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This past month I read a lot about relationships. The dynamics of family, friends, and loved ones whom we keep things from to try and keep them safe or to not hurt their feelings. When in reality, not communicating is the hindrance to these relationships. Each book has its own tale of prevarication. Stories that are reshape to form a narrative that fits our own convictions or fictional tales to comfort oneself. Whether consciously or subconsciously. Here is everything I read in July.
When April and Leo’s house burns down, they escape with their two young children to April’s parent’s house in Dallas. With the devastation of the fire, and the new living situation, April and Leo have to pretend. Pretend that the house isn’t the only thing that burned down, so did their marriage. They come from two completely different backgrounds. April a happy upbringing, loving parents. Leo, an abandoned child, poor, navigating life on his own. These differences are the catalyst to the cracks in their marriage, their troubles. Can they work through their marriage as they work through the rubbles of what was once their home.
4.5 stars
Review
This was a fascinating story of heartbreak, longing, and the unknown. How do we deal when the comfort you once knew is ripped away from you. When everything seems to be tumbling down and you just have to accept it. Was their marriage always doomed because of the class and cultural divide? Or is it the lack of communication, in the past and the present, the problem? To me, it’s another case of things would be ok if you just talked to your partner. Another story where I am yelling at the characters to just say what you want to say, don’t hold it in! I love that the author chose to write this in the alternating point of views from April and Leo. It allows us readers to fully understand both sides. There isn’t a right or wrong, it’s just life.
The book is divided into four fictional stories: a biography, an unfinished autobiography, a memoir, and a diary. All recounting the life of Andrew Bevel, a man who made billions from the stock market crash of 1929, and of his wife Mildred who died of an illness. The first section is a novel within a novel written mostly based on fictional stories, and rumors, of how Andrew gained his wealth and the mystery surrounding his wife’s illness. In the autobiography, Andrew narrates his life, but mostly focuses on capitalism and speaks very little of his late wife. When we get to the third section, it’s a story from his personal assistant and ghost writer. How she uncovered more truths about Andrew and his wife. Then finally we hear from Mildred. We find the truth of how Andrew acquired his wealth, of her illness, and of their marriage.
4 stars
Review
I am glad I listened to this on audio instead of physically reading it. I don’t know if I would have able to finish it if I were. Having different narratives of each section helped move it along, refreshed it. I found this book to be both interesting and boring. Andrew’s personal life, especially his relations to his wife, was much more interesting to me than his finances. I am not going to pretend I still understand the full in-depth ins and outs of the stock market- especially the crash of 1929. I know enough to understand the matter, but not enough to truly have an interest. While the structure of the book had its moment, and was a little confusing in the beginning trying to figure out who was who, I never really connected to Andrew. Even when he narrates his own story, we never fully get thel truth- about Mildred, about how he made millions from the stock market crash, who he is as a person. It’s either surface level, glorified, avoidance, or gloating. It’s not until we read Mildred’s diary that we the truth of each matter; their relationship, her illness, the wealth, etc. And, to me, that is the point of the whole book; everyone has their owns tales of a situation. The truth lies within our own experiences, assumptions, wants, and societal gossip. We reshape truths to fit our own narratives, the story we want to tell ourselves and to others. To me, this is a book you can reread and discover something new.
Caroline is trying to make it as a writer without the help from her mother, who happens to be a world renowned author. To do so she leaves New York for a fellowship in Greenhead, Massachusetts. Upon arriving she meets Van Whittaker; who loves the environment, has unkept hair, and is a native to Greenhead. Van still hangs out with childhood friends; Augusta, Fran, Bailey, RJ, Eben, and Cal. While Van and Caorline’s relationship evolves, he finds out that Bailey is pregnant with his child. Caroline not only has to figure out her place amongst the group, but also how to navigate Van becoming a father. When Caroline is cast out of the group, what she does next may ruin the friend group dynamics forever.
4.5 stars
Review
While the book immediately grabbed my attention, somewhere along the way I started to lose interest. Caroline is the main character, at least she seemed to be since we were following along her journey from New York to Greenhead. Then the focal point changes to the friend group. It wasn’t until Caroline writes her story that I became invested again. It flushes out the secrets amongst the group. Something that needed to be done. It wasn’t until then that I realized Caroline is the catalyst. The groups dynamics is relatable in ways. We also have friends whom we have known since childhood. There is a lot of history, a lot of hurt that gets swept under the rug. We think we fully know someone who has been in your life forever, yet even they do not fully reveal their whole selves. We always keep parts of us hidden, and it’s must easier to hide them from the ones we love the most. Besides the underlining thematics of the story, I did enjoy each point of view from each character. I am glad it was done this way and only through the women. We see how each female character represents a stereotype; the cool one, the perfect one, the unattainable one, the insecure one. How each one approaches each situation differently. I don’t think there was one character I liked more than others. Yet I didn’t dislike any of them either. They were all flawed in ways that are relatable through normal human experiences.
June doesn’t know what she is doing with her life. Only a few years out of the military, her promising career as an influential political security has fallen through, her father has passed away, she lives on her sister’s couch, and she works as a bouncer at a strip club. When one day her best friend Min, a former CIA agent, offers her a high-profile security job, June has no choice by to take it. An easy job to protect a journalist to a glitz and glamorous gala. Easy enough. It’s not until June meets her team when her gut tells her something feels off. Someone is lying, giving out private information. Is Min hiding something from her? Is someone on the team a traitor? Why was she chosen to do this?
4.5 stars
Review
This book was action packed. While I thought some parts could have been left out, I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next. You couldn’t trust anyone except June…. even as the reader you weren’t sure she was telling the truth. She has her own secrets that she kept hidden. As the story goes on, truths are unveiled as June gets deeper into this high-profile job. I loved the entire gala scene; perfectly executed in action, reveals, and answers. There were a lot of thrilling twists and turns I didn’t see coming. I thought the overall story was clever, and I wouldn’t mind a sequel.