Are You Experienced? by Jordan Sonnenblick
My most recent YA pick came from my class’ book talks. Several of my reluctant male readers chose Are You Experienced? to recommend to their peers. When I found out the book mostly takes place at Woodstock, I was sold. The sixties are a fascinating decade, and I’ve always had a particular interest in this time period. So, back to the book… Richie is a typical teenager who is frustrated by his parents who don’t seem to understand or listen to him. They are older than most of his friends’ folks and very overprotective. Richie knows little about his parents’ younger years, especially his father’s, but he does know that his dad’s older brother died of a drug overdose in late 1969. A freak accident sends Richie back in time to Woodstock where he meets none other than his teenage father and uncle. The story weaves historical pop culture with the emotions behind the coming-of-age moment when young adults finally see their parents as people. I thought this was a solid read all-around. It was sentimental and thought-provoking without being too dramatic, and I really enjoyed the 1960s references, especially when they met Janis Joplin in the infirmary. I’d recommend this book to young adults and to grownups who enjoy the occasional teen fiction read.
Trailerpark by Russell Banks
When I applied to be part of the inaugural class of the MFA program at SNHU, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting myself into. Russell Banks was our visiting writing during the first residency, and I was initially impressed by his austere, yet poetic style of prose. And, I’ll admit, I liked that he made reference to smoking weed and writing episodes of, I believe it was, Miami Vice. His mix of artistic talent and relatability resonated with me. His novel, Rule of the Bone, is one of my favorites. Looking for a new read, I typed his name into a search on Barnes and Noble and found Trailerpark. I am not typically drawn to short story collections, but the fact that all of the stories revolved around residents at the same central NH mobile home community intrigued me. Trailerpark’s strength is in its characters. They are distinct, awkward, and the connections between them are as entertaining as they are strange. There were some moments where I chuckled to myself and other moments where I felt like I might cry. Was this my favorite book? No. But I’m not a short story girl. Did I enjoy it? Yes, and for a collection, it was one of my favorites. I would recommend, but only to those who enjoy a quirky read now and then.
