Beartown

 

“Beartown” by Fredrik Backman

Published by Washington Square Press

Finished 1/22/23 – 4 stars

 

This book has a definite “before half” and “after half”, with a major event in the middle.  Those halves feel like two different books.  The first half is slower, filled with lots of character development, then the second half is more deep and thought provoking.  The story takes place in a small town where lives are centered around hockey so I can imagine that anyone who doesn’t like hockey (or sports in general) might not enjoy it as much.  But if you take away the sport itself and focus on the family and team relationships, the pressure to perform, the bullying and cult like fandom….there are quite a number of fascinating dynamics taking place.  You’ll realize that the book isn’t actually about hockey.

 

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The Night Travelers

 

“The Night Travelers” by Armando Lucas Correa

Published by Atria Books

Finished 1/15/23 – 3/5 stars

 

This historical fiction novel spans the years of 1931 to 2015, focusing on four generations of women with time spent in Germany, Cuba, and the United States (briefly).  There are plenty of historical events during that time period and the book touches on a lot of it – Hitler’s Nazis, the Cuban Revolution, the Nazi war crime trials, and the falling of the Berlin Wall to name a few.  I really enjoyed the 1^st two parts of the story, but the 3^rd part just seemed to drag on a bit more.

 

Something I’m embarrassed to say I learned, was the effect Nazi’s had on people of color during that time.  The focus has always been on the treatment and murders of the Jews, so it never occurred to me that black and biracial individuals were effected as well.  Obviously, not at the same level of magnitude but their treatment wasn’t any different because they didn’t fit in to Hitler’s “purity” vision either.  I guess in my mind, Germany was just all white at that time.  I need to go relearn some history.

 

Favorite quote – “There’s no better way to welcome someone than with books.”

 

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for gifting me with an advanced copy to read and review.

 

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The House in the Pines

 

“The House in the Pines” by Ana Reyes

Published by Dutton

Finished 1/9/23 – 3/5 stars

 As an author’s debut novel, I think she did a pretty good job.  I just don’t think it’s worth all the hype it’s getting due to Reese Whitherspoon and her team choosing it for their bookclub pick.  I think the premise of the story is good but the ending was pretty lackluster.  You do have to pay attention while reading though because it flips between two different times, 7 years apart.  You may start a chapter thinking you’re reading about the current year but then a couple paragraphs in realize it’s actually the past (and vice versa).  The author also keeps you on your toes of not being quite sure if the main character is alcohol impaired, having drug withdrawal symptoms, or having a psychotic episode.  All are possible explanations for the thoughts going through her head.

 Whereas I didn’t fall in love with this book, I do see promise in the author and look forward to reading her next book.

 Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for gifting me with an advanced copy to read and review (if I choose to).

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The Great Alone

 “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah

Published by St Martin’s Press

Finished 1/5/23 – 4/5 stars

 

Now that I’ve dried my tears, I can write my review. 

Ernt was a POW during the Vietnam War and came home with what is now known as PTSD.  His wife, Cora, stands by him through all his issues by holding on to the memory of the man he used to be and the love they shared.  Their daughter, Leni, loves to escape life by reading books (my kind of girl).  Ernt has trouble holding down jobs so when he finds out he was left a cabin and some land in Alaska he thinks this could be the fresh start they needed.  Sight unseen they packed up and headed north to start a new life.  They were completely unprepared for the challenges they would face and what their new life would entail but the friendships they make in this small village will help them survive while falling in love with the beauty of Alaska and what it has to offer.

I was too young to remember my life in Alaska but reading this book and increased my desire to find my way back there to explore all it has to offer.

Two favorite quotes –

“In Alaska you can make one mistake.  One.  The second one will kill you.”

“A girl was like a kite; without her mother’s strong, steady hold on the string, she might just float away, be lost somewhere among the clouds.”

 

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