My First Half of 2021 Review Round-Up
It’s hard for me to believe that 2021 is halfway over. It’s bizarre really, but I’m excited. Watching much of the world begin to move again fills me with hope, but I’m cautious. It almost as if we’re all butterflies who’ve just emerged from our chrysalises of collective grief waiting for our wings to dry to then figure out the whole flying thing. Anyway, during these past few months of metamorphosis, reading books has been one of the few things keeping me at least a semblance of sane. My pace of reading has slowed down a bit since picking up on some writing projects, but I’m fortunately still on track to meet my Goodreads goal for the year. 20 books down and 20 to go! I don’t leave reviews for all the books I read and/or listen to, but I’m trying to get into the habit of doing so more often. Reviewing books helps me grow as a reader and a writer and also, it’s a lot of fun! So without further ado, here are the books I’ve reviewed during the first half of 2021:
Poems of War and Remembrance by Various
(4/5 stars)
I think I needed to experience this collection of poetry today. One of my new year's resolutions is to read and listen to more poetry, so this was a chance to press into that goal. But also, I needed this collection to serve as a kind of map to how poets made sense or nonsense or anything of war because I'm sitting in the tension of this current moment in the United States and the world and rendered speechless. It's all too much and not enough simultaneously. And this collection of poetry is helping me navigate my way out of the wrong kind of silence. I only wish that poems were more clearly contextualized in the periods in history from which they emerge. But then again, perhaps not anchoring them in context appealed to the more universal experience of war and remembrance across time and cultures.
The Golden Thread: How Fabric Changed History
by Kassia St. Clair
(4.45 / 5 stars, rounded down to 4 on Goodreads)
I really enjoyed reading this book. Before indulging the skillfully woven written work of The Golden Thread, I never thought about the history and complexity of fabric. It was fascinating to consider the intersections of textiles and fashions and social perceptions and identities. I especially liked learning about how fabrics have shaped languages in multifaceted ways. Though I know that this was a collection of vignettes and not a continuous narrative, I only wish that the vignettes were more clearly connected. Each chapter felt like a very beautifully executed quilt square, but the thread connecting the squares together wasn't always clear.
The Orange Grove by Kate Murdoch
(4.25/5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars on Goodreads )
The Orange Grove is a skillfully woven tapestry of happenings, the narrative hovering from one character to another in a shared environment. The setting was beautifully rendered, making the whole story feel grounded in place, but not overly ornamented. The characters were also quite complex in their development and motivations. However, occasionally, the dialogue felt a bit stiff, seeming like more of a means to drive the plot than anything else. Also, though The Orange Grove was immensely entertaining, the pacing and structure of the story felt more like a soap opera than a novel, especially given how some secondary characters would disappear and reappear in relation to certain plot points in rather abrupt ways. All in all, The Orange Grove was a thoroughly enjoyable read, but the narrative events would probably self-actualize beyond the page and on a screen.
bathtub in flames. by Bailee Noella
(4.7/5 stars, rounded up to 5 on Goodreads)
Collections like bathtub in flames. make me all the more determined to read more poetry. Bailee Noella renders such vulnerability, frankness, and beauty. I loved how she was able to imbue so much into tight phrases. My favorite poems were probably "bread crumbs." and "matryoshkas." showing that the presence or absence of little things can encapsulate so much of everything and nothing at all. I'm so thankful Noella shared this collection with the world.
The Stars That Govern Us by J.R. Alcyone
(4.85/5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars on Goodreads)
I thoroughly enjoyed The Stars That Govern Us. This novel does a very compelling job of immersing readers into the comprehensive realm of medical surgery, research, and experimentation while also embracing matters of the heart. (Pardon the very intentional pun.) I deeply admire the amount of research it must have taken to render this tale effectively and I think J.R. Alcyone skillfully navigates the balance between fact and fiction. I especially liked the depictions of Pete and Alec's relationship, interwoven with a realistic and relatable complexity. I also appreciated the scenic and sensory descriptions of nature. If I had to provide a note of criticism, I would say that there were a few passages of internalized thought progressions that felt a tad overwrought. However, overall, I would HIGHLY recommend The Stars That Govern Us to other readers and look forward to more of J.R. Alcyone's work.
Soul of Stone by Michele Amitrani
(4.1/5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars on Goodreads)
On the whole, I really enjoyed Soul of Stone. I found Michele Amitrani's prose to be intentional, economical, and direct in a refreshing way, mirroring the desired precision of medicine and healing. I came to appreciate Panacea's no-nonsense attitude, which heightened the relevant moments of tenderness and vulnerability. With all of that being said, there were times I wish the descriptions of the scenes or the explorations of Panacea's interiority were a bit more... lush, for lack of a better word. Much of this story came alive for me through skillfully drawn parallels and intersections. Though all of that is still great, I would have liked more opportunities to revel in the beauty of the language itself. Again, the Soul of Stone was a very solid read and I would recommend it to others, especially those who enjoy mythological retellings.
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
(5/5 stars)
This book is everything I'd hoped it would be and more. It took me so long to read it because I wanted to be careful to pay close attention to the interwoven nature of the narratives. In her Note on Methodology, Wilkerson shares that this book was in part shaped to be a dynamic oral history of the Great Migration. As someone who is inspired by oral history in her own work and hopes to study it more formally, the rich intentionality of leaning into three key accounts throughout The Warmth of Other Suns especially resonated with me. I could feel the stories stirring something in my bones, knowing that my grandparents were products of the Great Migration. I think this should be required reading for high school students across the nation so that this crucial era of American history can finally receive the caliber of consideration it deserves.
The City of Snow & Stars: Cities of Wintenaeth Book One
by S.D. Howard
(4.8/5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars on Goodreads)
The City of Snow & Stars was an absolutely stunning read. I was enraptured by the world-building and the multifaceted characters. My opinions on each character are profoundly mixed, which points to a skillfully rendered nuance. I won't give anything away by saying that there were some details that caught me by surprise. Though the book takes place in a fantasy realm, there are familiar aspects like calendars and foods that connect readers back to our own world. I wonder if/how these threads will be teased out as the story unfolds...
As a Christian, I'm so grateful for Howard's work. There were times I had to take breaks from reading this book because of the brokenness and pain depicted, but my heart needs to break over these things. I'm so glad that The City of Snow & Stars doesn't shy away from brokenness. In recognizing the severity of the brokenness and pain, the reconciliation, healing, and justice are all the more powerful and miraculous. I'm really looking forward to the next book of the Cities of Wintenaeth series!
The Sphinx at Dawn: Two Stories by Madeleine L’Engle
(4.9/5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars on Goodreads)
I've loved anything and everything written by Madeleine L'Engle that I have read so far and these two short stories are no exception. I love the simplicity and rhythm of the prose, the contemplative ease of the dialogue. Inevitably, I'll reread these stories and many of my other L'Engle favorites again soon.
Chasing the Monkey King by D.C. Alexander
(3.75/5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars on Goodreads)
On the whole, I thoroughly enjoyed Chasing the Monkey King. I haven't read a mystery book in a long time and this was a great story to slip back into the genre. The world-building in this book was exceptional. The calibre and specificity of the detail made the narrative much more compelling and atmospherically immersive. I also enjoyed Lars and Wallace's quick-witted banter and clear friendship.
With all of this being said, I didn't emotionally connect to the characters, particularly Lars, in the way that I had hoped. Descriptions of his emotions felt very detached, which I suppose coincides with his personality. I just wished I cared as much about him and his development as a character as I did about the mystery being solved.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to explore the intricacies of setting and plot development. It's also a great mystery novel for those who want to be introduced to mystery genre.
Paradise Blue by Dominique Morisseau
(4.9/5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars on Goodreads)
This play is imbued with the beauty, pain, and tenderness of jazz. I appreciate how the storyline utilized familiar tropes, but also included a caliber of complexity to make the characters all the more believable. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is enamored with the manifestations of jazz across art forms.
Mugabe, My Dad & Me by Tonderai Munyevu
(4.2/5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars on Goodreads)
This truly caught me by surprise. I appreciated Munyevu's honesty about the non-linear nature of the story. I enjoyed the interwoven tapestry of his story, one that ultimately points to the complexity and beauty of oral histories in general. I am also thankful that I listened to this instead of reading it. The story wouldn't have made sense outside of his voice. There are many threads in this narrative that are left unresolved, which is frustrating at times, but I think that's part of the point. Real stories are messy and unresolvable, pressing us to lean into tension and learn more about ourselves and our evolving shared and distinct histories.
Stone Circle by Kate Murdoch
4.35/5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars on Goodreads
On the whole, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Stone Circle. I became emotionally tethered to many of the characters, which is my favorite part of experiencing a story. It doesn't surprise me that Murdoch is also a painter. That explains the skillful depiction of the often breath-taking imagery. The only thing I wish is that the dialogue felt less like a play script. There were times I felt the dialogue was almost too direct in naming certain relational dynamics before they had a chance to naturally play out. I wish some things had the chance to stir under the surface a bit longer. With all that being said, I really enjoyed Stone Circle and look forward to more of Murdoch's work.
I hope you enjoyed this review round-up! Here’s to reading helping us keep a semblance of sanity. 🎉 Do you happen to have any book recommendations? I’m always excited to add books to my to-be-read list… 🤓✨
