The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

Kim Michele Richardson's The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is set deep in Kentucky coal country in 1936. Cussy Mary lives in a cabin in the woods with her father who is intent on fulfilling his wife's dying wish of finding Cussy a husband. Cussy isn't very fond of this idea because she really loves her job as a Pack Horse Librarian and married women aren't eligible for the job. Each day she loads up her saddlebags with books and rides, first a rented horse and then later a spirited mule, from home to home through the hills and "hollars" to deliver reading material to her patrons. The written word is so precious that they will take anything- months old newspapers and magazines, beat up books that have seen better days, and even handmade scrapbooks full of recipes, sewing patterns, and hunting tips. Aside from poverty and near starvation, Cussy's biggest problem is her skin color- she's blue. One of the Blue People of Kentucky, she is treated like an outcast. There are even a few people who make it their goal to kill off the Blues for being "unnatural" "a damnation" and "sinners".

I had a really hard time getting into this book. Part of it for me was the dialect in which it was written. I understand that the author was hoping to convey the voice of the people in this time and place, but I found it distracting. The story was good, but for some reason the storytelling wasn't compelling enough, even though there were a lot of good themes. I know a lot of other people have loved this book, but it just wasn't for me.

What I've Heard- The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

I just finished listening to the audio version of The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. I read the book about a year ago and it was very confusing for the first few chapters. Then I was able to catch on to the concept and go with it. While I listened to the audio version, I was glad I knew a little of what was happening. It had also been long enough that I had forgotten much of the plot which kept me guessing what would happen next. This, but the way, is my preferred way to listen to audio books, when I have forgotten enough of the story that it is almost, but not quite, like new.

The Narrator is James Cameron Stewart who has a very lovely British accent, but the pace was very deliberate, bordering on slow. I would not recommend this for a long car ride or another activity where you need to remain alert. I listened while riding my bike and that was just fine. The mystery is engaging, but the narration was a bit draggy. It would be a great distraction during housework or other chores that keep you moving anyway. I really do recommend this book, but hold on and be patient with the initial confusion. It is well worth it.

The Farm by Joanne Ramos

The Farm by Joanne Ramos takes us to a luxury resort in upstate New York where the residents are treated to healthy gourmet meals, personal trainers, massages, yoga, and plenty of fresh air. The best part is not only is it free, it comes with a hefty paycheck at the end of the stay. All that is required is to agree to be a baby surrogate for a very wealthy client. Also, privacy is essentially surrendered along with any bodily agency. Jane is an immigrant and single mother and in desperate need of the generous payout promised to the women in the program. Reagan is a well-educated white woman, making her a "premium host". Lisa is on her third pregnancy with the same set of clients and has become disillusioned with a lot of the things on "The Farm", as the women come to call it. Mae is the head of the program and is hoping to make it as profitable as possible.

This book was fast moving and intriguing. Told from the very different points of view of Jane, Reagan, and Mae, we get to see each of their various motivations and understand their feelings on the use of women as breeding stock. I liked this book, but I didn't love it. There wasn't really anything wrong with it, but it just didn't capture me as much as I'd hoped. Described as "suspenseful and provocative", I think my expectations may have been too high. I kept waiting for something big to happen, or in lieu of that, a deeper commentary on class, wealth, and motherhood. On the other hand, it kept me turning the pages and interested. I am looking forward to discussing it with my book club. 

And I'd love to hear your thoughts as well, SmartGirls!

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

I love Fredrik Backman. He is one of my favorite authors. I haven't read everything he's written yet, but I every book of his that I read makes me want to read another. In his latest release, Anxious People, Backman tells the story of a bank robbery turned hostage drama and all the people involved. Understandably, there is a fair amount of anxiety involved in the situation, but we learn that they all had their own share before the day even began. The robbery occurs on the day before New Year's Eve and the hostages include an older couple, a pregnant couple, a very old woman, a woman who certainly doesn't belong, a man whose whole purpose is to be disruptive, and a terrible real estate agent who are all at an apartment showing. When the bank robber comes in looking for somewhere to hide, no one is sure if this is really happening or not.

Backman's characters are always absolutely wonderful with their own distinct personalities and storylines that somehow all converge with one another. These Anxious People are no exception. It begins with this brilliant line:

This story is about a lot of things, but mostly about idiots.

If you've read Backman before you know that he refers to idiots quite frequently, but you also know that it usually ends up being with some measure of affection. 

In these difficult times, when we have all likely been feeling a little more anxious that usual, a Fredrik Backman novel is one of the best medicines you can take. His writing is wonderful, his storylines neat and tidy, even if they appear the complete opposite at times, and his message is always something we need to hear. I highly recommend this one and I'll leave you with this last quote which I feel perfectly illustrates the beauty of a Backman novel:

Some people accept that they will never be free of their anxiety, they just learn to carry it. She tried to be one of them. She told herself that was why you should always be nice to other people, even idiots, because you never know how heavy their burden is.

 

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

In The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, Stella and Desiree are twins who grow up in such a small town in Louisiana that it isn't even on the map. It is a town built by their great-great-grandfather with the intention of being a harbor for very light skinned black people. The sisters love one another so much, but they can't wait to escape their town. When they run away to New Orleans and try to build a new life for themselves, things end up very differently than they had planned. Desiree is heartbroken when one day her sister doesn't come home. Instead, she has crossed to the other side, passing as white. As their lives diverge, possibly never to be connected again, Desiree tries to go on with her life as best she can while feeling like half of her has vanished.

I really liked this book. It was beautifully written and deeply textured. The loss the sisters feel is so very sad. Their lives end up in very different places and I found it impossible to fault either of them. Life is hard and maybe choosing an easier path is the right thing to do. Maybe it isn't. And maybe different isn't necessarily easier.

This was a wonderful choice for book club and I highly recommend you read it with a group that can really dive in and discuss it.

 

The Rumor by Lesley Kara

Rumor has it there is a child killer in the neighborhood.

In The Rumor by Lesley Kara, Joanna has moved back to her hometown with her young son and is having a difficult time connecting with the other mothers at the school. When she hears a juicy piece of gossip, she passes it along, hoping it will somehow grant her access to the inner circle. Much to her eventual regret, it does and Joanna begins to feel responsible for all the speculation surrounding who the possible killer could be.

I liked this book, but I didn't love it. At times, the "mystery" felt forced and any twists presented weren't quite believable. The author made an effort to include a large number of people who could have been the killer, but it fell flat because none were developed enough to be interesting. 

There were a couple of times that I was downright annoyed with the main character. At one point she describes meeting the father of her son: it was in college and she was very drunk and "he didn't even try anything". For goodness sakes, give the man a medal for not trying anything with an intoxicated young woman! Cue the eye rolls. Then there were a few times when Joanna describes herself as being completely inept when it comes to regular household or motherly chores: I can't even sew on a button properly. It was irritating. I don't mind a character that can't do everything and I assume the author was attempting to show that her character was flawed, and that's all well and good, but she shouldn't have so many flaws as to be unlikable.

I didn't care for this book, but it did lead to some interesting book club conversation, so I will give it that.