Stacked-Up Book Thoughts; Or What I Read in November

Can it be? This year is almost over, and most of us can't wait to say good-bye to 2020 and hello to new possibilities and a happier new year. November turned out to be a kind of bust of a reading month. The first week was taken up with election news and the last week with Thanksgiving. In between I read and listened to small batch of meh books. Well, some months are like that, I guess.

I'm still in the middle of three books: one is a book of essays, one is nonficiton, and the other is a thriller. I'll write about those at the end of December. In the meantime, here are my thoughts on November in books.

Note that I've also posted these thoughts in GoodReads. Thanks to the publishers for the review copies -- whether audio, digital, or print. If you see "AFM" at the end, visit AudioFile Magazine to see my review of the audiobook production.

First I want to mention a book I didn't finish. Early in November I started Tower of Fools by Andrzej Sapkowski (trans. David A. French, Orbit, Oct. 27). This book has all kinds of elements I usually really love: history, religious politics, Renaissance, and fantasy. It's also a book in translation, which is normally a draw for me. Unfortunately, it just didn't click, maybe owing to my pre-election mood. I might try this again.

We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper (Grand Central, Nov. 10). This is true crime about the 1969 murder of a Harvard anthropology grad student. I was interested in the book for two reasons: (1) I'm fan of true crime and (2) I have a doctorate in physical (biological) anthropology and knew about this case and was familiar with some of the people in the Harvard anthropology department.

It's clear Cooper dug deep into this case, conducted as many interviews as possible, and honored the life and work of the victim, Jane Britton. I know published reviews praised this book to the ends of the earth, and I can see why because of the quality of Cooper's investigation and because the book reveals many less-pleasant aspects of academia and graduate departments: gender inequality, socioeconomic privilege, department politics, and Harvard culture. On the other hand, Cooper's account could have used a tighter edit to eliminate filler, tangents, some of the dead-end paths, and some rambling. Still, if you like true crime, you'll like We Keep the Dead Close.

I listened to the unabridged audiobook, which was read by the author. Cooper did only an okay job as a narrator. She's clearly not a professional or a dynamic voice actor, and a few mispronunciations were annoying. My advice is to listen to a sample before trying the audiobook.

Sweet Harmony by Claire North (Orbit, Sept. 22). Set in the future, this short book explores addiction, relationships, FOMO, self-image, and an acquisitive society. In Harmony's world, people can buy biological upgrades through a phone app: no more broken-out skin and no more weight gain; it's possible to have perfect teeth, perfect hair, level moods, perfect health, and so on. The problem is, each upgrade comes with a monthly fee, quickly plunging Harmony into insurmountable debt. When she can't pay, her enhancements stop working, one by one, which not only affects her self-image but also leads to the destruction of her relationships and her being downsized at work.

North offers an interesting perspective on many contemporary issues, which might make this a good book club pick. I, however, simply just didn't like Harmony and couldn't get behind her choices. If the book had been any longer, I'm sure I would have DNF'd it. For my thoughts on the audiobook, see AFM.

The Constant Rabbit by Jasper Fforde (Viking; Spet. 29). I love Fforde and went into this book with high hopes. Warning: It took me a while to warm up to the story, and it is certainly not my favorite of his books. What I did like was the satire on all things sociopolitical in contemporary America and the UK.

The book opens about 50 years after there was a cosmic event in which several species of mammals (including rabbits, weasels, and foxes) and a few insects became anthropomorphized. While these creatures retained much of their animal characteristics, they also became kind of human: they were able to speak and read and drive cars and own homes and have jobs right along side humans. Fforde uses the interactions between people and the human-like animals to explore prejudice, integrated neighborhoods, power, equal rights, citizenship, and so on.

There were some laugh-out-loud moments and lots to think about. On the other hand, the whole thing became a bit wearying once the general gist and message were clear. My very positive review of the audiobook can be found at AFM.

The Arrest by Jonathan Lethem (Ecco; Nov. 10). Set in the future, this book explores what happens to society and the world when we suddenly lose the power to run our TVs, computers, phones, and cars. Different groups of people react differently to the new normal, some making political power grabs and others trying communal living, hiding in isolated paranoia, forming bands of militia, and so on. Without mass communication, no one knows what's happening in the world outside their own small community.

When the Arrest happened, Hollywood script doctor Sandy was visiting his sister, who runs an organic farm in Maine. When transportation and communication go down, Maine is where he had to remain, and he now does odd jobs for the town's butcher and for the farm. Where Sandy lives, all is peaceful. The residents have almost no contact with outsiders until a mega movie producer friend from Sandy's past shows up in a mysteriously powered vehicle and begins to woo the town and disrupt the delicate balance of peace.

The book was only okay for me. The drama and tension among Sandy, his sister, and his friend didn't fully resonate, and I found much of the story just kind of weird. I liked the dynamics of the town and its relationship to the more militant group that lived nearby, but I was less intrigued when the plot spun into a different orbit. On the other hand, Robert Fass did a super-duper job with the narration of the audiobook, especially in the way he created a mood and connected us to the characters' mental state.

The Orchard by David Hopen (Ecco; Nov. 17). I really wanted to love this book because I was taken by the premise: An ultra-Orthodox Jewish family from Brooklyn moves to south Florida to another Orthodox Jewish community, but one that is more connected to contemporary America.

Ari Eden is just about to start his senior year of high school. In Brooklyn, his yeshiva concentrated mostly on Jewish studies, preparing young men to be good members of their closed, religious community. The Florida yeshiva, however, covers all subjects and while religious, also prepares its students (male and female) for college and life in the world at large.

The story promises to show how Ari adjusts to his new life, mingling with Orthodox Jews who bend the law--for example, not always wearing a yarmulke and allowing casual touching between unrelated men and women. While the book is a lot about that, the events and relationships don't seem at all realistic. Ari quickly falls in with the cool kids; has a girlfriend; and discovers smoking, drinking, and drugs. Despite being well behind in some academic subjects, he seems, with minimal tutoring, to keep up with the rest of his class and is on a path to graduation and possibly college. His friends are privileged and wild, suffering few consequences for their actions. At the same time, they come off as religious and philosophical scholars.

The boys' explorations into the mysteries of God and the spiritual world don't ring true. It's hard to imagine seniors in high school behaving and thinking the way they did. The cast includes at least three high school girls and a couple of adult women, all of whom are uni-dimensional and seem to appear only for a love interest or for motherly concern. It's a shame, because the the setup offered much to be explored about the interface between strict religious traditions and contemporary society.

The Survivors by Jane Harper (Flatiron, Feb. 2). I'm a big fan of Jane Harper, and her newest didn't disappoint. When Kieran returns to small coastal town in Tasmania to help his mother settle his father in a nursing home and close up his childhood home, he knew things would be uncomfortable. After all, a dozen years ago during a tremendous storm, he got trapped on a rocky beach; when his brother and a friend tried to rescue him, their boat capsized and the pair drowned. Most people in the small town (and maybe even Kieran's parents) blame Kieran for those deaths, though the storm also took others, including a teenage girl whose body was never found.

On Kieran's first night home, a young woman is murdered on the beach. The investigation opens up old wounds and hurts within the community, affecting Kieran's relationship with his parents, his friends, and even his girlfriend and their infant daughter.

This is a multilayered, atmospheric mystery that masterfully interlaces the past with the present. Harper has a way of making the landscape come alive, acting almost as another character. The story is character driven, and Kieran's personal journey is as important as solving the murder. This is a don't-miss read.

Narrator Stephen Shanahan is a perfect match to Harper's prose, and he once again captures the heart the soul of her work. Recommended in either print or audio.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: My Week in Books

Why is it that we imagine we'll have so much free time during the holidays? I'm forever hopeful and forever wrong: between work, parties, cooking and baking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping, and more, there are really very few moments just to sit and relax.

Very little print reading was going on, but I finished two audiobooks, abandoned one, and started another, so that's not too bad. All the chores were so much better with a good story to keep me company.

We haven't watched too much on the screen this past week. We finally saw Green Book with Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. If you haven't seen this movie, put it on your list. It was much more than I was expecting, and it's made all the stronger because it's based on a true story. On a lighter note, we're catching up with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I think we're almost done with season 2.

What I Read

I've written about Sebastien de Castell's delightful Spellslinger series and how much I absolutely love the audiobooks--all read by Joe Jameson (Hachette Audio). The fantasy series has a little bit of a Wild West feel and has characters you'll totally fall in love with (or totally hate--because they're evil). There are laugh-out-loud moments and plenty of danger and troubles as well. Crownbreaker (Orbit, Dec. 10) brings the series to a satisfying end, though the author left room for more adventures. The books star Kellen, a teen who leaves his powerful family for an outlaw's life. Kellen tries to right wrongs and to outsmart those would see him dead. The cast includes many strong women and a complex animal sidekick. In this final book, Kellen must find a way to defeat his father, one of the most powerful men on the continent. Will the confrontation end in a death, in a reconciliation, or in a stalemate? If you're looking for a fun series with great characters, give these books a try. If you're an audiobook fan, don't miss Jameson's brilliant performances. (audiobook copy provided by the publisher)

When I found out the follow up to Karen M. McManus's One of Us Is Lying (Delacorte, 2017) is coming out in just a few weeks, I decided it was high time I read this closed-room mystery. Here's the premise: five high schoolers are given detention for having cellphones in class. Before the hour is up, one of the students is dead. Who killed him and why? The story is told from the view point of the four survivors. Each one claims innocence both for the death and for having a cellphone, claiming it was all a set up. Of course, they all have secrets, and the dead boy knew those secrets and was threatening to reveal all. A nicely plotted mystery with well done red herrings and a few twists. I'm so glad I gave this a chance. The audiobook (Listening Library; 10 hr, 43 min) is performed by Kim Mai Guest, MacLeod Andrews, Shannon McManus, Robbie Daymond, who each take the part of one of the surviving students. There were no weak links, and their characterizations blended well. Now I have to put book 2 (One of Us Is Next) on my list; it's about the same school but focuses on different students. (print copy provided by the publisher; audiobook in my personal collection)

1 Ditched and 1 Loving

I started Maaza Mengiste's The Shadow King (Recorded Books; 16 hr, 9 min) with high hopes. Everyone seems to love this book about Ethiopia during World War II and the strength of a peasant girl turned woman who inspired her country to continue to fight for freedom, even when Haile Selassie himself seemed have given up. Sadly, even Robin Miles's brilliant performance couldn't save this book for me, and I abandoned it after six hours. Maybe it's the time of year and I needed something lighter, I don't know. Anyway, I said good-bye.

I'm currently reading Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski (Ballantine, March 2019). I'm not really a self-help kind of person, but when Swapna Krishna recommended it, I decided to give it a try. Although I put a hold on the book over the summer, it took until this month before my turn at the library copy became available. I was hooked almost immediately. I'll have more to say about this book when I finish it, but may talk about it on Instagram and/or Litsy. The book is geared especially to woman and will have you saying YES before you're even five pages in. I see why Swapna was raving about this, and why April from Good Books & Good Wine also recommends it.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Summer Reading

Hope everyone in North America had a great holiday last week, whether you celebrated Canada Day or Independence Day. We lucked out weather-wise. It was fairly rainy in the late afternoon, but all cleared up in time to host our cookout. Phew!

Because of work deadlines and short workweeks, I decided to give myself a break, so I wasn't a very active poster or blog visitor last week. Next Saturday I have a women's outing, so that will also cut into my reading and social media time. But, as I've said here many, many times, being with friends and family in real life is always worth the trade-off.

Bunny by Mona Awad (Viking, June 11). I'm not quite sure why I was looking forward to reading Awad's newest novel. I guess I had forgotten my mixed feelings about her 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl (link is to my review). Anyway, this one is about Samantha who is in her last year at Warren University working on her masters in fine arts as a writer. Her cohort is all women, and the others have bonded into a tight-knit group; in fact, they call each other "Bunny." Warren is in New England (maybe near Boston), and Samantha keeps getting lost when she walks the winding streets. Yes, you got it: Samantha gets lost in the warren surrounded by bunnies. Besides the running pun, this novel is utterly weird. The Bunny women finally invite Samantha into their clique, and the deeper she gets into their ritualized social gatherings, the more she becomes alienated from herself and the only people who seem to care about her. Will she be lost forever? How about that graduate degree? The fairy tale and folk legend elements should have been more of a draw for me, but they weren't. Just as with Awad's previous novel, I was left wanting more? something totally different? In any case this one wasn't for me. I stuck with it because I listened to the audiobook (Penguin Audio; 11 hr, 44 min) for a freelance assignment with AudioFile Magazine. Narrator Sophie Amoss did a fabulous job channeling Samantha's inner dialogue and capturing the personalities of the Bunny women. Regardless, I can't really recommend the book. Note, however, that the book won some starred reviews and was an Indie Next pick.

What Kind of Quiz Book Are You? by Rachel MacMahon (Atria, July 2) This fun book is written by a poplular Buzz Feed quiz writer. Admit it, you love taking those quizzes, don't you? Well, I do: Can they guess my Zodiac sign based on the appetizers I like? Can they tell me what kind of smoothie I am? Can they reveal my favorite season of the year? Probably not, but it's still fun to answer the questions and check out the score sheet. This book is filled with tons of short quizzes that you can answer by yourself, bring to a party, try out on your partner, or even play with your kids (you might want to pick and choose). I learned that I'm hamburger, not a cheeseburger, which makes me an easygoing person. I also discovered that my summer fun should include going to a fair. And I now know I'm a mix of panda and cat, which means I'm lazy at times but always stand my ground. Ha! I haven't taken all the quizzes yet (I've been picking them at random), but Mr. BFR and I have had a good time giving them a go. If you're looking for great hostess gift or stocking stuffer for Christmas, this book is your answer! Enjoy, and be sure to tell me which color of the rainbow you are (I'm yellow: all about optimism and cheer). (Digital review copy provided by the publisher)

The Reunion by Guillaume Musso and translated by Frank Wynne (Little Brown, July 9): This is a thriller set in the Côte d'Azur, France. When a group of old friends and acquaintances gather at a private school for their twenty-fifth reunion, old scandals resurface. The prettiest girl in the school, Vinca, had an affair with a male teacher and both went missing, never to be seen again. Where they are now and what happened then are at the core of the story. What's different here is that we learn early on the fate of the teacher and who might be responsible for that fate. Can that secret be kept? And if not, what will happen when it hits the papers? Musso deals out other clues and twists at a slower pace, and it's very easy to get caught up in the story. Thomas, now a world-famous author living in New York, has had a lifelong crush on the missing girl. His return home and reconnection with his friends stirs up old feelings and buried memories. This time, he's determined to find out the truth about Vinca, but what he discovers is not exactly what he expected. Be careful of what you wish for. Pop culture references are a fun addition to this thriller/mystery mashup. I highly recommend it. The unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 8 hr, 3 min) was nicely read by Samuel West, Cassie Layton, Clare Wille, and David Rintoul. The different voices blend well and together increase the tension and surprise of the thriller. (Audio review copy provided by the publisher)

Bone Deep by Sandra Ireland (Gallery, June 11). This thriller is set in a small village in Scotland. Lucie moves into the miller's cottage when she takes a job as an assistant to Mac, an author who lives alone in the big house with her dogs. Mac's son, Arthur, is a baker and owns the local cafe. The book is set up as stories within parallel stories: Lucie moved out of her family home after having an affair with her sister's boyfriend, Mac is writing a book based on a local legend of two daughters of a nobleman, Arthur is getting over a lost love, Mac remembers her late husband's infidelity. The story is told by Lucie and Mac in alternating chapters that reveal each woman's inner thoughts and emotional turmoil as well as their shared reclusiveness and distrust of others. The beauty of the countryside, the damp cottage, and the creaking of the millstones create an almost Gothic atmosphere, as folk story and contemporary life clash and enmesh. I was pulled into the book from the first chapters and loved the richness of Ireland's style. Although I found a couple elements of the plotting hard to believe (I can't tell you what without spoiling the story), I was completely invested and recommend this as a decent summer thriller. (digital review copy provided by the publisher)

The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter (Orbit, July 16). This is the first in an epic fantasy with a strong African (and #ownvoices) foundation. For generations, the Omehi people have had one focus: fighting their enemies using the peasants as foot soldiers in support of the magically powerful "gifted" class. A handful of women have been chosen by the goddess to control dragons and channel power to the chosen men, transforming them into unbeatable fighters. Tau is not one of the chosen, but his heritage and skills make him a good fighter with decent prospects, until his father is killed mercilessly and the girl he loves shows signs of being gifted. Leaving his village for the city and a military training camp, Tau is determined to be the best swordsman the world has ever seen, doing what it takes to have his revenge for the death of his father. Gods, demons, the dark world, legends, class conflicts, African setting, nightmares, revenge, love, friendships, betrayals: this book has it all. Winter does a good job setting up his world, and the characters' choices and conflicts are believable. I'm sure this book is fantastic in print, but Prentice Onayemi's performance of the audiobook (Hachette Audio, 16 hr, 15 min) is simply stunning. His accents and characterizations place the story in Africa; his sense of pacing and the emotional level he brings to the action and to Tau's journey are perfect. If you're an audiobook fan, pick this! (audio review copy provided by the publisher)

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Sound Recommendations

I have two wall calendars in my house--one in the kitchen and one in my office--and I forgot to flip them over to June until late Sunday afternoon. Oops! I think I'm in denial; not because we're already almost halfway through the year but because I have some travel coming up this week and I feel as if I were totally unready.

This is not true, since I've carefully managed my work schedule and have most of my suitcase packed already. Still, I always think there's something I've forgotten. Fortunately, Mr. BFR has my back, and he's been running errands and doing everything I don't have time for.

I missed last Monday's review post because . . . well, I don't know why. Just one of those things. I've decided to divide my reviews into two posts this week. Today is all about what I listened to. Later in the week, you'll find my reviews of books I read in print (or digital).

Summer Listening

Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner (Little, Brown; May 7): I really enjoyed this thoughtful summer read set in Sag Harbor. The premise is deceptively simple: A famous artist dies suddenly, leaving his estate to a twelve-year-old girl who shared his love of drawing. The artist's agent, the girl, and the girl's divorced parents all have different reactions to this totally unexpected windfall. What makes this book a little different is Brenner's sensitive depiction of young Penny's OCD and how her relationship with the cool kids at school changes once she is perceived as rich. Other story lines include the mother's mixed feelings about the inheritance and the agent's regrets for paths not taken. Although I pretty much figured out the course of the plot early on, that didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying the story and rooting for the characters as they grew and changed over the course of a summer. Recommended for those who like some depth to their beach reading. The unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 12 hr) was read by Karissa Vacker whose soft, expressive delivery well matched the tone and pace of the story. (digital and audiobook review copies provided by the publisher.

Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand (Little, Brown; June 18): What's a summer without Hilderbrand? I always love the way she brings Nantucket to life and the way she creates vivid characters and family drama. This summer's story takes place in 1969, is set in both Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, and is about four generations of a Boston family who spends every summer together on Nantucket. This year, just as things are changing in America, the family too is facing upheaval. Hilderbrand explores how the draft for Vietnam, Chappaquiddick, the civil rights movement, student demonstrations, the moon landing, and the women's movement begin to crumble the traditions and beliefs of the older generations. Although Hilderbrand herself wasn't born until halfway through that summer, she captured the mood of the era perfectly. I could especially relate to 13-year-old Jessie, who is learning some of the tough lessons of growing up at the same time she's just beginning to see the adults in her family for who they really are. Another don't miss summer read from Elin Hilderband. The unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 12 hr, 6 min) is brilliantly read by Erin Bennett, who is *the* voice of Hilderbrand's books. She perfectly captures the characters personalities and emotional arcs. (digital and audiobook review copies provided by the publisher)

Continuing Series

Queenslayer by Sebastien de Castell (Orbit; May 21): This is the fifth book in the Spellslinger series, which I've been describing as a fantasy with a Wild West feel. In this outing our outlaw hero, Kellen, unthinkingly and by mistake commits an act of treason, which is punishable by death. The young queen, however, takes a liking to him and grants him his life in return for his service. Meanwhile, Kellen gets caught up in a plot to overthrow the throne and must figure out whom to trust and which side to support. He also has some further dealings with his estranged family and is beginning to grow up. Lots of action, a few twists, and good humor kept me glued to my earbuds. The unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 13 hr, 4 min) was read by Joe Jameson. I love Jameson's comedic timing and consistent characterizations. His performance of this series is brilliant. (audiobook in personal collection)

A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen (Berkley; 2009): This is the second book in the Royal Spyness series, set in 1930s England, at a time when the noble families are trying to hold on to their estates in a changing society and falling economy. When the queen asks Lady Georgie if she'll house and entertain a young Bavarian princess, the only possible answer is yes. The problem, however, is that Georgie has little money and no domestic servants. With help from her friends and family, Georgie's pretty sure she can manage to host the innocent girl and her lady companion. What she hadn't counted on was a princess who wants to party hearty without regard to her reputation, a complaining chaperone, and few murders. A fun mystery with some clever nods to the real royal family. Put this series on your escape reading list. The unabridged auidobook (Audible Studios; 8 hr, 57 min) was read by Katherine Kellgren who creates a ton of believable accents and keeps the story moving. (audiobook in personal collection)

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: 4 Good Books and a Story

Good morning. If you're in the United States, I hope you're adjusting to the time change. I actually do better with the spring forward than I do with the fall back. Maybe that's because I love the idea that I can now take an outdoor walk after work. Yay for evening daylight.

I had a decent reading week, but that might be because most of the books I read were short and didn't require a lot of thought. Always a good choice after editing all day.

We haven't watched anything in particular on television. We're not huge basketball fans, so we're escaping March Madness. The most interesting show that comes to mind is the new season of True Detective on HBO. At first I didn't like the multiple time periods, but after I got to know the characters, I really liked the set up and the mystery.

The Tornado Scientist by Mary Kay Carson with photography by Tom Uhlman (HMH Books for Young Readers, March 19). You've heard it from me before, but it's true: I can't say enough good things about HMH's Scientists in the Field series. In this installment (out next week), we meet Robin Tanamachi, who is not only a research meteorologist but a storm chaser who is interested in learning as much as she can about tornadoes in an effort to help protect people who live in areas prone to these destructive winds. I grew up in tornado country in northern Ohio long before we had the sophisticated technology that weather scientists now depend on. It was really interesting to see how Robin's van was set up as a mini research and weather station and to learn how a storm transforms from a bout of heavy rain and winds into a twister. The amazing photographs of funnel clouds and the mind-numbing scenes of the after-storm destruction drives home the power of tornadoes; easy-to-interpret graphics illustrate the physics. Robin's stories of chasing storms and collecting data give young readers (and adults) a clear picture of what it's really like to be a tornado specialist. The book ends with an overview of how the field data are used and a look at the newest weather probes and other equipment. Recommended for readers of all ages. (review copy provided by the publisher)

Death in Provence by Serena Kent (Harper, Feb. 19). I always love it when I can get into a series on the ground floor. This cozy mystery is set in St. Merlot, France, and features a middle-aged woman who is looking for a new start after a divorce and early retirement. Penelope Kite isn't your ordinary British ex-pat who buys a house in Provence and then gets embroiled in a murder mystery, though. She used to work in the forensics lab of the Home Office. Although she doesn't have a professional degree, she has much experience interpreting crime scene data, so when she doubts the local police chief's assessment that the man floating in her swimming pool died of accidental drowning, she knows what she's talking about. The only problem is that she's not sure whom she can trust in her new town. This first in series was a lot of fun. Penny isn't stupid, but she makes classic outsider mistakes, is unaware of long-term family feuds, and is no where near as stylish as her real estate agent cum new BFF. Among the locals are a cute mayor, a cranky neighbor, a wonderful baker, and a charming electrician. It's France, so expect good wine and lots of good food. The mystery itself was well set up and kept me guessing all the way to the end. I may have had an extra glass or two of wine along the way. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Harper Audio, 10 hr, 17 min) read by Antonia Beamish, whose accents and characterizations were delightful. For more, see AudioFile magazine. (review copy provided by the publisher; audio for assignment)

The Time Museum by Matthew Loux (First Second, Feb. 2017). I picked up this middle grade speculative fiction (science fiction?) graphic novel because I noticed that the second book in the series is coming out in a couple of months. A small group of young teens are given a chance to win a prestigious internship at a natural history museum, but these aren't just any kids and this isn't your ordinary museum. The Time Museum is in fact a portal to all of earth's history, from its earliest habitable days and into the distant future; within its walls are exhibits representing the plants and animals of all these times. The kids are smart and capable, each with unique skills and each from a different time period--Ice Age to the 5000s. Delia (from our time) is given a chance to win the internship because her uncle helps runs the museum, but she must still earn her place by passing three time-traveling tests. This was a fun graphic novel about curious, smart kids who learn to balance friendship and cooperation with competition. The story has plenty of action, including a time-traveling bad guy, mixed with some laugh-out-loud humor and a twist at the end. All the children have white skin, but despite the lack of diversity, I really liked the book and am looking forward to the second installment. The artwork was colorful and the scenery and creatures from the past and future gave me a lot to look at. The action and emotions were well rendered. (copy borrowed from the library)

Tin Heart by Shivaun Plozza (Flatiron, March 12). Marlowe Jensen was born with a congenital heart defect that guaranteed her a short life unless she received a heart transplant. When she's about 16 and on death's door, Marlowe's life is saved: the heart of a teenage boy is suddenly available, and she spends the next year (which would have been her senior year in high school), in and out the hospital in rehabilitation, regaining her strength, building her immunity system, and getting used to the anti-rejection drugs. Her mother, owner of a vegan, organic wellness store, is naturally a little overprotective of Marlowe but supports her daughter's decision to return to high school instead being home schooled. Meanwhile, her mother opens a new store right next to an established family butcher shop and immediately goes into ultra-liberal protesting against meat eaters, and her younger brother dresses up in a new creative (gender-bending and genre-mashing) costume every day. So this is Marlowe's outward reality: zany but lovable family, medical issues, and a return to school where she's not only older than everyone else but is thought of as the Heart Transplant Girl. This book explores a slice of contemporary life that we rarely read about: life after an organ transplant. Marlowe contends with bullying, trying to make friends, and her first true crush all while trying to find the confidence to live outside her mother's careful control and coming to terms with having someone else's heart in her chest. I was quickly caught up in Marlowe's story, cheering her on as she tried to find some sort of normality. She makes blunders and is a little socially awkward, but she's also smart and holds her own when pushed. Keep the tissues handy, Marlowe's journey isn't always easy. (finished copy provided by the publisher)

Other Books and a Story

• Soulkeeper by David Dalglish (Orbit, March 19). I have mixed feelings about this first in a new epic fantasy series. The basic premise is that creatures and magic from the world's earliest days are reawakening and human life is forever altered. While I liked the action and interesting world-building, there was way too much going on in this book (zombies, talking mountains, assassins, soulless beings, fairies, fire spirits, wizards, healers . . .) and the plot lines didn't really coalesce until the end. The unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 19 hr) was read by Nicholas Tecosky. His performance was only okay. I would have liked to have heard a little more drama or emotion in his delivery. (audio review copy provided by the publisher)
• The Size of Truth by Andrew Smith (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, March 26). I was interested in this middle grade book because it featured a boy who wanted to be a chef even though his parents thought he should be a scientist. The story fluctuates between Sam in eighth grade and Sam at four years old when he was trapped in a well for three days before rescuers dug him out. Smith's writing style was a mismatch for me and the well sections were too much like The Girl in the Well Is Me (which I loved). I ended up skimming the eighth grade sections just to see what happened. There are some good lessons, but you could safely skip this. (digital copy provided by the publisher)
• "Crocodile Shoes" by Jo Jo Moyes from Paris for One and Other Stories (Pamela Dorman, Oct. 2016). I really liked this story about a woman who picks up the wrong bag at the gym and is forced to wear someone else's high heels for the day with unexpected consequences. A fun contemporary story. (finished copy provided by the publisher)

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: A Great Reading Week

I've reached that point where cabin fever is starting to set in. The sleet or ice or cold or snow has kept me cooped up inside and made me miss way too many outdoor walks. It's driving me crazy!

We finally started the new season of True Detective. I like it but need to see a few more episodes before commenting. We finished the Netflix series You, which started out strong, but I was less enamored by the end. We also finally watched the movie Room, which I liked. It's been too long since I read the book to make detailed comparisons, but the young actor who played Jack did an excellent job.

Here's what I read last week.

The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie (Orbit, Feb. 26): I really liked this epic fantasy--told in a mix of first and second person--about gods and humans, sons and fathers, how power travels through the world. As other reviewers have noted, some of the plot lines are similar to Hamlet (a young man returns from war to find his father dead and his uncle on the throne), but much is unique. The god Strength and Patience of the Hill has witnessed eons of the world's history and the rise of humans. Through Strength's narration we learn about the ancient gods, how they gain (and lose) power, where that power lies, what they can (and cannot do), their relationships with each other, and their complex connections with people. At the same time, we are following the political and religious goings on in the kingdom of Iraden. I was intrigued by Leckie's take on the world of the gods, which is different from that of Roman and Greek mythology. In The Raven Tower universe, gods must think carefully before they speak, because their words have the power to change the world and to change their own fate. I was also caught up in the court politics and how the paths of the gods and the humans were intertwined. Don't miss this one. I listened to the unabridged auidobook (Hachette Audio; 12 hr, 2 min) read by Adjoa Andoh, who does a brilliant job conveying the emotional depth of Strength and Patience of the Hill and the god's reactions to all it witnesses throughout the millennia. (audiobook provided by the publisher)

Good Riddance by Elinor Lipman (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Feb. 5): In a fit of Kondo-inspired tidying up, Daphne Maritch throws her late-mother's annotated high school yearbook into the recycling bin. In 1968 in a small New Hampshire town, Daphne's mom, June, was a teacher and the yearbook adviser; from that time on, she never missed a reunion of that class, updating her copy of the yearbook with the juicy tidbits of gossip and facts she learned each year. After Daphne's documentary-filmmaker-wantabe neighbor retrieves the yearbook, Maritch family secrets begin to leak out. This is a light, fun contemporary story of a young woman trying to find her place in the world and in New York. Her widowed father, snobby older sister, and various apartment building neighbors have parts to play as Daphne learns that her mother may not have been perfect and that her parents' loving marriage may have had some cracks. Pop culture, humor, and desperate acts keep the plot moving. Unfortunately one of the principal motivators for the entire novel is based on genetics, and the author got those genetics wrong. If I hadn't been listening to this book for a freelance assignment, I would have quit right there. The non-geneticists among you will enjoy this lighthearted novel. The unabridged audiobook (Dreamscape; 8 hr, 7 min) was very nicely read by Mia Barron, whose expressive performance brought out the humor and tapped into the characters' emotional journeys. (audiobook provided for a freelance assignment).

The River by Peter Heller (Knopf, March 5): I love Peter Heller, and this novel was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I was not disappointed, and The River is now sitting pretty as the best book I've read in a long while. This is the story of Wynn and Jack, both outdoorsy and from rural backgrounds, who meet at college and become best friends. They spend as much time as possible canoeing rivers, fly-fishing, and camping. They have a natural and respectful interpersonal rhythm, and easily travel and work together. While on a canoe trip in Canada, they notice the signs of a not-so-distance forest fire and thus decide to make haste to their take-out point. On that foggy morning they pass two other sets of campers: a pair of drunken older men who mock the boys and a couple camped on an island who can be heard arguing. From that point on the trip takes a dark turn as the boys' safety seems to be jeopardized along more than one front. I love how Heller conveys what it's like to be on a wilderness river--the sights, sounds, work, conditions--and his obvious passion for and knowledge of fly fishing shines. Heller is a master at creating a creeping buildup of danger, holding it just out of sight so you never quite know where and when or if it will manifest. I was completely connected to Wynn and Jack and understood what moved them, what made them who they were. Do not miss this one. (copy provided for a freelance assignment)

Enchantee by Gita Trelease (Flatiron, Feb. 5): I already wrote about this nicely done alternate history look at pre-revolutionary France and the intrigues of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette's court. Camille has inherited the gift of magic from her mother and the printer's trade from her father, but her apprenticeships are cut off when both parents die from smallpox in the late 1780s. Her older brother fails to offer Camille and their younger sister protection, leaving the girls on their own in a Paris that isn't kind to the poor or to girls. Realizing she must use whatever power she has, Camille dons her mother's enchanted dress and infiltrates Versailles, hoping her magic will help her win at cards and rise from poverty. The only trouble is that the magic of the dress lasts only so long, life at court is much more complicated than Camille is prepared for, and she is not the only magician in the palace. In some ways Enchantee is a Cinderella retelling: through magic, a poor girl is transformed, goes to court, and turns heads; but she must leave before her disguise falls apart. I always like a fairy tale retelling and enjoyed those aspects of Enchantee. I also liked the historical facts and period details of Paris: the rumblings of revolution, the storming of the Bastille, the attitudes of the rich, the fashions of court, and the new technology of hot-air ballooning. There were few surprises in Enchantee, but the ending was both exciting and satisfying. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Macmillian Audio, 12 hr, 56 min) read by Justine Erye, who is one of my go-to narrators. She did an excellent job with the various accents and distinguishing among the characters. (print copy provided by the publisher; audio copy provided for a freelance assignment)

"Mercy" by Mandeliene Smith from Rutting Season (Scribner, Feb. 12). This week's short story comes from a debut collection. "Mercy" is set on a small family farm, where May is coping with sudden widowhood and the stresses of being a single mother solely in charge of keeping everything on track. The farm was her idea; her husband was a lawyer who gamely agreed to keeping animals, especially Pam's beloved horses. The emotional and dramatic aspects of the story were strong but realistic, and I could sense just how hard it was for Pam to move through her new reality while trying to present a strong and upbeat front for her young children. I will be reading more from this collection; the stories are billed as being about women and families on the brink of transformation. (digital copy provided by the publisher)

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Escape Reading at Its Best

I can't tell you how happy I am that we got ready for Christmas early, because this last week needed every bit of energy and attention I had.

We had sad things and happy things to deal with plus my clients had lots of last-minute (preholiday) jobs for me. In between I kept my house in order, did a little cooking, and tried to have a life. Hahaha.

Once again, I wonder how I'd survive if I didn't have audiobooks. They are truly blessings when I'm overwhelmed with the world and with life.

In case you missed it, I posted my favorite books of the year on Friday. And here's what I read last week.

The Blackhouse by Peter May (Quercus, 2014). I've read and loved several of May's books, so I'm not sure why I've never read his Lewis Trilogy, which is set in the Outer Hebrides. The print book has been on my shelf for a few years, so I did a sort of read plus listen, depending on what was going on. Detective Fin Macleod escaped his native Isle of Lewis almost the moment he graduated high school, heading off for university. Instead of graduating he joined the Edinburgh police force, where he investigated murders. When a childhood acquaintance is murdered under unusual circumstances back home, Fin's superiors send him up north to investigate. While there, Fin discovers much more than just who the killer is; he must confront the past he was so eager to leave behind forever. I loved the atmosphere of the book and the descriptions of the people and the landscape. I felt so bad for Fin and the issues he contended with both in his youth and as an adult. I'll probably read or listen to the next book before the year is out. Note that this book is as much about Fin as it is about the crime. The unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 12 hr, 20 min) was brilliantly read by Peter Forbes. Not only did he keep me on track with the characters, but his pronunciation of the Gaelic words and names enhanced my enjoyment of the mystery. I'm thrilled that he comes back to perform the other books in the series. (print and audio copies provided by the publisher)

Kitchen Yarns: Notes on Life, Love, and Food by Ann Hood (Norton, December 2018): I wasn't sure whether to write about Hood's memoir here or for a Weekend Cooking post because these essays are very much tied to cooking and eating and each piece in the book ends with a recipe or two. Hood writes about her Italian grandmother's cooking for a large family in a small kitchen in Rhode Island, she remembers the year she learned about dieting, she shares her Midwest relatives' best fried chicken, and all the while she muses about families, marriage, friends, motherhood, loss, and love. Her current (and presumably last) husband is none other than Michael Ruhlman, a writer and most notably a cook and cookbook author. Hood's food memories include comfort food and cooking for and with her children (ramen, anyone?) as well summer pesto and tomato pie. I loved the stories of the first dinner parties Hood hosted and of how she learned to use a backyard smoker with her son. Some incidents (the death of her daughter, for example) are retold in several essays, but I think that's because this collection includes some previously published pieces. Regardless, I can recommend Ann Hood's memoir without reservation. Although I listened to it for a freelance assignment (see AudioFile magazine for my review), I had a copy to read as well. I can't wait to try her mother's meatballs with her grandmother's Sunday sauce. Lovely in audio, but probably a better read in print because of the recipes. (eGalley provided by the publisher; audiobook for freelance assignment)

Counting Sheep: Reflections and Observations of a Swedish Shepherd by Axel Lindén (Atria, November 2018). I picked up this little gem of a book because I like personal essays, I love Scandinavia, and I have a growing interest in books in translation. This short memoir is a series of diary entries about Lindén's experiences of leaving academia to settle on his parents' farm, when they decided to leave the land. He writes about the difference between what he thought farming would be like (part boring hard work and part wonderful to be self-sufficient) and what it eventually became (a way of life, a means of subsistence). Some of the diary entries are only one sentence long, and they all apply to his relationship to his sheep, though we see glimpses of his children and other people. Much of his attention is focused on literally counting sheep: have they survived the night and are they all in the pasture? Does he have too many rams for his herd? How many lambs were born and how many survived? This is a quiet little book that is full of charm but is (frankly) probably not for everybody. The print book includes lovely black and white drawings of sheep that I intend to revisit. I listened to the audiobook (Simon & Schuster; 1 hr, 53 min) read by Peter Nobel, who captured Lindén's intent and moods very well. I decided to listen to the book over the weekend, when I had some household chores because the length and timing were just right. Unfortunately, I feel as if I didn't give the audiobook enough attention (totally my fault), so I plan to skim it in print again, looking at the drawings and rereading some of the more poignant entries. This is a quiet memoir that would appeal to those of you who like to connect to the natural world. (eGalley and audiobook copies provided by the publisher)

Death of a Bore by M. C. Beaton (Grand Central, 2006). I listened to the 20th entry in the Hamish Macbeth cozy mystery series, which takes place in northern Scotland and stars a lovable, smart, but ultimately unambitious village copper. I've written about this series many times over the years, and it's near impossible not to spoil the earlier books at this point. Every series has its ups and downs, but so far Beaton has let me down only once, and that was a few books ago. In this entry, Hamish meets the new schoolteacher, sets local gossips a-talking, solves a mystery, reconnects with some old flames, and has to work with some new superior officers in the city. Of course, Hamish manages to get the killer plus help a few villagers past some of life's bumps. These mysteries are pure fun and pure escape, and I urge you to start at the beginning if you're going to read them. The books are short and will take you just an afternoon or so. But if you're an audiobook fan, I strongly encourage you to listen instead of read. Graeme Malcolm is the narrator for the series (Blackstone; 5, hr, 17 min). He took over from Davina Porter (and in fact re-recorded the earlier books). Although I was a little taken aback at first, Malcolm has totally grown on me, and I can't wait to hear him perform the next books in the series. (personal collection)

Charmcaster by Sebastien de Castell (Orbit, September 2018). This is the third entry in the Spellslinger series, and I was as taken in by this book as I was by the first two. As I've said before, the world and its rules are fresh and unique, though the familiar fantasy elements shine through. There will no spoilers for this book, but I can't help a few subtle ones from previous books in the series. In this installment, Kellen, our hero, is still struggling to come to terms with the fate life has given him. He was born into one of the strongest families of his region and clan, but was denied entry into the elite world he grew up to expect. As an outlaw, he has had to make a new family, find his strengths, and overcome his weaknesses. This entry was a major turning point in the story. Kellen discovers things about his companions and his estranged sister and father that solidify his worldview. He is maturing and becoming more confident, but he is not perfect and still makes mistakes and doubts himself. I love being on his journey with him. The book doesn't end on a cliff-hanger, but new things will be happening in the next story. As I said before, the series is a great mix of action, character study, and magic mixed with humor and a Wild West feel. If you're a fantasy fan, you should be reading these books. Or better yet, listen to the unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 11 hr, 42 min) read by Joe Jameson, who is fantastic. His characterizations perfectly project the characters' personalities and his comedic timing is spot on. I love the way he keeps the dialogue moving and pulls us completely into the action. Stay tuned for book four. (audiobook provided by the publisher).

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8 Best Books of 2018

I know we’re not quite halfway through December and there’s still plenty of reading time left. Still, I thought I’d share my best of the year list today.

I haven’t divided my selections into audiobooks and print or into genres. And what’s more, I have only 8 titles on my 2018 list. Although I read plenty of books I liked and many I’d recommend, when I went through my reviews, these are the books that really jumped out and made me say, "Oh, yeah—that was a great book."

So here, in alphabetical order, are my top 8 reads of the year. The links lead to my reviews/thoughts.

• The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin’s Press): a novel set in Alaska in the 1970s. I liked the difficult themes (PTSD, domestic violence) and the tribute to the stark and beautiful Alaskan landscape.
• Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy Paulsen Books): a novel about a group of special-needs sixth graders, set in New York. Through the voices of the children we learn how many of the larger contemporary social issues affect even the most innocent.
• The House of Impossible Beauties by Joseph Cassara (Ecco): a novel set in New York at the start of the AIDS epidemic (based on true events). A heartbreaking story of the Latino ball scene and the boys and men who were rejected by their families and society, left resource-less with few options for survival.
• How Long ’Til Black Future Month? by N. K. Jemisin (Orbit): a collection of short stories; speculative fiction. The powerful and fully realized pieces in this book explore feminism, fertility, being different, motherhood, and other themes universal to Jemisin’s work.

• I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara (Harper Books): investigative journalism; true crime. An engaging yet graphic account of the search for the Golden State Killer; includes details on the crimes, victims, and suspects.
• Look Alive Out There by Sloan Crosley (Macmillan): a collection of personal essays. Through sharp observations and a dose of humor, Crosley explores adulting in contemporary New York.
• Only Killers and Thieves by Paul Howarth (Harper Books): a novel set in the Australian outback in the late 19th century. A coming-of-age story of two very different brothers finding their place in a harsh world in the aftermath of a family tragedy.
• Whiskey When We’re Dry by John Larison (Viking): a novel set in Rocky Mountains in the 1880s. The story of survival, choices, and consequences as a young woman searches for her brother, an outlaw with a bounty on his head. A fresh look at the lawless American west.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: 5 Books for Your Reading List

There's good news and bad news on the reading front. A long holiday weekend doesn't stop me from working, and my spare time is spent cooking, not reading. On the other hand, there is all that audiobook time when in the kitchen and cleaning the house!

We watched one book-based movie this week (To All the Boys I've Loved Before) and finished up the PBS version of The Woman in White. We thought the first one was cute and fun, and we liked the gothic atmosphere, costumes, and acting of the latter.

I can hardly believe we're into the last week of November. I got into a mild panic about the December holidays because I haven't even made my gift list yet. I know we'll pull it off, but life is currently crazy, crazy.

Here's what I read last week.

How Long 'Til Black Future Month by N. K. Jemisin (Orbit; November 27): Holy cow this book is amazing. First, take a second and absorb the cover. I'm in love. This book is a collection of Jemisin's shorter pieces, but instead of reading like short stories they all read like novellas. I'm so impressed with how complete each story is. The book begins with a message from Jemisin explaining how she came to write these pieces. The stories are related by the themes Jemisin's fans are used to seeing: feminism, otherness and wanting to belong despite being different, relationships, motherhood, the powerful versus those who seem to not have power, fertility, and dreams. Some of the pieces were expanded into her novels (fans will have no difficulty recognizing these stories), and some explore a kind of dystopian future. I also liked the mix of settings, including a futuristic New York, a Katrina-suffering New Orleans, and off-plant settlements. I listened to the unabridged audio edition (Hachette Audio; 14 hr, 10 min), which was read by an amazing cast of narrators. This was not a full-cast production; instead a single narrator read each story. I didn't find any weak links here. Shayna Small, Gail Nelson-Holgate, Robin Ray Eller, and Ron Butler presented Jemisin's style and characters brilliantly. I can't recommend this audiobook more highly. (For more, see my upcoming review with AudioFile magazine)

Spellslinger (Orbit paperback, July 2018) and Shadowblack (Orbit paperback, August 2018) by Sebastien de Castell: I loved the first book in this fantasy so much that I immediately read the second. I believe there will be six books in all and that first four are currently available. This is the story of Kellen, the son of powerful magi and a member of a politically powerful clan. The only problem is that his magic, which should manifest itself before he turns 16, is slow to ignite. The books are about what happens when Kellen learns the truth of why he can't weave a spell and what he learns when leaves his home city and family to live in the greater world as a kind of outlaw (and, in fact, there is a bounty on his head). I really liked the world building and the role magic plays in Kellen's land. We meet those with magical power and those without, we meet the powerful and the weak, we meet loners and clanspeople, and we even meet a few sentient creatures. Kellen is on the run with his "squirrel cat" partner and a woman traveler who teaches the boy how to survive on his own. There's a bit of a wild west feeling about the books, but the setting is unique. Here are some things I like about the books: Although Kellen has an interest in a couple of girls he meets, there is (so far) no love story. Kellen is clever and smart but makes lots of mistakes and is often struggling to balance his baser instincts with loyalty and doing the right thing. There's a lot of action. Kellen's squirrel cat is a smart aleck, and I love the ribbon of humor that winds it way through the stories. There are surprises but also familiar tropes. If you're looking for a new fantasy series that does not involve a love triangle and that would appeal to both teens and adults, I'd give this one a try.

I listened to the unabridged audiobooks (Hachette Audio: 10 hr, 58 min; 9 hr, 35 min) both read by Joe Jameson. Jameson has narrated a ton of audiobooks, but I think this is my first experience with him. I liked the way he delivered the humor; upped the tension in the action scenes; and created solid, believable voices for the characters. I'm so glad I decided to give this series a chance and highly recommend it. (Review copies provided by the audiobook publisher)

Click by Kayla Miller (HMH Books for Young Readers, January 2019): I didn't realize when I picked up this very cute graphic novel that it wouldn't be available until January. I don't usually like to review books so far ahead, but such is life. This is Miller's debut graphic novel, and I thought it was a lot of fun. Olive is comfortable being friends with a number of her classmates, but when their teacher announces a fifth-grade talent show, she is dismayed to find that all of her friends have teamed up to work on their acts. Although they are excited to tell Olive about their ideas, no one invites the girl to join their act. Instead of being a woe-is-me story, this is an uplifting tale of how Olive came to terms with understanding herself and her relationship with her classmates. I loved how she found her own solution and refused to let her well-meaning and understanding mother step in to make things right. The messages here are light handed but important--for example, we can have friends of different genders and skin colors, it's okay not to have a single best friend, and sometimes friends do things we don't understand but that doesn't mean the friendship is over. Plus Olive shows us that by thinking a little outside the box (with the help of her aunt), we may be able to solve our own problems in a way that highlights our own personality. The artwork is colorful, fun, and expressive, and readers young and old will easily relate to Olive. I was trilled to see that another Olive story is in the works.

Little Dancer Aged Fourteen by Camille Laurens (Other Press, November 20, translated from the French): A few years ago I read and featured a historical novel about Degas, the ballet dancers he sketched and painted, and his famous wax / bronze statue of the Little Dancer (The Painted Girls; guest post by Cathy M. Buchanan). When I heard of this nonfiction account of Marie van Goethem, the young dancer who modeled for the famous artist, I felt drawn to it. This nicely researched book is only 150 pages, but Laurens packs a lot of thoughtful information between the covers (including photographs of Degas and his work). She puts the life of adolescent ballerinas into the broader sociocultural world of the mid-1800s, noting that (by law) the age of sexual majority was only 13 years and that young dancers had limited opportunities both during and after their association with a ballet company. The child dancers of the Paris Opera were called rats, and this quote sums up their life:

The little rats are Cinderellas without fairy godmothers, they don't become princesses, and their carriageless coachmen remain mice as gray as the cotton ticking of their slippers. They are children who work. (p. 40)

Laurens goes on to discuss the possible relationship between the artist and his model, Degas's influences for how he rendered Marie's features, and Degas's place in the art world. All the while, she tries to find clues to what happened to Marie after she was fired from the Opera for absenteeism (likely because she was modeling for Degas). What was the girl paid? What were her options? What was her future? Laurens doesn't have answers for all her questions, but her stark picture of the young dancer's world will stick with me and has broadened my reaction to the small statue. (review copy provided by the publisher)

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