Chapter Two Hundred Thirty: Trail of Lightning

One of my co-workers recommended Trail of Lightning to me, and I am so glad she did!  Libraries really are a great place to pick up book suggestions.  :)  Anyway, this debut novel by Rebecca Roanhorse is set in the not-too-distant future on Diné (Navajo) land--but it has been isolated by a wall from the rest of the United States, much of which was permanently submerged due to extreme flooding.  This flooding, while not inundating the Diné land, has ushered the Earth into a new age, and one of the consequences for the Diné is that their gods and mythic monsters have both returned to walk the land.  Our hero, Maggie Hoskie, is a monsterslayer who feels haunted by her past and present.  When this story begins, she is quickly faced by a monster the likes of which she's never seen before and by the rather unwelcome prospect of a new (and handsome) partner in her quest.  I won't say much more, because this book moves quickly, and I don't want to give anything away.  I'm only disappointed that the sequel doesn't come out until next April!  If you're looking for a fresh fantasy novel, or if you want a story with a solid female protagonist and plenty of action, definitely try out Trail of Lightning.

Chapter Two Hundred Twenty-Nine: Educated

I recently finished listening to the audiobook of Educated by Tara Westover.  This memoir, written by a woman only a few years older than I am, is incredibly intense and very thought-provoking.  It kept me on the edge of my (car) seat--even though I had a general idea of the arc of the story, I couldn't fathom how it would unfold.  I will say that I had odd dreams during the week or so I was listening to this book, I think because it describes and inspires some pretty strong emotions.  It's not an easy story, but I do think it's an important one.  I think everyone would benefit from reading or listening to his book.  I hope you'll check it out.

Chapter Two Hundred Twenty-Eight: Calypso

Listening to David Sedaris's newest collection of personal essays, Calypso, made me look forward to getting in my car and driving.  I really can't offer much higher praise.  While, as advertised, this collection is a bit darker than some of his earlier pieces, it's just as funny--maybe even more so for its dealings with aging, illness, suicide, and death.  By turns thoughtful and hilarious, I thoroughly enjoyed Sedaris's meditations on problems great and small and his trademark descriptions of some of the weirder people and events of his life.  I could write more, but really, you should just go and listen to or read Calypso for yourself.

Chapter Two Hundred Twenty-Seven: Symphony for the City of the Dead

I'd been meaning to listen to M.T. Anderson's non-fiction book Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dimitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad for a while now, and I'm so glad I finally did, and that I listened specifically, since the audiobook includes snippets of the Shostakovich's seventh symphony, written in Russia during the Second World War.  I was even inspired to borrow a recording of the symphony and listen to it (which I'd also recommend doing).  I had vague, high school history notions of Soviet Russia during WWII, so I really appreciated an opportunity to learn more about this dark corner of history--fair warning: if you want an upbeat story, this book is not for you.  But if you want a fascinating and well-researched glimpse into both one man's life and its broader historical, political, and social contexts, then this book is definitely for you.  I particularly appreciate how Anderson explicitly evaluates the many sources he presents, explaining the potential merits and deficits of each, and then leaving it to listeners (or readers) to draw their own conclusions, or to concede that there are some things that must remain unknown.  Even so, this is not a dry compilation and presentation of the evidence: Anderson masterfully creates a narrative of the whole that kept me rapt.  I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Chapter Two-Hundred Twenty Six: Warcross

Like Bellweather Rhapsody from two posts ago, I read Warcross by Marie Lu for a book club (I love book clubs).  I didn't love Warcross, but it was enjoyable enough, if somewhat predictable.  (Also, the mechanics and social elements of the eponymous game at its heart don't actually make much sense when you stop to think about them.)  Still, I was interested enough in how the events would unfold to want to read this story all the way through and skim over some of the shakier sections.  Plus, I mostly liked the protagonist, Emika, and her multi-colored hair and her (sometimes misguided) spunk.  To me, Warcross feels very much in the vein of Ready Player One, so if you enjoyed that novel, you might try this one.  I'd also suggest Warcross if you're looking for a fun YA adventure novel with a depressing undercurrent of "this could really happen or maybe is already starting."

Chapter Two Hundred Twenty-Five: Can't Help Myself

I listened to Boston Globe "Love Letters" columnist Meredith Goldstein's memoir Can't Help Myself (wonderfully read by the author) and enjoyed every moment of it.  It doesn't hurt, I suppose, that, although about ten years my senior, I resonated with much of what Goldstein described about her own life, but I think this work would appeal to a wider audience, too.  Goldstein weaves together snippets from her "Love Letters" columns and her own experiences as a girlfriend, as a single woman, as a sister, and as the daughter of a mother ill with cancer.  This juxtaposition of other people's letters to her column and her own life offers some perspective on both the column and especially her own life.  Even as Goldstein covers many weightier topics, her writing offers up moments of levity in counterbalance, making this memoir eminently listenable (or readable).  I only wished it lasted longer!

Chapter Two Hundred Twenty-Four: Bellweather Rhapsody

I read Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia for a book club, which hasn't met yet, but I'm excited to talk it over with people, because this book really surprised me!  It started a little slowly and blandly, feeling like your typical snide and semi-detached coming-of-age story, but as I got further into the narrative and got to know the main characters and their past better, I really started caring about them.  Even though there is a small cast of complex characters, Bellweather Rhapsody is also driven by its bizarre plot involving several murders, a high school music festival, and a snowstorm.  This is a book about which I can honestly say that I couldn't predict at all how it was going to end, which is pretty unusual for me, and made me appreciate this strange and wonderful novel all the more.  If you're looking for something good to read, something that will surprise you, I heartily and wholly suggest Bellweather Rhapsody.