Bookworm: I Just Finished... The Fountains of Silence, The Immortalists, Where Things Come Back, and The Testaments (Winter 2020)

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

I am in and out of the school library several times a day. Not only is it a hub within the building, but it’s also right next to my classroom. I was flattered when the school librarian flagged me down upon receiving The Fountains of Silence. She remembered that I loved Sepetys’ other novels and knew I was probably dying to get my hands on her latest. And, I was. The master of historical crossover fiction, Sepetys, has impressed me once again. The Fountains of Silence tells the story of post WW2 Spain. Franco reigns, and Texas oil tycoons are being welcomed into Madrid. Daniel, a young Texan and aspiring photographer accompanies his parents on a trip to Spain to work out an oil deal. While there, he is beguiled by a young woman who works at the hotel he and his family are staying at. Their love story is complicated by the strict Franco driven culture. Ana is terrified to get close to Daniel for fear she will lose her job and her family will succumb to poverty. I love this book because it weaves the stories of Daniel and Ana with those of Ana’s cousin, Puri, who works at the local orphanage and suspects foul play. Additionally, there is a storyline surrounding Ana’s brother, Rafa, who is back with his family after a hellish experience in a boys’ home. In addition to being entertained, I always learn something from Sepetys’ novels. She has a way of uncovering the more ignored parts of history. The Fountains of Silence was no different. I’d recommend it to anybody who loves historical fiction. 

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin 

A recommendation from my coworker and friend, Caitlin, The Immortalists sucked me in instantly. It tells the story of four siblings who, as children, visit a fortune teller said to be able to state the exact day on which a person will die. After the visit, the lives of Varya, Daniel, Klara, and Simon veer off rather steeply. Alternating in perspective, the reader sees how the fortune teller’s predictions affect the way each sibling lives his/her life. Each individual is unique and fascinating. I will admit that I found the first two stories to be the most engaging. I got through the first 200 pages super quickly. Then, it slowed down for me a bit as I wasn’t sure where the story was headed, but I felt like everything came together in the end. I would recommend The Immortalists to anybody who enjoys fiction-- it really was a unique, thought-provoking book. It would be the perfect book club read, which begs the question, why am I not in a book club? 

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

I didn’t know what to expect with this book since it was not a recommendation from a friend, which is typically where I get my reading material. It was however, well decorated as far as awards for young adult literature go, and I thought the blurb sounded interesting, so I figured why not? In the novel, it is the summer before Cullen Witter’s senior year of high school when the shit hits the fan. His cousin passes from an overdose; his brother goes missing; his town has been taken over by a search for a bird believed to be extinct. The storytelling was abstract in a sense that I never felt like I fully grasped what was going on. The language was not difficult to understand, but it was almost intentionally vague. Still, I found myself intrigued by the quirky characters and overarching message of the book. Would I recommend it to anyone? Probably not. But, I do think those who love young adult fiction, especially realistic YA fiction with a little quirk, would enjoy! 

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood 

It has been 30 years, but there’s finally a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. I read the predecessor a couple of years ago. I was so engrossed by the whole idea of Gilead and the characters therein, I immediately gobbled up the Hulu series. Both were amazing, so I had high hopes for The Testaments, especially since I knew the second and third seasons of the show were only very loosely based on this sequel. If you have not read The Handmaid’s Tale, you need to start there. If you have read it, it’s important to know that the sequel no longer follows Offred, but instead follows the perspectives of three different women more than fifteen years later as Gilead is on the brink of crumbling. Two of the perspectives are of those of the first generation to come of age in the new order. The final viewpoint is that of Aunt Lydia, a pivotal figure in both novels. The Testaments dives further into the corruption lurking inside this so-called utopia. It also sheds light on the thoughts and emotions of those born into this world who don’t know any other way. I enjoyed this novel for all of its relevance, and I honestly marvel at how Atwood made this new society come to life. Both The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments are, in a way, cautionary tales. They made me think and reflect, which is why I would recommend both. 

Bookworm: I Just Finished... An American Marriage, The Wife Between Us, The Death of Mrs. Westaway, Mrs. Everything, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, All American Boys, Imaginary Friend, The Chain, Feed, Two Can Keep a Secret, Distant Shores, and Shock Point (end of 2019)

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones 

Focusing on the relationship between Celestial and Roy, the events that affected the beginning of their marriage and the ensuing perspectives on love were not what I expected when I opened this book. Sure, they faced universal struggles (in-laws, jealousy, etc.), but I had not anticipated the fact that Roy would be wrongly incarcerated shortly after their wedding. The perspective alternates between the pair, including their reflection on events, both past and present, as well as the letters written between the two while Roy was away. Even though I didn’t love any of the characters in this novel, I did feel engaged by the shocking moments scattered throughout. I felt it was a raw, honest portrayal of a fledgling marriage. I’d recommend this book to fans of literary fiction. 

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Definitely a guilty pleasure read (and that is no insult), The Wife Between Us was full of suspense from cover to cover. It’s difficult to summarize this one without giving too much away, but I’m going to try… Vanessa is a recently divorced woman whose hedge fund ex-husband has begun a relationship with a younger woman. As his courtship intensifies into an engagement, Vanessa becomes fixated on stopping her ex and his bride to be before the big day. It sounds cheesy, but there were plot twists galore, and I honestly found this book really fun to read. I think I finished it in three days. I’d recommend The Wife Between Us to anybody who enjoys fiction and/or is looking for a summer read. 

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

I am so glad I read this book. Ruth Ware is an author I can always count on, but for some reason, this one sat on my shelf for a while. Hal, a young woman, receives a letter stating that she is to bequeath a large amount of money from a family estate. She knows she has received the letter in error, but is curious to see what may come of pursuing the invitation. My favorite thing about this novel, aside from the Clue-esque cast of characters in the Westaway family, was the setting itself. The remote, unkempt shell of what was once a grand estate interspersed with the off-season seaside boardwalk set such a powerful mood. I can’t quite describe it, but I was totally transported. In terms of plot, I thought the novel was well done. There were enough clever details and twists to keep me reading, but it was really the atmosphere and people that captured me. I’d recommend this book to lovers of fiction and mystery--it’s a perfect rainy day read. 

Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner 

Mrs. Everything was a departure from Jennifer Weiner’s typical contemporary east coast vibe. Beginning in the 1950s, the novel traces the lives of two sisters whose own adolescence coincides with the coming of age of America. Summary of two sisters. I loved how this novel followed the experience of two women (albeit fictional) over the course of several decades. It served as a reminder of the female experience in the mid to late 1900s. I was engaged throughout, and, even though it doesn’t make the list of my favorites, I enjoyed this read. I’d recommend to those who enjoy women’s fiction. 

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker

This was a slow read for me, but in the best way possible. Without a doubt, it was beautifully written. Set in Burma and spanning the time between the 1950s and present, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats tells the story of a daughter looking to connect with the secret past of her father who disappeared without a trace. Following a discovered love letter between her father and a mystery woman, Julia decides to travel to the woman’s native land searching for information. I loved reading something set in another corner of the world, and the overall message was powerful. Still, I felt like it took me a bit to get through this one. There were plot twists, but the pace was slow and melodic, which was effective, yet I didn’t feel a longing to pick up my book and read wherever and whenever I could. Even though it took me a while to fully engage, I would still recommend this book to those who enjoy fiction and geography. It was a slow read, but a worthwhile one. 

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely 

I needed a book, which is rare since I usually have a stack. But, I wanted a quick read, so I looked at the shelves in my classroom. After reading the blurb on the back, All American Boys sounded a lot to me like The Hate U Give, particularly in terms of theme. The novel alternates in perspective between two boys who attend the same high school. They do not know each other well, however, they share mutual friends. When Rashad is attacked by a police officer after tripping over his knapsack in a convenience store, Quinn is outside the store. He sees Rashad beaten and then realizes the police officer is the older brother of his best friend. This book explores the lengths of loyalty and the uncomfortable reality of systemic racism. It handled the topics well, in my opinion, but did not completely capture me in terms of the story. All American Boys leaves politics aside and just explores the issues on a personal level, and I appreciated that, especially as it’s geared towards a young adult market. Readers should be able to form their own opinions, which is going to be so difficult in a world full of propaganda. How do we even know what is real anymore? Sorry, trailed off there… I’d recommend All American Boys to fans of young adult, multicultural, current event fiction. 

Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky 

Not that anybody cares, but Stephen Chbosky is the author of my very favorite book The Perks of Being a Wallflower. When I found out that, after twenty years, he was finally publishing another novel, I was ecstatic. I read the blurb, a horror novel centered around an eight year old boy and his imaginary friend, and I was intrigued. Imaginary Friend was definitely an engaging read. I kept turning pages for sure, but in some way it fell flat for me. Granted, I loved the beginning, and the ending was pretty decent, but I was definitely less engaged in the middle. I’m not sure if it’s because the plot took a supernatural turn or what, but I got to a point where I just wanted to be done already (the book is roughly 700 pages). My friends who love the whole Stranger Things/ sci-fi vibe enjoyed more than I did, but I was still entertained. So, I’d recommend this book to my friends who love horror and the supernatural, not necessarily those who loved Perks. 

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

The Chain was a recommendation from my friend Ryan. He and I both love true crime, and even though The Chain is fiction, he thought I would love it. He wasn’t wrong. The Chain centers around Rachel, a middle aged mother whose teenage daughter has just been kidnapped. Rachel soon learns she is part of “the chain,” and, in order to get her daughter back, she must kidnap another child. I really enjoyed this read. It was suspenseful, smart, and well-paced. I couldn’t wait to keep reading, and I’d definitely recommend The Chain to all my fiction loving friends, especially those who love thrillers. 

Feed by M.T. Anderson 

I previewed Feed as a potential literature circle option for my students. My colleagues who had read it gave it a lot of praise, and it was an award winner. Still, I can’t say I loved it. The concept was awesome. Futuristic American teens all hooked up to the feed, a constant stream of information and advertisement geared towards their inner thoughts, are interested in little other than the feed and partying on the moon. When Titus and his friends have their feeds hacked, they meet a girl named Violet. Violet challenges Titus to acknowledge the limitations of the feed,  but the ultimate question is what’s the cost? This is definitely a book that made me think, but I did not think it was laid out well. I’d recommend to those who enjoy books that explore the limitations and dangers of technology. 

Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus

Not a sequel to One Of Us Is Lying, Two Can Keep a Secret held its own. Ellery and her twin brother go to live with their grandmother after their mother finally agrees to go to rehab. Echo Ridge, VT is full of secrets. Their aunt disappeared years prior. Then, years after that, the town’s homecoming queen wound up dead in a local amusement park. As new threats loom, Ellery, obsessed with true crime, tries to piece together exactly what has been going on in Echo Ridge--a town full of secrets. I’d recommend this book to anybody who enjoys young adult fiction and a little mystery. 

Distant Shores by Kristin Hannah 

I love Kristin Hannah, and I could tell this was one of her earlier books. I am not sure how to phrase that without it sounding negative. Hannah’s more recent novels, such as The Nightingale and The Great Alone, have tackled very intense settings. Distant Shores is definitely more suburban. After years of playing the role of supportive wife to her football star turned addict turned local sports anchor husband, Birdie realizes she has lost sight of herself. Desperate to regain her vision, she takes drastic measures that shake her family to the core. Definitely not my favorite Kristin Hannah novel, but Distant Shores had relatable characters, an interesting plot, and I’d recommend it to my women’s fiction loving friends. 

Shock Point by April Henry 

This book came to me as a recommendation from a student. I had read a couple of April Henry novels already, and I enjoyed her easy to read, suspenseful style. Shock Point follows a teenage girl as she discovers some dirt on her stepfather. Feeling threatened, he convinces her mother to send her away to a correctional school in Mexico. Needless to say, the school isn’t exactly as dreamy as the brochure makes it out to be. One can only hope to make it out alive. This was my favorite of the April Henry novels I have read so far. Still, I would only recommend it to those who enjoy young adult literature or those who are looking for a quick, easy, suspenseful read.

Bookworm: I Just Finished... Firefly Lane, The Leaving, The Stranger Beside Me, Fly Away, On the Come Up, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and Next Level Basic (Spring 2019)

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

I have absolutely loved everything I’ve read by Kristin Hannah, and my friend, Sharon, said she enjoyed all the pop culture references in Firefly Lane. Starting in 1974, the novel traces the friendship of the more reserved Katie and her wild best friend Tully. For more than thirty years they are a part of each other’s lives, and with that kind of history comes a bit of heartache and drama. Honestly, there were moments where this book didn’t feel as polished as some of her others, but it reminded me a lot of the movie Beaches with a touch of Terms of Endearment. I’d recommend Firefly Lane to fans of either.

The Leaving by Tara Altebrando

A young adult recommendation from my students, The Leaving centers around the return of five children believed to have been abducted 11 years prior. The trouble is that while six disappeared, only five came back. Those who returned have no memory of their captivity, and their struggle to remember makes up most of the book. I’ve got to admit, I could not put this one down. The plot was fast paced and suspenseful, and it got me thinking about memory and childhood and experiences. I’d recommend to all YA fiction fans and those who are just looking for a good book to read while relaxing on spring break.

The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule

I totally dig true crime, and this book showed up on my desk as a recommendation from my coworker, Ryan. It tells the story of Ted Bundy through through the lens of Ann Rule, a former Seattle police officer, who volunteered alongside Bundy answering phones for a crisis hotline. Even as Rule’s career shifted from patrolling the streets towards writing about her experiences, she and Bundy maintained contact. The story of Ted Bundy is interesting enough on its own, but hearing it from the perspective of somebody close to him is even more mind blowing. I’d recommend this book as a must read for all true crime fans as well as anybody, like myself, who has a strange fascination with serial killers.

Fly Away by Kristin Hannah

The sequel to Firefly Lane, Fly Away continues the story of Tully and Kate via the viewpoints of Tully and Marah. I don’t feel like I should summarize the sequel in the same post as the original for risk of spoilers. But, if you do read Firefly Lane and enjoy it, then I think Fly Away is worth your while. It’s always nice to see where characters you have grown to care about end up in life.

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

Thematically similar to its predecessor, The Hate U Give, On the Come Up is set in the same fictional neighborhood of Garden Heights. Bri, the main character, dreams of becoming a rapper. She has the talent, but her life is riddled with complications. Her mom, Jay, is a recovering addict. Her brother, Trey, has turned down the opportunity of grad school to help the family financially. Her father, a budding rapper himself, was gunned down by gangsters. Her aunt, Pooh, although one of Bri’s biggest supporters, is a drug dealer involved with the Garden Disciples gang. Still, Bri tries to make it as an artist, figuring it’s the only way she can help her family. Throughout the course of the novel, Bri needs to do some soul searching. Her rap persona is not exactly matching up with her reality. I’d recommend this book to those who enjoy YA literature as well as those with a particular interest in race relations.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

This book is getting a lot of buzz, so I definitely wanted to check it out. Following Lale, a young Jewish man, as he volunteers for his brother to submit to the Nazis and finds himself at a concentration camp, The Tattooist of Auschwitz was obviously a powerful read. What made it stand out to me was the moments of true human tenderness (hate that word, but it works) that is intertwined with the horrific reality of the Holocaust. Desperate to survive, Lale winds up as the tattooist, inking numbers into the prisoners as they arrive at camp. This book was full of characters that I grew to care about deeply, and the plot was suspenseful and engaging. I’d recommend The Tattooist of Auschwitz to anybody who enjoys historical fiction with a romantic flair.

Next Level Basic by Stassi Schroeder

After a serious read, I always like to lighten it up a bit, so what better way than by reading the self-touted “definitive basic bitch handbook”? I rarely veer towards self-help books, but I love Vanderpump Rules, and Stassi has always been my favorite. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit, but I read this in one day. Throughout the chapters, Stassi encourages her “Khaleesis” to embrace their inner basicness and weirdness. She praises quirkiness while sharing her own experiences and opinions on fashion, relationships, beauty, etc. It was an easy read; I honestly felt like I was curling up with a copy of US Weekly. But, it was the perfect breezy summer book for those, like me, who love them some VPR. Note: Those of you who aren’t into BRAVO television and trashy reality TV might not dig this one, but I sure did.

Bookworm: I Just Finished... Between the World and Me, The Next Person You Meet in Heaven, The Light Between Oceans, The Nightingale, The Lying Game, and Always and Forever Lara Jean

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

This book, winner of the National Book Award, has been sitting on the shelf in my classroom for a while. One of my favorite students, Mackenna, just read it and enjoyed it, so I figured I’d check it out. Written in the form of a letter to his son, Coates takes to describing the struggles of growing up as a black male incorporating memories from childhood to Howard University to fatherhood and everything in between. I found his perspective to be articulately rendered and eye-opening, but, as a single letter, it felt long to me. I think a series of letters would have made it easier to fully absorb. Regardless, this is an important book, and I’d recommend it to anybody who enjoys multicultural memoirs.

The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

The long awaited sequel to The Five People You Meet in Heaven, this installment follows Annie, the young girl Eddie saved, on her journey through heaven. It was everything you’d expect from a Mitch Albom novel, powerful life lessons woven into fable like experiences amidst a dreamy setting. I didn’t love this one as much as the original, but it was still really satisfying. I’d recommend it to anybody who enjoys fiction, and, obviously, Albom fans.

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

Wow! Talk about a moral dilemma. In The Light Between Oceans, Tom Sherburn feels as though he has cheated death after returning home to Australia after WW1. He takes a job as an offshore lighthouse keeper. While on leave, he meets, falls in love with, and marries Isabel. After suffering two miscarriages and a stillbirth while offshore, a boat washes up. On board is a deceased man and a living baby. Tom, methodical in his record keeping, wants to report the boat immediately, but Isabel, amidst her grief, begs him to let her keep the baby. As if this wasn’t enough, once they return to the mainland, a whole new set of complications and consequences await them. I was engrossed the entire way through this book. I found that I learned a lot about the geography of western Australia and lighthouses and World War 1, but I also learned a lot about grief, repercussions, and forgiveness. I’d recommend this book to anybody who enjoys literary fiction. Special interests would include geography, historical fiction, romance, and women’s literature.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

First, I just have to say that I love Kristin Hannah’s writing. Second, this book was awesome. Set during World War 2, the plot centers around two French sisters whose father has taken to the bottle after mom’s untimely death and his own experiences in the Great War. Vianne, the elder sister, a school teacher married to her childhood love, must survive his deployment in a town that has been completely overrun by Nazis. Isabelle, the feisty younger sister, is eager to contribute to the cause by helping downed airmen escape into Spain. Both stories are mesmerizing, heartbreaking, and educational. And, how they come together, well, that’s just… wow. I loved the focus on the “women’s war.” I’d highly recommend this book to all my fiction loving friends, especially those with an interest in history/historical fiction.

The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

Written by the same author as The Woman in Cabin 10, The Lying Game has the same mysterious vibe. In the story, four friends are reunited by a desperate text. A body has turned up in the marshland near their former school, and they fear they may be called into question. Even though my friends who read this book prior to me had mixed reviews, I really enjoyed it. I thought the way Ware captured the edgy innocence and rebellious energy of the high school years was spot on, and the characters were all well developed. The last chapter was a bit of a dud, in my opinion, but I thought the book itself was pretty engaging. I’d recommend it to anybody looking for a vacation read or a solid page turner.

Always and Forever Lara Jean by Jenny Han

Cheesy as it may be, I really enjoy this series. Always and Forever Lara Jean is the third and final installment in the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series. At the risk of giving away too much, in this book Lara Jean and Peter have settled into their relationship. Meanwhile, Lara Jean’s father has settled into a relationship as well. All is smooth senior year except for the fact that LJ and Peter will be attending different colleges come fall. Although they plan to stay together, some of their closest family members have cautioned about the dangers of starting college in a relationship. Honestly, there are times during this book when I almost cringed at how hokey it was. Yet, I couldn’t stop reading. There is something about these characters and this series that is very likeable. I would recommend to all my rom-com loving friends who just want to read something “nice” once in a while.

DIY: Spring 2019 Throw Pillow Fabric Look Book

What better way to get through the dreary days of winter than to think about spring. I’m already envisioning fresh tulips in a vase on the kitchen table, and, of course, some fun new throw pillows to brighten up the living room.

The trick to mastering the throw pillow game is to know how to mix and match fabrics. Generally, I look for three different fabrics to create a “look.” One should be a print that adds a pop of color. The second should be a more basic pattern (think stripes, dots, etc.) that features no more than two colors that complement the first fabric. To finish it off, I choose a coordinating solid in a different texture.

Before each new season, I search the Hobby Lobby website to get some fabric inspiration. Here’s what I’m loving for spring 2019:

Florals

Clean and Classic

Fun and Unexpected

Cute for Kids (big kids, too)

Let me know what you love. All of the fabrics above are from Hobby Lobby and are available for custom orders.