Late Winter Reading: Part II

Here's the promised second part of what I read in February and March. (For Part I, see my earlier post.) As before, I present the books in the order I read or listened to them and have taken the text from thoughts I posted on GoodReads. "AFM" means I reviewed the audiobook for AudioFile Magazine, and you'll find my review of the audiobook production there.

I have no idea why I was suddenly attracted to books about women during World War II; I read three nonfiction and two fictionalized accounts.

All but one of the books were provided by the publisher in one or more forms (digital, auido, print). Thanks too to Libro.fm.

Dark Horses by Susan Mihalic (Gallery, Peb. 2021): Kind of a domestic thriller and coming-of-age mashup. Roan is an Olympic-class equestrian athlete who is coached by her father, who is also a world-famous equestrian. Her fans and friends think her life is blessed, but what they don't know is that her father is controlling and physically and sexually abusive. This is the story of how Roan negotiates the mine field of her life, trying to find a clear path to the other side.

The book is a little difficult to read because of the tough subject matter, but the information about equestrian riding and training is interesting and provides welcome breaks, and the complexities of Roan's feelings are well done. (AFM)

The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis (Katherine Tegen, Feb. 2021): I'm a fan of McGinnis's, and this creepy, twisty book didn't disappoint. In this retelling of Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado," teenage Tress seeks revenge and information from her ex-best friend, Felicity, who was the last person to see Tress's parents before they disappeared. McGinnis also provides a look at what might happen when contemporary teenagers party unsupervised, except by social media. I can't wait for the second book in the duology.

The audiobook is nicely read by Lisa Flanagan, Brittany Pressley, and Tim Campbell. Flanagan and Pressley read the sections told from Tress's and Felicity's viewpoints, each perfectly capturing her character's personality. Campbell reads the sections told from the point of view of a panther (I won't say more, so as to avoid spoilers), and does a great job with the free verse.

The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck (Berkley, Feb. 2021): Robuck's latest historical fiction introduces us to Virginia Hall, who overcame a number of hurdles to become a key player in the French resistance during World War II. Despite being a woman, being American, and needing a wooden leg (the result of an accident), she was sent to Occupied France by the British government to gather information, transmit messages, arrange supply drops, and aid the resistance.

I had never heard of Virginia Hall, who earlier served in the diplomatic core and later in the CIA. Even if you think you're over WWII stories, this one is very much worth your while. (AFM)

The Power Couple by Alex Berenson (Simon & Schuster, Feb. 2021): A very twisty thriller with some political and domestic aspects. Rebecca, a CIA operative, is married to Brian, a tech expert who recently sold a gambling app for buckets of money. To celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary and their new wealth, they decide to take a family trip to Europe. While in Barcelona, their college-aged daughter, Kira, sneaks out to have a drink with a guy she met the day before. She never comes home. A day or so later, her parents receive a ransom note.

The story, told alternately from Rebecca's, Brian's, and Kira's perspectives, is believable and scary. I loved the surprises. If you're into thrillers, give this a try. The audiobook is brilliantly performed by Steven Weber and Marin Ireland, who nailed the pacing and the characters' personalities.

Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson (William Morrow, March 2021): I like a good domestic thriller, but the premise of this one was hard for me to buy. On her destination bachelorette party (paid for and arranged by her fabulously wealthy groom), Abigail gets drunk and has a one-night stand. She decides she shouldn't tell her groom. Everything is back on track until Abigail begins to feel uneasy just hours into their honeymoon on an isolated, tech-free island off the coast of Maine.

Yes, there were tense moments, and yes, I ended up rooting for Abigail. However, I found much of the book a little out of my ability to suspend disbelief. Also, it wasn't hard to predict the ending. The unabridged audiobook was read by Karissa Vacker, who did a good job with the material she had to work with.

The Forever Sea by Joshua Phillip Johnson (DAW, Jan. 2021): I wanted to love this eco-fantasy, but instead it was just okay for me. In this world, boats sail on the surface of a vast, deep "ocean" made of prairie grasses. Boats are powered by magical fires tended by hearthkeepers. The story focuses on a young hearthkeeper and her first crew, both on the sea and in port. Themes include loyalty and betrayal, friends and family, loss and love (LGBTQ+), and politics.

This first in a new series ends not so much on a cliffhanger but certainly without resolution. The world building is well done, but the characters lack depth and the plot is meandering. (AFM)

You'll Thank Me for This by Nina Siegal (Mulholland Books, March 2021): Set in a national park in Netherlands, this thriller finds its foundation in a local tradition in which a small group of teens are blindfolded and then dropped off in the woods with a map and compass. Though adult guardians are nearby, the kids are meant to work together to find their way to a camp, a few miles away. Quickly after young Karin and her group are left on their own, everything starts to go wrong, and as night falls, she is alone and lost.

Though the general plot was predictable, there were some surprises and the suspense and creep factors were well done. I really liked Karin's ability to draw on her knowledge and experience, even when she was really scared. Maybe not the best thriller, but I liked it. The unabridged audiobook was read by Tavia Gilbert, who did an excellent job with the characterizations, pronunciations, emotions, and tension.

Three Ordinary Girls by Tim Brady (Citadel, Feb. 2021): This is mostly a "just the facts, ma'am" kind of book. It introduces us to three teenagers who got caught up in the resistance movement in the Netherlands during World War II. The author learned about sisters Truss and Freddie Oversteegen and their colleague Jo Schaft from his agent, who saw one of the Oversteegens' obituaries. This journalistic account covers the girls' success and failures as they learned to steal, lie, kill, plant home-made bombs, deliver underground newspapers, hide Jews, and help Jewish children find safe homes. The girls were all under the age of 20 when they started.

Their story and their heroism teaches us all that even ordinary people with few skills can become heroes and make a true difference to help others. It's a lesson that is particularly important today. (AFM)

The Light of the Midnight Stars by Rena Rossner (Redhook, April 2021): Part magical realism, part historical fiction, part midrash, part kabbalah, part folk tale retelling, this is a powerful book that's deep in Jewish tradition. Told from the perspectives of three sisters, this is the story of ethnic violent prejudice, love, faith, family, and--sadly--reality, even with the more mystical elements. There is an LBGTQ+ element and a strong theme of not being able to escape one's fate, of being tied to one's ancestral history and faith no matter how hard you try to outrun it.

This book is much, much stronger than Rossner's first, and I can't wait to read whatever else she has to write. The audiobook was read by Ana Clements, who did an excellent job conveying the different personalities of the sisters and infusing her delivery with power and emotion.

A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell (Viking, 2019) After reading Erica Robuck's fictionalized account of Virginia Hall (see above), I had to read this biography of the woman who overcame many barriers to help the French resistance and feed information to the British government. This book goes into more detail about Hall's life before and after the events told in the novel.

Hers is an amazing story. Don't miss learning about Virginia Hall, whether you choose to read this biography or Robuck's novel. (library book)

Northern Spy by Flynn Berry (Viking, April 2021): Emotional, strong look at how two sisters became involved in the contemporary IRA movement. Count me as one of the people who thought the Troubles were over in Ireland. In fact the IRA is still active and both sides--the activists and British government--attempt to recruit followers/informants in subtle, incremental ways. This book explores several sides of the ongoing conflict and the way it affects a single family. A powerful story, highly recommended, despite some problems with the plot details.

The audiobook was wonderfully narrated by Katharine Lee McEwan, who infused her delivery with the complex feelings of the characters without crossing the line into the melodramatic. Gripping performance that will make you want to listen all in one go.

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10 best books of 2019

December is almost over and we're heading quickly to Christmas, family time, and the new beginnings that January offers. It's also the time when I share my top ten books of the year.

This year I was surprised by the variety of books that made my list: fantasy, historical fiction, literary fiction, and nonfiction. One book was published in 2013, but all the rest came out in 2019.

How did I pick my top ten? These are books I still remember and still think about. They are the books I connected with, I recommended to family and friends, and I've talked about in real life.

I present them here in what was supposed to be alphabetical order (but oops on the graphic). Links lead to my full reviews (all books provided by the publishers).

• Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips (Knopf, May 14): Set on Kamchatka peninsula, this genre-bending novel starts with the disappearance of two young girls and fans out to focus on how a number of other women and girls are affected by the event as well as on life in the remote northern regions of Russia. Audiobook: wonderfully read by Ilyana Kadushin (Random House Audio)
• The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea (Harper, Sept. 3): Set in late-17th-century Iceland, this haunting novel—infused with a bleak landscape and focusing on the edge of change or maybe the edge of changing states—examines the choices a young woman makes after her father suddenly dies and her mother becomes sick. Audiobook: nicely read by Heiða Reed and Smari Gunn (Harper Audio).
• The Last Whalers: Three Years in the Far Pacific with a Courageous Tribe and a Vanishing Way of Life by Doug Bock Clark (Little, Brown, Jan. 8): Written by an investigative journalist, this is a fascinating look into a vanishing culture and how the members of a small Indonesian whaling community balance their age-old traditions with the life in the 21st century. Audiobook: beautifully read by Jay Snyder (Hachette Audio).
• This Much Country by Kristin Knight Pace (Grand Central, March 5): In this memoir, Pace, a photojournalist and one of the few women to complete both the Yukon Quest and Iditarod sled dog races, shares the beauty and harshness of Alaska, her incredible relationship with her dogs, and the emotional journey that has given her a life fully led. Audiobook: nicely read by the author (Hachette Audio).
• Nothing More Dangerous by Allen Eskens (Mulholland, Nov. 12): Set in a small town in the Ozarks, this novel is about the summer a teenage boy learns just how far white men will go to protect the status quo and is everything I love in a coming-of-age story. Audiobook: wonderfully read by Kevin Stillwell (Hachette Audio).
• A Prayer for Travelers by Ruchika Tomar (Riverhead; July 9): Haunting in its truths, this nonchronologically told novel, set in the Nevada desert, is presented through the eyes of a new adult who is determined to find her friend and fellow waitress, who disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Audiobook: expertly read by Sophie Amoss (Penguin Audio)
• The River by Peter Heller (Knopf, March 5): Set on a river in Canada, this outdoorsy thriller about two college friends on a late-summer canoe trip demonstrates that 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.
• Tin Heart by Shivaun Plozza (Flatiron, March 12). This sometimes rough but realistic novel explores a slice of contemporary life that we rarely read about—life after a heart transplant for teenage girl who tries to find a new normality after a year-long recovery from her major surgery.
• The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (Redhook; Sept. 10): This historical fantasy combines adventure, intrigue, and a strong female protagonist to create a memorable story of friendship, young and lasting love, coming of age, and betrayals. Audiobook: mind-blowingly read by January LaVoy (Hachette Audio). My top audiobook of the year.
• The Thicket by Joe R. Landsdale (Mulholland, Sept. 2013): Set in turn-of-the-20th-century rural east Texas, this engrossing coming-of-age story shines a light on the dying days of the Old West and follows a teenager determined to rescue his younger sister who has been kidnapped by bank robbers. Audiobook: perfectly performed by Will Collyer (Hachette Audio). My top novel of the year.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Books I Loved, Books I Didn't

It was the best of two weeks and it was the worst of two weeks. I had to DNF two books in a row, but I listened to what is probably going to be my favorite audiobook (and book) of the year. Ditching books always puts a damper on my reading mojo, plus I’ve been really busy with work.

On a better note, we managed to get to the county fair (and eat all the junk food! Yay!). Plus the weather finally shifted. It’s downright chilly in the evening, and I’ve worn jeans twice during the day. I’m not at all sad, because I love fall and soup and sweater weather. Bring it on!

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (Redhook; Sept. 10). If you like fantasy, adventure, historical and imaginary settings, and a strong female protagonist and if you like stories of female friendship, young and lasting love, coming of age, and betrayals, you must put this book on your list. And if you’re an audiobook fan, then make sure you listen to January LaVoy’s mind-blowing performance (Hachette Audio; 12 hr, 20 min). If this audiobook doesn’t win a million awards, I’ll be very upset. You need all the Januaries in your life. Trust me. At this moment, The Ten Thousand Doors of January is my favorite audiobook of the year and is on my all-time top ten list.

At the turn of the last century, young January Scaller lives in a big mansion in Vermont, where she is more or less treated as a daughter by her guardian Mr. Locke. January’s mother died when the girl was quite young, and her father is rarely home, because he’s an explorer and seeker of the exotic in the employ of Locke. Despite her beautiful surroundings, January’s life isn’t easy, being biracial and raised in isolation. She is strong willed and learns early that the way to Locke’s heart is through obedience. One day, while looking through some of Locke’s priceless collections, she finds a book filled with stories of love, adventure, and magical doors that open into other worlds. The book implies that all is not well, however, because someone is destroying the doors, trapping people in the wrong worlds and isolating the realms. Once a door is lost, it seems that it’s lost forever. What happens when January finds herself believing the stories?

I don’t want to say much more because the less you know, the better. This book has so many levels and such great characters. I was sorry when it ended, but (excuse the pun), I think Harrow might have left the door open for more January adventures. One can only hope. (audio and digital review copies provided by the publisher)

A Prayer for Travelers by Ruchika Tomar (Riverhead; July 9). I wasn't at all sure what to expect when I started this audiobook (for a freelance assignment). The audiobook starts out with a note telling the listener (1) that the chapters are purposely out of order and (2) that you really do need to download the accompanying PDF. Set in contemporary times in a tiny town in the Nevada desert, the story is told through the eyes of Cale Lambert, abandoned shortly after birth by her mother to be raised by her widowed grandfather. Cale is a studious girl, and her grandfather does his best for her. After high school graduation, Cale gets a waitressing job at the roadside diner, where she befriends Penny, who is a couple years older. Penny is one of those girls who attracts men’s attention and who is a little too worldly for her own good. Cale is still surprisingly naive and quickly comes under Penny’s spell. After an ill-fated night, Penny disappears, and Cale cannot let it go. She is determined to find her friend—dead or alive—no matter what it takes.

As I said, the book’s chapters are all out of order, and though you’d think this would be confusing (especially in audio), the device works and works well. You get hints of the past and future as the story winds through time, from lazy, hot nights watching the stars to dodgy deals and dangerous encounters. The girls ache for something, but what that something is, is hard to say: connection? a get of town free card? a desire to be left alone? A Prayer for Travelers is haunting in its truths, and Tomar has a promising future.

The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel (Gallery Books; Aug. 13). I often say I’m done with World War II books, but I thought this dual-time-period story set in Champagne on a vineyard would be good. In the past, Inès, an orphan from Lille, meets and marries the slightly older Michel, a major champagne maker. Inès feels totally out of her element at the vineyard and in the chateau, but fortunately her best friend from childhood, Edith, lives in nearby Reims. In the present day, Edith’s granddaughter, Liv, lives in New York, is newly divorced, and is at loose ends. When she joins Edith in Paris and then on a trip to Champagne, the stories of past and present collide.

The book is peppered with real events and real people and accurately relates the struggles and dangers of the German occupation. The main driving point of the novel is the relationships among Inés, Edith, and the wine master’s wife (Céline) and Liv’s discovery of the secrets and sacrifices of the past. I enjoyed the story for the most part, but many of the secrets were not all that difficult to figure out, Inés's behavior drove me nuts, and there were parts of the ending that were a little out there. If you’ve read The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah (William Morrow, June 2018), then some of the plot lines (hiding wine in the caves, for example) will seem familiar. Still, this kept my attention to the end. (digital and audiobook copies provided by the publisher)

When You Read This by Mary Adkins (Harper; Feb. 2019). This novel was billed as being perfect for fans of Maria Semple and Rainbow Rowell and is told through blog posts, emails, texts, and other media. It is a story of friendship and family, loss and redemption, and seemed liked something I would like, especially because it involves publishing a memoir. Sadly, I got about 40 pages in and realized I wasn’t connecting with the characters or the plot line. (print review copy provided by the publisher)

The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood (Putnam; Aug 20). This novel is about Zee, who is just trying to heal and find a future after her boyfriend left and she was in a motorcycle accident. While at physical therapy, she meets a young man who claims to be her knight in shining armor—not for romance but for protection. He even talks in Middle English. This is supposed to be a quirky modern-day fairy tale and has received a zillion starred reviews. The audiobook is read by a winning cast, and their performances (the little I heard) were great. However, I barely made it 90 min before I had to bail. The audiobook itself was not to blame; I just didn’t care about any of the characters. (digital and audiobook copies provided by the publisher)

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