where they are found. And then there is the constant back and forth, and romantic tension between Inez and Whit. The secrets are endless, as are also the discoveries, and every new twist opens up more possibilities, and unanswered questions. Inez's stubbornness and resolve are at once delightful, while also frustrating, as she ceaselessly makes massive mistakes. Then again, feelings of desperation and neglect makes people do reckless things. Ibañez allows this story to go places, where many authors would probably have held back.

Favorite Moment: Whit attempts to put Inez on a return ship back to Argentina only moments after she arrives in Egypt. But she makes a big gamble and finds a way to stay, which both impresses and frustrates her uncle's assistant.

Favorite Character: This is tough, because everyone in this book is hiding something, almost no one can be trusted, and Inez cannot seem to keep herself out of trouble. Isadora is the daughter of a man Tío Ricardo hired as a sort of security guard, and while there is certainly more to her than what is shown, she seems to truly be on Inez's side and comes to her aid more than once.

Recommended Reading: On a Night of a Thousand Stars by Andrea Yaryura Clark is a historical fiction novel also set in Argentina, moving back and forth between the past and present.

Nonfiction: Bits and Pieces by Whoopi Goldberg

Actress Whoopi Goldberg has written several books, both fiction and nonfiction, but this is the first time I have picked one up. Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me caught my attention because of its focus on Goldberg's early life, and her experience growing up with her mother, Emma Johnson, and her older brother Clyde. From what life was like as a child in New York City, to her rise in Hollywood, Goldberg share intimate, and sometimes painful memories of the people who helped shape her.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book that mostly moves chronologically through Goldberg's life and career. Starting in the Chelsea projects in Manhattan, Goldberg describes her life living with only her mother and brother, while attending Catholic school (with the uniform and everything), and not having very much, although she did not realize she was poor, not when she was a kid. Her mother was the type of person who simply made everything work. Goldberg then moves through her teens and the start of her career, mentioning shows and movie titles that many will recognize. And eventually, the narrative talks about Emma's death in 2010, and Clyde's in 2015, and the grief that comes with having the two most important people in your life suddenly not be there. 

My Verdict: There is a lot packed into a book that is less than 250 pages. The book is not only a memoir detailing Goldberg's life and career, but also an exploration of who her mother was, what she taught her, and her belief that she owes her mother all the credit for what she has been able to accomplish. I found the entire narrative to be fascinating, especially the stories of when Emma met celebrities, and even one president. And of course, there are the high points and pivotal moments of Goldberg's career, such as when she won her Oscar, and how the lead for Sister Act was actually meant for Bette Midler. Finally, many will be moved by Goldberg's final thoughts on grief, and how it is different for everyone. I read the physical copy of this book, but may decide to listen to the audiobook as I am sure it is an incredible experience.

Favorite Moment: The story of when Whoopi, her mother, and her brother all met Marlon Brando is my favorite, though the moment she and her mother met Bill Clinton is a close favorite.

Favorite Quote: "Probably none of us had the childhoods we think we had." - the opening lines of the book.

Recommended Reading: One celebrity memoir that I cannot seem to recommend enough is Steve Martin's Born Standing Up. And I will also recommend Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. 

Contemporary Fiction: Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson

Having too many options for books to read and then write about is ultimately a good problem to have, but it is still a problem. One recent decision I had to make between two new novels resulted in today's selection, Ava Robinson's Definitely Better Now, coming out on top. When a recovering alcoholic manages an entire year sober, she believes life will be less complicated, but somehow the opposite proves true.

The Situation: Emma has been sober for a whole year, 52 weeks, and she is now getting ready to attend her one-year celebration at Alcoholics Anonymous. For the past year, Emma has been making better decisions, and focusing on holding down her office job, and generally building a better life for herself. And now, with 12 months of sobriety added to her accomplishments, she feels like she is ready for new challenges, such as dating. And Ben, the IT guy at work, is not only cute, but also a little flirty. Unfortunately for Emma, having made it past the one-year mark does not magically make everything easier, or better. 

The Problem: While Emma wants to believe she is ready to date, what she is not ready for is the attention of one of her slimier coworkers, Mitch. But after a nomination from her supervisor, Emma not only has to work on the company 'Fun Team' (a.k.a. party planning committee), but the other members of that team include slimy Mitch, cute Ben, and an annoyingly gossipy woman from human resources. If the work drama was not enough to deal with, there is also Emma's distant father, her separation from which has defined much of her life. Not only has she known for a long time that he is also an alcoholic, but he has always denied it, and was not exactly a pillar of support when his daughter decided to stop drinking. The first 12 months of sobriety may have been difficult, but it does not look like the path forward is going to get any easier any time soon.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in and around modern-day New York City. Twenty-six year-old Emma is one-year sober, but still very much taking everything one day at a time. There is a good amount of discussion about who Emma was before she decided to stop drinking and doing drugs, and how there are some things in life she is simply not sure how to do sober. And one of those is dating. She has managed to hold down a respectable job, stay committed to an AA group and sponsor, and has even started making new friends, but despite expectations, life has continued to get more complicated, and social situations more difficult to navigate. Emma's trials and journey will be relatable to many, with or without a history of addiction, as life is often messy, and impossible to control.

My Verdict: For me, this book was a little bit all over the place most of the time, but somehow managed to pull it all together in the end. There are the complications of dating; difficult relationships with parents; the struggle of making friends as an adult; dealing with cringey coworkers; and for Emma, being a recovering alcoholic in the middle of all of it. There were moments when I forgot about other aspects of the plot until they made a sudden reappearance in the story, as if the author briefly forgot about them too. And while I would not classify the ending as an ambiguous one, as everything comes to a mostly satisfying conclusion, there are still some loose threads and unanswered questions.

Favorite Moment: Emma's AA sponsor, Lola, means well, and does everything an AA sponsor is supposed to do. But there is a moment when Emma finds the need to stand up to her and stand firm in something, and it feels necessary.

Favorite Character: Cute IT guy Ben is a good guy. But not an overly sweet and unrealistic guy either. He seems like a real person, and someone worthy of one-year sober Emma who is doing her best.

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow.

Nonfiction: Custodians of Wonder by Eliot Stein

The naturally curious readers are the ones that will seek out books like Eliot Stein's Custodians of Wonder: Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive. In this book, Stein tells the story of ten little known practices from all around the world that are on the brink of extinction. From Cuba to Germany to Japan, Stein takes the reader on a series on adventures, each a lesson in history and culture.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book set all over the world. Each chapter details a custom or tradition that is not only not very well known, but also in danger of disappearing forever, most of them due to the small number of people still living who can perform a specific skill. There are the women of Sardinia with the incredible ability to make su filindeu, a type of pasta that is so intricate and delicate and beautiful that it has been called "the threads of God." Then there are the djelis of Mali who play the balafon while narrating tales. And even movie poster painters in Taiwan, an art form that is dying out if only because of the increased use of digital printing and computer graphics. With each chapter, Stein gives a thorough history of not only the curious tradition, but the region and people's history, while also including personal stories from the people he was able to learn from.

My Verdict: With ten different traditions to explore, in ten different locations around the world, there are at least a couple of these chapters that each reader will find engaging and fascinating. It could even inspire would-be travelers to visit some of these places, though for a few of these locations, getting there will take some doing. I am personally curious about the "The World's Rarest Pasta" in Sardinia. While it is clear that Eliot visited each of these places and was able to interview a fair amount of people, it is also clear he did his research, and worked hard to look into traditions that were truly rare and not widely known. Putting ten of them in one book works well, but some of these may merit to have their own publication. 

Favorite Chapter: I have already mentioned "The World's Rarest Pasta" as one of my favorites, but my actual favorite is "The Only Democratic Job in Cuba," which talks about lectores, the people who read the news and even works of fiction out to the workers in the Cuban cigar factories. I also enjoyed "Scandinavia's Last Night Watchman."

Recommended Reading: I have not read many other books that travel the world like this one did, so I will recommend both The Impossible City by Karen Cheung, and Dancing with the Devil in the City of God by Juliana Barbassa.

Young Adult Fiction: Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis

It is time to review Kayvion Lewis' Heist Royale, the sequel to 2023's Thieves' Gambit, where a group of teenage super thieves enter into a high stakes game that only the best thieves can win, and sometimes survive. I must issue a *spoiler alert* for this review as some details will inevitably reveal crucial plot points and events from the first book, so proceed with caution.

The Situation: It has been six months since Ross Quest was betrayed by someone she foolishly let herself trust. Determined to not make the same mistake again, Ross has been doing her best to complete jobs for the Organization, and alongside the very person she would prefer would simply disappear from her life. But not only is Devroe Kenzie more present than ever, but he also will not stop with the relentless flirting, even though he still holds the lives of everyone in Ross' family in his hands. Yeah, it's confusing. And with a battle for control of the Organization emerging, Ross finds herself in another Gambit, but perhaps with a new plan to protect her family.

The Problem: If there was anything Ross learned from the first Gambit, it was that a Quest can only ever trust another Quest...and sometimes even that is not true. But as she and her team travel from Antarctica, to Monte Carlo, and to South Africa, Ross has to allow herself to trust former teammates, former enemies, and perhaps most difficult of all, her own mother. Ross is certainly good at what she does - she would not have been a participant in the Gambit if that was not the case. But it is clear that her mother is a legend, and with every decision and small mistake, Ross cannot help but compare herself, while also resenting the desire to do so. In order to win this second Gambit, and save her own life, Ross will have to draw on every secret and skill she has, and maybe even trust someone.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book set in different locations all over the world. There's a concert venue in Brazil; a casino in Monte Carlo, and even a lab facility in Antarctica. Much like the first book, this one details high risk but high reward schemes being carried out by people who have been pulling incredible heists their entire lives. Some are good at swiping objects; others do better with rigging and hacking technology; while still others prosper inside of a casino setting. And while security guards and cameras may pick up on criminal activity, what they will not see are the tense relationships and betrayals going on in the background, as well as what is really at stake should a heist not go as planned. 

My Verdict: I remember how fast-paced the first book was, and this one certainly follows suit with high energy movement and pacing as the group of skilled thieves make their way around the globe in an attempt to win this new challenge. Several chapters may be spent in one location, but there is so much going, and so much to pay attention to when a heist is in progress. And then there are the characters and their complicated relationships to keep track of. Characters from the previous book will show up - a few will even be unexpected - but it all works to bring together a clear conclusion to what happened before. Sometimes confusing, but never boring, adventure lovers will have a fun time with this one.

Favorite Moment: There is a point when Ross finally has a conversation with her mother that is sorely needed.

Favorite Character: I picked Kyung-soon last time and I am doing so again. The South Korean is still an expert at swiping expensive items and goods, but she is also a master planner who comes in clutch at the last minute.

Recommended Reading: Anything by Karen M. McManus would work, my favorite of which has been The Cousins.  

Historical Fiction: City of Night Birds by Juhea Kim

One new release for 2025 that readers have been excited about is City of Night Birds by Juhea Kim. Following a young Russian ballerina from childhood to incredible fame, the book promises a look at complex relationships as the dancer attempts a return to the stage following an accident.

The Situation: Since she was a little girl living with her single mother in St. Petersburg, Russia, Natalia Leonova has dreamed of not only becoming a wonderful ballet dancer, but the best one around. Her desire to outdance and outperform everyone around her propels who forward through school, auditions, and every performance of her life. From the beginning, it is clear that success will not come easy, and for Natalia, neither will the friendships. Being the first to arrive and the last to leave often results in Natalia being alone, and she simply does not attract people to her the way others do. But she is able to enjoy a celebrated career, until a terrible accident brings everything to an end.

The Problem: Two years later, Natalia returns to St. Petersburg, and is almost immediately confronted with an offer to return to the stage. But even with intense practice and physical therapy, Natalia is not sure she is able to return to dance, which would also mean facing what happened in her past, and the people who were part of it. She may have left Alexander behind in Paris, but Dmitri is once again part of her world, and is the man offering her a place on the stage in a leading role. And as Natalia continues to make preparations, and her fans become more excited for her return, Natalia remembers her past relationships, conversations with her distant mother, and begins to uncover the truth about the father she never met.

Genre, Themes, History: Readers of this book have placed this in the general fiction and the historical fiction categories, as the story begins in the mid-1980s in Russia, during Natalia's early years in St. Petersburg. The story continues through to modern day and beyond, as Natalia will settle in Moscow and Paris as a dancer, while also enjoying many opportunities to travel all over the world performing. As Natalia's career grows and she becomes more renown, she finds it difficult to navigate the complicated and competitive world of ballet, as well as the difficult relationships of life in general. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is also mentioned, along with the many resulting opinions and fallout.

My Verdict: Having an unlikeable narrator/protagonist is a risky move, though not a new one. And while I would not liken Natalia to someone like Scarlett O'Hara, her competitiveness is grating, while also making her somewhat boring. I was far more interested in her relationships with family and friends (and enemies) than her fight to be the best and outshine everyone. And the long-awaited reveal of the accident that threatened to end her ballet career is underwhelming, and ends up being much less interesting that some of the other revelations that come before and after it. Learning the inner workings of a ballet company and the industry as a whole was a fun experience, especially as Natalia travels between different companies and theaters throughout her career.

Favorite Moment: The reappearance of someone from Natalia's mother's past offers up a valuable opportunity for the dancer to learn more about her own history.

Favorite Character: Natalia and Nina may lose touch with each other at various points over the years, but the latter always remains a loyal and reliable friend.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Kim's first novel, 2021's Beasts of a Little Land, as well as 2024's The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan. 

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.