Young Adult Fiction: Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

Before the world shut down, I had the privilege to attend LibraryPalooza in February and hear Tiffany D. Jackson speak. It was then that I first learned about her upcoming novel Grown, and how it would center on the caustic relationship between a teenage girl and an older celebrity figure. I feel like I should issue all of the warnings for this book, including ones for mentions of sexual abuse, child abuse, and even addiction to opioids.

The Situation: Enchanted Jones can sing. Like really sing. At 17 years-old, she has her eyes on a career on the stage, but for right now, she is attending Parkwood High School where she is on the swim team and spends nearly every lunch period with her best friend Gabriela. When she is at home, she helps take care of her four younger siblings as her parents work hard to keep a roof over everyone's head. It is Gabriela who tells Enchanted about an audition for Music LIVE, a show on BET. One little white lie to her mother, and Enchanted makes the audition. She may not make it through, but what she has done is gain the attention of Korey Fields, one of the hottest music stars. Enchanted cannot believe it, but Korey Fields is talking to her; then he is giving her and her parents VIP passes to his show; then he is texting her; then he is inviting her to his studio; then he is kissing her. Enchanted pushes the 11-year age difference to the back of her mind, thinking about her future career and the love she cannot believe she has found.

The Problem: Korey Fields is dead. It is some time in the future, months after Enchanted first met Korey, and now he is dead. There is what looks like beat juice all over the room they are in, and she cannot remember a thing. But now there is an urgent banging on the door of Korey's house - the cops wanting to get in - and Enchanted only has moments to think, to even understand where she is and why. Since she met Korey, she has fallen deeply in love (at least she is sure she has), and since then been taken prisoner by the man who promised her stardom. When he was not watching her every move, he kept her locked up in a room with very little to eat, and only a bucket for a bathroom. Authorities did not want to believe all of the allegations of abuse that she and her family threw at Korey. They certainly are not going to believe that she is not the one who killed him.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel that enters murder mystery territory from the first page. The first thing the reader learns is that Korey Fields is dead, and Enchanted is in the room. From there, the history of there relationship is laid out, starting from when he first spotted her at an audition and proceeded to ruthlessly pursue her. Despite the obvious age difference, Enchanted is enthralled by Korey, almost hypnotized by his fame and his attention on her, and things accelerate quickly. But his dark side soon emerges, and using fear and manipulation, Enchanted becomes his prisoner. During her talk at LibraryPalooza, Jackson acknowledged that there are elements of the story that will remind us of the allegations against R. Kelly. However, the book is about abuse of power, and the adults who know the difference between right and wrong. It is also about the reluctance to believe women when they ultimately come forward, and the corporations that benefit when they are silenced.

My Verdict: This is an intense and powerful book. Enchanted's story may be one of fiction, but it is not outside of reality. Anyone who pays even then smallest amount of attention to the news today will find stories like this, and not only about famous and/or rich people. When Enchanted decides to work with Korey, my insides became heavy, knowing what was coming. And when everything unfolded the way it did, my heart broke. Jackson gets full credit for going for it and not holding back. Enchanted is put into some terrible situations, and not only with Korey, but Jackson almost attacks the issue with full force. My only problem was how quickly the action moved. Of course, that could also be Jackson's way of showing how quickly things like this can happen, and how these girls can look around one day and wonder how they got to where they are. It is a difficult thing to read about, but also an issue that needs to be confronted.

Favorite Moment: When a flight attendant refuses to be intimidated by Korey and insists on checking on Enchanted.

Favorite Character: Gabriela, Enchanted's best friend, is a fighter and knows what she wants out of life. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend Monday's Not Coming, also by Jackson. A young girl goes missing, and her best friend cannot understand why no one is searching for her.     

Nonfiction: Notes on a Silencing by Lacy Crawford

When I was doing my research in early July, like I do at the beginning of every month, I came across Lacy Crawford's Notes on a Silencing. So far, 2020 has been a good year for me when it comes to engrossing and engaging nonfiction, and this sounded like a book that would continue the trend, though I feared it would also be hard to read. A young girl, a prestigious boarding school, a long history of abuse and secrecy...it is a story we hear too often, but getting to the truth is necessary for change. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book that is mostly set in 1990-1991. During these years, Crawford was a student at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire. One night she would receive a phone call from an older male student, almost begging her to come to his room. When she got there, she would be sexually assaulted by him and one other. What comes next is a high school experience filled with shame, embarrassment, insecurity, and confusion, along with other things. This would be followed by decades of simultaneously wanting to leave what happened behind, while also wanting to bring the school to justice. While the act itself is heinous, what is also appalling is the lengths the school will go to in order to keep everything quiet. And what is further revealed is St. Paul's long history of covering up incidents of sexual misconduct among their students, and their staff. More than 20 years after the fact, when other allegations are introduced, the school will still do what it can to maintain its reputation, even at the cost of children's safety. 

My Verdict: This story is upsetting, but it was not as hard to read as I had anticipated. Probably the thing I had the most difficulty with was keeping track of the timeline. And for those of us who are not at all used to the world of boarding or private schools, getting around the terms and jargon may be a challenge. But Crawford's writing is straightforward and honest without being a constant barrage of awful events, despite what the book is about. And it is more than a story about a sexual assault and a cover up. It is also about the long history of sexual assaults and cover ups, as well as the issues of power, victimhood, privilege, and shame. It is a powerful account that will prove difficult for many, and understandably so, and I admire Crawford for telling it.  

Favorite Moment: In the acknowledgements, we get some updates concerning recent developments at St. Paul's, which are a little encouraging. It is hard to pick a favorite part beyond this as so many of the events in this book are heartbreaking.  

Recommended Reading: My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell is a fiction novel that explores a similar story line of an inappropriate relationship between a young girl and her teacher at a highly regarded boarding school. Perhaps the most disturbing thing about the story is that it happens in real life all of the time.        

Science Fiction: A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green

The time has come to discuss the conclusion to Hank Green's The Carls duology, A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor. When I read An Absolutely Remarkable Thing back in 2018, I remember having mixed feelings about the experience, and that mostly had to do with the book's main character, April. She was annoying, vain, and not good to her friends. But now (and major *spoiler alert* for anyone who has not read the first book) she is no longer the only focus. In fact, she wasn't even alive by the end of the first book. So I was interested to see where this one would go.

The Situation: It has been roughly six months since April was killed in that warehouse fire. Her group of friends have more or less scattered and begun doing their own thing. Andy has taken April's place in the spotlight, gaining for himself a pretty solid celebrity status and a healthy media following. Maya, April's ex, is still dealing with her grief, while also holding onto hope that April is still out there. And Miranda has returned to her research at Berkeley, still keeping in touch with the group, but also not feeling like she is one of them. And the Carls? They disappeared as quickly as they came. Even the Dream is gone, though the memories are still there. And Peter Petrawicki, April's former nemesis, seems to have figured out that the Carls have left something behind in the human brain. Something is certainly happening, and the appearance of mysterious books that seemingly predict the future are the proof.

The Problem: Somewhere in Puerto Rico, Peter Petrawicki has set up Altus, a new company involved in some top-secret research. At first, all people know is that the company is recruiting some of the top minds in the country, and that Peter has seemingly turned a new leaf. He regrets his past actions, and now wants to put his efforts to good use. The group is of course suspicious, and Miranda may have found a way to investigate, though it involves going directly to Altus as a not-so-covert spy, since Peter remembers who she is. Andy has the celebrity, money, and access to investigate from a different angle, though it puts him in danger as well. And Maya decides to follow a series of clues that could easily lead to nothing, until they lead to the very thing she has been searching for. Everyone will have to work quickly and use every resource they have if they want to stop a new, bigger threat, because what slowly becomes clear is that humanity is not okay, and getting less okay by the day.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set more or less in the present day. Following the conclusion of the first book, the Carls have disappeared, April is dead, and everyone is dealing with the loss of the Dream. It is like what we would have to deal with if an incredibly popular social media platform were to disappear. But then Peter Petrawicki shows up with the promise of a newer and better option that is infinitely more addictive. There are political and social commentaries all over this book, way too many for this review (and there are probably a lot that I simply did not notice). The most prominent, at least to me, regards the almighty algorithm and how it decides what comes up in our Google searches, and what adds we see while watching YouTube. Companies spend a lot of time trying to find out what we like, and how best to get more our money. It is a science fiction adventure that explores how we got here, and how far it can go.

My Verdict: For the most part, the mixed feelings continued for me with this book. It was pretty glorious not having all of the action revolve around April. Andy, Maya, and Miranda are much more interesting, and much less stressful to follow around, even when they are put in harm's way, or making terrible decisions (there is plenty of both happening in this book). I liked the pace of the book as it moves pretty quickly, but perhaps at times it was too quick. Honestly, for anyone who has ever watched Hank Green speak, the frantic and fast-changing pace is to be expected. But I did feel that sometimes the details suffered, and some elements got lost. Thankfully, the action and intensity make up for any confusion, and Green manages to bring this story to a thorough and not at all ambiguous conclusion.

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* When April goes Terminator 2 on a cop car and disables it. 

Favorite Character: I do like Miranda and admire her decision to enter the belly of the beast when she goes to Altus, but I wish there was more of Bex, a new character that Andy meets and proves to also be integral in the saving of humanity. 

Recommended Reading: There were many elements of this book that reminded me of Blake Crouch's Recursion, as well as The Long Earth series by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter.     

Historical Fiction: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Much like with horror movies, horror books can be hit or miss. It is a type of story that is difficult to write well, but many still try. I picked up Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia not necessarily because it is considered horror, but more because it simply sounded interesting. A creepy family in a creepy house in a small town in Mexico sounds interesting in any genre.

The Situation: It is 1950 in Mexico City, and Noemí Taboada is enjoying her life as a wealthy young debutante. While she is not necessarily interested in getting married and settling down, she does enjoy the attention of the young attractive men who are more than willing to escort her to all of the best parties. Unfortunately, when a distressing letter arrives from her cousin Catalina who is now married and lives in the Mexican countryside, Noemí must put her carefree life on hold and visit her. Noemí's father was never a fan of Catalina's new husband, Virgil, and now he is sure that something sinister is taking place. He charges Noemí with going to the small town of El Triunfo and making sure everything is okay. So Noemí puts the parties on hold, packs her bags, and heads into what she is sure will be a cursory visit.

The Problem: When Noemí arrives at High Place - the name of the house where Catalina resides with her husband and his English family - it is clear that the estate had once enjoyed some glorious times, but has since fallen into disrepair. Everything has the feeling of once having been grand and enviable, but now the place looks like it is being consumed by mold and fungus. It also becomes clear to Noemí that Catalina is not okay, but any attempts to help her, and sometimes even attempts to visit her room, are blocked by Virgil and his family. And the more Noemí digs into the history of High Place, the more horrified she is, eventually having nightmares and visions of her own, even occasionally sleepwalking, something she has not done since she was a child. Noemí is determined to find out what is really happening, and save her cousin in the process. However, High Place may have plans of its own.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical and horror fiction novel set in Mexico in 1950. Noemí is a young, carefree, and glamorous debutante used to parties and the attentions of men. A disturbing letter from her cousin brings her away from the glamour of Mexico City, and to the eerie setting of High Place. The house includes Catalina's handsome but somewhat intimidating husband Virgil, his father Howard, his cousin Florence, and Florence's son Francis. It used to be that the family operated a prosperous silver mine and employed most of the people in the area. A series of misfortunes and illnesses have since plagued the house, family, and mine, leaving the entire area with a rich history filled with horror and death. Both Noemí and Catalina loved fairy tales as young girls, stories filled with princesses being rescued and evil witches and curses. But when such things become real menaces, Noemí wants nothing more than to leave with her cousin. There is also some talk of eugenics and the idea of superior and inferior races.

My Verdict: This book delivers on the creep factor, as well as the suspense and mystery. Unfortunately, despite an interesting premise, the result is less engaging than anticipated. I am not sure if it is the narrator, as Noemí is naive and spoiled, while also being self-assured and strong-willed. For me, it may have been when I realized what was really going on (I won't spoil it, I promise), and felt disappointment that it was not something more sophisticated. It is original; it is scary; and somehow it still felt like something I have seen before. It was strange. I certainly encourage lovers of horror and historical fiction to pick it up for themselves. I am curious to see how other readers feel about it.

Favorite Moment: When Noemí is able to learn about one of the more disturbing moments in the history of High Place from a local healer.

Favorite Character: Everyone in this book is tiresome to some degree. But I found myself invested in the fate of Francis, and hoping he came out of this okay.

Recommended Reading: I feel like The Shining by Stephen King would be an appropriate follow-up to this one, though it is long, and a different kind of thriller.