Good Reads & Views

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Saenz
YA Fiction

What it’s about: The coming of age of Salvador Silva. Adopted at a young age by Vicente, a homosexual artist living in Texas, Salvador struggles with his identity. Just before his senior year of high school, he receives a letter from his deceased mother and starts becoming more aggressive at school. He wonders about his biological father, and if these feelings of anger are coming from a man he has never met. Intertwined with these feelings of self-discovery are his relationships with best friend Sam, a misunderstood classmate Fito, and his beloved grandmother, Mima.

Why you might like it: Saenz, having published poetry before publishing novels, writes in a way that makes reading enjoyable. His characters are complex but also universal. Everyone in this world can relate to feelings of anger and doubt, uncertainty and hopelessness, but also closure and pure joy. He conveys such emotions effortlessly.

Further reading: If you liked this, you will absolutely love Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, also by Benjamin Alire Saenz.

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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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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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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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Goliath by Tom Gauld
Nonfiction

What it is: A retelling of the classic David and Goliath story, with a twist. In this graphic novel, Goliath keeps a low profile as the Philistines bookkeeper, doing mainly paper pushing for the king, and has no interest in fighting. He gets forced into provoking the enemy camp across the valley simply because of his size. After 40 days, he meets David.

Why you might like it: Most people know how Goliath is portrayed in the bible, but if you’re looking for a new perspective that will make you feel and care for the Giant, this is for you.

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When Parents Text: So Much Said… So Little Understood by Lauren Kaelin & Sophia Fraioli
Nonfiction

What’s inside: Hilarious anecdotes and conversations millennials have with their parents and grandparents over text message. Everything from the discovery of emoticons, to hilarious autocorrect situations. In it, we learn the origins of bowtie man :-)8, Starbucks *$$$, and acronyms like, GGMM (Good Golly, Miss Molly).

Why you might like it: It’s a quick and funny read that doesn’t have to be read cover to cover. It illustrates the technological gap in a humorous way and demonstrates why it’s so important to keep up with technology and ways to communicate. It also is interesting to see how the written language has changed so much with the invention and prevalent use of the cell phone. Conveying emotion with symbols *\0/*, emoji’s, pictures, and video is becoming the norm. You can almost consider this book a piece of technological history, albeit a comical one.

Want a taste? Mom: Did you happen to put 6 sticks of butter in your purse before going to the mall? Me: No.

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