I don't even know what to say about this incredible and awful story. I got it because I saw the trailers (you can see them here, here, and here) and immediately had to read the book. And now I can't stop thinking about it.
So picture it, if instead of a third them of FDR we get Charles Lindbergh as president. The fear of Jews is palpable. Well almost all the Jews, some, like Rabbi Bengelsdorf, buy into and help sell the administration line. But things get bad, then get worse, and then get crazy. And in any other time it might read like an interesting twist and alternative history.
But this isn't any other time. This is 2020 and we are three years into a Donald Trump presidency and nothing is normal or right or ok. And the eerie parallels to this book are just too much. If you read this and swap the name Trump for Lindberg and look past the era of WWII, well the conspiracy theories, the anti-Semitism, the lies coming from government, it could be written about now. But this book was published in 2004.
The family at the center of the story, our eyes and ears, is the Roth family. Our narrator is Philip Roth who is about 10 years old during the time of the events but it is clear an adult Philip is telling us all of this, he makes mention of things he understands now looking back and things that happen later so it isn't a mystery or some plot twist. The use of really people, events, speeches, and places, but used in a different way, with different outcomes is seamlessly told and it begins to feel like it happened that way. That is a credit to Roth's writing. There were times when I was thinking how could anyone be this gullible or awful but then I looked up from my page at the world we occupy now and I knew the answer, because hate and blame of people different than oneself has always been a problem. The country I live in was taken horribly from the indigenous peoples who were here, it was then built by people who were stolen from their land and forcibly brought here as slaves. Women and people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ population, people who are Jewish or Muslim, they, we know, that nothing has really changed, it just has become state sanctioned once again. Until people realize that equality and freedom aren't like pie, that serving everyone doesn't mean less for anyone, nothing will truly change. And the fear of lost power is why CIS white christian men fight so hard to keep real change from happening.
I didn't mean for this to become a political rant. But it is hard to not draw parallels with this book. As a story it is well told and engaging. The use of language is smart and enlightening. I learned a few new words reading this. As a New Yorker by birth and having grown up in NYC, many of the real people and events were things I learned about from my grandparents and in school so it was interesting to see it used this way when it feels like part of my history. And as a Jewish mom it is even more gripping.
I haven't read anything else by him but I probably will now.
(Finished February 28, 2020)
Friday, February 28, 2020
Sunday, February 23, 2020
To Shake the Sleeping Self: A Journey from Oregon to Patagonia, and a Quest for a Life with No Regret by Jedidiah Jenkins
Barnes & Noble has started doing this book of the month thing, which really is books, and this was one of the first month's picks. We are asked to try and sell these, or at least introduce them to customers. I picked this one up because the sign said he rode his bike 14,000 miles and I thought I would be hard pressed to ride around the block and not break a bone and so I was intrigued and impressed. I picked up the book and opened it to a random page to read and see if it was something I could get excited about talking up.
The page I opened to, with no context as to when this conversation happened in the scope of the adventure Jed went on, was a conversation he had with his mother because of a Facebook post he wrote about his thoughts on starting a bible study group for gay folks. My heart broke immediately over his mother's reaction. I knew nothing else about her or him, but as the mom of a 14 year old gay young man I felt something in me shift. And at the same time I noticed how beautifully he wrote. Over the next few days I sold quite a few copies of the book and opened it again and again to different parts to read, partly so I could have things to tell people to hook them, but mainly because I was HOOKED and I wanted more. When I was almost done with Heart of Flames I bought myself a copy and with only a short time in-between to read Call of the Wild I bumped this to the top of my TBR pile. And I have no regret other than the journey is over and my time with Jedidiah has ended.
His journey is one of trying to find the answers he thinks he needs but what he really discovers is more questions. He is searching for how to be a good son and good Christian the way his mother has always told him he should be and also be true to himself as a gay man. He has kept himself in check romantically because of this push/pull. He wonders about his father and his mother and their divorce and what that did or didn't do to him. What he learns, or at least what I took away from this, is that he learned it is ok to question, it is ok to grow and learn and change, and that loving his mother and his god and falling in love with a man someday aren't mutually exclusive.
He writes so openly and beautifully. He isn't afraid to admit the faults he learns them, he faces his own preconceived ideas even when at times they show him his own hypocrisy and pushes back on himself when he stumbles onto them. And he learns that he is and probably will always be a work in progress.
I want to go on and on about this book. I want to keep it close yet I want to share it far and wide. So in the spirit of the journey it is about I am sending this book on an adventure and mailing it to one of my best friends.
(Finished February 23, 2020)
The page I opened to, with no context as to when this conversation happened in the scope of the adventure Jed went on, was a conversation he had with his mother because of a Facebook post he wrote about his thoughts on starting a bible study group for gay folks. My heart broke immediately over his mother's reaction. I knew nothing else about her or him, but as the mom of a 14 year old gay young man I felt something in me shift. And at the same time I noticed how beautifully he wrote. Over the next few days I sold quite a few copies of the book and opened it again and again to different parts to read, partly so I could have things to tell people to hook them, but mainly because I was HOOKED and I wanted more. When I was almost done with Heart of Flames I bought myself a copy and with only a short time in-between to read Call of the Wild I bumped this to the top of my TBR pile. And I have no regret other than the journey is over and my time with Jedidiah has ended.
His journey is one of trying to find the answers he thinks he needs but what he really discovers is more questions. He is searching for how to be a good son and good Christian the way his mother has always told him he should be and also be true to himself as a gay man. He has kept himself in check romantically because of this push/pull. He wonders about his father and his mother and their divorce and what that did or didn't do to him. What he learns, or at least what I took away from this, is that he learned it is ok to question, it is ok to grow and learn and change, and that loving his mother and his god and falling in love with a man someday aren't mutually exclusive.
He writes so openly and beautifully. He isn't afraid to admit the faults he learns them, he faces his own preconceived ideas even when at times they show him his own hypocrisy and pushes back on himself when he stumbles onto them. And he learns that he is and probably will always be a work in progress.
I want to go on and on about this book. I want to keep it close yet I want to share it far and wide. So in the spirit of the journey it is about I am sending this book on an adventure and mailing it to one of my best friends.
(Finished February 23, 2020)
Thursday, February 20, 2020
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Since my son and I are going tomorrow to see the new Harrison Ford movie version of Call of the Wild I decided to should probably read it. It is one of a too long list of classics that we are told we should read but I haven't yet. The edition I picked up at work also contains White Fang (originally published in 1906, 3 years after Call of the Wild) and at some point I will pick this up and read that too, maybe.
It clocks in at 83 pages so it didn't more than a sitting to read. It is clear from reading this that London has a real love of his subject matter. The environment is as much a part of the story as the characters who inhabit the tale. The story is told from the POV of Buck and I think this just might be the first time I read a book where the protagonist is a dog. My heart ached for Buck and the other members of his sled team when they landed with Charles, Hal, and Mercedes. As if being in a place where it was so cold and dangerous wasn't bad enough these poor pups end up with this group of clueless fools.
Later when Buck meets Thornton and learns to really love I felt so happy for him...but as is the way of life, there are ups and happy, and there are downs and heartbreak. I am glad I read this before going to the movie, I try to be a read before watching girl whenever possible. And I am glad I added to my obligatory classics list.
(Finished February 20, 2020)
It clocks in at 83 pages so it didn't more than a sitting to read. It is clear from reading this that London has a real love of his subject matter. The environment is as much a part of the story as the characters who inhabit the tale. The story is told from the POV of Buck and I think this just might be the first time I read a book where the protagonist is a dog. My heart ached for Buck and the other members of his sled team when they landed with Charles, Hal, and Mercedes. As if being in a place where it was so cold and dangerous wasn't bad enough these poor pups end up with this group of clueless fools.
Later when Buck meets Thornton and learns to really love I felt so happy for him...but as is the way of life, there are ups and happy, and there are downs and heartbreak. I am glad I read this before going to the movie, I try to be a read before watching girl whenever possible. And I am glad I added to my obligatory classics list.
(Finished February 20, 2020)
Heart of Flames (Crown of Feathers #2) by Nicki Pau Preto
Clocking in at over 600 pages this was quite the read. This is worthy followup to and picks up shortly after the end of Crown of Feathers.
**Spoiler free unless otherwise noted**
With a year or so until another edition I now add this to my list of series to which I am anxiously awaiting the next installment. And anxiously it really is. Let's start at the end. That ending was tense and set the stage for the next book in a way that made me hold my breath for a moment, like wait what now!!??!!
As in book 1 this book alternates POVs in its chapters. They aren't told in first person but rather just from where/when that character is, what they are experiencing, what they are thinking/feeling. It is a great way to give us these different perspectives without the hazard the changing voices can create. I have found in all my reading that the nailing of maintaining different voices isn't always successful and when it fails it really takes away from the enjoyment of the read no matter how good the story is. This solves that and in a way that really worked.
In this outing we learn more about Veronyka's lineage, the history of the world she lives in, the Phoenix riders, and who Val is and what she is up to. We also meet Alexiya and Sidra.
Back with us- Kade and Sev, Sparrow, Elliot, Tristan...Kade gets some chapters this time which made me so happy.
**Minor Spoilers Possible Here**
Sev really comes into his own, finds his footing if you will and it is amazing character development. We find out who Veronyka's father is. We learn more about Shadow Magic. This was a long read, but not in a bad way. It was a lot and was enjoyable, but it was a big book. The imagery is impressive. I love the weaving of the history of the world and the way the bonds work verse the way binds work. And of course being the HP geek I am I love the power of love in all its true forms.
I want to say again that while I mostly add to my goodreads LGBTQ+ shelf books that feature nonfictions about the LGBTQ+ rights movement and own voice stories (memoirs etc) and fiction books that have LQBTQ+ main characters and/or story lines, I sometimes add something like this, where there are characters who are part of the LGBTQ+ community who while not main characters are well written and beautifully represented and/or the world the story lives in presents being outside the binary gender or cis gender and/or being something other than heterosexual as a normal and wonderful part of the world. I feel like a great story deserves to be read and if there is something that makes the world and/or characters more inclusive than this world we live in than I want to mark it as such. I hope that makes sense, that I am explaining this well.
(Finished February 20, 2020)
**Spoiler free unless otherwise noted**
With a year or so until another edition I now add this to my list of series to which I am anxiously awaiting the next installment. And anxiously it really is. Let's start at the end. That ending was tense and set the stage for the next book in a way that made me hold my breath for a moment, like wait what now!!??!!
As in book 1 this book alternates POVs in its chapters. They aren't told in first person but rather just from where/when that character is, what they are experiencing, what they are thinking/feeling. It is a great way to give us these different perspectives without the hazard the changing voices can create. I have found in all my reading that the nailing of maintaining different voices isn't always successful and when it fails it really takes away from the enjoyment of the read no matter how good the story is. This solves that and in a way that really worked.
In this outing we learn more about Veronyka's lineage, the history of the world she lives in, the Phoenix riders, and who Val is and what she is up to. We also meet Alexiya and Sidra.
Back with us- Kade and Sev, Sparrow, Elliot, Tristan...Kade gets some chapters this time which made me so happy.
**Minor Spoilers Possible Here**
Sev really comes into his own, finds his footing if you will and it is amazing character development. We find out who Veronyka's father is. We learn more about Shadow Magic. This was a long read, but not in a bad way. It was a lot and was enjoyable, but it was a big book. The imagery is impressive. I love the weaving of the history of the world and the way the bonds work verse the way binds work. And of course being the HP geek I am I love the power of love in all its true forms.
I want to say again that while I mostly add to my goodreads LGBTQ+ shelf books that feature nonfictions about the LGBTQ+ rights movement and own voice stories (memoirs etc) and fiction books that have LQBTQ+ main characters and/or story lines, I sometimes add something like this, where there are characters who are part of the LGBTQ+ community who while not main characters are well written and beautifully represented and/or the world the story lives in presents being outside the binary gender or cis gender and/or being something other than heterosexual as a normal and wonderful part of the world. I feel like a great story deserves to be read and if there is something that makes the world and/or characters more inclusive than this world we live in than I want to mark it as such. I hope that makes sense, that I am explaining this well.
(Finished February 20, 2020)
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Crown of Feathers (Crown of Feathers #1) by Nicki Pau Preto
When OwlCrate announced it was going to have a special exclusive edition of the follow up to this, Heart of Flames, I decided to take a peek at this to see if I wanted to buy their edition. It’s beautiful by the way, the sprayed edges and the foil lettering on the cover, it’s fabulous. I read the first 4 pages at work to see if it seemed like a story I’d like and it did so I bought it and ordered book 2. I waited until closer to release of book 2 to read this so I could go right into the next piece of the story. And what did I think of Crown of Feathers? I’m glad you asked.
It was a slow burn of sorts. I liked the first few pages enough that I was left wanting to know more. But then I sat down and actually started reading the book. And the beginning was a little slow. Not bad at all. Just the tension built slowly until I was gripped by the dynamic between sisters Val and Veronyka. I found myself really angry with Val and how she isolated and manipulated Veronyka. It was like an abusive relationship and it was getting under my skin. But as the story progressed I began suspecting things were not as they seem. I mean I still really don’t like Val and I still think she was a harmful influence in Veronyka’s life but I was left by the end wondering at her motive and how much was fear a misguided attempt to keep a promise and how much is just basic selfishness.
Possibly a mild spoiler here—> I don’t always ship couples in books I read. As a matter of fact I’m often quite content to have a great story that has absolutely zero romance. But in this book I’m big time shipping Sev and Kade as well as Veronyka and Tristan.
About 2/3 through the book I was becoming antsy with anticipation because I could feel something coming. This is a good thing, I promise.
The world building is done well even if it was a little confusing at first, keeping things straight but the time line in the back of the book helped a lot and it didn’t take away from enjoying the tale.
And the Phoenixes. Oh my the way Nicki writes them, I can see the colors and flames in my head and it’s beautifully done!!!
A solid and enjoyable book 1.
Also, I’m putting this in my Goodreads LGBTQ shelf because even though it’s not focused on an LGBTQ character(s) or story line there is a possible budding couple who are males and there is mention of a fierce couple in this world’s history that are girls. And it is presented as not at all frowned upon or problematic. I may revise this if the tone of the story changes.
(Finished February 13, 2020)
It was a slow burn of sorts. I liked the first few pages enough that I was left wanting to know more. But then I sat down and actually started reading the book. And the beginning was a little slow. Not bad at all. Just the tension built slowly until I was gripped by the dynamic between sisters Val and Veronyka. I found myself really angry with Val and how she isolated and manipulated Veronyka. It was like an abusive relationship and it was getting under my skin. But as the story progressed I began suspecting things were not as they seem. I mean I still really don’t like Val and I still think she was a harmful influence in Veronyka’s life but I was left by the end wondering at her motive and how much was fear a misguided attempt to keep a promise and how much is just basic selfishness.
Possibly a mild spoiler here—> I don’t always ship couples in books I read. As a matter of fact I’m often quite content to have a great story that has absolutely zero romance. But in this book I’m big time shipping Sev and Kade as well as Veronyka and Tristan.
About 2/3 through the book I was becoming antsy with anticipation because I could feel something coming. This is a good thing, I promise.
The world building is done well even if it was a little confusing at first, keeping things straight but the time line in the back of the book helped a lot and it didn’t take away from enjoying the tale.
And the Phoenixes. Oh my the way Nicki writes them, I can see the colors and flames in my head and it’s beautifully done!!!
A solid and enjoyable book 1.
Also, I’m putting this in my Goodreads LGBTQ shelf because even though it’s not focused on an LGBTQ character(s) or story line there is a possible budding couple who are males and there is mention of a fierce couple in this world’s history that are girls. And it is presented as not at all frowned upon or problematic. I may revise this if the tone of the story changes.
(Finished February 13, 2020)
Sunday, February 9, 2020
The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron
This came into the Barnes & Noble where I work as an ARC, it will be published for sale on March 3, and my manger handed it to me. She tends to when Jewish themed stories come in, I'm the only Jewish employee in our store. I can't complain because I got to be the first in our store to read The World The We Knew and now I got the be the first to read this this one.
The Light in Hidden Places is a YA book based on a true story. It is the story of a brave and amazing young woman who in spite of the fear and danger did what she knew was right, she hid 13 Jewish people while Nazis were overrunning her city in Poland. At one point there were two German nurses living right in the house with her. They near about starved, were angry, scared, and in constant danger but she kept them alive. Between her and her equally brave and amazing little sister Fusia defied the rules and chose life and love.
From rats and neighbors turning on neighbors, the Ghetto, deportations to camps, lack of food, the harrows are heartbreaking, more so because it all really happened and feels like it could again. Knowing this isn't just a cautionary tale but the actual events one woman faced gives face to the many Christians who showed grace and mercy to their Jewish friends and neighbors and helped them survive a time that cost 6 million Jews their lives. More stories are out there and I hope we learn of them too.
In the afterward part of the book Sharon Cameron tells us more about Stefania (Fusia) and her sister Helena and what happened to them and to the lives they saved after the war ended and Poland was liberated. I am so glad she did. Sharron had access to Fusia's unpublished memoir and other first hand witnesses to what happened to this group and was able to put into the novel. She also is honest about what she changed (little things like combining some people Fusia met into one character, tweaking of timing for the narrative structure, and a couple of minor facts.
Really well done and important.
(Finished February 9, 2020)
The Light in Hidden Places is a YA book based on a true story. It is the story of a brave and amazing young woman who in spite of the fear and danger did what she knew was right, she hid 13 Jewish people while Nazis were overrunning her city in Poland. At one point there were two German nurses living right in the house with her. They near about starved, were angry, scared, and in constant danger but she kept them alive. Between her and her equally brave and amazing little sister Fusia defied the rules and chose life and love.
From rats and neighbors turning on neighbors, the Ghetto, deportations to camps, lack of food, the harrows are heartbreaking, more so because it all really happened and feels like it could again. Knowing this isn't just a cautionary tale but the actual events one woman faced gives face to the many Christians who showed grace and mercy to their Jewish friends and neighbors and helped them survive a time that cost 6 million Jews their lives. More stories are out there and I hope we learn of them too.
In the afterward part of the book Sharon Cameron tells us more about Stefania (Fusia) and her sister Helena and what happened to them and to the lives they saved after the war ended and Poland was liberated. I am so glad she did. Sharron had access to Fusia's unpublished memoir and other first hand witnesses to what happened to this group and was able to put into the novel. She also is honest about what she changed (little things like combining some people Fusia met into one character, tweaking of timing for the narrative structure, and a couple of minor facts.
Really well done and important.
(Finished February 9, 2020)
Thursday, February 6, 2020
A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas
I don't know A Court of Thorns and Roses, and A Court of Mist and Fury and A Court of Wings and Ruin was originally planned as a trilogy though I suppose I could find out if I cared enough to look it up. But there are now more stories in the tale so I will read them. But I mention this to say that I felt like the ending was really an ending as compared to the cliffhangers the first two ended on. If there was no A Court of Frost and Starlight waiting for me.
Answers I've been waiting for are answered in this book....what is Amren, where is Lucien, what is going on with Feyre's father, what the ever loving hell is the deal with the damn cauldron!! And that is just a few of the answers given.
The battles that take place are brutal and tense. Using magic doesn't make them any less bloody. There is a lot of blood and fear.
The theme that I felt the most as I was reading these books, that winds through and means the most, is that family is not only defined by the blood we are born into but is often most strongly and lovingly made up of the people who we choose and who choose us.
The "mate" thing can seem a little overbearing and stalkerish or obsessive and for some couplings it is. But there are other examples where it is not but rather is beautiful and loving and safe. And it's more than just Rhys and Feyre.
The history and the current dynamic between faire courts and the humans is a lot like the world we currently live in and it is a little eerie given that this book was released in 2017. The humans are seen as worth less and by some worthless. There are some who think they need to be put back to the status they had before the war, wall, and treaty. That is as slaves. There are others who want to seem them free and protected and allowed to live their lives in peace. There's greed and prejudice, on both sides.
Another spoke in the wheel of the story is the three sisters, Feyre, Elain, and Nesta and what their upbringing has done to their relationship. It is interesting and isn't all sweet and light and easy fixes.
Overall I loved this book and this series. As was the case with ToG, Sarah J. Maas did not disappoint.
(Finished February 5, 2020)
Answers I've been waiting for are answered in this book....what is Amren, where is Lucien, what is going on with Feyre's father, what the ever loving hell is the deal with the damn cauldron!! And that is just a few of the answers given.
The battles that take place are brutal and tense. Using magic doesn't make them any less bloody. There is a lot of blood and fear.
The theme that I felt the most as I was reading these books, that winds through and means the most, is that family is not only defined by the blood we are born into but is often most strongly and lovingly made up of the people who we choose and who choose us.
The "mate" thing can seem a little overbearing and stalkerish or obsessive and for some couplings it is. But there are other examples where it is not but rather is beautiful and loving and safe. And it's more than just Rhys and Feyre.
The history and the current dynamic between faire courts and the humans is a lot like the world we currently live in and it is a little eerie given that this book was released in 2017. The humans are seen as worth less and by some worthless. There are some who think they need to be put back to the status they had before the war, wall, and treaty. That is as slaves. There are others who want to seem them free and protected and allowed to live their lives in peace. There's greed and prejudice, on both sides.
Another spoke in the wheel of the story is the three sisters, Feyre, Elain, and Nesta and what their upbringing has done to their relationship. It is interesting and isn't all sweet and light and easy fixes.
Overall I loved this book and this series. As was the case with ToG, Sarah J. Maas did not disappoint.
(Finished February 5, 2020)
Saturday, February 1, 2020
A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas
As much as I really liked A Court of Thorns and Roses I liked this entry in the series even more.
I will try not spoil anyone...but there was a switch in hero here and I kind of saw or hoped I saw it coming during parts of book 1. I am hoping that in book 3 which I will be starting momentarily that a certain character does the right thing and makes a change in allegiance.
I think it is interesting the way the idea of what makes a healthy relationship is looked at and sometimes what may look like love and protection is really stifling and controlling. I think one of the greatest gifts we can give someone we love or profess to love is the space and freedom to be who they are. If not then do we love them or some idea of who they should be?
The magic and world building continues to be terrific. I want to live in Velaris and walk in the Rainbow and drink and chat with these amazing people.
The King...yuck!! What a vile piece of work. I was worried at one point about a character I liked possibly being a traitor and I am glad it didn't happen, I would have been heart broken.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the way the Maas rights the steamy bits, and they really are! Steamy I mean. The wings....that's all I'll say....
I am not sure I would have put this in the YA category but I don't get to make those decisions. Overall I really love this series so far and looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.
(Finished February 1, 2020)
I will try not spoil anyone...but there was a switch in hero here and I kind of saw or hoped I saw it coming during parts of book 1. I am hoping that in book 3 which I will be starting momentarily that a certain character does the right thing and makes a change in allegiance.
I think it is interesting the way the idea of what makes a healthy relationship is looked at and sometimes what may look like love and protection is really stifling and controlling. I think one of the greatest gifts we can give someone we love or profess to love is the space and freedom to be who they are. If not then do we love them or some idea of who they should be?
The magic and world building continues to be terrific. I want to live in Velaris and walk in the Rainbow and drink and chat with these amazing people.
The King...yuck!! What a vile piece of work. I was worried at one point about a character I liked possibly being a traitor and I am glad it didn't happen, I would have been heart broken.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the way the Maas rights the steamy bits, and they really are! Steamy I mean. The wings....that's all I'll say....
I am not sure I would have put this in the YA category but I don't get to make those decisions. Overall I really love this series so far and looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.
(Finished February 1, 2020)
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