A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trump's Testing of America

Chaos. Since I read Philip Rucker and Carol D. Leonnig’s book titled, A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trump's Testing of America, during the April 2020 coronavirus White House briefings, the context for their book became for me “the good old days.” The authors are journalists at The Washington Post, so some readers will dismiss them as fake news and consider their book fiction or certainly biased. Other readers will find detailed reporting of the chaos during the first few years of the Trump administration. The authors clearly sourced material from people who were “in the room” and present readers with lots of material about the president and those around him. Many potential readers are weary of the chaos, but those interested in public affairs will find this book to be one of the best to report this ongoing story. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase A Very Stable Genius from amazon.com.

Weather

Fragments. In her short novel titled, Weather, Jenny Offill spits out fragments of the life of a librarian named Lizzie. As readers flit from piece to piece, we laugh, scratch our heads, and occasionally re-read a sentence or two with great joy. Offill can make climate change funny, and for that reason alone, some readers are grateful for her skills. No fragment lasts long, so like the weather, it changes quickly whether you’re in the sunshine or in a storm. Fans of contemporary literary fiction are those readers most likely to enjoy this novel. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Weather from amazon.com.

This Is Chance!: The Shaking of an All-American City, A Voice That Held It Together

Earthquake. Readers who enjoy uplifting stories about people helping others are those most likely to enjoy Jon Mooallem’s book titled, This Is Chance!: The Shaking of an All-American City, A Voice That Held It Together. Mooallem tells the story of the Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964, much of it from the perspective of Genie Chance, a radio broadcaster who found herself able to help others by staying on the radio in Anchorage and keeping people informed and helping point people in the direction of helping one another. This is a great character study of Genie Chance, of the can-do attitude of newcomers in Anchorage, and the human goodness of people who just step up to do what needs to be done. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase This Is Chance from amazon.com.

Brooklyn, The Once and Future City

Hardscape. If you’ve ever lived in Brooklyn, as I have, you know that your heart can and will break. In his book titled, Brooklyn, The Once and Future City, Thomas J. Campanella offers a large and loving picture of this special place. He focuses a lot on the physical space: buildings, parks, roads, while keeping the interest of readers through the heroes and villains of each time period he explores. If you love Brooklyn, you’re likely to enjoy reading this book, and will wish Campanella told more about the life and love you know has penetrated this place for centuries. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Brooklyn from amazon.com.

Cleanness

Happiness. What do we desire? In his book titled, Cleanness, Garth Greenwell pulls readers into episodes in the life of an American professor in Sofia, Bulgaria. Some of the glimpses seem ordinary, while others pack deep intensity. Each sentence reinforces Greenwell’s writing skill and pulls readers into a structure that provides understanding about life. What we desire is happiness. It can come in surprising, ordinary, expected or dramatic ways. Bliss can be achieved when what we can do to make someone else happy also brings happiness to us. Fans of literary fiction who appreciate superb writing are those most likely to enjoy this book. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Cleanness from amazon.com.

The Good Killer

Complexity. Fans of crime thrillers are those readers most likely to enjoy Harry Dolan’s novel titled, The Good Killer. After protagonist Sean Tennant shoots and kills a gunman who was wreaking havoc and death in a Houston shopping mall, the fast-paced action accelerates. Sean’s act to kill garnered admiration by many, but he didn’t hang around to receive it. He began to flee Texas and pick up his partner, Molly Winter, from a retreat in Montana, so they could start a fresh life someplace else. Sean knew that the photos of his good deed would spread and rouse interest in people from his past to come after him and Molly. Dolan keeps the action moving and creates believable and complex characters whose behavior is a complex mix of right and wrong. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Good Killer from amazon.com.

Redhead by the Side of the Road

Connections. Micah Mortimer, protagonist of Anne Tyler’s novel titled, Redhead by the Side of the Road, strives for order and perfection. Tyler tosses surprises into Micah’s life and incomplete interpersonal connections become transparent. Each of us needs someone in our lives who helps us see ourselves as we really are. Sometimes our routine becomes more important than paying attention to the love in our lives. The portrait of Micah may not look like any of us, but his complexity and humanity will be familiar and offer a glimpse into what lives can become when we are open to love. As always, Tyler draws us into the story, keeps us close, and brings us home by the end. Rating: Five-star (I love it) Click here to purchase Redhead by the Side of the Road from amazon.com.