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.