Nonfiction: Custodians of Wonder by Eliot Stein

The naturally curious readers are the ones that will seek out books like Eliot Stein's Custodians of Wonder: Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive. In this book, Stein tells the story of ten little known practices from all around the world that are on the brink of extinction. From Cuba to Germany to Japan, Stein takes the reader on a series on adventures, each a lesson in history and culture.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book set all over the world. Each chapter details a custom or tradition that is not only not very well known, but also in danger of disappearing forever, most of them due to the small number of people still living who can perform a specific skill. There are the women of Sardinia with the incredible ability to make su filindeu, a type of pasta that is so intricate and delicate and beautiful that it has been called "the threads of God." Then there are the djelis of Mali who play the balafon while narrating tales. And even movie poster painters in Taiwan, an art form that is dying out if only because of the increased use of digital printing and computer graphics. With each chapter, Stein gives a thorough history of not only the curious tradition, but the region and people's history, while also including personal stories from the people he was able to learn from.

My Verdict: With ten different traditions to explore, in ten different locations around the world, there are at least a couple of these chapters that each reader will find engaging and fascinating. It could even inspire would-be travelers to visit some of these places, though for a few of these locations, getting there will take some doing. I am personally curious about the "The World's Rarest Pasta" in Sardinia. While it is clear that Eliot visited each of these places and was able to interview a fair amount of people, it is also clear he did his research, and worked hard to look into traditions that were truly rare and not widely known. Putting ten of them in one book works well, but some of these may merit to have their own publication. 

Favorite Chapter: I have already mentioned "The World's Rarest Pasta" as one of my favorites, but my actual favorite is "The Only Democratic Job in Cuba," which talks about lectores, the people who read the news and even works of fiction out to the workers in the Cuban cigar factories. I also enjoyed "Scandinavia's Last Night Watchman."

Recommended Reading: I have not read many other books that travel the world like this one did, so I will recommend both The Impossible City by Karen Cheung, and Dancing with the Devil in the City of God by Juliana Barbassa.

Young Adult Fiction: Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis

It is time to review Kayvion Lewis' Heist Royale, the sequel to 2023's Thieves' Gambit, where a group of teenage super thieves enter into a high stakes game that only the best thieves can win, and sometimes survive. I must issue a *spoiler alert* for this review as some details will inevitably reveal crucial plot points and events from the first book, so proceed with caution.

The Situation: It has been six months since Ross Quest was betrayed by someone she foolishly let herself trust. Determined to not make the same mistake again, Ross has been doing her best to complete jobs for the Organization, and alongside the very person she would prefer would simply disappear from her life. But not only is Devroe Kenzie more present than ever, but he also will not stop with the relentless flirting, even though he still holds the lives of everyone in Ross' family in his hands. Yeah, it's confusing. And with a battle for control of the Organization emerging, Ross finds herself in another Gambit, but perhaps with a new plan to protect her family.

The Problem: If there was anything Ross learned from the first Gambit, it was that a Quest can only ever trust another Quest...and sometimes even that is not true. But as she and her team travel from Antarctica, to Monte Carlo, and to South Africa, Ross has to allow herself to trust former teammates, former enemies, and perhaps most difficult of all, her own mother. Ross is certainly good at what she does - she would not have been a participant in the Gambit if that was not the case. But it is clear that her mother is a legend, and with every decision and small mistake, Ross cannot help but compare herself, while also resenting the desire to do so. In order to win this second Gambit, and save her own life, Ross will have to draw on every secret and skill she has, and maybe even trust someone.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book set in different locations all over the world. There's a concert venue in Brazil; a casino in Monte Carlo, and even a lab facility in Antarctica. Much like the first book, this one details high risk but high reward schemes being carried out by people who have been pulling incredible heists their entire lives. Some are good at swiping objects; others do better with rigging and hacking technology; while still others prosper inside of a casino setting. And while security guards and cameras may pick up on criminal activity, what they will not see are the tense relationships and betrayals going on in the background, as well as what is really at stake should a heist not go as planned. 

My Verdict: I remember how fast-paced the first book was, and this one certainly follows suit with high energy movement and pacing as the group of skilled thieves make their way around the globe in an attempt to win this new challenge. Several chapters may be spent in one location, but there is so much going, and so much to pay attention to when a heist is in progress. And then there are the characters and their complicated relationships to keep track of. Characters from the previous book will show up - a few will even be unexpected - but it all works to bring together a clear conclusion to what happened before. Sometimes confusing, but never boring, adventure lovers will have a fun time with this one.

Favorite Moment: There is a point when Ross finally has a conversation with her mother that is sorely needed.

Favorite Character: I picked Kyung-soon last time and I am doing so again. The South Korean is still an expert at swiping expensive items and goods, but she is also a master planner who comes in clutch at the last minute.

Recommended Reading: Anything by Karen M. McManus would work, my favorite of which has been The Cousins.  

Historical Fiction: City of Night Birds by Juhea Kim

One new release for 2025 that readers have been excited about is City of Night Birds by Juhea Kim. Following a young Russian ballerina from childhood to incredible fame, the book promises a look at complex relationships as the dancer attempts a return to the stage following an accident.

The Situation: Since she was a little girl living with her single mother in St. Petersburg, Russia, Natalia Leonova has dreamed of not only becoming a wonderful ballet dancer, but the best one around. Her desire to outdance and outperform everyone around her propels who forward through school, auditions, and every performance of her life. From the beginning, it is clear that success will not come easy, and for Natalia, neither will the friendships. Being the first to arrive and the last to leave often results in Natalia being alone, and she simply does not attract people to her the way others do. But she is able to enjoy a celebrated career, until a terrible accident brings everything to an end.

The Problem: Two years later, Natalia returns to St. Petersburg, and is almost immediately confronted with an offer to return to the stage. But even with intense practice and physical therapy, Natalia is not sure she is able to return to dance, which would also mean facing what happened in her past, and the people who were part of it. She may have left Alexander behind in Paris, but Dmitri is once again part of her world, and is the man offering her a place on the stage in a leading role. And as Natalia continues to make preparations, and her fans become more excited for her return, Natalia remembers her past relationships, conversations with her distant mother, and begins to uncover the truth about the father she never met.

Genre, Themes, History: Readers of this book have placed this in the general fiction and the historical fiction categories, as the story begins in the mid-1980s in Russia, during Natalia's early years in St. Petersburg. The story continues through to modern day and beyond, as Natalia will settle in Moscow and Paris as a dancer, while also enjoying many opportunities to travel all over the world performing. As Natalia's career grows and she becomes more renown, she finds it difficult to navigate the complicated and competitive world of ballet, as well as the difficult relationships of life in general. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is also mentioned, along with the many resulting opinions and fallout.

My Verdict: Having an unlikeable narrator/protagonist is a risky move, though not a new one. And while I would not liken Natalia to someone like Scarlett O'Hara, her competitiveness is grating, while also making her somewhat boring. I was far more interested in her relationships with family and friends (and enemies) than her fight to be the best and outshine everyone. And the long-awaited reveal of the accident that threatened to end her ballet career is underwhelming, and ends up being much less interesting that some of the other revelations that come before and after it. Learning the inner workings of a ballet company and the industry as a whole was a fun experience, especially as Natalia travels between different companies and theaters throughout her career.

Favorite Moment: The reappearance of someone from Natalia's mother's past offers up a valuable opportunity for the dancer to learn more about her own history.

Favorite Character: Natalia and Nina may lose touch with each other at various points over the years, but the latter always remains a loyal and reliable friend.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Kim's first novel, 2021's Beasts of a Little Land, as well as 2024's The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan. 

Classic Fiction: Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende

After learning that Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits was actually the third book in what has been labeled as the Involuntary Trilogy (or Trilogía Involuntaria), I knew that I had to eventually read the other two books. Having read the third book first, I picked up the first book, Daughter of Fortune, which was actually published second. Oftentimes, reading books in the order they were published as opposed to the intended order can be enlightening in its own way, and I am personally fascinated by the idea of an 'involuntary' trilogy.

The Situation: Eliza Sommers is somehow both the doted on and neglected adopted daughter of the fiercely and stubbornly independent Rose Sommers. The story has been told many times of how Eliza was quite literally left on the doorstep of the wealthy English family living in the British colony of Valparaíso, Chile. While Rose's strict and unforgiving brother Jeremy would be more than happy to have nothing to do with the girl, Rose could not be more thrilled to have Eliza in her care, though she often ignores her to pursue her own interests, leaving her in the care of the housemaid, Mama Fresia. Living with the Sommers may mean a life of corsets and strict rules, but it may be the only way Eliza can secure a stable future and husband.

The Problem: It is in 1848 when a teenage Eliza falls in love with a man she knows very well her adoptive mother will never approve of. But she is so immediately overtaken with the emotion that she does everything she can to meet with the boy in secret, which begins a months long affair that only ends when the young man decides to leave for California, just as many others are doing after the discovery of gold in that area. When Eliza plans to follow, she knows it will be tough since Miss Rose's other brother, John, is a well-known captain, and keeping the appearance of a young unaccompanied girl on a ship setting sail for the U.S. is near impossible. But thankfully for Eliza, she is able to employ the help of a Chinese doctor who will unknowingly become a lifelong friend.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set both in Valparaíso, Chile and California in the mid-1800s. Starting in Chile in 1843, the reader follows Eliza's story as it is told by Rose and Mama Fresia, but then moves into Eliza's adolescence when she meets her young lover Joaquín, a relationship that will set the course for the rest of her life. With a page count just shy of 500, many social issues are discussed, such as the English presence in Chile; the racism that exists both in Chile and in California as the gold rush attracts all colors and classes; the opportunities (or lack thereof) that are available to all woman, both married and single; what life is like for the different genders, colors, and classes as they make the long journey by boat from South to North America; and even the issue of human trafficking. 

My Verdict: Just as with The House of the Spirits, I love the lyrical style of the prose in this book. The story moves and flows at the pace of the most relaxing lazy river, even in the areas where the plot has hit a tense point or moment, or when a character must make a decision or take action quickly, with no guarantee of being correct either way. If there is any disappointment I have in this book it is simply in the choices of Eliza, and knowing that her obsession over Joaquín will alter her life indefinitely, and probably not for the better. Having read The House of the Spirits, and now only needing to read Portrait in Sepia, I am eager to learn even more about the Del Valle family.

Favorite Moment: Though I am not a fan of the actual action, I do enjoy how easily Eliza was able to evade Rose, proving that the girl's adoptive mother was not as invested in playing the maternal role as she liked to believe.

Favorite Character: Paulina Rodriguez de Santa Cruz y del Valle is a woman who manages to do exactly what she wants, even earning her own money (and a lot of it), while still getting married and raising a family.

Recommended Reading: I will always recommend Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude.

Nonfiction: What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci

After having read Taste back in 2022, I was simply thrilled to pick up Stanley Tucci's non-cookbook follow-up What I Ate in One Year. Beginning in January of 2023, readers are invited to follow Tucci as he talks about his travels, time with his family, his work as an actor, and of course, the food he ate along the way.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of nonfiction where Tucci starts at the beginning of 2023 (the first dated entry is actually for January 2nd), and moves throughout the entire year, recounting his day to day life, specifically what he ate and where, and who prepared it. While not each of the 365 days gets its own entry, while more than one day is sometimes covered at once, every notable meal that was eaten is mentioned, even if it was terrible. But in between the paragraphs about food, Tucci also talks about his job as an actor and whatever project he is currently working on/traveling for. There is also much mention of time spent around the table with his family and friends, the latter of which is often a who's who of celebrities, some of whom even Tucci himself admits to being intimidated by. And of course, there are quite a few recipes included, along with restaurant and hotel recommendations.

My Verdict: There is something about Tucci's storytelling that leaves me absolutely spellbound and awestruck. It happened with the previous book, and it happened again here with this one. Yes, it is partly the people he gets to meet and work and eat it. When names like Robert Downey Jr. and Guy Ritchie are thrown out, it is difficult to not be impressed (trust me there are many many more). But it is not just that. Something about simply reading about his life in London with his wife and kids, where he worries that his two youngest children may not have eaten enough vegetables that day, or if his daughter will ever move beyond noodles and cheese, is equally fascinating. And then there is the food. So. Much. Pasta. And olive oil. And cheese. And butter. The food obsessed will adore this book, as well as anyone who loves memoirs.

Favorite Moment: Tucci describes an instance when he is attempting to decide what to order at a ramen place, and fears that one of the patrons recognizes him, but is clearly struggling to identify just how he knows him. It is a humorous back and forth that offers an interesting peek into what goes on inside the actor's mind during such encounters.

Recommended Reading: It is not necessary to read Taste before this one, but I recommend reading them both, in whatever order.

Contemporary Fiction: The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami

Happy New Year! And welcome to the first review of 2025, and it felt so appropriate that it would be for the newest release by legendary Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami. I was so excited when the English translation of The City and Its Uncertain Walls had finally reached the U.S. in late 2024, and could not read it fast enough. Covering a Murakami book in the early part of the new year has become sort of a tradition on this blog, and I love being able to continue it with a new release.

The Situation: At 17 years-old, the nameless narrator is attending school and deeply in love with a 16 year-old girl. They do not go to school together, but met when they each won prizes in an essay contest. Now they see each other when they can and remain committed to each other, though the narrator admits to not really knowing all that much about her. One day, the girl tells him about a town where she believes her real self resides. The town is surrounded by a high wall, and while the narrator could go there if he liked, she warns him that her real self that lives there would not recognize him. Naturally, he is not sure if he can believe her. Unfortunately, she disappears, seemingly leaving no trace behind, and this mystery will haunt the narrator for the remainder of his life.

The Problem: Though the nameless narrator will manage to continue living on - attending college, getting a job, even dating other women - his existence does not feel complete, though by all accounts, the only thing that would appear to be 'missing' from his life is a wife and family. But even into middle age, the narrator is not able to move past the young girl he loved that disappeared years before. When he finds himself in the mysterious town the girl had spoken about, the one surrounded by a high wall, he is able to get used to the new surroundings, even securing a job as a dream reader. This begins the man's adventures between both this world, and the town with the high walls, where unicorns roam and the wall seems to have a life of its own. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of fiction set in several locations throughout Japan, but mostly in a small mountain town where the nameless narrator eventually takes a job as a head librarian, and also in the mysterious town surrounded by the high wall. As is usual with a Murakami book, I have to pull out my Murakami Bingo card and see what common themes readers can cross out. First on the list is 'mysterious woman,' but also worth mentioning are cats, urban ennui, parallel worlds, supernatural powers, precocious teenager, even cooking and unusual name (or rather, no name at all). In the afterword, Murakami mentions that this is a reworking of a novella from many decades ago, and is closely related to a previous novel, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World.

My Verdict: If you are someone who is not at all comforted by the phrase "It's about the journey, not the destination," then this book is probably not going to be for you. With over 400 pages, there is plenty that happens, with a lot intrigue and mystery, and where not every little thing is explained (even the narrator admits to not understanding everything that is happening and that is being told to him). Readers who love a solid resolution with every question answered by the end of the story may be disappointed, but there is a mystery here, and a strange quest with even stranger characters, that kept me engaged for the entire journey, even as things became more confusing. Lovers of Murakami's work, especially the ones involving parallel worlds, will be pleased.

Favorite Moment: There is a teenage boy who comes into the library and seemingly favors incredibly long books over shorter ones. My favorite moments came from when Mrs. Soeda would list off the books the boys has read.

Favorite Character: There are almost more characters without names in this book than there are with names, and Mrs. Soeda is one of the few in the latter category. She is a librarian working under the narrator in the small mountain town, and serves as a practical, helpful, and grounding presence as strange events occur around them. 

Recommended Reading: A Wild Sheep Chase remains my favorite Murakami book, but many seem to have The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle be their introduction to his work.