Friday, March 15, 2024

Historical Fiction: The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

Honestly, how could I bypass a book with a title like today's pick? The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James was listed in the new releases in January on Goodreads, and I simply had to know more. The fact that it is also set in and around south Texas and Mexico, and deals with future generations being made to pay for crimes of the past, caused me to pick it up and actually read it, in the hopes that at the very least I would find a good adventure.

The Situation: It is 1964 in Mexico, and Jaime Sonoro has enjoyed incredible success and fortune as one of the country's most famous actors and singers. Things seem to take an ominous turn when two things find their way into Jaime's life: one a book, another a person. Despite warnings from his father, Jaime begins reading the mysterious book, which tells the story of Antonio Sonoro, the man known as El Tragabalas, The Bullet Swallower. In 1865, Antonio set out on an ill-fated trip to Houston, Texas to rob a train, promising his dubious wife that he will return with wealth and riches. But when the adventure turns deadly, Antonio's new mission becomes one of revenge.

The Problem: Unbeknownst to Antonio, he was born with a debt to pay, as generations of Sonoros had been ruthless and greedy, often taking what is not theirs, and making those around them pay when they demanded more. When a strange man called Remedio enters Jaime's life in 1964, it soon becomes clear that he may not simply be a kind older man with a gift for healing. The more Jaime reads of Antonio's life, the more he feels that things are not as they should be, and that something has gone wrong. Even so, Antonio's story full of murder, theft, and intense revenge against the three men that turned him into The Bullet Swallower draws Jaime in. And it is soon clear that the book found its way to Jaime for a reason, linking the fate of the two Sonoros men.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set mostly in 1865 in both south Texas and Mexico, but also in 1964 in Mexico. In 1865, Antonio Sonoro leaves to rob a train, but instead nearly dies twice, ends up roaming the land looking for revenge against three Texas Rangers, and earns a reputation as a dangerous bandit. In 1964, Jaime learns of the history of Antonio Sonoro, The Bullet Swallower, for the first time, and begins to see a link between the two of them. Antonio's story is a picture of life and politics along the Texas/Mexico border in the mid-1800s, while Jaime and his father must wrestle with the idea of generational trauma, and how one generation could be held responsible for the sins of the past.

My Verdict: Well, I wanted an adventure, and I certainly got one. Antonio roams all over south Texas in an effort to find the three men he wants desperately to kill, and it is not a quiet or generally peaceful journey as he attempts to hunt them down. There is trouble at every small town; almost every encounter with every group of people, no matter how big or small, ends badly; and despite how very wrong the trip had gone from the start, Antonio is undeterred. The link between Jamie and Antonio is revealed slowly and carefully, as is the fate of each. It is not easy to get readers to extend grace towards selfish and unlikable characters, even if they are the protagonist, so some may struggle to follow Antonio's journey and understand his choices, while also enjoying the story.

Favorite Moment: This book is full of stubborn characters. These are people who see the obvious danger in their choices, but forge ahead anyways, only to often be surprised when things go wrong. Given how awful some of these people are, I thoroughly enjoyed when things did inevitably go wrong. 

Favorite Character: Hugo, Antonio's brother, does his best to get Antonio to abandon the train robbing mission and return to his loving wife and family, and it only earns him insults and derision.

Recommended Reading: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is a very different type of historical fiction novel, set in the 1930s when people were leaving the Texas/Oklahoma region for what they believed to be a better future in California.

Friday, March 8, 2024

Young Adult Fiction: Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat

We are in the second week of the third month of 2024, and I have finally managed to get a new (published this year) young adult novel onto the blog. I was excited to pick up Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat and dive right in. From the fun cover to the interesting premise, I knew I would at least be thoroughly entertained by whatever was to be found on the pages.

The Situation: It is Arya Khanna's senior year of high school, and the fall semester will prove to be both busy and exhausting. It is one thing to worry about college applications and early admission decisions, and quite another to do so while serving as vice president of the student council. Add to it that Arya's sister, Alina, has returned home to get married, and maid-of-honor duties can now also be added to the ambitious senior's list of responsibilities. While the wedding planning is generally fun and something to look forward to, what Arya would love to avoid are the tense feelings between Alina and their mother, a side-effect from when Alina left three years ago. Sure, Arya has her own feelings of resentment towards her older sister, but she would love to push those aside as well.

The Problem: Attempting to mediate between her sister and her mother quickly grows tiring, and her own feelings of being neglected due to her sister's actions become harder to ignore. It also does not help that Arya's relationship with her best friend seems to be fracturing, leaving her with one less person to talk to about the wedding, college essays, and the boy she lost the student council presidency to, Dean Merriweather. Losing by only six votes certainly stings, but losing to someone who is known to tease her, and now likes to refer to her as his 'assistant' as opposed to the more appropriate 'second-in-command' only makes Arya's mood worse. It may take a few hard realizations and tough conversations before Arya is able to mend relationships, and get the happy Bollywood ending she has always seen on the screen.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in and around Boston, and, according to the book jacket, is structured much like a Bollywood film, complete with an entertaining intermission. High school senior Arya has a lot going on. There is school, extra-curriculars, college applications, as well as drama at home as her sister returns for her wedding. Arya must navigate the interactions between her mother and sister, while also dealing with her own resentment over the situation. Readers should be prepared to learn all about shaadi (wedding) preparations, as well as various Indian foods. I admit to getting both hungry and thirsty while reading this book, as Arya makes many visits to local coffee shops and bakeries, while also eating the cooking at home and the catering at various events. 

My Verdict: Hopefully, without being too dramatic about it, I would describe this book as absolute joy on the page. This is not to say that there are no hard truths to be confronted here. There is resentment, anger, guilt, even fear that a parent may be dealing with mental health issues, and not knowing what to do about that. Arya also has the painful prospect of facing what effects her own actions and decisions had on her relationships. And then there is the general stress that is senior year of high school. But Avachat manages to inject moments of pure fun and light, and not all of them center around the planning for the shaadi. Small moments at a coffee shop, or bakery, or while looking at jewelry, or even at Arya's part-time job at a bookstore, all round out this delightful and gratifying book.

Favorite Moment: I love coffee shops, and I love book stores. This book has the protagonist spending an inordinate amount of time in both of these places and it made me so happy.

Favorite Character: There are a few good options here, but Arya's fellow student council member, Emilia, is a wonderful addition to Arya's small circle of friends, right when she needs one most.

Recommended Reading: I recommend both Radha & Jai's Recipe for Romance by Nisha Sharma, and Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon.

Friday, March 1, 2024

Contemporary Fiction: Family Family by Laurie Frankel

At the start of each month, I look through the list of new releases that are scheduled to come out for the month and start placing the books I am interested in on the blog calendar. The only real issue with this system is that it would be impossible for me to not only read every book I am curious about, but also impossible for me to make space for a post on each of them. Laurie Frankel's Family Family is one of those that decided I would make space for, even removing another book from the schedule in favor of it. I could tell from the book jacket that this would be a complicated story, maybe even a little messy, but one full of humor and imagination.

The Situation: India Allwood is a TV star who recently made her film debut. She always knew she wanted to be an actor, but was always drawn more to stage acting, even musicals, though she cannot sing. Even so, when she was offered the lead on a new superhero TV show, she took it, knowing that the stability of the steady work would make it possible for her to fulfill another dream of adopting a child. Two actually: twins Jack and Fig. India navigates her career and single motherhood while dodging the paparazzi, and everything seems to be going well until she decides to be honest about her new movie. And then they get worse when one of her kids decides to try to be helpful.

The Problem: Naturally, people are upset when India says the movie is bad. Certainly her agent is upset, as are the people who made the movie. But for India, the movie tells the same old story about how adoption is surrounded by tragedy and loss, when she knows that is not always the case. India's ten year-old daughter, Fig, is not allowed on social media, and she has to share a cell phone with her brother Jack. Despite these restrictions, she manages to find and locate key people from her mother's past, hoping that they can help get her mother's message across. Instead, things spiral out of control, and various groups and protesters from all sides of the issue are camped out on her front lawn along with the paparazzi. And when Fig's reinforcements arrive, the real truth about India's family comes out.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel that tells the story of India Allwood, a woman who has always wanted to be an actor, loves her kids, cannot sing, and carries around torn up index cards in her pocket in case there is ever an occasion to throw them in the air as confetti for a celebration. When the book begins, India lives in Los Angeles with her two adoptive kids and just starred in a movie about adoption. When she admits that it is a bad movie, she is suddenly at the center of a media firestorm, with the topic of adoption and her history with it at the center. In between chapters with India's current life as the focus are chapters that move through her past. And while her career has always been her focus, so has family, and just how complicated having one can be.

My Verdict: I feel like this is going to be one of those books I will wish more people read and talked about. Sure, it looks at the subject of adoption from nearly every angle, and makes the important point that it is not all tragedy and loss and sacrifice, but there is also a lot of joy involved, which is often missed in media. But while making this point, the book also tells a great story, and a funny one. Things spiral out of control for India in the best way, and I admit to laughing out loud at several points in the story, either because of something someone said, or because of the situation. I think this book will surprise a lot of people, should they decide to read it. 

Favorite Moment: After arriving at college, India is dismayed to learn that the next stage production will be by a playwright she has never even heard of, and as someone who likes to over prepare before an audition, she is upset to realize that everything she had learned so far would not help her here. But this is until her mother makes her realize that what she has learned so far can absolutely help her here, so India sets to work doing her best and most thorough research, in the only way that she can. It made my college administrator heart so happy to see a student working so hard for something they want to do.

Favorite Character: There are plenty to choose from here, but I pick India's mother. As an immigration lawyer, and a single mother, Sarah Allwood does not have time to sugarcoat much for her daughter. So she carefully and intelligently dismantles all of her daughter's arguments, but with care and grace, and also, a little bit of brutality. 

Recommended Reading: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer was nominated for the 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Fiction, and for good reason. 

Friday, February 23, 2024

Nonfiction: Into Siberia by Gregory J. Wallance

It felt more than appropriate to read Gregory J. Wallance's Into Siberia: George Kennan's Epic Journey Through the Brutal, Frozen Heart of Russia when I did, which was during a hard freeze in my area back in mid-January. Granted, the temperatures and conditions I dealt with are nothing close to what is talked about in the book. Not only does the book describe harsh weather conditions, but it takes a close look at Russia's exile system as it existed in the late 19th century.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book that centers around the life of journalist and explorer George Kennan, a man who would come to devote his life to enlightening Americans about the brutality of Russia's exile system. As a young man, Kennan sought out adventure, and would eventually journey through Siberia for the first time at the young age of 20, as part of a group exploring a possible route for a telegraph line. Kennan travel throughout the frozen region two more times in his life, the last of which is the primary subject of the book. During his exile investigation in 1885, Kennan would encounter harsh weather conditions, but also the realities of a system that he had formerly defended to the American people, and even have a meeting with literary legend Leo Tolstoy. His new views on the issue would become the subject of many articles and lectures that would aid in the unraveling of the formerly friendly relationship between the U.S. and Russia.

My Verdict: This book not only delivers on the promise of detailing Kennan's adventures through Siberia, but it also adds much more in the way of historical context, such as the political and social climate of post-Civil War America, and why the American people would be so ready to take up the cause of Russian exiles half-way around the world. There is the first layer, with plenty of mention of snow storms, lack of food, illness, and even injury. Then there is the second layer of the atrocious treatment of the Russian exiles. And then there is the last layer, where Wallance acknowledges the issues that our own country was dealing with at the time. Many may know about the Russian Revolution, as well as Russia's part in World Wars I and II, and the Cold War. But many will be interested to learn about Kennan's findings and how his discoveries would effect U.S./Russian relations.

Favorite Moment: I appreciated the inclusion of several pictures that were sketched by artist George Frost, as he accompanied Kennan on his exile investigation.

Recommended Reading: Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys is a young adult novel that follows a young girl and her family as they are exiled to Siberia during World War II. Also, for lovers of the classics, I recommend Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky.  

Friday, February 16, 2024

Historical Fiction: The Women by Kristin Hannah

Readers are rejoicing as author Kristin Hannah returns with another historical fiction book, this time focused on the Vietnam War, and more specifically, the women who served. The decision to read The Women came easily, and having read three of Hannah's other novels, I knew to expect nothing less than an engaging story stacked with fully-realized characters.

The Situation: It is 1966 when 21 year-old Frances 'Frankie' McGrath hears four words that had never been said to her before: "Women can be heroes." At her brother's going away party before he is sent off to fight in Vietnam, Frankie stands in her father's office, looking at his "Hero's Wall," and makes the decision to put her newly acquired nursing degree to use in the war. Her parents may not agree with her decision, but Frankie stays resolved, and after excelling in basic training, Frankie lands in Vietnam, greeted by the noise, smells, and near-constant chaos that is life as a nurse in an area that is often under attack. Frankie realizes that her nursing degree did not quite prepare her for this, but she must catch up and learn quickly.

The Problem: As trying as serving in Vietnam is, it is only the beginning of Frankie's story. After coming face-to-face with missing limbs, unimaginable burn scars, and bullet wounds that make her faint, as well as sick and wounded Vietnamese, many of them children, Frankie comes home to hostility and anger. Her parents are still upset with her for deciding to serve, but it seems the rest of the country is as well. When she is not experiencing outright hostility, then she is ignored, with her own fellow servicemen declaring "There were no women in 'Nam." For Frankie, the fighting does not stop when she returns home, and there may be no returning to the person she was before.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that focuses on the Vietnam War, beginning in 1966, and continuing through 1982. The first part details Frankie's time as a nurse in Vietnam, after she decides to sign up and follow her brother's example. The second part involves Frankie's return home after serving for two years, and the less than welcoming greeting she receives from the public, including her own family. For many, Frankie was part of the war that America wanted to forget. After witnessing incredible horrors over seas, Frankie returns to protests and resentment, as well as a lack of resources for women like her who served. Her struggle to return to some sort of normalcy is exactly that: a struggle. And there are moments when it looks like she may not make it.

My Verdict: This is the fourth book I have read by Hannah, and so far she has taken me through France in World War II; the darkness of the Alaskan winters in the 1970s; the Dust Bowl of the 1930s; and now the Vietnam War. This book is an incredible account of one woman's noble, and also naive, decision to serve her country, and everything that came from that decision. The descriptions of Frankie's time in Vietnam are vivid and often disturbing, while not being unnecessarily gruesome, and the hurt and anger she feels when she is pushed aside upon returning will resonate with anyone whose contributions and sacrifices for a cause have been forgotten, especially women. Hannah mentions in the author's note that this was a labor of love, and I am certainly glad she decided to stick with it.

Favorite Moment: For some reason, I appreciated the descriptions of Frankie's living quarters when she was in Vietnam. I have been overseas many times, and it is amazing how quickly someone can get over a less than ideal living situation when there is work to do.

Favorite Character: Barb is another nurse who serves in Vietnam with Frankie, and the two remain good friends even after returning home. Barb shows up for Frankie and helps her through nearly every major crisis, despite living across the country and taking a different path after serving.

Recommended Reading: Of the four novels I have read by Hannah, I still think the best is The Nightingale, but my favorite is The Four Winds.

Friday, February 9, 2024

Historical Fiction: The Wildest Sun by Asha Lemmie

The decision to read Asha Lemmie's second novel, The Wildest Sun, was not an easy one, despite having read her first novel, Fifty Words for Rain, when it came out back in 2020. Ultimately, the premise proved to be too intriguing for me to pass it up: A young girl decides to embark on a journey to find her father, whom she believes to be none other that Ernest Hemingway.

The Situation: Delphine Auber loves Paris, her hometown for all of your young life. She loves it even more now that the war is over and the Nazis have been defeated. But when tragedy strikes, she finds herself fleeing to New York to stay with friends, Blue and Delia, while also believing this may the opportunity for her to find the man her mother always said was her father: Ernest Hemingway. Delphine clings to the idea that Hemingway is her father - despite the doubts of those around her - almost as much as she clings to her dream of becoming a writer. And while Hemingway may be a well-known literary figure who is not too difficult to track down, the journey will take her years, and to places she never thought she would visit.

The Problem: Looking for Ernest Hemingway may be the goal, but staying away from Paris is also part of the plan, as Delphine believes she can never go back, not after what happened. And even though she finds safety and comfort with old friends of her mother's in New York, it is not long before Delphine finds herself in another difficult situation with a new friend. When she hears that Hemingway is in Havana, Cuba, she makes her way down there, determined to find him, not knowing that the Cuban Revolution is only a few years away. Regardless, Delphine is willing to take the risk to find the man she has idolized since childhood, the man she believes holds the answers to who she truly is.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in various locations, beginning in 1945, and ending 1964. Delphine's adventure will take her from her hometown of Paris, to a family friend's home in New York, to Havana, and then to Key West, Florida. Delphine's focus is devoted to two things: finding literary legend Ernest Hemingway, whom she believes to be her father, and becoming a writer herself. Throughout her story are letters to and from another family friend who remains in Paris, Louise, who is a nun that Delphine's mother had always trusted. Louise attempts to bring Delphine back home, and also closer to God, but the protagonist resists both options, holding onto the stubbornness that has both served her well, and also gotten her in trouble.

My Verdict: Characters that travel to various locations throughout their lives always appeal to me, for whatever reason. It could simply be because I also love to travel, or because having characters in different settings allows for different experiences with different types of people. And in this book, it was easy to justify Delphine's traveling, even to somewhere like pre-revolution Cuba, because she is literally searching for Ernest Hemingway. I admit to being dubious about this part of the story and how believable it would be, but it works out well, and Lemmie does not rely on it to carry the entire novel, even though it is Delphine's main motivation. There are some details that caused the narrative to feel a little clumsy in places, but overall it is an interesting and enjoyable story.

Favorite Moment: I love food, and I love to cook. The brief mention of Delia's southern cooking and how it was adding pounds to Delphine's body made me so unreasonably happy. 

Favorite Character: It would be a tie between Delia and Louise. Both are doing their best to help Delphine, riding the line between being encouraging, but also honest and realistic.

Recommended Reading: I recommend On a Night of a Thousand Stars by Andrea Yaryura Clark.

Friday, February 2, 2024

Young Adult Fiction: Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

In addition to having won the 2023 Goodreads Choice Award in the Best Young Adult Fiction category, Ali Hazelwood's Check & Mate has been recommended to me several times, and as a lover of YA, I finally gave in to see what all of the fuss is about. With the world of competitive chess at its center, the story follows a young woman as she negotiates her love/hate relationship with the game, and what it would mean for her to truly consider what she wants for her life.

The Situation: Mallory Greenleaf has done the impossible. She has just beaten the #1 ranked chess player and current world champion, Nolan Sawyer. No one is more stunned than Mallory, especially since she begrudgingly showed up to a charity chess tournament at the urging of her best friend, before said friend goes off to Colorado for college. Since everything that happened with her dad, Mallory has kept chess at a distance, despite the fact that she was  - and apparently still is - incredibly good at it. Now she has the chess world's attention, including an organization in New York that is offering her a year-long fellowship. But she also has Nolan's attention, and she is not sure how she feels about either situation.

The Problem: Ever since it has been only her, her mom, and her two younger sisters, Sabrina and Darcy, Mallory has made it her mission to make sure her family has what they need. She has managed to keep the mortgage paid (at least partially), cover Sabrina's roller derby fees, and keep Darcy's guinea pig fed. But the chess fellowship that she is at first so intent on not taking pays well, and some of the chess tournaments she enters have substantial cash prizes. Mallory tells herself it will only be for a year, and that chess is not going to once again become her whole world. She also tells herself that she has no interest in Nolan Sawyer, not even to play against him. But that is exactly what he wants, and as Mallory continues to climb the ranks and become more entangled in the game she tried to leave behind, she may have to admit that the things she has been telling herself are simply not true.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in and around modern-day New York and New Jersey, with occasional trips being taken to places like Philadelphia, Toronto, and even Italy for various chess tournaments. Though Mallory had once sworn off chess after an unfortunate incident involving her father, she finds herself back in it. This means going over old games; reading books on chess theory; dealing with sexist comments and beliefs about a woman's ability to compete in the sport; even sticking to a new exercise regimen; and trying to keep it all a secret from her mom and sisters. Guilt may be what is driving her forward, but it is undeniable that she is good at the game, and no one seems to see that more than Nolan, the current champion.

My Verdict: This one was a bit of a roller coaster for me, but I certainly see and understand the appeal. For one, the whole rivals-to-lovers trope has a large following, and while it may not be my personal favorite, I do get it. And it also helps that Nolan is moody and brooding, but also smart, thoughtful, and still not without his flaws. While the rivals-to-lovers plotline is not new, the story itself is its own thing, with quirky but realistic characters, and details about chess that are informative without being boring. Finally, Hazelwood confronts the sexism and misogyny in the chess world, even citing a real study that was done concerning the stereotype that women are not as good as men at the game. On paper, it seems hard to believe, but a story involving high-ranking games of chess can be fun, romantic, and even thought-provoking.

Favorite Moment: At one point, it becomes clear to Mallory that what we think we know about someone - particularly how they feel about us - is often not true. And it is near impossible to be sure of something like that if we never reach out. 

Favorite Character: Oz is a fellow chess player at Zugzwang, the organization where Mallory has her fellowship. He is incredibly serious and no-nonsense, but also has some of my favorite dialogue in the entire book. He is just not in the mood, for any of it, and I adore him for it.

Favorite Quote: "What happened?" I ask.

"My wedding planner is out of peonies. What do you think happened? I lost." He glares. "This entire tournament could have been an email." - courtesy of my favorite character: Oz.

Recommended Reading: Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis would be a good follow up.