Contemporary Fiction: The Award by Matthew Pearl

A somewhat short but intimate look into the cutthroat literary world and what happens when ambition collides with desperation and entitlement? Yes, please! That is the premise that sold me on Matthew Pearl's The Award. When a young writer comes into close proximity with someone whose career he has always admired, his life takes one unexpected turn after another.

The Situation: When David and his girlfriend Bonnie begin looking for apartments in Cambridge, Massachusetts, they know the search will be tough, but certainly there have to be better choices than the third floor walk-up with the narrow staircase and steep monthly rent that they are currently viewing. Both David and Bonnie are less than thrilled, until David learns that they will be living above literary legend Silas Hale. Now the apartment is an absolute necessity as David envisions scenes of being invited into Silas' home, maybe even becoming his mentee as the younger writer continues to find his place in the literary world. Bonnie is less than convinced, but she does agree, and the two move in.

The Problem: Living above the Hales becomes a problem for a few reasons. For one, Silas Hale is not exactly the most welcoming neighbor. Not only is his first order of business to bark a command at David regarding the trash bins, but the famed writer is clearly less than interested in aiding David in any way when it comes to his writing. Silas is content to ignore that David and Bonnie even exist in the space above him, until David's debut novel receives an award. When Silas invites him to an annual party, David is thrilled, until he receives unexpected news about the award. From here, things begin to quickly spiral and unravel, proving just how dangerous ambition can be.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of fiction set around 2010, and for the most part set in and around the Boston area. David is a 20-something aspiring writer who is doing what a lot of aspiring writers of any age do, which is lament why his time has not come, while it seems that everyone around him is securing agents and selling their books. His meeting with the great Silas Hale disabuses him of any notion of the older man helping him out, and it soon becomes clear that while Silas may be beloved and thought of as a genius, he is also rude, abrasive, and ruthlessly condescending. The author's note contains only one line, which is 'Some of this happened.' This could be related to living above a difficult person; coming into contact with a revered writer who is simply not a nice person; or even the myriad of events that occur as the entire situation falls apart.

My Verdict: I loved the idea for this book and was excited to see in which direction it would go. I loved David's dangerous ambition, Silas' seemingly unchecked toxicity, and the multitude of terrible writing acquaintances between them. David's desire to potentially do whatever it took for him to have his literary moment allowed for some delicious scenes. But it all begins to slowly (and predictably) fall apart somewhere near the middle of the short novel. The twists and turns begin to be tiresome, and the ending only confirms what the reader sadly predicted several chapters before.

Favorite Moment: In the early part of the novel, David admits to an act he committed when applying to graduate school that tells the reader pretty much everything they need to know about him.

Favorite Character: In a book filled with tiresome and self-important authors who cannot even seem to hold a normal conversation with someone, Valentina 'Leni' Maldonado is a refreshing character to have pop up once in awhile.

Recommended Reading: It is hard not to think of R.F. Kuang's Yellowface while reading this book. 

Young Adult Fiction: We Fell Apart by E. Lockhart

The latest novel by YA author E. Lockhart is a stand-alone story, but still in the same universe as her incredibly popular We Were Liars and Family of Liars. While We Fell Apart is its own thing, some characters form the previous two books are referenced, as is the fire that occurred on the island.

The Situation: When Matilda receives a letter from the father she never met, it is her chance to meet the man she has always wondered about. Kingsley Cello is not only her dad, but a world-famous and reclusive artist, whose paintings are worth millions. Matilda's mother has always avoided talking about him, while pursuing her own passions, often moving herself and her daughter to follow the latest plan, and man. But now that Matilda is technically an adult, and her mother is not even in the same country, she is free to decide to fly across the country to meet Kingsley. But while she is not immediately greeted by her father, she does meet her half-brother, a former child-actor, and another young man who only wants her to turn around and go back home.

The Problem: Matilda arrives to a castle in a sort of chaos. Her half-brother Meer is thrilled she is there, but his mother, June, was clearly not aware that Kingsley contacted her and asked her to come. Brock is goofy, but helpful, and Tatum is immediately on his guard, seemingly aware that Matilda's presence could upset whatever living situation they have worked out among themselves. As Matilda gets settled into life at the castle, Kingsley remains mysteriously absent, and there is a truth that is staying hidden and out of sight. She will have to do her digging if she wants answers, because no one is going to offer any.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book set around the same time as Lockhart's first book, We Were Liars. The fire on Beechwood Island has just happened, and Matilda even gets a chance to visit the wreckage. With a father that has only now reached out to her as she has graduated high school and is about to attend college, and a mother that decided she would rather live away from her daughter than stay with her in California, Matilda is a young woman who is used to people leaving her. She is not sure what to expect from the man that everyone has hailed as a genius and visionary, but it certainly is not a half-brother who is starved for attention; a sort-of step-mother who seems detached, but also controlling; and a young man who knows more than he says, but infuriates Matilda as much as he draws her in. 

My Verdict: Of the three books in the We Were Liars universe, I found this one to be the most engaging, though also frustrating. What Lockhart does well is portray a group of people who are clearly going through something and not handling it very well. They are all nice enough, but there is this facade of being free spirits that only masks their irresponsibility, and also their anxiety over the situation. And as much as I wanted to like Matilda, her lack of tact and observation skills were grating. And I did not quite believe in the chemistry of the romance that later occurs. 

Favorite Moment: When Meer buys a bunch of baby birds (chickens, ducks, etc.), it is a cute moment, but also a telling one. And it is clear that while Meer and Matilda are excited, this new hobby is not going to go the way they had hoped.

Favorite Character: This is one of those books where most of the people are nice, but that does not mean they are likeable. As sweet and kind as most of them are, these are not people I would want to be stuck on an island with.

Recommended Reading: As a follow-up to this book, I recommend The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner.

Contemporary Fiction: Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Years ago I read Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah, about a Nigerian woman who comes to study in the U.S, while the love of her life is unable to join her after they have both left military-ruled Nigeria. In Dream Count, Adichie tells the story of four very different but connected women, and the things that move them forwards, as well as the events that threaten the life they wish to build.

The Situation: As a Nigerian travel writer living in the U.S, Chiamaka (or Chia) is able to provide a different viewpoint than what is usually offered in magazines and websites on places like Moscow, Santiago, and Sydney. During the height of the pandemic, she begins to recount her travels, and ups and downs of her love life, while making sure to check in with friends and family, many of which wish she would take on a more 'serious' vocation. Zikora, Chia's best friend, is a successful lawyer, but is also desperate to find someone to start a family with before it is too late. Chia's cousin Omelogor is a financial powerhouse in Nigeria, happily single and comfortable with being a woman in a man's occupation. And Chia's housekeeper, Kadiatou, has found stability for herself and her daughter in the U.S, though the path to get there was long and difficult.

The Problem: As Chia tells of her travels and her past boyfriends, she has to confront what exactly went wrong with each of them, and what part she played in the doomed relationships; her friend Zikora has found herself in a situation she never thought possible; and Omelogor has been confronted with a harsh question about the life she has built for herself. Despite their own separate struggles, each woman manages to rally around Kadiatou when an unthinkable event threatens to take away everything she has accomplished, leaving her feeling exposed and ashamed and unsure of her future. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of fiction set before, during, and immediately after the height of the pandemic, in locations all over the world, but mostly the east coast of the U.S, and many locations around Nigeria. Each of the four characters have several chapters devoted to their story, though most of the focus is given to Chia. While her and Omelogor's chapters are told in first-person, both Zikora and Kadiatou's story are told by a third-person narrator. All four stories center around love and relationships, and what it is like being a Nigerian woman in various places all around the world. 

My Verdict: It is still a strange thing to me to read a novel with events that take place during lockdown, even though I also lived it and went through it myself. It is the isolation of lockdown that causes Chia to be retrospective and think about her past relationships and where (and why) they went wrong, and this is something I am sure many people can relate to. For those who had a difficult time remaining positive like Chia, they may see something familiar in Zikora's pessimism and disappointment, or conversely, Omelogor's determination to get on with life and make the most of what it is. And then there are those like Kadiatou who are happy to be where they are, enjoying the balance they have struck between hard work and family. While the ending does leave something to be desired (at least for me), this book is certainly an exploration of relationships and identity.

Favorite Moment: I enjoyed reading about Chia's travel and her experiences in certain cities as a Black woman.

Favorite Character: Each of the four main characters has a few traits that were difficult for me to get past...traits that would have made it hard for me to sit and have a conversation with them without finding an excuse to get up and leave. I enjoyed Chia's almost dreamy and naive optimism, and Omelogor's honesty and no-nonsense attitude, but I am not sure I can pick a favorite.

Recommended Reading: Nikki May's This Motherless Land is a great read and would serve well as a follow-up to this book. 

Nonfiction: Black-Owned by Char Adams

Picking up Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore by Char Adams was an easy decision. Like most book dragons, I love bookstores and can spend hours inside of one. I also have limited knowledge about the history of Black-owned bookstores in this country, and looked forward to Adams' stories and insights.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction title that explores the history of Black-owned bookstores in the U.S. Adams begins with the Underground Railroad and a name that very few know, David Ruggles. He is recorded as having run the country's first Black bookstore, and was a frequent victim of anti-abolitionist racist beatings and targeted attacks. From there, Adams moves onto the Black bookstore boom of the 1960s and 70s as the shops became crucial to the Black political movement. But much like the bookstore industry in general, Black bookstores have had to fight big chain stores, and of course, Amazon, in a near-constant struggle to stay afloat. Many shops have closed, reopened, and closed again, and Adams laments that there is no accurate record of just how many Black bookstores have existed throughout decades. But here she focuses on the specific history of quite a few, ending the book with a list of Black bookstores in operation in each U.S. state.

My Verdict: This is a short and easy read that chronicles the history of the Black bookstore in the U.S. It is a subject that few know about, and Adams' attempt to make a record of it and make it more widely known is admirable. There are personal anecdotes from those that opened and operated a Black bookstore, many including well-known authors that visited the stores during book tours for their latest publications. And of course, there are stories about enduring the political strife that can come with operating a shop that focuses on the history of Black people, especially during the 1960s and 70s. Adams presents the information with honesty and enthusiasm, clearly eager to pass this history along, while also acknowledging that the story is not done.

Favorite Story: Clara Villarosa, owner and operator of Hue-Man Experience Bookstore, which first opened in Denver and then moved to Harlem (but is now sadly closed), tells of a brief and tense exchange she had with someone at a conference. Apparently, they did not like how Villarosa was ordering people around and challenged her with "Do you know any sweet words?" When Villarosa looked up, she saw the question came from Maya Angelou, who then followed up with "Everybody knows you're in charge. You don't have to act like it."

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss.

Historical Fiction: The Tortoise's Tale by Kendra Coulter

Kendra Coulter's The Tortoise's Tale attempts to answer the question of what it would be like to experience world events and history through the eyes of an animal, more specifically, a giant tortoise. The tortoise in Coulter's story will be given many names, while always living in the same place, as the human beings and other animals around her come and go, signifying the passage of time.

The Situation: Throughout her long life, the tortoise will be given many names. Daisuke, Magic, Shelley, Sara, Zaagi, Fern. She remembers little of her early life and how she came to live at her current residence in southern California. She remembers being taken and then brought to live in an expansive backyard with plenty of space to roam and flowers to eat, thanks to the gardener employed by the owner of the place. For the most part, she manages to entertain herself, and prefers it when the residents and their guests leave her be (unless they have a flower or some fruit to offer). Only Lucy is special, a young child that the tortoise wishes would visit more often and stay for longer.

The Problem: Not everyone who comes across the giant tortoise treats her with respect. Some believe it to be okay to place objects on her shell. Others poke her. One young man thinks it is a fun idea to push her into the swimming pool, which causes a problem since she is too big to simply lift back out of it. But despite these occasional transgressions, the tortoise lives a peaceful, and incredibly long life, taking in the events and monumental life changes of the human beings around her. She lives through marriages, births, deaths, presidencies, assassinations, celebrations, and many unthinkable tragedies, all while the question remains of who she is exactly, and how she came to be on this particular estate. 

Genre, Themes, History: This book is a work of fiction that is set almost entirely on a property in Hollywood, California, where the tortoise is first brought to live after being captured. It is here that the tortoise tells her story and witnesses over a century of not only human behavior, but also the behavior of various other animals that are brought to live on the property. As ownership changes, so does the crowd and general attitudes of the people around her. Sometimes outside guests and parties are a constant, other times the place feels empty, but peaceful. And one of the challenges of living a long life is having to endure the loss of those the tortoise loves. 

My Verdict: Having Magic (which is the name most often used for the tortoise throughout the book) be the narrator allows for a unique and nearly objective point of view for what is happening to the humans around her. Sure, she has her preferences and her favorites, but there are many things she witnesses that she is unable to comment on, while a human witnessing the same thing would be able to determine what is happening. The story is interesting enough, and certainly touching and poignant in places. The moments when Magic must relate a sense of loss or hurt are especially moving. I was most interested in the mystery surrounding Magic's origin, and unfortunately there was not as much focus on that.

Favorite Moment: I generally enjoyed Magic's slow movements and any time she would simply appear in a certain part of the yard, and a human being would turn and notice that a massive tortoise is near them. 

Favorite Character: Lucy first meets Magic when she is young girl and remains acquainted with the giant tortoise well into her adult life. She is the first human with which Magic becomes truly attached and delights in her presence. 

Recommended Reading: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt has sections that are told from the viewpoint of a giant octopus and would be a fun follow-up.

Science Fiction: Saltcrop by Yume Kitasei

On the surface, Yume Kitasei's Saltcrop is about two sisters who leave their home in search of a third, not knowing what they may find, or what state their home may be in when they get back. On a deeper level, the story is about family, long-held resentments and secrets, and also the risks and dangers of going up against something bigger than yourself.

The Situation: In a world dependent on a chemical to keep crops from succumbing to blight, and where most animals have some form of mutation, Skipper longs to leave the home she shares with her grandmother, but she cannot imagine who would take care of the older woman if she were not around. So instead, she makes barely enough money collecting and selling plastic from the ocean in order to take care of utilities, and her grandmother's medication. Her older sister Carmen left the house years ago and now lives on her own, something Skipper resents, even though Carmen comes by every day to clean and do other chores around the house. It is only when the oldest sister, Nora, goes missing, that the two of them come into agreement on something and decide to search for her.

The Problem: Skipper is a skilled sailor and loves her boat, the Bumblebee. She may be confident in her ability to make the difficult journey, but she is less confident about how well she will do with Carmen around, and if their already fragile relationship can survive the trip. Carmen may have a tenuous relationship with both of her sisters, but she wants to find Nora and make sure she is okay, even if she is still holding onto a grudge from many years ago. As the two set off on their journey, they encounter the wonders and terrors of a dying world, still beautiful in its own way, but carrying deadly consequences. And after a couple of cryptic messages from Nora, it is clear that the journey across the ocean may only be the beginning of the adventure.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set in an undetermined time and location. The world's crops now must be continually protected from the blight, using a substance that permeates everything and comes with its own consequences. Divided in sections, the story is told using a third-person limited point of view, with each section focusing on a specific sister. The reader is allowed to see how the sisters view the situation and their family, with each one carrying their own resentments and grudges from past arguments and mistakes. They each also have their own memories about how certain important events happened, and believe different people are to blame. And all of this must be navigated as they make their way across a dangerous landscape, and encounter people that may or may not be on their side.

My Verdict: Speculative fiction is always interesting to me (when I can understand what is happening) as it can be fun to see how different people see the future of our planet. And while the ecology of the fictional world can be interesting, so is how the author imagines how people will relate to each other in the face of this new reality. Kitasei looks at the complex relationships between the sisters, but also how each sister relates to people outside of their family, including strangers who may claim to want to help, but past interactions have taught them to be wary. I give credit to the author for making the characters and how they relate to each other feel real and not forced. Anyone who grew up with a sibling will be able to relate to at least some of what happens, while also exploring a world of mutated animals and failed crops.

Favorite Moment: Carmen comes through for her sister in a way that Skipper may not have ever thought she would. 

Favorite Character: Skipper may be hard to understand, at least for her family, but her ambitions are simple and she is good at what she does.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Walk the Vanished Earth by Erin Swan.

Door Stop: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

Happy New Year! And welcome to a review of the first (and possibly only) door stop of 2026. My copy of Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is actually just shy of 500 pages, but I placed it under the 'door stop' category anyway because certain editions do go a bit over that limit. As the lesser known Bronte sister, Anne offers up a story of a mysterious woman moving to a new town, where the inhabitants can only guess at her background, until she offers up her story to someone she hopes she can trust.

The Situation: In a letter to a friend, Gilbert Markham tells the story of a time when a mysterious woman moved into his hometown, bringing with her a young boy and one servant. Helen Graham moved into the long neglected Wildfell Hall, managing to have just enough of the residence fixed up to make it inhabitable. Gilbert's friends and family immediately begin to make guesses as to the woman's story and where her husband may be. Many attempt to visit the woman, only to come back with a strong and strange sense that she wants to be left alone, and will not let the young boy out of her sight. It is not long before Gilbert becomes infatuated with her and her situation, which causes his irritation to grow towards those that would speak ill of her.

The Problem: Despite Gilbert's best efforts, Helen remains reserved and releases few details about her life before her move to Wildfell Hall, until she decides to let the young man read her diary. In it, Gilbert learns of her life growing up with her uncle and aunt, and the disastrous marriage to the man that the latter had attempted to warn her about. He is the reason Helen has retreated to Wildfell Hall, and Gilbert reads all about what caused the young wife to abandon her husband. Gilbert is happy to be trusted with this information, but distressed to know what Helen has had to deal with, and now wishes he may be trusted to remedy every situation for her to protect her and her son's future.

Genre, Themes, History: This book is a work of fiction set primarily in the late 1820s, early 1830s, when Helen's story takes place. Truly, the book is a story within a story as Helen's diary is read by Gilbert, who is a writing a letter to a friend. The bulk of Helen's story involves her troubled marriage to a Mr. Huntingdon, whose proposal she accepted over much older, though well-established and possibly better-behaved men. Though there is gambling, drinking, abandonment, and even infidelity, it is ultimately for the benefit of her son that Helen wishes to be done with her husband, but as a woman in the early 19th century, her options are limited. 

My Verdict: While this is a thoroughly entertaining read, I can understand why it is not as popular as Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. Sure, there is a strong and willful heroine, plenty of conflict, and societal pressures that make it difficult for several of the characters to either act as they please, or even simply in their own best interest. But the story itself is oddly paced, and the characters are more than a little tiresome, Helen and Gilbert included. And for me, I had to allow for more than a little suspension of disbelief when it comes to the issue of a grown woman allowing a man she does not know all that well to read her private diary, even if it does help explain her situation. 

Favorite Moment: Helen is nothing if not resolved, and there are a couple of moments where she must dismiss the supposed assistance of the most seemingly well-intentioned people. 

Favorite Character: The character of Mr. Lawrence does not truly come into focus until the story is nearly at its end, but he proves to be both helpful and honest.

Recommended Reading: This is a recommendation I know few will take, if only because this book is so incredibly long, but I adore Charles Dickens' Bleak House.