Young Adult Fiction: Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

Before the world shut down, I had the privilege to attend LibraryPalooza in February and hear Tiffany D. Jackson speak. It was then that I first learned about her upcoming novel Grown, and how it would center on the caustic relationship between a teenage girl and an older celebrity figure. I feel like I should issue all of the warnings for this book, including ones for mentions of sexual abuse, child abuse, and even addiction to opioids.

The Situation: Enchanted Jones can sing. Like really sing. At 17 years-old, she has her eyes on a career on the stage, but for right now, she is attending Parkwood High School where she is on the swim team and spends nearly every lunch period with her best friend Gabriela. When she is at home, she helps take care of her four younger siblings as her parents work hard to keep a roof over everyone's head. It is Gabriela who tells Enchanted about an audition for Music LIVE, a show on BET. One little white lie to her mother, and Enchanted makes the audition. She may not make it through, but what she has done is gain the attention of Korey Fields, one of the hottest music stars. Enchanted cannot believe it, but Korey Fields is talking to her; then he is giving her and her parents VIP passes to his show; then he is texting her; then he is inviting her to his studio; then he is kissing her. Enchanted pushes the 11-year age difference to the back of her mind, thinking about her future career and the love she cannot believe she has found.

The Problem: Korey Fields is dead. It is some time in the future, months after Enchanted first met Korey, and now he is dead. There is what looks like beat juice all over the room they are in, and she cannot remember a thing. But now there is an urgent banging on the door of Korey's house - the cops wanting to get in - and Enchanted only has moments to think, to even understand where she is and why. Since she met Korey, she has fallen deeply in love (at least she is sure she has), and since then been taken prisoner by the man who promised her stardom. When he was not watching her every move, he kept her locked up in a room with very little to eat, and only a bucket for a bathroom. Authorities did not want to believe all of the allegations of abuse that she and her family threw at Korey. They certainly are not going to believe that she is not the one who killed him.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel that enters murder mystery territory from the first page. The first thing the reader learns is that Korey Fields is dead, and Enchanted is in the room. From there, the history of there relationship is laid out, starting from when he first spotted her at an audition and proceeded to ruthlessly pursue her. Despite the obvious age difference, Enchanted is enthralled by Korey, almost hypnotized by his fame and his attention on her, and things accelerate quickly. But his dark side soon emerges, and using fear and manipulation, Enchanted becomes his prisoner. During her talk at LibraryPalooza, Jackson acknowledged that there are elements of the story that will remind us of the allegations against R. Kelly. However, the book is about abuse of power, and the adults who know the difference between right and wrong. It is also about the reluctance to believe women when they ultimately come forward, and the corporations that benefit when they are silenced.

My Verdict: This is an intense and powerful book. Enchanted's story may be one of fiction, but it is not outside of reality. Anyone who pays even then smallest amount of attention to the news today will find stories like this, and not only about famous and/or rich people. When Enchanted decides to work with Korey, my insides became heavy, knowing what was coming. And when everything unfolded the way it did, my heart broke. Jackson gets full credit for going for it and not holding back. Enchanted is put into some terrible situations, and not only with Korey, but Jackson almost attacks the issue with full force. My only problem was how quickly the action moved. Of course, that could also be Jackson's way of showing how quickly things like this can happen, and how these girls can look around one day and wonder how they got to where they are. It is a difficult thing to read about, but also an issue that needs to be confronted.

Favorite Moment: When a flight attendant refuses to be intimidated by Korey and insists on checking on Enchanted.

Favorite Character: Gabriela, Enchanted's best friend, is a fighter and knows what she wants out of life. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend Monday's Not Coming, also by Jackson. A young girl goes missing, and her best friend cannot understand why no one is searching for her.     

Nonfiction: Notes on a Silencing by Lacy Crawford

When I was doing my research in early July, like I do at the beginning of every month, I came across Lacy Crawford's Notes on a Silencing. So far, 2020 has been a good year for me when it comes to engrossing and engaging nonfiction, and this sounded like a book that would continue the trend, though I feared it would also be hard to read. A young girl, a prestigious boarding school, a long history of abuse and secrecy...it is a story we hear too often, but getting to the truth is necessary for change. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book that is mostly set in 1990-1991. During these years, Crawford was a student at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire. One night she would receive a phone call from an older male student, almost begging her to come to his room. When she got there, she would be sexually assaulted by him and one other. What comes next is a high school experience filled with shame, embarrassment, insecurity, and confusion, along with other things. This would be followed by decades of simultaneously wanting to leave what happened behind, while also wanting to bring the school to justice. While the act itself is heinous, what is also appalling is the lengths the school will go to in order to keep everything quiet. And what is further revealed is St. Paul's long history of covering up incidents of sexual misconduct among their students, and their staff. More than 20 years after the fact, when other allegations are introduced, the school will still do what it can to maintain its reputation, even at the cost of children's safety. 

My Verdict: This story is upsetting, but it was not as hard to read as I had anticipated. Probably the thing I had the most difficulty with was keeping track of the timeline. And for those of us who are not at all used to the world of boarding or private schools, getting around the terms and jargon may be a challenge. But Crawford's writing is straightforward and honest without being a constant barrage of awful events, despite what the book is about. And it is more than a story about a sexual assault and a cover up. It is also about the long history of sexual assaults and cover ups, as well as the issues of power, victimhood, privilege, and shame. It is a powerful account that will prove difficult for many, and understandably so, and I admire Crawford for telling it.  

Favorite Moment: In the acknowledgements, we get some updates concerning recent developments at St. Paul's, which are a little encouraging. It is hard to pick a favorite part beyond this as so many of the events in this book are heartbreaking.  

Recommended Reading: My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell is a fiction novel that explores a similar story line of an inappropriate relationship between a young girl and her teacher at a highly regarded boarding school. Perhaps the most disturbing thing about the story is that it happens in real life all of the time.        

Science Fiction: A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green

The time has come to discuss the conclusion to Hank Green's The Carls duology, A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor. When I read An Absolutely Remarkable Thing back in 2018, I remember having mixed feelings about the experience, and that mostly had to do with the book's main character, April. She was annoying, vain, and not good to her friends. But now (and major *spoiler alert* for anyone who has not read the first book) she is no longer the only focus. In fact, she wasn't even alive by the end of the first book. So I was interested to see where this one would go.

The Situation: It has been roughly six months since April was killed in that warehouse fire. Her group of friends have more or less scattered and begun doing their own thing. Andy has taken April's place in the spotlight, gaining for himself a pretty solid celebrity status and a healthy media following. Maya, April's ex, is still dealing with her grief, while also holding onto hope that April is still out there. And Miranda has returned to her research at Berkeley, still keeping in touch with the group, but also not feeling like she is one of them. And the Carls? They disappeared as quickly as they came. Even the Dream is gone, though the memories are still there. And Peter Petrawicki, April's former nemesis, seems to have figured out that the Carls have left something behind in the human brain. Something is certainly happening, and the appearance of mysterious books that seemingly predict the future are the proof.

The Problem: Somewhere in Puerto Rico, Peter Petrawicki has set up Altus, a new company involved in some top-secret research. At first, all people know is that the company is recruiting some of the top minds in the country, and that Peter has seemingly turned a new leaf. He regrets his past actions, and now wants to put his efforts to good use. The group is of course suspicious, and Miranda may have found a way to investigate, though it involves going directly to Altus as a not-so-covert spy, since Peter remembers who she is. Andy has the celebrity, money, and access to investigate from a different angle, though it puts him in danger as well. And Maya decides to follow a series of clues that could easily lead to nothing, until they lead to the very thing she has been searching for. Everyone will have to work quickly and use every resource they have if they want to stop a new, bigger threat, because what slowly becomes clear is that humanity is not okay, and getting less okay by the day.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set more or less in the present day. Following the conclusion of the first book, the Carls have disappeared, April is dead, and everyone is dealing with the loss of the Dream. It is like what we would have to deal with if an incredibly popular social media platform were to disappear. But then Peter Petrawicki shows up with the promise of a newer and better option that is infinitely more addictive. There are political and social commentaries all over this book, way too many for this review (and there are probably a lot that I simply did not notice). The most prominent, at least to me, regards the almighty algorithm and how it decides what comes up in our Google searches, and what adds we see while watching YouTube. Companies spend a lot of time trying to find out what we like, and how best to get more our money. It is a science fiction adventure that explores how we got here, and how far it can go.

My Verdict: For the most part, the mixed feelings continued for me with this book. It was pretty glorious not having all of the action revolve around April. Andy, Maya, and Miranda are much more interesting, and much less stressful to follow around, even when they are put in harm's way, or making terrible decisions (there is plenty of both happening in this book). I liked the pace of the book as it moves pretty quickly, but perhaps at times it was too quick. Honestly, for anyone who has ever watched Hank Green speak, the frantic and fast-changing pace is to be expected. But I did feel that sometimes the details suffered, and some elements got lost. Thankfully, the action and intensity make up for any confusion, and Green manages to bring this story to a thorough and not at all ambiguous conclusion.

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* When April goes Terminator 2 on a cop car and disables it. 

Favorite Character: I do like Miranda and admire her decision to enter the belly of the beast when she goes to Altus, but I wish there was more of Bex, a new character that Andy meets and proves to also be integral in the saving of humanity. 

Recommended Reading: There were many elements of this book that reminded me of Blake Crouch's Recursion, as well as The Long Earth series by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter.     

Historical Fiction: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Much like with horror movies, horror books can be hit or miss. It is a type of story that is difficult to write well, but many still try. I picked up Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia not necessarily because it is considered horror, but more because it simply sounded interesting. A creepy family in a creepy house in a small town in Mexico sounds interesting in any genre.

The Situation: It is 1950 in Mexico City, and Noemí Taboada is enjoying her life as a wealthy young debutante. While she is not necessarily interested in getting married and settling down, she does enjoy the attention of the young attractive men who are more than willing to escort her to all of the best parties. Unfortunately, when a distressing letter arrives from her cousin Catalina who is now married and lives in the Mexican countryside, Noemí must put her carefree life on hold and visit her. Noemí's father was never a fan of Catalina's new husband, Virgil, and now he is sure that something sinister is taking place. He charges Noemí with going to the small town of El Triunfo and making sure everything is okay. So Noemí puts the parties on hold, packs her bags, and heads into what she is sure will be a cursory visit.

The Problem: When Noemí arrives at High Place - the name of the house where Catalina resides with her husband and his English family - it is clear that the estate had once enjoyed some glorious times, but has since fallen into disrepair. Everything has the feeling of once having been grand and enviable, but now the place looks like it is being consumed by mold and fungus. It also becomes clear to Noemí that Catalina is not okay, but any attempts to help her, and sometimes even attempts to visit her room, are blocked by Virgil and his family. And the more Noemí digs into the history of High Place, the more horrified she is, eventually having nightmares and visions of her own, even occasionally sleepwalking, something she has not done since she was a child. Noemí is determined to find out what is really happening, and save her cousin in the process. However, High Place may have plans of its own.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical and horror fiction novel set in Mexico in 1950. Noemí is a young, carefree, and glamorous debutante used to parties and the attentions of men. A disturbing letter from her cousin brings her away from the glamour of Mexico City, and to the eerie setting of High Place. The house includes Catalina's handsome but somewhat intimidating husband Virgil, his father Howard, his cousin Florence, and Florence's son Francis. It used to be that the family operated a prosperous silver mine and employed most of the people in the area. A series of misfortunes and illnesses have since plagued the house, family, and mine, leaving the entire area with a rich history filled with horror and death. Both Noemí and Catalina loved fairy tales as young girls, stories filled with princesses being rescued and evil witches and curses. But when such things become real menaces, Noemí wants nothing more than to leave with her cousin. There is also some talk of eugenics and the idea of superior and inferior races.

My Verdict: This book delivers on the creep factor, as well as the suspense and mystery. Unfortunately, despite an interesting premise, the result is less engaging than anticipated. I am not sure if it is the narrator, as Noemí is naive and spoiled, while also being self-assured and strong-willed. For me, it may have been when I realized what was really going on (I won't spoil it, I promise), and felt disappointment that it was not something more sophisticated. It is original; it is scary; and somehow it still felt like something I have seen before. It was strange. I certainly encourage lovers of horror and historical fiction to pick it up for themselves. I am curious to see how other readers feel about it.

Favorite Moment: When Noemí is able to learn about one of the more disturbing moments in the history of High Place from a local healer.

Favorite Character: Everyone in this book is tiresome to some degree. But I found myself invested in the fate of Francis, and hoping he came out of this okay.

Recommended Reading: I feel like The Shining by Stephen King would be an appropriate follow-up to this one, though it is long, and a different kind of thriller.   

Nonfiction: Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett

Around this same time of the year in 2009, I was steadily getting more and more excited for the Austin City Limits Music Festival. This is before the festival was split up over two weekends, and also before I decided that the large crowds, long lines, and incredible heat were way too much for me to take. One of the bands that I had researched and was ready to see was The Airborne Toxic Event, an indie rock band that was catching people's attention with their song Sometime Around Midnight. When I first looked into today's book, Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett, I had no idea the author was the same man whose vocals make Sometime Around Midnight such a haunting song. And it turns out the man can write a haunting memoir too.

Genre, Themes, History: Jollett's story begins in the late 1970s in the Synanon Cult where he spent his early childhood. What started out as a commune quickly turned into something hostile and dangerous, where the married couples were forced to divorce, and the children were taken from their parents and raised in the "school" as "children of the universe." But even after Jollett's mother rescues him and his older brother Tony, it becomes clear that things are going to get a lot worse before they get better. Jollett carefully and thoroughly chronicles a life of feeling cursed to fail, and then feeling guilty during the times when things go right. With a needy and manipulative mother on one side, and a no longer heroin-addicted father who ultimately wants his boys to grow up to be kind and helpful human beings on the other, Jollett grows up knowing the script he is supposed to follow, and fighting the path he feels compelled to take. Neither one seems right, but they are both what he knows. He will eventually learn the name for what he endured as a child in his mother's house, and when he finally pursues music, opens up, and gets help, that is when a new direction becomes clear.  

My Verdict: I adore this book. I was not sure how this was going to go, especially given my aversion to stories that deal with cults. It helps that Jollett leaves the cult when he is very young, but even so, the effects of what went on there will last a lifetime. The story itself is full of heartbreaking and harsh scenes: countless conversations where his mom tells him how he feels and will not acknowledge the truth; interactions with people with addictions they are struggling to control; and even the later struggle when Jollett realizes he does not have the follow the path of his parents, but knowing that will create a sort of divide between him and his father. What will get the reader through the tough parts is the lyrical writing that is both honest and soothing, a balance that is difficult to strike, especially in memoirs full of difficult scenes. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Favorite Moment: When Mikel's dad teaches him how to fight so he can defend himself against a bully from school.

Favorite Quotes: "It seemed like writers have the most important job in the world, to make books, to create a connection, a kind of telepathy between two minds in which one can inhabit the other."

After reading Black Boy by Richard Wright for school - "I can't help but be inspired, to think if he can face the horrors he had to face, I can at least stay up late studying...I admire him and I wish so much we could be friends, that his locker was near mine and we could have lunch together."

Recommended Reading: The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner chronicles the writer's young life when her family was part of a cult in Mexico.

Young Adult Fiction: 10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon

If there was ever a summer when 'beach reads' were truly needed, the summer of 2020 was it. Even so, my summer reading list was still full of heavy nonfiction, and fiction that dealt with some serious topics. Even the books for YA Fest were filled with weighty material, and I would not necessarily consider any of them to be 'light' reading. So it took me until late August to pick up something that could even remotely be considered a beach read, and 10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon is the perfect remedy to a stressful summer. It is Menon's third book in the Dimple and Rishi universe, which includes When Dimple Met Rishi, and There's Something About Sweetie.

The Situation: Pinky Kumar is a social justice warrior. She knows when most people use that label to decribe her, they mean it to be an insult, but she wears that label with pride. No cause is too small, and if it upsets people, especially her severe and stern lawyer mother, than all the better. She is almost the direct opposite of Samir Jha, a friend of a friend who has had the definition of a sheltered life. Homeschooled his entire life, and used to planning his days through lists, Samir would rather play it safe, respect authority, and plan is future. When his summer internship at a law firm in Washington, DC falls through, Samir faces the somewhat distasteful choice of returning home to his overprotective mother. But then he receives a text from the most unlikely person: Pinky. Turns out she needs a favor, and as crazy as her proposition is, it will at least keep Samir from having to return home to a disappointing summer.

The Problem: Samir may be a fool to agree to being Pinky's fake boyfriend for the summer, but he believes Pinky is even more of a fool for even thinking it up. Desperate to impress her mother and not be looked at as a screw-up for once, Pinky told her parents that she had a respectable boyfriend with goals in life. Unfortunately, this boyfriend does not exist, but Samir's sudden lack of summer plans, and his desire to not return home, and the possibility of obtaining a fall internship with Pinky's mother, make him the perfect stand-in...until the two pretend love birds remember how much they dislike each other. Where Samir is all about order and safety, Pinky is all about chaos, and relishes her identity as a troublemaker and black sheep. The fake couple struggle to hold simple conversations; they cannot agree on anything; and everything is a fight. Until it isn't. Until they start to get along (somewhat). Until they start to see the positives in each other, and this crazy scheme doesn't seem so crazy anymore.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set mostly in and around the Cape Cod lake house Pinky's family retreats to every summer (for those who are wondering how the book fits into the Dimpleverse, Pinky and Samir both appeared in There's Something About Sweetie as friends of Ash). From the beginning, Pinky and Samir are set up as opposites of each other. Pinky has multi-colored hair, loves to protest and support unconventional causes, and when she does something, she does it with everything she has. Samir, on the other hand, irons his clothes every day, plays everything safe, and thinks people like Pinky are reckless and selfish. These are two people from two different worlds, struggling to understand each other, and for most of the book, they fail miserably. Samir is certainly a product of his upbringing, as he spent a fair amount of his childhood taking care of his mother when she had cancer. And while Pinky loves to have people believe she does not care what anyone thinks, the truth is she cares deeply what they think, and wants to be seen as the protesting rebel who causes trouble. If she finds herself attracted to someone like Samir, then what does that really say about her? In this book, Menon tackles that always complicated issue of identity, which always seems to be at its most complicated during the teenage years.

My Verdict: This is such a fun book, so much so that as annoying as Pinky was to me, I still enjoyed every part of it. I feel like if I went to school with Pinky, I could probably hold a conversation with her and get along with her fine, but I would not want to actually hang out with her. We would have had different friend circles for sure. But I admire her passion, and it hurt to see how much she wanted to connect with her mother, but could not quite seem to make it happen. Anyone who has ever felt misunderstood by their parents - or simply not seen or not heard - will appreciate what Pinky is going through. And anyone who has lived their life trying to always play it safe, mostly due to past trauma, will be able to relate to Samir. Sure, it is the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, but as usual, Menon adds a level of fun and wonder all her own.

Favorite Moment: When Pinky is able to learn from her aunt why her stern mother is the way she is.

Favorite Character: As much as Pinky likes to poke fun at Samir and his straight-laced lifestyle, I definitely connected more with him than I did with her. Sure, he could stand to live a little, but there is nothing wrong with doing a little research before diving into something.

Recommended Reading: All three books in the Dimpleverse are wonderful. I also recommend From Twinkle, With Love. 

Door Stop: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

It has once again come time for me to tackle a door stop, and any book that is longer than 500 pages qualifies for that category. When I make a point of seeking one of these monsters out, I usually gravitate towards the classics, though there are many modern novels of this length that are worthy of our attention (1Q84, I am looking in your direction). Today's focus will be on The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, a tale of revenge and adventure in 19th century France.

The Situation: Young Edmond Dantes is in the prime of his life. Not only is he close to being promoted to the position of Captain on a merchant ship, despite his young age, but he will also soon be marrying Mercedes, the love of his life. Fortune has certainly smiled upon young Edmond, and those around him have noticed, especially the envious and spiteful. There is Fernand, the cousin of Mercedes who is miserable knowing she is about to marry Edmond, and then there is Danglers, a shipmate of Edmond's who is incredibly envious of his success. It is not long before a plot is hatched, and Edmond's life is turned upside down. In a matter of hours, everything is lost, and he finds himself thrown in jail, where he will languish for 14 long years on a made up charge. It is only thanks to the acquaintance of a fellow inmate that Edmond manages to hold onto hope, and later obtain his freedom. 

The Problem: Edmond may have done the impossible and escaped from prison, but his adventure (and second life) is truly just beginning. After styling himself as the wealthy and eccentric Count of Monte Cristo, he begins the long and careful process of avenging himself. But the revenge will not be swift, and involves many moving pieces. The people who have wronged him are now living off their achievements and schemes of the past 14 years. If the Count is to play the long game, and thoroughly ruin lives while maintaining his real identity, then patience is in order, and emotions must be contained, especially in the presence of the now married Mercedes. A singular focus on revenge calls for a lack of mercy, and when it comes to those who were not involved in the events of the past, their lives may also be in peril, if only because of who their parents are. Edmond must decide how far he is willing to take his plans, and if he will allow his pursuit of justice to turn him into a villain. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a classic tale of high adventure, focusing for the most part on Edmond Dantes, who will later call himself the Count of Monte Cristo. Following Edmond's imprisonment and escape is one of the longest and most intricate plots of revenge in all of literature. The lengths to which the Count will go to see those who wronged him fall is nothing short of incredible. Largely due to the incredible riches that come into the Count's possession, he is able to achieve any aim, and is seemingly unstoppable. And by hiding his identity, his enemies never see him coming. It also does not hurt that many of his enemies do not do themselves any favors and often end up in situations of their own making. As for the historical context, it is during Edmond's imprisonment that Napoleon makes his return to France, and the conflicting feelings towards the Emperor certainly play a part throughout the story. 

My Verdict: This book is long, like War and Peace long. And it is involved. It is one of those books for which I was tempted to create one of those intricate and detailed charts that shows all of the characters and how they relate to each other. There are the obvious people whom the Count is seeking revenge against, but then there are countless others who become involved, some of which are villains in their own right. What is quite possibly the most remarkable thing about the story is that it almost never boring. Sure there are parts that seem unnecessary, but even those are engaging and at least end up leading to some bigger event that the reader may not have seen coming. I mean, there are revenge fantasies, and then there is what the Count manages to accomplish in this book.  

Favorite Moment: When Albert, Mercedes' son, and the Count are able to resolve a heated dispute without causing anyone any injury.  

Favorite Character: An older gentleman by the name of Noirtier is the grandfather and protector of a young woman named Valentine. By the time Edmond has escaped prison and become the Count, Noirtier has become paralyzed and wheelchair-bound, only able to communicate with his still expressive eyes. Even so, he maintains enough of his mental capabilities to carry out his own intricate plans against those who would dare put Valentine in danger. 

Recommended Reading: Years ago I read The Three Musketeers, which is also long, but less than 1000 pages. It is just as engaging and fast-moving as this one, with possibly even more adventure and heartbreak squeezed into fewer pages.