Saturday, June 30, 2018

Front Desk

Front DeskFront Desk by Kelly Yang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mia and her parents, recent immigrants from China, are managing a California motel in the early 1990s. It’s a family affair, as ten-year-old Mia finds herself responsible for checking in motel guests while her parents tend to the rooms and motel maintenance – though it sometimes feels like it’s Mia against the world. After a rough start including washing machine mishaps, bad grades, and arguments with her mother (who wants Mia to stick to math, something she considers Mia to be a “native” in), Mia hits her stride when she realizes the power of using her ever-improving English to help others, especially the motel guests she considers family.

Adventurous subplots and dynamic secondary characters add to the appeal of this compelling middle grade novel. Mia believes in herself and wants what is best for her friends and family, and though her quick thinking sometimes gets her in trouble, at the end of the day she is a force for good in her community. This book is fun, yet thoughtful, and shows that there’s no age requirement for taking action against injustice.


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Saturday, June 23, 2018

All American Boys

All American BoysAll American Boys by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m always game for multi-narratives, so this was an easy sell. I also like that the entire story takes place over one week, and is obviously (unfortunately) very relevant to current teens (and adults). There were a few times I forgot who was narrating, which is odd since there are two distinct authors (maybe it was just me not paying attention?), but both Reynolds and Kiely are strong writers with obvious passion for their craft. I can’t really think of a collection or library that couldn’t use a book like this. It affirms and convicts, with complex characters and families.


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Monday, June 18, 2018

Kyoto (Part 1)

When people ask about my favorite honeymoon location/activity, Kyoto comes to mind pretty quickly. I loved the entire trip, and each city felt very unique, but there was just something about the views and the quiet of Kyoto. As the ancient capital, there's an abundance of history and tradition. The leaves were at their most brilliant reds and oranges while we visited. Best of all, we stayed on the grounds of a Buddhist temple, so our entire stay felt like a private retreat.
Perhaps not what one imagines for a honeymoon...but without a doubt some of the best sleep of our lives. (And the mats are totally movable, so.)
If anyone is planning a trip to Kyoto, we highly recommend looking into staying at Shunkoin. It's a bit off the beaten path, but still very close to public transportation, which made it an ideal home base to recharge each night before venturing out again. We also recommend eating at the Wonder Cafe - a tiny, trinket-filled space with desserts that are works of art.
 
One thing I learned about my husband in Kyoto is that the best way to get him to go to "church" is to travel to Japan. Over the course of 2.5 days, we visited ten shrines/temples (not counting the one we stayed at), plus a castle, a skyscraper, a park filled with monkeys, a junior league baseball practice, and a sake museum (which also had its own nearby shrine). We also ate extremely well in Kyoto. From ice cream to giant bowls of noodles to delicate pastries to tacos to sushi, we were never hungry.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is a must for Kyoto travel, and seeing it at night was super cool.
We didn't make it all the way to the top of the walking path because the sounds of wild boars convinced us to head back down a bit early, but we got to see a LOT of the gazillion or so torii.
Leaving a bit early meant we had time to go to Kyoto Tower to get our requisite view of the city at night from the observation deck. Though Kyoto felt "small," it's still a city of 1.5 million people, and seeing it from above helped to put it in perspective.
Our first morning in Kyoto (a Saturday) we headed out along with all the other tourists AND locals - we kept forgetting it was the weekend and that people would be out and about, not honeymooning, just spending time with their families. We visited Tenryu-ji first and walked along the nearby bamboo-lined path. Then we continued walking...and walking...and walking. Seriously, the changing leaves were SO gorgeous, we kept finding little paths to explore and see more. 
Most all temples have a "no shoes" policy. We also had to take them off at Shunkoin before heading up to our room. Once or twice we saw a restaurant with piles of shoes at the door.
Basically, anywhere there is a tatami mat = no shoes. It's amazing how much of a difference this small act makes as far as respect/reverence goes.
I've mentioned this in previous Japan recaps, but the feeling of being alone with your person while also surrounded by people is amazing. We were in our own world, but still very much connected to the real world.
After our roundabout walking, crossing a bridge in an orderly line, and climbing up a mountain, we found Monkey Park. We were instructed to keep our distance, hold on to our belongings, and avoid making eye contact with the monkeys. We were simultaneously awed and grossed out.
To feed them, humans had to go inside a "cage" (a building with open-but-fenced windows) while the monkeys climbed all around. 
Several bridge queues and tourist-packed buses and trains later, we were at temple 2 of the day (and hike 4 or 5). Ryoan-ji is known for its rock garden, and the fact that the rocks haven't been moved, like, ever. The surrounding scenery is gorgeous as well. I had major plant envy!
Green tea & vanilla soft serve on our way to temple #3!
Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, is literally covered in gold leaf. It's stunning to see.
For dinner on our first full day in Kyoto, Jesus and I experienced conveyor belt sushi for the very first time. This is something we definitely could do in Chicago, but I'm so glad we didn't let that stop us from trying it out in Japan- the many tries and fails of grabbing mini plates, ordering from a touch screen at our table, and trying to figure out what was tea and what was definitely not tea were some of the best memories of that weekend.
We ended our first full day with (you guessed it) MORE walking...because the other think I learned about my husband in Kyoto is he will follow his GPS down any and all dark alleys, even when his wife has already memorized the easiest path home. We eventually got back to Shunkoin safe and sound and in agreement that I would be the navigator the next day.

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Pride Reads 2018

There are a number of new LGBTQIA books coming out this year, and the best part about them is the diversity within the books! There's racial and relationship diversity, with all kinds of loves and people represented. I'm excited to get to those books in my (never-ending) to-read list! Until then, here are a handful of the LGBTQIA books I've read in the past 6-ish months:

Annie on My Mind
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While there are (thankfully) now more (and more current) young adult novels with lesbian relationships, Annie on My Mind is still a worthy read. It's a sweet story, though not without conflict, but our protagonists are treated well (no fiery disasters or car crashes or "it was a mistake" narratives here) and they have a model relationship to learn from. In its context, Annie on My Mind is original and progressive, the story of two women learning to love each other despite what their world thinks of their love.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This hilarious romp through Europe was made even more enjoyable by the will-they-won't-they of best friends Percy and Monty. Their dialogue is sharp and quippy, the action kept everyone on their toes, and it was fun to dive into a completely different time and place for a bit. This read like a wittier Pirates of the Caribbean and I'm very excited for the sequel!


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Caroline's life has never been easy - born in a hurricane, abandoned by her mother, and outcast at school, she's used to having to take care of herself on her own. With the arrival of new girl Kalinda, Caroline seems to have a friend who will help her find her mother. Caroline also develops romantic feelings for Kalinda, exploring her identity as a queer person and dealing with homophobia both external and internal. This middle grade novel is full of heart, as Caroline realizes her own strengths and comes into her own as a young woman. 

Girl Made of StarsGirl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Owen and Mara are twins, with an unbreakable bond. It was Owen who unquestioningly accepted Mara’s coming out as bisexual to their family, and Owen who consoled Mara after she broke up with her best friend and first girlfriend, Charlie. Then Owen’s girlfriend, Hannah, accuses him of raping her and lines are drawn. Mara is torn between believing her friend or her brother, while also missing Charlie. With focus on consent, victim shaming, and the insidiousness of rape culture, Girl Made of Stars has emotional and timely relevance.


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is possibly my favorite graphic novel of 2018. It's Velvet meets Julian the Mermaid meets Cinderella, but also so different from all of these and anything else I've read before. I was sold from page one with its charm, unassuming illustrations, and two of the most genuine protagonists. Let's deconstruct those gender norms, people!

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Exit, Pursued By A Bear

Exit, Pursued by a BearExit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m not sure how I feel about this one - a first person POV account of the aftermath of rape is not my go-to read, but there are definitely readers for it. Sexual harassment and assault are everywhere...yet it’s difficult to react to someone writing about it, because it’s so personal.

There are some great writing moments, especially the emphasis on Hermione’s strength as a cheerleader and the characterization of her teammates as human people, not stereotyped cheerleader-shaped characters. Actually, a lot of the cheer and competition portion read realistically, which is refreshing.

I really liked the ending (all in the title) - the villain (Hermione’s rapist) is pursued by a “bear” (Hermione, who is both hero and bear in this twist on Shakespeare’s stage direction and play on her team’s mascot). Hermione doesn’t act alone, though. Polly is the best friend a girl could have, and Hermione’s parents, cheer coach, and therapist are all very supportive and caring. The police officer, nurses, and others involved in Hermione’s case against her rapist are also sympathetic. It’s a “best-case scenario” novel for a situation that isn’t the best, which could be helpful/reassuring to some and insulting to others.


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Saturday, June 2, 2018

Listen Up! Favorite Audiobooks for Audiobook Month

Audiobooks are a wonderful way to read, when done right. What I mean by "done right" is both the publisher/producer AND the reader/listener have responsibilities. There are plenty of not great audiobooks out there (like there are plenty of not great print books, depending on your preferences), but the best have committed narrators, or an entire cast of readers with voices that will neither put you to sleep or make you want to strangle someone. Still, that's not enough - the reader (listener) has to be an active participant. Listening to a book is not some sort of osmosis activity where you can have it play in the background and "absorb" the content - you actually have to listen!

Luckily, there are certain genres that lend themselves well to listening, and I'm here to break a few of them down for you, with my personal recommendations for each. These are the books that I've listened to during commutes, on planes, in the shower, and when my eyes are tired but my brain isn't. If you're not sure if audiobook reading is for you, I suggest switching it up and testing out more than one author/narrator/genre. And don't forget, your library most likely has LOTS of audiobooks to choose from, whether as Playaways, books on CD, or as digital downloads through a Kindle or straight to your smartphone via the Overdrive, Libby, or Hoopla app (I'm sure there are more!). Ask your librarian what options are available for you!


Autobiography/Memoir/Personal Essay
I generally don't enjoy memoirs unless they are super specifically about a topic I'm interested in, BUT when they are read by the author, I find myself pleasantly entertained.

Yes PleaseYes Please by Amy Poehler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I LOVE Poehler reading her own book and bringing in other performers (Seth Meyers, her parents) to read various chapters. It really gives credibility to each individual voice. Poehler's audiobook asides are great extra bits that play out through the entire book.

I'm so glad I chose to listen to Yes Please. Poehler is a performer through and through. Her last chapter is a recording of a live reading in a theater, audience laughter and all.


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to these essays by Roxane Gay over the course of a week, during my walk to and from work. I think that had I been reading a printed copy, I might have skimmed/skipped a few essays that didn't resonate as much with my personal story, but I enjoyed listening to them.

Roxane Gay is so smart. It's intimidating at times, but also refreshing. I'm glad she doesn't dumb things down, but instead makes her reader/listener get on her level. In the same way she's also unapologetically honest, and I had to get on her level to hear her truths.

As I mentioned, some essays were more relatable (to me) than others. I've read The Hunger Games, I'm familiar with various pop culture references, and I too am usually the quiet studious one in school. In others, while I didn't always connect with the content (I haven't read 50 Shades of Grey), I still found her commentary interesting.


Poetry
Poetry is meant to be heard, not read (like songs!), so it only makes sense to search out audio versions of your favorite poetry collections, novels in verse, and other poetic works. Kwame Alexander currently has the corner on this market where YA is concerned (especially with his new imprint, Versify), and for good reason. His narration of his own works is wonderful.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story of Blade Morrison, newly graduated son of a rock star who wants to know where he fits both in his family and in life, told in poetic verse.

I both read the print version of Solo along with listening to the audiobook - and I highly recommended listening. This is a musical story - the playful language deserves to be heard. Novels told in poetic verse are always going to be some of my favorites.

Bonus!: The audiobook version comes with recordings of the original songs Blade writes, performed by Randy Preston. I loved the originality of this detail, and how it really cracks open what a "book" can be. Why wouldn't a story about a young musician growing up in Hollywood include his songs as well?

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For those who enjoyed The Crossover, or prefer soccer over basketball, Booked is where it's at. Alexander sits comfortably in his sports poetry wheelhouse here, giving readers plot and developed characters with a few words intentionally positioned on the page. I had the audio along with the print text, and it's always a treat to listen to Alexander read. 


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you have half an hour, give this slim volume a read/listen. Reynolds speaks from the heart - to teens, recent grads, new parents, retirees, students, thinkers, dreamers, doers...as the title states, this one's "For Everyone" - you won't be let down.



Short Stories
May just ended, but we'll keep the short story love going through audiobooks. Sometimes it's difficult to jump into an entire novel in audio form - they can run 7, 8, 9 hours or longer, and even with chapter breaks, that's a lengthy amount of time to wrap your brain around. Short story collections allow a listener to commit to shorter lengths of time with the payoff of an entire story in 10 to 20 minutes.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've heard this collection compared to Black Mirror, and even though I've only seen one episode, I can see the similarities. Each strange story in this collection has enough imagined tech and science fiction aspects to be set "in the future," while still maintaining an eerie feel of familiarity and currency. Each story's characters and setting are given just enough detail to make them real, but the action is never bogged down with too much description. Weinstein trusts his readers to understand the technological advancements he introduces, along with their unanticipated effects, and it was a treat to observe humanity from a minimalist dystopian lens.


Horror/Thriller/Mystery
This is probably my favorite genre(s) to listen to. For fans of true crime podcasts, scary stories, whodunits, and overall creepiness - the horror/thriller genre is your friend. I've listened to thrilling fiction and nonfiction alike, and both do a great job of keeping me cool during a hot commute.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one kept me guessing. I was shocked and surprised, and the reverse-chapter format kept me on my toes. We start on one of the final scenes of the book, only to count down from there, going further back in time with each chapter. Comparisons to The Talented Mr. Ripley are apt, but as a YA novel read mostly by teens, Genuine Fraud has a slightly different audience. The audio was well done - I appreciated the use of accents!


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okay, I now MUST see this movie. What a gripping story, with plenty of red herrings and false leads to keep me on my toes throughout. Several times I had to forego listening to this one during my evening commute because I was a bit too freaked out to listen in my car by myself at night, but I was so into the story I made up for lost time with extra listening sessions while cleaning the house or when I should have been doing homework. I loved that the audio used different narrators for the different characters.


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A classic murder mystery that introduces two new detectives into the world - veteran Cormoran Strike and intrepid rookie Robin Ellacott. While the mystery (and the unraveling of the mystery) is very well done, with expert pacing and plenty of entertaining side characters (both innocent and more unsavory), what makes this introduction to a new series work is Strike and Robin's relationship. They fight, they joke, they will-they-won't-they as they interview suspects, follow leads, and make deductions as to who killed Luna Landry. The audio narration is just the right mix of grave and in-on-the-jokes, making this a pleasant listening experience.

[I couldn't find the audio to the second book in the Strike series, but I was able to find it for the third. Reading the print was still enjoyable, but I'm crossing my fingers I can find audio for the upcoming fourth book!]

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A child psychopath + teen angst, all read by an Australian narrator? Yep, I was into this YA thriller. It felt like Che was speaking directly to me, confessional style, and I loved all the drama he was spilling about his sister and her messed up friendships. Because of Che's personality, the narration came off as caring and empathetic as opposed to whiny or too gossipy - I really felt as though Che was working through how to best take care of his sister (or conversely, how to care for those around her). Sid is a great love interest, and one of my favorite secondary characters, and Rosa herself was written so well I'm grateful she's fictional.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The audio, the content, the subject, the backstory - so much contributes to the strength of this book. I'm not sure how I would've reacted to it pre-arrest, but listening to it post-arrest was very satisfying. Obviously DNA is what got the GSK eventually, but to hear all the connections and guesses McNamara and others made without it was stunning.

I'm in awe of people with such a passion, and McNamara's fastidious determination and grit came through on every page (or in every recorded minute, as it were).