Author: Ashley Pohlenz

The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal

First line: Do you remember where you were when the meteor hit?

Summary and Thoughts: This science fiction book is set in an alternate timeline during the Cold War when a meteor struck the United Sates and sent the world into a forever cloudiness and accelerating the change of climate. Elma York, a military airplane flyer and mathematics doctorate, is with her husband Nathaniel York, head engineer of NACA, the book’s equivalent to NASA, in a cabin in the woods when a meteor hits and wipes out the east coast of the United States. The result is the climate rapidly changing to where the Earth becomes inhabitable, meaning humans must find a way to leave the planet quickly. But during an era where both women and people of color are still looked at as beneath men who were white, even as the main focus should be coming together for an important cause, this means that the characters have to go beyond to prove themselves worthy of being in the space program and even astronauts.

As far as plot and characters go, this book was unique. Even if this book focused on how racism and sexism do hold back innovation and societal progression, women and ethnic characters were not just their identities, though the hardships they faced do help shape them. I liked that the women felt like real heroes you can read in history books. I did get frustrated at how the main character behaved at times, but I felt like the behavior I didn’t like from her was justified in many of the situations Elma was placed in. I also loved how Kowal wasn’t shy about writing about women being medicated for issues such as anxiety back then. Elma York’s anxiety was written so real and not romanticized, I can feel good about recommending this book to people and not have to worry about the issue of am I doing a disservice to those with anxiety. This book was a comforting and inspiring read, I would recommend this book to people looking for some motivation to overcome difficult obstacles.

FYI: There are strong references to sexual acts as well as characters dealing with racism and sexism.

Calypso by David Sedaris

First Lines: “Though there’s an industry built on telling you otherwise, there are few real joys to middle age. The only perk I can see is that, with luck, you’ll acquire a guest room.”

Summary

If there is a theme among this collection of essays, it would be family. Sedaris is fiercely loyal and loving when it comes to his own, but he also isn’t afraid to describe their less attractive qualities. We learn of the overly-tanned skin of one of his sisters as well as his father’s hammer toes, but his love for them is never in question.

Throughout the essays, Sedaris seems to be grappling with reaching middle age, but in a way that makes you genuinely laugh out loud.

He reflects on the complicated relationship he shares with his father, who he knows won’t be around much longer, and looks back on life with his mother, who died of cancer in her own middle age. While spending time with his family at the North Carolina beach house he purchased, they recount stories of their sister Tiffany who committed suicide just before her 50th birthday. While these can make for sad stories, they are also poignant and hilarious. Sedaris has the talent of making his reader laugh at the bleakest of situations.

My Thoughts

Sedaris is one of the very few writers who unfailingly makes me laugh and cry within a mere five pages. His ability to find comedy in pain is admirable and his skill in communicating as much through writing his uncanny. Although I only have two siblings instead of the five Sedaris grew up with, I can relate to his close-knit sibling relationships. Reading essays of the Sedaris siblings lounging and talking on a beach blanket, I felt my family would have fit right in.

Wreck the Halls by Sarah Graves

First Line: Blood was everywhere, so much of it that at first Ellie and I didn’t realize what it was or understand what we’d walked into.

Summary: So opens the story, WRECK THE HALLS, the fifth book in the Home Repair is Homicide series with Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree. An ex-Wall Streeter, Jake has bought a fixer-upper in small town, Eastport, Maine with her son, Sam, and her boyfriend, Wade and learns small towns have their own secrets.

When Jake and her best friend Ellie arrive at the kitchen of Faye Anne Carmody’s they find her dazed and covered in blood and her no-good husband, the town butcher, Merle, who is missing. Then Jake discovers his body wrapped in his own butcher paper and the town residents all have an idea of what happened, an open and shut case against the wife, Faye Anne.

Jake and Ellie aren’t convinced of Faye Anne’s guilt as take it upon themselves to find the real killer and when another citizen of the town is murdered they realize the murderer’s trail began long before the death of Merle the butcher.

Thoughts: This book is another of my cozy mystery authors I enjoy reading. The way it is written you also glean a few details on home repair, especially older ones worn by the weather off the coast of Maine. The author uses several twists and turns to keep the story moving along and I kept guessing at the real villain. I like this series and would recommend it to anyone.

In Death series by J. D. Robb

This series is by far the longest running and favorite series I’ve followed. It’s Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb, and I was already a fan of her books, so when my friend & coworker Kristy told me about them, I jumped right in!

It takes place in the future starting in the 2050’s and follows Homicide Lieutenant Eve Dallas through her cases and her personal life. Currently there are 50 in the series, and several extra books in between.

She always starts the book with a quote that has to do with that story, then you follow the whole case through, beginning to end, going to the crime scene, interviewing witnesses, what Eve is thinking, giving a little from the killers side, and then the satisfying take down. You also delve into her personal life with Roarke, her complicated past, her inner circle of friends, and her hatred for fashion & social life. I have laughed, cried, gasped out loud, and sat in stunned silence.

I would love to list my favorite characters, but there are way too many, and I would feel bad if I left anyone out. In the beginning Eve was a loner, but throughout the book she develops relationships that really makes a family unit. I can’t describe J.D. Robb’s talent at making these fictional characters feel like real life people. I would love if she did spin off series of any of the cast of characters.

I also have to add that I have listened to the series on audio, and the narrator Susan Erikson probably contributes a little to my love of the series, if you haven’t listened to them, I highly recommend it! The way she voices each person is distinct and incredible, their voices have been permanently cemented in my mind.

The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

First Line: It was the kind of August day that hinted at monsoons, and the year was 1774, though not for much longer.

Summary: Nix has been on her father’s ship for her whole life. As long as Slate has a map for it, they can travel to any time or any place, real or mythological. But Slate is obsessed with finding a map of 1868 Honolulu, the time before Nix’s mother died. When Slate enters a plot that will help him acquire the map, Nix must decide how far she is willing to help her father, when her own existence could be erased.

My Thoughts:

    I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Girl From Everywhere. Heidi Heilig created a rich world and characters that I was invested in, along with an extremely intriguing premise.

    Each twist and turn kept the plot enticing and the stakes high. There was never a dull moment. Throughout it all, Heilig deftly weaves in elements of mythology to create a cohesive world that one would expect for time-traveling sailors. It influences the characters’ banter and colors the metaphors. Not only that, but the use of myths contributes to a greater, more interconnected story that is slowly revealed.

    I really enjoyed Nix’s personality; she felt distinct to me, with her love of language and knowledge of myths, in a way that many YA characters haven’t. The secondary characters were also great. Kashmir, her friend and primary castmate, was charismatic and fun. And surprisingly, I ended up enjoying Slate’s character. Even though he neglects his daughter in favor of recklessly obtaining the correct map, Heilig builds a sympathetic portrayal.

My favorite part was the complex and interesting relationships between the characters, especially that of Nix and Slate. The main conflict centers around them, giving a glimpse into the messy bonds of family. Even though they are at opposing ends, they deeply care about each other, and it was interesting to see the facets of their relationship explored.

    Nix and Kashmir also had wonderful banter and chemistry, and I loved their romance. It made the love triangle kind of annoying at first, but that surprisingly added depth to both Nix’s characterization and the book’s theme.

    Heilig presents a striking world with an enticing plot and authentic character dynamics. Highly original, The Girl From Everywhere pulls readers it with its unique concept, but remains familiar with its themes of family, ambition, and love.