This Quick Lit looks a little different than most. I have three books from a single series (I rarely continue with a series, let alone back-to-back!), and five of the ten books were set in Victorian Britain (not my usual time period). I’ve got less nonfiction than usual, but the two nonfiction titles I’m sharing a really good ones. Let’s get to those reviews!
NONFICTION
Lions & Scavengers: The True Story of America, by Ben Shapiro—In this insightful and thought-provoking examination of the current state of Western civilization, Ben Shapiro introduces the dichotomy of Lions and Scavengers. Lions, like the nation’s founding fathers, are driven by a spirit of success, responsibility, and duty. Lions believe that the universe was constructed by a set of discernible rules, and they embrace their own agency and moral duty. Lions come in many forms—the Hunter forges new paths and crafts new solutions; the Warrior is steadfast in defending his family and culture; the Weaver is dedicated to the construction and maintenance of the social fabric—and together these Lions form a pride who constructs a system of rules that protect individual rights and foster public virtue.
Lions stand in stark contrast to the Scavengers, who are driven by the impulse to escape their own failures and shortcomings by blaming others. Scavengers, who believe there is a Great Conspiracy out to get them, also come in many forms—the Looter, who claims the work of others as his birthright; the Lecher, who believes his alienation from society is the fault of an unfair system; and the Barbarian, who believes that all of his maladies can be laid at the feet of Western colonizers—and these Scavengers form a Pack that exists to overthrow the existing order.
Shapiro illustrates these opposing types through examples from history and the present day, sharing memorable stories and anecdotes alongside quotes and ideas from the greatest minds in history. This all leads into his invitation to readers to take up the mantle of the Lion to defend the principles that shape a free and fruitful society.
Lions and Scavengers is a little more personal than Shapiro’s other books, and I was not surprised to hear that he originally wrote this for himself as a way of working out his own understanding of what he was witnessing in contemporary politics and various world movements. Like all of Shaprio’s books, this one is dense but also brilliant. Shapiro is one of the sharpest thinkers of our time, and while I’m not entirely certain that I understand or agree with every aspect of his proposed Lion/Scavenger framework, I am fascinated by this new way of looking at our society. It’s a timely read with immense staying power, and probably worth a reread on Kindle or in print.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
SLIP: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery, by Mallary Tenore Tarpley—Mallary Tenore Tarpley was just eleven years old when she lost her mother to cancer. Desperate to remain close to her mom, Mallary thought that if she stayed the same size she’d been when her mother passed away, she could somehow stop time and keep her mom (or at least her mom’s memory) alive. Mallary stopped eating, and soon this seemingly insignificant decision morphed into full-blown anorexia. Mallary was admitted to Boston Children’s hospital, and though her desperate father hoped the stay would mark an end to Mallary’s eating disorder journey, it was but just the beginning.
Slip documents Mallary’s decades-long struggle with disordered eating, from the life-threatening stages in her early teens, to times of recovery and relapse in her late teens and twenties, to the present day in which Mallary, now a 40-year-old wife and mother of two, still grapples with life in the “middle place” between sickness and full recovery as she works to take care of herself and model healthy behaviors for her children. Through the years, Mallary has come to understand that recovering from an eating disorder is complicated and non-linear, and she’s made peace with this middle place in which slips are expected and accepted, where progress without perfection is possible, and where the nuances of recovery are a reality.
Mallary is an exemplary storyteller who unites vivid prose with supreme candor, hard-earned insight, and grace. The memoir portions alone stand head-and-shoulders above nearly every other book of its type. But in Slip, Mallary has gifted us with more than just her own story: Mallary is a journalist by trade, and she incorporates her journalistic experience into this book that is packed with eating disorder research and first-hand reporting based on hundreds of interviews and surveys of doctors, eating disorder experts, and individuals with lived ED experience. This research, science, and collection of additional anecdotes builds upon Mallary’s own story, capturing the complexities of a subject that is pervasive yet poorly understood and rarely discussed.
I met Mallary several years ago when we were both writing for Austin Moms Blog. Though we never got to know each other well, we immediately noted the similarities in our stories: both young moms, both writers, both having struggled with severe anorexia when we were teens and still wrestling with lingering aspects of the disease as adults. I was honored to participate in Mallary’s research survey, and when Mallary shared online that she was writing her memoir, I was both excited and nervous to read. Now, on the other side of the reading experience, those feelings have not changed. I will say upfront that this was one of the most difficult books I’ve ever read, both because of the heartbreaking nature of Mallary’s story and also because of how closely it resembles my own.
Our experiences with anorexia are not mirror images, which at times caused my own inner critic to come roaring to life: Mallary’s highs and lows with anorexia have swung wider than mine, and she’s landed in more of a middle place than where I currently stand; reading about these extremes and her (mostly happy) middle ground brought up a whole host of emotions (that I don’t know if I’m prepared to get into publicly). That said, my own story does echo Mallary’s in some startling ways, and it was jarring to read thoughts and anecdotes that could have been pulled from my own journals. Mallary’s experiences illuminated some of the most horrific parts of this disease that have been difficult to see or acknowledge in myself, and while I appreciated this opportunity, the reading experience felt raw and vulnerable and, at times, almost intolerably painful.
In spite of the complicated feelings, I am INCREDIBLY grateful to have read this. I appreciated the opportunity to see my experiences and emotions acknowledged and explored through Mallary’s story, and I learned a great deal about eating disorders (particularly some of the newer research and treatment methods) through Mallary’s thorough and thoughtful reporting. I also found a great deal of encouragement and hope through Mallary’s reframing of the middle place in which we both find ourselves. We both feel the imprint of anorexia on our lives, AND we are moving forward; I’m grateful to know that I am not alone in this complicated place.
A few final notes: while Mallary is frank about the realities of anorexia, the book is as trigger-free as possible; Mallary has taken great care not to include sensitive details such as specific behaviors, calorie counts, or body-related numbers (weight, bmi, etc). These triggers can be a stumbling block for many ED survivors (myself included), and I was grateful for their omission here. Also of note: eating disorders are not fully understood and, like many medical issues as well as all things body and nutrition, ideas around them are controversial. You might not agree with every opinion or conclusion (I certainly didn’t), but the information is presented as factually as possible with plenty of countering viewpoints incorporated where necessary.
Slip is such a gift to the eating disorder community—for those of us surviving eating disorders and for our loved ones, and for medical professionals, educators, and anyone who has or who might be touched by eating disorders at some point (which, I would argue, is nearly everyone, whether they realize it or not). Through Slip, Mallary brings deeper understanding and compassion to this complex issue that is frighteningly rampant but deeply misunderstood. I hope that writing this story brought Mallary the redemption and healing that reading it brought to me.
My Rating: 5 Stars // Book Format: Kindle
MIDDLE GRADE
Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell— (Review written mostly by Charleston with some assistance from me.) Black Beauty is the story of a horse living in England in the late 1800s. He is a horse with many names who lives a life that is full of both good and bad. Black Beauty starts off on a lovely farm, and once he is old enough and has been taught how to behave by both his mother and his owner, he is sold off to a new owner: Squire Gordon. Over the years Black Beauty (whose name changes with each new home) is sold to many different owners and works many different jobs, and he gets treated differently each place he goes. The book is happy and sad with ups and downs of all kinds. The main purpose of the book is to view life from an animal’s perspective and learn to treat them well.
I (Charleston) thought this was a bit slow and hard to follow and I was easily distracted. It was confusing to keep track of all of Black Beauty’s homes and owners. What I did like about it is the good quotes and the author’s moral perspective of people—especially how people treat animals, but also how they live. Kali liked Black Beauty’s friends and the characters who loved Black Beauty. Sully liked how Black Beauty was a nice horse and how some of the owners were very kind to him.
Mom agrees with Charleston that the book was a little slow and meandering, but appreciated the unique narration (the story literally comes from the horse’s mouth), clear moral lessons, and realistic presentation of the time period.
We think that this is a good book for people who enjoy slower reads and can easily keep up with complex storylines.
Charleston’s Rating: 2.5 Stars // Kalinda’s Rating: 3 Stars // Sullivan’s Rating: 4.25 Stars // Mom’s Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Print
Gabriel and the Hour Book, by Gabrielle—This classic, first published in 1906, came to me via Charleston’s 5th Grade Language Arts curriculum (from The Good and the Beautiful). The book was intended as an independent listen, but I was so intrigued by the story synopsis that our whole family decided to listen in, and I’m glad that we did!
Our protagonist is Gabriel, a young Norman boy of the Middle Ages who serves in the scriptorium of a great monastery. Gabriel is tasked with grinding colors for Brother Stephen (a creative-yet-troubled monk) as he creates an illuminated book of prayers for the king’s future bride. Gabriel’s lowly role leads to new opportunities, surprising connections, and a huge swing-up for all involved.
Charleston did not write a review for this one, but let me know that while he loved the book, he wished that it was longer; he said that the story idea was too good to be told in so few words, and I would agree. Unfortunate brevity aside, this is a lovely and inspiring story of friendship, creativity, human dignity, and the transformative power of small acts of faith and courageous acts of kindness. The beautiful writing and captivating story work together to bring the medieval setting to life for readers of all ages.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Charleston’s Rating: 4.5 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
FICTION
A Rip Through Time, by Kelley Armstrong— A historical mystery with a time travel element? Sign me up! A Rip Through Time is the first in a new-to-me series that tells the story of Mallory Atkinson, a Canadian homicide detective who is in Edinburgh on May 20, 2019, to be with her dying grandmother. One evening Mallory is out for a jog when she hears a woman cry out from a dark alleyway. When Mallory goes to investigate, she is attacked and falls unconscious.
Mallory wakes up on May 20, 1869, in the body of Victorian housemaid Catriona Mitchell who was also strangled in the exact same spot one hundred fifty years in the past—a parallel crime that apparently triggered a swap between the two women. Mallory (as Catriona) quickly adjusts to her new reality as the housemaid to Scottish undertaker Duncan Gray, an eccentric individual who moonlights as a medical examiner and is currently investigating a string of mysterious crimes across town. It’s quickly apparent that Catriona’s identity—let alone time period—is not one Mallory wants to inhabit indefinitely, and Mallory’s only hope is that solving her own attempted murder will lead her back to her modern life. Mallory is determined to utilize her modern-day sleuthing skills to assist the doctor in solving the crime—but without revealing her true identity and, more importantly, without getting herself (or her alter ego) killed in the process.
This book is wild, totally unlike any other time travel book that I’ve read thanks to the body swap element. The dynamic of a modern protagonist transported to the Victorian era makes for an especially reader-friendly introduction to the period, as we are able to take in the nuanced details and comparisons through contemporary eyes. The trope also allows the author to sidestep the anachronistic agenda-pushing that bothers me in a great deal of historical fiction. I still didn’t love the book’s feminist soapbox and hyperfocus on social justice (among other progressive ideologies), but at least these ideas made sense coming from a modern narrator, as opposed to a historical figure with ideas that are totally inappropriate for the time period.
The time travel was my favorite part of this book, even though I would have appreciated an explanation of HOW and WHY it is happening as well as insight into what is taking place in the present-day while Mallory is in the past (we don’t get those answers here). But I also really enjoyed the mystery, which is surprising and complicated and filled with twists and suspense. I found the characters interesting (especially Mallory’s employers, Duncan Gray and his forward-thinking sister, Isla) and I liked watching Mallory get to know her new Victorian coworkers, companions, and enemies.
Solid writing, engaging narration, excellent premise, and a good balance of smart and speedy—this was just what I wanted to be reading right now. I don’t know that I’ll dive straight into the next book in this series, but I can definitely see myself continuing with it in the future.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Kindle
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1, by Beth Brower:—It’s March of 1883, and Emma M. Lion has just returned to her home, Lapis Lazuli, in the London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. Unfortunately, life is more difficult than it should be for Emma thanks to Cousin Archibald, whose squandering of the family fortune has foiled Emma’s plans for a charmed, studious life. Emma documents every moment of her time at Lapis Lazuli, from eccentric neighbors to overbearing family members, educational aspirations to unfortunate rat infestations. And thanks to Emma’s quick wit, keen insights, and wry humor, there’s never a dull moment within the pages of this Victorian socialite’s totally unfiltered journals.
I’d been hearing amazing things about this quirky little series of novellas, and the reviewers were not wrong: this book is a delight! Emma is a rare historical character who manages to feel fresh and modern while also very much of her time period. She is charming but not saccharine, clever without seeming overly worldly, and witty without verging into pure snark. And the journal format is perfect for blending Victorian styling with the more contemporary first person narration; I especially love the author’s faithfulness to the journal format, with even the Acknowledgments written in Emma’s voice.
I almost never read fiction on audiobook, but chose to listen to this since it was the only format available through my library. The narration is excellent, but I know I would have enjoyed this even more in Kindle or print as I struggled to keep up with the many characters. Even so, this was a lovely reading experience and I look forward to following Emma’s adventures as the series continues.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 4 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Audiobook
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2 by Beth Brower—I can’t remember the last time I finished the first book in a series and jumped right into book two, but I couldn’t wait to read more from Emma. This second installment is even better than the first as the characters are fleshed out and we are given some intriguing new storylines, as well as updates on the continuing story arcs.
I cannot begin to express how much I love the character of Emma, with her cheeky commentary and sensibilities that are somehow entirely Victorian and remarkably modern. And while every side character is wonderful (Agnes the maid is a total hoot!), it is the leading men who stood out to me in this second volume. All of our leading men are cleverly-written riffs on familiar tropes: we have the kind-yet-shrewd Young Hawks (the vicar); the enigmatic Duke Islington with a poet’s soul; the mysterious neighbor Mr. Pierce (our own Mr. Rochester!); the enemy-turned-ally Roland; and Emma’s regrettable conspirator, Jack, who is clearly up to no good. I like that these men bring a sense of romance into the story without turning the novel into a ROMANCE. I am so eager to find out what happens with each of these gentlemen, and of course with Emma. This series will be a highlight of my reading year.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 5 stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Audiobooks
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3 by Beth Brower—This journal picks up in July, right where the last book left off, and as ever, Emma’s musings are utterly enchanting. Of the original three novellas, this is my least favorite since the main storylines don’t progress as much as I would have liked. But I’m still a massive fan of the series and excited to see what’s ahead for our heroine.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
The Last Flight, by Julie Clark—To the rest of the world, Claire Cook has a life most would envy: she’s married to the successor of a respected political dynasty, living in a posh Manhattan townhouse with a full staff at her bidding, filling her days with fundraisers and charity events attended by the nation’s elite. But what nobody can see is that behind closed doors, Claire’s “dream” life is truly a nightmare she can’t escape. After years of suffering, Claire finally has a plan to flee from her abusive marriage, but an abrupt change of plans finds Claire in an airport where she crosses paths with another woman desperate to escape a life that has grown untenable. The two women switch plane tickets, with Claire taking Eva’s flight to Oakland while Eva agrees to travel to Puerto Rico in Claire’s place.
When the plane to Puerto Rico crashes before reaching its destination, Claire realizes she’s been granted a gift: the world thinks she’s dead, giving her a head start on a second chance. Claire changes her appearance, adopts Eva’s identity, and settles into Eva’s home in Berkley. But it soon becomes apparent that Eva’s life was not at all one that Claire wants to occupy. As our story moves back and forth in time, we see the dire circumstances that led Eva to abandon her Berkley home, and we watch Claire piece together the truth of Eva’s past while attempting to forge a future for herself that is free from the malicious husband she left behind.
This backlist title is the second book I’ve read from Julie Clark, and while it is very different from The Ghostwriter, I enjoyed it almost as much. I FLEW through the pages, desperate for answers and captivated by the tales of both of these strong women navigating impossible situations. The premise requires quite a bit of suspended disbelief, and at times I struggled to keep the two protagonists and dueling timelines straight, but I was absolutely sold on the story that is well-paced and incorporates many thought-provoking themes (domestic abuse, drug trafficking, childhood loss and abandonment, the fluid nature of identity, forgiveness, second chances, and the devastating lifelong damage caused by early trauma).
There are a number of bright-light side characters who offer grace and hope to both Eva and Claire, and these are juxtaposed beautifully against the villains in each woman’s story; I enjoyed seeing Eva and Claire learn how to open up and seek help after coming to the ends of themselves, and I loved that there were helpers in their midst. This might have been a light thriller, but these deeper plot points got me thinking about how I can be a lifeline to people in my own circles who may be struggling silently.
I didn’t love the ending to this one, and there were some storylines that I felt could have/should have gone differently (including some huge missed opportunities around two particular loose story threads). I also grew irritated/distracted by #metoo vibes that got a little heavy handed. But as a whole, this is a solid thriller with depth. I look forward to reading more from this author who is now two for two with me!
If you’ve read this one, I’d love to hear your thoughts about the oh-so-discussable ending!
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Kindle
The Poppy Fields, by Nikki Erlich—In the middle of the California desert lie row upon row of beds containing sleeping patients donned in matching red pajamas. These patients are not sick, at least not in the usual sense, but they are here to heal: they are the voluntary residents of The Poppy Fields, a controversial treatment facility where grieving individuals submit to a two-month induced sleep that promises healing from their crippling grief. When they awaken, the patients will be freed to move on with their lives apart from the grief that had threatened to consume them. But the treatment is not without risk—specifically, a side effect experienced by 25% of the sleepers that removes all warm thoughts toward the individual who is being grieved. After losing a loved one, are the grievers also willing to risk losing all memory and affection for the deceased?
Ava is a book illustrator bound for the Poppy Fields in search of her sister. When her flight gets canceled due to a tornado, she connects with Sasha (an occupational therapist seeking relief after the recent death of her fiancé) and Ray (a firefighter looking for answers about his brother, who also spent time at the Poppy Fields). These three individuals, along with 18-year-old free spirit Sky who is just along for the ride, set off on a road trip across the country in search of answers, healing, and a renewed sense of hope. Over their few days together, past secrets and hidden motivations are uncovered as the group realizes their journey is about much more than what it seemed.
This book is a tough one to review. Like Erlich’s wildly popular debut (The Measure), the premise is fantastic. And as a meditation on grief, it’s absolutely stunning, offering a thoughtful and poignant exploration of grief in its many forms. Through our main characters and the interviews of The Poppy Fields’ applicants, we get to see many versions of why people grieve, how it affects them, and the ways that various individuals choose to grapple with their suffering. Erlich must have intense personal experience with her subject matter, or she’s done her research, because her insights into the connections between grief and love are tender and profoundly moving.
But as a story, The Poppy Fields flounders. It took me nearly two weeks to get through 300 pages because the plot just didn’t hold my attention. Almost nothing happens for the first 80% of the novel, and even then the “big” plot twists and reveals are anticlimactic. I might have appreciated the slower pace if I’d connected with the characters, but I found them flat and not especially likable, and their backstories and motivations never really added up. I had a particularly hard time with the character of Sky, who grated on me and whose inclusion felt like an afterthought. This was one of many road trip books I’ve read lately (alongside My Friends, The Road to Tender Hearts, Run for the Hills), and while it has the best set-up, it’s the one I enjoyed the least.
I can imagine The Poppy Fields will resonate with many readers, especially those who see themselves in the mourners depicted in its pages. It’s a thought-provoking and highly discussible premise with tons of highlight-worthy quotes; sadly, the book as a whole—much like the treatment at the story’s center—never fully lives up to its potential.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars (Rounded to 3 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Kindle
What have YOU been reading lately? I’d love to hear all about it!
