Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
My friend Erin described this bok as being about “Messy/toxic people who you root for anyway” which sums it up perfectly. It’s the story of three estranged sisters dealing with all manner of big life events - loss, grief, addiction, and dysfunctional family dynamics. I loved it and I loved these characters. They’re all flawed but I was really invested in them and was, as my friend said, rooting for them. It wasn’t perfect and it’s frustrating to read about characters who keep making bad choices, but it’s beautifully written. Highly recommend.
Heft by Liz Moore
I loved Liz Moore’s God of the Woods, and was eager to read another of her books. Heft was available at the library so I checked it out without knowing anything about it. It’s a nuanced and sympathetic story about misfits: a former professor who’s become house-bound, a young housecleaner with family problems, and a high school athlete struggling with his single mother’s addiction. It’s charming and frustrating in turns. The narrative shifts back and forth between character perspectives, one that I was much more invested in than the other. Overall I enjoyed it but the ending felt a little abrupt.
James by Percival Everett
Oh damn, this book was incredible. My sister gave it to me for my birthday and I’d never even heard of it, but I’m so glad she did. It’s a satirical retelling of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective and it’s not what you think it’s going to be. It’s got a twist that I’m sure has riled up some folks and the ending was unexpected but damn, it was great. And also funny? I don’t want to spoil it, just read it. (Apparently it’s being adapted into a movie which I am cautiously optimistic about. It’s one of those stories that in the right hands will lend itself well to a visual format.)
The Orphan of Salt Winds by Elizabeth Brooks
This novel sounded like it was right up my alley - a gothic, psychological mystery that takes place during WWII England? Yes, please. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend this one. Pretty much all of the characters fell flat for me, as they’re all miserable and/or unpleasant (one is straight up a mustache-twirling villain.) And weirdly, most of the drama is implied but never really explained. It had a ton of (very slow) build up to a completely flat reveal. A thriller should not be boring and please give me at least one character to root for, you know? Meh.
Currently reading:
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
I’m about halfway through this so I really shouldn’t be writing about it yet but so far it’s been such an entertaining and compelling story. I don’t read a ton of science fiction/fantasy but this one is really exactly my kind of thing - an adventure story in which a young girl discovers a door that leads to another world and, as it turns out, there are thousands (uh, ten thousand to be exact) of similar magic doors. It’s a story within a story with compelling women protagonists. The writing is quirky and beautiful and the power of words and writing is an underlying theme. I’ll report back!
Gald you're reading 10,000 Doors! I really enjoyed that and had a lovely virtual conversation with the author in my book club. I also liked her Once And Future Witches, but was was not as into Starling House.
I always enjoy your book recommendations & reviews! I did not know about Heft but want to check it out now since I’ve enjoyed other Liz Moore books. James was my absolute favorite book that I read last year! The thought of it being made into a movie also makes me a little nervous, although I read Steven Spielberg is behind it, so fingers crossed.
Now a very important question: when are we getting a new Tana French novel??