Book Review | Right After the Weather by Carol Anshaw

Protagonist Cate is in her early 40’s. With her ex-husband living in her spare bedroom working on conspiracy theories, she designs play sets in Chicago and New York while seeking the woman of her dreams. After she stumbles upon her best friend being threatened by intruders, she takes surprisingly violent action from which she feels there is no going back.

Right after the Weather is framed in two stages. The “before the incident” is the first half of the book, separate from the “after the incident” part that follows. This piece of women’s fiction focuses on female characters and how they evolve through the text, specifically Cate. While the writing flows alright, I had trouble understanding why an entire half of the book needed to be devoted to what I felt was back-story. Anshaw is understandably trying to foster dynamic characters, but it just seems overdone. The characters are not particularly likable. This novel could have been told as a novella or short story. Readers who may find it most appealing would be those who have gone through an unexpected, violent encounter or those dealing with a transition from hetero to bi/homosexual in mid-life. Publication is scheduled for October of 2019.

*Fans of Right After the Weather, may enjoy After the Winter by Guadalupe Nettel (2018).

I received an uncorrected proof of this book as a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author/publisher for participating.

Book Review | Family Trust by Kathy Wang

Perhaps rather than Family Trust this novel should be called Family Drama. Wang’s book centers on the Huang family in the Bay Area. Patriarch Stanley has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and his time is drawing near. His two children, Fred and Kate, from his first wife Linda are very interested in finding out about their inheritance as they have their own problems with which to deal. Mary, Stanley’s second wife and caretaker, has been told that she’ll be well taken care of. As chapters alternate focus among these central characters, their issues are revealed in detail.

This story could have been told in possibly half as many pages. There are many superfluous details included and few of the characters’ sub-plots are of much interest. This type of book may be appropriate for fans of soap operas who appreciate melodrama and self-absorbed characters. Maybe it would be a good book for women to read at the beach if they are trying to pass lots of time… You can see if it’s available from a library near you!

I received a copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author/publisher for participating.

Book Review | The Italian Teacher by Tom Rachman

Beginning in the 1950’s in Rome, Italy when protagonist Pinch is just a boy, The Italian Teacher follows his life growing up and through adulthood. His father, Bear Bavinsky, an American painter has taken his third wife in Pinch’s mother Natalie and won’t be staying too long before moving on to begin his next family in New York. Pinch, as everyone, is exceedingly charmed by his father and wishes nothing more than to the be the apple of his eye. After Pinch tries his hand at painting and is discouraged by his father, he heads to study in Toronto where he meets his first girlfriend. They visit his father in the south of France. The story traces Bear’s aging through Pinch’s eyes while sharing Pinch’s own journey.

Rachman’s novel is a bit of a ramble that cannot easily be summarized in a few sentences. Pinch is not a very likable character, but his life journey is described in a believable manner. The book is art fiction in that it deals with an artist and touches on parts of the artistic process, incorporates galleries and exhibitions, and includes art criticism. Though art is a main pillar of the book, it is also has a strong focus on the theme of a broken family and consequences that may result. Check it out from a library near you!

*Fans of The Italian Teacher, may enjoy The Woman on the Stairs by Bernhard Schlink (2017).

Book Review | After the Winter by Guadalupe Nettel

Alternating focus between a male and female protagonist, After the Winter is a story of the human conditions of obsession, love and loneliness. The Cuban man lives alone in New York City with his OCD and gets together once a week with an older girlfriend. The Mexican post grad lives in Paris and loves her apartment’s view of the cemetery as she falls for an ill Italian neighbor. Both the man’s and woman’s stories are compelling, forcing the reader to question if and how they will intersect.

Nettel’s writing style is immediately inviting. Though not overly simplistic, her sentences are clear, evoke imagery and create dynamic characters. The book flows smoothly while still being easy to pick up and put down with frequent chapter breaks. Recommended for introspective romantics or those who appreciate a well written, quick read. After reading this text, I would be interested in reading other works by Nettel. Check it out from a library near you!

*Fans of After the Winter holidays, may enjoy The Story of a Brief Marriage by Geir Gulliksen (2018).

Book Review | Funeral Platter by Greg Ames

This well-written collection of twenty short stories will make you laugh at least once. An eclectic collection that contains black humor and the absurd, Funeral Platter is a quick read. Stories are of varying lengths and Ames maintains a clear and inviting voice, which makes them very readable. Themes vary across the board, including matters from art, addiction and aging to dating, destruction and death.

The breath of topics makes it likely for a reader to enjoy several of the stories. The book is good way to pass the time more than a thought provoking, memorable read. It would be great for readers wanting a quick laugh or distraction in short story form. Check it out at a library near you!

I received a copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author/publisher for participating in the giveaway.

*If you’ve enjoyed reading Funeral Platter, you may be interested in Come West and See by Maxim Lokustoff (2018).

Book Review | Northwood by Maryse Meijer

Imagine an artist in the woods, someone who has gone to the woods for a kind of social isolation. She rents a cabin from a woodcutter and meets an older married man at a bar. He frequents her cabin and the relationship they develop is certainly not above board. More than sex, she craves the violence he delivers, aches with pleasure as she allows herself to be violated. This is Northwood, a flowing combination of poetry and prose, a story of disjointed nature where what is left unsaid may be scarier than the text itself.

While some have categorized this piece as horror, it is more so simply haunting. Meijer paints a very clear picture with her words. The novella is a fast read, but the story will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading. Sensitive readers may not enjoy the directness, but the adult topics are handled in a mature manner. There may be holds at your local library since this title was just released in November.

*Fans of Northwood, may enjoy Ways to Hide in Winter by Sarah St.Vincent (2018).

Book Review | Leave No Trace by Mindy Mejia

A psychological thriller, Leave No Trace details the story of two traumatized young adults. Maya is in her early 20’s and works at a mental health facility. Upon emerging from the Boundary Waters after having been missing for ten years, 19 year old Lucas is committed to said facility. Maya and Lucas begin with rocky interactions, but forge a connection that allows them to help one another. As the book progresses, they deal with some dark secrets from their pasts.

This is a solidly average novel that begins with a bang and continues to simmer throughout. There was nothing spectacular in this book. Despite the characters dealing with difficult situations, the text did not evoke much emotion. The novel can be read quickly and may appeal to those who consider living off the grid or have a particular interest in the Boundary Waters. There may be holds at your local library since this title was just released in September.

*Fans of Leave No Trace, may enjoy Ways to Hide in Winter by Sarah St.Vincent (2018).

Book Review | Death and Other Holidays by Marci Vogel

Vogel offers a straight-forward piece that dives directly in like a one night stand with no strings attached. Protagonist April is in her late 20’s, living in Los Angeles and working as a curatorial assistant. The novella includes her narration of a series of events that take place over the course of a year following the death of her step father. Chapters are very short with sections broken up by season. This book is a very quick read.

Vogel’s writing style is fabulously direct. Without overbearing and complicated sentences, she still evokes imagery and creates dynamic characters. Death and Other Holidays seems to shed new light on everyday occurrences and give meaning to the mundane. This would be a great read for an airplane ride because there aren’t pages and chapters of introduction, the story grabs from page one. Check it out from a library near you!

*Fans of Death and Other holidays, may enjoy The Story of a Brief Marriage by Geir Gulliksen (2018).

Book Review | The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

Read this book if you enjoy a well written love story. Annika is on the autism spectrum and doesn’t function like the other kids at University of Illinois. Once she joins the chess team, she meets Johnathon, who she eventually dates. Their story is romantic in how they relate to one another. Although they are eventually driven apart, they reconnect after 10 years, at different points in their lives and welcome the idea of starting anew.

The Girl He Used to Know is a very enjoyable read. It brings laughs and tears. The story alternates between the present in 2001 and their college years in 1991. This format works well to create a space for unexpected events to come out. Anyone who has been in a relationship with someone on the autism spectrum will especially enjoy this novel and be able to relate in many ways. General fans of love stories will appreciate how this one is heartfelt in it’s own way. Publication is slated for April 2019, but Worldcat says some libraries may already have it. Check a library near you!

*Fans of The Girl He Used to Know may enjoy Oola by Brittany Newell (2017), Shelter in Place by Alexander Maksik (2016), or The Only Story by Julian Barnes (2018).

I received an advance reader’s edition of this book as a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author/publisher for participating in the giveaway.

Book Review | Ways to Hide in Winter by Sarah St.Vincent

Set in the Appalachians of Pennsylvania, Ways to Hide in Winter is a slow burn, psychological thriller. Kathleen, a widow in her late 20’s works up a mountain at a state park’s general store. As sole shopkeep, she sees to the needs of hikers in summer and hunters in the off season, brewing coffee, flipping burgers and selling canned goods. When a stranger from afar appears at the hostel next door, her curiosity is piqued and the two develop a friendship of sorts. As the title suggests, they both have some dark secrets in their past that they’re choosing to confront at a later time.

Immediately, the writing style of this book grabbed me. St.Vincent’s style is clear without being simplistic and her sentences provide imagery giving life to a place very far from regular urbanity. This is a successful novel that draws the reader in and continues to simmer throughout. It may be especially appealing to those who have thought of abandoning their regular lives for a more stark and natural existence, further away from people. There may be holds at your local  library  since this title was just released in November, but it’s worth the wait.

*Fans of Ways to Hide in Winter, may enjoy I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid (2016).