Good Reads & Views

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Fiction

What it’s about: When Emira is unjustly accused of having kidnapped the child in her care, a video of the incident goes viral. The child’s mother is an online influencer with an urge to fix others’ problems (while disregarding her own). Then add an unexpected twist or two… In this captivating #ownvoices novel about race and power dynamics, it’s fascinating to consider the characters’ points of view and motives. 

Why you might like it: If you enjoy reading books that are both page turners and thoughtful explorations of characters’ motivations, this book is for you. 

You might also like: Literary page-turner Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng also thoughtfully explores issues of race and class.

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Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton
Fiction

What it’s about: S.T., a domesticated crow, realizes something is wrong with his owner Big Jim when Big Jim’s eyeball falls out and then the guy tries to eat him. S.T., along with his good buddy Dennis, a sweet but dim-witted bloodhound, abandon the only life they’ve ever known to discover that the malady affecting Big Jim has struck all the humans of Seattle--they've become the raging undead, seeking only flesh and the bright glow of digital objects. S.T. and Dennis are in the fight of their lives as they struggle to survive and find purpose among the ruins of humanity. Fortunately, S.T. has acquired plenty of smarts from watching documentaries on the Discovery Channel.

Why you might like it: This quirky fantasy blends dark humor and horror, and features a sassy, plucky hero resulting in an exuberant read that’s full of heart.

Want a taste? Despite the snark, there are some surprisingly poignant and moving passages, like this: “Trust it turned out, was a very beautiful and fragile thing with a taste like wild raspberries and experienced only by the very brave.” And this: “Watching the sunrise.... what an act of beauty, of unwavering faith, something to look forward to each and every day.”

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The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by John Maxwell
Nonfiction

What is it? Another great work from Dr. John C. Maxwell! This is one of the best books on leadership I have read. It offers specific examples and motivational thoughts on what it takes to live the life of a leader.

Is it for you? This is a fantastic book for anyone motivated to learn how to lead others. This book is best read slowly, taking in each quality while examining yourself.

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Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout
Fiction

What it’s about: Retired math teacher Olive is back, and like its predecessor, Pulitzer Prize winning Olive Kitteridge, the novel is told in interlinking stories. Olive is now older and dealing with various changes in her life. Has age mellowed her? You be the judge of that.

Want a taste? “But we’re both old enough to know things now, and that’s good.” “What things?” “When to shut up, mainly.”

Reviewers say: “Beautifully written and alive with compassion, at times almost unbearably poignant. A thrilling book in every way” (Kirkus Reviews); “Exquisite” (Library Journal).

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Twisted Twenty-Six by Janet Evanovich
Fiction

What it’s about: Stephanie Plum’s Grandma Mazur is a widow...again. This time her marriage lasted a whole 45 minutes. The unlucky groom was one Jimmy Rosolli, local gangster, lothario (senior division) and heart attack waiting to happen.  As a result, she’s got unwelcome attention from his former “business partners” who think she’s keeping information.

Starring:  Stephanie Plum, a New Jersey bounty hunter.

About the Author: Over the course of the last 25 years, Janet Evanovich has written a staggering 23 #1 New York Times bestsellers in the Stephanie Plum series. In addition to the Plum novels, Janet has co-written the New York Times bestselling Fox and O'Hare novels (including The Big Kahuna with Peter Evanovich), the Knight and Moon novels, the Lizzy and Diesel series, the Alexandra Barnaby novels, and she also coauthored a graphic novel, Troublemaker, with her daughter, Alex.

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The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television by Koren Shadmi
Nonfiction

What it’s about: In this graphic novel, Rod Serling discusses his life as a writer: first struggling to be heard, then pushing the boundaries of what television could be while fighting censorship from the networks and sponsors. He finally achieved his goal as the creator of The Twilight Zone, which addressed issues of the day behind the veneer of science fiction and fantasy.

Why you should read it: Serling cleverly changed how television could talk about issues and created a classic series that is still referenced and relevant. Although the book has a somewhat talky style at times, I found it compelling and finished it in one sitting.

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The Last Astronaut by David Wellington
Fiction

What it’s about: In the 2050s, NASA has scrapped crewed flights after a disastrous Mars mission, leaving space exploration mostly in the hands of private company KSpace. But when a KSpace astrophysicist makes a startling discovery, he risks his job to tell NASA: a bizarre object in space is decelerating and heading directly for Earth. NASA and KSpace are now in direct competition to chart a course for the alien object and figure out what it wants, which means NASA must pull its last remaining astronaut out of retirement. The rest of the novel is an intensely cinematic and disturbing journey, as both crews enter the strange ship and find nightmarish creatures inside. Action-packed, character-driven, and featuring perhaps the grossest scene of alien body invasion since Alien itself, The Last Astronaut is an exciting addition to the first contact canon. My only quibble is with some of the pretend tech: a “neutrino gun,” according to Fermilab physicists, would be an unmanageable and absurd communication mechanism, even in the future.

Introducing: Heroic former NASA Mission Commander Sally Jansen, the last astronaut of the title, who’s called out to head the Orion 7 first contact mission. After leading a failed attempt to reach Mars on Orion 6 in 2034 (a misstep that cost the life of a crew member), Jansen is traumatized, ashamed, and out to prove that she can successfully keep her group safe.

Try this next: The criminally underrated and claustrophobic psychological horror film As Above, So Below or Ericka Swyler’s Light From Other Stars—an ambitious novel about NASA, astronauts, and time travel.

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Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
Fiction 

What it’s about: Pride and Prejudice has been transported to modern-day Cincinnati!  Liz Bennet is a magazine editor and Fitzwilliam Darcy is a neurosurgeon in this hilarious retelling of Jane Austen’s classic. Level-headed Liz and sweet-tempered Jane come home from New York City after Mr. Bennet has a heart attack and find the family’s finances are in terrible shape.  Mrs. Bennet’s solution? Getting her oldest daughter married to an ER doctor who had appeared on a reality TV dating show.

Is it for you?  If you like character-driven stories with bantering dialog and witty narration, this book will keep you smiling, if not laughing out loud, all the way through.

Reviewers say: Sittenfeld’s “charming retelling is a delightful romp for not only Austen devotees but lovers of romantic comedies and sly satire, as well” (Booklist); “Sittenfeld's inclusion of a Bachelor-like reality show is a brilliant parallel to the scrutiny placed on characters in the neighborhood balls of Jane Austen's novels” (Library Reads).

 

Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Listen in on Mira Jacob’s conversations with her young son, husband, parents, friends, and colleagues. In this creative, thought-provoking memoir in graphic novel form, Jacob—the daughter of immigrants from India—addresses race, ethnicity, and identity through conversations that are sometimes somber and painful, sometimes hilarious, and often filled with moments of perfect connection… and disconnection.

Why you might like it: While Jacob addresses serious issues, she introduces moments of humor and infuses her writing with love for her family. (Some charming elements: her son likes to moonwalk like his idol Michael Jackson, and her parents comment on each other’s foibles in a humorous, affectionate way.)

Book buzz: Named one of the ten best books of the year by the Chicago Tribune, Publishers Weekly, and the New York Public Library.

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Donna Has Left the Building by Susan Jane Gilman
Fiction

What it’s about: A married couple hits a midlife crisis when recovering alcoholic and suburban mom Donna stumbles on her husband in flagrante with his dominatrix. Donna sets off on a wild road trip to reclaim her lost self, touching back on some of her major life points along the way. Another family crisis changes the direction of Donna's trip, and she is forced to look at her own troubles from a world perspective.

Is it for you? It’s larger than life, outrageously bawdy, and over the top, but relatable. If you appreciate racy humor and characters that make bad decisions with the best of intentions, you’ll enjoy Donna’s crazy road trip.

For fans of: Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple and Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner.

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Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
Nonfiction

What is it? People who have been victims of any kind of abuse, are commonly the individuals who struggle most with boundaries. Life experience has subconsciously schooled them that inappropriate line crossing is a part of daily life and almost every relationship. Often it can be a painful lesson to UN-learn. This book is a tool to help people with boundary struggles learn where the line is, how not to cross it, and how to defend it.

Is it for you? This is an excellent book for those looking to understand the reasons behind deep emotional stumbling blocks. It explains that while accepting unfortunate experiences that may have happened to you and were not necessarily your fault, it’s your responsibility now to do the work to heal and forgive in order to step into your greatness.

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What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
Fiction

Reviewer’s Say:  "You'll be counting the days until you can return to the Virgin Islands with these characters in the concluding volume of the trilogy. Print the bumper sticker-'I'd Rather Be Living in an Elin Hilderbrand Novel'" (Kirkus-starred review).

Series Alert: This is the second book in the “Paradise” series. 

You might also like: The Guest Cottage by Nancy Thayer or Dreams of Falling by Karen White.

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How Not to Diet by Michael Greger
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Referencing cutting-edge science about weight-loss (nearly 5,000 references to medical literature), this book analyzes the problem of obesity, its causes and consequences, and then offers solutions, recommending a lifestyle change to a whole-food, plant-based diet.

Who it’s for: Anyone who thinks they know everything there is to know about dieting, anyone looking to lose weight and/or maintain a healthy weight, anyone who likes new and interesting information that on occasion is even laugh out loud funny, and anyone who enjoyed Greger's previous NYT bestseller How Not to Die.

About the author:  Dr. Greger is a graduate of Cornell University School of Agriculture and Tufts University School of Medicine. He is a physician, author, internationally recognized speaker on nutrition, food safety, and public health issues, a founding member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the founder of the website NutritionFacts.org, and formerly served as the Director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture at The Humane Society of the United States.

Of note: Dr. Greger donates all proceeds he receives from his books, DVDs, and speaking engagements to charity.

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Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction by Lisa Kroger and Melanie R. Anderson
Nonfiction

What it’s about: You may know Mary Shelley and Shirley Jackson as pioneers in the horror genre, but have you heard of Margaret Cavendish, “the Kardashian of her day,” author of a speculative fiction book from the 1600s? How about Pauline E. Hopkins, “the single most productive black woman writer at the turn of the century”? Learn about these authors and many more in this eye-opening book.

Why you should read it: The book has an engaging, breezy style and uses illustrations and quotes to help bring this creation to life. The authors chosen are fascinating and loosely grouped by theme. Segments on each author discuss their lives and their most famous work plus there are notes and even more reading suggestions in the back.

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A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
Fiction

What it’s about: Picoult tells the story of the lives of men and women inside a woman’s reproductive health services clinic, as a disgruntled man rushes inside, opens fire, and takes all who remain alive inside hostage.

Why you might like it: The stories of these lives and how they become intertwined is told in reverse chronological order. The novel starts at 5 pm, nearing the end of the hostage situation. You’re introduced to characters who have died, and as you read you learn who they are and how they met their demise. It can be a little confusing, and hard to get used to, but, in the end, it made for very effective story telling. Picoult did extensive research while writing this book, talking with pro-life activists, pro-choice advocates, women who have sought abortions, as well as the doctors and nurses who helped with those kinds of procedures. It is a hot-button issue, more now than ever, and Picoult dives into this subject matter with dignity, grace, and respect for BOTH sides.

From the author: “Honestly, I do not believe we, as a society, will ever agree on this issue. The stakes are too high, and both sides operate from places of unshakable belief. But I do think that the first step is to talk to each other-and more important, to listen. We may not see eye to eye, but we can respect each other’s opinions and find the truth in them. Perhaps in those honest conversations, instead of demonizing each other, we might see each other as imperfect humans, doing our best” (p.364).

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Everyone’s a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too by Jomny Sun
Fiction

What it’s about: An endearing extraterrestrial being lands on earth, encounters all sorts of creatures, and is completely befuddled by earthlings. This charming and wise graphic novel about a stranger in a strange land explores the mysteries of humanity.

Why you might like it: If you’d enjoy reading a mash-up of Are You My Mother? and The Little Prince, then this book is for you. Also, if you think you’d like a self-improvement book disguised as a graphic novel about a confused but wise extraterrestrial, then pick up this book.

You might also like: Jonny Sun (aka Jomny Sun) illustrates the charming book Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for You and Me by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

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Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers: Monstrosity, Patriarchy, and the Fear of Female Power by Sady Doyle
Nonfiction

Why It’s Significant: Sady Doyle (author of Trainwreck) offers a sweeping analysis of monstrous women across history and in contemporary society, touching on everything from the biblical figure Lilith and Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca to the Laci Peterson case and the My Favorite Murder podcast. Doyle smartly links all these examples to the patriarchy, proving how depictions of beastly females often help enforce traditional gender roles and demean strong women. The subject matter is often gruesome and infuriating, but Doyle’s hilarious criticisms of popular media provide hope. Worth it for her feminist analysis of Jurassic Park and her acerbic takedown of Species alone.

Reviewers Say: “Some people take a scalpel to the heart of media culture; Sady Doyle brings a bone saw, a melon baller, and a machete.”—Andi Zeisler, author of We Were Feminists Once

You Might Also Like: Other important texts about the monstrous feminine, like the work of Barbara Creed or Julia Kristeva, or recent horror films directed by women, like The Babadook or Raw.

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The River by Peter Heller
Fiction

What it’s about: A late summer wilderness canoe trip challenges the friendship and survival skills of two college friends as they attempt to avoid white-water hazards and outrace a wildfire. And then they encounter a man alone, who says he lost his wife in the fog. When the friends find her, she is so severely injured she can’t explain what happened. Was it the husband, or something else? Part heart-pounding adventure story, part lyrical and elegant nature writing, this is taut storytelling that will grip you to the very end.

Reviewers say: “The real delight is the nature writing. The River is a fiction addition to the New Landscape writing of Robert Macfarlane and Rebecca Solnit, prose so vivid and engaging that a city-dwelling reviewer can feel the clammy cold of a fog over a river or the heat of subterranean tree roots burning underfoot in the aftermath of a fire.” Denise Mina, New York Times, 4-9-19

Want a taste? “Late August, a clear night becoming cold. There was no aurora borealis, just the dense sparks of the stars blown from their own ancient fire.” Or this, “And the eagles. They seemed to mark the canoe's progress from the gray spires of dead spruce, spaced downriver like watchmen on some lost frontier...”

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The Song of a Wounded Heart by Lora Jones
Nonfiction

What is it? This is an inspiring and gut-wrenching true story of a very dear person in my life. It’s a testimony of how God loved and cared for her after losing her husband and two children in a weather-related car accident, leaving her the only survivor.

Personal Note About the Book: Reading Lora’s story raised my spirits in my own healing journey as it was clear to see that all her encounters with God involved healing and redemption.

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Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Children’s Book edited by Anita Silvey
Nonfiction

What’s inside: Miniature essays about life lessons by various influencers. Celebrities, authors, and illustrators go into detail about how certain children’s books have influenced their life and career.

Why you might like it: Whether you’re a parent reading these books to your child now, or an empty nester revisiting these titles, you’re sure to feel a wave of nostalgia. As a parent, I am often looking for other lessons or deeper meanings in books to teach to my children, and it’s nice to read about other adults who feel the same. Even as an adult, the messages in books intended for children are so pure and honest, it really restores faith in humanity.

Want a taste? “Oz was not the real world, but it prepared me for the disasters and disappointments that lay ahead. I have always allowed myself to be guided by brains, heart, and courage…” (Hearn, 15).

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Inheritance: A Memoir of Paternity, Genealogy, and Love by Dani Shapiro
Nonfiction

About the Author: Dani Shapiro is the best-selling author of four memoirs and five novels. Her short fiction, essays, and journalistic pieces have appeared in The New Yorker, Elle, The New York Times Book Review and many other publications. Dani has taught in the writing programs at Columbia, NYU, The New School and Wesleyan University. She lives in Connecticut with her family.

What it’s about: In 2016 the author received the results of a genealogy DNA test and learned that her father was not her biological father. This is the story of family secrets and a woman's urgent quest to unlock the story of her own identity.

What the reviewers say: "Profound... The true drama of Inheritance is not Shapiro’s discovery of her father’s identity but the meaning she makes of it...Shapiro’s account is beautifully written and deeply moving — it brought me to tears more than once."—Ruth Franklin, The New York Times Book Review

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Slime: How Algae Created Us, Plague Us, and Just Might Save Us by Ruth Kassinger
Nonfiction

What it’s about: The story of algae, the origins of life, and the multi-billion dollar industry with innovators, farmers and scientists all trying to use algae to solve our urgent energy problems.

Reviewers say: “A fun and fascinating deep dive into the natural history, current uses, and vast potential of algae. Who knew that the slimy green stuff we commonly encounter as seaweed and pond scum is a driving force behind all of life as we know it?...Accessible and enthralling” (Kirkus). "Even readers who never expected to enjoy a book about slime will find this an informative and charming primer to "the world's most powerful engines"" (Publishers Weekly).

Extras: Recipes for Dulse and Cheddar Scones, and Irish Moss Blancmange, among others.

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Burn For Me: A Hidden Legacy Novel by Ilona Andrews
Fiction

What it’s about: Nevada Baylor, a private investigator and truthseeker mage, has to track down a powerful fire mage. Connor “Mad Dog” Rogan, a powerful telekinetic mage, wants to find the same guy. After bumping into each other and sparring a few times, they join forces and uncover more than they bargained for, including a conspiracy and romance.

Why you should read it: Ilona Andrews is a husband and wife writing team who have some really cool fantasy series. This series features a sizzling romance and an alternate history Houston in which powerful mages called Primes clash outside the law. I just finished book four and can’t wait for the next installment!

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My Lobotomy by Howard Dully
Nonfiction

What it’s about: At only 12 years old, Howard Dully became the youngest person to receive a transorbital lobotomy. This memoir is a retelling of his childhood leading up to the procedure, the operation itself, and then his struggle to put the pieces together as to WHY his father let it happen to him.

Why it’s significant: This book really shows the reader how much times have changed regarding medical procedures, mental health and child abuse. Howard Dully lived with his father, stepmother, and two step brothers, and was regarded as a normal adolescent boy by many healthcare professionals. And yet, his stepmother berated him, punished him unjustly, and constantly took him to doctors until she found a way to “cure” him. Walter Freeman, a neurologist who specialized in lobotomies, decided he could cure him of any behavior issues, which resulted in his procedure. Dully spent the rest of his life trying to figure out why his father would let someone do that to him. He has suffered greatly in his adult life, both mentally and physically, because of it. Yes, he was able to overcome everything, and live a successful life.

Why you might like it: It’s a story of betrayal and overcoming the odds. Dully’s journey is truly remarkable and unbelievable.

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Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson
Fiction

What it’s about: As the title suggests, Jeanette Winterson’s new novel is about Mary Shelley’s groundbreaking contribution to the science fiction genre, but Frankissstein is also a futuristic love story set in Britain after Brexit. Winterson weaves the origin story of Shelley’s work alongside a present narrative about the romantic relationship between a transgender surgeon named Ry Shelley and an AI expert named Victor Stein; Victor is experimenting with cryogenics, and Ry has access to spare body parts for scientific study. Along the way, the couple gets mixed up with a sexbot manufacturer named Ron Lord, a sneaky Vanity Fair reporter named Polly, and a skeptical evangelical named Claire—all contemporary counterparts to Mary Shelley’s 1816 cohort at Lake Geneva. Frankissstein is a funny, deep, and smart meditation on the existential quandaries of embodiment, mortality, and authorship. After all, who’s really the monster: the creation or the creator?

Book Buzz: Frankissstein was longlisted for the Booker Prize. You Might Also Like: The Stone Gods by Jeanette Winterson or The New Annotated Frankenstein, which discusses Shelley’s original 1818 text alongside the 1823 and 1831 revised versions.

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