A Book A Week

"Hello, neighbor!"

Let's face it. We are currently living in a frightening time in human history. As the reality of the global implications of COVID-19 set in, the news grows more and more disheartening. Five weeks into staying home, it has gotten more difficult to keep a positive outlook. The number of people infected with the virus continues to climb. The number of people who have succumbed to the virus rises too. Even those who aren't faced with fighting the disease themselves have been affected by the subsequent ramifications of it. Thankfully, there are countless stories of light shining through the darkness and despair. From the stories of retired healthcare professionals returning to the field to aid in the fight to the truck drivers selflessly working grueling hours to get food and supplies to those who need it, we are reminded each day of the remarkable way humanity can band together in a common goal.

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'"

As I sat in my house reflecting on these strange times, I was reminded of a book that has been patiently waiting on my shelf since the publisher gifted me a copy last fall. Kindness and Wonder: Why Mr. Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever by Gavin Edwards seems like a perfect book for this moment in history. I was one of the countless fortunate children who grew up watching public television. I still remember watching episodes of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, curiously hanging on the words of the friendly host. I remember the way he slowly spoke on the show, not afraid to sit in silence as he did menial things like feed the fish or tie his shoes. It wasn't until many years later that I realized the profound impact of his show and teachings. Now, I once again found comfort in his story.

Edward's book is divided into two sections. The first reads as a fairly traditional biography of Fred Rogers. It follows his unlikely rise from a young theology student and ordained minister to television star. I was struck by a couple things. First, I never realized how much thought and meticulous preparation went into the scripts of each episode of the show. Rogers carefully crafted his scripts to ensure his message would come across in a way that was both palatable and educational to his young audience. Second, Rogers was unafraid to use his platform to tackle difficult subjects. He welcomed an African American cast member to share in cooling waters of his pool during the height of the civil rights movement. He employed his quiet Daniel the Tiger puppet to have a frank discussion of assassination after Kennedy was killed. He even produced a special geared toward helping parents talk to their children in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. For such a seemingly unassuming man, Fred Rogers was perfectly willing to make vocal statements on current affairs.

The second part of Kindness and Wonder delves into the characteristics of Fred Rogers that Edwards posits can be impactful if practiced in our own lives. While the message of this section is meant to serve as an inspirational conclusion to the work, I'll admit it read as a little bit too "self-help" for my personal tastes. There are a few inspirational anecdotes, but other parts are a tad dry. Still, there is great value in reflecting on the life and mission of Fred Rogers. Kindness, humility, patience, empathy, all of these are attributes of rogers that we can strive to emulate in our own lives. At a brief 250 pages or so, Kindness and Wonder is the kind of book you can fall into during an afternoon and feel the emotional impact of immediately. It is like the warm hug of a family member or, perhaps more accurately, the reassuring voice of a long-forgotten friend. This is not the first challenge humanity has faced, and it will not be the last. Be it donating masks, volunteering at food banks, or even just reaching out to a neighbor, we can all find a way to make an impact. After all, "You've made this day a special day, by just your being you."

For more information visit Amazon and Goodreads.
(2020, 14)

There are days when you are looking to be moved by the characters, words, and situations an author writes. Other days, all you need is an escape from reality, the kind of book you can breeze through in a few sittings and leave thoroughly entertained. After reading several darker, more serious titles recently, I've been longing for something less emotionally taxing. These quarantine days are becoming more and more taxing on their own. While it has been great tackling some of the more challenging reads from my TBR list, it was time for a change of pace. I turned to one of my go-to authors, James Patterson. His collaboration with author Andrew Bourelle titled Texas Ranger seemed like a solid choice.

Texas Ranger Rory Yates has an unconventional relationship with his ex-wife Anne. The couple may not be married anymore, but Yates knows he will always love her. He's knee-deep in a hostage situation when Anne calls his phone. When he finally is able to connect with her, Rory can hear the fear in Anne's voice. He begins the drive to her house (anyone who has ever driven in Texas can relate to the hours spent in his truck) he worries about what she told him. Why would someone be calling in death threats to her?

When Rory makes it to Anne's house, he is greeted by the flashing lights of police lights. All hope leaves his body as he works his way onto the scene. The property has already been taped off, clearly a crime scene. Someone has murdered Anne. Rory was too late. Worst, he is already being eyed as the obvious suspect in her murder. He is ordered to stay out of the ongoing investigation into his possible potential involvement in Anne's death. Lucky for readers, he ignores these orders.

I always find it challenging to review a James Patterson novel, especially his co-authored efforts. Each one is just so similar to the other. There are short chapters, copious amounts of actions, and just enough twists to keep the reader guessing. That's exactly what I'm looking for when I open a Patterson book, and Texas Ranger delivers all of that. Rory is an affable protagonist who is maybe a little too headstrong for his own good. I've lived in the Lone Star State for my whole life, so it was fun to read references to Texas cities, country music, and other cultural hallmarks. This one won't be winning any awards for literary excellence, but it was an enjoyable way to escape for a few hours. With James Patterson, you pretty much know what you're getting when you pick up his books. As each day is clouded with more and more uncertainty, there's some comfort in having a book unfold exactly as you expect it to.

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2020, 13)

When I was a freshman in high school, I was really struggling to find suitable reading material. While I loved the Harry Potter series, I was less enthusiastic about other fantasy options. The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings just wasn't for me. At that point, I really stopped reading outside of school assignments. Then one day my mom brought be a tattered paperback copy of James Patterson's Mary Mary. I devoured that book and many of his other Alex Cross novels. Enthusiastic about the genre, I quickly latched onto John Grisham, Patricia Cornwell, John Sandford, etc. I was hooked!

If you follow my reviews, you no doubt see that I continue to be a huge fan of the mystery/thriller genre to this day. One author who has recently joined the ranks of must-read authors for me is Peter Swanson. His standalone thrillers consistently entertain each year. His most recent release serves as an homage to the kind of classic mysteries that have inspired countless readers to be sucked into the mystique of the genre. I graciously accepted a copy of Eight Perfect Murders from his publisher, and eagerly dove in.

Bookseller Malcolm Kershaw is surprised when an FBI agent pays a visit to his shop. It appears as if a serial killer is using famous mystery novels to inform his kills. The murders all happen to follow the writing of the likes of Highsmith, Tart, Christie, etc, but that doesn't explain why the FBI wants to talk to Malcolm. It turns out that he wrote a blog post years ago that listed the eight perfect murders in mystery fiction. The killer is systematically checking off Malcolm's list with each new crime. As the unwilling expert of the matter, Malcolm is invited to join in the investigation. Along the way, he'll try to find out how this murderer latched onto his list and try to hold tight a few secrets of his own.

It seems like clockwork each year that a new Peter Swanson novel drops, full of thrills, a strong hook, empathetic characters, and plenty of twists to keep the reader guessing. Eight Perfect Murders is no exception. Bibliophiles and casual readers alike should find something to latch onto in this one. If you are familiar with the eight novels employed by Swanson to inspire his crimes, you'll revel in seeing the way they are used here. If you're less familiar, you'll have eight new novels to add to your reading list. Be warned, though, that the crux of this novel lies in revealing the means of the criminal in those classics. If you're wanting to read those with fresh eyes, you may want to do that before embarking on this journey. Eight Perfect Murders sees Peter Swanson harken back to the classic stories that this genre was built on. While it doesn't add much to the contemporary genre in the same way some of his others have, it still serves as a great escape into an engaging and twisty read. In these unprecedented times of uncertainty, it was great to settle in to comfort and familiarity of a classic whodunnit.

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2020, 12)

"The need to go home. The need to dispense with this intruder, this nightmare, and return to two small impeccable bodies. the excruciating need."

As we all adjust to the new normal of staying home to help ease the threat of Covid-19, we are also finding our own ways to deal with the stress and uncertainty of the situation. More so than ever, I'm turning to books to help keep my mind off of the real world. One of the best parts of staying home has been having ample time to tackle some of the books that have been gathering dust on my 'to be read' list. The Need by Helen Phillips is one such title. I was drawn to it for its brief length (about 270 pages), but it was the tantalizing premise that ultimately captured my attention to the point that I read it in a single sitting.

The pit is the one place Molly feels she is able to escape the monotony of everyday life. As a paleobotanist, she has discovered numerous fossils that are believed to be the first of their kind. Perhaps more curious though are the other artifacts that were in the pit with them. There is a Coca-Cola bottle with a label that is slightly off from any known to have been produced, a shiny penny that was minted in the present day (could it have slipped from Molly's pocket?), and a tiny bible containing controversial text. The bible, in particular, has garnered the most interest. On the bright side, tourists are gathering at the dig site daily to see the oddities that have been unearthed. They bring a welcomed increase in revenue to keep the operation afloat. But just like that shiny penny, there are two sides to this coin. The second side is full of hate mail and threats of violence.

At home, Molly is having a hard time seeing past the tedium of motherhood. Sure, she loves her kids. She delights in being able to introduce four-year-old Viv and one-year-old Ben to the everyday wonders of the world, but weekends like these make it hard to remember those joys. Her husband is on a weeklong business trip, Viv's birthday party is a day away, and she's just come home to find that Viv has written all over the walls. Oh, and she still needs to go grocery shopping. " What a thing it was, grocery shopping, so tedious and so crucial." I don't know that I've ever related to a quote more!

As Molly wrangles the children she catches a glimpse of what she thought were footsteps between the crack of the door. Surely her mind must be playing tricks on her. Between the stresses of work and caring for the kids, she must be imagining things. But then again, what if she isn't? Could that be the sound of footsteps just on the other side of the door? She's turned the lights off and quieted the children, bringing them both close against her. There they are again, breaks in that thin beam of light between the floor and the door. Is she going crazy? This is all too much to bear. Her mind has to be playing tricks on her. She turns the lights back on, opens the door to her obviously empty spare room, and begins to prepare dinner. Molly is flooded with the relief of that empty room, absolved of the self-inflicted horrors of her overactive imagination. That's when she notices Viv peering into the other room and hears her mutter, "who's that guy?"

In The Need, author Helen Phillips draws the reader in with the urgent anxiety of expectation and doesn't let go until the final page. Beyond the brilliant setup, Phillips employs brisk writing with short cliffhanger chapters to keep the pace rolling. I found myself saying, "just one more chapter" to the point that I ultimately breezed through the entire novel. Phillips juxtaposes this momentum with a raw, often understated contemplation on motherhood. Yes, there is an out of this world narrative, but The Need ultimately succeeds as the portrayal of Molly coming to terms with her position as a wife, mother, and professional. There is this transcendent bond between mother and child, the kind of intimacy that can rarely be captured in words. Yet somehow Phillips has done just that. At first, I didn't know what to make of the ending. As the last page turned, I felt almost as if the novel was nothing but a winding buildup. Upon deeper reflection though, I think that buildup is exactly the point of The Need. We witness Molly's unwavering need to educate, nurture, and protect her children. That is what motherhood is about, and that is what The Need beautifully portrays.

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2020, 11)

"People killed for money. People died for it. Love could hurt, but money would strike you down forever."

I've been a fan of author Mindy Mejia since reading her novel Everything You Want Me To Be. Her way with characters, masterful plotting, and ability to tackle a variety of genres (see last year's Leave No Trace for something completely different) reveals her to be one of the most versatile authors of popular fiction working today. Naturally, I was thrilled to accept an offer from her publisher to read and review her latest novel Strike Me Down. If there is one benefit to having to spend all of my time at the house, it is that I can stay up into all hours of the night reading a book. Mejia's latest had me doing just that.

Nora Trier is at the top of her professional game. Years ago, she was the whistleblower who called out financial fraud at her company. She brought down the entire operation but paid the price for her actions. The head of the company was a personal family friend who guilt-tripped Nora until he ultimately ended his own life. Her family blamed her for his death and ceased all contact with her. Even worse, no other company would hire her. No company, that is, until Parrish, a forensic accounting firm, enlisted her expertise. Now Nora is one of the most accomplished people in her field. She has gained notoriety for her thoroughness (she's solved thousands of cases) and impartiality. It is no wonder then that she is brought in to solve a missing funds case for one of the most visible companies in the world. As a customer of the brand and someone with personal ties to people at the company, Nora will struggle to maintain her independence and protect her shimmering reputation.

Headed by kickboxing phenom and face of the company Logan Russo and her husband Gregg Abbott,  Strike has become one of the largest and most recognizable fitness companies in the world. The power couple has capitalized on Logan's popularity to build Strike into a company that promotes a fitness lifestyle through protein shakes, gyms, and classes. Their latest effort is a large kickboxing tournament, the likes of which has never been attempted before. The event will be held over several days and culminate in the winner taking a $20 million prize and becoming the new face of Strike. There's only one problem. The prize money is missing!

Strike Me Down by Mindy Mejia is another hit from the author. On the surface, there is an intricately plotted financial thriller that rivals any of the best I've read. Think an early John Grisham novel, but with a more contemporary flair. What separates this thriller from the pack is the way that Mejia explores the two main characters of Nora and Logan. Both are women who have bucked the odds to become top performers in their respective fields, both have sacrificed a stereotypical personal life to climb the professional ladder, and both are grappling with the ramifications of that decision. These women are not likable in the traditional sense, but I think that is part of what makes the novel so intriguing. Mejia dares to challenge convention and forces the reader to rethink their own expectations. Strike Me Down is another must-read novel from Mindy Mejia that brilliantly layers in contemplations on the female experience in the professional world while never sacrificing the pace and suspense of its break-neck thriller.

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2020, 10)

"Heartbreak is the human condition in this town."

The once-booming Atlantic City is seeing the glitz and glamor of its heyday dimming to despair. The casinos that were so vital in cultivating the city's economy have slowly started to close, boarded up as a reminder to the town's past. The resorts that remain open struggle to fill their rooms. In the weeds of the marsh behind the rundown Sunset Motel lie the remains of two dead women, "laid out like tallies." They still wear their suggestive clothing, outfits used to attract the lustful eyes of men as they walk the streets. Unfortunately, they attracted the wrong man, the one who placed them here. Before all this is over, five more women will join their line.

Clara Voyant's whole life is based on lies and deception. Even her name isn't real. Ever since her mother left her with her aunt, the pair have operated a fortune-telling company off the Atlantic City boardwalk. Like the rest of the city, their small business struggles to attract guests. Clara has turned to petty pickpocketing to help pay the bills. Beyond her hustle, however, lies a true gift. Clara truly can see psychic visions. When a man from out of town comes in asking about his missing niece, Clara immediately recognizes the girl's face. Its been plastered on missing person posters that litter the boardwalk, just another casualty of the decaying town. Clara does see a vision about this girl, but it isn't really clear what it all means. The man leaves the shop, but the lingering dread about what she saw continues to torment her.

Lilly has come back to Atlantic City as an escape from her life in New York. In NYC, she was an up and coming art dealer, representing her hotshot artist boyfriend. He cheated on her, so she broke up with him, packed her things, and headed back to her childhood home in Atlantic City. Lilly has taken a job at one of the resort spas as a receptionist. It is not a glamourous as her art dealing job, but it will hopefully help her earn enough to make it back to the big city one day.

Please See Us by Caitlin Mullen is the kind of slow-burning suspense novel that had me reading into all hours of the night. Mullen drives the novel through shifting perspectives of each character, including the different Jane Does who end up in the marsh. As we learn more about the characters, the dread surrounding the murders only grows. This is a dark read, and Mullen does not shy away from the gritty details of the city and of prostitution. The novel immerses the reader into Atlantic City. I could practically feel the creak of the boardwalk beneath my feet and smell the salty air! I can't recommend Please See Us highly enough. It will certainly end up being one of my favorite books of the year.

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2020, 9)