Dark Matter

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Published by Random House Audio on Jul. 26, 2016
Genre(s): Fiction, Science Fiction, Thriller, Mystery
Format: Audiobook / Kindle
Time: 10:18:00

Goodreads synopsis: 

“Are you happy with your life?”

Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious.

Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits.

Before a man Jason’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.”

In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor, but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible.

Is it this world or the other that’s the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how can Jason possibly make it back to the family he loves? The answers lie in a journey more wondrous and horrifying than anything he could’ve imagined—one that will force him to confront the darkest parts of himself even as he battles a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe.

From the author of the bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy, Dark Matter is a brilliantly plotted tale that is at once sweeping and intimate, mind-bendingly strange and profoundly human—a relentlessly surprising science-fiction thriller about choices, paths not taken, and how far we’ll go to claim the lives we dream of.

Seth really wanted to read this book, and I had heard good things, so we decided to get it on our Kindles and read it together. The book is definitely more his style of book, totally true to the science fiction genre. Even though these aren't the typical novel I go for, I still love a good mystery every once in awhile, and Dark Matter exceeded all expectations.

The suspense throughout the story was so engaging that I never wanted to put it down. It was so hard to stay on track so that Seth and I were reading at the same pace because I was constantly reading past our agreed upon mark. The story centers around the idea that everything that can happen will, and that our lives are not our own, but instead, our reality is based upon every choice we and others make. It was a strange story, but so engrossing and powerful.

There are a few criticisms I could make about the characters, the plot, and the timing of the various twists, but all in all, I was so satisfied with the overall flow and outcome of the story, that it doesn't even matter. I thought the author did a phenomenal job taking a complicated topic centered around astrophysics and translating it through relatable characters to create an easy and enjoyable read that didn't require turning to google in order to understand.

This is one of those rare books that keeps you thinking and wondering for days after you've finished it. In fact, I feel tempted to pick it up and read the entire thing start to finish again. My mind and my heart were both racing throughout the entirety of the book, and after finishing it, I can't help but look at the world around me and my everyday choices with a sort of skepticism and admiration. Truly a work of sci-fi art, I recommend this book to anyone interested in stepping out of their comfort zone and going on an exciting and thrilling ride through an unreal (yet somehow scarily real-feeling) story.

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Leaving Time

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
Published by Ballantine Books on Oct. 14, 2014
Genre(s): Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery
Format: Audiobook / Paperback
Pages: 398

Goodreads synopsis: 

For over a decade, Jenna Metcalf obsesses on her vanished mom Alice. Jenna searches online, rereads journals of the scientist who studied grief among elephants. Two unlikely allies are Serenity Jones, psychic for missing people who doubts her gift, and Virgil Stanhope, jaded PI who originally investigated cases of Alice and her colleague. Hard questions and answers.

The first book I ever read by Picoult was My Sister's Keeper. I liked the book, but I remember having trouble getting through it. i could chalk it up to my young age, inexperience reading long and dense novels, or maybe that it just didn't grasp my attention like Harry Potter. Whatever it was, anytime another Picoult novel came across my radar, I always sort of just waved it off, uninterested. When I think back to My Sister's Keeper, and my reaction reading the book, I know that I liked it, so I'm not sure where the weird, negative association comes from. However, I read Small Great Things earlier this year and I was completely blown away. This isn't a review for either of those books, obviously, but my point is to give context as to why I decided to read one of Picoult's earlier works now. After realizing my mistake of passing up on her books over the years, I clearly have a lot of catching up to do on this brilliant author's work.

I picked up Leaving Time randomly, having no idea what the book was about. I've been doing that a lot lately- going into a story without even so much as reading the synopsis. It can be really exciting for books that grab you right in the first chapter, and this one definitely did. I won't say much about the plot, in case that's your style of reading new books, as well.

In classic Picoult style, the twist at the end rocked me! I didn't see it coming AT ALL, and it made me reconsider the entire book. I had to think back to things that had been happening to the characters and look at them in a different way. It was so well done, I found myself considering similar situations in my own life, wondering if I should be taking another look at the world around me and not just that of these characters.

The story was written with each chapter from a different character's viewpoint, although, I would have liked to see the story from the viewpoint of a couple more characters. I'm not sure if Picoult left the viewpoints of two integral characters in the story out on purpose, or if she just felt that it wasn't necessary. It definitely added more mystery to the plot, but it also left a lot to be desired given their roles in the lives of the other characters.

Overall, the book was an easy, entertaining, and surprising mystery to keep you on your toes until the last page. If you haven't read it, I definitely recommend it to anyone that enjoys Picoult's work or is looking for a new author to love.

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Wonder

Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Published by Knopf on Feb. 14, 2012
Genre(s): Fiction, Young Adult, Family, Contemporary
Format: Kindle / Audiobook
Pages: 316

Goodreads synopsis: 

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.

This was a very nice story and an easy, quick read. Wonder is going to be released as a film soon, so of course I had to read it. The story was sad at times, but overall, it was really enjoyable with an uplifting message. Definitely young adult, but still suitable for all ages. In fact, this is one of those rare books that I would recommend to absolutely anyone. If everyone read this book, the world would be a better place. Especially middle schools.

Palacio does a great job detailing the atmosphere of middle school and what it's like to be a new kid. But August Pullman, the main character, isn't just any new kid. He is a medical "wonder," born with a condition that has left him looking a lot different than his peers. The novel tells the story of August's transition to middle school life: interacting with new friends and bullies, and learning that sometimes you can make a difference in others' hearts just by being yourself.

I truly enjoyed this story, and again, I would recommend it to anyone of any age. It's a great tale of love, friendship, acceptance, and kindness.

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The Alchemist

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Published by Harper Torch in 1988
Genre(s): Fiction, Classics, Fantasy, Philosophy
Format: Kindle/Audiobook
Pages: 197

Goodreads synopsis: 

Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.

I really enjoyed this book. It was slow at times, but it was a quick enough and interesting read. It had a pleasant overarching theme of following your dreams and I enjoyed the positive tone of the story as the main character works so hard to do so throughout the book.

This is my sister's favorite book, which is why I decided that I should read it. I felt, at times, a little lost in why characters were making certain choices...as if it didn't align properly to who they had been shaped to be in my mind. But other than that, I felt that it was a unique and enjoyable tale of being true to oneself.

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milk and honey

milk and honey by Rupi Kaur
Published by Create Space on Nov. 4, 2014
Genre(s): Nonfiction, Poetry, Feminism
Format: Paperback
Pages: 204

Goodreads synopsis: 

milk and honey is a collection of poetry and prose about survival. It is about the experience of violence, abuse, love, loss, and femininity. It is split into four chapters, and each chapter serves a different purpose, deals with a different pain, heals a different heartache. milk and honey takes readers through a journey of the most bitter moments in life and finds sweetness in them because there is sweetness everywhere if you are just willing to look.

I read some of the reviews on goodreads and felt disappointed that people would dismiss this woman's work so quickly because they didn't personally resonate with her words, so I decided to check it out for myself.

Many of the negative reviews seemed unfair to me, but maybe I don't understand because the book did speak to me on a personal level. Regardless, I'm not an expert on this style of writing, but I still believe that this collection was brave and raw and just real. It put words to feelings that many young men and women may be feeling but are unable to express.

It's hard to summarize these feelings into one review since some of the pieces were so vastly different, and I hate to give excerpts as they would essentially be spoiling the book. I'll just say that I really enjoyed reading Rupi Kaur's words accompanied by her exquisite sketches, and page after page, I was so glad that I picked up her book. Her journey through poetry and prose was tragic and beautiful and I look forward to reading it again.

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Kitchens of the Great Midwest

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
Published by Viking on July 28, 2015
Genre(s): Fiction, Food, Adult, Contemporary
Format: Paperback
Pages: 310

Goodreads synopsis: 

When Lars Thorvald's wife, Cynthia, falls in love with wine--and a dashing sommelier--he's left to raise their baby, Eva, on his own. He's determined to pass on his love of food to his daughter--starting with puréed pork shoulder. As Eva grows, she finds her solace and salvation in the flavors of her native Minnesota. From Scandinavian lutefisk to hydroponic chocolate habaneros, each ingredient represents one part of Eva's journey as she becomes the star chef behind a legendary and secretive pop-up supper club, culminating in an opulent and emotional feast that's a testament to her spirit and resilience.

Each chapter in J. Ryan Stradal's startlingly original debut tells the story of a single dish and character, at once capturing the zeitgeist of the Midwest, the rise of foodie culture, and delving into the ways food creates community and a sense of identity. By turns quirky, hilarious, and vividly sensory, Kitchens of the Great Midwest is an unexpected mother-daughter story about the bittersweet nature of life--its missed opportunities and its joyful surprises. It marks the entry of a brilliant new talent.

I have had this book on my "to-read" shelf for such a long time and could never get ahold of a copy through the two sources I regularly use- PaperbackSwap and Audible. So when I was in NYC last week and I saw a copy at The Strand, I immediately bought it and began reading on my next subway ride.

The book tells the story of Eva Thorvald as she grows up in the midwest, gathering experiences that help to shape her future in food. Each chapter revolves around a different food and person that has an impact on Eva's life. It's unique in that each chapter tells a story from the perspective of another character, sometimes with Eva only appearing at the end or not at all. I loved how Stradal did this. It's an interesting way to construct a plot, but it worked. The layout and design of the story flowed smoothly, and learning about Eva through the eyes of multiple other people that have impacted her life really helped to develop her character as well as each supporting character involved.

Another thing I really enjoyed about the book was how it all pieced together at the end so deliberately. There were a couple of things that occurred throughout the book that were left unanswered, but I believe that was likely intentional, and the mystery to each of these pieces of the plot didn't take away from understanding the flow of the story in any way. However, at the end, in the final chapter, each chapter- having seemed so independent up until the end- finally came together in beautiful and natural way. It felt as if I, as the reader, had been leading up to the final "Dinner" all along, and the previous chapter in this book was all I needed to read in order to understand the complexity of each dish, each guest, and every other detail involved in the final story...Like there was so much more to these characters, as there is to everyone in life, but having read each of their chapters and seeing it all come together at the end, I was able to understand each of them a little better, and appreciate life and how it has a unique way of happening.

I laughed out loud more than once while reading this book, and there were parts that even brought tears to my eyes, of both happiness and sadness. It sparked so much emotion, left my mouth watering, and left my mind racing every time I had to put it down. It was a quick and easy read, but not one I will soon forget. I definitely recommend it to anyone interested in a coming-of-age tale about life, love, family, and food.

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Into The Water

Into The Water by Paula Hawkins
Published by Riverhead on May 2, 2017
Genre(s): Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Suspense, Adult, Contemporary
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 388

Goodreads synopsis: 

A single mother turns up dead at the bottom of the river that runs through town. Earlier in the summer, a vulnerable teenage girl met the same fate. They are not the first women lost to these dark waters, but their deaths disturb the river and its history, dredging up secrets long submerged.

Left behind is a lonely fifteen-year-old girl. Parentless and friendless, she now finds herself in the care of her mother's sister, a fearful stranger who has been dragged back to the place she deliberately ran from—a place to which she vowed she'd never return.

With the same propulsive writing and acute understanding of human instincts that captivated millions of readers around the world in her explosive debut thriller, The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins delivers an urgent, twisting, deeply satisfying read that hinges on the deceptiveness of emotion and memory, as well as the devastating ways that the past can reach a long arm into the present.

Beware a calm surface—you never know what lies beneath. 

I was hesitant to start this book because I was less than impressed by Hawkins's first novel, The Girl on the Train, but after thinking about it, I decided that was unfair. In the beginning, the story starts out pretty straight forward, giving background to the eerie history of the town setting and the deaths of women that seem to always have mystery associated with them, but always involve the water. As things move forward, you learn that the lives of the people in the town are all entwined...to an overwhelming extent.

Hawkins writes each chapter from the perspective of a different character, which in most novels adds a lot of value to the plot and to the progress of the story for the reader. However, there are so many characters that at times, the story feels so confusing, and remembering who is who becomes daunting. This made it extremely difficult for me to get through the book. I didn't want to stop reading, because I really did want to discover how the multiple twists and mysteries would unfold, but the confusing nature of the book's organization hindered my focus and interest.

Toward the end, the story got a little annoying in how things began to pan out. And, in my opinion (obviously) the final twist of the book was completely unrealistically far-fetched. This may be because I didn't really feel a connection to the character involved, but I blame Hawkins for that due to the excessive amount of characters in the story. A few storylines seemed to remain a mystery in the end, never fully explaining what happened, which was definitely disappointing, even if I did lack a connection to the character involved.

This was an easy enough read, so anyone looking for a simple, quick beach-read or otherwise will likely enjoy it. However, for my high expectations in terms of mystery/thriller/suspense, it wasn't my favorite.

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The Good Girl

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
Published by Harlequin MIRA on Jul. 29, 2014
Genre(s): Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Format: Audiobook/Kindle
Pages: 352 

Goodreads synopsis: 

I've been following her for the past few days. I know where she buys her groceries, where she works. I don't know the color of her eyes or what they look like when she's scared. But I will.

One night, Mia Dennett enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn't show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger. At first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia's life.

When Colin decides to hide Mia in a secluded cabin in rural Minnesota instead of delivering her to his employers, Mia's mother, Eve, and detective Gabe Hoffman will stop at nothing to find them. But no one could have predicted the emotional entanglements that eventually cause this family's world to shatter.

An addictively suspenseful and tautly written thriller, The Good Girl is a propulsive debut that reveals how even in the perfect family, nothing is as it seems.

This book was recommended to me- as it likely was to many others- preceded by the question, "did you like Gone Girl?" I decided to give it a try because I did like Gone Girl, but I also liked Gillian Flynn's other novels of the same Suspense/Thriller genre, so I guess I was kind of hoping this story would fall in line with those...It didn't.

From the moment the story started to unfold, The Good Girl was predictable in almost every way. The mystery genre was lost on this one when nearly nothing was surprising. The characters had depth, but in a very far-fetched way such that the author described many of them to be one way, yet in their actions, they appeared completely- almost unbelievably- different. This definitely added to the unreliability of the suspense and shock-factor. Characters were doing and not doing things that just plain didn't fit to the point where it wasn't surprising because apparently anything goes.

The pace of the novel was slow, which also didn't help the suspense factor. On the other hand, the slow pace might have been the only reason I kept reading. Even though the story was boring at times, chapters were short, making it easy to keep going. Before I knew it, the book was over. I read a portion of the book on my kindle, which shows percentage in the bottom corner. At about 91%, I could tell things were wrapping up, and there was still so much unexplained. However, by the time the book ended, those explanations were somehow thrown in. Needless to say, the last 9% of the book is where things got a bit fuzzy for me. For how much was supposedly going on in between pages, trying to thoughtfully explain the plot from the beginning in one last chapter just didn't work out. I found myself rereading sentences because it was that unbelievable-- not the explanation itself, that I did see coming, but the way the author wrote it off in a few short paragraphs.

Overall, the story was highly predictable for me, but because it was short with quick chapters, it was still an enjoyable read. With more nuanced characters and plot details, I think it could have been a lot better.

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The Night Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Published by Doubleday in Sep. 13, 2011
Genre(s): Historical, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction
Format: Audiobook/Kindle
Pages: 400

Goodreads synopsis: 

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, no paper notices plastered on lampposts and billboards. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.

Within these nocturnal black-and-white striped tents awaits an utterly unique, a feast for the senses, where one can get lost in a maze of clouds, meander through a lush garden made of ice, stare in wonderment as the tattooed contortionist folds herself into a small glass box, and become deliciously tipsy from the scents of caramel and cinnamon that waft through the air.

Welcome to Le Cirque des Rêves.

Beyond the smoke and mirrors, however, a fierce competition is under way--a contest between two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood to compete in a "game" to which they have been irrevocably bound by their mercurial masters. Unbeknownst to the players, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will.
The premise of this novel is captivating, and definitely keeps you interested; however, the author incorporates tedious detail throughout the story, making for a very long read. The plot unfolds rather slowly, as well, threatening to be boring at times, but I never wanted to stop reading- I had to know what would happen next. Because of the intricate aforementioned details involved in the magic and fantasy of The Night Circus world, the events that occur are hard to understand at times. I found myself flipping back to earlier chapters to comprehend something being discussed pages later. Even at the end, I found the way things concluded to be complex and a bit far-fetched, even by magical standards.

There are a lot of story lines entwined within each other, and the organization of the novel was hard to follow at times, as well, as subsequent chapters often occur years before and after one another, rather than in chronological order. This definitely added to the suspense of the tale, but again, if you aren't mindful of the date of the chapter you are currently reading the entire time reading it, a lot of backflipping occurs, here, too.

If you like a story about magic, fantasy, and romance, and don't mind working a little to stay focused on the complex plot lines, you'll love it. Suspenseful and surprising at times, The Night Circus was definitely interesting and overall, an enjoyable read.

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South and West by Joan Didion

South and West by Joan Didion
Published by Knopf Publishing Group on Mar. 7, 2017
Genre(s): Nonfiction, Essays, Memoir, Travel
Format: Kindle
Pages: 160

Goodreads synopsis: 

From the best-selling author of the National Book Award-winning The Year of Magical Thinking two extended excerpts from her never-before-seen notebooks--writings that offer an illuminating glimpse into the mind and process of a legendary writer.

Joan Didion has always kept notebooks: of overheard dialogue, observations, interviews, drafts of essays and articles--and here is one such draft that traces a road trip she took with her husband, John Gregory Dunne, in June 1970, through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. She interviews prominent local figures, describes motels, diners, a deserted reptile farm, a visit with Walker Percy, a ladies' brunch at the Mississippi Broadcasters' Convention. She writes about the stifling heat, the almost viscous pace of life, the sulfurous light, and the preoccupation with race, class, and heritage she finds in the small towns they pass through. 

And from a different notebook: the "California Notes" that began as an assignment from Rolling Stone on the Patty Hearst trial of 1976. Though Didion never wrote the piece, watching the trial and being in San Francisco triggered thoughts about the city, its social hierarchy, the Hearsts, and her own upbringing in Sacramento. Here, too, is the beginning of her thinking about the West, its landscape, the western women who were heroic for her, and her own lineage, all of which would appear later in her acclaimed 2003 book, Where I Was From. 

This book is an intimate look into Joan Didion’s thought process during her time spent traveling in the South in the 70s. Joan spends a month traveling through Lousiana, Missisippi, and Alabama in the hopes that gaining a further understanding of the South will help her to better understand the West and her place amongst it.

The style of the book is a sort of collection of essays, or notes, from the notebook Joan kept while she moved through her journey. Only a last ¼ of the book is devoted to the West, centering around Joan’s involvement with the Patty Hearst trial.

As she does in all of her writing, Joan is a perfect craftsman of words, capturing every detail- spoken and unspoken- to truly place the reader within the story. Her writing is effortless, making the art of story-telling seem easy. It’s always enjoyable to read her words and this piece of work was a unique glimpse at how her brilliant mind works.

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Born A Crime

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Published by Doubleday on Nov. 15, 2016
Genre(s): Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Cultural, Adult, Humor, Historical
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 304

Goodreads synopsis: 

The compelling, inspiring, and comically sublime story of one man's coming-of-age, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed. 

Trevor Noah's unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents' indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life, bound by the extreme and often absurd measures his mother took to hide him from a government that could, at any moment, steal him away. Finally liberated by the end of South Africa's tyrannical white rule, Trevor and his mother set forth on a grand adventure, living openly and freely and embracing the opportunities won by a centuries-long struggle. 

Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man's relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother: his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life.

The eighteen personal essays collected here are by turns hilarious, dramatic, and deeply affecting. Whether subsisting on caterpillars for dinner during hard times, being thrown from a moving car during an attempted kidnapping, or just trying to survive the life-and-death pitfalls of dating in high school, Trevor illuminates his curious world with an incisive wit and unflinching honesty. His stories weave together to form a moving and searingly funny portrait of a boy making his way through a damaged world in a dangerous time, armed only with a keen sense of humor and a mother's unconventional, unconditional love. 

I never really had much interest in Trevor Noah. I wasn’t even aware of him until he replaced Jon Stewart on the Daily Show. Once I saw a couple episodes around the 2016 election, I started to like him, so once I saw that he was releasing a memoir, I knew I had to read it.

By now, it’s probably obvious that I love a good memoir, and a humorous one nearly always makes for an enjoyable read. I listened to Trevor Noah's book during the peak of the semester when I was too busy to be able to actually read, turning it on each time I got in my car. As I said, I never really knew much about him as a person before picking up his book, but now, I definitely have a new respect for him.

He starts out his story by discussing bits of his childhood, growing up in South Africa, born to a black, South African mother and a white, German father, making him a product of interracial relations, a crime punishable by law under apartheid. His story moves mostly chronologically throughout his life, with the exception of tales he inserts about his mother's past prior to his birth.

Integrating his wit whenever possible, Noah tells a beautiful story about a young man's journey through a life plagued by racism & poverty, and how the bond between a mother and child can withstand all of that and worse.

Even if you've never heard of this comedian before (catch his show weeknights on Comedy Central), his tales of a South African childhood will leave you laughing, crying, and in awe of the beauty in human differences.

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We Should All Be Feminists

We Should All Be Feminists by Ngozi Chimamanda Adichie
Published by Vintage on Jul. 29, 2014
Genre(s): , Nonfiction, , Feminism, Essays
Format: Paperback
Pages: 49

Goodreads synopsis: 

What does “feminism” mean today? That is the question at the heart of We Should All Be Feminists, a personal, eloquently-argued essay—adapted from her much-viewed TEDx talk of the same name—by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the award-winning author of Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun. 

With humor and levity, here Adichie offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century—one rooted in inclusion and awareness. She shines a light not only on blatant discrimination, but also the more insidious, institutional behaviors that marginalize women around the world, in order to help readers of all walks of life better understand the often masked realities of sexual politics. Throughout, she draws extensively on her own experiences—in the U.S., in her native Nigeria, and abroad—offering an artfully nuanced explanation of why the gender divide is harmful for women and men, alike. 

Argued in the same observant, witty and clever prose that has made Adichie a bestselling novelist, here is one remarkable author’s exploration of what it means to be a woman today—and an of-the-moment rallying cry for why we should all be feminists. 

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Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Published by Razorbill on Oct. 18, 2007
Genre(s): , Young Adult, , Fiction, Teen
Format: Paperback/Audiobook
Pages: 288

Goodreads synopsis: 

You can't stop the future. You can't rewind the past. The only way to learn the secret. . . is to press play.

Clay Jensen doesn't want anything to do with the tapes Hannah Baker made. Hannah is dead. Her secrets should be buried with her.

Then Hannah's voice tells Clay that his name is on her tapes-- and that he is, in some way, responsible for her death.

All through the night, Clay keeps listening. He follows Hannah's recorded words throughout his small town. . .

. . .and what he discovers changes his life forever.

I heard about the Netflix show coming out, so as a sucker for screenplays adapted from books, I rushed to read this one before the premiere. It's a young adult novel, so it wasn't exactly my pace; however the unique premise of the story held my interest immediately.

If you've watched the show at all, you know it occurs over a decent period of time. This is a key difference from the book which takes place all in one night, in which the main character has little to no interaction with anyone else. The other characters in the story exist entirely on a set of cassette tapes that the main character has made just before committing suicide.

While I applaud the bravery of taking on such a taboo topic of teen suicide, I felt that this story- presumably targeted toward teenagers- could have done a far better job on discussing the important considerations of this scary idea. For example, there is never any incorporation as to where a depressed, bullied, or suicidal teen should go for help, other than the school guidance counselor. There is no openness with parents on the matter or any other teachers, doctors, or persons of authority. Another problem I had with the book was that the tone of the tapes was very vengeful, as if suicide was this girls idea of revenge on her classmates for treating her poorly. Being that she made tape recordings of herself, she exists on every page of the novel, prohibiting the permanence of death from being real.

Teenagers reading this story, at their point in mental development, may not have a full understanding of the permanence of death; making the thought of a tormented young person reading this novel a scary one. Overall, it was an interesting and entertaining read; however, due to the sensitivity of the topic, I felt that it could have done a better job especially given the immaturity of the intended audience.

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Silence

Silence by Shūsaku Endō
Published by Taplinger in 1966
Genre(s): , Fiction, , Historical, Cultural, Religion, Classics
Format: Paperback
Pages: 201

Goodreads synopsis: 

Father Rodrigues is an idealistic Portuguese Jesuit priest who, in the 1640s, sets sail for Japan on a determined mission to help the brutally oppressed Japanese Christians and to discover the truth behind unthinkable rumours that his famous teacher Ferreira has renounced his faith. Once faced with the realities of religious persecution Rodrigues himself is forced to make an impossible choice: whether to abandon his flock or his God.

Winner of the 1966 Tanizaki Prize, Silence is Shusaku Endo's most highly acclaimed novel and a classic of its genre. It caused major controversy in Japan following its publication in 1967.

Silence will soon be a major film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver.

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Truly Madly Guilty

Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
Published by Flatiron on Jul. 26, 2016
Genre(s): , Fiction, , Contemporary
Format: Paperback ARC/Audiobook
Pages: 415

Goodreads synopsis:  Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One small dog. It’s just a normal weekend. What could possibly go wrong?

Sam and Clementine have a wonderful, albeit, busy life: they have two little girls, Sam has just started a new dream job, and Clementine, a cellist, is busy preparing for the audition of a lifetime. If there’s anything they can count on, it’s each other.

Clementine and Erika are each other’s oldest friends. A single look between them can convey an entire conversation. But theirs is a complicated relationship, so when Erika mentions a last minute invitation to a barbecue with her neighbors, Tiffany and Vid, Clementine and Sam don’t hesitate. Having Tiffany and Vid’s larger than life personalities there will be a welcome respite.

Two months later, it won’t stop raining, and Clementine and Sam can’t stop asking themselves the question: What if we hadn’t gone?

In Truly Madly Guilty, Liane Moriarty takes on the foundations of our lives: marriage, sex, parenthood, and friendship. She shows how guilt can expose the fault lines in the most seemingly strong relationships, how what we don’t say can be more powerful than what we do, and how sometimes it is the most innocent of moments that can do the greatest harm.

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Small Great Things

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Published by Ballantine on Oct. 11, 2016
Genre(s): Fiction, Social Issues, Contemporary, Adult, Drama, Race
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 470

Goodreads synopsis: Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years' experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she's been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don't want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?

Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy's counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible for her family—especially her teenage son—as the case becomes a media sensation. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other's trust, and come to see that what they've been taught their whole lives about others—and themselves—might be wrong.

With incredible empathy, intelligence, and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion—and doesn't offer easy answers. Small Great Things is a remarkable achievement from a writer at the top of her game.

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The Girl on the Train

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Published by Riverhead on Jan. 13, 2015
Genre(s): Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Suspense,
Format: Paperback/Audiobook
Pages: 325

Goodreads synopsis: 

The #1 New York Times Bestseller, USA Today Book of the Year, now a major motion picture starring Emily Blunt. Don't miss Paula Hawkins' new novel, Into the Water, coming May 2017.

EVERY DAY THE SAME Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

UNTIL TODAY And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel goes to the police. But is she really as unreliable as they say? Soon she is deeply entangled not only in the investigation but in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good? 

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