Book Review: Closer to Nowhere / Ellen Hopkins

 

Let me start by sharing that this story targets middle school students, the protagonists are twelve years old. Then let me say that this doesn't matter a bit, this is a story that needs to be told, a story written from Ellen Hopkins's family story - about addiction and violence - about children born into families which have a rough time supporting them both emotionally and physically. And about the healing that can take place afterwards given the right supports.

Cal's father is in prison, his mother died of leukemia. He lives with his aunt (an identical twin of his mother) and her family including Hannah, his cousin - also twelve. Cal's life until now has been about surviving hardship and he is learning how to adapt to living in a safe environment with food on the table and a bed. Hannah is learning how to live with Cal and his struggles with learning how to adapt to a life that is no longer chaotic. The truth is - this is hard for everyone.

This story speaks to the trauma that people go through when their lives are chaotic. It also speaks to the truths of incorporating a hurting child into one's family. And it speaks to love, addiction, hope, therapy, adapting, inner strengths, compassion, and learning more about what lies behind the faces that we put forth. This is a story about what is under the surface. 

If you are planning on becoming a teacher, a counselor, a nurse, a doctor, a social worker - just about anyone in a "helping profession" - read this book. It is a great opportunity to walk in the shoes of someone who is learning how to live a life which doesn't have chaos as a foundation. It is also a story that reminds us that what we see in people is only what lies on the surface. We are all more than what we appear at first glance.

Book Review: Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

FAKE NEWS!!!

It is interesting how what is going on in our world impacts how we perceive things and what we take away from our: experiences, art, music, news, and what we read.

I read this book years ago and enjoyed it. I found it more than what I expected. Reading this book this past week was an entirely different experience for me because of my current experiences in this world we live in.

Here is a story about Benny who was a toddler when First Night happened, First Night being the beginning of the zombie apocalypse. All he remembers is that his mother tossed him to his brother, Tom, who fled the scene with Benny in his arms. It is Benny's earliest memory (he was 18 months old) and he has always viewed Tom as a coward because he didn't save his mom, because he ran away. As this story opens, Benny struggles to find a job so his rations will not be cut and eventually decides he must work with his brother who is a Zombie hunter - he "kills" zombies. Benny has no respect for Tom as they begin to go out into the Ruin to do the work of a bounty hunter but that is about to change...

Why do I say this is fake news? This story begins with false impressions - starting with Benny's first memory but fed by brash bounty hunters who are admired by the town's people. They are the heroes in this small town that was formed after First Night and they are telling the only story that people hear. The truth in Rot & Ruin is quite different than the common beliefs but that truth needs to be sought after. And isn't this the same as the world we live in? Aren't there stories swirling around that are partial truths or outright lies that are shared and re-shared and accepted and believed?

Reading Rot & Ruin during a time that the phrase "fake news" is on everyone's lips, reinforces for me the need to dig for the truth. To look for the sources of information that are trustworthy, from good authorities who are knowledgeable, and information that is up-to-date especially when what we know about our world is evolving. 

 

Book Review: The Music of What Happens / Bill Konigsberg

I totally enjoyed this book about two teen boys, thrown together by chance, who discover a new love. Both boys have had some rockiness in their lives - though the troubles have been very different. This is a fun story all on its own, but...

The title comes from the poem Song by Seamus Heaney. This poem has made me think of the soundtrack of my life. Not the music playing on electronic devices - but the sounds of life. For me that is a lot about laughter, dogs barking, birds singing, trucks moving (we live near a busy business with lots of trucks) coyotes, turkeys, silence, the timer on the oven, stories, and right now - snow shoveling. I think that the soundtrack of my life also includes smells and feels and all that is around me. Is it always perfect? Nope - there is dog poop in there (We DO have three dogs), but I wouldn't trade in my soundtrack. Do I encounter difficulties and obstacles? Of course, but life is partly about overcoming and some about reaching for. Life is about trying new things and being OK with failing but not giving up. Sometimes life is about frustration but that is OK because sometimes life is about applause - even if is only myself applauding for myself. 

Yes this book is about two gay boys, but their experiences are pretty universal - not in the specifics but in the generalities. I hope you enjoy this book.

 

Book Review: The Noel Diary by Richard Paul Evans

Every year I try to read a new-to-me Christmas story around the holidays. Richard Paul Evans often offers a good story and this one is not an exception. It is about love and it is totally a romance novel - but it encompasses more types of love than just the romantic kind.

In this story, Jacob has had a troubled beginning. As a matter of fact, he found himself kicked out of his home when he was sixteen. Luckily a neighbor took him in but regardless, this experience has left him feeling disconnected.

Now Jacob is a famous author who writes romance novels. The thing is that Jacob himself in unlucky in love. (No surprise with his past). This is a quick-read novel that touches on love, family, grace, and Christmas and learning how to love.

Book Review: Anxious People by Fredrik Bachman

 

Read this book. Seriously, read this book.

Backman will make you laugh and cry. This is a mystery and a love story. 

"Flesher, you found a romance novel that you like?", you ask. (Romance novels - ick!)

This is so much more than a romance novel. This is a LOVE STORY. The story of love in all of its colors. Love: between spouses, among friends, for children. This is so much bigger than a romance novel. 

OK - here is a quick plot summary: A bunch of people are looking at an apartment that is for sale. Simultaneously, the bank across the street is held up at gun point with the bank robber narrowly escaping. And the perpetrator ends up in the apartment and it all turns into a hostage situation. Throw in a couple of police officers who need to solve the crime and you have Anxious People. 

I borrowed this book through SORA which I connected to the NH State Library. I had to put it on hold and wait a while but the wait was totally worth it. I went and bought a copy because I want to read it again. 

Book Review: Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

 

This book tells the story of Amal, a young black teen who finds himself in the middle of a fight. The victim of the fight is seriously injured and Amal is arrested for the crime.

Things to know:

• Amal is black
• The other kid is white 

This is the story of inequality, the school to prison pipeline, about expectations and assumptions, about art and literature and poetry and family and friends... about life inside black male skin. 

This novel in verse not only punches the air, but is a punch in the gut. It is so good and will leave you thinking. 

You can find this book at the Nashua Public library or it is available through Libby or SORA (if you have attached your Nashua Public Library card.)

Before you start, watch this video about The Story Behind Punching the Air