I have had less time to read this month, and have no idea how I got through as many books as I did. And most of them were pretty great! Let’s get right to the reviews.
NONFICTION
The Problem with Everything: My Journey Through the New Culture Wars, by Meghan Daum: As a lifelong liberal and feminist, Meghan Daum was used to being on the “right side of things” among the Gen X Intellectuals she called friends. But as she got older and started to see mainstream ideology shift around her, she began to notice the cracks. She was no longer the “right” kind of feminist, and she couldn’t get behind the performative indignation, hypersensitivity, or victim mentality that were so prevalent among Millennials. In the fall of 2016 she began work on a book exploring the excesses of contemporary feminism. After all, Hillary Clinton was about to become the first female president—clearly the movement was positioned to take some light criticism from one of their own. But then Trump won the election and Meghan was led to question not just her own iconoclastic beliefs but everything she thought she knew about the political and cultural landscape in America. She scrapped the original work and started fresh, landing on this candid essay collection that is wryly funny, unapologetic, and excessively heterodox.
I don’t recall when or where I first learned about Meghan Daum, but in the past year or so she has become one of my favorite follows. We are very different—she’s divorced, intentionally childless, Liberal, and (I assume) agnostic—but I appreciate her level-headed approach to politics and culture, and I admire her willingness to go against common narratives, even when her unpopular views have led to alienation from her peers. I love that I’m never quite sure what side she will take on an issue; she’s incredibly nuanced (though she probably dislikes the overuse of this word) and her ideas are always backed by common sense and free of outrage or sensationalism. She brings this balanced approach and sharp insight into this book that examines third rail issues (such as #MeToo, cancel culture, intersectionality, and free speech) through her own personal experiences with the movements. This is equal parts memoir and social commentary, and though the tone is occasionally pretentious, the messaging is never pedantic or overtly self-aggrandizing. Regardless of where you stand on these issues, the essays here offer plenty of food for thought.
Published in 2019, this was a work ahead of its time. In some ways the issues addressed here became even MORE extreme in the years following the book’s release, though the pendulum has started to swing. I am certain that many of Daum’s ideas have shifted in the intervening six years, but I loved reading this snapshot of her ideas and those of our nation at such a this tipping-point time in recent history.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism, by Sarah Wynn-Williams: We’ve all known for a while now that the higher-ups at Facebook probably don’t have our best interests in mind. From manipulating algorithms to undermining elections and cozying up to immoral foreign governments, Mark Zuckerberg and the rest of Facebook’s leadership have been acting unethically for years, and this tell-all from Facebook’s former Director of Public Policy reveals the extent of the company’s transgressions—some blatant and some subtle, some within the company itself and many that have affected its billions of users, some done intentionally and many that are simply the result of thoughtless leaders chasing money with no regard to ethics.
This book is HUGE right now, which is understandable: America has grown tired of underhanded tactics from media, government, and mega companies that we once trusted. A lot has been exposed in the past few years and we’re hungry for more information and (hopefully) accountability. Unfortunately Wynn-Williams doesn’t disclose much more than we’ve already known. Yes, the actions of Zuckerberg are concerning and his cavalier attitude is pretty abhorrent; this book fills in some of the details of what’s already been known about Zuckerberg’s management and behavior. But I don’t know that this is the “shocking expose” it claims to be.
While Wynn-Williams is a good storyteller, her obvious personal grievances with the company (specifically Sheryl Sandberg) and frustrations with Facebook’s workaholic culture (which did not accommodate her pregnancies and was not conducive to motherhood) made her difficult to accept as a reliable narrator. Her personal issues dominate much of the narrative, while descriptions of much larger unethical behavior are almost an afterthought. A bigger issue is her unwillingness to address her own complicity; she portrays herself as a victim without acknowledging her unwillingness to take a stand despite awareness of Facebook’s poor ethics. (In fact she only left Facebook after being fired.)
Despite my hangups with the author and with the lack of deeper content, I am glad that I read this and that we are getting a bigger picture of the corrupting factors guiding some of our biggest influences. I am hopeful that greater transparency will lead to increased responsibility and thoughtfulness moving forward.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars (Rounded to 3 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Audiobook (I did love hearing Wynn-Williams read this, she has a wonderful New Zealand accent.)
MIDDLE GRADE
My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George: [A review written mostly by Charleston, with contributions from the twins and me, following our family read-aloud.] In May of 1959, a twelve-year-old boy named Sam Gribley decides to escape from the boring daily life of New York City so he can adventure in the wilderness. Living on his own, Sam teaches himself how to find and cook the food he needs, make himself clothes, and form relationships with the wildlife. He lives in a tree, makes friends with a bird, and must hide from the curiosity of nearby civilization.
Kali gives this book five stars because Sam lives in a tree and she thinks that sounds fun. Sully gives the book four stars because he liked how Sam makes friends with people at the end. Charleston gives this book four stars because he liked how Sam learns he can live the adventurous life he wants while having human friends. Charleston also liked how he lives in a tree and all the creative ways he uses his resources, like making a turtle shell into a bowl.
Mom appreciated the opportunity to learn about wildlife and what it would be like to truly live off the land. Though the premise is far-fetched, she enjoyed the adventure element and the chance to see a young character who was resilient, resourceful, and courageous.
We recommend this book to people who like stories about nature, and books with little conflict.
Kali’s Rating: 5 Stars // Sully’s rating: 4 Stars // Charleston’s Rating: 4 Stars // Kendra’s Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Print
Charlie Bone and the Hidden King, by Jenny Nimmo: Charlie Bone thought he was an ordinary 10-year-old; it wasn’t until he discovered that he has a magical ability (he can hear the voices of people in photographs) that he learned he was a descendant of the Red King, an ancient magician whose descendants are endowed with magical powers. Upon learning that he is endowed, Charlie’s cruel and uncaring Grandmother Bone and her evil sisters send him off to Bloor Academy, where many endowed children study. There he discovers the truth of his family, as well as the many dangers that lie ahead as he attempts to use his gifts for good.
Charleston received a copy of this book from our friend Alyssa, who is in her early thirties and enjoyed this series as a child. Charleston loved the book and was eager for me to read it as well. I can see why he liked it: it’s a fun premise, the pacing is great, and Charlie Bone is an endearing protagonist (reminding me a lot of Charlie Bucket of Chocolate Factory fame). But it has its flaws, primarily that it is trying way too hard to be Harry Potter (ordinary boy discovers hidden abilities and is sent off to a magical school by his unkind relatives, etc. etc.) but lacks the character depth, complex story, imaginative world-building, and elevated prose of Rowling’s superior series.
Charleston will be continuing with these books, and I’m glad that he has found a new series (without any objectionable content!) to enjoy. We’d both recommend Charlie Bone for young readers interested in an action-packed, magical read who are not quite ready for Harry Potter.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars (Rounded to 3 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Audiobook (I’m certain I would have enjoyed this more in print; the narration is well-done, but fiction generally doesn’t work well for me on audio.)
Amon’s Adventure, by Arnold Ytreeide: [A review written mostly by Charleston, with contributions from the twins and me, following our family read-aloud.] Amon has just turned thirteen and is not sure if he is ready to set aside his childish ways to fulfill his duties as a man in his Jewish family. But when his father is falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to prison and possibly death, Amon becomes the man of the house and asks his friends and family for help to save his father.
Meanwhile, Amon keeps hearing news about Jesus of Nazareth, who MUST be a false prophet. Many of Jesus’ followers try to convince Amon that this bold teacher can save his father, and Amon must decide between trusting reason and the possibility that Jesus really is the Messiah.
Our family read this Lent-themed historical novel in the weeks leading up to Easter. Kali gives this book five stars “because it’s important.” She loved the part when Amon saw Jesus after he rose from the dead. Sully gives this book four stars and liked hearing about Amon’s adventures when he’s trying to save his father. Charleston liked how the timelines lined up with the Bible story and gives this book 4 stars. He hopes that the sequels are just as Biblical and also entertaining.
Mom enjoyed the ways that this book added an engaging twist to a familiar Biblical story. She found it interesting to learn about Jewish culture and other historical events taking place at the time of Jesus, and she liked the character of Amon who is skeptical but open to the truth. Jesus’ final week is in the background of Amon’s narrative, yet His crucifixion and resurrection are still a highlight, and the devotionals at the end of each chapter keep the book’s focus on the Gospel meaning of Easter—which was just what Mom had hoped for from this Easter book.
We recommend this for families who want an adventurous yet Biblical devotional to read during Lent.
Charleston’s Rating: 4 Stars // Kalinda’s Rating: 5 Stars // Sullivan’s Rating: 4 Stars // Kendra’s Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Print
FICTION
Good Material, by Dolly Alderton: At 35, Andy thought he’d have his life figured out; most of his friends are married with kids, living the life Andy dreamed would be his by now. Instead he’s living in his best friends’ spare room, floundering in his career as a stand-up comedian, and hardly functioning as he struggles to process his breakup with Jen, the love of Andy’s life who, after four years together, suddenly ended the relationship. We follow Andy in the months following his breakup as he walks through the various stages of turmoil and angst in the wake of his loss, and we’re there for all of his stereotypical breakup moves—from the social media stalking and reliving the relationship through old photos and texts, to the rebound relationship, the post-breakup health kick, and the social reconfiguration that must happen now that Jen is no longer in the picture. Just when we think we have examined every aspect of this relationship, the script is flipped and we finally get Jen’s side of the story, which looks quite different from the one Andy has been telling through his postmortem examinations.
I’ve never been through a breakup: I married my first boyfriend after one year of dating, and we are still together more than sixteen years later. So I can’t say that I related to Andy’s exact experience in this novel, but I HAVE endured sadness and disappointment, so aspects to Andy’s story felt very familiar. Alderton does an excellent job of capturing the full range of emotions and coping mechanisms involved in a breakup and managed to convince me that this is something I NEVER want to endure. I appreciated the humanity in Andy’s experience, as well as the humor embedded in the narrative . . . because hard times can make for some of the funniest moments, especially when viewed through the lens of a comedian.
I found it interesting that most of the book is told from the male perspective given that the author is a woman. Alderton is clearly offering commentary on the different ways that men and women process relationships and emotions, and though I’m not entirely sure she’s captured the true male psyche (Andy’s emotional experience felt suspiciously effeminate), I did appreciate reading that she interviewed many men in preparing to write the character of Andy. And I loved the twist of hearing from Jen at the end, who offers such a different and thought-provoking take on events and sheds more light on the nature of relationships that have run their course.
Good Material is a compelling study of dating and relationships among Millennials. I was impressed with Alderton’s ability to tell a timeless story (lost love) in a way that is distinctly unique to this generation and literal time (told in the months just before COVID, which is vaguely referenced). I could have done without the crass language and sexual content, but I ultimately found this to be a smart, emotionally poignant, engaging read.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 4 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Kindle
More or Less Maddy, by Lisa Genova: Freshman year at NYU was rough for Maddy Banks. On top of managing a difficult course load and struggling to find her place in NYU’s social circles, she was also grieving a devastating break-up from her high school boyfriend—all while trying to live up to her older sister’s impossibly perfect reputation. Now in her sophomore year, Maddy’s depression reaches a devastating low that leads her to seek relief from antidepressants. Unfortunately the medication triggers a terrifying mania that ultimately leads to a bipolar diagnosis.
The next several months find Maddy weaving in and out of depression and mania as she navigates the complexities of her disorder and the medications that are meant to help her. Maddy unintentionally alienates all but those closest to her, and her search for purpose and identity amid a diagnosis she doesn’t understand leads to a newfound pursuit in standup comedy. Sadly, her life itself is anything but funny.
I’m a Lisa Genova completist and am always impressed by the author’s ability to merge her background as a neuroscientist with her knack for emotionally resonant storytelling. I was eager to read her take on bipolar disorder, which is a mental issue that we hear a lot about but most of us (myself included) do not fully understand. Despite my enthusiasm for the subject matter, I nearly gave this book a pass after the first few chapters because the subject is rough—probably more so than that of her other novels because the subject hit disturbingly close to home. (I do not have bipolar disorder but have struggled with severe depression and other mental health issues, so I related a little too closely to Maddy’s experience.) I’m glad that I decided to stick with the book because Genova does an excellent job of exploring the complexities of this diagnosis. Through Maddy’s experiences we are given a visceral window into the devastating nature of this disease, from the manic highs and oppressive lows, to the difficulties of treatment and the heartbreak it brings into families. Genova does not sugarcoat the disorder, which makes for very painful but also eye-opening reading.
I do wish that the character of Maddy was more likable; I found her character and her behavior (even outside of her bipolar disorder) pretty unsavory, which made it difficult to empathize with her diagnosis as much as I would have liked. I also would have preferred less profanity and crass sexual language/behavior. And I disliked the attempts at humor which I did not find funny and which only enhanced the darkness of the rest of the book. Those issues, plus the graphic depictions of Maddy’s highs and lows (including self harm and suicide attempts), keep this from being a book I’d recommend to everyone. But for those who can handle some pretty gritty content and are hoping for a better understanding of bipolar disorder, this is an insightful read that brings empathy and humanity to a difficult topic.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Kindle
Back After This, by Linda Holmes: As a talented podcaster, Cecily excels at making others shine. Unfortunately her professional successes haven’t spilled over into her romantic life, which has been on hiatus since her last relationship ended with her boyfriend claiming THEIR hit podcast as his own.
Now, the podcast studio that employs Cecily is on the verge of collapse and Cecily’s boss sees her as the studio’s last hope—not as a producer or show creator this time, but as host of her own show all about Cecily’s dating life. It’s the last thing Cecily wants to do, but she willingly sets aside her misgivings for the sake of her career and the jobs of her much-loved coworkers. As part of the show, Cecily is matched with upbeat influencer-turned-dating-coach, Eliza Cassidy, who promises to match Cecily with the love of her life through a rigorous process that involves going on twenty first dates (all recorded for the podcast, of course).
Just when Cecily is supposed to be having luck with a pre-planned dating life, she has the happiest of unscheduled meet-cutes with Will, a handsome stranger who literally runs across her path while chasing after a large, lovable dog. Cecily and Will have an instant connection that grows as they continue to bump into each other all around the city. But between Cecily’s show obligations and Will’s personal hangups, they know dating isn’t in the cards. After all, there’s no future with a romantic partner who 1) is unsanctioned by the professional dating coach and 2) would derail Cecily’s podcast project and probably her career. . . . unless Cecily is willing to go against all of her previous instincts to find what she REALLY wants out of life and love.
As a romantic comedy, this wasn’t a favorite. Cecily is not an especially endearing protagonist, and her journey with Will is a little TOO predictable. However, several other aspects of this book elevated it to a 4-star read. I enjoyed the dating coach element and the conversations around what does or doesn’t make for a successful love match. I also really like Holmes’s writing style that is a little quieter and maybe more mature than a traditional rom-com. The banter between Cecily and Will is sweet but realistic, and there is a gentleness to their story that I found soothing. I can sense Holmes’s podcast experience (with its subtle use of white space and easy-but-straightforward narration) in her writing.
And it is this experience with podcasting that truly makes this book a success. Holmes provides us with a fascinating look into the podcast world, from the cutthroat competition and growing pains of a constantly changing medium, to the practicalities of sound editing and the storytelling subtleties that can make or break an audio production. Even as a longtime podcast enthusiast, I learned a LOT about the industry from this book that has me listening more thoughtfully to all of my favorite shows. It was a delight to see two of my favorite hobbies come together with this book.
Heads up for some on-page steam; it’s tamer than most romances but still present.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Kindle
Famous Last Words, by Gillian McAllister: Cam is just nine months into motherhood, and while she and her husband Luke love being parents, they’re still floundering in life with a new baby. Cam is sad to see her maternity leave end, but also eager to return to her job as a publishing agent. But on the morning of her first day back, she wakes to find her husband Luke MIA, a cryptic note the only sign that something is amiss. Later that day, the police arrive at her workplace to let her know that a hostage situation is underway. . . and that her husband is the gunman. What follows is the aftermath of this pivotal moment, as told through the stories of Cam and Niall, the hostage negotiator assigned to the situation.
This book grabbed my attention from page one, and I raced through the first several chapters, needing answers. The middle section drags a bit (the seven-year time hop initially felt unnecessary), but the deeper themes explored in these chapters kept me reading. Here, McAllister writes beautifully about grief in its many forms; the various stages of motherhood (particularly the bittersweet experience of watching a child grow up, but also the dichotomy between the bliss and the challenges of early motherhood); infertility (which we witness mostly secondhand in Cam’s sister); the difficulties of showing up for those we love the most (and the fractures that happen when our loved ones don’t understand the depth of our hidden pains); workaholism and the toll it takes on a marriage; and the nature of marriage itself (the joys of inside jokes and shared responsibilities, but also the question of how well we know and trust our partners). We are also given fun insights into the publishing business (something I don’t know much about), as well as the life of an introverted book worm (something I know quite well).
After a slower middle third, the plot picks back up, coming together in a standout conclusion that I found absolutely perfect (even though I was able to predict many of the plot twists). There are some aspects of the book that didn’t totally work for me: the ins and outs of the mystery are pretty convoluted, and many characters act in ways I never fully understood. But even though I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as McAllister’s better known Wrong Place, Wrong Time, this was a 5-star read (much needed after a month-long dry spell), and I’m surprised by the low ratings. Gillian McAllister knows how to deliver a great story, and also writes so wonderfully about parenting and marriage in a way that I don’t see coming from other writers in the thriller genre.
Highly recommended for fans of domestic thrillers with some depth, but heads up for huge triggers regarding infertility and child loss. Don’t miss the Acknowledgements: I rarely cry in a this part of a book, but this line did it for me: “Right before I gave birth, someone said to me, ‘the love of your life is inbound,’ and they couldn’t have been more correct.” Perfection!
My Rating: 5 Stars // Book Format: Kindle
You Are Fatally Invited, by Ande Pliego: Six thriller writers have been invited by renowned anonymous author J. R. Alastor to attend a writer’s retreat at his private island off the coast of Maine. Their host is aspiring author, Mila, who has eagerly joined Alastor in concocting a series of riddles, games, and scares for their guests. Mila intends for the week to end in the murder of one of the authors who she blames for ruining her life. But then a different guest (not Mila’s intended victim) turns up dead and another goes missing, and it quickly becomes apparent that Alastor does not intend for any of his guests or staff to leave this island alive. With a murderer in their midst, the survivors must unite to solve the mystery of Alastor’s identity. But none of these masters of deception can be trusted, and it’s possible that none of them are innocent.
This clever debut is a veritable Bingo card for mystery aficionados, weaving together nearly every imaginable thriller trope, from the locked room to the unreliable narrator, a mysterious island, and a list of highly suspicious guests. The characters are knocked off one by one à la And Then There Were None, and there’s even a Clue-inspired map in the front pages of the book. As a lifelong mystery fan, I loved this playful (if sometimes creepy and totally over-the-top) spin on the genre. While the story gets pretty convoluted at times (with some nonsensical plot points and many holes), and I struggled to differentiate the voices of the numerous narrators (with Mila’s narration especially confusing, as it’s written in the second person), I was engrossed from start to finish. I needed to know what would happen and the final pages definitely paid off.
The sentence-level writing is strong, and while I would have appreciated more character development and backstory, I really loved the commentary on the genre (as scene through Alastor’s own writings) which adds a literary layer to an otherwise action-driven book. There is even some thoughtful inclusion of deeper themes as we get into the psyches of our characters and explore issues of guilt, revenge, and justice. A must-read for Agatha Christie fans looking for a modern spin on her classics. And if you love the books by Benjamin Stevenson and can appreciate that wry humor and somewhat outlandish take on crime, you’ll like this too.
My Rating: 4 Stars (Bumped up from 3.5 stars because I appreciated the lack of profanity and loved the redemptive epilogue.) // Book Format: Kindle (with the numerous narrators I think this would be VERY confusing on audio)
Have you read any of these titles? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
