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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