We Are Unprepared

Storm. Don’t read Meg Little Reilly’s debut novel titled, We Are Unprepared while you are sitting at home awaiting the arrival of a superstorm. We usually want fiction to take us away from our own reality, and that’s exactly what Reilly did for me when I read this novel at home under fair skies. A young couple, Pia and Ash, have moved from Brooklyn to a small Vermont town in a quest for a simpler life with greater contact with the land and more self-reliance. Forecasts of a superstorm have divided the community into the preppers who are hunkering down individually and authorities who want to shore up community defenses. Pia joins the preppers and Ash the authorities. Reilly uses the tension of the coming storm to drive the plot while she closely examines the psychological issues at play and explores the relationship between Pia and Ash. Reilly unveils all the ways in which we can be unprepared for what life brings, and readers who enjoy literary fiction and are willing to try out a debut novel are those most likely to appreciate this book. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase We Are Unprepared from amazon.com.

Pirate

Treasure. I read novels from the various franchises that Clive Cussler has created for the same reason I will go to some fast food outlets: I get exactly what I expect and it doesn’t take long to achieve satisfaction. The latest Sam and Remi Fargo novel is titled, Pirate, and, spoiler alert: there is treasure involved. As fans can safely assume, the Fargos travel to multiple locations, and face a formidable foe in the search for treasure. If you have any doubt about who gets the treasure, you’ve never read a novel in this series. Readers who enjoy action novels that lead toward good feelings by the end are those most likely to enjoy this novel and this series. Rating: Three-star (It’s ok) Click here to purchase Pirate from amazon.com.

Why the Right Went Wrong: Conservatism--From Goldwater to the Tea Party and Beyond

Punditry. Political punditry is a dangerous game that is often played with confidence and a short shelf life. E.J. Dionne, Jr. selected what he thought was a perfect time for presenting his version of the story of conservatism in a book titled, Why the Right Went Wrong. I read this book before the completion of the 2016 election and am writing this review after Donald J. Trump was elected. Dionne offers readers a clear presentation of his interpretation of the past fifty years. Chances are, in light of the 2016 results, he might want to reconsider the “beyond” portion of his book. Readers interested in politics and open to multiple points of view are those most likely to enjoy reading this book. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Why the Right Went Wrong from amazon.com.

Here Comes the Sun

Jamaica. Nicole Dennis-Benn’s debut novel is titled, Here Comes the Sun. Set in Jamaica, the novel explores the longing for power and independence, the fulfillment of dreams by a cast of women whose lives are undergoing profound personal change. Each character is drawn with precision. Some characters are complex and fully formed; others seemed to be created as foils for the interaction needed to reveal other characters. Readers can feel the depth of greed and longing on many pages. There is sadness that permeates many parts of the novel and burdens that are borne by many characters right up to their limits. Readers interested in a new literary voice are those most likely to enjoy reading this novel. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Here Comes the Sun from amazon.com.

Angel Catbird Volume One

Comic. Thanks to Margaret Atwood, I’ve finally selected a graphic novel to read. The text for Angel Catbird Volume One was written by Atwood, and the beautiful illustrations are by Johnnie Christmas. Funny and serious at the same time as Atwood can often be, I found the footnotes the perfect touch to address the serious side of this work. I expected a graphic novel to be longer, and found this volume to be closer to my recollection of some comic books from my youth. I loved the story, and am now likely to keep reading the series as additional volumes are produced. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Angel Catbird from amazon.com.

The Adventurist

Office. If one reason you read fiction is to take your mind away from work and your workplace, don’t read J. Bradford Hipps’ debut novel, The Adventurist. Protagonist Henry Hurt is an alienated and lonely software engineer prone to great introspection as he grieves the death of his mother. Hipps’ prose is carefully constructed, and his word choices exquisite. There’s psychological insight on these pages, as we get to look beneath an outer monotonous life to see an active and vibrant inner life. Readers who enjoy literary fiction are those most likely to enjoy reading this novel. Rating: Three-star (It’s ok) Click here to purchase The Adventurist from amazon.com.

White Sands

Outside. Before you plan your next trip, think about what a destination means, and what makes that place what it is. To help in that process, consider reading Geoff Dyer’s book titled, White Sands: Experiences from the Outside World. In this interesting book of essays, Dyer explores interesting places, and reflects on what makes them what they are. He offers images that convey a unique sense of place, and correlates those to memories that have stayed with him for decades. When we step outside ourselves and our familiar places, we can ask questions different from our normal awareness. In other words, stepping outside can answer larger, inside, important questions about life and meaning. See how Dyer does it, and think about how you could do the same. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase White Sands from amazon.com.