Bookshelf: Oct – Dec. 2021

Signs of Life by Natalie Taylor

Age 24, five months pregnant, and Taylor is suddenly a widow. This memoir covers her journey down a path fraught with unknowns, and the emotions feel authentic. While she is surrounded by family and friends, she has no experienced guide, and I was turned off by her harsh judgments of her in-laws’ behavior. My difficulty with this book was in the sloppy editing: names that enter the narrative with no context, confusing time jumps, poor transitions, and other hiccups that slow the flow.

One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline

Occasionally, I indulge in some thriller fiction for fun. This one was pretty good, and Scottoline includes enough twists and emotion to keep me turning pages. My only complaint is that a teacher in this one ends his life by hanging, and all his colleagues keep saying, “he hung himself.” Stockings are hung; people are hanged. Writers and editors, we need better.

Missing Mom by Joyce Carol Oates

32-year-old Nikki’s life is in a bit of a holding pattern until the day her mother dies under horrific circumstances. The novel carries the reader through the year following the death, as Nikki learns secrets from her mom’s past, reflects on her own life, and comes to appreciate what she previously thought of as her mom’s simple life. The traumatic circumstances of her mom’s death add a cloud of pain that hangs over Nikki’s grief but ultimately helps her heal.

Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe

This one is definitely not easy reading, but it is fascinating and well-written. Keefe is an investigative journalist who lays out the history of Purdue Pharma, three generations of the Sackler family, and their role in creating the opioid crisis while donating millions to museums for naming rights. I hadn’t realized it all started with Valium and other sedatives, leading the way for OxyContin and deceptive sales practices to physicians. Their influence on pharmaceutical marketing was chilling to read. While the Sacklers were granted immunity from opioid lawsuits in September 2021, this non-fiction report makes that hard to swallow. (Update: that ruling was over-turned in Dec.)

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

I tried, but maybe I’m too old for this coming-of-age tale about three overly smart and angsty college kids. I’ve liked other novels by Eugenides, but I gave up on this one about one-third of the way.

Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss by Rajeev Balasubramanyam

The professor is somewhat of a stereotyped Indian academic, who has spent his whole life in a quest to be the best, even on the verge of winning a Nobel Prize. While his professional success is impressive, his personal life is less so. A divorce, estrangement from his older daughter and teen rebelliousness from the younger, and a distant son have Chandra feeling like a failure. A weekend at a Zen retreat opens his eyes to how his behavior has pushed others away. Chandra is not always likeable, but he begins to “follow his bliss” and reconstruct his relationships and life in this ultimately uplifting tale.

The Golden Son by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

If you’ve read my previous bookshelf updates, you know I am a big fan of Shilpi Somaya Gowda. The Golden Son was her second novel but my third to read; she is 3 for 3 in my estimation. This is a sweeping novel of a young man straddling 2 cultures while pursuing a medical career in his Residency at an American hospital. His father’s death and the obligations he assumes as the eldest son weigh heavily. At the same time, his childhood friend, Leena, is traveling a vastly different path in India. How their stories intertwine makes for a compelling and heartfelt story. No trite ending here.

Let the Lord Sort Them: The Rise and Fall of the Death Penalty by Maurice Chammah

Another foray into the investigative journalism world. The death penalty is always controversial, but its popularity waxes and wanes. This book explores the history of the death penalty in Texas, its advocates and opponents, and the death row inmates and their families. It’s a harsh, unvarnished report and was not a great choice for the holiday season. But it’s important perspective.

The Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg

Five main characters take varying agendas and emotional baggage to their 40^th high school reunion. Some are more likeable than others, and while they don’t all find what they were seeking, they all learn more about themselves and each other. A much-needed light read.

Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown

I have long followed Brene Brown and her books on leadership and vulnerability. This one’s a little different – a huge undertaking of defining emotions and experiences, then using that understanding to develop meaningful connections. It’s all built on her prior research, and that of others in the field. Not a “for fun” read, but an excellent “for growth” read.

The Moment of Tenderness by Madeleine L’Engel

I was entranced by Madeleine L’Engel’s words when I first read A Wrinkle in Time, then later read her Circle of Quiet series. This book is a collection of short stories, some previously published and some not, that were uncovered by L’Engel’s granddaughter after her death. They begin with some early works that may be autobiographical and leading to the time the author began adding supernatural elements to her work. It’s a lovely collection, though some stories are quite sad, and it has one of the most beautiful covers I’ve seen.

The Little French Bistro by Nina George

This is a tale of losing yourself in order to find yourself. Marianne is my age, 61, and broken by years of sacrificing herself and a loveless marriage. Despondent, she leaves for Paris, planning to end her life there. After several events intervene, she winds up in a small village where she is soon embraced. The freedom of having her own room, a job, and friends allows Marianne to grow into the woman she was meant to be. Her journey is romantic, painful, and emotional. It’s a reminder that it’s never to late to find your own voice and live your best life.

Beautiful World, Where are You? by Sally Rooney

This book has received a lot of buzz, so I picked it first from my Christmas stash. (And I hate to admit this, but I’m not the target market for it. Rooney is about 30 and obviously smart, and the book is for her generation.) It’s a tale of evolving young adult friendships, romantic relationships, and careers. The characters are burdened by a lot of personal angst, self-doubt, and unspoken feelings. The last third of the novel is better, as those issues are addressed.

Thus ends 2021. Onward to the 8 remaining books for Christmas, news releases I’m waiting for, and any older treasures I happen upon. Happy reading!

     *To check out previous books for 2021, return to the blog Home page to search.