And all the rest...2022 edition

Oh my goodness...we made it y'all. It is New Year's Eve, and we are about to say goodbye to 2022. Now I know I have briefly mentioned this before, but although there is one post per week (every Friday) featuring one book, there are also a few books that I read that do not make it in. Sometimes this is planned, as in I read something with no intention of giving it a space here. Other times, the decision comes in the middle of reading, and it can be for a number of reasons. So whatever it was, below are the books I read during 2022 that did not receive their own special moment on this blog.

Dry by Neal Shusterman & Jarrod Shusterman: For the first entry, I remember attending a book signing and reading for The Toll, the third installment in Shusterman's Arc of a Scythe series. Near the end, he described the plot for Dry, and it terrified me so much that I thought I would never read it. Initially published in 2018, I finally bought it in 2021, and it still sat on my shelf until earlier this year. Essentially, the state of California runs out of water, and people lose their minds. I believe his direct quote was "Imagine you have a baby at home, and he's going to die unless you get some water soon...and you know that your neighbor has been stockpiling. What do you do?" See? Terrifying...

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite: This one had been recommended to me by a friend, and I was finally able to snag it from the Cloud Library. Also, it is short enough that I was able to get through it pretty quickly...and the crazy premise helps. Korede's sister Ayoola has a nasty habit of killing whoever she is dating at the time. Things somehow manage to go up a level when Ayoola begins dating Korede's boss, whom Korede has also been in love with for quite some time. This book is a wild ride, and it being under 250 pages means even those with short attention spans should be able to power through to the end.

Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson: Another recommendation from a friend - but more in the way of them wanting to know what I thought by the end of it - this one is another short suspense novel, coming in at under 200 pages. The narrator listens as a former classmate tells him a story of saving someone's life at the beach, and the friendship that comes after it. I remember enjoying the book enough, but honestly, I could not give specific details as to what happened or why it was important. The twists and turns were perhaps too subtle for me, or too subtle in general. Honestly not sure...

What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris: When Kenyatta and Nia are sent to live with a grandfather they have never met, the following summer ends up being one complicated by feelings of abandonment, confusion, frustration, and loneliness. Kenyatta has to watch as her older sister makes new, cooler friends, and therefore no longer has time for her. And she cannot help but feel that everyone is keeping secrets from her. I picked up the book because the writing was compared to Jesmyn Ward, but ultimately, it just did not interest me that much. 

The Maid by Nita Prose: This book ended up taking the top prize for the Best Mystery & Thriller category in the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards. Twenty-five year-old Molly Gray has trouble navigating social situations and interpreting social cues, but she thrives as a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. But when a wealthy regular guest turns up dead, Molly's orderly life is thrown off track when she becomes a suspect. This was one of those books that I wanted to read, and debated giving a space on the blog, but it just did not happen. Lovers of quirky mysteries will adore it though.

You Sound Like a White Girl by Julissa Arce: I had the opportunity to hear author Julissa Arce speak at the 2022 San Antonio Book Festival, and also have her sign my copy of the book. The book's subtitle is The Case for Rejecting Assimilation, and it is exactly that. Arce came to live in the U.S. from Mexico at the age of 11, and throughout the book, she talks about her journey as she learns English and eventually begins a job on Wall Street, all while chasing the hope of being considered 'American.' While part one is all about the lies immigrants are told, part two is about embracing the truth. It is another short one (just under 200 pages) that is worth picking up.

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy: Oh yes...I read this one too...much like everyone else. Initially, I had no plans to even pick it up. I grew up watching Nickelodeon, but anything McCurdy was in was a little after my time. But there was simply too much buzz around this book for it to be ignored, and my goodness, I certainly understand the fuss. It won in the Best Memoir & Autobiography category for the Goodreads Choice Awards in a landslide victory for a reason. The title alone should tell readers exactly the kind of brutal honesty to expect, and McCurdy does not hold back. The former child actress is candid about the abuse she experienced at the hands of her mother, until the woman's death after an intense battle with the cancer when McCurdy was only in her early 20s. This book is everything everyone has been saying it is, but it is not for the faint of heart.

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown: I have been a fan of Brown's work since hearing her speak at a conference several years ago. Known for focusing on vulnerability and the power of courageous leadership, Dare to Lead looks at what it means to lead teams that are braver, and more daring. I always appreciate Brown's ability to weave in stories from her own life, and these stories are often evidence of her own vulnerability, and just how much she believes in the value behind it. I will tell anyone who asks that I am no leader, and I have do not have any intention to be, but books like this are still helpful in my everyday work life. 

So yes, these are the books that I read during 2022 that I felt needed at least a paragraph at the end of what has been an interesting year, and not only in the world of publishing. I hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe new year's, as well as a joyful 2023. 

Graphic Memoir: Ducks by Kate Beaton

In late 2015 and early 2016, I read both of Kate Beaton's comic collections, Hark! A Vagrant, and Step Aside, Pops. It is somewhat difficult for me to describe, but there was something about Beaton's comic timing, and how it came through on the page, that delighted me. I was delighted once again when I discovered that Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, would be available to readers in mid-September. But upon reading the description, I could tell this would be a very different kind of book, one which may include humor, but the point would not be to make readers laugh.

Genre, Themes, History: This graphic memoir chronicles the two years that Beaton worked in the oil sands of Alberta, Canada after graduating college. Starting in 2005, Beaton would make the journey from her home in Nova Scotia on the far East coast of Canada, all the way to the other side of the country, with the promise of good money for hard work. Beaton received a degree in a subject she loved, but did not see what she learned earning her enough money to help pay her student loan debt. So she risked entering a field that was mostly dominated by men, in a place very far from home. While the money did come in, Beaton would experience loneliness, isolation, and near unending harassment from the men around her. And the situation would either get worse, or stay the same as she changed locations, positions, and companies. The question of whether these men were only acting this way because Beaton was only one of the few women on site was something she wrestled with her entire time there. It was only after a year or so in the Beaton would begin working on her comics and set up a website, and this is the passion she continues to pursue today.

My Verdict: Graphic memoirs are something I am trying to read more of, and if any of them are half as interesting, or eye-opening, or even heart-breaking as this one, pursuing more of them can only be a win. First, Beaton spares no detail or story, as this collection clocks in at over 400 pages (most of the graphic memoirs I have read up to this point rarely reach 250 pages). She fully explores the thought process and panic over her student loan debt, which led to her decision to take such a massive leap (at least from my limited view). Beaton also brings up the aforementioned issue of seemingly ordinary men - often men with families back home where they are from - acting the way they did simply because of where they are currently working and the conditions they are subjected to. And there are Beaton's own conflicted feelings when it comes to indicting these men, as they are trying to do the same as her, which is earn money in a landscape where money is hard to get for those from where she grew up. I will issue a trigger warning for this book, as the attention Beaton often received from the males around her was questionable at the best of times...and there seemingly were not that many 'best of times.' But I cannot recommend it enough, and hope many people decide to check it out.

Favorite Moment: During her time in the Albian Sands, Beaton worked with a Warehouse Foreman named Ryan. While Ryan certainly had his own issues, I appreciated his honesty about the situation, often confirming Beaton's own assessments. When asked by a frustrated Beaton whether or not they worked with adults, he plainly states that no, they do not. 

Favorite Quote: "But people kid themselves if they think the only life they're living is somewhere else." - Brent, a mechanic in Aurora.

Recommended Reading: Both Hark! A Vagrant, and Step Aside, Pops made me laugh out loud. But another graphic memoir worth getting ahold of is Almost American Girl by Robin Ha.   

Young Adult Fiction: I'm the Girl by Courtney Summers

Many lovers of young adult mysteries and thrillers are familiar with the work of Courtney Summers, author of This Is Not a Test, All the Rage, and the bestselling Sadie. Her most recent offering, I'm the Girl, has been described as the spiritual successor to Sadie, which many or her readers must have been excited to hear. When a young girl discovers a dead body, her already fragile world is once again shifted. 

The Situation: Sixteen year-old Georgia Avis has dreams for herself. She plans to make more of her life than what it currently is in the town of Ketchum. For Georgia, those plans begin with Aspera, a resort for the rich and elite. It is where only a certain kind of girl gets hired to be an Aspera girl, something Georgia has wanted to achieve for a long time. It is also where Georgia's mother worked before she died, and Katy Avis did not leave her job on the best of terms. But when Georgia discovers the dead body of a 13 year-old Ashley, it throws her directly into the path to her dreams, as well as into the investigation of what really happened that lead to the death of the sheriff's daughter.

The Problem: Georgia has always remembered what her mother told her about not being good enough for Aspera, but she refuses to believe it. She knows she is good enough, and pretty enough, and can barely contain her joy when she finally gets a job at the pristine and glamorous resort. But the road between Ketchum and Aspera is also the road where Ashley's body is found, which brings both of Georgia's worlds uncomfortably close to one another. As she finds out more about Ashley and her final days, with the assistance of Ashley's older sister Nora, she cannot help but feel that she is also in danger. Ashley's killer is still out there, and the more they uncover, the longer the list of guilty parties grows. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult mystery/thriller novel that explores many difficult themes, which is not unusual for a book by Summers. Many trigger warnings have been issued for this book as the plot involves sexual assault, grooming, the murder of a child, and the privilege and influence that exists for the rich and powerful. Similarities have been drawn between the plot and the Jeffrey Epstein case many times, which should help readers decide if this is a story they wish to pick up. Georgia wants little more than to be an Aspera girl at an elite resort, believing it will prove what she has always felt, which is that she is beautiful, and desired, and worthy to be in the same place as the most rich, powerful, and influential people. But the second storyline of her discovery of a dead body makes everything much more complicated, and terrifying.

My Verdict: Summers is a fantastic writer. I decided to lead with that, because in the end, I have the same issue with this book that I had with Sadie, along with a few others. Much like Sadie, the ending of this one did nothing for me. It felt as if nothing was resolved, and no solutions are offered. As for other issues, they mostly lie with the character of Georgia. The combination of self-centered and naive makes for a character that is so blind when she is only looking out for herself, that she is missing every glaring and obvious red flag she is confronted with. Georgia wants so badly to believe she is special, and the mystery she finds herself being caught up in is not solid enough to make the frustration worth it. Much of it is clunky, some of the discoveries seem convenient, and the breakthrough does not feel complete. 

Favorite Moment: Honestly, it's all pretty uncomfortable and frustrating. The moments of victory, triumph, and discovery do not feel worth it. 

Favorite Character: Nora has her own issues and baggage - after all, her younger sister was discovered dead on the side of the road - but despite everything, she seems to have her feet firmly under her and sees the world for what it is.

Recommended Reading: A book that explores similar issues is My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell, and in my opinion, that book handles it much better. 

Contemporary Fiction: The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

After reading The Vanished Birds in 2020, I was excited to see what author Simon Jimenez would come up with next, so it was an easy decision to pick up The Spear Cuts Through Water. Though I rarely read fantasy written for adults, I took a chance on a story that was described as an epic fantasy adventure.

The Situation: When Jun is tasked with assisting his grandmother on a journey for freedom, he knows it will not be easy. His grandfather insisted on keeping her contained, and Jun knows his actions will disappoint his power-hungry father. But the magnificent - and bloody - escape is only the first of many intense events that will occur over the five-day pilgrimage. And on their way, the grandson and grandmother will encounter and sometimes travel with an ailing tortoise, a previously imprisoned bird, a severed head, and a one-armed man intent on keeping an oath he made to the woman who gave him a home and a job when he had nowhere else to go. The journey will be dangerous and difficult, with little chance of ending well.

The Problem: The trip will prove dangerous because the grandmother happens to be a god, the Moon fallen to Earth to be exact, attempting to escape her three sons, known in the land they rule as the Three Terrors. As powerful as she is, she knows she cannot outrun the sons that chase after her, even with Jun's help. But she is determined to end the rule of the Moon Throne, which she initially helped bring about. Each day brings new dangers, new side missions, but also new allies, as the group embarks on a mission that becomes more strange and more dangerous the longer it goes. It also does not help that Jun is hated in every land, as he is both a son of the First Terror, and has blood on his hands from his past. 

Genre, Themes, History: This book is an epic fantasy initially presented as a story being told by a mother to her son, through a memory. Then it eventually moves to being a performance done on a stage, that the same son is now watching as an adult. Occasionally, the narrative will pause to add more details about the watcher's own story, before returning to the adventure and what new obstacle the Moon, her grandson, and the one-armed warrior must face next. There are beasts that talk; a network of nearly all-seeing tortoises that spread the news; a man who can control others through the power of his words; another who has the head of a wolf; and a good deal of commentary from witnesses who are never named, some of which even died during the events. 

My Verdict: This book is perfect for those looking to settle into a story of a long journey full of incredible events and magical creatures. It is an adventure that only spans five days, but more life is lived for those involved in those five days than many have experienced in five years. Readers who pick up fantasy books on a regular basis may love it, and while I enjoyed most of it a great deal, I only found myself becoming invested after reaching the last 100 pages or so (the book clocks in at over 500 pages). I am not entirely sure if I was simply excited to be near the end, but something changed in the story for me at that point, making the adventure more engaging and interesting. The book certainly is not lacking in imagination and creativity, and nearly every thread is followed through to the end.

Favorite Moment: When the Third Terror makes his appearance, his circumstances are so fascinating - as well as horrifying - that I wish the reader had been allowed to stay in that environment a little while longer, despite how dreadful and grim it is.

Favorite Character: Keema is the one-armed outcast that joins the adventure, albeit for his own reasons, be he proves to be essential despite his limitations. 

Recommended Reading: Jimenez's previous book, The Vanished Birds, is more science fiction than fantasy, and also much shorter. But I recall it being full of as much adventure and detail as this one. 

Nonfiction: Solito by Javier Zamora

Once again, 2022 comes through with an engaging piece of nonfiction. Solito by Javier Zamora chronicles the author's journey at the tender age of nine from El Salvador to the U.S, where he was to be reunited with his parents. The 'trip' as it was always described to him is long, hard, dangerous, and full of uncertainty.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a memoir that takes place almost entirely within the weeks between April 20 and June 10 of 1999. During this time, young Javier made the 3,000 mile journey from his small town in El Salvador to the U.S, where he would reunite with his parents. He was nine years old, and entirely alone, except for the group of strangers that were also making their journey for their own reasons, to be reunited with their own loved ones. Using nearly every mode of transportation, Javier will make a trip that was supposed to take only two weeks. But there are setbacks and countless dangers, and the fear and uncertainty about what happens next only grows as the weeks go on. With both English and Spanish used for the dialogue, Zamora tells of his experience with the utmost attention to detail, giving readers access to memories that many may never forget.

My Verdict: For those readers that are looking for a memorable journey, and also for a detailed, first-person account of the often difficult trek across the U.S. and Mexico border, this is absolutely for them. The fact that Zamora is only nine years-old when he is sent off to make this trip alone is enough to astound or even impress many people. I can only vaguely recall what I was like at nine years old (my memory has never been the best), but I am fairly certain that something like this would have broken me. Many times throughout the book, young Javier worries that he is being a nuisance to the adults in the group, or that he is annoying the older kids. It is an understandable concern, but it is eventually buried in the magnitude of everything else that is going on. It is the kind of story that is hard to believe, but it did happen, and Zamora relays it well with specifics and honesty, and the kind of observations and thoughts that only a small and vulnerable child would have.

Favorite Moment: At one point, it is determined that it is easier for Javier to pretend to be part of a family with three other travelers. It does not take long for the young boy to realize that this new and made up family is actually quite real, despite the fake papers that declare it to be true. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras. 

Winners of the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards

After two rounds of voting, the readers have spoken and the winners have been chosen. It is time to reveal the victors of the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards. There is usually at least one surprise and more than a few close calls, but more than anything, it is exciting to see which books came out on top.

It is no surprise to me that Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow took the top prize for Best Fiction. It is one of those books that I felt like I could read forever, and it has received so much attention since its publication. It is a good feeling when a DSN I voted for has taken the first category. 

And while I may not have voted for the winner for Best Historical Fiction, it is again no surprise that this book has been voted the reader favorite. Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid has won it, which means it joins Reid's two previous books as winners of this category for the Goodreads Choice Awards. 

It seems that Emily St. John Mandel has still managed to entertain science fiction lovers and her Sea of Tranquility has won it for Best Science Fiction. Personally, I loved the tie-ins to her previous book and another Goodreads Choice winner, Station Eleven. 

And finally, I am pleased to see that The Office BFFs by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey has won for the Best Humor category, and given that the show The Office was popular during its initial run, and has now been rediscovered by a new generation, this is not at all surprising. Add to this the incredibly popular and award-winning podcast, The Office Ladies, and this book was certainly going to have its supporters. 

Four DSNs, three of which I voted for, have won in their categories, along with a couple books that I read but did not cover on this blog (more on that later this month). All there is to do now is discover more new books and get ready for 2023. My only hope is that next year will provide just as many delightful selections as this one did. 

Young Adult Fiction: The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

Author Tiffany D. Jackson is known for her mysteries and thrillers geared towards young readers, and her latest offering, The Weight of Blood, was absolutely perfect reading during the Halloween season when I first picked it up. A re-imagining of the story of Carrie, by Stephen King, Jackson takes the classic and places it in 2014 in small-town Georgia.

The Situation: It was a fairly usual day at Springville High School. No one may have expected the rain that came down during first period, especially Maddy Washington, who made it a point to check the weather at least three times before leaving her house. The surprise downpour has wreaked havoc on her hair, leading to two reactions from her fellow students in her next class. The popular girls in the back cannot hold back their laughter...they even begin to throw things into Maddy's afro. But this also makes everyone realize something no one knew, even the teacher - Maddy Washington is black. When a video of the teasing makes it onto social media, Springville must do serious damage control, while also confronting its racist history.

The Problem: One solution to help both the school and the town's image is to hold the first integrated prom at the end of the month. Of course, there is significant resistance. Many believe things are fine the way they are, that this integration of one of the high school's most sacred and long-held traditions is not necessary, maybe even a little extreme. But popular class president and head of the prom committee Wendy is determined to save the day, and even has a plan to get Maddy to attend the event. When everything seems to be going well, even better than perfect, some of Maddy's classmates decide enough is enough, and ruin an evening where the poor girl started to feel almost normal. Unbeknownst to them, this is just the thing to cause this night to truly be one no one will ever forget...well, the ones that live anyway.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book that takes place mostly during May of 2014, which is the height of prom season for many high schools in the U.S. The book also contains segments from episodes of Maddy Did It, a fictional show on NPR that is exploring the event, interviewing witnesses and experts, and going through old records in an attempt to piece together what exactly happened the night of the prom. Of course, those that are familiar with Stephen King's Carrie more or less know what happens, but Jackson brings the horror story into the 21st century by introducing a plot with themes of institutional racism, privilege, and how the act of protecting history and tradition can quickly reveal how people really feel about progress and reconciliation, while also indicting those who stand by and do nothing. 

My Verdict: I knew this was going to be a tough one - books that deal with racism usually are on some level - but I let my apprehension allow me to forget how fun Jackson's books can be. Poor Maddy is a complex character, raised in a household by a man who was determined that she would not be exactly who she is. Add in a town that is desperately trying to hold onto its racist roots, and a significant event is bound to happen. Not only is the situation incredibly tense, but each chapter brings new discoveries of different characters, and different pieces of the story. My only issue would be the ending. While I understand that not every mystery needs to be solved, there were some loose ends that bothered me. But whatever. I still say lovers of horror will have fun with this one.

Favorite Moment: As someone who works at a large university, I know that it is possible to rescind a student's admission. I will just say that it happens in this book, and it is glorious. 

Favorite Character: Mrs. Morgan does her best to help Maddy, as well as be of assistance to the other black students at Springville High School. She does what she knows the principal cannot (or will not), and has no issue standing up against popular students and their powerful parents. 

Recommended Reading: Monday's Not Coming still remains my favorite of all of Jackson's books that I have read. 

Goodreads Choice Awards 2022 Final Round

With the first round of voting closed, each of the 17 categories of the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards has cut the list of nominees down from 20 to 10. It is always interesting to see which books will continue on, and which ones did not quite gather the votes to be considered for the top prize.

When it comes to Best Fiction, there were originally three DSNs that were nominated, but it looks like Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez will not be advancing. And the same is true for Brendan Slocumb's The Violin Conspiracy in the Best Mystery & Thriller category, which was the only DSN in that group.

While my favorite for the Best Historical Fiction category, Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, has advanced, the same could not be said for either Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow, or Four Treasures of the Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang. And I could not be more pleased (or surprised) the three out of the four DSNs that were nominated for the Best Science Fiction category are still in this thing. Only Station Eternity by Mur Laffterty will not be moving on. 

There are no changes to report in the Best Humor category, with both The Office BFFs by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, and Hello, Molly! by Molly Shannon holding strong. However, the same could not be said for Best Nonfiction, as South to America by Imani Perry did not gain enough votes, and neither did The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras, which was originally nominated for Best Memoir & Autobiography. But both Oddball by Sarah Andersen and Ducks by Kate Beaton remain in the running for Best Graphic Novels & Comics. 

Quite a bit has happened in the Best Debut Novel category. There were six DSNs that were originally nominated, but only two remain. It seems The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb, Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez, Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow, and How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu will not be moving on, but the last book in that list is still in it for Best Science Fiction. 

Oh my young adult fiction...the Best Young Adult Fiction category is always an interesting one, and that still remains true for 2022. Only three DSNs remain in that group, and I am surprised that not one of them is either You'll Be the Death of Me, or Nothing More to Tell, both by Karen M. McManus. Tiffany D. Jackson's The Weight of Blood will also not be advancing. And as for the Best Young Adult Fantast & Science Fiction category, neither nominated DSN made the cut, so the journey ends for Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor, and A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin.

There are 16 total DSNs that remain as contenders in the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards, and really, anything can happen. The final round of voting ends this Sunday, December 4th, and the winners will be announced the following Thursday, December 8th. It will be interesting for sure. 

Graphic Novel: Incredible Doom: Volume 2 by Matthew Bogart and Jesse Holden

Oh my graphic novels...so easy to read, hard to put down (even after reaching the end of the story), and often crazy expensive to buy. I mean, I get it, all that work on the illustrations, story, and the actual paper and binding are a project in themselves, but still. I was pleased to see the sequel to last year's Incredible Doom: Volume 1 so soon, as I had a ton of questions, and readers can now catch up with the misfits at Evol House.

The Situation: Time gets weird when you do not go to school...at least that is according to Allison. She has not attended classes since she began living in the attic at Evol House with her boyfriend Samir. After escaping her abusive and overbearing father, Allison is desperate to make this new life work, no matter how chaotic it often is. For Tina, Evol House is really the only option, so she continues to work tirelessly, even if no one else seems to care. And Richard still has not quite cracked the mystery of the bully at school who hates him, seemingly for no reason. 

The Problem: While Tina wonders if life at Evol House is the answer she always believed it was, a new friend provides a potential escape, though it would mean giving up on everything she has worked so hard for. Samir grows less sure that life at Evol House is any better than what everyone had before with each passing day. Granted, he is mostly there because of Allison, but now he worries if it was a mistake helping her get here. Sure, she seems happy, but she is also picking up terrible habits. Her latest adventure gains the attention of Richard's bully, who is more determined than ever to get payback...but for what exactly? Richard must follow clues and speak to various people in order to get answers. Hopefully a solution is found before someone gets seriously hurt.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a graphic novel that continues the story from the first installment, following four teenagers who are now living together in Evol House...an unassuming house where lost kids can find a different kind of family. Most of the kids there found it through the latest tech craze, the internet. It is 1994, and teenagers everywhere are discovering a new favorite pastime, allowing for a different kind of connection that was not possible before. Samir may have a solid home life, but Allison has no plans to return the house she lived in with her mother and manipulative father. For her, Evol House means safety. For Richard, it means protection. And for Tina, it is simply home.

My Verdict: I finished volume 1 desperate for answers, and volume 2 has certainly delivered. With the same simple, but beautiful artwork (honestly, it is perfect for the story it represents and for what the characters are going through), Bogart and Holden present these kids who are navigating problems that they are probably too young to be dealing with, but such is the world they live in. Allison's need for belonging and safety can be felt every time she shows up on the page, as can Samir's concern, and Tina's frustration. I believe that anyone who has ever suffered through high school will be able to find something to identify with here, especially if those years were during the 1990s.

Favorite Moment: There is no one moment in particular, but flashbacks and memories are light blue...something I find to be incredibly effective.

Favorite Character: Last time I picked Allison, but this time I will go with Richard. Instead of simply retaliating, he makes serious attempts to understand what is going on with the boy who insists on hating him.  

Recommended Reading: I recommend the graphic novel for A Wrinkle in Time. It is a great way to revisit a classic.

Young Adult Fiction: Gleanings by Neal Shusterman

Neal Shusterman's The Arc of a Scythe trilogy was easily one of the most entertaining, imaginative, uncomfortable, and fascinating book series I had ever read. I enjoy reading books that seek to answer seemingly impossible questions, and with The Arc of a Scythe, Shusterman attempted to answer a question that many have asked: What if humans could live forever? What exactly would that mean for life on Earth? Gleanings: Stories from The Arc of a Scythe is somewhat of a continuation of the series, but this time includes short stories from the time before, during, and after the events in the initial The Arc of a Scythe series.

Genre, Themes, History: Set during a distant (but not that distant) future, this collection of stories brings readers back into a world where the human population is controlled by Scythes, people who have been given the authority to kill (or glean) pretty much whomever they please, with the Thunderhead controlling every other aspect of life. There are rules and regulations, but as the stories prove, many Scythes find ways around them, or they simply glean those they find annoying, or those that manage to get in their way. In "Never Work with Animals," Scythe Fields makes sure his small community is just as he likes, and anyone who irks him risks having their life taken. And then there is Scythe Dali in "The Persistence of Memory," who prefers to turn his gleanings into elaborate public works of art in an attempt to win both love and respect from the people around him. Readers of the previous book will notice familiar names and faces in stories like "Formidable" and "A Martian Minute," which may provide key insights into events that were merely mentioned before. The stories may not be presented in chronological order, but the clues are there to allow readers to know exactly where in the timeline each tale belongs.

My Verdict: This collection of stories is just as unnerving and intriguing as the first three books, and I foolishly thought they would not be. I figured they would be incredible and a great read, but I did not expect to feel unsettled while reading them. I found myself once again imagining what life under the Scythedom would be like, with the Thunderhead controlling everything else, and I have once again decided that it is not for me. Having my fate be in the hands of what is essentially little more than sanctioned serial killers does not sound like a life worth living. Each story, even the ones that do not reveal some previously missing piece of information from the time of the previous books, is not only entertaining, but also eye-opening to how some people choose to behave in the face of some unusual circumstances. Sure, it is fiction, but I have learned that we often both over and underestimate what humans are capable of.

Favorite Story: For me, it is a tie between "A Death of Many Colors," and "Meet Cute and Die." In the former, a group of teenagers debate the existence of Scythes during an annual Halloween party that is about to take a turn. In the latter, a young woman must figure out what she wants out of life, which is not easy, considering the aunt she lives with is a Scythe and insists on keeping her close. But there is also "The Mortal Canvas," which may not have been my favorite, but was oddly moving, and also heartbreaking.

Recommended Reading: The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez is not YA, but it does explore a future for humanity that includes many different options for how we will live. I also recommend Shusterman's Dry, which asks the question of what people would do if they suddenly lost access to water. 

Goodreads Choice Awards 2022

Almost as if it were another holiday to celebrate, the Goodreads Choice Awards have once again come around, giving readers a chance to vote for their favorite books of the year. It is always a thrill, at least for me, to see which books are being considered, and just how close the race can get. So let's see what options voters have for this year.

Three DSNs have made it into the always highly competitive Best Fiction category, and they are Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Honestly, I would be good with any of these winning, but my personal vote goes to Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. As was promised on the book jacket, Zevin wrote a love story like no other, one that spanned decades and moved across the country. Oh yeah, and there was video game development involved. It was intriguing as it was interesting, and also incredibly moving.

I am always surprised when I manage to get a book on this blog that ends up being nominated for the Best Mystery & Thriller category. This year it was The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb. When his precious, not to mention priceless, Stradivarius violin goes missing, musician Ray McMillian begins an intense and manic search to get it back. Granted, it has caused him immense trouble since he found it in his grandmother's attic, but he cannot play anything else, and desperately needs to find it before a big competition. The book is a great ride, but it is up against the likes of The Maid by Nita Prose, and The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley.

The Best Historical Fiction category is predictable stacked, and I am spoiled for choice with DSNs like Tara M. Stringfellow's Memphis, Jenny Tinghui Zhang's Four Treasures of the Sky, Charmaine Wilkerson's Black Cake, Kate Quinn's The Diamond Eye, and Taylor Jenkins Reid's Carrie Soto Is Back being presented for our consideration. All incredibly strong choices, I personally have the strongest attachment to Wilkerson's Black Cake. Had it been placed in the Best Fiction category (I had placed it under the 'contemporary fiction' heading), I would be free to vote for The Diamond Eye. Last year, Reid took the win in this category for Malibu Rising, and I will not be at all surprised if she does so again.

I have lamented many times that science fiction is one of my weaker categories, and yet, four DSNs have managed to make it in for the Best Science Fiction category. Out of How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu, Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, and The Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, I pick the last one in the list for my vote. Mandel went back to her science fiction roots for her latest novel, making links to previous one, and giving readers a unique scifi experience that explores the possible future for human beings living somewhere other than Earth.

Both The Office BFFs by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, and Hello, Molly by Saturday Night Live alum Molly Shannon have been nominated for the Best Humor category. Both approach their respective subjects with honesty and humor. While Fischer and Kinsey talk all about their time on the enduring hit TV show The Office, as well as the friendship that came from it, Shannon's book is about her life and career, which of course, SNL was a major part of. My vote goes to The Office BFFs, though Shannon's book also very much deserves the honor. 

Only South to America by Imani Perry made it into the Best Nonfiction category, and I am certainly glad to see it there. Perry explored many of the South's major cities and areas, as she related not only her own personal experiences in each place as a black woman, but also its history, and how the history of the south as a whole is really the history of the U.S. It is certainly worth a read for American history buffs, and even travel lovers. 

This year, I imagine the Best Memoir & Autobiography category will be an interesting race, and I love seeing both Solito by Javier Zamora (which will be reviewed in a future blog post), and The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingris Rojas Contreras as contenders. Both are incredibly vivid, and honest, and fascinating, and my decision to vote for Solito was not an easy one to make. 

Normally, I am lucky to have one book from the blog show up in the Best Graphic Novels & Comics category, and this year there are two! Neither of which comes as a surprise, as both Ducks by Kate Beaton (future blog post) and Oddball by Sarah Andersen are wonderful. Andersen's humor is always infectious and engaging, but the brutal honesty with which Beaton served up the nonfiction Ducks cannot be ignored, which is why it gets my vote. I implore those who know little about the oil sands of Canada and the people who work there to pick it up. 

All six (six!) books that appear in the Best Debut category have also been nominated in their respective genre categories. The Violin Conspiracy, Olga Dies Dreaming, Black Cake, Memphis, Remarkably Bright Creatures, and How High We Go in the Dark are all up for consideration, and again, I must go with Wilkerson's Black Cake. 

As usual, there are plenty of young adult DSNs to consider for the Best Young Adult Fiction category. Both of the books published by prolific thriller writer Karen M. McManus have been nominated, which means her readers will have to choose from either Nothing More to Tell, or You'll Be the Death of Me. But there is also Family of Liars by E. Lockhart, Anatomy by Dana Schwartz, The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson (future blog post), and I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys that have been nominated. All have their own strengths, but my vote goes to I Must Betray You. Set in 1980s communist Romania, readers go on an adventure with young Cristian Florescu after he is recruited to spy on his own friends and family, while also knowing that he himself is being constantly watched. 

Honestly, the choice between Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor, and A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin is a difficult one for me. Both embody the young adult fantasy genre beautifully, offering readers an incredible experience in places and times very different from our own. The world building is phenomenal, if not exceptional in some areas. But I have to choose one, so I went with Taylor's Hotel Magnifique. 

And there we have it..a total of 28 DSNs that are in this thing, with the the potential to be named the best in their respective categories. This initial round of voting will last until Sunday, November 27, with the final round opening Tuesday, November 29. I am excited, as I always am, and will be anxious to see the results.

Contemporary Fiction: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

So much attention has been given to Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, and after reading the description, I was also excited to get my hands on this one. Maybe it is because of my childhood of watching my brother play video games while I followed along with Nintendo Power magazine (remember those?), but the synopsis appealed to me and I was ready for a different kind of gaming adventure.

The Situation: When Sadie Green is 11, she meets 12 year-old Sam Masur while visiting her older sister in the hospital. The two of them end up playing video games together and becoming friends, unknowingly setting up the course of their lives as coworkers, video game developers, and sometimes friends. While this initial friendship will see a temporary end, it will be on a cold December morning during his time at Harvard that Sam will see Sadie, who is attending MIT, and the two will once again bond over video games. But now, Sadie has moved beyond simply playing them and is taking a class in making them. And when she shares her first few attempts with Sam, it is enough to put them on the path to collaboration.

The Problem: When Sadie and Sam's first game, Ichigo, becomes a massive success, the two of them are instantly famous, and rich, and work must be immediately started on a sequel. But the creative differences have already begun to chip away at what seemed to be a solid friendship. While Sadie feels pushed to the side and ignored, Sam thinks Sadie is being selfish and cannot possibly know what real hardship is like. Unlike him, Sadie did not grow up poor, without her parents, or with a visible disability. Even with the help of peacemaking Marx, Sam's college roommate and future producer at their company, Unfair Games, Sam and Sadie will spend the next few decades making brilliant games, while not quite understanding the relationships in the real world.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel that spans 30+ years of Sam and Sadie's life, beginning from when they first meet as kids at the hospital. While Sadie grows up relatively affluent and in good health, and Sam is raised by his grandparents and will have issues with his reconstructed foot for the remainder of his life, they both will end up attending college on the east coast. They also remain obsessed with video games, which leads to a partnership that is both lucrative and volatile. Whether the games are hailed by critics and fans as successes or failures, Sadie and Sam's relationship will be marked by ambition, resentment, perceived betrayal, and things unspoken. And yet, the relationship endures.

My Verdict: If 2022 has given me anything it is certainly a fair amount of books, particularly contemporary fiction books, that I would be happy reading forever. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is the kind of book that easily and effortlessly follows its protagonists as they live both ordinary and extraordinary lives, and it is not difficult to imagine that the story continues beyond the last page. Of course, the issue with creating such fully realized characters is that, inevitably, they will get on the reader's nerves much like real people would. The longer the story went on, the less I liked either Sam or Sadie, but the more I liked Marx. It is a different kind of love story in which readers will enjoy getting lost.

Favorite Moment: There are small moments that focus specifically on Marx, and I enjoyed all of them. Perhaps it is because I have recently seen an on-stage production of Macbeth, but I loved Marx's references to the Scottish play and his general love of theater.

Favorite Character: Marx may be more of an NPC (nonplayer character) as far as the general story goes, but I adored him.

Recommended Reading: With this one, I recommend either Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, or Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

Historical Fiction: Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra

The third novel by Anthony Marra, Mercury Pictures Presents, explores life during World War II, but not necessarily from the battlefied. Instead, readers are offered a view from Hollywood, as a female Italian immigrant fights for her place as a producer, while simultaneously managing her grief over what happened to her family in many years before.

The Situation: Maria Lagana, an Italian-born immigrant now managing a career in Hollywood, is playing her part in helping to keep Mercury Pictures afloat. While her boss makes questionable decisions, some of which cause the company to be investigated by Congress, Maria must work to keep her professional life from falling apart, though her personal life is not doing much better. Unable to move past something she did many years ago as a child in Italy, she has a hard time communicating with her mother, and can only write letters to her father, while her brilliant Chinese-American actor boyfriend cannot avoid being typecast. Things look grim, but the situation takes a troubling turn when Pearl Harbor is bombed, and the U.S. decides to enter the war.

The Problem: Maria has enough to deal with before Vincent, a man who knew her father, shows up at Mercury Pictures. President Roosevelt has already authorized the detaining of those that can be deemed potentially dangerous, particularly any foreign-born persons from Italy, Germany, and Japan. It was her father's political views and activities that were the root of the issues back in Italy, and now Vincent's presence is not only unwelcome, but problematic. As the war continues, and Mercury Pictures turns to churning out propaganda to get Americans to support the war, Maria watches as the company hires those that the country has declared to be the enemy, often to portray on screen the very people the country is fighting. And with each small professional success comes larger defeats, until Maria must face her past as the future seemingly collapses.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction book set mostly just before and during the early beginnings of the U.S. participation in World War II. While the primary part of the story takes place in Los Angeles, readers are also offered a close look at some events in Italy, specifically those surrounding Maria's father. Marra based many of the characters that show up in the book after real people from history, such as the often-warring Feldman brothers, who were modeled after Jack and Harry Warner. And then of course, there was the real Alien Enemy Registration Program that required Maria, her friends, and many of her coworkers to register with the government. This would be only the first of many problems those of Italian, German, or Japanese heritage would face following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

My Verdict: There is a lot going on in this book, which I actually appreciate. I like the movement between different character perspectives and time, as well as locations. Many characters that appear to be minor are steadily given more time on the page through brief but important mentions, giving the overall story an almost more fun and light-hearted feel, given the severity of the subject matter. My main issue with the novel would be the first few chapters and sections, the first of which was difficult to follow given the quick (but interesting) introduction to the world of Mercury Pictures. And the fast-pace of that first section made it difficult to remain interested in the important back story offered by the slower-paced second and third sections. If readers are able to push past the beginning, they are in for an interesting look at Hollywood operations during WWII. I only wish we got to see even more behind the scenes, and maybe from a few more minor characters.

Favorite Moment: I enjoyed any moment when Maria was able to undermine her boss Artie, which was not at all difficult to do.

Favorite Character: Anna is a German-born miniaturist with a fascinating backstory who is soon charged with creating, for a film, a life-sized replica of a German city.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Marra's A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, as well as The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. 

Science Fiction: Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty

In 2017, I picked up and thoroughly enjoyed Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty, so it was an easy decision to choose Station Eternity for my next science fiction book. It seems Lafferty has once again put together a scifi whodunnit that will keep readers guessing, set in a future where humans have made contact with other intelligent life forms and are still figuring out how we will all coexist in the same universe.

The Situation: Murder has followed Mallory around all her life, and she has often known or been close to the victims. There was her teacher, her guidance counselor, even her uncle and her own mother. And at a certain point, Mallory discovered she has an incredible talent for solving the cases. Authorities are not too fond of having someone they do not trust and are highly suspicious of be the one to be able to solve the crimes. And while Mallory's bizarre history has given her a pretty great career as a mystery writer, it has made for an otherwise anxious and lonely existence. So it is not surprising she sought asylum on Station Eternity, where only two other humans live. 

The Problem: As soon as news hits the Station Eternity has agreed to allow more humans on board, Mallory knows there will be trouble. Even if those humans are little more than tourists, Mallory knows that chances are high someone will die simply because of their proximity to her. When the chaos begins before the shuttle from Earth has even docked properly, Mallory has to choose between running away again, or sticking around and doing what she does best. Aboard the shuttle is a motley crew of people, all with their own reasons for braving space travel to visit Station Eternity. While most everyone has something to hide, some in this particular group hold information that could cause more death. If Mallory does not figure out what is going on, that past will repeat itself on a scale she has yet witnessed.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set in the not-so-distant future of somewhere in the middle of the 21st century. Humanity has made first contact with alien life, but it is still early enough where the wrinkles have not been ironed out. The U.S. government has gone so far as to send an ambassador to live aboard Station Eternity, a sentient space station where several alien species all live together in relative harmony. If the ambassador does their job, human beings could be invited to join. This is where Mallory Viridian has sought asylum from her chaotic history, while hoping it does not simply follow her. Unfortunately, even a sophisticated and sentient space station is subject to volatile politics, prejudice among species, and beings acting with hidden motives.

My Verdict: Readers were promised an intergalactic whodunnit, and Lafferty certainly delivered. The story opens with Mallory doing her best to exist as only one of three humans on Station Eternity, while dealing with the news that her worst nightmare has come true, and more humans will be coming. Where the story begins to veer into the absurd (and not necessarily in a bad way) is when these other humans arrive, and the reader begins to learn more about them. It would be wild enough to follow one human being, who seems to have death follow her everywhere she goes, around a space station with other alien species. The introduction of the other humans quickly makes the story messy, a little hard to follow, and somehow, also less interesting. The book is subtitled The Midsolar Murders #1, which would indicate there are more to come. Maybe the next mystery will be cleaner and more streamlined.

Favorite Moment: The ambassador, Adrian, is not the worst person ever, but he is annoying, and clearly does not like Mallory. He eventually takes a massive risk, but the consequences are beyond his human abilities.

Favorite Character: Everyone on this station can be hard to deal with (including the station herself), but I will pick Xan. He has been placed in a wide array of unfortunate circumstances, but he does his best to face the situations head on, while also helping others.

Recommended Reading: Lovers of murder mysteries that bend more towards science fiction may enjoy Six Wakes, as well as Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. 

Young Adult Fiction: A Venom Dark and Sweet by Judy I. Lin

Readers that picked up the first book in The Book of Tea duology, A Magic Steeped in Poison, have been given the best of gifts in that the wait was not long for the sequel to be published. In a little over six months after the publication of the first book, readers were able to get their hands on Judy I. Lin's A Venom Dark and Sweet, a conclusion to the monumental adventure one girl must make to save not only herself and her family, but also the world.

The Situation: The competition that was supposed to find the kingdom's greatest master in the magical art of tea-making has not ended as expected. The Banished Prince has returned to take his place on the throne, and Ning now finds herself on the run, along with her newly-healed sister, the princess, and the princess's bodyguard. Their task is to find those that will join them in battle against the General, the man that has now returned to Jia to claim the throne; Chancellor Zhou, the man who is helping him; and the General's adopted son, Kang. Ning tries her best to remember that Kang is the enemy, a boy she once trusted that only ended up betraying her. But she often thinks of the moments before that, the moments when she was excited to see him and knew nothing of his place in the General's plan.

The Problem: It is clear that the General is willing to do what it takes to secure his power over the kingdom, even if that means exacting cruel punishments against those that are not believed to be completely loyal. He has also declared Ning as a wanted criminal, and wants her to be hunted down and returned for her punishment. As Ning accompanies the princess on the mission to find allies as well as any information that will help in returning the princess to the throne, she is continually met with frustrations while still trying to protect her sister, whom she was able to heal at a great cost to herself. The General's claim to the throne is not the only obstacle she must face as an evil more powerful than any human has awoken, determined to claim not only the kingdom, but the entire world.

Genre, Themes, History: This is the second and last book in the young adult fantasy duology, The Book of Tea. While the first book focused on the competition, and on introducing Ning and the art of tea-making, as well as the magic behind it, this second book explores more of the conflict between Princess Zhen's family and the General's, as well as the deep-rooted evil that seems to haunt the kingdom. Mostly told from Ning's first-person perspective, there are also chapters that focus on Kang and what he is seeing from his place as the General's son. Both characters move outside of the palace, allowing the reader to explore parts of the kingdom that are far outside of the palace walls, as well as meet more of its citizens. 

My Verdict: With this second book, Lin continues her trend of incredible world-building, especially now that the narrative follows both Ning and Kang all over the kingdom. The world is filled with so much detail, and again, like with the first book, it is never too much or difficult to follow. It simply makes every scene fully realized and in full color. And the choice to now move beyond the palace is a smart one, as it helps fill out the rest of this world the characters live in, while keeping it anchored to the places we are familiar with due to the initial conflict that is still unresolved. There is tea-making, and magic, and fighting, and deep history, and something that I appreciate, a very real sense of wanting so much to give up, but knowing that you cannot, even though everything is so hard, and seemingly impossible. If you are looking for a couple of fantasy books that will lead you on a brilliant and magical adventure, The Book of Tea duology is for you.

Favorite Moment: The entire scene with the Hermit is pretty great, but I especially love when she conjures a bridge of birds for her and Ning to walk on.

Favorite Character: Ning manages to come into her own in this book, and even sheds some of her naivete when it comes to other people and their motives. She is braver than she thinks she is, and though she is often frustrated by her own helplessness (who isn't?), she pushes past it and does what she can. 

Recommended Reading: I will once again recommend Traci Chee's Sea of Ink and Gold series, but also her recent novel, A Thousand Steps into Night. 

Contemporary Fiction: People Person by Candice Carty-Williams

Sometimes it is not a guarantee that the blog will cover a new book that was written by an author previously featured. That was certainly the case with today's selection, People Person by Candice Carty-Williams, the author of 2019's Queenie. I went back and forth about whether or not I would read the book, much less review it, but here we are. Hopefully, at the very least, I can help out those that may be similarly on the fence.

The Situation: Cyril Pennington, a Jamaica-born British man, has five children by four different women. There is Nikisha, the oldest, a driven and determined mother of two. Second is Danny, a somewhat happy-go-lucky man who has had some missteps in his past, but now does everything in his power to be the father to his kid that he wished Cyril had been for him. Children three and four, Dimple and Lizzie, are only a week apart in age, and could not be more different. Dimple is sensitive and a bit lost, while Lizzie is cold, guarded, and knows exactly what she wants. And finally, there is Prynce, the youngest, and also Nikisha's full brother. They all may have Cyril in common as their dad, but they also share the fact that he was never there for any of them.

The Problem: When Dimple is 30 years old, she finds herself in a terrifying situation that leads her to calling Nikisha. Last time she saw her eldest half-sister, she insisted that her siblings call her if they needed absolutely anything. Dimple did not really expect her big sister to help her, and she certainly did not expect the other three to come by as well. But as the five of them attempt to handle the situation, which quickly goes from bad, to weird and impossible, to downright stressful and potentially life changing, they bond as only five related and often resentful strangers can. And when Cryil makes a reappearance, things get even more chaotic and strange, and poor Dimple may be too sensitive to handle everything that is happening.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in and around present-day London. For the most part, the book centers around the five children of Cyril Pennington, but the focus is mostly on Dimple. Cyril's middle child is currently an aspiring influencer with a mediocre following, with no plans to ever leave the home she shares with her overbearing and codependent mother. Through mostly her perspective, the reader gets to know all of Dimple's siblings, as well as many of the extended family, including the four different mothers, Cyril's own mother, and his sisters. While a few of his children are ready to write him off, and understandably so, Dimple remains the one with a soft spot for the father who is a constant disappointment. The five strangers who happen to be related are thrown into a tense situation where they must work together quickly, even though they do not really know or like each other, and Dimple needs to figure out if she even likes herself. 

My Verdict: My hesitation to cover this book was somewhat merited, though I am glad I read it. I expected the messy family dynamics, hard conversations, and the feelings of pity and resentment. What I did not expect was a plot that was all over the place, and to be forced to follow the perspective of the sibling I liked the least. Well, Lizzie may actually be my least favorite, but Dimple really did try my patience. Given how Cyril treated his children and their mothers, it is not surprising that they all have their separate issues and have a hard time interacting with each other, Dimple maybe most of all. But there are only so many times I can witness a character knowingly make a terrible decision, and then cry about the consequences later. However, I do appreciate that the book is ultimately not about Cyril and what he has done, but about the family who has had to make it work without him.

Favorite Moment: Nikisha can be a lot to take, which is exactly what makes her so effective in dealing with someone who keeps giving Dimple trouble. 

Favorite Character: Danny may seem clueless and unbothered, but he is a responsible man who shows up for people and is doing what he can for his son.

Recommended Reading: I certainly prefer Queenie to this book. But I will also recommend This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith. 

Nonfiction: Hello, Molly! by Molly Shannon

This may have been mentioned before, but I am absolutely loving all of the nonfiction 2022 has to offer. Today I ventured back into the world of memoirs with Hello, Molly! by Saturday Night Live alum Molly Shannon. In the book, Shannon shares what is was like growing up with a single father in Ohio, her transition to college in New York City, and ultimately, what it took to achieve her dreams as an actress.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a memoir that begins on the fateful night that Shannon lost her mother, baby sister Katie, and her cousin Fran in her terrible car accident. Her grief-ridden father, who was behind the wheel at the time of the accident, would now face the difficult task of raising Shannon and her older sister Mary on his own. For the most part the story is told in chronological order, with the occasional jump forward to supplement a story, or a jump backwards to fill in some details. Shannon talks openly about the early years of living in a comparatively lenient household, and how this would later lend to her particular style of comedy and some of the bold characters she would later come to play. The journey was rarely easy and often difficult, but Shannon faces it as it was, letting audiences see exactly what it took for her to land where she is today. And if there is one other main character of this book besides the author, it would be the father who raised her and her sister while also trying to manage his own grief, and also alcoholism. 

My Verdict: Probably the main thing that struck me about this book was how straightforward and honest Shannon is. Sure, it's a memoir, so honesty is expected. But Shannon's approach is almost to provide little commentary on the events that happened. She does not seem to have an axe to grind, or a desire to call anyone out, or embarrass anyone. Like most people, she had her fair share of tough life events, difficult relationships, and of course, crappy jobs in Los Angeles as she was trying to make it as an actress. And there are plenty of celebrity names that are mentioned that readers will recognize, but it is never simply for the sake of mentioning a celebrity. Every mention serves a purpose, as does every wild story. 

Favorite Moment: Being able to learn exactly how some of Shannon's most well-known characters came to be was interesting, particularly Mary Katharine Gallagher and Sally O'Malley.

Recommended Reading: I have read a few memoirs by various Saturday Night Live alumni, and while none of them disappoint, Steve Martin's Born Standing Up remains my favorite.