Historical Fiction: The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict

The work of Agatha Christie is something I feel like I should be more familiar with. Unfortunately, I have only read one of her books, and it was And Then There Were None, which is fantastic. So I was drawn to Marie Benedict's The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, which speculates what happened when the up-and-coming mystery author disappeared in December of 1926, only to suddenly reappear unharmed ten days later. 

The Situation: It is 1912 and young Agatha Miller is at a dance where she meets Archibald "Archie" Christie, a handsome and somewhat intense man who insists on flouting nearly all social graces if it means he can be near Agatha. While she admits to herself that there is an attraction, Agatha must also keep in mind the young man with whom it was already settled that she would one day marry. Eventually, the increased love and passion she feels for Archie wins out, and the two enter into a marriage that already proves it will be anything but normal. Fast forward to 1926, and Mrs. Christie has received acclaim and renown for her mysteries. But on December 3rd, Agatha disappears, seemingly vanishing into the countryside, and all that is found is her car and some clothes. There is also the letter she wrote and left for her husband, the one he does not want anyone to see. It seems the relationship between Agatha and Archie was not what she thought it would be when they first married.

The Problem: Of course, the prime suspect is her husband Archie, with whom she was overheard having a heated disagreement earlier that morning. The story of their married life unfolds in one narrative, told from her point of view, where it becomes clear that Archie is not the man and husband Agatha thought he was. A second narrative told from Archie's point of view shows the progression of the investigation, and how no matter what he says or does, he manages to look incredibly guilty. Archie wants nothing more than to hide their marital troubles, including his affair, but every attempt to keep secrets hidden is thwarted, and the investigators seem intent on pinning everything on him. As the two timelines meet, the clues surrounding Mrs. Christie's disappearance only come together to point to Archie, and while he is desperate to escape any and all notice, he must play the part, if only to keep his secrets hidden.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that focuses specifically on the ten days Agatha Christie went missing in 1926, as well as her marriage and relationship with her first husband, Archie. When the real Agatha Christie disappeared, the novelist reappeared ten days later, having remembered nothing. The event is not even mentioned in her autobiography, and doctors diagnosed her as having a genuine loss in memory. In the book, Agatha's disappearance is made to look like one of her novels by the author herself, and the main character, and suspect, is her husband. An investigation follows, the clues are slowly revealed, and what unfolds is something resembling the puzzles Agatha liked to have in her novels. With chapters alternating between her story of their marriage, and his story of the investigation, the book eventually reveals the full picture of their life together.

My Verdict: Basing a fictional story on a real event that happened to a real person in history, and a famous one at that, is a brilliant move. There is currently no definitive explanation to what happened to Agatha Christie during her disappearance, other than the unsatisfying explanation of memory loss. So I enjoyed being able to go along with Benedict in exploring what may have happened. Unfortunately, the resulting ending was much less interesting than I would have hoped, and I do not fully believe it is because it is only a speculation. Also, there is a certain disconnect between Agatha's story and Archie's story, and it would be easy to explain it away as part of the overall disconnect in their marriage, but that does not quite satisfy either. The book serves its purpose as an intriguing mystery, but the overall product leaves something to be desired.

Favorite Moment: I enjoyed any moment that proved to Archie that he is not as in control of the situation as he wishes to be.

Favorite Character: Charlotte's main job is to help take care of Rosalind, the Christie's only child, but she also serves as Agatha's secretary. She is a side character that does not feature too prominently, and while she is loyal to the family, and agrees to keep some secrets, she will only act in Rosalind's best interest, even if it means betraying the people who pay her.

Recommended Reading: I recommend And Then There Were None, as well as The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins if you are looking for a much darker mystery.

Young Adult Fiction: The Project by Courtney Summers

Every new book by young adult writer Courtney Summers has something different to offer. In 2018, readers were both thrilled and affected by Sadie, a story of a young girl's search for her sister and the family history that forced them apart. Now Summers presents us with The Project, and just as a warning, this one is also not for the faint at heart.

The Situation: Nineteen year-old Lo wants nothing more than to write. Well, what she wants is nothing more than to find her sister Bea, but that door was shut so many times that she finally moved on. Now that Lo works at a small and often failing publication, she feels like it should be any day now that her boss will throw an assignment her way. And yet she continues to fetch his coffee, arrange (and rearrange) his calendar, and answer the front office phone. One day she witnesses the horrific death of a young man, and when she finds out that The Unity Project may be to blame, she is suddenly presented with a possible way to not only prove herself to her boss with an incredible story, but also make a path into the organization that her sister Bea joined over six years ago. Before a car accident that tore their family apart, Bea and Lo were close, just as their mother predicted they would be. But then Bea joined The Unity Project, and has not been seen by her sister since.

The Problem: The Unity Project has deep pockets, a large membership, and a charismatic leader that people seem inexplicably drawn to and willing to protect. When Bea first disappeared, Lo tried everything to get access to her sister, but was turned away again and again, while being told that Bea did not want her around. Even now, six years later, the members of The Unity Project still recognize Bea's little sister, but to her surprise, Lev, the leader, agrees to meet with her. Actually, to her greater surprise, he agrees to talk to her for the article she wishes to write. Bea believed this man could perform miracles, but Lo is more than skeptical. However, even when she gains access to The Unity Project headquarters, and has Lev's undivided attention, the sinister secrets she was sure to find are hard to come by. And then Lo begins to question what she has always believed, about The Unity Project, her sister, and even herself.

Genre, Theme, History: This is a young adult fiction novel that opens in 1998, when Lo is born, and goes through the end of 2018. The chapters jump back and forth through time, telling both Lo's story in present day, as well as Bea's story as she joins the project and becomes involved in its inner workings. To those who follow Lev and join The Unity Project, it is a place that is doing a lot of good in the community and is committed to righting the world's wrongs. But to its detractors, it is nothing more than a cult the preys on the vulnerable (hence their tendency to set up shelters of various sorts for those that are hurting and in need), with a wealthy benefactor, and a man that somehow inspires both loyalty and secrecy. The Unity Project may be front and center of the story, but just behind it is the strong, but also complicated bond between two sisters. Bea left Lo behind because she believes Lev saved her sister's life. But to Lo's mind, she was only left behind. Complicated sister-relationships are a common theme in Summers' work, appearing in both Sadie and This is Not a Test.  

My Verdict: I have probably stated this before, but I do not enjoy reading about cults, in either fiction or nonfiction. The creep factor is just too high. Even so, I powered through with this one, mostly because I like Summers' writing and trusted her to not make it too hard for her readers. Thankfully, the risk was rewarded with a story that was still hard to read in many places, but not so much that I dreaded to turn the page. In fact, I needed to know what happened next, despite the very obvious fact that it was not going to be something good. There is a slow reveal here of what is really happening that is done well enough to be satisfying instead of frustrating, but also tense enough to place this book in the category of 'thriller.' Other readers may certainly be more frustrated with the two sisters than I was, and it is understandable, but I especially encourage those who enjoy YA thrillers, as well as those who like true crime documentaries that focus on cults, to give this book a try.    

Favorite Moment: The first crack in Lev and The Unity Project's near perfect exterior is small, but it is there, and it is something the reader has to hold onto until the next one. It is a great way to illustrate how these organizations can fool so many for so long.

Favorite Character: Foster is a man who is brought to The Unity Project by Bea. He is smart, capable, strong, and protective; he was simply approached in the right way at just the right time.

Recommended Reading: My favorite of Summers' books remains to be This is Not a Test. 

Young Adult Fiction: The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

Huge shoutout to the cloudLibrary, which allowed me to still read Namina Forna's The Gilded Ones, the first book in the Deathless series, after a botched Amazon delivery (it happens) kept my physical copy from reaching my house. Thankfully, I was able to simply log on and check out the ebook. As many of you know, my home state of Texas has experienced a crazy winter storm (by our standards), so being able to bundle up and read a book from my phone has been an incredible blessing.

The Situation: The day has come for the Ritual of Purity, and 16 year-old Deka is a little worried. She, along with all of the other of-age girls, must prove to the rest of their community that her blood is pure. All she can do is pray to Oyomo, the god of her world, that her blood will run as it should, instead of gold like an impure one. Red blood means she can return to the life she knows, one day marry, and raise a family of her own. But gold blood most likely means exile, or perhaps death. She is already seen as an outsider thanks to the dark skin that makes her look more like a Southerner, despite having lived in the Northern Province of Otera her whole life. Many already suspect that she is too different, and unfortunately for Deka, their suspicions are correct. Before the priest can even cut her to reveal her blood, Deka's village is attacked, and it is her use of a previously unknown ability that betrays her as what she really is.

The Problem: Deka's gold blood has removed her from her father, her few friends, and her village. It is only due to the kindness, and impeccable timing, of a strange woman known only as White Hands, that she is able to escape whatever cruel fate her village had in store for her. Instead, Deka is now headed to the Warthu Bera in Hemaira, where she will train as a warrior. All her life she was told that those whose blood runs golds had no future. But in Hemaira, they are trained as the best and greatest defenders against Deathshrieks, creatures that occasionally leave their nests to attack humans, and often capture young girls and women. If what happened during the Ritual of Purity is any indication, Deka may be even more useful than her new leaders know. More useful than even she knows. And in the coming months, not only will she learn more about who and what she is, but also what she can do, and the true history behind the ones who bleed gold.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fantasy young-adult novel set in and around the land of Otera, which is Deka's home. It has been the long-held belief of its people that women have one role, and that is essentially to serve in the home and support men. At least, that is the belief of those who believe in Oyomo. This is what Deka has been raised to believe, along with the idea that girls with gold blood are abominations, demons, unnatural beings that must be harshly dealt with. The long and rich history of Deka's world, as well as how it has handled people like her, is slowly revealed as the story goes. As some questions are answered, more spring up, effectively keeping her in a state of relative confusion, as even those who clearly have the answers are not willing to give them to her. This would lead to significant feelings of loneliness and isolation if not for the friends she is able to make during her strange journey, friends that vow to never leave her side, despite their own misgivings regarding who she is and what she can do.

My Verdict: I remember when it was announced that this book was not going to come out on its original publication date, which I believe was summer 2020. So readers were made to wait until February 2021, and for many, the wait will be worth it. Forna has created an impressive and colorful world with an incredibly rich and intricate history. Lovers of fantasy will certainly enjoy being able to dive right into this one and explore a place that is probably nothing like one they have read about before. And the women, who have been raised to believe they are not worth much, even without cursed gold blood, are strong and formidable, as well as fiercely loyal to each other. With all of that being said, I am not sure the series is for me. Most of this is due to my lack of affinity for fantasy novels, and has nothing to do with Forna's writing. She has certainly crafted a well thought-out world with wonderful characters. They simply are not to my interests.

Favorite Moment: Throughout the book, White Hands is revealed to be even more than what she seems, and from her first mention, she seemed like someone not worth messing with. But every other time she shows up in the story, the reader learns something else about her that completely changes the game.

Favorite Character: I would have to choose between either White Hands, or Deka's best friend Britta. White Hands is almost a constant mystery to everyone, and certainly to Deka. Britta is pretty much as she seems: a strong and loyal friend who would do anything for those she loves.

Recommended Reading: One fantasy series I have decided to follow-through with is Tomi Adeyemi's Legacy of Orisha series, the first of which was Children of Blood and Bone. 

Contemporary Fiction: This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith

Today's selection will be my first adventure into a book by Leesa Cross-Smith, and for awhile it felt like This Close to Okay was everywhere I looked. Readers and critics have certainly been excited about it, despite its sensitive subject matter, and I could not help but be excited as well.

The Situation: It is a rainy October night when recently-divorced therapist Tallie Clark spots a man making his way over the railing of a bridge. Tallie knows what it looks like when someone is about to take their life, so she stops the car, opens the door, and tells him he doesn't have to do this. And it works. This begins what will end up being an intense and emotional weekend with Emmett. Tallie knows nothing about this man, other than that he is clearly in a desperate place. And to be fair, Emmett knows nothing about Tallie, except that she cares maybe a little too much, has a cozy house, two sweet cats, and was recently divorced. Tallie will convince herself that it is not necessarily unethical to not tell Emmett she is a therapist, since he is not actually a client. And Emmett tells himself that it is fine to not tell her his whole story, including what would make him want to jump from a bridge, and why he still intends on doing so. 

The Problem: Starting on Thursday night, Tallie and Emmett will slowly (or maybe quickly, depending on how you choose to look at it) get to know each other, despite all of the mystery and secrets. Tallie mostly holds back only on what she feels is necessary, even going so far as to talk about her divorce and how she still Facebook stalks her ex-husband. Emmett will use some of that information to do his own snooping, believing he is only helping Tallie as she helps him. And Tallie does not stop at inviting him to her home and telling her story. She also invites Emmett to her brother's annual Halloween party, going through the trouble of picking out a costume they can wear together, and introduces him to pretty much her entire family. It is a little weird how more than one person seems to think they recognize him from somewhere, especially when Tallie has Googled him and found nothing, and he is insistent on remaining a closed book. Overall, the weekend is a comforting, nice change. Then someone does recognize Emmett. And the truth changes everything.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction book set mostly in and around modern-day Louisville, with the opening scene taking place on a bridge over the Ohio River. Also, in the book, the Halloween holiday is on a Saturday, and it is mentioned that it is the end of Daylight Savings, which would mean that the year is probably 2020. In alternating chapters, Tallie and Emmett tell their story, eventually revealing themselves to each other. Tallie is certainly the more open of the two, as Emmett manages to remain a mystery to almost everybody until near the end, including the reader. The book moves at a fairly leisurely pace, even though the majority of the action takes place from Thursday night to Sunday night, giving everything a sense of slow urgency. Though many issues are discussed (mental health, loss, grief, coping, etc.), it is never quite forgotten that Emmett was a man who was once intent on taking his own life, and he and Tallie do not actually know each other that well. 

My Verdict: While reading this book at a coffee shop, I was asked if it was a romance, and I assured the person that it was not. It was a fair enough question, even though the cover (which I love by the way) is not the typical romance cover. And while there are certainly romance elements, I found myself saying that the book was more about mental health and grief than anything else. Obviously, something happened that made Emmett want to jump off of a bridge. And also, there is something that made Tallie believe that offering this same person her couch to sleep on for a couple of nights was a good idea. I feel like Cross-Smith is holding up two very different people who both need healing...and one of them is even a licensed therapist, proving that no one is exempt from needing help sometimes. Add in the peaceful pace, warm imagery, and the scenes centered around food, and this is somehow a comforting novel involving intense and heartbreaking issues.

Favorite Moment: There is something about the scenes where Emmett cooks. I also love to cook, so it does not take much for me to enjoy a cooking imagery in a book, but the word choice when describing Emmett's process was perfect.

Favorite Character: Despite his issues, and despite him not being completely honest about what is going on, I like Emmett a lot. It helps that we already knew he had problems, so what came later may have been surprising, but it answered questions more than anything else. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, which has a much more comedic tone that this book. 

Nonfiction: We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper

The full title of today's book is We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half Century of Silence, by Becky Cooper. It seems at least once a year I read at least one true crime book, and I am always fascinated...along with shocked and terrified. This book came to my attention as it was nominated for the Best Nonfiction category in the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards. It may not have won, but I am sure I am not the only one who has since added it to their reading list.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book that thoroughly explores the 1969 murder of Jane Britton, a graduate student at Harvard studying archeology. It is while attending Harvard as a student herself that the author hears the story - which at this point had become more of an urban legend or fable - of the young lady that was murdered in her nearby apartment by the professor with which she was rumored to be having an affair. It appears that after being bludgeoned, her body was covered in red ochre and not found until the next day. And then, after some initial questioning, it seems like the case is forgotten. It disappears, not to be talked about again, and the murderer is never found. But Cooper had already become too intrigued to let it go, so she spends the next nine years investigating, interviewing, digging, calling, making records requests...whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this decades old case. Of course, the ultimate focus and purpose is to find the killer once and for all, but what also comes up is Harvard's long history of trying to keep these kinds of things quiet, as well as the longstanding problem of misogyny in all of academics, but especially in archeology, and especially in archeology at Harvard. Cooper attempts to leave no stone unturned as she explores Jane's complex history, and the cryptic circumstances surrounding her death.

My Verdict: My one word for this book would be thorough. If a name comes up in relation to this case, Cooper tries her best to find the person and talk to them. If the person is deceased, she looks for their spouse, child, coworker, whatever. She flew all over the country, took a job that required her to live on Harvard's campus, and was willing to endure records requests that would take years to be fulfilled, if only because they were often repeatedly denied at first. There is a lot of information provided throughout the book that will look like it is leading to something, but turns out it is not. What results is something that is rarely boring, almost always fascinating, but sometimes frustrating. At times it can be hard to reconcile Cooper's obsession with case, but it is an obsession that is often seen with many true crime writers, and reminded me the most of Michelle McNamara, author of I'll Be Gone in the Dark. This book is dense and full of details, and in my opinion, is worth the time.

Favorite Moment: There is a photo that is introduced early in the novel of the group that went on an expedition to Tepe Yahya in the middle east, of which Jane Britton was one. The author will get to view two versions of the same scene, and it is the comparison of the two - where in the first, Jane is looking away from the camera, and in the second, she is looking directly at it - that was my favorite moment. I do not know if any real or helpful information could be pulled from the two pictures, but it is chilling when they are placed next to each other.

Recommended Reading: I highly recommend I'll Be Gone in the Dark by McNamara, as well as American Predator by Maureen Callahan.     

Young Adult Fiction: Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez

Thanks to the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards, I was able to find Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez. As you probably know, I am always on the lookout for new young adult fiction writers, so it was an easy decision to pick up this book, set in Argentina, and centered around a young girl who simply wants to be allowed to play fútbol.

The Situation: Seventeen year-old Camila Hassan has two big goals for her life, and that is to attend college in the United States, and play fútbol professionally. In her hometown of Rosario, Argentina, Camila is not the only one obsessed with the sport. In fact, her entire family revolves around it, following the sport both locally and internationally. Camila's brother, Pablo, already plays professionally for a team in Argentina, and her childhood friend, Diego, was recruited to play in Italy and has become a massive star. But while the boys were always encouraged in their pursuit of the sport, Camila has to hide her practice clothes and the uniform she wears when she plays for Eva María, a local girls team where she has earned the nickname of Furia. When she plays, she is unstoppable. In regular life, Camila is still hot-tempered and always ready for a fight, but her equally hot-tempered father keeps a watchful eye on her, while her mother encourages her to keep up with her schoolwork and stay away from boys, and neither of them understand just how badly Camila wants to follow her dreams.

The Problem: It is hard enough for Camila to hide her soccer jersey and practice clothes from her parents; leading a double life is not easy. But there is also Diego, the soccer star who has gained massive attention from his success in Italy, and who cannot help but be noticed when he comes home to visit Rosario. He and Camila had a brief moment before he left for Italy, and the two tried to stay in touch, only for the texts and messages to eventually fizzle out. Now he is back for a visit, and the two of them have picked up where they left off, which only makes everything more complicated for Camila. Now, he is another secret to keep, along with the upcoming fútbol tournament that Camila wants to play in. If she does well, she could get the attention of someone who could help her realize her dreams. Without her parents' permission however, and a good amount of money, it may not happen. And she cannot help but wonder if Diego believes in her dreams for herself as much as she does.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in modern day Argentina. At the center of the story is Camila, and the book is told in her voice. At the center of Camila's life is soccer, or fútbol, her family, her best friend Roxana, and Diego. Fútbol is the central life focus for many in Argentina, and while there are many talented females who wish to play, they are often not encouraged, while some are not even allowed. Camila has to sneak around, and constantly lie to her family about where she is and what she is doing. Meanwhile, her father focuses almost exclusively on managing her brother's career, living his own past glory through his son. Camila is determined to make her own way and focus on what she has always wanted, and while it is easy for her to exclude her father from the plan, there is also Diego, who has always been encouraging and supportive, but can also be a distraction. Throughout the novel, Camila will have to make choices that may benefit her, but also hurt someone she is close to. And even though she is talented, she has to fight hard to make her dream of playing soccer professionally a reality.

My Verdict: I like Camila a lot. She is a strong, fully realized character who knows what she wants and is willing to put in the work to make it happen. She does not wait for anyone to do anything for her, and knows that she has to stay focused and determined if her dreams are to come true. With that said, the overall plot of this novel is a little all over the place. And while it is never boring, it is almost too fast-paced. Things happen so quickly that I feel like crucial details are left behind, and some issues are solved too quickly. Basically, parts of the story feel rushed, while a few seem to go for a little too long. Probably what I enjoyed most are the descriptions of the actual soccer games, especially when Camila embraces La Furia fully and dominates the field. Overall, I enjoyed the book and am glad I read it, and will certainly look for more young adult books that are set in South America.

Favorite Moment: Any time Camila stepped on the field to play a game. Even when she was not playing her best, the soccer games were my favorite parts of the book.

Favorite Character: I don't often pick the main character of a book as a favorite, but this time I am. Camila has her faults - she is a teenager after all - but I like how determined she is, and it is not often she is distracted from the main goal.

Recommended Reading: I recommend On the Come Up by Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give.  

Young Adult Fiction: Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

Lovers of The Hate U Give rejoiced when it was announced that Angie Thomas was going to write a book about Maverick Carter, father of Starr Carter, telling the story that shaped him and made him who he is. The result is Concrete Rose, set in 1998-1999, just before Starr was born. Naturally, I was excited, because Thomas does not hold back and knows how to get to the heart of a story.

The Situation: It is 1998 and 17 year-old Maverick Carter is a senior in high school looking towards graduation. He is also selling drugs for the King Lords, a local gang in which is father is a legend, earning his son the nickname of 'Li'l Don.' With the money he earns selling drugs, Maverick can help his mom, who already works two jobs just to keep the bills paid. But then Maverick gets the news that turns his world upside down: he is a father, and the mother is not his current girlfriend, Lisa. Suddenly, he has a three month-old son at home, and everything now goes to him. And the decision to stop selling drugs and work part-time at a grocery store may be the safe choice, but it means less money, and less time for studying and sleeping. He also has less time for Lisa, but she wants nothing to do with him once she learns he got another girl pregnant. As difficult as things are, Maverick is determined to make it work, until tragedy strikes and he loses someone close to him, making him wonder if any of it is worth it.

The Problem: What Maverick really wants, aside from Lisa's forgiveness, is to be out of the  King Lords for good, but getting out of a gang is not as simple as walking away. He and his best friend King were practically born into it, but with his father in jail, Maverick knows what it is like to grow up without a father, and he does not want that for his own son. But even simply stepping away from selling drugs is difficult. Sure, the loss of money is a problem - turns out babies are incredibly expensive - but he also misses his friends and being able to buy what he wants. When he loses a friend to violence, Maverick wants nothing more than to exact revenge in the way gangs are known to do. He knows he should do the right thing, and every adult he comes into contact with cannot help but lecture him about it, but Maverick has to decide for himself what it is to be a man, and what it is going to cost to live his life on his terms. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set during the 1998-1999 school year. At the focus is Maverick Carter, the father of Starr Carter, the heroine of The Hate U Give, which is set 16 years later. In Concrete Rose, readers not only get a look at Maverick's life in the Garden, the same neighborhood in which Starr will grow up, but they will also meet many characters that show up as adults in Starr's story. Gang life may be front and center, but so are fatherhood, manhood, friendship, family, loyalty, and revenge. Maverick feels like he is caught between two worlds, much like Starr will 16 years later, but in a different way, and with different worlds. Gang life is what he knows and what he was born into, but now that he has a son who relies on him, he knows there are only a few ways this can end, and he wants none of them. Nothing comes easy, everything is a struggle, and every decision has consequences. 

My Verdict: I applaud Thomas for going for it, for not holding back and refusing to pull punches. What happens in this book will be difficult for many to stomach, and for some to believe. And it is not simply presented in an in-your-face-way that makes it hard to read. In fact, I found it to be pretty easy to read, despite the difficult subject matter, and that is a testament to Thomas' skill as a writer and the grace with which she has formed her characters and her settings. The Garden is a tough place where it can be hard to survive, much less excel, and there are times when it seems Maverick is incapable of making anything that resembles a good decision. He is a frustrating protagonist living in a frustrating place, and many of the people he has surrounded himself with are not helping. But with every new challenge, Maverick's story stays both compelling and hopeful, and I encourage everyone to give it a try.

Favorite Moment: Any moment when Maverick interacts with his son, Seven, is a delight. Especially once he starts to get the hang of things.

Favorite Character: Maverick's mother, like most black mothers who work too hard, is not one to be messed with. Somehow, she is still both forgiving and gracious, but she also never lets Maverick off the hook. 

Recommended Reading: I imagine most readers of this book will have read The Hate U Give, so I will recommend Dear Martin by Nic Stone.