Whereas (Layli Long Soldier)

Whereas is a collection of poems by Layli Long Soldier, a Native American residing in New Mexico whose poetry has been published in numerous outlets in recent years.  Her work is a reflection of her Lakota heritage and the history of struggle her nation has endured throughout America’s existence as settlers steadily encroached on land the Lakota had lived on for thousands of years.  Her poems are uniquely about her life and her existence as she struggled to find her voice while growing up, using poetry as the way to express herself.

Reviewing poetry is something we have never done here at 1776 Books, and taking on a collection of modern poetry is definitely outside of our “norm” for reviewing. However, Long Soldier’s story and her expressive writing flow creatively, albeit not easily, throughout the book's 100 pages, 30 of which are appropriately titled Whereas statements that peel away at the first word of the apology offered by the United States to Native Americans in 2009.  These raw arguments make the official apology feel quite hollow by the time Long Soldier is done dissecting it.

Poetry readers may need to reflect slowly on Whereas -- it is not the easiest, breeziest poetry you will read but the message is powerful.  If you wish to be challenged and want to devour arguments that may challenge your thinking, Whereas is for you. 

MY RATING - 4

The Woman in Cabin 10 (Ruth Ware)

It's the rare book that I read over a 24-hour time period.  I usually like to savor novels over a few days/weeks, especially the ones I'm particularly enjoying.  Ruth Ware's The Woman in Cabin 10 was the exception, as I couldn't put it down and raced to the end to see how Ware would finish it.

Travel journalist Lo Blacklock has just been burglarized at her home but doesn't want to cancel the major assignment she's been given at work: to write about her experience during a week on a new cruise boat.  At the beginning, everything seems wonderful -- luxurious accommodations, delicious food/drink, and pleasant travel companions.  This is a tiny vessel, with only ten cabins, but the last cabin is empty due to a cancellation.  But one night, Lo hears what sounds like someone being dumped overboard from that cabin; she can't get anyone to believe her though because that cabin is supposed to be empty.  Except it isn't -- Lo had previously knocked on that door and talked with the woman who she thought was the inhabitant.  So what's going on here?  Did Lo witness something horrible?  Is she going mad because of the burglary?  As readers, we're never quite sure.

With the mysterious premise and plenty of suspects to go around, The Woman in Cabin 10 reads like an Agatha Christie novel.  It's well written with tons of twists, and Ware succeeds in giving the reader the same sense of claustrophobia that Lo is going through.  I couldn't put it down.

MY RATING - 4

How to Find Love in a Bookshop (Veronica Henry)

When you pick up a novel titled How to Find Love in a Bookshop, you pretty much know you're not going to get elements like crime and suspense.  But that doesn't make Veronica Henry's book any less important than the Erik Larson and Stephen King titles out there.  Because in this day and age, sometimes all it takes to make you feel better is a few hours spent in an enchanting bookshop.

Julius Nightingale is the beloved owner of Nightingale Books, a place where one is always welcome to peruse for hours and the right book will almost certainly make it into your hands.  Julius passes away with a few secrets, including the fact that the bookshop is in trouble.  It's up to his daughter, Emilia, to save the store if she wishes.  In addition to this main arc, the reader is introduced to a whole other cast of characters, but all of them are tied nicely into Nightingale Books.

I simply loved this novel -- there, I said it.  You could almost say that Nightingale Books itself was the main character, and I know I'm not giving anything away (because why would you pick this book up if you didn't know this?) by saying that everyone's storyline comes to a lovely resolution.  How to Find Love in a Bookshop is the novel that people need right now...period.

MY RATING - 4

Grave New World (Stephen D. King)

Stephen D. King’s Grave New World is a thorough discussion of the current global world, divided not as much between conservative and liberal thinking as between globalization and nationalism. The book tackles much of the current state of affairs in Britain with Brexit, America with the current political environment, and elsewhere around the world, neatly packaging a short history of how we got to where we are.

From there, the picture muddles.  While King’s book offers an excellent summary explaining why the world is in its current political state, there is not much concrete substance to promote sound solutions to appease either side of the debate, offering some arguments for continuing international partnerships like NATO and the UN but not more suggestions on how to strengthen those partnerships or how to adapt those that exist to fit a world that is evolving fast.  The instances where he does go into some level of substance on tackling the problems can come across a bit wonky, and King spends a fair amount of time challenging those who are against NATO, the UN, etc. to come up with reasons why nationalism makes sense given the challenges that are on the horizon politically in Russia and China.  He also challenges the global community to sell the deal better but doesn’t offer much in solutions on how to get those who have been burned by automation and free trade back on track.

If you’re into economics, history, and/or politics, and can approach those topics from a non-biased perspective, King provides a great backdrop on how we’ve arrived at the current place we're in and makes a broad argument for global partnerships based on history, economic impact, and overall prosperity that globalization has brought the world through time. The suggestions to improve our partnerships domestically and abroad, however, come up a bit light in my eyes, and it prevents a good read from being a great one

MY RATING - 3

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A Head Full of Ghosts (Paul Tremblay)

In July of this year, 1776 Books will be celebrating its 8th anniversary.  In all that time, I can probably count on one hand how many times I've given a 5 rating.  When I began the blog, I worked hard on my definitions of each rating and described a 5 as "Excellent. I would read it again in a heartbeat."  To me, a 5 is practically perfect, and Paul Tremblay's A Head Full of Ghosts is that for me.

With so many books being released every week, it's getting difficult for one to surprise me.  I've read the historical fiction, the beach reads, and and the "I couldn't even begin to describe this book if I tried" novels.  I picked up A Head Full of Ghosts because I was looking for something different, and the possession/reality show plot caught my attention right away.

We begin simply with a normal suburban family -- John and Sarah Barrett are parents to Marjorie and Merry.  Merry worships the ground her older sister walks on and is always asking her to tell her stories.  But the family can't hide the fact that Marjorie is starting to act strangely, and in addition to sending her to a psychiatrist, John seeks the counsel of a priest.  John is also out of work, and when a reality show comes calling to film what they think is Marjorie's "possession", he finds it hard to say no.  What results is a suspenseful, often horrific, and utterly tragic story of the entire Barrett family.

A Head Full of Ghosts also ranks as a book I read in record time.  I normally like to take my time with novels I enjoy, allowing me to delve into each layer of the story.  With this one, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.  You'd be hard pressed to find a more richly developed horror novel than this one.

MY RATING - 5

Churchill, Roosevelt & Company (Lewis E. Lehrman)

Lewis E. Lehrman’s Churchill, Roosevelt & Company covers the stories of Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt but also pulls their advisers and lower level government officials in to weave the narrative of the Americans and British during World War II.  While the Churchill-FDR relationship was unique in its flow and ebb through both men’s leadership of their respective nations, the management of that relationship and the Allied War effort by individuals such as John M. Keynes, Lord Halifax, Anthony Eden, Harry Hopkins, and Generals Marshall and Eisenhower played a more critical, substantive role in ensuring the two countries collaborated in their efforts to defeat the Axis Powers.

Lehrman compares the two leaders’ styles in managing and dealing with the Soviet Union during and especially after World War II, and shows how both countries were able to use each other (and each other’s strengths) to their advantage. The author skillfully moves between the British and Americans, weaving in tails of espionage and intrigue along the way to add extra spice to the historical narrative.

Above all, Churchill, Roosevelt & Company reinforces a most powerful lesson that all of us should remember: Relationships matter. The book shows many examples of how government policy and decision-making was influenced by interpersonal relationships by second and third level diplomats and lower level government advisers. While Churchill and FDR garnered the headlines, the dirty work in the trenches required that personal touch that Churchill and FDR were not always able to maintain during the balance of the war effort.

MY RATING - 4

Talking as Fast as I Can (Lauren Graham)

It's really funny -- a friend of mine has always told me that I needed to watch this terrific show called Gilmore Girls.  So one day over Christmas break, I began a Netflix binge, finishing the show completely (including the revival) last week.  I loved Lauren Graham's portrayal of Lorelai Gilmore so much that I recently read and reviewed her fiction novel (Someday, Someday Maybe) and began watching another show she was in, Parenthood (perfection!).  Her latest collection of essays, Talking as Fast as I Can, is a book that all of Graham's fans can enjoy, no matter what you know and love her from.

I got one thing straightaway from this book: Lauren Graham IS Lorelai Gilmore.  Whether she's talking about her experiences on Gilmore Girls or Parenthood, or all her many jobs before she became a bona fide TV star, reading her essays is as comforting as a hot cup of coffee from Luke's.  Graham's warmth comes through loud and clear, and her honesty is really refreshing in this day and age.

You can devour Talking as Fast as I Can in a single afternoon or savor each essay so the book lasts longer.  Either way, I bet you're going to love it.

MY RATING - 4