Classic Fiction: Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez

The book choice for today seemed incredibly fitting for the situation we are in now. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez was critically acclaimed upon its publication in the 1980s, and has certainly endured as a classic. It tells the story of two individuals who meet at a young age, but whose lives go in different directions. However, they are often within close proximity of each other, during a time when cholera is a constant threat in their fictional South American town.

The Situation: When Dr. Juvenal Urbino decides to reach for his pet parrot from a ladder, he never imagines that this is the action that will lead to his death. Now his wife, Fermina Daza, must face the rest of her life without him, something she has a hard time imagining after more than 50 years together. But just as the funeral has ended, local businessman Florentino Ariza proclaims his love for her, just as he did when they were younger, before Juvenal Urbino ever entered the picture. Despite having been rejected decades before, Florentino Ariza has never been able to get over losing Fermina Daza, while she has held onto the belief that what they had before could not be considered real love. Even so, Florentino Ariza has always held onto hope, and he tells her he remained faithful to her as he waited all these years.

The Problem: Florentino Ariza may have never been able to get over Fermina Daza, but he certainly did not spend his life without companionship. In fact, over time, he will have nearly countless affairs, with women of all ages. Some he loved - and some loved him in return - while others he simply used in an attempt to cure his own loneliness and heartbreak. There were a few who saw him for what he was, but many who were fooled into believing they were his one and only. And while Fermina Daza never once strayed from Juvenal Urbino, and they reached that stage of marriage where they knew each other so well and could not imagine life with the other, their time together was not without its trials. Now that her husband is dead, and Florentino Ariza has once again pledged his love, Fermina Daza is not exactly rushing to commit herself to another man.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel that takes place roughly between the 1880s and the 1930s, in an unnamed town in Colombia. The simplest and most straightforward label for the book would be that of a love story, but it also explores aging and death, and the love story itself is complicated. On the surface, Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza fall in love when they are young, until she rejects him, and then ultimately marries the wealthy and prestigious Dr. Juvenal Urbino. Then Florentino Ariza must pine over her for the next several decades. But those decades include illicit affairs, family strife, community tragedies, and all kinds of scandalous gossip. Plus, there is the near-constant threat of the cholera epidemic. The love that Florentino Ariza holds onto so tightly can often be called into question, and Fermina Daza even examines her own long-lasting marriage, and what is means to love someone for that long. 

My Verdict: I was drawn to this book, first because I absolutely loved One Hundred Years of Solitude, but also because it felt natural to pick this up after another year of uncertainty due to a devastating pandemic. Also, I saw the illustrated version at Barnes and Noble and decided that was the version I wanted to read, and the version that I wanted on my bookshelf. I immediately recognized the lyrical prose, as well as near-cryptic storytelling, or at least that is the best way I can think to describe it. And I love that this is not at all a typical love story. It does not even start off like one; instead, it starts off with the death of a minor character, followed by their funeral. What I had a hard time with was the character of Florentino Ariza, and what I see as his obsession with a woman who is, for the most part, kept out of his reach for over 50 years. Plus, his treatment of women is less than exemplary. 

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* When Fermina Daza’s father is revealed for the crook that he is. 

Favorite Character: There is something resolute and determined about Fermina Daza that I really admire. Her life is not the easiest, or simplest, but she makes difficult decisions and sticks with them.

Recommended Reading: One Hundred Years of Solitude is my favorite of the two, but I also recommend Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras. 

Science Fiction: Far From the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson

In 2019, I discovered the first book in Tade Thompson's Rosewater series, and was delighted that I found a science fiction book I enjoyed and could follow with a reasonable amount of understanding. So I was happy to pick up Far From the Light of Heaven, which promised to be more of a murder mystery in space than a space adventure.

The Situation: Michelle 'Shell' Campion is excited, though also understandably apprehensive, about her first mission. She has been properly trained - at least she is pretty sure she has - and is eager to live up to family pressure. It is a daunting mission: pilot a ship and its 1,000 sleeping passengers, ensuring everyone arrives at their destination safely, on a trip that will take ten years to complete. Shell cannot quite call herself the captain, since the ship's artificial intelligence will do all of the work. The computer on the Ragtime has been said to be perfect, like any other AI that now exists, and Shell has been assured that it will not make a mistake. The Ragtime's destination is a colony planet called Bloodroot, many of whose residents know nothing of a life of Earth. 

The Problem: Rasheed Fin would love to get his job back as an investigator. An unfortunate misstep put him on the sidelines, but when the assignment comes in to investigate an incident on a spaceship known as Ragtime, Fin takes his AI companion Salvo and is determined to succeed. When he boards Ragtime, he finds Shell composed, but also deeply concerned. Only 969 of the 1,000 passengers have arrived safely. The other 31, not so much. The situation is difficult enough, and it does not help at all when Shell and Fin begin to butt heads; the ships mechanics have a tendency to turn against them, often attacking them outright; and the Ragtime's perfect AI has stopped obeying. But they will both soon learn that this is only the beginning.   

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set in a future where humans have been living on far off planets long enough that life on Earth is a foreign concept for some. Shell is following a family tradition of sorts by becoming an astronaut and piloting her own mission. What she learns is something she may have already known, which is that space is dangerous and scary, and there are many things that can go wrong. Having an apparent murderer on board is simply the most pressing issue...sometimes. Another issue is less than perfect AI that decides when it will take orders. Fin's AI, Salvo, is a counterpoint to the ship's troublesome computer, but the point still stands. And things only get more complicated when revenge and restitution come into play.

My Verdict: Something that Thompson always does well is create flawed characters that are realistic and believable, but still manage to garner the reader's support, despite their issues. Also, the problems presented are rarely black and white. Both Shell and Fin have straightforward missions that need to be completed, but what they uncover involves wrongs and misdeeds that have been going on for quite some time. The action is fast-paced, which means I was never bored, though often confused. There is so much happening all of the time, and every new character or species introduced is as fascinating as the one before. But the main issue always remains as the focus of the story, with all reveals and past histories leading back to it.

Favorite Moment: Being an AI himself, Salvo is able to communicate with the Ragtime in a way no one else can.

Favorite Character: I am not sure if this counts as a character, but there is a wolf discovered on board that is both mysterious and helpful. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend Thompson's Rosewater series, as well as Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty.

Graphic Novel: Oddball by Sarah Andersen

It has been far too long since a collection of Sarah's Scribbles has been published. But we can at least now say that 2021 has given us Oddball by Sarah Andersen, and it is another delightful collection of some of her funniest sketches and observations about life as a millennial in these weird times.

Genre, Themes, History: This is Andersen's fourth publication in her Sarah Scribbles collection, with the previous one having been published in 2018. Andersen once again offers up observations that are true (sometimes painfully so) and hilarious, mostly focusing on her own quirks and habits. When Andersen is not poking fun at herself, she pokes light fun at others, with some of the comics looking at the differences between the generations; the comparisons between introverts and extroverts; the reasons why dogs go to heaven and cats...go somewhere else; and then there is the odd comic thrown in about why a medusa would agree to adopt a blind cat. Many who follow Andersen on social media will recognize some of the comics, but being able to pull the collection from their own bookshelves or coffee table will be more than enough motivation to buy it.

My Verdict: I always have the same complaint about graphic novels or collections like these, and that is they are too short and go by too quickly. Granted, with something like this, the point is for it to be enjoyed over and over again. Even so, I always want more. Andersen has a way of poking fun at herself and the world around her that is always delightful. Even the comics that may hit a little too close to home can leave a reader feeling joyful and hopeful. And while the observations about Gen Z, and the truth that memories we millennials are currently creating may not exactly age well when we are our grandparents age, are incredibly funny and enjoyable, I personally love the appearance of the medusa character and would like to see more of her. It is the kind of randomness that will always keep me coming back to these collections.

Favorite Comic: There is one comic in which an obviously scared and cautious Andersen is taking baby steps in an uncertain direction. But after three or four panels of baby step after baby step, she is pleased to realize just how far she has come.

Recommended Reading: I of course recommend the entire Sarah Scribbles collection, but also Kate Beaton's Hark! A Vagrant, and Step Aside, Pops.

Young Adult Fiction: You'll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus

It seems that readers are treated to at least one Karen M. McManus book every year, and I am completely okay with that. For 2021, we were able to get our hands on You'll Be the Death of Me, another stand-alone young adult mystery/thriller that will keep people guessing.

The Situation: Ivy would rather not go to school today, and that is a bit unusual for the driven, high-achieving, and somewhat uptight high school senior. The thing is, she just lost the senior class presidency to a guy who ran as a joke. He is even known as Boney Mahoney, opting to go by a nickname instead of Brian, his real first name. Turns out, Cal is also looking for a reason to ditch school, and Mateo really is not in the mood either. When the three students run into each other in the school parking lot, a plan is hatched, the fake phone calls are made, and then they are off. Before high school, Ivy, Cal, and Mateo were quite close, and now Cal is eager to recreate another day in which the three of them went off on their own, a day that has since been referred to as the Greatest Day Ever. But it does not take long for this day to take a dark turn.

The Problem: Ivy, Cal, and Mateo are not the only Carlton High School students skipping school today. When they catch sight of one of their classmates in downtown Boston, Ivy decides to do some spying, and the discovery of a dead body sends the day in a completely different direction. Skipping school may have possibly been the worst decision ever, and the bad choices keep coming as the trio do their best to figure out what has happened, while also keeping themselves out of danger. It seems that each of them are connected in some way to the victim, and to other people that are involved. Some secrets are straightforward, though still shocking, while others go back years, and threaten to ruin the lives and precarious futures these teens are trying build. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult novel set in and around the city of Boston, with most of the action taking place all in one day. Ivy is a known high-strung overachiever who just suffered a devastating loss in a student council election. Mateo is doing his part to help keep his family afloat, though it means he is constantly tired and worn-out from working multiple jobs. And Cal still feels out of place, with no real core friend group to stick to. At the center of everything is the murder/mystery plot, but this central story also concerns the current opioid epidemic, predatory relationships, family resentment, and even touches on gentrification in some moments. 

My Verdict: McManus once again delivers a fast-paced puzzle piece that will keep most everyone guessing. There are those of you out there that will be able to put everything together way before those final chapters, but even the ones who see everything coming will be entertained by the twists and turns this story takes. There are so many secrets and hidden motives behind nearly every action and conversation, that there is no moment when the reader should feel prepared. Even preparing for a surprise may not work (at least it didn't for me), because very little can be predicted, and nothing is as it seems. McManus has created flawed teenagers who take terrible situations, and through bad decisions, manage to make them worse, all while there is a murder to be solved. And while this would normally be frustrating, the reader will be too preoccupied with the overall mystery, eager to see how the story ends.

Favorite Moment: Ivy has long felt overshadowed by her gifted little brother, but at some point, she must confront how she handles her feelings, as well as the actual truth of the situation. 

Favorite Character: Mateo is a hard-working boy stuck in a terrible situation, and he only wants what is best for his family. 

Recommended Reading: Last year's The Cousins remains my favorite of McManus' novels. I also recommend Roxy by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman. 

Winners of the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards

After two rounds of voting, it has been decided. The winners of the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards have been announced, and I want to first give a huge congratulations to every winner, as well as those who were nominated. 

Taylor Jenkins Reid managed to come away with the win in Best Historical Fiction for Malibu Rising, beating out Kristin Hannah, Kate Quinn, and Amor Towles. And Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary won for Best Science Fiction, which is probably not at all surprising to most. I am also happy to see that Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro came in second.

It gives me great pleasure to see that Broken by Jenny Lawson took the top spot in Best Humor. And another winner that I personally voted for is The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green, which has won for Best Nonfiction. 

My favorite category of Best Young Adult Fiction was absolutely stacked, with seven DSNs initially nominated in the first round, and four of them making it to the finals. I am ecstatic that Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley has won it, and there was some stiff competition, with less than 2,000 votes separating first and second place.

Now that we have our winners for 2021, it is time to look forward to the possibilities that can come in 2022. And of course, these awards also offer up the chance to maybe discover some books that have been published over the past year that may not have made it onto your radar. I will certainly enjoy researching some of the other nominees, while also looking into new books yet to be published.

Happy Reading!

Nonfiction: Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang

Memoirs have been one of my favorite types of nonfiction for a long time, and since reading last year's Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett, I have been wanting to find more books about people who have had both amazing and unique life experiences that I know nothing about. So I was excited to find Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang, and follow along as she talks about life as young immigrant growing up in Brooklyn, New York.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book about what it was like as a Chinese immigrant in mid-to-late 1990s New York. When Wang arrives in Brooklyn at the age of seven, it is with her mother as they reunite with her father, who left China for the U.S. years earlier. While both parents were professors in China, in the U.S. they must find work in sweatshops in order to provide for their little family. The usual struggles that come with poverty - near-constant hunger, worn-out clothes, shame, embarrassment, fear of uncertainty - become Wang's reality as she struggles in this new life. Before leaving for the U.S., their destination was known as 'Mei Guo,' or 'beautiful country.' Through 32 chapters, Wang explores her struggles in the beautiful country, with each chapter given a name that relates to its focus, such as "Ascent" for the chapter about the plane ride, and "Shopping Day" for the chapter that follows Wang and her mother as they go through the trash of the neighborhood. And while Wang is the one telling the story, she is also telling her parent's story as they try to achieve the American dream. 

My Verdict: I think what amazes me most about this book is how little time it covers in the authors life, and yet there is so much there. And even with as much as this book deals with, I could easily see it going on to include more detail about what came after. Wang explores the time immediately before, and after arriving in Brooklyn, and manages to talk about it almost in a way that a child would. As a young girl - especially a young girl suddenly living in a country where she is not comfortable with the language, and life looks completely different from what she knew - Wang is often confused, hurt, afraid, and annoyed. She can often only describe what is happening without being able to name it, a technique that Wang pulls off extremely well. As a reader, the confusion and fear felt real, even though I have never been in a situation such as this. There are parts that will break your heart, but also help to open your eyes.

Favorite Moment: At one point, Wang manages to apply and gain admittance to a school all on her own, despite the doubts and bad advice of the adults around her.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Educated by Tara Westover, as well as the graphic novel Almost American Girl by Robin Ha. 

Goodreads Choice Awards 2021 Final Round

It is the final round of the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards, which means this is the last chance to make your voice heard and support your favorite books of the year. 

This is when readers get to see which books from the opening round made the cut for the final top ten in their categories. And it looks like none of the DSNs that were nominated for Best Fiction (This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith, Infinite Country by Patricia Engel, and Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour) were able to make it to this final round. And it looks like A Slow Fire Burning also did not garner enough votes to remain in the Best Mystery & Thriller category, but Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead remains and still has my vote.

With no changes in Best Historical Fiction, I will continue in my support of The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. But of the four DSNs that were nominated for Best Science Fiction, only three get to move on. Unfortunately, Constance by Matthew Fitzsimmons - an intense look at the possible future of cloning - was not one of them. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro holds strong, and I will be surprised if it does not end up in the top five. 

Jenny Lawson's Broken hold steady in Best Humor, as does the Anthropocene Reviewed in Best Nonfiction. And while Between Two Kingdoms is still in it for Best Memoir & Autobiography, Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang is not. And The Woman They Could Not Silence remains in Best History & Biography. 

The Best Debut Novel category is always a bit of a wild card. Askaripour's Black Buck failed to make the top ten in this category as well, but Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley is still available as an option. 

Boulley's novel has also made the top ten in the Best Young Adult Fiction category. Initially, seven DSNs were nominated in this category, and only four remain. The Project by Courtney Summers, A Pho Love Story by Loan Le, and Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean have all been left out of the running for the final prize. And in the last category of Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction, The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna remains, but The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He has not. 

So of the 27 DSNs that could have gone on to the final round, only 17 have done so. This final round of voting will close Sunday, December 5th, and the winners will be announced on Thursday, December 9th. So be sure to support your favorite books of 2021. 

Contemporary Fiction: A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

After The Girl on the Train showed up in readers' hands back in 2015, many were excited to see what writer Paula Hawkins would come up with next. But when 2017's Into the Water was published, readers were largely disappointed. I decided to go ahead and take a chance on Hawkins' most recent attempt, A Slow Fire Burning, which was another mystery/suspense thriller meant to keep readers guessing.

The Situation: When Laura was young, she was hit by and car and her entire life was altered. Now she has a noticeable limp, can barely hold down a job, and is always in trouble for one reason or another. She already has a court appointment for that time she stabbed some guy in the hand with a fork. Now it seems she is suspected of murder, for actually ending a life. Yes, she was with Daniel in his houseboat last night, and yes they had an argument. But she did not kill him. That is ridiculous. Still, things look bad for Laura, and because she has a hard time controlling what comes out of her mouth, she almost cannot help but make things worse. 

The Problem: It would be easy to pin everything on Laura, as she is the type of person people can easily point to when something goes wrong. She has a reputation and was in the victim's home. But Daniel has his own troubled past. When he was young, he saw his young cousin die while they were both supposed to be under the watch of his alcoholic mother. His aunt and uncle never moved past the grief, with their marriage eventually ending, though the two remain close. And then there is the strange yet unremarkable Miriam, who lives in the houseboat next to Daniel's. She does not know who killed him, but she has someone she would love to implicate, someone she would love to frame as revenge for her own past injustices. All of these moving parts make the case a bit more complicated, but poor Laura always manages to stand out as the obvious culprit.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a suspense thriller set in present day England, with shifting point of views between a handful of connected characters. At the center of the story is Laura, a young woman with a past injury that has significantly complicated her future. Strangely enough, her situation is actually somewhat outside of and disconnected from everyone else's, but she happened to be in Daniel's houseboat the night before he was murdered, and her volatile nature is not easy to move past. Certain chapters are also preceded by excerpts from a popular thriller novel written by one of the characters, a story that at first feels like background information, but turns out to have connections to what is going on in the present. While characters like Laura are doing their best to move past what has happened to them, others are finding it impossible to let things go, nearly ruining what could be their future.

My Verdict: Even with an intriguing plot, and a mystery worth being excited about, this book still seems messy, and almost unfinished, even though there is a clear conclusion. Some of the characters do not appear to have much thought behind them, as if they were created simply as plot devices for the others to move around and use for their own stories. Also, the book could have probably had another 50 pages added onto it, if only to fill out some details and add more story to the minor characters. When the mystery begins to come together, all of the pieces are there, and the clues add up, but it somehow still seems like everything was hastily thrown together. This book may prove to be another disappointment for readers of thriller and mystery.

Favorite Moment: When Laura manages to see Miriam for what she is. 

Favorite Character: Laura is incredibly rough around the edges, but she is trying her best, and she is fortunate to have found a friend in Irene, an older woman with whom she gets along surprisingly well. 

Recommended Reading: The Girl on the Train still remains Hawkins' best and most interesting novel. 

Young Adult Fiction: Roxy by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

One book that has been on my shelf for a few years now is Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman. The premise interested me enough to buy it, but I am kinda a little too scared to actually pick it up and read it. I had similar feelings about today's pick, Roxy, but not so much that I would let this book stay on my to-read shelf. Shusterman and son decided to tackle the opioid epidemic, dedicating the novel to those who are in the midst of a struggle with addiction.

The Situation: Isaac and big sister Ivy are incredibly different, but they each care for the other. With his parents almost always focused on the floundering family business, and almost always fighting with each other, or with Ivy, Isaac holds himself steady in all areas of life. He has solid friends, gets solid grades, and is a star on the school soccer team, something that could help get him into MIT, if he can stay focused. But when he gets into a fight with Ivy's sleazy boyfriend, it results in a troublesome ankle injury. It's fine, he just needs to stay off it, ice it, massage it, and pray he can still play in the upcoming game. Meanwhile, Ivy has more or less given up on her future, though she does not want to end up attending the alternative high school, which at this point seems like an inevitability. A solution to each of their problems comes in a prescription. For Isaac, it is for the pain. And for Ivy, it is so she can focus. 

The Problem: There are forces at work that Isaac and Ivy know nothing about. And while these forces are interested, and perfectly capable, of relieving Isaac's ankle pain and allowing Ivy to focus, they would also love to become the only thing they care about. Roxy is used to the popularity and being the star of the show. She almost always gets her way, and she sees a willing new mark in Isaac. Addison has had less luck in the past, and he's not exactly known for being a closer. But with Ivy, he is determined, and he makes a wager with Roxy that he can take Ivy to the end, while Roxy is more than sure that she can get Isaac to surrender to the same fate that so many have before. For Isaac and Ivy, these medications are simply solutions to a problem...until they are suddenly more than that, and the siblings have no idea just how far they've gone, and there is not much farther they can go.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in the modern day U.S. Isaac and Ivy are two siblings on opposite sides of the behavior spectrum. Isaac has always been the rule follower, while its almost as if Ivy cannot help but get in trouble. It is only after Isaac injures his ankle, and Ivy decides she does not want to go to the alternative high school, that things change. But that change comes at a cost. Instead of the drugs simply being part of the story, the Shustermans have made them fully fleshed out characters with personalities, goals, plans, and ambitions. With nicknames like Addison (Adderall), Phineas (morphine), Lucy (LSD or acid), and Crys (crystal meth), they each have a way they behave, talk, and even dress. The reader knows they are not real people, but Ivy and Isaac often interact with them as if they are, showing just how much influence these drugs can have. 

My Verdict: At the beginning of the book, the authors warn that the story will be intense, and just because I believed them, it does not mean I was prepared. Ivy and Isaac have a fairly typical sibling dynamic, with one being a mess and the other being the protective and careful one, but it is incredible how drastically everything changes. What the authors have done is show how quickly the addiction can show up, and how sneaky and insidious it all is. It does not matter that Isaac has never demonstrated this kind of behavior before, and it does not matter that Ivy only wants to be able to focus and do better. And the voices and personalities that the Shustermans have given to the prescription drugs are not only convincing, but haunting. All readers should heed the warning at the beginning of the book, particularly those with any experience with addiction. 

Favorite Moment: It is hard to chose a favorite moment in a book like this. There is a lot going on, and a large amount of it is bad. But there are moments when some of the prescription drugs must reflect on what they are, why they were created, and what they are doing to people.

Favorite Character: When I first started reading, I never imagined that I was going to pick one of the drugs as my favorite, but Rita (Ritalin) wins it for me. She is Addison's annoyingly virtuous sister who refuses to lose sight of the real reason she was created.

Recommended Reading: Neal Shusterman's Arc of the Scythe series is certainly on its way to being a modern classic, though I also recommend the memoir Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett. 

Goodreads Choice Awards 2021

It is something I eagerly look forward to every year, and finally the time has come for the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards. That is right - readers now have the opportunity to vote for their favorite books of 2021, and below are the DSNs that have made the cut for the opening round.

As always, the first category is Best Fiction, and included are three books that have been featured on this blog. Leesa Cross-Smith's This Close to Okay tells the story of Tallie and Emmitt's chance encounter, revealing the separate histories of two people trying to heal. Infinite Country by Patricia Engel follows a family as they navigate the maze that is immigration as they make the difficult move from Columbia to the US. And Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour certainly wins the DSN award for most stressful novel of the year. Darren 'Buck' Vender accepts a job at a popular startup, and being the only black person in the office allows for some interesting and frustrating events as he moves up the ladder. There is something about This Close to Okay that I found both comforting and fascinating, and for that reason it will receive my vote. 

Normally, if there are any DSNs in the Best Mystery & Thriller category, there is only one, but this year there are two: Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead, and A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins (post coming later this month). The former takes place in 1960s Harlem with Ray at the center, a man who would prefer to grow his business honestly, but constantly finds himself involved in his cousin's schemes. The latter is a murder mystery with interwoven storylines and colorful characters. Harlem Shuffle will win my vote, and I expect it to at least reach the finals.

The Best Historical Fiction category always has strong contenders, and this year is no different. First up, there is The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, a story set during the dust bowl and the Great Depression, and chronicles the struggles of a woman and her family as they make the journey from Texas to California. Second, there is Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins-Reid, a novel about four siblings in 1980s Malibu that are getting ready to throw the part of the century. Next is The Rose Code by Kate Quinn, which brings together three women who work together to crack German and Italian codes in World War II England. However, my vote will go to The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Over ten days, brothers Emmett and Billy are ready to take the road trip of all road trips when two friends from Emmett's past show up and derail their initial plans. 

It seems that my commitment to searching for science fiction I can connect with has been fruitful as far as the nominees for the Best Science Fiction category. Kazuo Ishiguro's Klara and the Sun - a story about a time in humanity's future when children will be routinely altered in some way in order to be better and smarter, and they often receive their own Artificial Friend - will certainly receive my vote. But also included in the nominees is Project Hail Mary, another space adventure by Andy Weir where one man wakes up in a spacecraft, far from Earth, and must relearn what his mission was. Then there is Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor, a story involving a small girl who gains strange and terrifying powers after encountering a mysterious object. And finally, we have Constance by Matthew Fitzsimmons, which discusses the always controversial topic of cloning, and the possible consequences should it become a common practice.

It is all too appropriate the Jenny Lawson's Broken (in the best possible way) has been nominated for Best Humor. Lawson is a master at presenting an open and honest discussion about mental health, taxidermy, and her struggles with her health insurance company. It is a pleasure to be able to vote for it.

Another category with only one DSN is Best Nonfiction, but again, I do not mind a bit, because that one book is The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green. Through 44 essays, Green reviews various topics from this current geological epoch on a five star scale, and it is somehow devastating, hopeful, and fascinating. 

For Best Memoir & Autobiography, there are two options: Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad, an honest and fascinating memoir about the author's experience with acute myeloid leukemia; and Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang (post coming in early December), who takes a hard look at her early years in the US as her parents struggled to find suitable housing and jobs in New York City. This is actually a pretty tough choice for me, but I am choosing to go with Between Two Kingdoms. 

There is only one DSN that made it into the Best History & Biography category, and it is actually my favorite nonfiction book of 2021 (so far). The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore is a thorough and absorbing look at Elizabeth Packard, a woman who decided she no longer wanted to obey her husband in 1860s America, and was therefore institutionalized because of it. 

Best Debut Novel is always an interesting category. Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour makes another appearance. It is joined by The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna, a young adult fantasy book where young girls who are discovered to have gold blood are treated as abominations. But my vote will go to Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley, a young adult mystery/thriller that follows a young Ojibwe girl as she tries to uncover the truth behind a meth operation in her own community. 

And now we have reached my favorite category of Best Young Adult Fiction, where there are seven, yes seven, DSNs that have made it in. In the interest of time, I will only say that the nominees include Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas, The Cousins by Karen M. McManus, The Project by Courtney Summers, A Pho Love Story by Loan Le, Instruction for Dancing by Nicola Yoon, and Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean. Even with all of those fantastic options, it is once again Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley that wins by vote. 

And finally, there is Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction, where Namina Forna's The Gilded Ones shows up yet again. Also included is The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He, which is set in a future where Earth is still sustaining human life, though barely, and two sisters struggle to find their way back to each other after a mysterious separation. It is this second book that will receive my vote, though it is up against some serious competition. 

I can hardly believe it myself, but there are 27 DSNs that have been nominated in this opening round of the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards. The voting for this round will close on Sunday, November 28th, so there is plenty of time to get those votes in. One thing that seems to have changed for this year's awards

is that there is no second round, which in past years included the write-in votes. So the top books that receive the most votes in each category will be the ones to advance to the final round.

Happy Voting!

 

Historical Fiction: Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

In the middle of 2020, Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic was released, and ended up winning the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror Fiction, among a few other things. Today I will talk about Velvet Was the Night, a historical fiction book that follows two people around 1970s Mexico City as they both look for the same missing woman.

The Situation: Maite is anxious about being single and close to 30 years old, and her nagging mother certainly does not help. She is proud to live on her own, have a job, and own her own car...though it is currently being held hostage at the repair shop until Maite can pay. When she agrees to help take care of the cat for her young and beautiful neighbor, Leonora, while the girl is away, Maite cannot help but envy the free and exciting life she clearly leads. But when Leonora does not return, things get interesting quickly, and Maite is not the only one eager for her to come back. Elvis (not the name he was born with) is also looking for Leonora, but it is an assignment from his boss, El Mago. Eager to please and to move up in the ranks, Elvis does as he is told, and that soon means closely following Maite.

The Problem: As annoyed as Maite is over Leonora's disappearance - the woman owes her money after all, and she cannot take care of her cat forever - she has to admit she is somewhat curious about the mystery of it all. At least two attractive men are searching for Leonora as well, both curious to know if Maite has found a camera or rolls of film. Despite a lifelong habit of keeping her head down and staying out of trouble, Maite joins the search, though it may lead her into danger. Elvis always knew this was more or less the life he was meant to live, and he is excited when El Mago makes him a team lead, but that means more risks and more action as he looks for Leonora. He barely takes any notice of Maite at first, though he is impressed by her massive record collection, something he only sees when he searches her apartment for clues. While Maite searches for Leonora out of curiosity, Elvis does it as part of an assignment. And as both head for the truth, they also walk into a precarious situation that neither of them expected.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in 1970s Mexico City. At the beginning of the novel is a telegraph sent by the CIA in 1971 that acknowledges the existence of the Hawks, a group in Mexico that would target students who would protest against the government and support communism. The Hawks is the group that Elvis is a part of, a group that he has fully committed himself to, mostly because he has no idea what else he would do with his life, but also because he longs to be like the group's leader, El Mago. Elvis sees himself as little more than street scum, while El Mago has money, style, class, and power. Maite is a single woman attempting to make a life for herself, hoping to one day be marry and settle down, but doubts the probability of this. What is happening with Leonora reminds her of the stories in the romance comic books she likes to read. With little happening in her own life, she easily gets caught up in someone else's. The two stories intertwine as Elvis and Maite both look for Leonora, filling in the other one's gaps and missing details.

My Verdict: The author described the novel as noir or pulp fiction, but it is based on real events and a real group that would target protesters. And instead of focusing on or having the story narrated by the one in trouble (Leonora), I like that the reader gets to hear from the neighbor across the hall, and the hired man that has been put on the case. Maite and Elvis could not be more different, except for that they both appreciate the same kind of music, and love a good record collection. It is clear that there is danger on every page, and that the wrong move can result in a death, but there is still something appreciatively subtle about the style. And the setting of 1970s Mexico City only adds to that feeling, with political unrest being to topic on everyone's mind. The twists and turns are there, but they are not over the top, and are well-placed. Anyone who enjoys a good thriller or detective story should also appreciate this one.

Favorite Moment: Though it is a little hard to read, there is a part at the beginning of the book that shows just how little Maite's family cares for her. It is sad to see, but it certainly paints the picture. 

Favorite Character: Elvis has his issues, but I like his commitment to a routine, and he is certainly smarter than a lot of people would give him credit for. 

Recommended Reading: Mexican Gothic was not necessarily one of my favorite books of 2020, but I can understand why many people enjoyed it. I recommend Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras. 

Nonfiction: The Icepick Surgeon by Sam Kean

Maybe it is the same morbid curiosity that draws me to true crime stories that drew me to today's selection, but I was probably way too excited to read The Icepick Surgeon by Sam Kean. From the title alone, I knew the book would be discussing lobotomies and their rise in popularity in the mid-1900s, but that is not the only questionable scientific discovery that would be covered.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book that moves through history, exploring various cases of scientists who become obsessed with their research (or for making a name for themselves) to the point of being blind to the atrocities they are committing in the process. Then there are those who are insistent on destroying their rivals as both attempt to make progress in the same field. And still others have the best intentions, but get caught up in secrets and betrayal. The prologue begins with Cleopatra and her curiosity pertaining to unborn fetuses (I won't go into it here, but trust me, it's terrible). Then the first chapter discusses an early 18th century sailor who made remarkable advancements in biology, navigation, and even meteorology, while committing horrible acts of biopiracy. After 11 more chapters, the book ends in the early 21st century with the case of Annie Dookhan, a woman who faked thousands of lab tests that were supposed to identify drugs that were seized during raids. The chapters in between deal with grave-robbing, animal cruelty, the Tuskegee study, espionage during World War II, torture, and of course, the lobotomy. Kean ends things with a brief look at where crimes in science could go from here, and it does not look good.

My Verdict: Exploring stories such as the ones found in this book can be difficult. Adding humor to the mix can easily cause offense, or make the author seem callous. Personally, I enjoyed the commentary Kean provided and found his comments and references refreshing, mainly because he was also able to inject the humor while acknowledging the severity of the situations. Kean makes it clear that these were crimes that took place, while emphasizing the importance of conducting scientific experiments in an ethical manner. These are stories of people who either chose to ignore what was really happening, or they justified their actions as necessary evils. For some, it was easy to balance the good they were doing and the discoveries that were being made against the unethical way it was all being done. Each story is fascinating, and horrifying, and I flinched with every eager turn of the page.

Favorite Chapter(s): Of course, the chapter on lobotomy, "Ambition: Surgery of the Soul," was a favorite. However, I also enjoyed chapter 10, titled "Torture: The White Whale."

Favorite Quote: "Normally, a healthy espirit is a good thing. But psychologists who've studied group dynamics have found that teams with high cohesiveness and uniform backgrounds tend to make worse decisions than groups with more diversity of thought. In particular, uniform groups rarely question their own unethical behavior - or more precisely, fail to recognize they're acting unethically." - from Chapter 7 "Oath-Breaking: Ethically Impossible."

Recommended Reading: The Radium Girls by Kate Moore explores a different case of authorities looking the other way as an atrocity occurred, affecting many. 

Young Adult Fiction: White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson

A new novel from author Tiffany D. Jackson usually means a thriller full of mystery and suspense. This time around, Jackson decided to include horror in this year's White Smoke. A new town means a new start for a teen with a difficult past, but the house she and her family have moved into has a past of its own.

The Situation: Mari must continually tell herself that change is good, necessary, and needed. This reminder will hopefully come in handy as she moves to a strange new town, far away from her best friend in California, and the beach she loves. When her mother accepts a job with the Sterling Foundation, it means a new start in Cedarville, a town looking for a fresh start of its own. Mari more or less blames herself for her family having to move, but this could be the change they all need. The house is free, though in a strange neighborhood with less than friendly neighbors. And it is clear that making the most of this new opportunity will be rough with Mari's annoying and bratty ten year-old stepsister, Piper. 

The Problem: Mari may have her own secrets she is trying to keep hidden from any new friends she may make, but Cedarville has a few as well. Even though the house Mari's family has moved into has been freshly renovated, it is clear that its own past cannot be painted over. Objects keep disappearing; footsteps are heard at night; a strange and horrid smell keeps coming from the locked basement; and even Buddy, the family dog, keeps reacting to things no one else sees. Mari was hoping this move would mean a new start for her, but these strange events have only triggered her anxiety, and she desperately wants to fall back onto her old habits of coping. Dealing with her own ghosts, as well as the ghosts of the house, and indeed the entire town of Cedarville, may prove to be too much. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult horror novel that follows 16 year-old Marigold as she moves into the town of Cedarville with her family. The move to Cedarville means a new start for everyone involved, though tensions are certainly high. Mari is pretty open (to the reader at least) about what she is running from, which includes a past opioid addiction, as well as a traumatic incident involving bedbugs. The book even touches on the impact of seemingly well-intentioned new laws on an established urban population, and the effects revitalization efforts have on the existing population, especially when those efforts stem from greed. And then of course, there are the ghosts. It is rumored that the house Mari has moved into is haunted, and she would love for that to not be true. But Piper keeps talking to someone, insisting that whoever it is does not want Mari there. And the more Mari learns about Cedarville, the less sure she is of her and her family's safety.

My Verdict: This is certainly a book worth reading during the Halloween season. The new family in town accepts a deal that is too good to be true, and moves into the local haunted house...sure, we have heard that story before, but this one puts a different twist on it. There is even a teenager with a troubled past, a creepy kid, and a mysterious benefactor. While the horror elements of the book are pretty scary, what I found the most terrifying was how easy it was for Mari's mother to not trust her, and for her stepfather to side with Mari's clearly troubled stepsister. The parents' lack of awareness is truly something to behold. However, they were not the most infuriating part of the experience. For me, the ending leaves as lot to be desired. In the middle of the action, it feels like that story just stops. There are still so many questions, and so many issues left unresolved. The book could have easily been 25+ pages longer, if only to allow for more closure.

Favorite Moment: There are a few times (though not nearly enough of them) when Mari's mom puts the stepfather in his place.

Favorite Character: Sammy is the little brother Mari needs. Without him, she would certainly spiral out of control more easily and more often.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Jackson's Monday's Not Coming, as well as Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley. 

Science Fiction: Constance by Matthew Fitzsimmons

The difficulties I have searching for science fiction that truly interests me have been mentioned before, and after yet another false start where I read a book I ultimately did not want to write about, I was fortunate to find Constance by Matthew Fitzsimmons. A plot with cloning at its center had the potential to be a difficult read, but at least I would get an exciting adventure.

The Situation: Constance 'Con' D'Arcy cannot even call herself a struggling musician. At least, not anymore. Not after the accident. When her band's van crashed, killing two of the members and putting a third in a coma, Con's entire life changed, and it went beyond the scars she can now trace on her knee. While she is still not entirely okay with the idea of cloning, something that is now possible in the year 2038, the accident led to her accepting a gift she received years ago, something that is usually only available to the extremely wealthy. If Con gets into another accident, or something else tragic happens to her, her clone will wake up in a lab, with all of Con's most recent memories already downloaded. Though she continues to keep the appointments to keep those memories updated, she feels conflicted every time. And it does not help that the 'gift' came from her aunt, who happens to be the woman who discovered the entire process.

The Problem: When Con wakes up in the Palingenesis lab, the company that does the cloning, she immediately knows something went wrong during her most recent appointment to update her memories. Then she learns the horrifying truth: the original Constance D'Arcy has died, and the woman who is now waking up is her clone. Another problem is that the new Con does not have the memories from the last 18 months. Con's original is dead, and the new Con has no idea what her life was like during the last year and half. Finding food, shelter, and money are only the beginning of Con's adventure. If she is to find out what happened, she has to make deals and out-maneuver a host of untrustworthy characters, many of which also want the new Con dead. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set in the not-so-distant future of 2040. The action of the book is mostly split between Washington, D.C, where Con lives, and the state of Virginia, where cloning has been outlawed. When the process for cloning was first realized, it was used only for the military. Once the process became available to the public, only the very wealthy could afford the convenience of being revived after a tragic death, therefore extending their life after theirs was cut short. The common arguments we have against cloning today are presented, along with a few nightmare scenarios that show up in the book, due to its setting in a future where clones walk around like we do now. Unsurprisingly, most of the issues are the result of corruption, greed, fear, and lack of forethought.

My Verdict: Simply placing this book under the category of science fiction does not do it enough justice. It is also part murder mystery, as well as suspense thriller, and Con's adventure leaves little room for boredom. The clues come fast, but they often bring more questions than they do answers, right to the very end when things are resolved, as well as unresolved. Technically, the reader gets two main characters, the original Con, and the clone of Con that must solve her own murder. As for all of the issues surrounding cloning, Fitzsimmons does not shy away from the questions, but instead confronts the points brought up by both sides head on. For those that want a fast-paced adventure, as well as a look at the conflict cloning can bring should it go mainstream, this is the book for you. 

Favorite Moment: Mentioning my favorite moment would be a major spoiler. The book has many twist and turns, and even hinting at one of the smaller ones would not feel right. I will say that I appreciate the quote from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at the beginning of the third part. That felt more than appropriate.  

Favorite Character: Peter Lee is the assistant to one of the former leaders of Palingenesis, the company that does the cloning. He is unassuming and nice, but capable of more than you would think. He helps Con a great deal and remains someone she can actually trust.

Recommended Reading: Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty also deals with the potential future of cloning and what it could mean for mankind. I also recommend the Arc of a Scythe series by Neal Shusterman for a picture of the world if humans could live forever. 

Historical Fiction: The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

One historical fiction book I am forever recommending to friends is A Gentleman in Moscow. The story of Count Alexander Rostov and his forced, extended stay in a luxury hotel is especially interesting considering what life what was like at the beginning of the pandemic. So I was pleased to see that Amor Towles was coming out with a new novel, The Lincoln Highway, this time set in 1950s America.

The Situation: Emmett Watson has just returned to his home in Nebraska after serving time in a juvenile work farm. Due to his father's death, Emmett is actually released early from his time for committing involuntary manslaughter. Since the bank has foreclosed on the farm, Emmett has decided that he and his younger brother Billy need to make a fresh start somewhere other than a small farming town. Having set his sights on Texas, Emmett begins making preparations for the long journey, only for his plans to be immediately disrupted. First, Billy insists the two brothers need to head to California, via the Lincoln Highway, in order to find their mother. And second, it seems two of Emmett's fellow inmates have arranged their own early release from the juvenile work farm, and they have a different kind of adventure in mind. 

The Problem: Emmett is not exactly angry with Duchess and Woolly for showing up at his house, at least not until they "borrow" his car for their own adventure east. Now all four boys are headed to New York City: Duchess and Woolly are on a sort of treasure hunt as they attempt to locate the latter's inheritance. And Emmett simply wants his car back, while young Billy is along for the journey. On the way, the two brothers will encounter all sorts of obstacles, while also meeting various characters who are on their own adventure. And while Billy loves a good adventure, Emmett must stay focused on keeping them both safe, and getting his car back.  

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that takes place across ten days in June of 1954. While Emmett is the primary hero of the story, almost an equal amount of chapters are told from the point of view of Duchess, and he has a few scores to settle with people. Then there is Billy, who is obsessed with his  Compendium of Heroes, Adventurers, and Other Intrepid Travelers, and has read it over 20 times. Throughout their journey, he cannot help but see the similarities between the heroes in the book, himself and his brother, and even some of the people he meets, some of which get their own chapters. It is a ten-day tale with overlapping storylines from various characters, all leading up to day one, when it all comes together. 

My Verdict: I was expecting a grand adventure, and I certainly got one. From the first page of the first section, which simply says "Ten," the countdown has begun, and the expectation is set that something big is going to happen when the reader reaches "One." Even though the book is 500+ pages, what follows is a non-stop adventure told from multiple points of view. There may be long hours on the open road involved, which in real life are always a breeding ground for intense boredom, but that is not the case throughout the course of this book. Each character sees the world and the situation in a different light, and they each have their own idea of what their adventure should be. It is wonderful to find an author who a reader can trust for 500 pages and know they will not be let down.

Favorite Moment: When Billy meets another adventurer while riding the rails with his brother, and it is someone that proves to be helpful, protective, and nice.

Favorite Character: Billy is a ten year-old boy, but he is a clever, observant, obedient (to a fault), and resourceful. 

Recommended Reading: Naturally, I recommend A Gentleman in Moscow. It is a story I read four years ago, but I still think about more often than most of the books on my shelves. 

Young Adult Fiction: Radha & Jai's Recipe for Romance

After reading 2018's My So-Called Bollywood Life, I recommended the book to my supervisor for a few reasons: it was relatively short, the story moved quickly, and I knew my supervisor would like the frantic pace and actions of the main character, Winnie. And when it was announced that Nisha Sharma would be publishing another YA book, this time Radha & Jai's Recipe for Romance, I knew we were in for another fun ride.

The Situation: Radha loves to dance. Performing? Not so much, not with her panic attacks anyway. And competing she could do without. Unfortunately, that is what she has spent most of her life doing. She may be one of the best kathak dancers in the world, but she became so at the expense of any outside life and interests. And before stepping onto the stage in London for one of the most important competitions of her life, she decides to walk away from competing for good. Jai is also a dancer. As the captain of the Bollywood Beats dance team at the Princeton Academy of the Arts in New Jersey, Jai also boasts straight A's, but has no plans to attend college due to family obligations. Everyone around him  is urging him to follow his dreams, which he insists includes staying home after graduation and helping the family.

The Problem: Though she is done with performing and competing, Radha agrees to attend the Princeton Academy of the Arts as part of a deal with her mother. Also, it allows her the chance to leave Chicago and all of the talk about her exit from competing behind. But it also means no longer being around her dad, not that their relationship was ever particularly close. When she meets Jai, the attraction is pretty much instant. And when he and the rest of the Bollywood Beats see her dance, they know they could win the Winter Showcase easily if she were to join...just like Radha knows Jai should apply to Columbia like he has always dreamed. As the two seniors navigate their last year of high school, they must also consider their futures, and if it is worth it to face their fears in order to follow their dreams.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set mostly in New Jersey, and follows both Radha and Jai in their last year of high school. For Radha, she loves to dance, but her performance anxiety makes it difficult for her to do so in front of a crowd. This does not stop her mother from pushing her to return to the stage, as well as competition. If anything, her mother's insistence has given her further cause to look for ways around the school's Winter Showcase requirement. For Jai, he wants to help out his family after the last few difficult years they have had following his father's injury, insisting that going to college will only set them back. Plus, he is having a hard time reconciling his love of dance with his love of science, as if they two loves cannot exist in the same person. Radha is having the same problem with her newfound love of cooking, though it has allowed her to be closer to her father. Both of them will have to face their fears and acknowledge what they really want out of life. 

My Verdict: This book is just as fun and delightful as I anticipated it would be. There is the dancing, along with the detailed recipes for Indian cuisine, and then the conflict within the two different families, and a love story poured on top. As lovely and amusing as the story is, there are also some moments when things get incredibly serious. The tension between Radha and her mother often passes uncomfortable and borders on painful. And Jai's stubbornness regarding his future is beyond frustrating. And then there is the exploration of disability caused by disease, a subject that Sharma attempts to traverse with sensitivity. The love story is somewhat predictable, as is the overall climax and resolution, but on some level, most readers will not care.

Favorite Moment: When Radha begins video-chatting with her father as they explore recipes together.

Favorite Character: I think Radha is incredibly strong and resolute when she has her showdowns with her mother. Sharma conveys just how intimidating the woman can be, and yet her daughter often does not back down.

Recommended Reading: Naturally, I recommend My So-Called Bollywood Life. In fact, the protagonist from that book makes an appearance in this one. I also recommend With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo.

Contemporary Fiction: The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

Eight years ago in 2013, I was excited just from reading the title for A Tale for the Time Being, the first book I read by Ruth Ozeki. Today I will talk about her latest novel, The Book of Form and Emptiness, which follows a mother and her teenage son as they manage their grief.

The Situation: Benny Oh lives in San Francisco with his mother Annabelle. For the most part, he has the usual struggles and issues that come from being a teenage boy who is forced to attend high school: He has a hard time getting along with some of the kids at school; his mother embarrasses him; he wishes she would stop storing her stuff in his room; and he would rather spend his days at the library, because even skipping school to go to the mall would mean dealing with more people. To make matters more difficult, Benny's father died in a tragic accident a few years ago, and both he and his mother are dealing with their grief in different ways. Of course Annabelle is willing to do whatever it takes to help her son, though that usually means she also neglects her own needs.

The Problem: Benny Oh hears voices. And they are not the kind we usually read about that live in someone's head. What Benny hears are objects that are speaking to him, most of the time in a language he does not understand, but he captures the emotional tone. Most are nice and gentle, but others are mean and angry, even spiteful. And when he nearly follows through on a command given by a pair scissors, it lands him in a psychiatric ward for children. But this is where he meets Alice, who is possibly his first real friend. Meanwhile, Annabelle is focused on her son and holding onto her job, if nothing else. Sure, she finds time to shop at the thrift store and the craft shop, but that only adds to the amount of stuff piling around the house, stuff that can speak to Benny. If Annabelle could find her own social community to connect with, and if Benny could learn to listen to the voices that really matter, this mother and son will have a chance of getting through all of this together.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in San Francisco around 2016, as there is mention (in vague terms) of the presidential election and the unrest that followed. Most of Benny's adventures happen in one of three places, his home, his school, and the San Francisco Public Library. The library is where Benny often escapes, as he remembers going there with his mother as a child and loving it. The story opens with the book introducing itself, and then introducing Benny, before moving onto the first scene, the death of Benny's father, Kenji. As the story is told, Benny will often interject to say how he felt about a certain event, or even to admonish the book for giving too much detail, or too little, or for not getting more involved. Benny's voices will lead to a series of often harmful, though possibly well-intentioned, misdiagnoses, and his mother's hoarding will go unchecked. While it can probably be said that Benny is the main focus, Annabelle's struggle is just as important. 

My Verdict: This book is frustrating. That does not mean that it was not good or that it was not enjoyable, but my goodness...we all know that moment when you start yelling at the characters of a horror movie, telling them to not run upstairs or go down into the basement. For me, that was this book, especially when it comes to Annabelle in nearly everything she does. But if anything, that means Ozeki was successful is presenting the struggle of someone who wants to do better, but needs more help than what they have to get there. Neither Annabelle nor Benny is over Kenji's death, and grief can be a terrible thing. What I enjoyed most are the moments at the library, and getting to explore all of the different floors and rooms and sections. It is a well-written book, but there are moments that will certainly try your patience.

Favorite Moment: Mrs. Wong is Annabelle's landlord. She makes a return after a lengthy time away after breaking her hip, and it is possibly the most relieved I felt during the entire 500+ pages of the book.

Favorite Character: All of the characters are frustrating in their own way, even the side characters of Alice, and the homeless man that Benny meets on the bus. I will pick Cory, the nice librarian who comes to Benny's rescue in more ways than one.

Recommended Reading: I do recommend Ozeki's A Tale for the Time Being. It is a different kind of adventure, but told in the same unhurried, intentional, and methodical style.

Historical Fiction: Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

To win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is certainly a big deal. To win it twice is something else entirely. That is exactly what Colson Whitehead has managed to do, first with The Underground Railroad, and then with The Nickel Boys. It was an easy decision to pick up his latest novel, Harlem Shuffle. His newest book has promised to be part crime novel, and part social novel, with more than a little humor.

The Situation: Ray Carney prides himself on not being crooked, though he is just a little bit bent. In 1959, Ray owns and operates his very own furniture store in Harlem. With a wife and daughter at home, with another child on the way, Ray's focus is providing for his family while growing his business. His background may be humble, something his mother and father-in-law love to bring up, but he is not interested in doing business the way his father did. His cousin, Freddie, may be another matter. When Freddie comes by to drop off the odd piece of jewelry or appliance, Ray does not ask questions. He simply gets the money for it, and moves on. Freddie has always been clear, since the two were kids, that he never wants to get Ray in trouble.

The Problem: Much like when they were kids, Freddie manages to get Ray into trouble. This time, Freddie becomes part of a plot to steal from the guests staying at the Hotel Theresa, known as "The Waldorf of Harlem." Since the group needs once more guy, Freddie mentions Ray, once again making the furniture salesman a part of his criminal activity. When things go badly, as they usually do, Ray's original plan of saving up for a better apartment for his family and growing his business remains the same, but now there are other interests and parties that must be dealt with. For the next five years, Ray must negotiate his double life, and maybe even come to terms with the kind of man he is becoming.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in Harlem in the middle of the 20th century. Beginning in 1959, the story follows Ray Carney as he moves from selling gently used furniture and electronics, to more high-end items by the middle of the 1960s. For those looking for a good deal on a sofa, Ray is an upstanding family man running his own business. To those that know him and know his father, as well as his cousin Freddie, Ray is a 'fence,' which in crime is a man who knowingly accepts or buys stolen goods and resells them at a profit. From the way Ray sees it, he is a black man attempting to make his own way in 1960s Harlem, where social clubs run by black men will not accept a man if his skin is too dark; where a cop can shoot an unarmed black kid and keep his job, despite the ensuing riots; and the homes and property of non-white residents can be taken and razed to make way for new buildings and complexes. 

My Verdict: There are certainly humor elements in the story, but I suppose I was expecting something more along the lines of Paul Beatty's The Sellout. Ray's misadventures did make me smile, but more in the way you do at a kid who knowingly does something wrong, and then does not put up much of a fight when they get caught and subsequently punished. Whitehead presents Harlem, and New York City as a whole, with honesty as well as humor. There are two sides to all of the stories in the big city, just like there are two sides to Ray, though he wishes there was only the one. This is not a straightforward story about small-time crime with the history of Harlem thrown in. There is a lot going on here, and those who enjoy complex stories with colorful side characters will enjoy it.

Favorite Moment: For the most part, Ray is able to take the high road when it comes to his wife's parents. He even manages to not speak ill of them when they are not around, which is surprising given how they treat him.

Favorite Character: Pepper is an old friend of Ray's father, and it is this previous alliance the makes the older man look out for him, and save him on more than one occasion.

Recommended Reading: For more from Whitehead, I recommend The Underground Railroad. I also recommend the previously mentioned The Sellout by Paul Beatty, as well as Deacon King Kong by James McBride.