Historical Fiction: Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xóchitl González

Two years ago, readers enjoyed Xóchitl González's Olga Dies Dreaming, and her new follow-up focuses on the art world, splitting the narrative between the events surrounding the death of Anita de Monte in 1985, and the experiences of art student Raquel Toro in 1998.

The Situation: It is 1985 in New York City, and the relationship between Anita de Monte and her husband Jack Martin has been volatile and explosive for years, and yet they have stayed together. While both of them are artists, Jack has a long history of being revered for his sculptures. Anita has certainly garnered her own amount of attention through her work, but her ability to cultivate her own career seems to only add fuel the fire the always burns around her and her husband. In 1998, art student Raquel has learned all about Jack Martin while attending Brown University. And when she begins to date a young artist on the rise, the world she already carefully navigated as one of the few art students of color at the university becomes even more of a puzzle. 

The Problem: When Anita is found dead back in 1985, it was the only thing everyone was talking about. But by 1998, she has been all but forgotten. Jack even stood trial for her murder, another detail that seems to have been forgotten by history, as only his work and legacy is ever discussed in galleries, and in the classroom. As Raquel prepares for her fourth and final year of college, and her prestigious internship in the summer before, she finds herself questioning her own place in the art world. She may be dating one of the artists of the moment, allowing her access to parties and events she would have never considered before, but she does not exactly feel welcome...more like tolerated. And does the man she is with accept her as herself? Or as another piece of art to form to his liking?

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction book that is set mostly in 1985 New York City, and 1998 Providence, Rhode Island. Anita knows exactly what it means to be a Cuban-born artist attempting to carve her own space in the art world in the U.S. Being married to the great Jack Martin certainly has its perks, but Anita is not riding his coattails, and manages to secure her own opportunities apart from him. Had her life not been cut short, would she still be remembered? Would art students like Raquel be able to learn about her work from a textbook? Instead of finding out about her nearly by accident? Raquel knows by experience that students who look like her must work twice as hard, and when they are rewarded, the event is surrounded by resentment, and suspicion of affirmative action. With a little bit of magical realism, Anita and Raquel's stories come together in an exploration of art and identity. 

My Verdict: This book is intense, sometimes heavy, often frustrating, but most of all, fun. Both Anita and Raquel are not without their flaws - Anita admits as much - but they are both interesting protagonists that are also pretty different from each other. I found myself fully involved in both of their stories, eager to see how it all came together, and being not at all disappointed. And the discussion of the struggle for non-white artists to be accepted and praised in the same was as someone like Jack Martin is an honest one that does not shy away from the truth. The fight to not change who you are, but also fit into a world that is not used to someone like you being there, is explored well and expertly handled.

Favorite Moment: There is a moment when Raquel's surprise and rage causes her to do something that she frankly should have done weeks before, and the moment feels perfect.

Favorite Character: Despite her faults and blind spots, I adore Raquel and enjoyed her journey. The college years that approach graduation and cause a person to really consider what comes next are terrifying for many, but Raquel does it. She faces the hard questions and (eventually) figures it out for herself.

Recommended Reading: Olga Dies Dreaming is a different kind of book, but full of the same kind of well-described settings and fully formed characters facing relatable and real hardships.

Young Adult Fiction: Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Lovers of the dark academic aesthetic, do I have a book for you. Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is set in a sufficiently creepy boarding school in England, complete with buildings named after famous scientists, hidden tunnels, and even more hidden secrets. When a new student finds herself immediately at the center of a school mystery, she realizes that her attempt at starting over may have been ill-conceived, and more difficult than confronting her own past.

The Situation: After a life of being homeschooled in the house of her controlling and overprotective father, Sade Hussein is now attending the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy, a boarding school where she will be starting as a third year. Since the school year has already begun by the time Sade arrives, she has to play catch up, and fast. But first, a whirlwind tour of the school grounds courtesy of her new roommate, Elizabeth. After also meeting Elizabeth's best friend, Baz, Sade is soon confronted with the reality that she may be able to make friends of her own at this place, something she has never really had. Bad omens and luck have had a nasty habit of following Sade around, but despite Elizabeth's strange behavior, Sade is ready to make the most of her new, intimidating school.

The Problem: When Elizabeth goes missing, all eyes are on the new roommate, Sade. Fortunately (unfortunately?) for her, this also includes the attention of a group of three popular girls Baz has referred to as the Unholy Trinity. Juliette, Persephone, and their leader April now see Sade as someone worthy of their attention, which means she now has access to their regular table at lunch, and infamous invite only parties on the school grounds. Despite all of the new experiences and information coming at her - not to mention the schoolwork - Sade stays determined to help Baz uncover what happened to Elizabeth. But then a student is found dead, and now things at Alfred Noble Academy have gone from intense to deadly. And Sade knows from experience that this is all only the beginning.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in a boarding school in modern-day England. With a third person limited perspective, the focus is mostly on Sade and her experience at Alfred Noble. Thankfully, she has Elizabeth as her introduction and guide to the school in the beginning, and then Baz afterwards. While Àbíké-Íyímídé clarifies that Sade is not meant to be a direct representation of herself and her experiences, she does acknowledge that this story is personal on some level, as she relates to much of what Sade is going through. There is grief, trauma, oppression, and a desperate need for justice, which may never come, along with a mystery that gets more intricate and intriguing as it goes.

My Verdict: This one will make mystery lovers so happy...like beyond happy. A missing student, a dead student, an old boarding school with a list of secrets as long as its history, and an intriguing protagonist who is a mystery in her own way...there is so much here it is almost too much, but the story manages to pull back at just the right times to give the reader room to breathe and come to terms with what is happening. And while the vast array of characters may sometimes make things confusing, every introduction has a pay off, as everyone Sade meets has a part to play in what is happening. Even readers who simply enjoy a good puzzle or a code to crack will have fun with this one.

Favorite Moment: At one point, Sade is able to boldly walk away from a student who is clearly used to always getting their way.

Favorite Character: Elizabeth's best friend Baz is a bit of a mess. Unfocused, unobservant, and somewhat chaotic, Baz is the guy who keeps an illegal pet guinea pig in his room. But he wants to find out what happened to his friend, and stays committed to the cause through every setback.

Recommended Reading: Tiffany D. Jackson's Monday's Not Coming will also keep readers guessing until the end.

Contemporary Fiction: Acts of Forgiveness by Maura Cheeks

As is often the case with me and new books, it is the question the story attempts to answer that drew me in. Acts of Forgiveness by Maura Cheeks explores what it would look like for the U.S. government to propose awarding reparations to descendants of slaves, and I had to see such a scenario play out, even if it is a fictional one.

The Situation: Willie Revel believes wholeheartedly that the Forgiveness Act will pass, but she may be the only one in her family with any faith that President Elizabeth Johnson can actually make it happen. After attending school for journalism and enjoying a brief career in New York, Willie returned home to Philadelphia to help her father run the construction business, which is now in trouble. There are plenty of opponents to the Forgiveness Act, a bill that would make it possible for Black families to be awarded up $175,000 in reparations for slavery, including the owner of a company who may be able to help save the Revel family's business by awarding them a lucrative contract. Willie is doing her best to remain optimistic, despite real opposition, even in her own family.

The Problem: Even as a young girl, Willie has always been curious to know more about her family's history. But her mother was adopted, and does not know much about her birth parents. Her father does not trust the government, and her grandfather has never been interested in talking about the past. Questions of family history and legacy are also a problem for Willie's daughter, Paloma, who has never met her father, and Willie is afraid to admit to her own lack of basic knowledge about the man. The Forgiveness Act brings up painful memories from the past; resentment and bitterness in its opponents; and questions of what forgiveness really means, and will it ever be enough.

Genre, Themes, History: This book is mostly set in and around Philadelphia, with a few key scenes taking place in New York, and in both Jackson and Natchez, Mississippi. Cheeks asks the question of what it would look like if Black families were awarded reparations. How would people react? What would be required? Would it be worth the trouble? Would it change anything? Within Willie's own family there are detractors and cynics, while opponents of the bill take to the streets and protest. These protestors are an extension of something Willie has experienced her whole life as a reaction to her family's success. And now Willie is holding out hope for the money to come in and save the family business she never really wanted to run.

My Verdict: The ideas and issues presented in this book are of course thought provoking. Forgiveness in and of itself can be a complicated thing, and when applied to centuries of injustice and oppression, it is not necessarily something that can be assigned a monetary value. The author carefully conveys just how complex this topic is by portraying an interesting, engaging, and often surprising narrative, that attempts to explore all areas of the topic, and what would follow if something like the Forgiveness Act were to be proposed. While not all elements of the story structure worked for me, and one of the more interesting plot points of the book feels as if it was ended abruptly, I appreciated the exploration of the idea of people being upset over someone else's success, as well a look at what happens when people mistakenly replace hope with expectation.

Favorite Moment: Perhaps it is my love of research (some aspects of it) and learning, but I adored the scene in which Willie is attending a local course on genealogy, meant to assist Black people with locating family records.

Favorite Character: Willie's grandfather Marcus may be prickly and more than a little salty, but he has his reasons. He is also able to relent and compromise when he is supposed to, and puts his foot down when he must.  

Recommended Reading: The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb is more of a mystery, as a young Black man must search for a missing priceless violin, while also attempting to prove he is the rightful owner.

Historical Fiction: The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan

The one line description of the debut novel from Vanessa Chan would simply be a story about the Japanese occupation of Malaysia during World War II, as told from the perspective of four family members. That is what readers will encounter in The Storm We Made, which tells the story from just before the Japanese defeated the British, until just after they themselves were defeated when the British returned.

The Situation: It is 1945, and Cecily is convinced that everything is her fault. She believes - or rather knows - that she is the reason the Japanese are here. She is the reason things are worse than they were before. And she is the reason her family is falling apart. In the before, Cecily and her family had enough food to eat. Her husband had a more than decent job in the public works department. Her oldest, Jujube, was serious and studious, while her son, Abel, was growing up to be a strong young man. Life was good, but it was not enough, which is why Cecily took the risk to continue meeting up with the man who went by the alias of 'Bingley Chan.' They were supposed to help bring Malaysia into a brighter future, together, but almost nothing happened the way it was supposed to.

The Problem: Once the Japanese defeated the British and took over the country, it became clear to everyone almost immediately that things were not going be better, and perhaps no one felt this realization more painfully than Cecily. Now her husband is sick; Jujube must work in a tea shop in order to bring in money; Abel is in danger; and young Jasmine must be hidden from those that are taking little girls away from their families. Cecily's own mood and behavior changes drastically over time. Sometimes she cannot speak or be around people as she confronts the guilt over her own part in making this horror happen. But she is determined to save everyone, while also never letting them know the truth.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that primarily focuses on the time period of 1941-1945, during the Japanese occupation of Malaysia. With four narrators - Cecily, Jujube, Abel, and Jasmin - only Cecily's chapters occasionally take place in the years leading up to the moment when the Japanese defeat the British and take over the area. Each narrator highlights a different aspect of the occupation, but the mention of food rations, brutal treatment, curfews, and news via gossip remain a near constant. With the majority of the action taking place in August of 1945, closer to the end of the occupation, tensions are high, as is the level of despair.

My Verdict: In a brief letter to the reader at the beginning of the book, Chan acknowledges that the book deals with a time in history that her older family members do not like to talk about, but still needs to be remembered. These stories confront the legacy of colonization, toxic relationships, friendships born out of hardship, and the pain in confronting your own participation in creating (or continuing) something awful. While beautifully written, it is incredibly powerful and haunting. Chan does not shy away from the terrible reality of what happened, but the story is still approached with a sensitivity and gentleness that invites the reader to keep turning the page. 

Favorite Moment: Jujube must decide what kind of person she wants to be after all of the tragedy she has suffered through. It is not an easy decision given what has happened, but she makes it.

Favorite Character: Jasmin is only eight years old, and does not completely understand everything that is happening around her. All she wants is to make people happy, and see her family smile again.

Recommended Reading: Another recent publication that deals with the horrors of war is Kristin Hannah's The Women.  

Nonfiction: Madness by Antonia Hylton

The full title of Antonia Hylton's book is Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum. In a little more than 300 pages, Hylton explores the history of the Crownsville Hospital in Maryland, which first opened in 1911 with a specific focus on the Negro Insane. Her investigation and findings will cover the hospital's entire lifespan, with crucial insights from former patients and staff.

Genre, Themes, History: This nonfiction book is a thorough look at what was originally known as the Hospital for the Negro Insane of Maryland, but referred throughout the book simply as Crownsville. Beginning in 1911 when 12 Black men were sent to work building the hospital, alongside the first superintendent Dr. Robert Winterode, Hylton carefully moves through history, exploring the hospital's early years through World War I; the struggle for integration of both the staff and the patients; through the tumultuous Civil Rights era of the 1960s and 70s; and ultimately to its slow decline in patient numbers before its seemingly inevitable closing in 2004. It is a complicated history centered on race, politics, and the changing attitudes on mental health, as well as a look at the history of Maryland, specifically the Baltimore area. 

My Verdict: Taking on a book that deals with the topic of the history of mental health care in this country is no small thing, even if the ultimate focus is one specific hospital such as Crownsville. The memories of the terrible conditions, brutal treatment, and overcrowding are not fun to confront. Adding race and discrimination to the narrative only complicates matters, but Hylton tackled all of it, and provided readers with an absorbing presentation of the history of Crownsville. The amount of research that had to be done is nearly unimaginable, and getting people to talk about such a thing is daunting enough to cause many journalists to pick an easier topic. But Hylton does not shy away from any of it, and the information presented is well-organized, informative, and important to remember and know given the current state of affairs regarding both mental health and race.

Favorite Moment: There is one scene where some of the staff are watching an outdated instructional video on how best to restrain a patient, but the example given does not at all match the reality of what it is like to restrain an agitated human being, and is therefore not at all useful. 

Recommended Reading: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride is a work of fiction that is not necessarily about mental health or institutions, but I was reminded of certain scenes in the latter half of the book while reading Madness. I also recommend When Crack Was King by Donovan X. Ramsey. 

Science Fiction: Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino

While it is not the first science fiction book to be covered in 2024, Marie-Helene Bertino's Beautyland is the first book to be covered on DSN that was published in the new year. I was drawn to the idea of a seemingly ordinary person being tasked with reporting their observations to another civilization somewhere far out in space, while living out their life here on Earth. What kind of observations would they make? And would whoever they are reporting to find them interesting, or even care? 

The Situation: Adina Giorno is born on the same day that Voyager 1 is launched in early September of 1977. Though the birth almost kills her mother, both of them make it through safely, and continue their lives as best they can in Philadelphia. Adina understands that she is different, even without the observations of the people around her telling her so. She is somehow aware of life on a distant planet, but when a fax machine appears, she is able to tell them everything she observes about human beings and how they operate. The communication is not one way, but the responses she does receive are short, and somewhat unhelpful. In this way, Adina will continue to live her life, and report as much as she can, while understanding little of it.

The Problem: Growing up as the only child of a single mother in the heart of Philadelphia would be hard enough without also being an extraterrestrial. Fitting in is difficult, and while Adina knows she is not like her classmates and the people she is growing up around, it does not change her desire to belong. As she moves from childhood to adolescence to adulthood, the human experience continues to confuse and astound her, and soon, simply sharing her findings with the beings back home is not enough. Are there others like her here on Earth? And how would human beings react if they were to know the truth? Would they even believe it?

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set mostly in Philadelphia and New York City, and beginning in 1977 when Adina is born. As the story progresses and Adina grows up, the passing years are marked by important moments in history and what Adina observes as the humans' react to them, as opposed to actual dates. There are no chapters necessarily, but the book is divided up into five sections, with the narrative in those sections broken up and divided in small chunks, most of which are less than a page long. Even though she is not human, Adina experiences the very real human emotions of love, joy, the need to fit in and be accepted, sorrow, disappointment, despair, and grief. The book answers the question of what would a being from another planet think about the way we live here on Earth?

My Verdict: This book fits into the science fiction category simply because Adina is not of this Earth, but has been tasked with reporting on what she observes as she grows up around humans. Other than her communications with the beings on her home planet, her experience is not too different from what most experience living in North America. The character of Adina is making observations about humans that she finds interesting or confusing, but while she is making them as someone of a different species, they entail many things that human beings have wondered about themselves. For me, I related intensely to her observations of how humans communicate with each other, endlessly saying one thing while meaning another. It is an original look at the human experience that both critiques it, and asks honest questions about it.

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* Adina loses out on an acting scholarship for college to another student, who them ends up becoming a lawyer, and not an actor...because of course she does. 

Favorite Character: While Adina may not quite understand it herself, I can see why her strangeness and aloof nature would draw some people in. Her inability to understand most human behaviors causes her to meet most interactions with a refreshing honesty and unintentional humor.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Erin Swan's Walk the Vanished Earth, though it is a very different type of science fiction novel that looks at a possible future for Earth as human beings race to find an alternative, while life on the planet becomes more difficult.  

Historical Fiction: The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

Honestly, how could I bypass a book with a title like today's pick? The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James was listed in the new releases in January on Goodreads, and I simply had to know more. The fact that it is also set in and around south Texas and Mexico, and deals with future generations being made to pay for crimes of the past, caused me to pick it up and actually read it, in the hopes that at the very least I would find a good adventure.

The Situation: It is 1964 in Mexico, and Jaime Sonoro has enjoyed incredible success and fortune as one of the country's most famous actors and singers. Things seem to take an ominous turn when two things find their way into Jaime's life: one a book, another a person. Despite warnings from his father, Jaime begins reading the mysterious book, which tells the story of Antonio Sonoro, the man known as El Tragabalas, The Bullet Swallower. In 1865, Antonio set out on an ill-fated trip to Houston, Texas to rob a train, promising his dubious wife that he will return with wealth and riches. But when the adventure turns deadly, Antonio's new mission becomes one of revenge.

The Problem: Unbeknownst to Antonio, he was born with a debt to pay, as generations of Sonoros had been ruthless and greedy, often taking what is not theirs, and making those around them pay when they demanded more. When a strange man called Remedio enters Jaime's life in 1964, it soon becomes clear that he may not simply be a kind older man with a gift for healing. The more Jaime reads of Antonio's life, the more he feels that things are not as they should be, and that something has gone wrong. Even so, Antonio's story full of murder, theft, and intense revenge against the three men that turned him into The Bullet Swallower draws Jaime in. And it is soon clear that the book found its way to Jaime for a reason, linking the fate of the two Sonoros men.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set mostly in 1865 in both south Texas and Mexico, but also in 1964 in Mexico. In 1865, Antonio Sonoro leaves to rob a train, but instead nearly dies twice, ends up roaming the land looking for revenge against three Texas Rangers, and earns a reputation as a dangerous bandit. In 1964, Jaime learns of the history of Antonio Sonoro, The Bullet Swallower, for the first time, and begins to see a link between the two of them. Antonio's story is a picture of life and politics along the Texas/Mexico border in the mid-1800s, while Jaime and his father must wrestle with the idea of generational trauma, and how one generation could be held responsible for the sins of the past.

My Verdict: Well, I wanted an adventure, and I certainly got one. Antonio roams all over south Texas in an effort to find the three men he wants desperately to kill, and it is not a quiet or generally peaceful journey as he attempts to hunt them down. There is trouble at every small town; almost every encounter with every group of people, no matter how big or small, ends badly; and despite how very wrong the trip had gone from the start, Antonio is undeterred. The link between Jamie and Antonio is revealed slowly and carefully, as is the fate of each. It is not easy to get readers to extend grace towards selfish and unlikable characters, even if they are the protagonist, so some may struggle to follow Antonio's journey and understand his choices, while also enjoying the story.

Favorite Moment: This book is full of stubborn characters. These are people who see the obvious danger in their choices, but forge ahead anyways, only to often be surprised when things go wrong. Given how awful some of these people are, I thoroughly enjoyed when things did inevitably go wrong. 

Favorite Character: Hugo, Antonio's brother, does his best to get Antonio to abandon the train robbing mission and return to his loving wife and family, and it only earns him insults and derision.

Recommended Reading: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is a very different type of historical fiction novel, set in the 1930s when people were leaving the Texas/Oklahoma region for what they believed to be a better future in California.

Young Adult Fiction: Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat

We are in the second week of the third month of 2024, and I have finally managed to get a new (published this year) young adult novel onto the blog. I was excited to pick up Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat and dive right in. From the fun cover to the interesting premise, I knew I would at least be thoroughly entertained by whatever was to be found on the pages.

The Situation: It is Arya Khanna's senior year of high school, and the fall semester will prove to be both busy and exhausting. It is one thing to worry about college applications and early admission decisions, and quite another to do so while serving as vice president of the student council. Add to it that Arya's sister, Alina, has returned home to get married, and maid-of-honor duties can now also be added to the ambitious senior's list of responsibilities. While the wedding planning is generally fun and something to look forward to, what Arya would love to avoid are the tense feelings between Alina and their mother, a side-effect from when Alina left three years ago. Sure, Arya has her own feelings of resentment towards her older sister, but she would love to push those aside as well.

The Problem: Attempting to mediate between her sister and her mother quickly grows tiring, and her own feelings of being neglected due to her sister's actions become harder to ignore. It also does not help that Arya's relationship with her best friend seems to be fracturing, leaving her with one less person to talk to about the wedding, college essays, and the boy she lost the student council presidency to, Dean Merriweather. Losing by only six votes certainly stings, but losing to someone who is known to tease her, and now likes to refer to her as his 'assistant' as opposed to the more appropriate 'second-in-command' only makes Arya's mood worse. It may take a few hard realizations and tough conversations before Arya is able to mend relationships, and get the happy Bollywood ending she has always seen on the screen.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in and around Boston, and, according to the book jacket, is structured much like a Bollywood film, complete with an entertaining intermission. High school senior Arya has a lot going on. There is school, extra-curriculars, college applications, as well as drama at home as her sister returns for her wedding. Arya must navigate the interactions between her mother and sister, while also dealing with her own resentment over the situation. Readers should be prepared to learn all about shaadi (wedding) preparations, as well as various Indian foods. I admit to getting both hungry and thirsty while reading this book, as Arya makes many visits to local coffee shops and bakeries, while also eating the cooking at home and the catering at various events. 

My Verdict: Hopefully, without being too dramatic about it, I would describe this book as absolute joy on the page. This is not to say that there are no hard truths to be confronted here. There is resentment, anger, guilt, even fear that a parent may be dealing with mental health issues, and not knowing what to do about that. Arya also has the painful prospect of facing what effects her own actions and decisions had on her relationships. And then there is the general stress that is senior year of high school. But Avachat manages to inject moments of pure fun and light, and not all of them center around the planning for the shaadi. Small moments at a coffee shop, or bakery, or while looking at jewelry, or even at Arya's part-time job at a bookstore, all round out this delightful and gratifying book.

Favorite Moment: I love coffee shops, and I love book stores. This book has the protagonist spending an inordinate amount of time in both of these places and it made me so happy.

Favorite Character: There are a few good options here, but Arya's fellow student council member, Emilia, is a wonderful addition to Arya's small circle of friends, right when she needs one most.

Recommended Reading: I recommend both Radha & Jai's Recipe for Romance by Nisha Sharma, and Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon.

Contemporary Fiction: Family Family by Laurie Frankel

At the start of each month, I look through the list of new releases that are scheduled to come out for the month and start placing the books I am interested in on the blog calendar. The only real issue with this system is that it would be impossible for me to not only read every book I am curious about, but also impossible for me to make space for a post on each of them. Laurie Frankel's Family Family is one of those that decided I would make space for, even removing another book from the schedule in favor of it. I could tell from the book jacket that this would be a complicated story, maybe even a little messy, but one full of humor and imagination.

The Situation: India Allwood is a TV star who recently made her film debut. She always knew she wanted to be an actor, but was always drawn more to stage acting, even musicals, though she cannot sing. Even so, when she was offered the lead on a new superhero TV show, she took it, knowing that the stability of the steady work would make it possible for her to fulfill another dream of adopting a child. Two actually: twins Jack and Fig. India navigates her career and single motherhood while dodging the paparazzi, and everything seems to be going well until she decides to be honest about her new movie. And then they get worse when one of her kids decides to try to be helpful.

The Problem: Naturally, people are upset when India says the movie is bad. Certainly her agent is upset, as are the people who made the movie. But for India, the movie tells the same old story about how adoption is surrounded by tragedy and loss, when she knows that is not always the case. India's ten year-old daughter, Fig, is not allowed on social media, and she has to share a cell phone with her brother Jack. Despite these restrictions, she manages to find and locate key people from her mother's past, hoping that they can help get her mother's message across. Instead, things spiral out of control, and various groups and protesters from all sides of the issue are camped out on her front lawn along with the paparazzi. And when Fig's reinforcements arrive, the real truth about India's family comes out.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel that tells the story of India Allwood, a woman who has always wanted to be an actor, loves her kids, cannot sing, and carries around torn up index cards in her pocket in case there is ever an occasion to throw them in the air as confetti for a celebration. When the book begins, India lives in Los Angeles with her two adoptive kids and just starred in a movie about adoption. When she admits that it is a bad movie, she is suddenly at the center of a media firestorm, with the topic of adoption and her history with it at the center. In between chapters with India's current life as the focus are chapters that move through her past. And while her career has always been her focus, so has family, and just how complicated having one can be.

My Verdict: I feel like this is going to be one of those books I will wish more people read and talked about. Sure, it looks at the subject of adoption from nearly every angle, and makes the important point that it is not all tragedy and loss and sacrifice, but there is also a lot of joy involved, which is often missed in media. But while making this point, the book also tells a great story, and a funny one. Things spiral out of control for India in the best way, and I admit to laughing out loud at several points in the story, either because of something someone said, or because of the situation. I think this book will surprise a lot of people, should they decide to read it. 

Favorite Moment: After arriving at college, India is dismayed to learn that the next stage production will be by a playwright she has never even heard of, and as someone who likes to over prepare before an audition, she is upset to realize that everything she had learned so far would not help her here. But this is until her mother makes her realize that what she has learned so far can absolutely help her here, so India sets to work doing her best and most thorough research, in the only way that she can. It made my college administrator heart so happy to see a student working so hard for something they want to do.

Favorite Character: There are plenty to choose from here, but I pick India's mother. As an immigration lawyer, and a single mother, Sarah Allwood does not have time to sugarcoat much for her daughter. So she carefully and intelligently dismantles all of her daughter's arguments, but with care and grace, and also, a little bit of brutality. 

Recommended Reading: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer was nominated for the 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Fiction, and for good reason. 

Nonfiction: Into Siberia by Gregory J. Wallance

It felt more than appropriate to read Gregory J. Wallance's Into Siberia: George Kennan's Epic Journey Through the Brutal, Frozen Heart of Russia when I did, which was during a hard freeze in my area back in mid-January. Granted, the temperatures and conditions I dealt with are nothing close to what is talked about in the book. Not only does the book describe harsh weather conditions, but it takes a close look at Russia's exile system as it existed in the late 19th century.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book that centers around the life of journalist and explorer George Kennan, a man who would come to devote his life to enlightening Americans about the brutality of Russia's exile system. As a young man, Kennan sought out adventure, and would eventually journey through Siberia for the first time at the young age of 20, as part of a group exploring a possible route for a telegraph line. Kennan travel throughout the frozen region two more times in his life, the last of which is the primary subject of the book. During his exile investigation in 1885, Kennan would encounter harsh weather conditions, but also the realities of a system that he had formerly defended to the American people, and even have a meeting with literary legend Leo Tolstoy. His new views on the issue would become the subject of many articles and lectures that would aid in the unraveling of the formerly friendly relationship between the U.S. and Russia.

My Verdict: This book not only delivers on the promise of detailing Kennan's adventures through Siberia, but it also adds much more in the way of historical context, such as the political and social climate of post-Civil War America, and why the American people would be so ready to take up the cause of Russian exiles half-way around the world. There is the first layer, with plenty of mention of snow storms, lack of food, illness, and even injury. Then there is the second layer of the atrocious treatment of the Russian exiles. And then there is the last layer, where Wallance acknowledges the issues that our own country was dealing with at the time. Many may know about the Russian Revolution, as well as Russia's part in World Wars I and II, and the Cold War. But many will be interested to learn about Kennan's findings and how his discoveries would effect U.S./Russian relations.

Favorite Moment: I appreciated the inclusion of several pictures that were sketched by artist George Frost, as he accompanied Kennan on his exile investigation.

Recommended Reading: Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys is a young adult novel that follows a young girl and her family as they are exiled to Siberia during World War II. Also, for lovers of the classics, I recommend Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky.  

Historical Fiction: The Women by Kristin Hannah

Readers are rejoicing as author Kristin Hannah returns with another historical fiction book, this time focused on the Vietnam War, and more specifically, the women who served. The decision to read The Women came easily, and having read three of Hannah's other novels, I knew to expect nothing less than an engaging story stacked with fully-realized characters.

The Situation: It is 1966 when 21 year-old Frances 'Frankie' McGrath hears four words that had never been said to her before: "Women can be heroes." At her brother's going away party before he is sent off to fight in Vietnam, Frankie stands in her father's office, looking at his "Hero's Wall," and makes the decision to put her newly acquired nursing degree to use in the war. Her parents may not agree with her decision, but Frankie stays resolved, and after excelling in basic training, Frankie lands in Vietnam, greeted by the noise, smells, and near-constant chaos that is life as a nurse in an area that is often under attack. Frankie realizes that her nursing degree did not quite prepare her for this, but she must catch up and learn quickly.

The Problem: As trying as serving in Vietnam is, it is only the beginning of Frankie's story. After coming face-to-face with missing limbs, unimaginable burn scars, and bullet wounds that make her faint, as well as sick and wounded Vietnamese, many of them children, Frankie comes home to hostility and anger. Her parents are still upset with her for deciding to serve, but it seems the rest of the country is as well. When she is not experiencing outright hostility, then she is ignored, with her own fellow servicemen declaring "There were no women in 'Nam." For Frankie, the fighting does not stop when she returns home, and there may be no returning to the person she was before.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that focuses on the Vietnam War, beginning in 1966, and continuing through 1982. The first part details Frankie's time as a nurse in Vietnam, after she decides to sign up and follow her brother's example. The second part involves Frankie's return home after serving for two years, and the less than welcoming greeting she receives from the public, including her own family. For many, Frankie was part of the war that America wanted to forget. After witnessing incredible horrors over seas, Frankie returns to protests and resentment, as well as a lack of resources for women like her who served. Her struggle to return to some sort of normalcy is exactly that: a struggle. And there are moments when it looks like she may not make it.

My Verdict: This is the fourth book I have read by Hannah, and so far she has taken me through France in World War II; the darkness of the Alaskan winters in the 1970s; the Dust Bowl of the 1930s; and now the Vietnam War. This book is an incredible account of one woman's noble, and also naive, decision to serve her country, and everything that came from that decision. The descriptions of Frankie's time in Vietnam are vivid and often disturbing, while not being unnecessarily gruesome, and the hurt and anger she feels when she is pushed aside upon returning will resonate with anyone whose contributions and sacrifices for a cause have been forgotten, especially women. Hannah mentions in the author's note that this was a labor of love, and I am certainly glad she decided to stick with it.

Favorite Moment: For some reason, I appreciated the descriptions of Frankie's living quarters when she was in Vietnam. I have been overseas many times, and it is amazing how quickly someone can get over a less than ideal living situation when there is work to do.

Favorite Character: Barb is another nurse who serves in Vietnam with Frankie, and the two remain good friends even after returning home. Barb shows up for Frankie and helps her through nearly every major crisis, despite living across the country and taking a different path after serving.

Recommended Reading: Of the four novels I have read by Hannah, I still think the best is The Nightingale, but my favorite is The Four Winds.

Historical Fiction: The Wildest Sun by Asha Lemmie

The decision to read Asha Lemmie's second novel, The Wildest Sun, was not an easy one, despite having read her first novel, Fifty Words for Rain, when it came out back in 2020. Ultimately, the premise proved to be too intriguing for me to pass it up: A young girl decides to embark on a journey to find her father, whom she believes to be none other that Ernest Hemingway.

The Situation: Delphine Auber loves Paris, her hometown for all of your young life. She loves it even more now that the war is over and the Nazis have been defeated. But when tragedy strikes, she finds herself fleeing to New York to stay with friends, Blue and Delia, while also believing this may the opportunity for her to find the man her mother always said was her father: Ernest Hemingway. Delphine clings to the idea that Hemingway is her father - despite the doubts of those around her - almost as much as she clings to her dream of becoming a writer. And while Hemingway may be a well-known literary figure who is not too difficult to track down, the journey will take her years, and to places she never thought she would visit.

The Problem: Looking for Ernest Hemingway may be the goal, but staying away from Paris is also part of the plan, as Delphine believes she can never go back, not after what happened. And even though she finds safety and comfort with old friends of her mother's in New York, it is not long before Delphine finds herself in another difficult situation with a new friend. When she hears that Hemingway is in Havana, Cuba, she makes her way down there, determined to find him, not knowing that the Cuban Revolution is only a few years away. Regardless, Delphine is willing to take the risk to find the man she has idolized since childhood, the man she believes holds the answers to who she truly is.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in various locations, beginning in 1945, and ending 1964. Delphine's adventure will take her from her hometown of Paris, to a family friend's home in New York, to Havana, and then to Key West, Florida. Delphine's focus is devoted to two things: finding literary legend Ernest Hemingway, whom she believes to be her father, and becoming a writer herself. Throughout her story are letters to and from another family friend who remains in Paris, Louise, who is a nun that Delphine's mother had always trusted. Louise attempts to bring Delphine back home, and also closer to God, but the protagonist resists both options, holding onto the stubbornness that has both served her well, and also gotten her in trouble.

My Verdict: Characters that travel to various locations throughout their lives always appeal to me, for whatever reason. It could simply be because I also love to travel, or because having characters in different settings allows for different experiences with different types of people. And in this book, it was easy to justify Delphine's traveling, even to somewhere like pre-revolution Cuba, because she is literally searching for Ernest Hemingway. I admit to being dubious about this part of the story and how believable it would be, but it works out well, and Lemmie does not rely on it to carry the entire novel, even though it is Delphine's main motivation. There are some details that caused the narrative to feel a little clumsy in places, but overall it is an interesting and enjoyable story.

Favorite Moment: I love food, and I love to cook. The brief mention of Delia's southern cooking and how it was adding pounds to Delphine's body made me so unreasonably happy. 

Favorite Character: It would be a tie between Delia and Louise. Both are doing their best to help Delphine, riding the line between being encouraging, but also honest and realistic.

Recommended Reading: I recommend On a Night of a Thousand Stars by Andrea Yaryura Clark.

Young Adult Fiction: Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

In addition to having won the 2023 Goodreads Choice Award in the Best Young Adult Fiction category, Ali Hazelwood's Check & Mate has been recommended to me several times, and as a lover of YA, I finally gave in to see what all of the fuss is about. With the world of competitive chess at its center, the story follows a young woman as she negotiates her love/hate relationship with the game, and what it would mean for her to truly consider what she wants for her life.

The Situation: Mallory Greenleaf has done the impossible. She has just beaten the #1 ranked chess player and current world champion, Nolan Sawyer. No one is more stunned than Mallory, especially since she begrudgingly showed up to a charity chess tournament at the urging of her best friend, before said friend goes off to Colorado for college. Since everything that happened with her dad, Mallory has kept chess at a distance, despite the fact that she was  - and apparently still is - incredibly good at it. Now she has the chess world's attention, including an organization in New York that is offering her a year-long fellowship. But she also has Nolan's attention, and she is not sure how she feels about either situation.

The Problem: Ever since it has been only her, her mom, and her two younger sisters, Sabrina and Darcy, Mallory has made it her mission to make sure her family has what they need. She has managed to keep the mortgage paid (at least partially), cover Sabrina's roller derby fees, and keep Darcy's guinea pig fed. But the chess fellowship that she is at first so intent on not taking pays well, and some of the chess tournaments she enters have substantial cash prizes. Mallory tells herself it will only be for a year, and that chess is not going to once again become her whole world. She also tells herself that she has no interest in Nolan Sawyer, not even to play against him. But that is exactly what he wants, and as Mallory continues to climb the ranks and become more entangled in the game she tried to leave behind, she may have to admit that the things she has been telling herself are simply not true.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in and around modern-day New York and New Jersey, with occasional trips being taken to places like Philadelphia, Toronto, and even Italy for various chess tournaments. Though Mallory had once sworn off chess after an unfortunate incident involving her father, she finds herself back in it. This means going over old games; reading books on chess theory; dealing with sexist comments and beliefs about a woman's ability to compete in the sport; even sticking to a new exercise regimen; and trying to keep it all a secret from her mom and sisters. Guilt may be what is driving her forward, but it is undeniable that she is good at the game, and no one seems to see that more than Nolan, the current champion.

My Verdict: This one was a bit of a roller coaster for me, but I certainly see and understand the appeal. For one, the whole rivals-to-lovers trope has a large following, and while it may not be my personal favorite, I do get it. And it also helps that Nolan is moody and brooding, but also smart, thoughtful, and still not without his flaws. While the rivals-to-lovers plotline is not new, the story itself is its own thing, with quirky but realistic characters, and details about chess that are informative without being boring. Finally, Hazelwood confronts the sexism and misogyny in the chess world, even citing a real study that was done concerning the stereotype that women are not as good as men at the game. On paper, it seems hard to believe, but a story involving high-ranking games of chess can be fun, romantic, and even thought-provoking.

Favorite Moment: At one point, it becomes clear to Mallory that what we think we know about someone - particularly how they feel about us - is often not true. And it is near impossible to be sure of something like that if we never reach out. 

Favorite Character: Oz is a fellow chess player at Zugzwang, the organization where Mallory has her fellowship. He is incredibly serious and no-nonsense, but also has some of my favorite dialogue in the entire book. He is just not in the mood, for any of it, and I adore him for it.

Favorite Quote: "What happened?" I ask.

"My wedding planner is out of peonies. What do you think happened? I lost." He glares. "This entire tournament could have been an email." - courtesy of my favorite character: Oz.

Recommended Reading: Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis would be a good follow up. 

Contemporary Fiction: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

Today's selection was nominated for the 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards in the Best Fiction category, and after reading the synopsis, I was more than a little interested. A mysterious island and a life-changing contest from a beloved author of children's books sounded intriguing. And as soon as I found the map of the island in the opening pages of the book, I was excited to see what kind of adventure would unfold.

The Situation: Twenty-six year-old Lucy Hart is doing her best, and unfortunately, it is not enough. At least it is not enough for her to reach her ultimate goal of being a foster parent - and eventually the adoptive mother - of Christopher, a student at the elementary school where she is a teacher's aide. Christopher is smart, sweet, obsessed with sharks, and also shares with Lucy a love of the Clock Island series, written by Jack Masterson. The book series was often a source of solace to Lucy during her own tumultuous childhood, and is now a source of comfort for Christopher as he is moved from one foster home to another. If Lucy hopes to one day adopt him, she has to save every penny she has, while also hoping for a miracle.

The Problem: It seems a miracle has come in the form of a contest from Jack Masterson himself, as well as an opportunity for Lucy to go to Clock Island, the author's home. She and three other competitors will find clues and solve riddles, all with the hope of being declared the winner and receiving the one and only incredibly valuable copy of the newest (and possibly last) Clock Island book. It may be Lucy and Christopher's only hope if they are ever to be a real family, but the competition is stiff, the riddles bordering on maddening, and there are more than just the three other contestants and Lucy looking to get their hands on that book. It is a tale worthy of Jack's Clock Island series, and will prove to be life changing in more ways than one.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in the modern-day U.S, first mostly in California, and then on a small island off the coast of Maine, known as Clock Island, where the author Jack Masterson lives, and where the contest will take place for one person to win the only copy of the latest Clock Island book. Lucy, a young teacher's aide, remains at the center of the story, along with Hugo Reese, the artist who designed the cover art for all of the Clock Island books. Every character has their own reason for why the books are special to them, and a personal history full of secrets, hurts, and hopes. But only Jack knows what the contest really entails and what the contestants will have to do to win.

My Verdict: With landmark names such as "Puffin Rock at Three O'Clock," and the "Noon and Midnight Lighthouse," I immediately fell in love with Clock Island, and with the idea that much of the story would take place there. And as fantastic and magical as the place sounds, the characters still inhabit the real world and deal with very real issues, even Jack Masterson, the books' author. These are characters who may love a children's fantasy series, but they are not playing make believe and simply attempting to leave their problems behind. It is a story that exhibits the power of books in a child's life (and how those effects can carry into adulthood), while offering a Wonka-style adventure, and facing real-world issues.

Favorite Moment: Jack makes it very clear, in the most polite and fun way possible, just how little he cares for lawyers, with his lawyer present in the room.

Favorite Character: Jack is mysterious, whimsical, and full of riddles, but also a real person with a past that haunts him, just like most other human beings. 

Recommended Reading: For me, this book had similar energy to The Night Circus by Emily Morgenstern, but without the fantasy elements, and with a better pay off with the ending. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt may also be a good follow-up. 

Nonfiction: How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

The credit for helping me discover today's selection goes to the 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards, as Safiya Sinclair's How to Say Babylon was a nominee in the Best Memoir & Autobiography category. It may not have won, but the description interested me as it promised the story of young woman's life in a Rastafarian household.

Genre, Themes, History: This book is a memoir in which Sinclair tells the story of her life growing up in Jamaica. Her father, a devout and strict Rastafarian, forbid anyone in his family from eating meat; his wife and daughters could not wear pants; and what he seemed most concerned with was his daughters' purity, as he did his best to make sure they stayed far from the influences of Babylon: the corrupting influence of the Western world. As Sinclair gets older, she would come to understand exactly the kind of woman her father was trying to make her to be. But with the help of her mother, she finds freedom and a voice in poetry, and believes her way out of Jamaica, and away from the grip of her father, to be through education. Sinclair will eventually have to decide for herself how she feels about what she has always been taught to believe.

My Verdict: This book provides readers an opportunity to gain knowledge of Rastafari, first-hand, from someone who lived it and grew up adhering to the some of its strictest rules. From the first few pages, it is clear that the book will detail the tension between what the author's father believed she should be, and what she would eventually decide she wanted for herself. Sinclair even goes back in time, before her birth, to when the emperor of Ethiopia, and the man many in her country believed to be a god, visited Jamaica. Sinclair tells the story of her parents' early life, along with her own - full of all of its difficulties and many moves - with an honesty, openness, and courage that should be applauded.  

Favorite Moment: The first chapter in which Sinclair details her discovery of poetry feels different from the ones that came before. The story is far from over, and the tensions are still present, but the chapter feels lighter, and more hopeful, and also full of wonder. It is the feeling of knowing that you are about to go on an adventure (a good one), or be presented a mystery to solve (a fun one).

Recommended Reading: For nonfiction, I recommend They Called Us Exceptional by Prachi Gupta. For fiction, I recommend Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson.

Science Fiction: Chaos Terminal by Mur Lafferty

It is time to talk about the follow-up to last years' Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty. Chaos Terminal is the second book in The Midsolar Murders Series, and continues the story of Mallory Viridian during her time aboard a space station, as more people continue to die around her.

The Situation: When Mallory is summoned to meet with Mrs. Brown, the woman who has a connection with the space station they both inhabit, she is not expecting to be told that the woman will be leaving and putting Mallory in charge. Given how badly Station Eternity reacted after losing its last host, Mallory is correct to be concerned, but apparently, everything will be fine, and there is no cause for alarm, even with another batch of humans scheduled to arrive. Last time that happened, someone was murdered, an event Mallory has grown used to as for her entire life, murders have occurred around her. Thankfully, she has also been able to solve those murders, though it has led to her to mostly solitary and often lonely existence.

The Problem: When Mallory enters the party to welcome the new humans, she is both surprised and horrified to see some familiar faces. First there is her childhood best friend, Amy, as well as her childhood crush, Parker, who happens to be Amy's twin brother. But there is also Detective Don Draughn, the man who made Mallory's life on Earth incredibly difficult, even making sure she would never have a career in law enforcement, despite her abilities allowing him to solve many murder cases. And if all of this was not enough, a murder predictably takes place, throwing everything into chaos, as the station itself is no longer responding, communications are down, the medbay equipment is not working, and the Sundry insects that Mallory has always had a connection with are being found dead all around the station.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set in the not too distant future, somewhere closer to the middle of the 21st century, and aboard a sentient space station known as Eternity. Mallory Viridian remains the center of the action, as once again, a murder takes place when a large group of human beings is brought in close proximity to her. While the space station she inhabits is not in quite as much distress as it was in the first book, it is still not much help as its host, Mrs. Brown, is missing for the majority of the novel. Some focus is shifted to Xan, another human onboard Station Eternity, and occasionally moves to other side characters for brief moments as more of the mystery unfolds. Previously introduced alien species return, as do the awkward and tense interactions between them.

My Verdict: I remember often being confused when reading the first book in the series, and while some of that confusion returned for this book, I instantly felt more comfortable following Mallory around in this story as familiar names and places were reintroduced, and new ones took their own place in the narrative. And while the murder is a bit predictable, the mystery and task of figuring out who did it is intriguing and fun, as a dead body is not the only issue Mallory must deal with. Lafferty brings in figures from Mallory's past, and even gives the Sundry - the insect-like creatures that have a connection with Mallory - a bigger and more interesting space in the story. I am not sure how many books there will be in this series, but I plan on continuing with it should more be published.

Favorite Moment: Mallory eventually realizes she is an even better detective than she thought, but it has to come after a short but crushing period of self-doubt and fear.

Favorite Character: I want to say Mrs. Brown, but she is not in the story enough. So instead I will pick Stephanie, another sentient ship doing her best to keep her friend Tina out of trouble, and be of help to the other species aboard Eternity.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. 

Classic Fiction: The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

For the first review of the 2024, I decided to read another work by Isabel Allende. Originally published in 1982, The House of the Spirits is arguably Allende's most well-known work. It follows the family of Esteban Trueba through three generations as they navigate life in Chile throughout the 20th century, and during the country's many political and social trials.

The Situation: Clara del Valle is a strange child, and is known for her paranormal abilities as well as her predictions of death. Little does she know that the death of her eldest sister, Rosa, (which she also accurately predicted) will lead Clara to be engaged to her sister's intended many years later. Esteban Trueda is determined to make his own fortune, a well as a name for himself, and makes free use of both his physical strength and his terrible temper to do so. Together with Clara, the two of them raise a family in both the city and the country, allowing their fortune and their children to grow as the political landscape changes with the decades.

The Problem: If there is anything Esteban Trueba will not stand for it is the spreading of communist ideas, either in his home in the city or his hacienda in the country. But his daughter Blanca has tied her fate to a young man she has known since she was a child, a man who believes the people should rise up against the current powers, the ones that Esteban Trueba believes in and has supported his entire life. While Blanca may be defiant and distant when it comes to her father, her daughter Alba will be the one he cherishes the most, all while the country continues forward in an increasingly volatile political climate. Eventually, the unthinkable happens, and the moments that were supposed to bring hope also bring incredible violence and fear.

Genre, Themes, and History: This is a historical fiction novel set in 20th century Chile. Though the country is never explicitly named, and a dates nor years are ever given, certain events in history are given as clues as to what decade the story has entered (such as news of a great war in Europe, and the moon landing), along with descriptions of Chile's own political landscape and history. The story may begin with a focus on Clara, but it soon shifts to Esteban Trueba, who occasionally takes over the narration to offer clarification, and even the occasional rant. Magical realism is front and present, mostly through Clara, though Alba also attempts to maintain her grandmother's habits of speaking to the dead and making predictions.

My Verdict: For the first half of the novel, this appeared to be one of those books that I would happily read for forever if I could. I would have loved to be able to simply keep turning pages, and keep following the Trueba following throughout their time in Chile. But as is the case with many things, politics entered the equation, and its presence took the attention of not only the characters in the story, but the reader as well, allowing for an ending that is tense, exhausting, and painfully realistic. Esteban Trueba's intense personality dominates much of the first half of the story, but even so, Allende's narrative moves effortlessly, as each colorful character is introduced, and each new trial threatens to upend the family, even into the tumultuous final chapters that caused me so much grief.

Favorite Moment: Without giving too much away, there is a moment when Clara makes a drastic decision based on her husband's horrible behavior. And though it may seem small in the grand scheme of everything that is happening, and it is doubtful it will cause Esteban to change, her ability to stick to her decision is a clear message to him, and satisfying to watch as it plays out.

Favorite Character: Jaime Trueba is one of Clara's brothers, and despite how he was raised, grows up to be a shy and compassionate doctor who is adored by his niece Alba.

Recommended Reading: The early pages of this book reminded me of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garciá Márquez, a book I can never recommend enough.