Young Adult Fiction: The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson

Author Tiffany D. Jackson has returned with another young adult thriller, this time taking place on a college campus during a young girl's first semester of her freshman year. During a time of new experiences and people, in a new and exciting, though unfamiliar place, she will find herself finally feeling like she fits in, until another newcomer soon has her questioning every part of herself.

The Situation: Jordyn Monroe arrives in Washington, D.C. ready to start her first semester of college. After attending a predominantly white prep school in Connecticut her entire life, she is excited to be attending Frazier University, one the most established HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) in the U.S. It may go against her parents wishes, who are still furious with her for turning down her spot at Yale, but Jordyn is determined to make her plan work. When she is immediately embraced by her three roommates, Vanessa, Loren, and Kammy, Jordyn wants to believe that fitting in here will be much easier than it was in high school.

The Problem: While finding a rhythm with her three roommates proves to be fairly easy, and a welcome development, having Vanessa's brother, Devonte, appear in their common living room, needing a place to stay, certainly throws things off balance. The older man is fresh out of jail on a false charge, and the last thing Jordyn wants is to have to say no to Vanessa. It helps that Devonte is charming, intelligent, and helpful around the dorm, but the longer he is around, the more reasons Jordyn has to suspect that something is up. As Devonte continues to impart his wisdom on his young audience, the number of people hanging around the dorm continues to grow, as do Jordyn's suspicions. And when a roommate goes missing, Jordyn reaches out to an likely source for help.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in and around the campus of the fictional Frazier University, an HBCU that Jordyn chose to attend over Yale, despite her parents' obvious disappointment. It is her first semester in college, living on campus with three other roommates, all from different places around the country. What Jordyn wants more than anything is to make friends and fit in, making it that much harder to risk being the only one to object to Devonte's continued presence, despite his heavy and incessant lectures, and intense attention. His ability to make himself the center of their world is as troubling as it is insidious, and breaking his spell will not be easy.

My Verdict: This book is intense. I could use all of the cliche adjectives to describe it: roller-coaster, wild ride, action-packed, page-turner...you get it. It is the first book that I have managed to finish in one morning in a long time. But I did it, because I had to know how it all turned out, even though there were many moments that were hard to stomach. Sure, the villain is terrible and does terrible things, but there are some decisions Jordyn makes that were hard to accept, even as I turned to the next page or moved on to the next chapter. This one is great for lovers of thrillers, true crime, and also people who love watching documentaries about cults. It is Jackson doing what she does best.

Favorite Moment: Jordyn gets the opportunity to go home with a friend for Thanksgiving, and their family is easily the most delightful group of people in the entire novel.

Favorite Character: Nick is the lone white student on Frazier's campus, but he manages to hold up under the inevitable scrutiny that comes his way.

Recommended Reading: Earlier this year, Jackson published her first middle-grade novel, Blood in the Water. 

Nonfiction: Vagabond by Tim Curry

Fans of legendary actor Tim Curry can remember what role it was from his long career that first introduced them to his voice, his range, and his talent. In his memoir, Vagabond, the British actor talks candidly about his life and career, including the stroke that nearly ended everything in 2012. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a memoir in which Curry starts at the beginning, with his early life in Britain, and continues on through his childhood; his early career; his experience with the roles his fans know and love; and into modern-day when a serious stroke almost took his life, but his recovery has allowed him to continue acting almost exclusively through voice work. Curry explores the effect his father's death had on him and his outlook on life, as well as his relationship with his mother, and how his older sister was one of the most important people in his life. He details the full extent of his role as Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, both on stage and in the film, and how it led the way to him playing other memorable characters, Pennywise the Clown, and Wadsworth the Butler among them. 

My Verdict: Despite having a career that has extended over 40 years, Curry manages to tell his story in less than 300 pages, and seems to leave very little out (besides what he very pointedly tells the reader he is leaving out on purpose). Curry is open about the events of his life without being tacky, and without exposing those he may not have gotten along with as he went about his career. There is some occasional mention of another actor or perhaps a director he may not have gotten along particularly well with, but Curry simply speaks of what happened, gives a few reasons for why he believes it was the way it was, and then moves on to the next chapter. In fact, if there is a phrase that could be used to sum up how the actor has approached most things in life, it is to 'get on with it,' as he finds whining to be useless and boring. And one thing he is certainly glad to have held onto is his sense of humor, which comes through clearly on the pages of this book.

Favorite Quote: "Even so, whining is a f*cking bore for everybody involved - and it's highly unproductive. I'd rather spend my time focusing on other things."

Recommended Reading: Either of Stanley Tucci's books would be a great follow-up. Both Taste and What I Ate in One Year are fantastic reads. 

Young Adult Fiction: The Book of Anansi by Angie Thomas

The second book in the Nic Blake and the Remarkables series is here! Author Angie Thomas is continuing her middle grade series with The Book of Anansi, and once again, Nic and her brother Alex, along with her best friend JP, must do their best to outsmart and outrun very real dangers, while a troubling prophecy hangs over her head, making her question every decision she makes. 

The Situation: Life is indeed now very different for Nic than it was for her first ten years. Not only does she have a present mother, and twin brother, but she now lives in the hidden city of Uhuru and is about to begin attending a school only for Manifestors such as herself. Nic is glad to be around her mother and brother, and more than relieved that the punishment for her dad is not more severe than it is, and she still gets to see him whenever she wants. But the truth still remains that she is prophesied to be the Manowari, the person who will bring about the destruction of the Remarkable world. It feels like a truth everyone is tiptoeing around. Well, everyone who knows anyway.

The Problem: Nic's former favorite author, Tyran Porter, knows about the prophecy, and is determined to fulfill his part of it as the one who is supposed to stop the Manowari. While he is currently in exile, it has not stopped him from starting his own podcast, one that was initially dismissed as the rantings of a conspiracy theorist, but is gaining listeners by the day. If that was not enough, a mysterious but powerful group has tracked Nic down, and demands she locate a powerful artifact, or they will reveal the truth about her. It feels as if Nic has no choice but to do what they say, but every adventure brings more problems, as well as opportunities for her to use this new power that she is terrified of. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a book geared more towards middle grade readers, and is the second book in Thomas' Nic Blake and the Remarkables series. Having survived the events of the first book, and finding out she has a mother and twin brother, Nic now finds herself living among other Remarkables in Uhuru, and about to attend a school for Manifestors. She cannot help but make comparisons between this world and the Unremarkable world she grew up in, and it does not take long for her to realize that they both have issues regarding class and discrimination, no matter how much her grandmother insists that everything is for 'the greater good.' And then there is the prophecy she wishes she could outsmart, but despite everyone's attempts, it seems Nic is on track to become something she is not sure she wants to be.

My Verdict: This is a wonderful follow-up to 2023's The Manifestor Prophecy. Nic is now in a new place, attending a new school, complete with five different kinships that the students are sorted into (think the houses in Harry Potter). And while her brother Alex and best friend JP have returned for more adventures, there are still plenty of new characters to get to know, as well as a few new villains. Plus, readers get a look into the wider world of the Remarkables, which includes fairies, mermaids, werewolves, shapeshifters, even giants who are known for their ability in a sport closely resembling basketball. The story is complicated, but not overly so, and deals with identity, as well as what it means to protect those you love.

Favorite Moment: I love any mention of JP's life back in the Unremarkable world. 

Favorite Character: It is a tie between Ms. Lena, one of Nic's good friends from her previous life, and Mami Wata. Both women have no time for nonsense, but ultimately want to be helpful.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Tiffany D. Jackson's first middle grade book, Blood in the Water, also published earlier this year.

Winners of the 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards

The day has come! The winners of the 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards have been announced, and as usual, there a few surprises, as well as a few 'of course' reactions. 

And immediately, with the first category, a DSN has won for Favorite Fiction. Fredrik Backman's My Friends has taken the top prize in one of the most competitive categories. And for my first 'of course' reaction, we have Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid winning for Favorite Historical Fiction. 

And another 'of course' goes to Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins winning for Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Sci-Fi. And while I am thrilled that John Green's Everything Is Tuberculosis won for Favorite Nonfiction, I did not think it was a given due to the other competitive entries.

So four DSNs managed to win in their respective categories, which is about right, though there were five that won in 2021. As usual, this only makes me look forward to next year, while I also research those books that I missed in 2024. 

Historical Fiction: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

Before the end of the year came and went, I wanted just one more historical fiction book to cover. Thankfully, Patrick Ryan's Buckeye caught my attention. The description promised a story about choices and consequences that have long-lasting effects, and I looked forward to experiencing all that it had to offer.

The Situation: When Margaret Salt and Cal Jenkins first meet, neither of them have any idea that their lives, and the lives of their families, are about to be changed in unimaginable ways. Margaret never knew either one of her parents, but after growing up in an orphanage, she managed a life on her own before marrying Felix. Cal was born with one leg shorter than the other, a condition that would make him exempt from serving in the war, which is both a relief and a burden. It bothers him more than it does his wife Becky, who stays busy helping her clients contact their dead loved ones. It is 1945 when Margaret marches into the store where Cal works, desperate for a radio that will tell her what she already suspects is true: Germany has surrendered to the armed forces, which means Margaret's husband Felix may soon be coming home.

The Problem: Margaret does love Felix, or at least she is fairly certain that there is something close to love there. But their marriage has always left her a little underwhelmed, and she is not sure what to expect when he returns. Cal and Becky look great on paper, but he has never been too sure about her little 'hobby,' and the truth of that has always hurt his wife more than a little. When Cal and Margaret have an encounter that neither of them saw coming, the next few decades of their lives in the small town of Bonhomie, Ohio will be full of secrets and quick glances, as well as hushed conversations. In time, everyone will have to confront the truth of what happened, and what kind of people they really are.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that begins the narrative in 1920, when Cal is born, and continues on through two World Wars, the Korean War, and then the Vietnam War, before ending in the early 1980s. At the center are two couples: Margaret and Felix Salt, and Cal and Becky Jenkins. Divided into three parts, the history and background of each of the four main characters is thoroughly explored before reaching the point in history where they marry their spouses and begin to build a family. The difficulty of human relationships remains a focus, especially during and after World War II, when the couples are younger and are figuring out life together. And what makes this even more difficult than it already would be are the things not being said, or acknowledged.

My Verdict: I wanted a sweeping epic that covers a large span of time while staying focused on only a few people, and that is exactly what I got. This story of the Salts and the Jenkins is incredibly specific, while also feeling like it could be about anyone's neighbors in any small town in the U.S. There is not necessarily a hero in the story, or any one true villain, as everyone makes mistakes and assumptions, and the consequences that follow are simply part of the natural course of events. Nothing feels forced or overly dramatic, and the small bits of humor are subtle and appreciated. And I enjoyed the exploration of the complicated and often conflicting emotions that come with the revelation of family secrets, and the reality that sometimes people do not try their best, if only because they do not want to. 

Favorite Moment: Roman, Cal's father-in-law, may not be the most sympathetic character, but he gives his son-in-law some marriage advice that is blunt, to the point, and needed to be said.

Favorite Character: Cal's father Everett is a hoarder and an alcoholic, and loves to write angry letters to the President of the United States (whoever that may be at the time). His and Cal's relationship borders on contentious most of the time, but he is more than just a grumpy old man who has lost more than most and wants to be left alone.

Recommended Reading: I could not help but be reminded of John Steinbeck's East of Eden. 

Goodreads Choice Awards 2025 Final Round

The voting has now opened for the final round of the 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards, and after this, the winners will be announced on Thursday, December 4th. It is time to see which of the 20 nominated DSNs did not quite make it to this last round of the competition.

For the Favorite Historical Fiction category, it looks like not enough people put in votes for Patrick Ryan's Buckeye (review will be published this Friday), a sweeping epic about two families in early 20th century middle America. But Charmaine Wilkerson's Good Dirt remains, so it will keep my vote. Yiming Ma's These Memories Do Not Belong to Us suffered a similar fate in the Favorite Science Fiction category, while Nnedi Okorafor's Death of the Author holds strong. 

Joanna Miller's The Eights failed to gather the votes to stay in the Favorite Debut Novel category, leaving no DSNs in the running. But it is no surprise the Suzanne Collins' Sunrise on the Reaping is still in it for Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Sci-Fi, while the same could not be said for The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor. 

And heartbreak of heartbreaks, not one of the three nominated DSNs made it to the final round for Favorite Young Adult Fiction. Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours, Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley, and Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams are all left out of the top ten for the category. A man who is known for his YA books, John Green, has a nonfiction book that is still in the running for Favorite Nonfiction. Everything Is Tuberculosis could very well take it all, but sadly, Imani Perry's Black in Blues has not moved on.

So it seems eight of the 20 nominated DSNs have not advanced to the final round of voting, but that means 12 still remain. This final round will stay open to reader votes though this Sunday, November 30, and we will all find out the results the following Thursday, December 4th. 

Young Adult Fiction: Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley

Since the publication of her first novel, Firekeeper's Daughter, author Angeline Boulley has become a household name for YA readers. And while her most recent offering, Sisters in the Wind, does contain some of the characters from Boulley's two previous books, it is considered a standalone novel, but still within the same universe.

The Situation: Lucy Smith's dad died five years ago, and for most of that time, she has been in the foster care system. But for the last six months or so, she has managed to be out on her own, living in a small but clean and respectable apartment, while earning and saving money by working at the Pleasant Diner. When a Native American man enters the diner and asks Lucy to join him when she gets her next break, she is already thinking of exit strategies and where she may head next. After he last foster care placement, Lucy has been on the run and always prepared to once again head out on the road and make another life somewhere else. But the man insists he wants to help, and while Lucy is extremely cautious, she also really wants to believe him.

The Problem: While the Native American man, Jamie, and his friend Daunis do appear to have Lucy's best interest in mind, she knows she is being followed and still in incredible danger. She throws out every misdirect that she can to keep her pursuers from finding her, but she will eventually have to tell Jamie and Daunis about her past, and why someone may be looking for her. Even as she holds on to her secrets, Jamie and Daunis have a big reveal for her, something her dad failed to tell her. Not only is Lucy part Native American, but she has a family that would be able to take care of her. It is a lot to take in, and Lucy has little time to decide what direction to go in next.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book that takes place in and around Michigan, and is set between the years of 2002 and 2009, although there is a brief moment when Lucy goes as far back as 1996, when she was six years old. As 2009 Lucy tells her story, she goes back in time and talks about her dad, how he died, and everything that followed, including the multiple homes she lived in while in foster care. It is only after meeting Jamie and Daunis that she finds out she is part Native American, and that her social workers should have followed the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978. But because that did not happen, Lucy stayed in foster homes that were varying degrees of safe and dangerous, with the last one giving her enough reasons to stay on the move and always look over her shoulder.

My Verdict: Boulley gives readers another intense story full of complicated characters, determined and greedy villains, and plenty of mysteries to solve. As the story progresses and Lucy reveals more of her past, both to the readers and to Jamie and Daunis, it is clear that she has been through a lot, but Boulley manages to reveal the most delicious details of the story in a way that keeps the story engaging and riveting, and somehow also not frustrating or tacky. There is a near-constant sense that things are going to come to a head, but how and who it will involve remains unclear until the final few pages. 

Favorite Moment: Lucy makes plenty of mistakes, and is often confronted with the fact that she does not know everything, but she can and does defend herself against an attacker, remembering the advice of one of her foster sisters.

Favorite Character: It was nice to have Daunis back in a story, and as an adult who is now able to help out someone younger who is going through a tough time. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend Boulley's previous two books, both part of the Firekeeper's Daughter world. 

Contemporary Fiction: The Grand Paloma Resort by Cleyvis Natera

As a follow-up to her 2022 novel Neruda on the Park, author Cleyvis Natera has given readers The Grand Paloma Resort. Mostly set in and around a luxury hotel in the Dominican Republic, the staff must navigate the demands and whims of the wealthy guests, while maintaining a facade of exclusivity and the highest quality, even as a storm approaches, and the country continues to experience unrest.

The Situation: Nothing would make Laura happier than if her younger sister could get it together. When Elena shows up with the unconscious body of the little girl she was supposed to be watching, it is the last thing Laura needs as a mid-level manager at the resort they both work at. Laura has done everything to make sure that Elena has the best path forward in life, especially since they only have each other. With their mother long dead and a father that abandoned them for life in the U.S, Laura has put her desires, and sometimes her humanity, aside so that she could climb the corporate ladder and provide for her sister. But now everything is about to come crashing down, and all because Elena cannot seem to pay attention long enough to not be a problem.

The Problem: Laura can only think to call on a friend for help with the young injured girl, though that friend wants nothing to do with the entire situation. Meanwhile, Elena continues to rely on pills supplied to her by another hotel employee, and eventually ends up at the bar of a friend. But after another round of poor decisions and planning, two local girls go missing, and it might be Elena's fault. Over the course of seven days, Laura and her sister, along with several other staff members and many guests, will have varied experiences at The Grand Paloma Resort, proving that at this hotel, 'paradise' means something different to everyone.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of fiction set in the Dominican Republic at The Grand Paloma Resort, where sisters Laura and Elena work. While Laura is determined and driven, even to a fault, Elena is only concerned with her next escape, whether it is via drugs, or an actual physical escape from the hotel, the island, or even life altogether. At the forefront is life at the hotel, but the hotel successfully hides the truth of life on the island, including the crime, poverty, and social, civil, and political unrest. Laura must continually make the choice between what is clearly the right thing to do, and what must be done to secure the future of both her and and her sister. No decision is easy, and with each trial, Laura is less and less sure of who she is.

My Verdict: When the characters in this book were not getting on my nerves, then the messy plot and awkward pacing certainly were. Nearly everyone is unlikeable in this book, and also seemingly determined to make the worst possible decisions. At a certain point, I was fine when something terrible happened to most of them as they mostly brought it on themselves. And the social commentary was not only heavy-handed, but also awkwardly placed throughout the narrative. There is a reveal about three-fourths of the way in that did not seem worth the effort, but I will say that at least the ending is not ambiguous, and does provide real answers. 

Favorite Moment: There was something about the Zoom meeting calls Laura has with her boss that made me chuckle, if only because of how closely they mirror the truth of working post-COVID. 

Favorite Character: In a sea of characters with few redeeming qualities, Vida is like a bright spot in the darkness. 

Recommended Reading: For something that feels like a beach read, but still deals with some heavy topics, I recommend Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez. 

Goodreads Choice Awards 2025

Well, this moment certainly got here in a hurry. Or perhaps I am the only one caught off guard by the fact that the 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards are already here. It is time to review the nominees, make our voices heard through voting, and then eagerly await the results of this opening round. 

In the Favorite Fiction category, only two DSNs are to be found, and they are Charlotte McConaghy's Wild Dark Shore, and Swedish author Frederik Backman's My Friends. One takes place on a tiny isolated island off of the coast of Antarctica, while the other involves a highly sought-after piece of art, and the strange history behind it, the artist, and his close group of friends. They are both compelling novels, but I will choose Backman's work, mostly because he once again married humor with heartfelt storytelling.

I will admit to not being very surprised by the Favorite Historical Fiction category, with its inclusion of Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Buckeye by Patrick Ryan (review is forthcoming at the end of this month), and Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson. It is a tough call, but I will go with Good Dirt for my selection. I may have placed it under the heading of 'contemporary fiction,' but it is one of those books that spans both categories due to the story being split between modern day, and the history of both the main character, and her ancestors. 

Samantha Sotto Yambao's Water Moon is one of the most unique novels I have ever read, though I could also say the same for R.F. Kuang's Katabasis. So I am pleased to see them both nominated for Favorite Fantasy. It is actually a tough choice to make, but Katabasis is the kind of story I was hoping for in 2025, involving adventure, an unlikely pairing, and impossible odds at incredibly high stakes.

Any longtime reader of this blog knows I struggle with picking out science fiction, but both Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor, and These Memories Do Not Belong to Us by Yiming Ma have been nominated for Favorite Science Fiction. Okorafor's book absolutely blew me away and I cannot recommend it enough, so it certainly has my vote.

I did manage to read one book for the Favorite Horror category, and it was Silvia Moreno-Garcia's The Bewitching, which is my favorite of the author's books that I have read yet. Competition is fierce in this category, and there is a Stephen King novel in the mix, so we will have to see how readers choose to vote.

Joanna Miller's The Eights is the only DSN to make the cut for Favorite Debut Novel, but it is there for good reason. Following the academic career of four women who are part of the first cohort of females to be admitted to Oxford, the novel details their struggles, their desires, and what it took to be pioneers in a time when many believed that admitting women to the prestigious university was a step in the wrong direction.

The Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Sci-Fi category includes two DSNs, and between Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, and Otherworld Post by Emily J. Taylor, I have to go with the former as far as voting. Collins managed to give readers of her beloved Hunger Games series a story they have been wanting since the beginning, and I was happy to finally get more background of one of my favorite characters. 

It is no secret that I adore young adult fiction, and having Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours, Sisters in the Wind (review forthcoming in a few weeks) by Angeline Boulley, and Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams all be nominated for Favorite Young Adult Fiction makes my heart happy. I am fairly torn between the last two books, but since I must pick one, I will go with Sisters in the Wind. 

Both John Green's Everything Is Tuberculosis and Imani Perry's Black in Blues have certainly earned their place as nominees in the Favorite Nonfiction category. Both are incredibly well-written and well-researched books, and if I must choose, I will opt for Green's exploration of the history of one our deadliest infections. 

And for the final category in which a DSN was nominated, having just finished Tim Curry's Vagabond (review will be published in December), I love seeing it be included for Favorite Memoir, and I will be voting for it over Sarah Wynn-William's Careless People, which chronicles her tumultuous time working at Facebook. 

This opening round of voting ends Sunday, November 23, with the final round of voting beginning the following Tuesday, November 25. I am always curious to see what happens, and with the inclusion of 20 DSNs across ten categories, the competition remains as tough as ever. 

Nonfiction: Positive Obsession by Susana M. Morris

Science fiction author Octavia E. Butler was only 58 years-old when she died on February 24, 2006. Writers and readers alike mourned the loss of a creative talent that gave us some of the most intriguing, unique, troubling, and bold science fiction and speculative fiction stories that I have ever read. In Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler, Susana M. Morris chronicles the author's life, diving into Butler's personal journals, her essays, novels, speeches, interviews, and travels. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of nonfiction that focuses on the life and work of Octavia E. Butler, a science fiction writer probably most well-known for her novel Kindred, a story of a black woman living in the 1970s in the U.S. who is transported back in time to a slavery plantation where her ancestors lived. Like many people, this novel was my introduction to Butler's work when it was assigned reading in graduate school. Morris dives deep into the publication history of each of Butler's works, while also detailing what Butler went through to become a published science fiction writer, a genre that was long dominated by white men. Butler's goal was to support herself through only her writing. The title of the book comes from a quote in Butler's Parable of the Sower, and is also the title of one of her essays in Bloodchild and Other Stories.

My Verdict: This book is short and sweet, but also a fairly thorough recounting of Butler's life, and her work. Even those who are familiar with the author and her stories will most likely find new information here, particularly regarding Butler's private life and thoughts, but also about the inspiration for some of her most famous work. While many readers are in awe at how some of her work, in particular the Earthseed Duology, seemed to predict recent and current events, Butler disliked being labeled a 'prophet,' and Morris carefully and intelligently explains how Butler was able to reach the conclusions she did. Butler was nothing if not observant, and a researcher, and these traits are among the many factors that lead to her creation of such enduring, and often haunting, literature. 

Favorite Moment: I will always love the story of a young Butler watching a bad movie and casually thinking, "Geez, I can write a better story than that." So she did.

Recommended Reading: As I mentioned, Kindred is probably Butler's most famous work. But for the vampire lovers out there, her last novel, Fledgling, is a different take on the genre.

Historical Fiction: The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

The latest book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a tale of witches and magic and spells, spanning 90 years and two countries. The Bewitching offers readers a story about three different women and their fight against an evil that is willing to do terrible things to maintain its power.

The Situation: It is 1998, and Minerva, a graduate student at Stoneridge College near Boston, is struggling with her thesis. Sure, summer is here and that means the campus will be fairly empty, making it easier for her to focus and come up with something she can show her advisor in the Fall. But finding more information on obscure horror author Beatrice Tremblay has proven difficult, even though she also attended Stoneridge during The Great Depression. And once Minerva discovers that one of Tremblay's books was based on a true story, the 1934 disappearance of one of the author's friends, she is determined to find out more. Minerva is no stranger to tales of odd happenings and disappearances, as her great-grandmother, Alba, told her plenty of them, the most harrowing of which happened in 1908 in Mexico, when Alba encountered her own monster.

The Problem: When Minerva gains access to some documents and pictures that shed a little more light on both Tremblay, and the disappearance that inspired her book, she begins to have a strange sense that the same force that plagued the author and her friend, as well as her great-grandmother, may once again be at work as she attempts to learn the truth. In 1934, Tremblay's friend spoke of feelings of being followed and pursued. And in 1908, Alba tells the story of her family farm and the series of terrible tragedies that had most everyone convinced that the land was cursed. Minerva knows that academic stress is real and cannot be dismissed, but she also remembers what her great-grandmother told her, and there are too many similarities between then and now.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that had also been placed into the horror category due to the discussion of witchcraft, curses, spells, and even seances. The book contains three different stories, during three different times in history. The main story involves graduate student Minerva in 1998 at Stoneridge College. Then there is horror author Beatrice Tremblay, also at Stoneridge College, but in 1934, when the girls' dorms still had house mothers. And in 1908, Minerva's great-grandmother, Alba, tells of the time shortly after her father's death when it seemed the family farm was cursed, and she knew witchcraft was at work. While Stoneridge College is fictional, Moreno-Garcia was inspired by her own time at a New England college, as well as by the myriad of horror authors who lived in and around the New England area.

My Verdict: This is the sixth novel that I have read by Moreno-Garcia, and it is easily my favorite. I will admit to being less interested in Alba's story than I was in the other two, but that was more because of my annoyance with Alba as a character than anything else. I would have liked more of Tremblay's story and more information about her time at Stoneridge, especially since the disappearance of her friend is Minerva's primary focus, but I suppose we did get more information about that through Minerva's research and interviews. The three stories were expertly brought together, allowing the mystery to unfold in a way that is not awkward or forced. 

Favorite Moment: I do enjoy most aspects of academic research, so watching Minerva go through old letters and photos, as well as visit library archives gave me a fair amount of joy.

Favorite Character: For the most part, Minerva prefers to keep to herself and is quickly exhausted by most social interactions. But she works hard, remains focused, and is determined to find the truth.

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez. 

Contemporary Fiction: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

Something I am always on the lookout for when it comes to this blog are books that are worthy of the category of 'door stop.' Five hundred pages or more is all it takes for a book to fall under that label, and the fact that Katabasis comes from author R.F. Kuang, and is also around 540 pages, made me incredibly happy and excited. I thoroughly enjoyed Babel, and was excited for another Kuang book that involved characters obsessed with both academics and Magick.

The Situation: Alice Law is on an incredible mission with a high chance for failure. But she feels she has no choice but to do the seemingly impossible, and certainly unadvisable. If she has done the right amount of research, and learned the right spells, and taken enough notes, Alice should be able to journey into Hell and retrieve her advisor, Dr. Jacob Grimes. All she has ever wanted was to become one of the best in the field of Magick. So far this has meant studying under Grimes, who is currently the best at what he does. With his support, she can graduate from Cambridge knowing that she is pretty much guaranteed a great job and a bright future. So his death must be reversed if she is to stay on track. Also, there is the small detail that she is pretty sure his death was her fault.

The Problem: Descending into hell and casually bringing someone close to you back to the land of the living is not a simple task, and Alice knows this. Her rival, Peter Murdoch, is also well aware of how complicated this task is, but believes they have a better chance of success if they attempt it together. But the last thing Alice wanted was for Peter to tag along. To her, Peter is the annoyingly kind and affable golden boy of the department who can do no wrong, and always comes out on top. He wins all of the awards, gets all of the praise, and most annoying of all, he is incredibly nice and just as brilliant as everyone says. Together, the two of them journey through Hell in search of the advisor that neither of them hold any real affection for, but the search could cost them even more than they realized.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fantasy novel set mostly in Hell, but begins at Cambridge where Alice and Peter first begin their descent. Throughout their journey, there is much talk about philosophy, religion, logic, literature, and even mathematics. To make it through the many courts of hell, Alice and Peter will have to draw on every bit of knowledge they have, across several fields, and it still may not be enough. Naturally, something that is referenced throughout are Dante's thoughts from The Divine Comedy, especially as Alice and Peter have their own beliefs as to how Hell is arranged, and what is the best way to move through it. As the two of them continue their adventure, they must also reconcile who they are to each other, and take an honest look at the person that was Jacob Grimes.

My Verdict: There was considerable excitement surrounding this book, and for me, it was merited. Kuang wastes no time getting the story started, as the reader immediately knows what Alice is up to and why. Once she and Peter make it into Hell, the adventure and excitement do not stop for the next 500+ pages. Sure, the setting does not really change since they are in Hell, but every chapter is a new challenge, or puzzle, or question. And the story is not a simple movement through the different courts or levels of Hell. The pair are thrown off track many times, and the characters they encounter are fascinating (many are horrifying), and add to a story that is fun, but will also make the reader think. There are logic puzzles that Alice and Peter must work through, but they must also think about what they are really fighting for, and what they are willing to sacrifice to get it.

Favorite Moment: For the first half of the book, Peter Murdoch is a bit of a mystery, until he finally gets the opportunity to tell his story.

Favorite Character: In the beginning, it is pretty easy to dislike Alice, and at least be a bit suspicious of Peter. Alice admits, at least to the reader, that she is the type who is fine with favoritism as long as she is the one benefitting. And she is unwilling to believe or admit to any truth in which she is not special, or chosen, or superior in some way. Ultimately, I did not choose a favorite character, and I am not sure I can. 

Recommended Reading: Kuang's Babel deals with a different kind of magic, but also takes place in an academic setting.

Science Fiction: These Memories Do Not Belong to Us by Yiming Ma

For what could (maybe) end up being my last science fiction selection for the year, I chose Yiming Ma's These Memories Do Not Belong to Us. As the title suggests, the book explores memories, their power, and their value, in a far-off future where they can be shared, but also edited, and even deleted.

The Situation: In a distant future, the Qin empire is in power after a long war and the outbreak of the deadly Chrysanthemum Virus, and every citizen has been outfitted with a Mindbank, a device that allows memories to be stored, shared, and deleted. When a nameless narrator inherits his mother's Mindbank following her death, he makes a surprising, and also terrifying discovery. In her Mindbank are many memories that have been banned by the Qin authorities. By having her son inherit them, she has put his freedom, possibly even his life, in danger. While he believes he will eventually be apprehended, he holds onto his mother's memories anyway, and shares them with the reader.

The Problem: The collection of memories - which are sorted into three categories, Before the War, The War, and After the War - take place in various lands, spanning decades, with both female and male narrators and protagonists. There even seems to be a common thread as certain people show up in more than one memory, or their story is referenced as part of an important event in Qin history. Regardless, despite what the narrator is able to learn about his mother, as well as government he serves, he knows he is in danger, and is not sure if he wishes to simply wait for the inevitable punishment; embrace it by coming forward; or perhaps, attempt to share what he has with the world.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set in a distant future, and after a war that has allowed the Qin empire to take over and redefine the world as we know it. Thoughts and memories can now be monitored as every citizen has a Mindbank, allowing all memories to be shared. In the stories that take place before the war, Mindbanks are only available to the wealthy, with artists and storytellers already lamenting the all but certain disappearance of books and movies. While there is a story and timeline to follow, the format of the book more closely resembles a collection of short stories, especially as they do not appear in chronological order. 

My Verdict: Any premise that deals with the manipulation of thoughts and memory is always immediately interesting to me. And with every big tech and social media company out there after both our money and our information, the idea of a Mindbank is not that far off. Truly, my only real lament about this book is that the stories do not appear in sequential order of when they took place. Even the three provided headings of Before the War, The War, and After the War are not that helpful in placing events when they actually occurred, at least not for me. The ideas presented are interesting and thought-provoking, even if the ending is a bit on the nose.

Favorite Moment: There are several moments when a character must comes to terms with the fact that they are not much better at navigating this world than anyone else.

Favorite Story: "86 Shanghai" is the story of a Chinese immigrant living in New York City, who can only call his family back in China once a month. The details of his life, what he must do to survive and eventually have his family join him, and the progression into the future, are all incredibly well thought out and intriguing to read. 

Recommended Reading: 1984 by George Orwell came to mind many times while reading this book. 

Historical Fiction: The Antidote by Karen Russell

Karen Russell's The Antidote has garnered a good amount of attention for tackling what life was like during the Dust Bowl in the U.S, as well as the displacement of Native Americans, and the displacement of the settlers from their own homes in Europe. With a little added magical realism, Russell's story becomes about more than economic hardship and environmental consequences.

The Situation: After Black Sunday in 1935, the farmers in Uz, Nebraska are facing a crisis. The land that they settled on has turned to dust, and so has their livelihood. Everyday another family gives up and moves away from the small town. Harp Oletsky, a wheat farmer who grew up in Uz after his family relocated there from Poland, has experienced a strange bit of luck as his wheat is growing just fine, despite the drought. But he cannot allow himself to celebrate it as his neighbors continue to struggle around him. Living with him is his niece, Asphodel, who is still coming to terms with the death of her mother, Harp's sister. And then there is the Antidote, a woman in town who can take a memory, any memory, and store it away somewhere deep inside herself until the customer is ready to retrieve it.

The Problem: The Antidote, Prairie Witch, Vault...whatever people decided to call her, is facing her own crisis. Since Black Sunday, she has lost all of the memories that the townspeople of Uz have deposited with her. And because so many of them have decided to leave, there are now lines outside of her door of people wanting to retrieve what they gave her. If they find out she has lost the memories, they will think she is a fake, and the Antidote already has enough trouble with the town Sherriff, who is carrying a secret of his own. But when a photographer from D.C. arrives to take pictures of the people of Uz, her camera may reveal more than anyone bargained for, giving the town a new crisis to grapple with.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set between Black Sunday in 1935, one of the worst dust storms in the history of this country, and the flooding of the Republican River, which received 24 inches of rain in 24 hours. Front and center in the story is the Dust Bowl and its effects on farmers, such as Harp and his friends. But there is also the titular character of the Antidote and her strange ability to relieve people of their memories. Some may call her a witch, and she may be generally shunned by polite society, but yet so many rely on her to take (and keep) their secrets, as they believe her when she says she never hears a thing when they come to her. But the people of Uz will also be confronted with what happened when the land they now live on was settled, as it was given to them by a government who had to first take it form someone else.

My Verdict: The dust bowl as a subject in fiction has always interested me, and I was excited to see Russell's take on it. The book started out well enough, before eventually feeling like a chore to get through every time I picked it up. Having several different characters take over telling the story as opposed to having only one perspective was a great choice, but even that did little to allow me to get away from a particularly difficult, or even boring part of the story by escaping into a another character's narrative. To be fair, pretty much every aspect of the story is a difficult one, and I give Russell credit for going for it and not shying away from hard topics.

Favorite Moment: As the captain of a ragtag basketball team, Asphodel is committed to winning, but has to confront everything that goes into that, from team sacrifices, to facing down opponents who may have even more to lose.

Favorite Character: I want to pick the cat that makes its way around Uz, but if I am forced to pick a human, I pick government photographer Cleo Allfrey.

Recommended Reading: I always recommend The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, but for a more contemporary read, I recommend The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. 

Classic Fiction: Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende

Continuing my journey through the books of Isabel Allende, today's post is all about Portrait in Sepia, which for me will close out the author's Trilogía Involuntaria, which also includes The House of the Spirits, and Daughter of Fortune. Staying within the tradition of the other two books, this one follows a young woman, Aurora del Valle, beginning before she was even born, and continuing into the early 20th century as she enters adulthood and begins to uncover the buried memories and lost stories of the past. 

The Situation: Before Aurora del Valle is born, her mother, uncle, and grandparents are respected members of the Chinatown community in San Francisco. Lynn Sommers is already known for her beauty, something that greatly worries her mother Eliza, as she insists on escorting the young girl everywhere and making sure she spends no amount of time alone with any of the young men who seek to gain her attention. Despite all of Eliza's attempts and attention, Lynn becomes pregnant and gives birth to a young girl. But for Aurora, the first five years of her life will remain a mystery, as will her maternal grandparents, as she will be raised by her paternal grandmother Paulina del Valle, a woman insistent on keeping her granddaughter's early years a secret.

The Problem: Although she has no memory of the first five years of her life, Aurora is regularly haunted by nightmares of figures in black. It is almost as if her life began when she came under the care of Paulina del Valle, a woman who is larger than life in many ways. Irreverent, proud, envied, but also incredibly skilled in business and money management, Paulina makes sure that her granddaughter wants for nothing, while also remaining ignorant about her past. But even the del Valle matriarch is unable to keep the War of the Pacific, followed by the Chilean Civil War, from affecting those close to her. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in both San Francisco and Chile, beginning in 1862, before Aurora is born, and ending in 1910. As the narrator, Aurora sets out to tell not only her own story, but the story of her family, while admitting that her memory is flawed. Readers will recognize several characters from the other books in Allende's Trilogía Involuntaria, including some names from The House of the Spirits, the events of which take place in the future. At the forefront are Aurora's grandmothers, Pauline del Valle and Eliza Sommers, both women who insisted on making their own path in life, despite how women were expected to behave in the 19th century.

My Verdict: Of the four books that involve the del Valle family (including this year's My Name is Emilia del Valle), this one has become my favorite. Aurora may be the focus, but the book takes on several members and branches of the del Valle family tree, and I love the choice of occasionally spending a significant amount of pages on someone other than the main protagonist. With so many colorful characters, and its setting of some of the most tumultuous years in Chile's history, it makes sense to go outside of what Aurora would have been able to see with her own eyes, therefore adding to the already epic story of the del Valle family. The book can be read on its own, separate from the others in the Trilogía Involuntaria, but I recommend reading all three.

Favorite Moment: It is difficult to go against the wishes of Paulina del Valle, but Eliza Sommers manages to stand firm in an early decision.

Favorite Character: Aurora's grandfather, Tao Chi'en, is a respected physician and an advocate for the helpless in his community. 

Recommended Reading: Chronologically, Portrait in Sepia is the second book in the Trilogía Involuntaria, but it was published third. Honestly, the series could be read in either the order the books were published, or in the order of the events in the story. Either way would work. 

Young Adult Fiction: Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson

Author Tiffany D. Jackson is no stranger to the YA genre, so I was interested to see what happens when she writes a mystery and suspense novel geared more towards middle grade readers. Blood in the Water follows a young girl who is investigating a mysterious death while away from home on summer vacation. As with all of Jackson's books, nothing is quite as it seems, and the young detective has her work cut out for her.

The Situation: Kaylani McKinnon is not exactly excited about spending the summer at Martha's Vineyard, away from her home in Brooklyn. It means staying with a strange family she has not seen in years, in a house she does not know, and even further away from her dad, who is in prison on embezzlement charges. Every night, Kaylani waits for him to call, always feeling like the minutes run out too quickly, and there is too much time before the next day, when she will get to speak to him again. Despite her misgivings, Kaylani ends up at Martha's Vineyard with the Watson's, and their annoying granddaughter, London.

The Problem: It is clear that London is even less excited than Kaylani about her staying with her family. London's older sister Cassie is not too thrilled either, but she is more distracted by a few of the boys her age on the island. Kaylani does her best to get comfortable, even managing to make some friends, until tragedy strikes the island and a young boy ends up dead. With a few recent shark sightings in the waters surrounding the island, people are not sure if the boy's death is the result of a rare shark attack, or something more sinister. Kaylani is eager to solve the case, but the more she finds, the more secrets are revealed not only about the island, but the people she is staying with.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a middle grade novel set mostly in and around Martha's Vineyard. Kaylani is on the island as a guest of the Watson's, a wealthy family that spends their summers on the island, which means Kaylani is there along with the Watson's granddaughters, Cassie and London. For the majority of the story, the main antagonist is London, whose only interests include clothes, makeup, and being able to be seen with her older sister Cassie, who is less than interested in being around the two younger girls. During her time on the island, Kaylani will learn about the history of Martha's Vineyard, as well as the nature of shark attacks, all while trying to solve the possible murder of a local boy.

My Verdict: When I first realized that this book was going to be geared more towards middle grade readers, I wondered how Jackson was going to tailor her writing for a younger audience. As with several of Jackson's previous books, this one includes a murder mystery, but is not quite as heavy as far as the subject matter, which works well for younger readers. There is still a mystery to solve, very real danger to be avoided, and plenty of suspicious characters that may or not be on the protagonist's side. Almost any reader of any age can recall the feeling of having to spend a summer somewhere other than where they want to be, which is where Kaylani's story starts, and then it devolves from there. This is a smart, quick, and enjoyable read.

Favorite Moment: London is spoiled, stuck-up and annoying, and everyone knows it. It was satisfying to see some of the characters pointedly seek out Kaylani's presence instead, despite her being an outsider, and most everyone knowing her father is in prison. 

Favorite Character: Kaylani is smart, and stubborn when she needs to be. Her father also taught her to be observant and to know her surroundings, something that comes in handy more than once.

Recommended Reading: My favorite of Jackson's books remains to be Monday's Not Coming. 

Contemporary Fiction: Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh

The debut adult novel of author Renée Ahdieh has been compared to both Crazy Rich Asians and Succession. With the focus of the story being on an ultra-wealthy Korean family, Park Avenue takes readers on a journey with an ambitious lawyer desperate to reach her goals, but her latest case may prove to be too treacherous, and with simply too much family drama.

The Situation: Jia Song has just made junior partner at her law firm, which means she is on the right track to achieving her goals. As the middle child, and only daughter, of Korean bodega owners, Jia has dreamed of the day that she could enjoy the ridiculous luxuries she witnessed others enjoying as she grew up in New York City. And while Jia is well on her way, finding success with her latest case assignment could be the thing that fast-tracks her career towards becoming senior partner. It seems that the extremely wealthy Park family is in need of a lawyer to assist in a family matter, one that involves infidelity, possible fraud, theft, and so many secrets.

The Problem: The Park family's reputation is enough to make them intimidating. And when Jia meets them, she comes face-to-face with Sora's (the oldest sister) icy demeanor, Suzy's (Sora's twin) knack for reckless and destructive honesty, and Minsoo's (the younger brother) preference for decorum and discretion, while also not being all that helpful. Oh and another thing: the three of them do not get along. But they need Jia's assistance in proving that their father is hiding money from their mother. Seven and Jenny Park are going through a divorce, while Jenny is also dealing with terminal cancer. It is the kind of case that only a future senior partner could handle, but with no one wanting to cooperate, and everyone keeping secrets from Jia, she certainly has her work cut out for her.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of fiction set mostly in New York City, but also has the protagonist travel to Greece, and the Cayman's, as well as Paris, all as part of her effort to discover what the patriarch of the Park family is really up to. It is clear to Jia from the beginning that she was recommended for this case because she, like the Park family, is Korean-American, but she immediately feels out of place in their family's presence. She may be on her way to owning a Birkin bag of her own (a goal she has long been obsessed with), but it takes one cold look from Sora, and a few small verbal jabs from Suzy for her to know exactly where she stands. Jia also thinks back on her place in her own family as the one who did what needed to be done, but was never the priority. 

My Verdict: This is an intriguing premise that kept me guessing, for the most part. And even the parts I was able to figure out were not so obvious to be annoying, or boring. If anything, the twists and turns often threatened to be a bit too much, a few of them teetering on the edge of believability. A few reviewers have criticized the author's use of a narrator that, in some chapters, chose to address the reader directly to offer cryptic explanations and apologies for their own role in the story. And while this was not my favorite choice, I did not hate it as much as some other readers did. My main issue would be Jia's lack of maturity, or, as I mentioned before, some of the plot reveals that I had a hard time believing.

Favorite Moment: When confronted with a former boyfriend, Jia manages to hold it together when it is most important.

Favorite Character: Pretty much everyone in this story is either deeply flawed, or holding onto some secret that could be their own undoing, or the undoing of someone they care about. Everything is about money, all of the time, even when it seems like it is not, and it felt like the worst side of nearly every characters was on full display.

Recommended Reading: Olga Dies Dreaming by Xóchitl González would be a nice follow-up.

Nonfiction: Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams

Interestingly enough, I found out about this book through a post on Facebook. Given what Sarah Wynn-Williams' Careless People is about, I have to find that more than a little humorous. In the book, the author, a former Facebook employee herself, details her time there, complete with accounts of misogyny, double standards, and most anything else that makes up a toxic work environment.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of nonfiction that follows Wynn-Williams' career during her time at Facebook as their Director of Global Public Policy. After a short prologue, and a brief story from the author's childhood about when she was attacked by a shark, Wynn-Williams goes into just how she got her job at Facebook, essentially managing to convince leadership to create a whole new position for her. Convinced that Facebook had the power to change the world for the better, Wynn-Williams wanted the role of helping Facebook with geopolitical issues. She gets her wish, but what follows are years of watching a company grow in power, while their leaders become more corrupt, and more focused on getting the platform in as many places as possible, by any means necessary. And the author struggles to hold onto her idealism, while also being asked to work an unsustainable schedule in the middle of growing and raising her family. There are awkward encounters with international leaders; intense meetings at the Facebook office(s); and a constant feeling of being in a 'This is Fine' meme.  

My Verdict: This is one of those books I found myself having to read as quickly as possible, and not because it is a bad book, but because the subject matter is so unsettling. Granted, I knew that would be the case, but some of what Wynn-Williams reveals is so absurd and ridiculous, and also a bit soul-crushing as it shows humanity at its worst, and how power and money can become the ultimate focus, especially for those who already have so much of both. I must point out the role that Wynn-Williams played in many of Facebook's nefarious successes, which is something she does acknowledge...somewhat...but only after reiterating her continued belief that the company had the power to do so much good in the world, and that she only wanted to help. Well, the results of her 'help' only aided in putting the company where it is now.

Favorite Moment: Any one of my favorite moments would be a major spoiler if I were to post it here. The entire book will serve as validation for many who have long suspected what Facebook has been up to. For me, there is one Facebook executive in particular whose behavior I found both fascinating and horrifying. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend Babel by R.F. Kuang. Yes, Babel is fiction, and set in a different time and place. However, I kept thinking about its themes of knowledge and exploitation while I was reading Careless People. And Wynn-Williams reminds me of one of the characters that also meant well, but just did not seem to 'get it.'

Contemporary Fiction: My Friends by Fredrik Backman

Author Fredrik Backman is possibly most well-known for A Man Called Ove, which is one of those books I recommended to my mother, and now she is determined to read all of Backman's work. His latest book, My Friends, centers on an artist and the group of friends that encouraged him to draw and paint, leading to a career he never saw for himself, but his friends always believed was possible. 

The Situation: Almost 18 year-old Louisa has what she has decided is a genius plan as she sneaks into a church. On this particular evening, the church is hosting an art auction full of pieces that only the extremely rich would be able to afford. The whole thing has Louisa infuriated because she knows these people do not want the art so they can look at it and appreciate it. To this crowd, the art is an 'investment,' and something else for them to brag to their other rich friends about. So she sneaks in and manages to make it over to her favorite piece, The One of the Sea. It is the painting that is on the postcard she carries with her, the one that says "Miss you, see you soon. - Mom" on the back. But things take a turn when someone else notices her, and her backpack, which is full of cans of spray paint.

The Problem: Through a series of mishaps after a genius plan that turned out to not be all that genius takes a turn, Louisa finds herself on an adventure she had not planned for. Something about the painting is that there are three figures in it. These are three friends hanging out on a pier that most people who view the painting never even see. But now, Louisa is on a cross-country adventure, learning all about the artist, and his three friends Joar, Ted, and Ali. More than two decades ago, the group of friends would spend every day of the summer on that pier, each escaping the harsh realities they had to face at home. Not only is Louisa getting the full story, but it has been determined that she, of all people, should have the painting...which seems ridiculous seeing as she does not even currently have a home.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of fiction where the setting is not specifically mentioned, but Louisa does take a journey from the town where the auction is being held, to the seaside town where the artist grew up. Along the way, she is told the story of those four friends who would hang out on the pier, and how the artist was encouraged to paint something for an art competition, the result of which was The One of the Sea. The power of friendship is evident not only in the artist's story, but in Louisa's as well, as she looks back on her time with her best friend Fish and all of the adventures they had together. But there is also the power of art and stories, and the possibility of happy endings. 

My Verdict: Something I love about Backman's work are the slow reveals. As the story progresses, layers are gradually peeled back that not only offer more of the story, but provide more details about the characters, and they are usually details that the reader would have already assumed. So when those assumptions are proved wrong, it is indeed surprising, while also helping the reader see just how much is still unanswered. Backman also masterfully injects humor into serious moments, while not losing any of the tension or sincerity. This book is for the ones who love a good journey, or a good story about friendship, or even a book full of unique and quirky characters. 

Favorite Moment: I love trains, so it delights me that Louisa's journey happens mostly by train.

Favorite Character: Ted is seemingly afraid of everything, which is not quite accurate, but he is afraid of quite a bit. For one, he does not like to fly (hence the train ride), but he is also a bit afraid of dogs, cars, and germs. But he is loyal to a fault, and will do his best to take care of his friends.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Backman's Anxious People, which has also been made into a series on Netflix.