Nonfiction: The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green

One of the authors I credit with reintroducing me to young adult fiction is John Green. The first book I read of his is Paper Towns, and it is still my favorite, though Looking for Alaska is a close second. Today I will talk about The Anthropocene Reviewed, which is Green's first nonfiction offering. Both essay and memoir, Green rates a handful places, events, and phenomena that make up the human experience.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book containing 44 essays, along with an introduction and postscript, in which Green reviews and rates various things on a five star scale. The title of the book refers to the geological epoch that includes the beginning of significant human impact on the Earth. In no particular order (as far as I can tell), Green explores Halley's Comet, the human capacity to wonder, CNN, googling strangers, plague, the QWERTY keyboard, and even Diet Dr. Pepper, as well as many other subjects. Often the review includes an anecdote from Green's childhood, college years, or even more recent past. He is open and honest about his health issues (including mental health), his love of soccer and the Indianapolis 500, and the general struggle over what it means to be human in this human-centered planet. 

My Verdict: This book turned out to be more or less what I expected, and that is a good thing, because I expected a profound, yet uncomplicated and often funny look at humanity and what encompasses life on this planet. What I have loved about Green's young adult fiction books are their unique but accessible way of looking at life, and that same feature has been carried over to this book. And while not every chapter includes a bit of joy and wonder - the ones about CNN and the plague come to mind - they are at least informative, and I can honestly say I learned something new in every essay. What Green manages to capture, especially when it comes to our current situation during this pandemic, is that it is so easy to lose hope and wonder what the point is. And then something, usually something small, will remind us, though it may take some time. The randomness of the organization can either be frustrating, or part of the charm, and really, the choice is up to the reader. 

Favorite Essays: I especially loved "Auld Lang Syne" and "Super Mario Kart."  

Favorite Quotes: "We're here because we're here because we're here because we're here." - sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne." 

"We are so small, and so frail, so gloriously and terrifyingly temporary." 

Recommended Reading: I recommend all of Green's YA novels, but also You Are Here by Jenny Lawson, which may be more coloring book than book, but still, it is wonderful. 

Nonfiction: The Babysitter by Liza Rodman and Jennifer Jordan

At some point earlier this year, a list was put out of the best and most noteworthy true crime books that were to be published in 2021. On that list was The Babysitter: My Summer with a Serial Killer by Liza Rodman and Jennifer Jordan. In the book, Rodman explores her early life living with her mother and younger sister, focusing mostly on her summers in Cape Cod, where she met Tony Costa. And Jordan chronicles Costa's life, including the gruesome murders he committed in the late 1960s.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book that tells the story of two different people, whose lives intersect from 1966-1969. When Liza Rodman first meets Tony Costa, she is only seven years old and does not see any reason to be afraid of him. In fact, because he is one of the few adults she feels like she can trust, and because he is kind and welcoming, she looks forward to the days when he comes by in his truck, and takes her and her sister on adventures that most often included the local dump, and sometimes brought them to the nearby woods. In alternating chapters, the book switches from Liza's story to Tony's, which tells of a troubled young man who often acknowledged that there was something wrong deep inside of him, but also saw himself as more intelligent than most. Add his charm and good looks, and it seemed it was easy for many to trust him without hesitation. Against a backdrop of Provincetown, Massachusetts in the late 1960s, the book paints a picture of a beachside town full of easy access to drugs, during a time when young women went missing all of the time, causing the police to not worry too much when one more was reported. With Rodman feeling unloved by her mother, who often left and her sister in the care of anyone who would watch them, she was one of the many who was charmed by the man who would later be attributed with the deaths of several young women.

My Verdict: This book is both a true crime book, as well as a memoir. Both parts have their merits, with the true crime part giving a detailed and well-researched account of the life of Tony Costa, and Rodman's story chronicling what it was like living with her abusive, resentful, and neglectful mother, always on the move, and never feeling more at home in any place than she did in Provincetown. While the true crime part works really well, the memoir is not quite as successful, and having the two put together made for an interesting, though somewhat awkward story. The problem may be that without the true crime piece about Tony, there is not enough from Rodman's story for an entire book. But she did know Tony, and she and her sister were often put in his care. It was not until she reached adulthood that Rodman realized who Tony was and what he had done, and just how much danger she was potentially in. I do still recommend the book to true crime lovers, but be aware that the format may be a little tricky.

Favorite Moment: There is an incident that causes Rodman to finally want to leave Provincetown, and it is both ridiculous and terrifying. 

Recommended Reading: Michelle McNamara's book, I'll Be Gone in the Dark, is an excellent and well-researched account of the Golden State Killer, a serial killer that terrorized California for 13 years. 

Historical Fiction: The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

It appears that the focus is back on World War II with Kate Quinn's The Rose Code. Focusing on three women codebreakers in 1940s England, Quinn transports readers to a world of secrecy, intrigue, romance, intelligence, and even betrayal. Having already experienced Quinn's work with both The Alice Network and The Huntress, I was excited to see what adventures would come about within the books 600+ pages.

The Situation: It is 1947 and Osla Kendall could not be more annoyed. Engaged to a man she does not much care for, she must dodge tenacious reporters who want to know more about the former girlfriend of the soon-to-be Prince Phillip of England. But when she receives a coded message with no address and no signature, it upends her world even more. The only solution is to contact her former best friend Mabel "Mab" Churt, now married with children, eager to move on with her own life. Neither woman wants to face this new truth, that a former colleague and friend desperately needs their help. As much as the two women now hate each other, it is possible they hate Beth Finch even more. She played no small part in the events that caused the three women to go in different directions. During the war they lived together, worked together, formed a book club together, and were the closest of friends. But that is all in the past, and Osla and Mab are eager to leave it there.

The Problem: Eight years before, England was in the midst of World War II and on the receiving end of Hitler's wrath. Wanting to be more than a "dizzy deb," Osla signed up to be a codebreaker, eager to make a difference for her country. Mab was similarly insistent on making a better life for herself, her mother, and her little sister, Lucy. When she and Osla are billeted at the same house, they meet the shy and cowering Beth Finch. Even though she is 24 years old, Beth still does her mother's bidding and bends to her every expectation. With the help of the two headstrong women now staying in her home, she manages to receive a job that she loves. At Bletchley Park, the three woman are able to put their skills to use, but the oath of silence, stressful work, and the constant threat of air raids, are enough to try anyone's nerves. And when Beth begins to suspect that someone is letting the secrets out, things become more tense and trying, until tragedy strikes, and everything falls apart. In the days leading up to the royal wedding, even though all three women are done with Bletchley Park, they must put their differences aside, put their old skills to use, and come together once more for England. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction book set in England from 1939-1947. Quite a few real and well-known people show up during the events of the book, including Queen Elizabeth of England and her husband, Prince Phillip. Alan Turing is mentioned a few times, and then makes an appearance near the end of the novel. The three woman who share the focus are mostly fictionalized, with some exception going to Osla Kendall, a fictionalized version of Prince Phillip's real war-time girlfriend, Osla Benning. Bletchley Park is real, and of course, so was the job of codebreaking. The book switches between 1947, when Osla and Mab are attempting to come to Beth's aid, and the years before when Hitler's soldiers were making the most progress in Europe. All three women were hard at work doing their best to crack German and Italian codes, something all three are good at in their own way. It is almost a mystery novel wrapped in a war novel, with a great deal of adventure on the side.

My Verdict: Out of the three novels I have now read by Quinn, I believe that this one is my new favorite. Something that I think Quinn has always managed to do well is handle the shift of focus between multiple characters. Here we have three different women, with different backgrounds, different skills, and different goals for their lives, and they manage to stay distinct and different throughout the novel. Even more impressive is that all three are always engaging, and I never found myself rushing through chapters so I can get back to a more interesting storyline. I have said it before that stories set during war-time can be difficult for me, but I found the setting of Bletchley Park to be almost refreshing, and fun. This may be due to the well thought-out main and side characters, both real and fictionalized, as everyone has a story that brought them to where they are. Historical fiction and mystery lovers alike should rejoice at this new contribution to the genres.

Favorite Moment: When Beth finds and rescues her scruffy dog, Boots, despite her mother's protests. It is a small rebellion that opens the way to her further growth.  

Favorite Character: Mab can be harsh, and severe, and cold, but I liked her the most. She is focused, but still flawed, and refuses to let anyone get in the way of what she wants to accomplish. 

Recommended Reading: I will always recommend The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.

Contemporary Fiction: Infinite Country by Patricia Engel

The Cloud Library has come through for me once again, allowing me to easily access and read Infinite Country by Patricia Engel. I made a decision to read more books set in South America, and was excited to see that today's book is even partly set in Colombia, a country I have actually been to.

The Situation: Mauro and Elena were teenagers when they met in Colombia, in a time when the country was wrecked by violence, political unrest, and a wilting economy. Even so, they fall in love and even start a family, though it becomes clear that they may want to search for a better future up north, both for them and the children they hope to raise. While life in the US proves to be tough, Mauro and Elena both agree to stay past their visa expiration dates, though such a decision may be even more dangerous than a return to their home country, especially for their son, who is born in the US and therefore a citizen. Should his parents and older sister be deported, who will take care of him when he is left behind? It is after their growing family welcomes its third child that the unthinkable does happen, and Mauro is deported alone. Once again, the couple makes a crucial decision and decides that Talia, the youngest, will also go back to Colombia to live with Maura, and Elena's mother, Perla. It is a decision meant to help the family stay together, but could also splinter it even further.

The Problem: When Talia is 15 years old, she is sent to a facility for young girls who have gotten in trouble with the law. Having never caused any trouble all of her life, it comes as a surprise to both Mauro and Perla when Talia is arrested for hurting a coworker, putting in jeopardy her planned departure to the US to rejoin her mother and older siblings. Back in the US, Elena struggles to raise two children, one a citizen and one not, on her own. When Mauro was with them, things were already difficult, and the difficulties continue as Elena navigates life as an undocumented mother doing her best to make things work. And while she is glad her youngest is in Colombia with her husband, she misses Talia and looks forward to the day when she will return to her. Every member of the family must reconcile how they feel about both Colombia and the US, and their place in each one. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set partly in Colombia, and partly in the US, as the reader follows the family on their journey across state boarders as they chase stability and security. Beginning when Mauro and Elena are teenagers, the story moves through the family's early struggles, and continues into the presidency of Donald Trump, though it does not say so specifically. Key points in history are named and described, allowing the reader to piece together the year and season. For the most part, the book is told by a third-person omniscient narrator - switching between Elena's story in the US, and Mauro's story in Colombia - with only a handful of chapters focusing specifically on events as Talia's older siblings see them. With three members of the family being born in Colombia, and two being born in the US, the family is already split in a way, and then the chasm becomes deeper once Mauro is deported and Talia joins him. It is a complicated situation where hard choices must be made, and it is never clear if Elena and Mauro did the right thing. 

My Verdict: Though the book jumps around through time, and the narrator is sometimes third-person, and sometimes one member of the family, the overall story is fairly easy to follow. Even after the family becomes split between Colombia and the US, it is easy to track the experiences and struggles of both groups, though their situation is incredibly complicated. Engel somehow handles Elena's constant struggle over whether staying in the US was worth it with incredible ease. And Mauro must deal with the separation from his wife and older children, as well as Talia's arrest. Possibly what amazes me the most about this book is that it is less than 200 pages, and yet it contains so much: exploring family dynamics, what it means to call a country your home, the issue of citizenship, and of course, the power of love when attempting to hold everything together while miles apart. Engel takes a situation that is anything but simple and makes it easy to understand, while not removing its complexity. 

Favorite Moment: Talia's escape from the prison for girls is pretty genius. 

Favorite Character: Talia's determination to travel through Colombia to make it back to her father is certainly impressive. There is plenty of opportunity for things to go horribly wrong, but she stays resolute in her mission. 

Recommended Reading: There is something about Engel's writing that reminded me of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Historical Fiction: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Many will see the name of the author of today's book and think of Daisy Jones & The Six, one of the most talked about historical fiction books of 2019. Today I am discussing the latest offering by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Malibu Rising. Once again, Reid will be presenting a world of fame, fortune, access, and chaos, but this time from the shores of Malibu, California in the early 1980s.

The Situation: When Mick met his future wife, June, he promised that he would always take care of her and provide for her. He promised her the life he never had, and vowed to be committed to his growing family, while chasing his dreams of becoming a rock star. But it is when his oldest is still in elementary school that he will leave his family for good, no longer occasionally sending money like he did when he had left before. His four children - Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit - will always know of their father, the famous Mick Riva, but they will not really know him. Once they reach adulthood, the Riva children will be well-known for other reasons, as well as because of who their father is. With Nina's good looks and modeling career, Jay's skills as a surfer, Hud's talent for photography, and the youngest sister Kit carving her own way in the world, the Riva kids are making their own path. Plus, there is the annual party that is thrown at Nina's house to which everyone wants an invitation. And it is rumored that the 1983 edition will be the party of the century.

The Problem: Nina may have found success as a model, the money from which has helped take care of her, her three siblings, and the family business, but it has not brought her the happiness her fans would imagine it did. Honestly, she would rather be surfing, and she is not a fan of the attention modeling has brought her. Plus, it seems her beauty was not enough to keep her tennis star husband from leaving her for another woman. Despite her situation, the annual party is today, and she must get herself and the house ready. Her three younger siblings will be joining her, and while the Riva children are close, they are each holding onto secrets that could upset the relative harmony they have maintained. Little do they know that family secrets will not be the only thing exposed tonight, and almost the last thing that anyone will be paying attention to. By 3:00am, the party will be out of control, and by 7:00am, everything will be on fire.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that has the main action take place in Malibu in 1983, though the story does reach as far back as the 1950s when it talks about the early relationship between Mick and June, the parents of the now-famed Riva children. When Mick meets June, he wants to believe he has met someone he can spend the rest of his life with, someone who will support him as he pursues his dream of stardom, someone who will raise the family he can come home to. While June is that person, Mick cannot seem to stay faithful. From this, the saga that is the Riva family will continue to grow and expand, spilling out of Malibu, where everyone knows who they are. While Mick may still be the star of the family, even as he gets older, Nina is more or less the focus of the book. She is the older sister who has always felt, even as a kid, that it was her job to hold everything together. So in the hours leading up to the party, the story of Mick and June is told while preparations are made. And when the party is in full swing, it becomes clear that the story of the Riva family is all but finished. 

My Verdict: At the opening of the book, before the narrative begins regarding the story of the Riva family and the annual party, a brief history of Malibu and its tendency to catch on fire is presented. It is one of the most intriguing openings I have come across this year. The stories that follow, of both the relationship and marriage between Mick and June, and the lives of the four Riva siblings, are interesting, fully-formed, well thought-out, and entertaining. And then the main event comes, this massive annual party that does not even have formal invitations: If you know the address, day, and time, then consider yourself invited. The party is as wild as the reader can imagine, but the events that take place - or at least the way they are described - leave something to be desired. Nothing seems to fit, not even the Rivas siblings, as more and more people show up, more scenes are dropped in and smashed together, and suddenly lives are changed forever. Somehow, this epic Malibu beach party ended up being the least interesting part of the book, which seems like the opposite of how things should have been. 

Favorite Moment: At one point, Nina finally stands up for herself, after a lifetime of putting everyone else first. 

Favorite Character: Casey is introduced somewhat later in the book, and while I feel her story was rushed, I liked her courage and honesty.

Recommended Reading: Daisy Jones & The Six is as absorbing as people say it is, and I cannot recommend it enough.   

Young Adult Fiction: The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He

We close out this year's YA Fest with The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He. This look at a possible future for humanity and an Earth that is suffering explores the relationship between sisters, and what it means to be human.

The Situation: For over three years, Cee has been living alone on an island, with only an android for company. She has no memory of her life before the island, and no idea how she got there. What she does know is that she has a sister, somewhere out there, and she needs to get back to her. Though progress has been slow, she is doing her best to build a boat to carry her across the unpredictable waters, and hopefully back to civilization. Meanwhile, 16 year-old Kasey is a known science prodigy living in one of the planet's eco-cities, designed to be a refuge against the quickly failing and contaminated environment. Kasey may be incapable of normal, social interaction, but she understands that something is not right about the way society is currently operating, and the way the environmental crisis is being handled. While her detached and distant father busies himself with saving as many as possible, Kasey once again embraces science for a different kind of solution.

The Problem: Natural disasters are occurring at a higher rate, and at a greater magnitude. Due to a mistake in her past, Kasey does not have the access, or the trust of the people, to put a plan in place of saving humanity, at least not without help. But as she gets closer to a solution, she also learns more about her own history, and what happened right before her eyes years ago. It is obvious that humanity has helped to destroy the planet. Should it be trusted in the effort to save it? On the island, Cee is having her own battle between memory and history. She sleepwalks ever night, every morning waking up closer to the water, and eventually in it. She knows there must be something beyond this island - she has dreamed about it - but getting to it presents an ever-present problem. With food running low, and the island lacking in general resources, much less in ways to leave, Cee is running out of time, and options.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in an undetermined future. Earth is still sustaining human life, though barely. Colossal natural disasters are increasing in frequency, and it is becoming more and more urgent for world leaders and top scientists to come up with a solution. In alternating chapters, Cee is stranded on an island, desperate to find a way off of it, while Kasey must go back to the science she used to love, as well the memory of her sister, if she wants to help save humanity. Currently, the eco-cities that provide safety and security from a dangerous environment are only available to the deserving: those whose families did not contribute to the world's current problems. But like any system invented by human beings, it is incredibly flawed, and as Kasey learns, prone to loopholes and cover-ups. The book contains an obvious environmental message, as well as a look at memory, history, and the bond between sisters.

My Verdict: At the start, this book felt like it was going to be a story of two sisters hoping to find a way back to each other, set against a backdrop of an deteriorating world. Then the story takes a fascinating turn, introducing elements of mystery, intrigue, and suspense, while exploring privilege and classism. And then, that turn leads to more turns, and the story goes from fascinating, to merely interesting, and then eventually, to tedious, and at times, boring. It could be that the story went on for about 50 pages longer than it should have. Or maybe there is simply too much going on. I felt like the point had been more than made at the half-way mark, so by the three-fourths point, it felt like the conclusion should have happened already, but there was still about 90 pages left. The choppy world-building did not help much, adding confusion to a plot in which I was becoming slowly disinterested. 

Favorite Moment: As brilliant as she is, there were many moments when Kasey had to admit she had missed something that was right in front of her.

Favorite Character: By the end, it was difficult for me to like any of the characters, so I will choose U-me, which feels like cheating since U-me is an android with limited communication capabilities, but there we go.

Recommended Reading: Parts of this reminded me of the Arc of a Scythe series by Neal Shusterman. The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez would also be a great follow-up. 

 

Young Adult Fiction: Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

For week #3 of the 2021 edition of YA Fest, I have chosen Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon. In 2017, I read Yoon's The Sun Is Also a Star and was introduced to her romantic style and complicated characters. She is a writer who believes in joy and happy endings, both of which we could all use more of.

The Situation: Yvette 'Evie' Thomas is actually a little bit embarrassed by how much she used to love romance novels. Since her mom and dad have gotten divorced, she is not sure she believes in love anymore, and has decided that all of her old romantic books must go. But two things happen when she rides her bike out to a local Little Free Library: 1. She is suddenly given the power to see visions of a couple's relationship - the beginning, middle, and end - when she witnesses them kissing, and 2. she ends up with a copy of the book Instructions for Dancing, which leads her to the La Brea Dance studio. At the studio, she meets the striking and powerful dance instructor/receptionist Fifi, as well as X, the grandson of the studio's owners. It was enough dealing with her feelings about her dad, and the seemingly lack of feelings from her mom and sister. Evie had no idea that the final semester of her senior year would also include unwanted visions of the couples around her, as well as dance lessons with this new, and somewhat annoying, though very attractive friend.

The Problem: To hear Fifi tell it, Evie has no reason to believe she and X have even the slightest chance of winning the upcoming dance competition, and the struggling studio needs a trophy to add to its display, and the publicity that will come along with it. It does help that X is funny, and charming, and cute, and free in a way Evie wishes she could be, but the situation with her dad has not helped her in the whole "opening up to new people and experiences" department. And with the visions showing her how people's relationships will end, including some close to her, Evie is ready to push the possibilities away before they have a chance to hurt her. But she cannot deny her attraction to X, and she cannot deny she enjoys dancing with him. She even has a hard time denying she misses having her father in her life. Evie will have to decide for herself if love is worth the risk, or if playing it safe is a reasonable way to live.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult novel set in modern-day Los Angeles. Because of her parent's divorce, and the true cause of it, Evie can no longer stomach the romance novels she used to love, and no longer sees the point of sharing her heart with someone if heartbreak is the only guaranteed ending. Her little sister Danica seems unfazed by everything, even after the two of them move out of their house and into an apartment with their mom, and Ms. Thomas has decided to busy herself with baking. While X is still recovering from his own tragedy, his approach is the opposite of Evie's. He says yes to everything, and does his best to drag Evie along, as she will struggle with the fine line between protecting herself, and being willing to take a chance. Evie essentially finds herself in the middle of one of the romance plots she used to to devour. But instead of ending up in one of her three (former) favorite romance genres (enemies to lovers, love triangle, and second chance), what Evie becomes involved in is more of an opposites attract situation. 

My Verdict: Possibly what I appreciate most about this book is its ability to make fun of itself and the romance genre, while also taking itself seriously. Throwing Evie into a dance studio and competition with a hot rock 'n roller may cause a few readers to roll their eyes, but the sharp-tongued dance instructor will also make them laugh, and the lovely older couple that owns the place can only make us mile. Many can relate to Evie's pain of dealing with her parents' divorce, and while the visions may seem like a strange detail, they do bring up the question of if it is better to know how things end, or to simply take a chance and enjoy the ride? It is a complicated question that is placed in the setting of the last semester of high school, and Evie is a great guide as the options are explored. Lovers of YA romance should rejoice, and this book is a perfect addition to almost any summer reading list.

Favorite Moment: When Evie and her mother are able to discuss, honestly, the divorce and the aftermath.

Favorite Character: If they had appeared more in the book, I would have selected Maggie and Archibald, the sweet owners of La Brea Dance. But instead I will pick Evie's mom, a woman who has done what a lot of women have to do, and that is hold it together, seemingly alone, while working and raising kids. 

Favorite Quote: "Sometimes the only thing to say about a period of time is that it's passing and that you're surviving it."

Recommended Reading: The Sun Is Also a Star is also a YA romance, but a very different kind of story.