Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

I just can't seem to get the title of this book straight in my head. When someone asked me what I was reading recently, I told them "What I Don't Know" or The Stuff I Forgot to Tell You". So I guess I would say that while this is a forgettable title, it's not a forgettable book.

In the first sentence, you know that Lydia is dead. Lydia is a teenage girl who has an older brother, a younger sister, and two parents who love her. The book allows you to see through the eyes of each of these characters as they grapple with Lydia's death and try to figure out what happened to her. It is a sad book in many ways, but certainly well written and one that stays with you after you're done. Recommended. -June

Let Me Be Frank With You by Richard Ford

This is my first time reading anything by Richard Ford, but after recently hearing an interview with him on NPR, I wanted to give him a try. In the interview, he was funny and quick, and that is the way his character, Frank Bascombe, is too. Ford writes very well, and although there's really no plot in this book, it's a fun read.

The book is divided into 4 chapters, each one covering a different scene in Frank's life. He's retired and getting older with the normal aches and pains, and he reveals to the reader his thoughts on aging, marriage, friendship, and more. I like Frank. I like the way he thinks and his humor and even his politics. He's got opinions and is more than willing to share them. I recommend you spend some time with him. -June

Stoner by John Williams

My brother and I don't always agree on movies and books.  While I love him dearly, he's drawn to movies like The Piano which I suffered through years ago and tried hard to like but couldn't. Maybe he's just more intellectual than I am, so when we recommend books to one another, we are sometimes disappointed that the other sibling doesn't love it like we do. However, this time I loved his recommendation. But it's going to be very hard to say why.

Stoner (this has nothing to do with being stoned, BTW) is simply the story of a man's life from beginning to end. He's raised on a farm in Missouri in the late 1800's and early 1900's, goes to college, and becomes an English professor. He is likable enough but certainly not charming and lovable. No matter how he is disappointed or beaten in his life, he plods on through and takes what life gives him. The people in his life do not always treat him well, and he, in turn, mistreats many of them. So far, the book sounds pretty awful, doesn't it? Well, once you make it through the first quarter of the book, I predict you will be captivated. There is something about the writing - it is exquisite. You will be completely transported to the University of Missouri and sit with him in his office, his home, his campus.

I wouldn't recommend this book to many of my friends who insist on powerful plot-driven books. However, BT, I think you would definitely like this, and since you are practically the only person who will read this, I'll leave this note for you. My only suggestions are to give it a chance by reading 50 pages or so before you give up, and do NOT read the Introduction before you read the book. I think it's silly to have an introduction that gives away the entire plot. I started to realize what it was doing and quickly moved on to the book itself. I'll read the Intro now that I've finished the book.

So now I need to write my brother and thank him. - June

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

I think this is the last book I'll read by Jojo Moyes. I've only read two, but that's enough. I picked up this one because after reading Deep Down Dark, I wanted something light. This one is just too light. However, it starts out with a lot of promise that was the only reason I finished - I kept waiting for it to get good again. The novel is divided into two parts, and the first part is great. We meet Sophie, a Frenchwoman who is running a hotel in a small town in France while her husband is fighting in WWI. Her husband is an artist, and he paints a picture of her that hangs in the hotel. Her town is controlled by the Germans, and it is her relationship with them that causes trouble for her and her family. All of this is fascinating stuff. But then we switch to the current time and meet a whole new cast of characters who aren't quite as interesting. The painting is at the center of this part of the novel as the true owner is determined after lots of courtroom drama.

I liked the plot and liked the story but the writing just got in the way. For example, the book would include a letter written by Sophie - and she would write it with dialogue including quotation marks. This was done in several places in the book. People generally don't quote conversations in this way when writing a letter or a diary entry. Am I wrong? It just seemed weird and contrived. And the love story is so very predictable. You know where it's going from the first moment. So I'm done, Jojo. Sorry. - June

Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar

We all remember the frightening story of the Chilean miners who were trapped for over two months. Well, this is their story. Hector Tobar was selected by the miners to write this book, and he had access to all of them find out what had happened. The book starts with individuals preparing for work that day and ends with their release and a follow-up afterwards. It's all fascinating. And certainly eye-opening. We saw the media reports but there is so much more to it all. The author lets us know some of the individuals and how they relate to each other as their time together underground continues. It isn't all pretty, that's for sure.

This book triggered a lot of good conversation in my book group. I'd recommend it for any discussion on how groups interact and leaders emerge. - June

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

The last book I read about the end of civilization was decades ago - The Stand by Stephen King. It's my husband's favorite book, and I remember reading it but getting pretty spooked by it too. So when I first heard about Station Eleven and realized that it had a similar theme, I wasn't interested. But our local bookseller in town said it was his favorite book from last year. I had to try it.

Imagine what the world would be like if over 99% of the people died. No electricity. No leadership. No transportation. No communication. This book is the story of what happened to a group of survivors when life as we know it ended. The characters are all connected to an actor named Arthur, and the book jumps in time from before the pandemic to afterwards. Some of the main characters are part of a group of performers who travel around the midwest setting up plays and concerts for the small communities that have formed.

While not my usual read, this book fascinated me. It's well written and does make you think about "what if". -June

Stir: My Broken Brain and the Meals That Brought Me Home by Jessica Fechtor

This is a very well written memoir by a young woman who had a brain aneurysm when she was running one day. She was healthy in every way and was attending graduate school when her life came to a halt. She writes about the surgeries and the recoveries. And she writes about how getting back into her kitchen was her way of trying to be normal again. Her love for cooking and for food kept her going. When he recovery was far enough along that she could write, she started a food blog which became very successful.

Each chapter ends with a recipe, usually one that has been mentioned in the chapter. My copy of this book belongs to a friend, but I promise you I'll be copying most of those recipes before I give it back. This is an interesting and quick read, and I recommend it.

A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson

Last spring, I was in Normandy and had the chance to tour the American Cemetery there. It is a very moving place, and I found myself emotional as I walked among the graves there. There's also a wall with names of the many soldiers who were never found. I couldn't help but think of all these boys (because they really were just boys) who never had the chance to grow up and live their lives. They all should be old men now, but their lives ended in France much too soon. This is the basic theme of A God in Ruins, a follow-up book to Kate Atkinson's previous masterpiece, Life After Life.

Let me start by saying I loved Life After Life. Some people had trouble with the concept of a character living her life over and over, but I found it fascinating. And I think Kate Atkinson is a superb writer who has her own unique style. A God in Ruins (not my favorite title) takes one of the characters from Life After Life, Ursula's younger brother Teddy, and makes him the primary character. Some of the other characters from Life After Life (including Ursula) are in the book too, but it isn't necessary to read them in order.

The novel started slowly for me, and it took me some time to get used to the constant flitting from one time to another. It requires concentration to follow the story when you get bits and hints that aren't filled in until later in the book. But like Life After Life, the writing is exquisite. And the characters are alive. Yes, you will hate Viola, but that's ok. Your love for Teddy will make it worthwhile. And there are witty lines that make you laugh even when the subject is quite serious.

The author obviously did extensive research on the bombing missions that took place by the British during WWII. Teddy was a pilot, and the missions he and his crew conduct were described in detail (maybe too much sometimes but it was still fascinating). This is one of those books that will stick with me for a while. I didn't want it to end, and the ending will probably catch you off guard. It certainly did for me. (Don't cheat and read it first!) I highly recommend this one!! -June

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain

Paula McLain is best known for her popular historical fiction novel, The Paris Wife. In Circling the Sun she tackles another woman from history. Beryl Markham was a woman who lived in the early 1920's in an English colony in Kenya. She is perhaps known most for being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic from east to west, and yet the book focuses primarily on her childhood and up to her mid-20's and barely mentions her historic flight. Instead the author details her adventurous life growing up, her involvement in horse training, and her love life. Beryl was involved in a social circle in the English colonies that involved lots of parties and lots of love affairs and spouse swapping. I had trouble remembering who everyone was married to and who they were sleeping with - because it usually wasn't the same person. Plus everyone had a nickname. Beryl herself was in a love triangle with Karen Blixen (the woman who was in Out of Africa) and Denys Finch Hatton, and much of the book was about her relationship with the two of them.

I know I'm repeating myself when I say that I struggle with historical fiction. I can't read it without constantly asking myself "Is this what really happened?" and "Did she really feel this way?" or is it just the way the author wanted things to happen to make the story better. I'm sure the author did a lot of research but it's impossible to get into the character's head. Although I continued to ask these question, I did enjoy reading this book. I enjoyed reading about this time and place which isn't described in many other books. And now I should probably read West With the Night, Beryl Markham's memoir (and a book that BT recommended to me years ago but I never read!) and then read Out of Africa (although I read that Beryl isn't even mentioned). - Recommended if you like historical fiction. -June

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn is the well-known author of Gone Girl, and so I suppose that every book she ever writes will be compared to that standard. BT recommended this one, and while it held my interest and I had to read until the bitter (and bloody) end, it just didn't move along fast enough for me. The story revolves around a mass murder that took place on a Kansas farm in 1985 where a mother and two daughters where brutally murdered. The son was convicted of the crime, and the youngest daughter, Libby, survived. The book jumps from Libby in the current day to various family members on the day of the murder. Of course, as the story unfolds, Libby and the reader question whether the son, Ben, is really guilty, and if he isn't the murderer, then who is. There are lots of suspects and all of them are pretty messed up with drugs, devil-worship, and various issues, but the end may still surprise you. And it may even leave you scratching your head and saying, "huh?" A good beach read. -June

After I'm Gone by Laura Lippman

I've read several books recently where the author jumps from character to character plus jumps back and forth to different times. This one was by far the most confusing of all of them. The story is about Felix who disappears leaving behind a wife, three young daughters, and a girlfriend. There's lots of twists and turns but this basically is a "who dunnit" and while the ending is a bit of a surprise, the way it comes out seems extremely rushed. The book kept me reading to find out what happened, but I think the ending ruined it for me. -June

A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout

Memoirs can sometimes be tough to read. The reader is only getting one side of the story and the author often pulls a "Brian Williams" and expands their role in the story. There may be some of this in Amanda Lindhour's memoir, but it doesn't take from the fact that this is a compelling, highly intense book.

Amanda had a love for travel and after many trips to war-torn countries, decided to become a journalist and travel to Somalia with a friend. Here they are captured and held hostage for 15 months. The book details her captivity. As you read, you know she will survive, but the details of her struggles are overwhelming. This is not a light beach read nor is it a nice book to read before bed. (Trust me. I had some wicked dreams.)

There are articles online that criticize Amanda for traveling to Somalia and thinking she can become a journalist simply by wanting to be one. And there are even online stories that she gave birth to a child while in captivity even though there is no mention of this at all in her book. She certainly admits that she was stupid to travel there and unprepared for the role of a journalist. But these things do not take away from the book, and I highly recommend it. -June

The Stuff That Never Happened by Maddie Dawson

I love the title. And someone (I can't remember who) recommended it to me, and because I liked the title, I remembered it and ordered it. It starts off well, and the writing was good and the plot seemed to be moving along well. But then about halfway through, I became frustrated with the predictability and repetitiveness that often plagues "chick lit". Why is it that authors of this genre assume that we are idiots?

So back to the plot. Annabelle has been married to Grant for many years, living in New Hampshire and raising two children. She's growing restless because her kids are moving on with their lives, and her husband is obsessed with writing a book. She seems to be looking for a purpose in her life. Then we learn that Annabelle also has an obsession - an old flame from her 20's that she just can't get over even though she hasn't seen him in over 20 years. The book then starts to jump back and forth in time to her affair with Jeremiah detailing how it started, all the lovely sexual encounters, and how it ended. This is the part that started to bother me. It was almost as if the quality of the writing started to go downhill here. The dialogue between Jeremiah and Annabelle, and the dialogue between Grant and Annabelle - well, it just does not seem realistic to me at all. So here's my take on the whole thing. The plot is interesting and so are the characters. Just be prepared for the writing to take a dive somewhere in the middle and it doesn't recover at the end. But the title is really fun, isn't it? - June

Florence Gordon by Brian Morton

I think it took me over a month to read this book. It wasn't that it didn't hold my interest; I was just traveling and didn't have time to read. So I would pick it up and put it down after only reading a few pages. This makes it hard to get a real feel for the book. But regardless, I liked it. It really isn't much more than a detailed character description of Florence, a feisty, intelligent, feminist who manages to offend friends and family whenever possible. We also meet her son, his wife, and their daughter. There are small plots surrounding all of them, but none are resolved and so the book ends in unanswered questions.

Basically, this is a book about a very unlikable character with no real plot and an abrubt ending. Yet somehow it turns out to be a pretty darn good read. If you can life with that, give it a try. - June

The Illusion of Separateness by Simon Van Booy

Drum Roll Please!  The winner of My Favorite Book of 2015 is........ The Illusion of Separateness. Yes, I know it's only April and way too soon to pick a favorite book of the year, but I'm sure this one will be among the top choices in December.  This little book is awesome!  It's the story of six people who live in different parts of the world and at different times.  And their lives eventually weave a story of how their lives are connected.  And the writing - simple and yet so elegant.  It's a style you either love or hate, and I love it.

Here's a quote that I honestly think about when I'm lying in bed trying to sleep:

Falling asleep is like walking out on a frozen lake.  The ice gets thinner and thinner until suddenly you fall through.

And here's another one:

We, one day, will be vanquished with a last puff and then nothing at all - nothing but the fragrance of our lives in the world, as on a hand that once held flowers.

You can read this book in a few hours.  And you definitely need to do this.  -June

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Remember that classic line in a political debate many years ago when the politician said "And, Senator,  you're no John Kennedy" and put poor Dan Quayle in his place?  Well, here's what I say to this book.  "Sorry, but you're no Gone Girl".  Yes, this book is marketed as the next Gone Girl. It is a suspenseful read, but it is not nearly as well written and creative as GG.  That doesn't mean you shouldn't read it.  The premise is interesting.  A woman who rides a train every day creates an imaginary story about a couple she sees from the train every day.  She gives them names and images what their personalities are like.  So when the woman is missing, she manages to become involved in the mystery.  The main character, the woman on the train, is pretty much a mess with alcohol and other personal problems.  And as a reader, you want to shake her and scream at her when she starts to make yet another stupid decision.  But you'll find yourself reading to the end to find out which snarky character actually committed the crime.  - June

Devil in the Grove by Gilbert King

A well-written, well-researched book, it is no wonder it received a Pulitzer Prize.  This is the story of Thurgood Marshall and racism in the south in the 1940's and 1950's.  There is so much in this book that I never knew about and although I thought I was somewhat familiar with Marshall's life, I really didn't know much at all.

But I feel I need to warn you.  I couldn't read it before I went to sleep.  And I could only read it for a few pages and then I had to put it away.  It is hard to read this part of our history and realize it is not that long ago.  And then to turn on the news and see the acts of racism that still exist.  I'm sending it your way, BT.  I think you can handle it better than I did.  -June

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

Obviously, I'm not a big reader of non-fiction.  But after listening to an interview with this author and reading some of the book reviews, I was anxious to read this one.  The story is all about the 1936 US Olympic Gold Medal Crew team.  They were just a bunch of kids attending the University of Washington - sons of farmers and blue color workers.  And they ended up competing against the east coast schools and ultimately went to Berlin and won in front of Hitler.  But history has ignored them up until now.  After the Olympics, they came home and finished college, got married, started families, and put those gold medals in the attic.

I learned a lot more about boats and rowing than I needed to know, but the author had obviously done his research.  The stories of the individual young men was well written and often heartbreaking.  I'm sure this will be a movie, but I almost don't want anyone to mess with this wonderful story.  Highly recommend.  -June

The Banks of Certain Rivers by Jon Harrison

I really need to be better about posting right after I finish a book.  I loved this book and recommended it to several friends, but then forgot to write about it here.  And with my feeble memory...... well, I remember the book but some of the details have slipped away in the 5 or 6 weeks since I finished it.  Ahhh, senility.

This is one of those books that appeared on BookBub and sounded interesting and was very inexpensive.  And it turned out to be a good read.  This is the story of a man who is a high school teacher and coach.  He's married with a son; however, we quickly learn that his wife has been in an accident and is hospitalized.  Our beloved coach is accused of something and the trouble escalates.  I don't want to spoil it for you, but the case of characters is interesting and the relationship between the coach and his son is key to the book.  There's even a touch of technology there that the geek in me appreciated.  I recommend this one.  -June

Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin

I love listening to Maureen Corrigan on NPR's Fresh Air when she reviews books.  She does a wonderful job of describing a book, and I've found some great ones thanks to her.  Recently, she discussed the books by Laurie Colwin, an author from the 1970's who I'd never heard of but whose books looked somewhat familiar to me.
http://www.npr.org/2014/11/24/365227833/decades-later-laurie-colwins-books-will-not-let-you-down

Coincidentally, BookBub had one of Colwin's books on sale a few weeks later so I grabbed it for my Kindle.  Happy All the Time is a story about two young male long-time friends, Guido and Vincent, who are well educated, urban and a tad nerdy in an age that the word "nerdy" wasn't around.  Through the course of the book, they meet and fall in love with two very difficult women, Holly and Misty.  Both the women are aloof and distant while the two men are emotional and caring - an interesting twist on the typical stereotypes we usually see in books and in life.  

The plot?  Pretty nonexistent.  They meet, they marry, life goes on.  But we know these characters, their relationships and their many quirks.  The writing is clean - no flowery stuff here.  And even though this was written 30 years ago, it could have been written this year (with the exception of the non-stop smoking and the reference to public telephones).  I'd like to try reading one of her books about food which Maureen also refers to and likes. - June

What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman

What a story!  If only I could tolerate the author's writing!  But that story...... just so interesting.  Have you ever driven by one of those huge, old mental institutions?  There's one up in Traverse City, Michigan, and it is simply haunting.  A few years ago, a developer bought it and turned it into condos and restaurants.  While it's beautiful, I feel as if the souls of those who lived there might still be hanging around.  And I feel guilty sipping wine in the restaurant in the basement level where the patients did their laundry or were given shock treatments or worse.  But back to the book.

This is one of those books where we have two separate story lines that eventually merge.  The first story is about Izzy, a high school girl who is living with a new foster family because her mother is in prison after killing her father.  The second story is about Clara, a young woman who was sent to an insane asylum in the 1930s when her wealthy parents did not approve of her boyfriend.  As you can probably guess, the author jumps from one character to the other as we learn about the lives of both of these women.  Clara's story is tragic.  The institution where she is sent is horrific and the staff cruel and uncaring.  Izzy's story reads more like a teenage romance novel where the most popular girl is mean to her and the most popular boy is attracted to her.  But despite this, the story continued to be good.  But some of the writing just became too overly dramatic.  Here's a sample:

About three-quarters through the book in a section about Izzy, the author writes:
"Izzy steeled herself, her stomach clenching.  Her lungs felt like they were wavering inside her chest, as if at any second her organs were going to spasm once and shut down forever, leaving her dead on the floor."

In the very next chapter, the author describes Clara's feeling this way:
"Every time the thought crossed her mind that something horrible might have happened to him.... her chest felt hollow and cold, as if her lungs and heart were gone and she would drop dead at any second."

The events described in these two chapters are indeed traumatic, but I found these descriptions to be just over the top.  Way too much "dropping dead" and way too much time repeating the same emotional state over and over.  Despite it's faults, I continued to read and needed to know how it all turned out.  Would you imagine that it ends with a happy fairytale ending?  Surprise!  It does!  A little far-fetched but satisfying in a way too.  Recommend with reservations.  -June