Nonfiction: Dyscalculia by Camonghne Felix

It is interesting how a title can both interest and repel a reader, and I can certainly say I experienced both of these things when I first came across Dyscalculia: A Love Story of Epic Miscalculation by Camonghne Felix. The title comes from a real learning disorder that affects a person's ability to understand number-based information and math. I fought against my instinct to be disinterested in a scientific title, and after reading the description, I decided to give the book a try.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book that explores the author's life, and more specifically, her experience with dyscalculia, bipolar disorder, and how both factored into a relationship that becomes the center of a fair amount of the story. Written in something closer to poetry than prose, Felix starts in her early life, when the words dyscalculia, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and various medications are introduced into her life, before moving through adolescence and into early adulthood, when she will meet 'X' and begin the relationship that will shape the rest of the book. The book deals with mental health and self-harm, moving in a linear fashion that often does not feel that way.

My Verdict: This is one of those books that contains a lot of power in not a lot of pages, which is something I will always marvel at. Part of it could be the poetic prose style that the book is written in, but it can also simply be the story Felix is telling. With an honesty and a frankness that I can only applaud, Felix tells her story plainly, and succinctly, and in no uncertain terms. The small jumps across and through time may make things confusing for some readers, as some scenes feel slightly off-balance, but this may have been intentional. And even if it was not, it is certainly still affective in helping to bring the reader into Felix's world. Anyone looking for a quick, honest, and powerful read will not be disappointed in this book.

Favorite Moment: I enjoyed reading about Felix's conversations with her mother, which are sprinkled throughout the book.

Favorite Quote: Felix's mother gives her some incredibly true and powerful advice: "Nobody has to care about what hurts you because that's not their job. It's not the world's job to understand you, it's your job to understand the world. And the more you understand it, the more you learn how to get around it. The more you understand it, the more you understand who you can trust and how far you can stretch. You cannot wait for them to understand you, or they will kill you. You have to do it."

Recommended Reading: I recommend Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi. 

Science Fiction: Chance by Matthew Fitzsimmons

This week's novel, Chance, is the second in author Matthew Fitzsimmons' Constance series, the first of which was reviewed in late October. Cloning remains at the center of the story, as a young man attempts to find out what happened to him and his brother during a kidnapping gone wrong.

The Situation: It is the year 2042, and Chance is about the perform the latest in what has become his annual stunts. Sometimes they go right, but more often they go wrong, and this one certainly can. But Chance and his family have a policy at Palingenesis, the company the keeps their clones on standby should one of them meet an untimely demise, something that Chance has done many times by now. His audience cannot get enough of his antics, while his critics point out the only reason he is able to be so reckless is because he is one of the 1%. Chance has heard it all, and he does not care. For him, any caring about what he should be doing to live a productive life went out the window five years ago, when he died the first time in botched kidnapping.

The Problem: Chance is obsessive about making and keeping his appointments at Palingenesis, making sure his clones will always be as up to date as possible on their memories, should his next stunt go wrong. He also makes sure his daily existence is well-documented and backed up, until one of his clones erases everything, after seemingly committing a horrible crime. When Chance wakes up in a new clone body, he has no idea what happened, and those that have always been against cloning now have a new reason to protest. All he knows is this has something to do with abduction that changed his life forever, and if he is to get answers, he must work fast and do what he can before he is arrested.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set only two years after the first one, in 2042. After a landmark Supreme Court case, clones now have legal standing at the federal level, and any state's anti-cloning laws have now been done away with, therefore making the issue even more divisive. Enter Chance Harker, a 21 year-old influencer who has made a career out of exploiting the new technology, only being able to do so because his family is wealthy. Taking place in and around Los Angeles, the story follows Chance as he attempts to make a life for himself, but due to what happened five years ago, he exists in a cloud of resentment, anger, pride, and self-loathing. And many of the issues surrounding cloning that were brought up in the first book are expanded upon even further in this one.

My Verdict: This book contains the same fast-paced narrative style as the first one, as seemingly every chapter reveals a new detail, or twist to the story that changes what the audience thought they knew about where the story was going. It mainly falls under science fiction, but just like the first book, it is also part suspense thriller and part murder mystery, while asking the important questions when it comes the issue of cloning human beings. Chance is incredibly unlikeable in the beginning, but he knows it, and he does not care...but he does care, kind of. It is a complicated character that at first glance is simply a spoiled rich kid, but the layers get pulled back as the story moves forward, and I think I like it even better than the first book. 

Favorite Moment: Picking out a favorite moment with a book like this is near impossible, because almost every moment is a spoiler. At some point, Chance stops being a careless jerk and turns into a sympathetic human being, and it was nice to actually care about what happens to him towards the end.

Favorite Character: Con D'Arcy, the main character from the first book, makes an appearance in this one and plays an important role in helping Chance get the answers he is looking for.

Recommended Reading: I once again recommend Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty. 

Young Adult Fiction: Immortality by Dana Schwartz

It was no question that I was going to review Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz, the second and final book in The Anatomy Duology. The story continues to follow young Hazel Sinnett as she works tirelessly to be a female surgeon, at a time when such things were unheard of, and often not encouraged.

The Situation: It has been roughly a year since Hazel dressed in the clothes of her older brother and attended classes at the Royal Edinburgh Anatomist's Society, where women are not allowed. This is also when she met Jack - whose fate she is still not sure of - as well as Dr. Beecham, a man who was able to achieve the impossible. Now she is alone, living only when a few servants, as her mother has decided to leave the area with her youngest brother. Despite not being a real doctor, Hazel has found a steady, though often discreet, customer base among those who have a reason not to seek out the assistance of more well-known, and well-respected doctors. Some are eager for her help, while others are simply desperate. Hazel is glad for it, though she wonders how long she will be able to keep it up.

The Problem: When Hazel is arrested after helping one of her many desperate clients, she fears her habit of doing shady operations under dubious circumstances will indeed prove to be her end, but then help comes from the most unlikely of places. It seems the royals have heard of the female doctor with passable skill and the neatest stitches anyone has seen, and their hope is that the beloved Princess Charlotte will be more willing to be examined by one of her own sex, and that Hazel will be able to diagnose the mysterious illness that has caused the princess to call off her wedding. Hazel may have been saved from jail, but being in service to royalty has its own complications. And when Hazel encounters a secret social club known as the Companions to the Death, the events and secrets of the past year come back in a new way.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of young adult historical fiction set in the early 1800s, taking place almost entirely in and around London. Hazel is sent there to help take care of the ailing and well-loved Princess Charlotte, whose variety of symptoms have stumped the best doctors in England. Here, Schwartz admits to taking some liberties with real historical figures for the sake of the story, as well as some points in the history of medicine, particularly when it comes to the first uses of anesthesia. While the first book dealt more with Hazel's studies and the practice of medical students and doctors purchasing corpses to work with, this one looks further into the political aspect of it all, including the presence of secret societies that attempt to orchestrate things to follow their own agenda. 

My Verdict: From the start, the pacing and tone of this book is wonderful. Hazel may be done with school, but she is still learning, and her commitment to her patients, to gaining knowledge, and to working on her treatise gives this book a fun beginning as Hazel navigates the reality of being a female doctor at a time when that is frowned upon. Moving her into the company of royalty once again gives her a new problem to solve, and a new group to prove herself to, while still wrestling with the events of the previous book. Sure, the adventures in digging up dead bodies were thrilling, but now Hazel must move among royalty, and penetrate the inner workings of a secret society, all while holding out hope that Jack is still alive. It may seem like a lot, but Schwartz handles it well, providing a new kind of adventure, and love story, that will keep readers guessing without leaving them exhausted.

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* Hazel being able to correctly guess what is wrong with the princess is naturally a wonderful and triumphant moment, especially considering what the diagnosis turns out to be. 

Favorite Character: Dr. Simon von Ferris is a Swedish doctor, and the latest one brought in to assist the royal family with the ailing King. He has every reason to not be on Hazel's side, and yet he is, even when it is clear they may be working at cross-purposes. 

Recommended Reading: I will recommend Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, which I am aware can be a slog, but I promise it is worth it. 

Horror Fiction: The Spite House by Johnny Compton

In all honesty, I had largely ignored today's selection until seeing that the author would be reading from and signing his book at a local book store, as well as appearing at the San Antonio Book Festival on the 15th of this month. After reading the synopsis for The Spite House by Johnny Compton, I decided it deserved a spot in the blog. For one, it is horror fiction, a genre I do not read nearly enough of; and second, it is set in small and creepy Texas town, which I know can make for an unnerving setting when done well.

The Situation: Eric Ross and his two daughters, 18 year-old Dess and 12 year-old Stacy, have been moving from town-to-town for quite some time now. Eric will do whatever is necessary in order to take care of his daughters and keep them safe, and right now that means taking off-the-book jobs, staying in motels, and always being on the lookout. Dess is well-aware of what is at stake, and takes everything just as seriously as her father does. And while young Stacy may not be quite sure what is going on, she is clever and creative, and most importantly, obedient. When her father decides to accept an offer to stay in the "most haunted place in Texas," both girls understand that completing the job could mean the secure future they have searching for, even though no one before them has been able to remain in the house for very long.

The Problem: Eric may be doing his best to keep his past a secret, but he is not the only one. His new employer, Eunice, has a few secrets of her own, mostly related to the house she wants Eric and his small family to stay in, and its troubled history. Known as the spite house, all of the citizens of the town of Degener seem wary of the place, refusing to stay inside it for very long, and only coming inside if they truly have to. The people who came before Eric to attempt to do what Eunice wanted managed to come out alive, though there were issues. But Eric is determined to complete the assignment, with not only the six figure payout as motivation, but also to understand a few things about his own past, and what he has witnessed.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a horror fiction novel set in and around the fictional small town of Degener, Texas, where the strange spite house sits on a hill. The concept of a spite house is essentially a structure that has been built or altered solely for the purpose of irritating neighbors, or anyone interested in the land, or even in some cases, family members. There are many stories out there of people building houses or modifying them to intentionally block the view of another house, or somehow disrupt the building of something else. In this novel, vengeance, anger, and resentment are major themes, and are given a destructive power, almost creating a cautionary tale. Switching narrators throughout the story, the novel follows the Ross family, as well as those involved with the spite house, and weaves a creepy tale of what it may be like to have the past literally haunt you.

My Verdict: When described in one sentence, it would suffice to say that this novel is about a man who accepts an offer to stay in a haunted house with his two daughters in an effort to prove that there is something supernatural going on, and scary events ensue. It is the kind of thing many horror lovers will, and should, flock to. There is even the small town, and old woman keeping secrets, and a family man running from a mysterious past. All of the secrets and hidden terrors are revealed slowly, and the pacing of the novel is to be commended. But for me, this is a book that is all about the journey, as the final destination left a lot to be desired. However, for some, this may not be a bad thing, as the journey is interesting, and scary, just as it should be for a horror novel.

Favorite Moment: As someone who loves a good haunted house story, I love any moment that goes into deeper detail about how the house is physically constructed, especially if the detail is about something the house contains or was built with that is not included in most houses.

Favorite Character: Dess is a young woman who has been through more than most 18 year-olds, and who put her future on pause to make sure her little sister was taken care of.

Recommended Reading: I cannot end a post about a haunted house story without at least mention The Shining by Stephen King. Though more of a haunted hotel situation, I cannot recommend this book enough. 

Contemporary Fiction: Liar, Dreamer, Thief by Maria Dong

The word 'excited' could certainly be used to describe how I felt to finally get around to reading Liar, Dreamer, Thief by Maria Dong. With phrases like "gripping page-turner" used to describe the story, I knew at the very least I was in for a wild ride, most likely filled with a few twists and turns.

The Situation: Katrina Kim is a 25 year-old woman who is barely hanging on...to everything. Katrina has, at the best of times, a tenuous hold on her job as a temp at Advancex; on the apartment she shares with her roommate Leoni; on her rapidly deteriorating clunker of a car; on the few friendships she has managed to maintain; and also on reality. She will insist she is not a stalker, but the amount of attention she pays to Kurt, a coworker to whom she has never even been introduced, would say otherwise. The way Katrina tells it, Kurt is simply another one of her coping mechanisms, along with her obsession with the number 11, and her ability to enter and see things through the world of her favorite book from childhood.

The Problem: One of Katrina's rituals involves a nighttime visit to the Cayatoga Bridge, which she insists holds some kind of power, except this time Kurt is there, and he blames her for everything, right before he jumps. What follows causes Katrina's already incredibly weak hold on her life to become almost nonexistent. Just as she was watching Kurt, Kurt was also watching her. Now Katrina must do what she can, making the most of her limited resources and skills, to obtain more clues and put together what is really going on. The further she goes, the more clear it is to her that even the little she thought she knew to be the truth was little more than a carefully crafted facade. And Katrina's inability to let things go may be what helps her figure out what is really going on.

Genre, Themes, History: This mystery/thriller novel is set in and around Grand Station, Illinois, where the 25 year-old Katrina lives and works after being cut off from her parents. As a Korean-American, Katrina is used to being one of the few Asian women in any given situation, and the same is true for her job as a temporary employee for Advancex. Each section of the book begins with a brief description of a stellation: a geometrical process that allows for the type of shape that is one of Katrina's many obsessions. Following the description is an excerpt from Katrina's favorite childhood book, Mi-Hee and the Mirror-Man, which contains the fictional world that Katrina often escapes to, and where she can often see analogues for the real-life people she encounters. Mental health is a big theme here, as is obsession, stalking, fraud, and the perception of reality.

My Verdict: There were more than a few surprises that came from the book, which worked out well for the most part since it is a mystery/suspense thriller. The story contained an appropriate amount of twists and turns. Even the one of Kurt knowing about Katrina was somewhat shocking despite it being included in the synopsis. But one surprise I was not expecting was how difficult it would be to follow Katrina's story as she is the only narrator, and is as unreliable as a narrator can be. Also, the plot moves slower than what I am used to with thrillers, with a lot of information being thrown in at the end, leading to some confusing final pages and a plotline that makes less and less sense. And the big reveal about Katrina's past did not seem worth the build up, even if it did answer many questions from earlier in the novel.

Favorite Moment: It is hard to choose, but I did enjoy whenever Katrina had to acknowledge the obvious (usually regarding how detrimental her obsessions can be), but it was usually after the damage was already done. 

Favorite Character: Katrina's coworker Navya takes some serious risks in order to help Katrina hold onto her job. She certainly does not have to, and doing so could cause real trouble.

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Maid by Nita Prose, which also won the 2022 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Mystery & Thriller. 

Contemporary Fiction: Maame by Jessica George

This year started early in providing me with the delicious problem of having too many intriguing books to choose from. There are simply not enough Fridays in a year for me to cover everything I want to read (which is part of the reason why I published my And all the rest post at the end of last year). I assigned this particular precious Friday to Maame by Jessica George because I was much too curious...I simply had to know more.

The Situation: Maddie Wright, or Maame as her mother likes to call her (which may have many meanings in Twi, but for her purposes, it means 'woman'), does not live a charmed life. Currently, she still lives at home in London and is her father's primary caretaker. Sure, her parents are still married, but her mother spends every other year in Ghana. And Maddie's brother James is always ready with an excuse for why he cannot visit, or cannot take on a responsibility or two. And when it comes to money, they both tend to look to Maddie, even though her own savings is meager, and she was recently fired from the job she kind of hated. When her mother's return to London gives her the opportunity to move out and maybe live her own life, Maddie takes it, hoping she will finally discover who she is meant to be.

The Problem: When Maddie moves out, she is determined to try new things, meet new people, even buy new clothes and maybe eat foods she always stayed away from. Unfortunately, some new people are not worth meeting, and when the worst of tragedies strikes, Maddie has to wonder if carving out of space for herself and her needs is even possible, because the effort certainly does not feel worth it. Sure she has secured a new and seemingly better job, but certain events and instances do not feel right. Bringing any of this up to her mother elicits the most unhelpful of responses, causing Maddie to also examine her unconventional family, and the idea of her own happiness.

Genre, Themes, History: This novel is set in modern-day London, where Maddie lives and works. In her mid-twenties, Maddie shoulders the majority of the responsibility for caring for her father, who has Parkinson's disease, and the wide range of symptoms has affected his memory, mobility, ability to speak, and many other things. Having the opportunity to move out may mean a freedom she has never known, but what follows is a crash course in navigating human interactions as a young black woman. Suddenly Maddie has roommates, and new coworkers, and men are giving her their number. But her mother is still asking for money, her brother is still avoiding responsibility, and Maddie does not know if the sadness she feels is normal.

My Verdict: I will start with a warning that anyone with aging or sick parents will probably feel all of the feels with this book. And while Maddie may be naive, she has also been made to experience some things much sooner than she should have, and with no one around to help her with any of it (leading to some incredibly interesting Google searches). Even though I (thankfully) cannot relate to having an overbearing and demanding mother, Maddie's interactions with her own mother gave me a feeling of resentment on her behalf that I am sure only pales in comparison to the real thing. But each interaction - with her mother, brother, coworkers, roommates, etc. - came from such a real and authentic place, while also not being too overwhelming. There are some heavy topics that are explored here (familial duty, racism, mental health), but it is done with the appropriate sensitivity, and with just the right amount of humor. Truly a wonderful debut.

Favorite Moment: Maddie's growth throughout the novel is very one-day-at-a-time. But seeing her slowly get used to speaking up for herself is truly something I am glad to have witnessed.

Favorite Character: Maddie's roommate Cam is just the right amount of no-nonsense, practical, old-fashioned, and protective. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams. 

Historical Fiction: River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer

It seems 2023 wasted no time bringing out the rich stories that investigate those fascinating and/or important moments in human history that historical fiction lovers seek. For my first new historical fiction novel, I chose River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer, which follows a runaway slave as she travels through the Caribbean on her search for the children she lost.

The Situation: It is August of 1834, and the slaves of the Providence plantation have just learned that they are free...except they cannot leave. Yes, the king has decreed that slavery is now illegal, but the master has announced that the former slaves are now apprentices, for the next six years. Rachel is no stranger to the cruelty of masters and overseers, but even for her, this is too much. So she runs. The desire for freedom - real freedom -  may be what made her leave, but the desire to find the children whose fates she are not sure of is what keeps her going. The journey will at the very least be incredibly dangerous, and possibly even fruitless. But Rachel has to try.

The Problem: Being a runaway, Rachel knows she will always be looking over her shoulder, expecting at almost any moment to be discovered and taken back to Providence, or worse, killed. Even if she is not discovered by someone from her old plantation, there are those who are willing to turn her in for some imagined crime, or carry out their own brand of justice themselves. Also, the journey to find the five children she is looking for - Mary Grace, Micah, Thomas Augustus, Cherry Jane, and Mercy - will be filled with uncertainty. Rachel knows that hope can be a dangerous thing, and yet, she lets it take her from Barbados, to British Guiana, and finally to Trinidad.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in the time just after the Emancipation Act of 1834, which may have declared that slaves like Rachel were free, with many plantation owners simply changing what exactly that 'freedom' means. After Rachel runs away, she will come across all types: Blacks who were born free; many who escaped just as she did; those whose freedom was purchased; a group who have made a life for themselves while hiding in the forest; and of course, some that are still enslaved. Shearer explores the real history of the time immediately following the Emancipation Act, as well as what she was able to learn from her own family history. Rachel's journey is complicated, filled with tension, but also with the potential for unimaginable joy.

My Verdict: This book's description promises a gripping adventure that stems from the desperation of a mother looking for her children, and that is exactly what is delivered. And while Rachel may be desperate, she is also determined, while also being incredibly afraid. All of the traits are there, and they all help move her forward and she learns new information about where her children may be, while also encountering several others who have their own story of what life in the Caribbean has meant for them. What becomes most obvious is how complicated a seemingly simple word like 'freedom' could be for someone like Rachel, as well as how fragmented many families were, and still are, as a result of slavery. Readers looking for a moving adventure, filled with emotion and adversity, but also hope, will enjoy this book.

Favorite Moment: At one point, after learning that one of her children may be deep in the forest of British Guiana, Rachel has the pleasure of standing up to a mean and spiteful bar owner as she quits on him.

Favorite Character: Rachel encounters many wonderful characters during her journey, but my favorite is perhaps a man named Nobody. His story was the most interesting to me, and he proves to be a helpful and kind ally.

Recommended Reading: I recommend last year's Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson.