This is my online book club… Please let me know what you think about the books I’m reviewing. I’d love to hear your opinion!
I’m also always looking for the next book to read. Please help me compile a list of great books with your suggestions right here in the comments for this post…
Thanks and happy reading!
Current day: Recently widowed Lucy has just returned to Winthrop Island from Paris with her daughter, Elise (Punkin), after learning about the disappearance of her father. She has had a strained relationship with her father because of his persistent belief that there is buried treasure on his property and has given up most of his life – even sacrificing his family relationships – in pursuit of this theory. But as she begins to explore what has become of him, she also learns that her first love, Ben Ressler was the last person to see him alive.
1717: Hephzibah has been living on Winthrop Island since she and her sister lost their parents and her sister was married off to her much older husband. Just prior to an historic snowstorm, their house is invaded by a wounded pirate and his doctor friend, and Hephzibah does her best to help all of them survive.
If you’ve read any of my prior reviews of Beatriz Williams’ books, you’ll know how much I love her writing. She is an incredibly talented author with a sharp wit and creative imagination. We see this to some extent in this novel as well, but while there are beautiful and complex characters who engage the reader in their exploits (particularly in the character of Punkin, whom I as the reader came to adore), there is none of the usual snarky banter in the dialogue here, none of her sardonic wit (which I most admire).
On the other hand, I do love how Williams weaves into her novels characters from her prior novels. We have been on Winthrop Island in a number of her novels, and have met the Peabody family in those as well. It’s fun to see how she expands and develops these characters, creating, for example, an entirely new story from minor characters in the novel before. It’s not exactly a series, and no one novel is dependent on reading the other (except for her one trilogy), but it is fun to identify characters from the older stories.
So even while this may not be my favorite of hers, it is still an excellent read, still holds your attention, and the suspense builds late in the story to the point where it is hard to put down. Always a great sign, right?
Nina, having broken up with her long-term boyfriend, finally feels ready to explore a dating app in order to begin to see who else might be out there for her. She feels as if everyone around her is married and having children, and while she is a successful food writer, she is ready for companionship and well, possibly marriage as well. She also feels this might be a good distraction from what is truly on her mind – her dear father who is becoming more and more forgetful, confused. When Nina has success on her first date through the app, it is a bit unexpected, especially given her friend, Lola’s poor luck. Max seems to be everything she is looking for – but is it for real?
This is an entertaining read – light, but substantive enough to keep the reader engaged. Nina’s struggle with her father’s increasing dementia is clearly her primary concern – and it is something I believe many readers can relate to, given how common this is. But this heavier theme is cleverly tucked inside the lighter issue of her dating frustrations (also common and relatable).
What I am also becoming increasingly aware of is this issue of ghosting. In our current age of social media and texting, fewer and fewer folks are able to confront problems head on. Rather that speaking a truth to someone you have a relationship with, it is more convenient to just avoid, go silent. I feel strongly that this is also utterly cowardly and immature. We as a culture need to improve our social skills, become more – not less – comfortable with uncomfortable conversations. If we are to forge true connections to others, we need to be able to say things that are hard to say and learn how to do so in a gentle and kind manner.
I believe this is a solid read. Curious to hear what others think!
When Don and Mimi Galvin started out, they believed they’d have a family like any other. While Don began his career in the Air Force and continued to be involved in government in an advisory role, Mimi took to her role as matriarch and could not be convinced, even at risk to her health, to not continue to have more babies. Even when she had to have noticed that her two older sons were constantly in conflict, that the younger ones were often casualties in these conflicts, her denial about their situation was stronger than her will to continue until she had given birth to ten sons and two daughters. Tragically, what was more unusual about this family was that six of the ten sons would go on to develop severe mental illness, most characterized as schizophrenia. The trauma that each family member experienced because of this was unspeakable, but was also a source of important medical information that would inform the small advances in the study of this devastating disease.
This non-fiction story provides a fascinating peek into a family plagued by mental illness in an order of magnitude that, to my mind, is incomprehensible. We are given an inside perspective not only on how an individual with schizophrenia suffers, but also how deeply those around these souls suffer as well. And while we learn of the onset and progression of each of the sons with the condition, we are also given the historical perspective on the attitudes toward and the treatment of this disease; one that has seen some progress but not nearly as much as one would hope for given all the time that has passed since this family (and so many others) have been studied. And we see how often the treatments are almost as harmful to these patients as the disease itself.
The writing here is quite good. In telling the story of this complicated family, there are many anecdotes that engage the reader and create an almost novel-like vibe to the book. Many times there are direct quotes from the family, as they have been interviewed extensively about their experiences. But there is also quite a bit of science, explained and simplified – but never dumbed down – to make it accessible to the common reader.
I believe this is an important read; one that explains the horror and the mystery around this complex and devastating disease. We all have a connection to those with mental health issues and I believe it is our duty to try to understand them, to become as knowledgable about them as we can, and to have compassion for those who suffer the most from having or living with those who have them.
Evelyn knows what it means to be hungry. Having experienced the death of her beloved father and her family’s subsequent plummet into poverty despite her mother’s best efforts, much has fallen onto Evelyn’s shoulders at a very young age. Even scrounging in the back of a local restaurant for scraps of food for her and her younger brother is nothing she is not familiar with. At the age of 13, she is brought into Wanamaker’s Department Store to work alongside her mother in order to make ends meet, in spite of her ardent wish to continue in school like her peers. It is here she is discovered by an artist, who sees in Evelyn something she could never have imagined for herself.
This novel is based loosely on the life of Evelyn Nesbit, thought of as the first supermodel, Broadway actress and Hollywood starlet who is known to have come from very humble beginnings. And while much of the story of this fictional Evelyn’s aligns with that of the real one, there is also an inner strength that is developed in the fictional character that we can only guess at with the real one. This Evelyn, our heroine, is used and misused by artists, by various older men, and even by her own mother. She is so young and innocent that she is taken advantage of by so many it is painful to witness. But at some point, she becomes so justifiably outraged, that she develops a plan of escape that is quite brilliant. We are rooting for her all the way.
We also see how so many of the female characters whom one would have hoped would have been supportive of her truly abandon her. Because of her beauty, many are jealous, and many perceive her as being either entitled or spoiled or even evil because of what she’s had to do to survive. Even those she’d thought of as her good friends quickly turn on her when she can no longer advance their status. Even her own mother abandons her when she feels she has made mistakes that might cost them the financial gains they’ve made, turning a blind eye to what her own daughter actually needs. It is disappointingly realistic. Fortunately, however, she does have a few true friends, ones who deeply care for her and worry about her welfare. These are the true heroes.
This is an engaging story, mirroring the life of a female legend. Certainly a worthwhile read!
Natalie has created a perfect life – or at least this is what is projected on her viral Instagram presence. She is living off the fruit of the land, on a farm in Idaho with her beautiful husband and their many beautiful children, the two of them just living the simple all-American, Christian life. What is off-camera, is her large staff, those who are actually raising her children, homeschooling them, working the farm, and doing the work she is only pictured doing. One shocking day, Natalie wakes up and finds herself on a homestead that appears to be her home. It looks like her farm, but it is without any of the comforts she’s grown accustomed to – more like the farm that would have been present in the 19th century. Even the children are different. Where did her life go? As we hear from the Natalie in current times vs the one who finds herself back in time, we slowly learn how she came to be the person she is. And it’s not pretty…
This is an incredibly creative, sardonic commentary on social media – its influencers and bots and the falsehoods we come to believe. I am inclined to say that this is an extreme example, but I’m not even sure that is true. Natalie embodies the ultimate influencer: she has researched what folks become addicted to and finds her way to employ and monetize it. But she does this at the expense of losing her real life: she misses important moments with her children (except for those that are filmed), she misses moments for herself, and she misses finding a partner in life she actually loves and respects. Her whole life is a show, a photo op, a performance – but none of it is real. And the ones who suffer for it are everyone around her, but particularly her children.
I love the irony created when her husband, Caleb, becomes entrenched in absurd conspiracy theories on his social media sites. Natalie believes he is an idiot for believing any of it even while she is creating content that is similarly misleading. And all of it, Natalie’s and Caleb’s, is in the name of celebrating White, Christian values and preparing for the “big civil war” that is inevitable – even while this hate and this venom eats away at both of them from the inside.
I think this novel is thought-provoking, clever, and innovative – and has a powerful, cautionary message. I can see why it has become so popular and is on so many recommended lists.
Corby is admittedly struggling. Ever since he lost his job, his wife has been working regularly while he has taken on the role of homemaker for his toddler twins, Niko and Maisie. He has tried to find work, but has not been successful, and after many rejections, has essentially given up. But while he maintains the appearance of continuing to search, he also copes through the use of alcohol and a bit of an uptick in his anxiety medication as well. One morning, as he is preparing to bring his children to their grandmother’s house, a horrific accident occurs that turns Corby’s life into a living hell.
Wally Lamb has never shied away from difficult topics, and this novel is the perfect example of this. To be responsible for the loss of one’s child and then have to pay penance – to other family members, to society, and to oneself – is the ultimate worst case scenario, in my opinion. This is what Corby must come to terms with. And with the crisp, honest, and gritty writing that Lamb utilizes, with most of the narrative coming in the voice of Corby himself, we live his hell along with him.
What is remarkable is the likability of Corby’s character. He has done something horrible, for sure, but not intentionally. And he takes full responsibility for his actions, which garners our respect. He also earns the respect of those around him, with the exception of the few cruel officers who have something to prove. He is able to care for a few of his fellow inmates in a way that sometimes puts his own safety at risk, and yet we understand when he loses hope at times as well.
This is a powerful read, but definitely not for the feint of heart. It is emotional, even brutal in places – but it also is insightful and meaningful as well.
Daphne and her husband, Jonathan, are visiting the Met Museum in Manhattan, when Jonathan comments that an older man has his eye on Daphne. This is apparently not unusual, as Daphne tends to attract older men – her husband being one such man – but it feels different somehow, as this man is actually following them. When Jonathan confronts him, Daphne suddenly realizes that this is her estranged ex-step-father, Eddie, whom she adored but hasn’t seen since she was nine years old. They join for a spontaneous lunch in the Met restaurant, and a reunion of sorts begins. As Daphne gets reacquainted with her ex-step-father, she reexamines her past with him, learns why her mother divorced him, and begins to make up for these many years of lost time together.
Perhaps I’ve been reading too much suspense lately, but I felt that this story was something of a let-down. While it is a very sweet narrative with characters we come to care about, the plot never builds to any major crescendo, nor are there any unexpected twists. And while Eddie’s character, for example, is admirable and clever, he is almost too admirable, too clever. The characters are almost one-dimensional. There is a backstory that comes out slowly during the course of the book, but it never reaches a level of intrigue and it is almost predictable.
Still, the story did hold my attention and I cannot say I regret reading it. It just did not live up to what I’ve come to expect from Ann Patchett, to be honest.
Maybe her next book?
2011: When Laurel was only 16 years old (more years ago than she’d like to admit), she witnessed a traumatic scene involving her mother, Dorothy, and baby brother. None of her 3 sisters were around, but she knows what she saw. She also knows her mother, with all her loving spirit and her tender ways, would have had a very good reason for doing what she did. And now that her mother is elderly and dying, Laurel feels this is her only chance to find out what exactly transpired on that terrible day.
1941: Dorothy has suffered a great loss. After she’d left home, her entire family was killed in a bomb blast during the London Blitz. Dorothy has managed to forge ahead, pick up the pieces, and make a new life for herself and for her boyfriend, Jimmy. In fact, when she lands a position working for a wealthy elderly woman, she finds herself living a new life the likes of which she could never have imagined. Better yet, she has made a posh new friend, Vivien, who she feels will be able to teach her how to continue to improve her lot in life. After an altercation with Vivien, however, she has come up with a plan to truly achieve what she aspires to in life.
This dual timeline brings to life the rough and unpredictable existence of those living in London during WWII. Few were able to continue much as they’d always done, such as the privileged woman Dorothy found herself working for. But for most, it was a much more bare existence, most being recruited to work for the war cause in whatever way that was. Jimmy, for example, was a photographer who captured the moments of pain, moments of violence of the war for the media. The story also highlights that good people will still be good and evil folks will remain evil, no matter what is going on in the world. But most are just trying to survive the best they can.
The writing here is solid. There were times when the story might have moved a bit more quickly – I did find myself becoming restless at moments. But overall, the characters are lovely, the plot thickens, and the twist at the end is something I, for one, did not see coming.
Definitely one to look out for!
Alicia Berenson has been found with her murdered husband, Gabriel, a gun with her fingerprints, and her wrists slashed and bloodied. Since that moment, she has not uttered a single word: not in protestation when she was carried off to be interrogated, not in her own defense during her trial, and not since she’s been committed to a psychiatric facility six years ago. Although Theo Faber, a forensic psychologist, has been employed by another institution, he is so captivated by Alicia’s well-publicized story that he feels compelled to transfer to hers and attempt to help her himself. While Theo seems to make unusual progress with Alicia, he also finds his personal life begins to encroach upon this professional pursuit.
I listened to this audio book and I have to say it was engrossing, suspenseful, and at times, shocking. Just when I thought I might guess where the plot was heading, I found how wrong I could be. And just when I thought I had come to know the characters, I found I knew nothing at all. It was so well plotted, so well-depicted that it kept the suspense until the very last chapter.
I love that we come to know the “silent” character, Alicia, through her writing, in a diary she keeps hidden in order to tell her story. We learn of her unique artistic talents, those who have sought to take advantage of her, and those she fears without others believing her. She’s left unsupported by everyone who has claimed to love her.
This is a clever, twisty novel that compels you to keep reading (or listening) long past your bedtime! Great for summer, but great, really for any time of year…
It is early 1930’s and Nell and Fen are newly married and working together on researching the various tribes of New Guinea. Well, perhaps working together is being a bit generous, as Nell has an overwhelming curiosity about the gender roles of the tribes and has embedded herself into their cultures with ease. She has also been more productive than Fen, having published a now world-renowned manuscript that has brought her quite a bit of fame. Even their friend, Andrew Bankson, a fellow anthropologist and self-doubter, can see that this has created jealousy on the part of Fen. Could this be how Bankson can work his way into Nell’s favor? Or might this be just a disaster waiting to happen?
This novel pours historical fiction and fascinating anthropologic hypotheses into a triangulated love story. While we learn about the cultures that Nell, in particular, is studying, how she integrates into their society and records details of their cultures, we also feel the palpable admiration and tenderness that Bankson feels towards Nell, even as Fen appears to ignore her. Meanwhile, as Nell learns about the more open attitudes of these more isolated cultures toward sex, she feels a kinship with them in many ways.
There is quite a bit to unpack here, and I believe bookclubs will have a field day with this one. I would not be able to do it justice in this blog, and so I will not try. But I do recommend this book highly, as I feel it has so much depth, both in the character structure and in the many ideas that the three scientists bat around. The plot develops quite subtly and one might believe they know where it leads, but they would likely be surprised.
Not quite a MUST READ, but close!
kindread spirits 