A fast-paced thrilling first-time novel by Zoje Stage. Moms with new babies (especially daughters) should probably stay away as - from a film perspective - it's a mix between We Need To Talk About Kevin, The Good Son, The Omen, and The Bad Seed. But, it's a girl instead of a boy! Which is a nice twist. Very well written and just an intense novel about a 9-year old girl gone wild; hellbent on killing her mother. Fun, right? For me, it was.
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
I can't say enough about this book. I'm just mesmerized at Malcolm Gladwell's research and insight and communicating some of these heady things in an efficiently easy way that everyone can understand. The biggest thing I pulled out of this novel is that everyone's success is a conglomeration of tiny moments weaved throughout your life that lead you to where you're going to go, and who you're going to be. In some instances, it's when you were born. In others, it's where you were born. What month you were born. Sometimes it's the opportunities you've been given. And, other times, it pure luck. One thing I've learned from this book is that it does take a lot of hard work, 10,000 hours of hard work to be exact. One of the key nuggets I pulled from this book is that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of practice to truly master anything. Soccer. Poker. Coding. Illustrating. Designing. Writing. That's about 3 hours a day of practices, every day, for 10 years! The Beatles, Bill Gates and others got an early start on this practice which eventually led them to their overall success. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Pick up this book. It will definitely open up your eyes.
Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff
Can totally see why Academy Award winner Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us) snagged up the rights to this horror novel to transform it into a TV Series. With a tip of the hat to horror maestro HP Lovecraft, Ruff's book mixes strong African-American characters meshed with elements of horror, supernatural and science fiction - and it's set in 1950's Jim Crow America. Also, perfect for television, the book is parcelled out in key vignettes that stand uniquely on their own, while adding to the overall storyline. Matt Ruff does a fantastic job with plot, creative narrative twists and dialogue. His dialogue is superb. Just like the Coen Brothers did with Cormac McCarthy, I can see them plucking entire pages of dialogue from this book to use in the series. I don't want to give too much away, but from my perspective, this is a very unique, very creepy, very fun, book that's entertaining yet casts a lens on racism and prejudice in this very odd time of our American history. Those moments of bigotry, which are splashed throughout the book, are among the most unsettling elements of horror that you'll read.
Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling)
If you like JK Rowling and you like detective yarns, then you'll enjoy this book. A friend at work told me that JK wrote these novels under the pseudonym Galbraith, which follows the gruff, frumpy, slightly misunderstood, but highly perceptive, gumshoe Strike (who reminds me of a mix between Columbo and Hagrid). I enjoyed this novel. I enjoyed dipping my toe back in the Rowling waters as the book is well written, well paced, with a strong plot that keeps you turning the pages until you find out 'who done it' or is it 'who did it'?
One Summer: America 1927 by Bill Bryson
If you're a history buff or just a fan of American history in general, before you go to the beach snag up this summer read. All summers go by in a flash. But, others, seem to be more important, more memorable. More historic. Summer of '69 comes to top of mind for many. But, the summer of 1927. Damn, that was a biggie. And Bill Bryson's there to give you a front-row seat of the sights, sounds, and spectacles of what took place in that 5-6 month span. From Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford and Babe Ruth to prohibition, Sacco & Vanzetti, and Cleveland's own Von Sweringen brothers and more--Bryson captures it all. His writing paints a worthy narrative picture that seemingly brings the entire summer back to the future to enjoy and marvel. Highly recommended.
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Fantastic book. Morrie is a very inspirational fellow - even when he faces his mortaility. Some of the lessons he shares with Mitch Albom on his death bed are almost prophet-like. But I think the beauty about the book is how positive and upbeat he is as his body is deteriorating. I'm not so sure I would be so zen if I were put into his situation. Which, I guess, is why this book was made. This is a good book to have to revisit every so often to serve as a reminder that we're all on this roller coaster for only a finite amount of time. So let's try to make the best of it by reading a great book, right?
The River by Peter Heller
Incredible fiction by 'Dog Stars' writer Peter Heller. Coming off my canoeing/hiking trip at Isle Royale in August, I fell right into this book like a beaver to water. Heller captures the sights, the sounds, the feelings and the overall mystique of camping, fishing and canoeing in the great outdoors for more than a night. But it's a lot more. It's a mystery and a thriller weaved into an adventurous fishing trip; all the while with a forest fire closing in on the two protagonists. Great writing. Tight dialogue. Just a great story overall.
Heartland by Sarah Smarsh
Great read by Smarsh which harks back to Hillbilly Elegy but from a female's perspective. This biography doesn't take place in Kentucky, but Kansas. America's heartland. Where prideful farmers and blue-collar workers are struggling to make ends meet. Smarsh takes us through her tough childhood journey which consists of poverty, domestic violence, and unplanned pregnancies all around-as she tries to escape her confines for education and middle class dreams. Growing up in the small town of Martins Ferry, Ohio, and being one the first Eimers in my family to ever attend college, I can relate to Smarsh's plight. This is a good, fast read and forces you to think really hard about what folks are fighting for. Sometimes it's not just money. Sometimes it's just to break the chains that have held their family back for so long.
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
Great follow-up to The Shining which doesn't have that much to to do with the original work minus Danny, the lady in room 217, and a final sequence at the Overlook. Happy to see King was interested in how Danny turned out in middle age. That said, the author weaves a very interesting story about a group of individuals called the True Knot who hunt down folks with the shining for their very own personal game - including their hunt for a girl in New Hampshire who has a lot of it. If you liked the first, and/or Kubrick's film (which King didn't like), this is worth a read. You won't be disappointed.
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
| Raina Telgemeier's latest growing-up-teenage graphic novel doesn't disappoint. Smartly written, nicely illustrated, it seems to capture the heart of what it was like growing up in her mind, body and spirit. A nice bonus is that my 13-year old daughter thoroughly enjoys these as well. But they're for everyone who has a love of childhood memories, good story telling, and a fondness for great illustrations. |
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Other Top Reads From Year's Past:
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