Contemporary Fiction: Liar, Dreamer, Thief by Maria Dong

The word 'excited' could certainly be used to describe how I felt to finally get around to reading Liar, Dreamer, Thief by Maria Dong. With phrases like "gripping page-turner" used to describe the story, I knew at the very least I was in for a wild ride, most likely filled with a few twists and turns.

The Situation: Katrina Kim is a 25 year-old woman who is barely hanging on...to everything. Katrina has, at the best of times, a tenuous hold on her job as a temp at Advancex; on the apartment she shares with her roommate Leoni; on her rapidly deteriorating clunker of a car; on the few friendships she has managed to maintain; and also on reality. She will insist she is not a stalker, but the amount of attention she pays to Kurt, a coworker to whom she has never even been introduced, would say otherwise. The way Katrina tells it, Kurt is simply another one of her coping mechanisms, along with her obsession with the number 11, and her ability to enter and see things through the world of her favorite book from childhood.

The Problem: One of Katrina's rituals involves a nighttime visit to the Cayatoga Bridge, which she insists holds some kind of power, except this time Kurt is there, and he blames her for everything, right before he jumps. What follows causes Katrina's already incredibly weak hold on her life to become almost nonexistent. Just as she was watching Kurt, Kurt was also watching her. Now Katrina must do what she can, making the most of her limited resources and skills, to obtain more clues and put together what is really going on. The further she goes, the more clear it is to her that even the little she thought she knew to be the truth was little more than a carefully crafted facade. And Katrina's inability to let things go may be what helps her figure out what is really going on.

Genre, Themes, History: This mystery/thriller novel is set in and around Grand Station, Illinois, where the 25 year-old Katrina lives and works after being cut off from her parents. As a Korean-American, Katrina is used to being one of the few Asian women in any given situation, and the same is true for her job as a temporary employee for Advancex. Each section of the book begins with a brief description of a stellation: a geometrical process that allows for the type of shape that is one of Katrina's many obsessions. Following the description is an excerpt from Katrina's favorite childhood book, Mi-Hee and the Mirror-Man, which contains the fictional world that Katrina often escapes to, and where she can often see analogues for the real-life people she encounters. Mental health is a big theme here, as is obsession, stalking, fraud, and the perception of reality.

My Verdict: There were more than a few surprises that came from the book, which worked out well for the most part since it is a mystery/suspense thriller. The story contained an appropriate amount of twists and turns. Even the one of Kurt knowing about Katrina was somewhat shocking despite it being included in the synopsis. But one surprise I was not expecting was how difficult it would be to follow Katrina's story as she is the only narrator, and is as unreliable as a narrator can be. Also, the plot moves slower than what I am used to with thrillers, with a lot of information being thrown in at the end, leading to some confusing final pages and a plotline that makes less and less sense. And the big reveal about Katrina's past did not seem worth the build up, even if it did answer many questions from earlier in the novel.

Favorite Moment: It is hard to choose, but I did enjoy whenever Katrina had to acknowledge the obvious (usually regarding how detrimental her obsessions can be), but it was usually after the damage was already done. 

Favorite Character: Katrina's coworker Navya takes some serious risks in order to help Katrina hold onto her job. She certainly does not have to, and doing so could cause real trouble.

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Maid by Nita Prose, which also won the 2022 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Mystery & Thriller. 

Contemporary Fiction: Maame by Jessica George

This year started early in providing me with the delicious problem of having too many intriguing books to choose from. There are simply not enough Fridays in a year for me to cover everything I want to read (which is part of the reason why I published my And all the rest post at the end of last year). I assigned this particular precious Friday to Maame by Jessica George because I was much too curious...I simply had to know more.

The Situation: Maddie Wright, or Maame as her mother likes to call her (which may have many meanings in Twi, but for her purposes, it means 'woman'), does not live a charmed life. Currently, she still lives at home in London and is her father's primary caretaker. Sure, her parents are still married, but her mother spends every other year in Ghana. And Maddie's brother James is always ready with an excuse for why he cannot visit, or cannot take on a responsibility or two. And when it comes to money, they both tend to look to Maddie, even though her own savings is meager, and she was recently fired from the job she kind of hated. When her mother's return to London gives her the opportunity to move out and maybe live her own life, Maddie takes it, hoping she will finally discover who she is meant to be.

The Problem: When Maddie moves out, she is determined to try new things, meet new people, even buy new clothes and maybe eat foods she always stayed away from. Unfortunately, some new people are not worth meeting, and when the worst of tragedies strikes, Maddie has to wonder if carving out of space for herself and her needs is even possible, because the effort certainly does not feel worth it. Sure she has secured a new and seemingly better job, but certain events and instances do not feel right. Bringing any of this up to her mother elicits the most unhelpful of responses, causing Maddie to also examine her unconventional family, and the idea of her own happiness.

Genre, Themes, History: This novel is set in modern-day London, where Maddie lives and works. In her mid-twenties, Maddie shoulders the majority of the responsibility for caring for her father, who has Parkinson's disease, and the wide range of symptoms has affected his memory, mobility, ability to speak, and many other things. Having the opportunity to move out may mean a freedom she has never known, but what follows is a crash course in navigating human interactions as a young black woman. Suddenly Maddie has roommates, and new coworkers, and men are giving her their number. But her mother is still asking for money, her brother is still avoiding responsibility, and Maddie does not know if the sadness she feels is normal.

My Verdict: I will start with a warning that anyone with aging or sick parents will probably feel all of the feels with this book. And while Maddie may be naive, she has also been made to experience some things much sooner than she should have, and with no one around to help her with any of it (leading to some incredibly interesting Google searches). Even though I (thankfully) cannot relate to having an overbearing and demanding mother, Maddie's interactions with her own mother gave me a feeling of resentment on her behalf that I am sure only pales in comparison to the real thing. But each interaction - with her mother, brother, coworkers, roommates, etc. - came from such a real and authentic place, while also not being too overwhelming. There are some heavy topics that are explored here (familial duty, racism, mental health), but it is done with the appropriate sensitivity, and with just the right amount of humor. Truly a wonderful debut.

Favorite Moment: Maddie's growth throughout the novel is very one-day-at-a-time. But seeing her slowly get used to speaking up for herself is truly something I am glad to have witnessed.

Favorite Character: Maddie's roommate Cam is just the right amount of no-nonsense, practical, old-fashioned, and protective. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams. 

Historical Fiction: River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer

It seems 2023 wasted no time bringing out the rich stories that investigate those fascinating and/or important moments in human history that historical fiction lovers seek. For my first new historical fiction novel, I chose River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer, which follows a runaway slave as she travels through the Caribbean on her search for the children she lost.

The Situation: It is August of 1834, and the slaves of the Providence plantation have just learned that they are free...except they cannot leave. Yes, the king has decreed that slavery is now illegal, but the master has announced that the former slaves are now apprentices, for the next six years. Rachel is no stranger to the cruelty of masters and overseers, but even for her, this is too much. So she runs. The desire for freedom - real freedom -  may be what made her leave, but the desire to find the children whose fates she are not sure of is what keeps her going. The journey will at the very least be incredibly dangerous, and possibly even fruitless. But Rachel has to try.

The Problem: Being a runaway, Rachel knows she will always be looking over her shoulder, expecting at almost any moment to be discovered and taken back to Providence, or worse, killed. Even if she is not discovered by someone from her old plantation, there are those who are willing to turn her in for some imagined crime, or carry out their own brand of justice themselves. Also, the journey to find the five children she is looking for - Mary Grace, Micah, Thomas Augustus, Cherry Jane, and Mercy - will be filled with uncertainty. Rachel knows that hope can be a dangerous thing, and yet, she lets it take her from Barbados, to British Guiana, and finally to Trinidad.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in the time just after the Emancipation Act of 1834, which may have declared that slaves like Rachel were free, with many plantation owners simply changing what exactly that 'freedom' means. After Rachel runs away, she will come across all types: Blacks who were born free; many who escaped just as she did; those whose freedom was purchased; a group who have made a life for themselves while hiding in the forest; and of course, some that are still enslaved. Shearer explores the real history of the time immediately following the Emancipation Act, as well as what she was able to learn from her own family history. Rachel's journey is complicated, filled with tension, but also with the potential for unimaginable joy.

My Verdict: This book's description promises a gripping adventure that stems from the desperation of a mother looking for her children, and that is exactly what is delivered. And while Rachel may be desperate, she is also determined, while also being incredibly afraid. All of the traits are there, and they all help move her forward and she learns new information about where her children may be, while also encountering several others who have their own story of what life in the Caribbean has meant for them. What becomes most obvious is how complicated a seemingly simple word like 'freedom' could be for someone like Rachel, as well as how fragmented many families were, and still are, as a result of slavery. Readers looking for a moving adventure, filled with emotion and adversity, but also hope, will enjoy this book.

Favorite Moment: At one point, after learning that one of her children may be deep in the forest of British Guiana, Rachel has the pleasure of standing up to a mean and spiteful bar owner as she quits on him.

Favorite Character: Rachel encounters many wonderful characters during her journey, but my favorite is perhaps a man named Nobody. His story was the most interesting to me, and he proves to be a helpful and kind ally.

Recommended Reading: I recommend last year's Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. 

Nonfiction: The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland

Reading nonfiction often means encountering hard issues and events that are a part of our history. It is one thing to read a horror novel, be scared, and then put the book down and move on. The events in The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World by Jonathan Freedland are very real, and it was not a situation from which those who were involved could simply walk away. Freedland gives a detailed account of a man who did the impossible in World War II, and that was escape Auschwitz with the hope of warning his fellow Jews.

Genre, Themes, History: This book follows the story of Walter Rosenberg, later Rudolf Vrba once he left Auschwitz and needed to adopt a new name for safety purposes. When he was only 19, Walter would escape the concentration camp along with one other trusted friend, a task that many, including the Nazis themselves, had believed was impossible. But while Walter may have been young, and not nearly at his healthiest because of the months of hard labor and harsh living conditions that he had endured, he was also clever, smart, and determined. Earlier escape attempts had served him as harsh lessons about what another failed attempt may mean. However, Walter wanted to not only secure his own freedom, but also warn the world, more specifically the Jews who had not yet been transported away from their homes under the guise of 'resettlement.' He needed them to know that going to Auschwitz almost certainly meant death. And while a good portion of the book deals with life in the camp, and the escape, there is still the task of alerting the world, and being believed.

My Verdict: Hitler's planned and methodical extermination of the Jews in Europe is a tough subject to read about. No matter how well written, or how thoroughly researched the subject may be, there are parts that are simply going to be hard to get through. I applaud the author for doing what is necessary, and that is confronting the subject head on, while presenting what happened through the eyes of Vrba, allowing the reader to learn about the events from someone they have probably never have heard of. And while Vrba's main objective seemed straight-forward enough - escape Auschwitz, warn the world, prevent more death - Freedland explains why things were not that simple, clearly having done the research into how everything happened, or did not happen, as it did. I have always had a personal fascination with the financial aspect of it all, and how interested the Nazi's were in taking everything from the Jews, because simply being rid of them was not enough. Even this is thoroughly explored and explained.

Favorite Moment: Vrba had the ability, or maybe simply the utter determination, to remember the smallest details about his life at the concentration camp if he felt the detail would later be useful to whoever he would report to after he escaped.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Solito by Javier Zamora, another nonfiction read covering a difficult subject, that follows a small boy on a seemingly impossible journey. 

Contemporary Fiction: The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton

When searching for new books to explore for the early part of 2023, I came across The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton, a story that explores a future where the state of Florida is slowly (but surely) sinking below the ever-rising water. It is the kind of premise that always fascinates me, one that seeks to answer a seemingly impossible question about changing weather, and what it would be like to live where land no longer exists.

The Situation: The day that Wanda is born is the same day one of the worst hurricanes in Florida's history makes landfall, but her mother decides to name her daughter after the storm. As a small child, Wanda is smart, curious, brave, but also an outcast. The people of Rudder still remember the storm she was named after, and it seems to follow her around almost like a curse. It is on one fateful day when she defies her father and rides to the Edge that she discovers something else that may have been given to her when she was born. Something that seems to connect her even more to the water that covers a little more land every year, slowly promising to change the way everyone lives.

The Problem: While Miami is the first to be evacuated, it is clear that the rest of Florida, as well as other parts of the country, is in trouble too. But Wanda's father, Kirby, refuses to leave. Instead, he continues to do the work he has always done as a lineman, even though he and his dwindling crew can no longer restore electricity fast enough. The city is running out of money, people are quickly moving to other more inhabitable cities in the country, and the water keeps rising along with the temperatures. As Wanda gets older, the earth continues to change, and she has to adapt along with it, eventually leaning into the curious ability that has always connected her to the water.

Genre, Themes, History: This book is a work of fiction, set in the real state of Florida, but the town of Rudder is fictional. In a not too distant future, hurricane Wanda causes an incredible amount of devastation to the Florida coast, something the residents are reminded of every time they see the little girl who was named after the storm. The reader follows Wanda as she grows up, and the book explores a future where climate change causes Florida to disappear under the water, but the rest of the country will have its own issues, and eventually, as the years move on, no one place will be as it was. Some move on, while others have prepared to stay behind, and there are the near constant questions of what comes next? Is it worth staying? Will moving away solve anything?

My Verdict: The fear and anxiety that takes over a community when a major natural disaster is heading their way can be felt from the first page of this book. And it is not only the imminent arrival of hurricane Wanda that causes it. The family dynamic between Kirby, his new wife, and his sons adds to the tension. And when the storm finally hits, it brings the devastation we would expect, but also a few surprises. This is the tension that the story will hold for all of its 300+ pages, exploring a possible future where climate change works both slowly and quickly. I admire the storytelling, and I enjoyed having the narrator shift focus onto different characters with each new chapter. Parts of it felt like an outright indictment of the way things are handled now, with no amount of uncertainty as to what the effects will be. It will certainly cause readers to think about what is happening around us, and what our future could look like.

Favorite Moment: At first, Wanda was not excited about having to spend her afternoons with Phyllis. But when she realizes those afternoons will be spent exploring and learning with the retired biology instructor, it becomes her favorite part of the day.

Favorite Character: Phyllis is a survivalist who saw all of this coming, but the reality of it does not give her any real satisfaction, even though she was right. The lessons she gives Wanda will help the girl throughout her life.

Recommended Reading: Certain aspects of this book remind of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, and the mass amounts of people who were leaving the land they always lived on for (literal) greener pastures. I also recommend The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez.