Bookshelf: Jan – March 2022

The Inaugural poet is quite a deep-thinking, talented young woman. I started the new year reading this poetry, and then interspersed among other reading so I could fully appreciate each poem. Her work is beautiful and profound, and it is a moving reflection on the past year, historical parallels, racism, and hopes for the future.

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

I wasn’t sure I wanted to read a book about the pandemic in the midst of the pandemic, but I usually like Picoult’s books, so I did. The novel paints a realistic picture of the worst days of the pandemic, though future generations may find it surreal. It may not be my all-time favorite Picoult book*, but it introduced some interesting food-for-thought and secondary characters, and it delivered her signature plot twist. I particularly appreciated the focus on the challenges hospitals and health care workers have faced over the past 2 years. *My Sister’s Keeper, if you were wondering.

Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King

Short stories have a different kind of appeal to me, and these really touched me and made me want more. Each one is compact, with a few tightly drawn characters and a relatively simple plot that belies deep truths. They deal with loss, unresolved grief, family dysfunction, and psychic damage. These stories left me thinking well after I finished reading them.

Honor by Thrity Umrigar

What a beautiful, heartbreaking, and healing story! I’ve long appreciated Umrigar’s writing, and this novel plumbs the depths of home, identity, and honor. It can be a difficult read, with vicious scenes of violence and hate (think honor killings). The story of an Indian American journalist covering a story in India raises the interesting question of journalistic objectivity vs. advocacy. (I also saw disturbing parallels to the growing extremism, radical religion, and division in the U.S.) Honor is a hero’s journey of self-discovery, with unexpected guides along the way.

Good Company by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney

A good story of longtime marriages, friendships, and secrets based in the swirl of professional theater.  The set up didn’t ring completely true to me, but the resolution dealt well with the raw emotions and reality of working through difficult life issues. I thought Sweeney’s The Nest was better, but this was a decent read.

Going There by Katie Couric

Couric really does *go there* in this memoir, covering her early days reporting in the field, her Today co-hosting years, a rough stint as a nightly anchor, the death of her first husband, misogyny/Matt Lauer, and more. I appreciate the candor with which she shares her story and the book’s fast-paced style. Occasionally, Couric’s thoughts jump around and timelines get muddled, plus the cast of characters is lengthy and sometimes I lost track of who was who in the narrative. Weird coincidence: I finished this book on the day Jeff Zucker, with whom Katie had a lot of professional history, resigned from CNN after news of his relationship with employee Allison Gollust broke. Katie hinted at his relationship with Gollust from the start.

These Precious Days by Ann Patchett

I’m a big fan of Ann Patchett, her wisdom, and her novels that address hard subjects but typically provide a lift. This collection of essays provides a more intimate look, as well as the surprise that I’m slightly older than Ann. (I guess she’s so accomplished and wise, I just assumed she was more like a big sister.) These stories offer a glimpse into Patchett’s daily life, particularly the title essay that shares a deeply personal journey with an acquaintance turned friend. It’s perfect for those of us who always want to have coffee with favorite authors.

One Two Three by Laurie Frankl

This novel takes storytelling through different voices to a new level. One, Two, and Three are nicknames used among the 16-year-old Mitchell triplets, with each carrying a unique perspective and personality through the story of a small town that was devastated by an unscrupulous chemical plant. When the company returns to restart their operations, the Mitchells find themselves seeking buried secrets and torn by teenage love and betrayal. As each chapter is written in first person by One, Two, or Three, it was sometimes difficult to remember which voice was speaking, as I got lost in the story. Overall, a good book but not as enjoyable to me as Frankl’s This is How It’s Always Been.

Smile by Sarah Ruhl

Sarah Ruhl was a successful playwright when she gave birth to twins and was suddenly stricken with Bell’s Palsy. Smile is Ruhl’s true account of her journey with the condition that essentially froze half her face for a decade. She shares the good, bad, and perceived ugly of those years, along with lessons and family history learned. Ruhl also addresses her life as a working mother of three young children during this time.

The Grammarians by Cathleen Schine

A quirky little book about identical twin sisters who share a love of language but struggle with individual identities. Lots of fun wordplay, but the third-person narrative takes some awkward twists and turns. Plus, I really had a hard time caring about any of the characters.

Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling)

I started the Cormoran Strike detective series when first released, so there was no question about taking on the 900-plus page fifth in the series, even though it weighs about 5 pounds. I wish I had more of the previous books in my head, but I plowed through and most came back to me. (In other words, I don’t recommend this as a stand-alone.) This one is more rambling, with some interesting side trails and lots of suspects/other characters to keep track of. You can count on a good twist or two and a satisfying ending.

 The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

Interesting tale, based in history and present day. Present day protagonist Caroline stumbles onto a tidbit of history and finds herself caught up in researching it, while also finding herself after a blow to her marriage. The historical element unwinds in alternating chapters, told by the apothecary and a young girl she befriends. It’s a good story that kept me reading. Thanks to local bookstore @PressedLkld for the recommendation.

Hieroglyphics by Jill McCorkle

A promising premise of family ties and memories through the years just didn’t deliver for me. I tried, but the characters didn’t intrigue me or make me care. I gave up at page 76.

Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky

A novel of the secrets we all carry, the stories we tell ourselves, forgiveness, and redemption. Overall, I enjoyed the story and themes, but a lot of it just didn’t ring true to me. Plus, extraneous detail dragged the story down, including one minor offshoot that was left unresolved. It’s a light read but not a keeper for me.

I've started the next quarter with Anne Tyler's new French Braid. What’s on your bookshelf?