“He whispered, “Life.” And so she lived. Is living still. Will go on living, to the end of that whisper.”

-Emily Ruskovich, Idaho

Idaho- Emily Ruskovich

This book had been on my “to be read” pile for awhile- like ever since February. So I was very happy to find the time to read it. I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a beautiful novel. It’s a well written, heartbreakingly beautiful novel actually.

It centers around a tragedy that happened to a young family. Wade and Jenny have two children, June and May. One day when they are going about their business, clearing birch wood from a forest, an unspeakable act occurs which splinters the family apart. Wade, we find out later on, suffers from early onset dementia. Whether for better or worse, he doesn’t always recall the events of that day. This book is about the repercussions of a tragic event on each person.

Idaho is haunting. A book about tragedy might have to be. I don’t know. It made me wrestle with a lot of thoughts. Is Wade better off not remembering the tragedy? What does that mean for the people he leaves these memories with- is it now their burden to carry?

The writing style changes perspectives throughout which keeps the narrative style fresh and flowing. There are also time shifts each chapter. I tend to enjoy books with this type of narrative style.

It took me a while to work my way through it because it is slow burning. I don’t think this one will stick with me long term or be too memorable. But it was enjoyable to read overall.

My Goodreads rating is 3/5 stars.

Happy Reading -Becky

Current Book Wish List- May edition

These are not all new books, or books released in May. Just my current wish list this month.

In no particular order.

Fever Dream- Samantha Schweblin

The Hour of Land- Terry Tempest Williams

Desert Boys- Chris McCormick

 

What’s on your current book wish list? I’d love to hear your suggestions/wish lists. Comment below!

 

“A great sorrow, and one that I am only beginning to understand: we don’t get to choose our own hearts. We can’t make ourselves want what’s good for us or what’s good for other people. We don’t get to choose the people we are.” – Donna Tartt, “The Goldfinch”

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI- David Grann

It’s nonfiction time, y’all! And this one is a great pick. David Grann does a great job giving the reader a lot of information in a way that’s interesting and fresh. This book was never dry. So what’s it about? Keep on reading.

Killers of the Flower Moon is about the Osage Native American tribe, who in the 1920’s were the richest population in the world per capita. Their money came from oil found underneath their reservation land. But because of prejudice against Native Americans at the time, many of the Osage did not have access to their own money and had to have a guardian, usually an upper class white man, who controlled their finances. During this time there were many mysterious murders of Osage people. Through fires, execution style shootings, and poisonings the Osage were being killed off at a rapid rate. Once again because of prejudice, there was not immediate action taken on the Osage’s behalf. Many families lived in constant fear of their imminent murder. An investigation into the murders was launched… and totally botched by incompetent and crooked detectives and police forces. There needed to be a US government sanctioned investigative force brought in to weed out the facts and assist in solving these murders. And thus the FBI was born.

I really enjoyed reading this one. It was informative and interesting, but also had a mystery component that kept me hooked. David Grann is well known for his book “The Lost City of Z”, which I hastily picked up as soon as I finished this one. I recommend you pick them both up.

My Goodreads rating is 5/5 stars.

Happy Reading -Becky

“Maybe people here let a person feel melancholy; maybe they didn’t say, You’d be pretty if you smiled.”

-Bonnie Jo Campbell, “Children of Transylvania, 1983” in Mothers, Tell Your Daughters

Penance by Kanae Minato

Penance is the story of how four women’s lives are changed forever when they witness the murder of their friend, Emily. Sae, Maki, Akiko, and Yuko were never able to fully recall the murderer’s identity, so the murder goes unsolved. This book takes place in Japan. At this time in Japan, the statute of limitations for murder was 15 years. The story looks back at the events of the day Emily was murdered as the deadline for the statute of limitations is running out.

This book is chilling, creepy, and haunting. The chapters are written from the perspective of Sae, Maki, Akiko, Yuko, and Emily’s mother. From this writing style I was able to hear the same story, but with each person’s unique point of view. The story sucked me right in and kept hold of me long after the book was over. Such a good read! I clung to the idea that one event in a young person’s life can completely mold their adulthood. Childhood trauma affected each of these women differently. It wasn’t an easy read, but I enjoyed the depth of this novel.

My Goodreads rating is 5/5 stars.

Happy Reading! -Becky

 

“Once Deeze told me that all the old-timey cemeteries were built next to train lines. He said that was how they shipped the coffins in. Right that minute I knew the bullies wanted to hurt my soul in a way that they hoped would turn my body into a coffin.”- Emil Ferris, My Favorite Thing Is Monsters

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters- Emil Ferris

One word comes to mind when I think about this graphic novel- stunning. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful- like a 400 page piece of art. I totally see why the book has been difficult to find and often sold out.

This graphic novel is written from Karen, a 10 year old Chicagoan’s, perspective and through her spiral notebook journal. Karen’s favorite things are monsters, horror films, and anything gory. In her journal she draws herself as a werewolf. Because of being made fun of at school, she sees herself as different. But she is ok with that, she loves monsters and does not want to be boring like everyone else at school. One day Karen’s upstairs neighbor, Anka, is found dead. The police rule it a suicide, but Karen is not so sure. She dons a detective hat and trench coat and sets out to find who killed Anka. Through her detective work, Karen discovers Anka’s past. She was a holocaust survivor and had a very rough childhood.

Researching the author, Emil Ferris was also super interesting to me. She survived West Nile virus, which left her paralyzed. She had to relearn how to walk and draw. Coming from someone who has never been able to draw in the first place, her relearning how to draw, and to this caliber, is insane. This is her debut graphic novel.

There are definitely graphic scenes and mature themes throughout, but they are a part of Karen’s (and Anka’s) reality.  I enjoyed this book so much. I didn’t want to put it down- and I barely did. I basically binge-read the whole thing in one sitting. I was actually sad when it was over. It took me awhile to start the next book on my pile because I didn’t want to let this one go. It has stuck with me ever since.

Volume II comes out in October 2017—*clapping hands emojis*

My Goodreads rating is 5/5 stars, obviously.

 

Happy Reading -Becky

stay
i whispered
as you
shut the door behind you

Rupi Kaur, milk and honey