Fifty Places to Travel Solo: Travel Experts Share the World’s Greatest Solo Destinations by Chris Santella

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

I have to say I found the title of this book a bit misleading. Some of the places recommended definitely require other people to be around—Antarctica, for example.  That quibble aside, this is a most enjoyable book of interviews with different travel writers about places they recommend.  The opening essay by Kate McCulley discusses why she likes to travel without friends or family (makes it very easy to spend time on things that interest you) and how empowering it can make one feel.

The suggested places are listed alphabetically, making it easy to spot places of interest.  While there are plenty of international suggestions such as Havana or Prague or Ho Chi Minh City, there are also a number of U.S. destinations.  One delightful surprise was seeing Asheville listed among New York City, New Orleans, and Palm Springs.  The essays have comments and background information about the person making the recommendation, highlights of the area (Asheville is surrounded by ample opportunities for hiking, camping, etc., great food scene, and of course Biltmore!), must-do suggestions, and ending up with site specific tips for budget travel, best time to visit, and how to get around. Most entries have a full color photo to give readers a sense of the place.

This is a wonderful browsing book!  I read the entries for places I knew first to see someone else’s perspective, then moved on to I’ve heard about but never visited.  There were also a number of places I’d never heard of before but which sound very intriguing. One such is Pai, a small village in Thailand which is not a tourist town and pretty much attracts people because of that.  It’s very rural but with a lively village life featuring live music and locally crafted jewelry and art.

For someone contemplating a trip or for the armchair traveler, this is a fun and informative book.

Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalauddin

 

Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalauddin

Reviewed by Jeanne

After a tragedy, Kausar Khan left Toronto and had never thought to return.  She and her husband had built a life in North Bay, away from friends, family, and most of all, reminders.  Even after her husband passed away, Kausar was unwilling to consider returning until she got a phone call that her daughter Sana is in trouble—and not just simple trouble.  There has been a murder in Sana’s boutique.

While Kausar knows her daughter would not had committed murder, she comes not only to help with the household but to ask questions of her own. This turns out to be more difficult than anticipated because Sana is angry and evasive; Sana’s older daughter seems suspicious of Kausar; and Sana’s husband Hamsa is definitely lying about something. The police, however, seem sure they have their murderer: Sana.

I don’t quite know where to start to say how much I enjoyed this book, which is the first in a new series.  Kausar is a character who really comes to life.  She is a woman of a certain age, a Southeast Asian Muslim immigrant who had an arranged marriage, but who has always met challenges with kindness, empathy, and a shrewd intelligence that allowed her to notice small details that revealed larger truths.  Her race and her age lead people to underestimate her and to make certain assumptions which Kausar uses to her advantage. She’s a warm and empathetic individual, but also with steely resolve to help and protect both her family and her community.  She has a sense of humor as well as humility, but she also has a sense of guilt.  Mired in grief, she now feels that she has let her family down.  She has no idea about the details of Sana’s life or the lives of her granddaughters, and now must try to build more of a relationship with them.  

The book also touches on subjects like gentrification, racism, and generational divides. Kausar and her friends were brought up with certain expectations and views which are not necessarily shared by their children or grandchildren.

The mystery itself is very well constructed.  As Kausar begins to investigate, she discovers some shady financial dealings going on in the neighborhood that may or may not have had a bearing on the murder, not to mention the secrets within her own family.   

I also loved learning more about an unfamiliar culture and place.  Jaladdin writes well, and is able to impart information organically, without lengthy explanations.  In fact, she writes so well that I’m almost tempted to read one of her other books—all of which are romances, which is not my genre.  That says a lot right there!

Blue Ridge Fire Towers by Robert Sorrell

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

While the title might sound dull to some, this book is a little gem of local history.  Sorrell has done a very thorough job of telling the history of fire towers in the area, starting in 1910.  In the early years, fire towers were the only game in town for spotting wildfires.  Nowadays, fire spotters have largely been replaced or supplemented by technology, though some towers remain staffed either by employees or volunteers. Even the abandoned ones remain as points of interest for hikers and locals.

Sorrell tells the story chronologically, beginning with the first towers as it became obvious there was a need for lookouts after some damaging fires. This was a bit more controversial than one would think: according to Sorrell the prevailing attitude was that fires were “a force of nature that could not be abated or prevented.”  Some of the early towers were built either by communities or companies, while conservationist and forest enthusiast Gifford Pinchot championed the building of a network of towers to help manage the potential damage from fires.

But let me just jump ahead to “the good stuff”—the wealthy of local stories and information about the towers.  I am not a fire tower buff myself (not crazy about heights) but even I have heard of a number of these towers.  During the fall, people talk about going up to the Mendota fire tower to get the best views of the foliage. Wise County’s High Knob Tower was so iconic that it was rebuilt not once but twice after it was destroyed by fire in the 1970s and again in 2007. The newest tower, dedicated in 2014, is considered fireproof.

Long time residents will enjoy that Sorrell has several references to local journalist Jack Kestner who wrote about his love for the mountains and even did a stint as a watcher in a fire tower. (Fun fact:  Kestner wrote a novel entitled Fire Tower, set in West Virginia.) There is a good index, which helped me find the areas I was especially interested in, and I certainly enjoyed the photos but honestly I could have read the entire book.  Sorrell has an engaging manner of writing that made me want to read more even if I didn’t know the area he was writing about.  It’s a gift that not all non-fiction writers have, so I really appreciate it in those that do.

If you have any interest in local history in general, I recommend giving this book a try. 

Nevermore: Poe, Wishing Thread, How to Rate a Cat

Reported by Rita

 

Poe: Birth of the Detective Story by Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe is often cited as fathering the modern detective story. His trilogy of stories follows amateur detective C. Auguste Dupin as he tries to perfect the idea of "ratiocination" or the "art of reasoning and rational." The trilogy begins with the 1841 short story, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," which follows Dupin trying to solve a double murder in Paris. The sequel, 1842's "The Mystery of Marie Roget," again follows Dupin as he tries to solve the murder of Marie Roget, whose body is found in a local Paris river. The final installment in the series, 1844's "The Purloined Letter," follows Dupin's attempt to recover a letter stolen from a private sitting room.

It is an interesting choice of stories. I found them very dull. - PP 3 stars

 

The Wishing Thread by Lisa Van Allen

For fans of Jennifer Chiaverini and Sarah Addison Allen, The Wishing Thread is an enchanting novel about the bonds between sisters, the indelible pull of the past, and the transformational power of love.

I found it a little far-fetched, but it was a nice, easy read. - GP 4 stars

 

How to Rate a Cat: Rate Any Feline Friend from Their Boopable Nose to Their Sweet Toe Beans by Matthew McGlasson

If you consider yourself a pet parent, love looking at cute kittens online, or are just an all-around animal lover, then this is the book for you. From their spiky bedhead to their adorable paw beans to everything in between, identify, recognize, and celebrate what makes each kitty special and unique. Become an expert cat-rater based on signature characteristics.

This is so cute and enjoyable. I loved it! - MS 5 stars

 

Other Books Mentioned:

The World of the Pronghorn by Joe Van Wormer

The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes

The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris

The Man with the Golden Arm by Nelson Algren

The Wayward Bus by John Steinbeck

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

Extreme Survival: Lessons from Those Who Have Triumphed Against All Odds by Michael J. Tougias

The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food, and Love by Kristin Kimball

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

The River Knows Your Name by Kelly Mustian

Lies on the Serpent's Tongue by Kate Pearsall

Eleanore of Avignon by Elizabeth DeLozier

Speak to Me of Home by Jeanine Cummins

Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr

Hear My Sad Story: The True Tales That Inspired "Stagolee," "John Henry," and Other Traditional American Folk Songs by Richard Polenberg

Over the Edge by Jonathan Kellerman

Book of Shadows by Phyllis Curott

James Acaster's Classic Scrapes by James Acaster

Working Girl Blues: The Life and Music of Hazel Dickens by Hazel Dickens, Bill C. Malone

Friendliest Town on the Trail: Damascus, Virginia by Bunny Medeiros

Walking to Wijiji: ... my journey overcoming loneliness by Bunny Medeiros

 

New Books:

The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog: And Other Serious Discoveries of Silly Science by Carly Anne York

The Afterlife of Malcolm X: An Outcast Turned Icon's Enduring Impact on America by Mark Whitaker

Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything by James R. Doty

Blonde Dust by Tatiana de Rosnay

I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Four teenagers are heading home after an evening of fun.  Driving down a mountain road, the car hits a young boy on a bicycle.  The teens panic; Barry, the driver, is eighteen and considered an adult.  If they report this, he’ll do jail time.  The four agree, somewhat reluctantly, to keep the accident a secret, but Ray and Julie are deeply troubled about it. Ray insists on at least calling 911 to try to get help for the boy.

That was a year ago.

Julie, once a bubbly cheerleader, has become a more somber, studious girl.  Helen’s life has only changed for the better: she’s a TV personality with her own apartment away from her struggling family. Football hero and only child Barry has finished his first year of college and is looking forward to a backpacking trip to Europe, away from his doting parents. He’s also more than ready to put some distance between himself and Helen.  They aren’t sure about Ray.  He left town after the accident, headed to California.

Then Julie gets a letter with no return address.  “I know what you did last summer” is all it says.  Is it a prank—or a threat?

Back in the day, mystery titles for children were mostly those featuring sleuths such as Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, Hardy Boys, or the Three Investigators.  There were a few others, including a personal favorite, Brains Benton. From there it was on to adult authors like Agatha Christie.

Then a few authors began writing books that were edgier, books about real teens who found themselves in dire situations. I Know What You Did Last Summer came out in 1973 and created quite the stir. These teens had committed a crime! They mention smoking pot! They drink beer! (None of which is portrayed.) They have a stalker who means bodily harm!

This was definitely not a Nancy Drew book.

Naturally, this attracted the attention of Hollywood who optioned the novel for a movie.  Duncan was thrilled. When the movie opened, she was in the theater with her popcorn ready to see her book on the screen. She did wonder why there a man with a hook.

She soon found out.

She didn’t even eat her popcorn.

Former teen librarian Pam Neal said Duncan wrote an apology to all her fans, regretting that her suspense novel had become an urban legend slasher film. In an interview Duncan said she was “horrified.” The violence was sensationalized, which was particularly painful because Duncan’s daughter Kaitlyn had been shot to death by an unknown person just a few years before the movie.

Now the rebooted version of the I Know What You Did Last Summer is in theatres and from all reports it bears even less resemblance to the book than the first movie did.  I decided it was a good time to go back to the source material, so I picked up a copy of the book, albeit a slightly altered version.  In 2010, Duncan revised her book a bit, adding mentions of things like cell phones and GPS which didn’t exist back in 1973. She changed the war in the background to Iraq instead of Viet Nam, and made a few other changes to suit the times. Of course, that was fifteen years ago; there are a few things that seem slightly dated now but not so much that it took me out of the story.

Overall, I think the book has held up well. While more modern books may have grittier plots, the core parts of the book—the characters and the suspense—still work for me. This was a groundbreaking book in YA literature, one that led the way for such authors as Joan Lowery Nixon, Holly Jackson, and Karen McManus. It makes me sad that the novel is so little known.

As for the movie, I’ll pass.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Monique Grant is working for Vivant magazine, hoping to make a name for herself as a reporter when the incredible happens: Evelyn Hugo (or rather, her staff) reaches out to the magazine about doing an interview-- and Evelyn only wants Monique.

Evelyn Hugo is a star. She lit up the box office and the gossip magazines with her performances and with her off-screen life.  Then she became reclusive and elusive. She doesn’t walk the red carpet or visit talk shows or give interviews—at least, not until now.  This will be a huge coup for the magazine and for Monique.

With more than a bit of trepidation, Monique goes to meet Evelyn. It turns out that Evelyn doesn’t want to do an interview.  She wants Monique to write her biography. She doesn’t want a puff piece or a hatchet job. Monique is tasked with writing the truth.

And so Evelyn begins to tell her story, one that starts in Hell’s Kitchen and then heads to Hollywood, through husband after husband, scandals, love affairs, and secrets.  But the biggest secret, why she chose Monique, she saves for last.

Ah, Book Bingo! The way I finally get around to tackling many titles on my TBR list. This was my choice for “Read a historical novel,” since the story begins in the 1950s and continues to the present, more or less. I had heard great things about this book and I must say it lived up to the hype.  I grew up reading the old movie star magazines like Photoplay before moving on to reading novels and biographies of Hollywood, so Evelyn’s story had the ring of truth.  While Evelyn herself is a fictional creation, author Reid has said that she drew from the lives of stars such as Rita Hayworth and Elizabeth Taylor for inspiration.

Evelyn is a fascinating creation. In many ways, she’s a woman before her time.  She isn’t an innocent waif bedazzled by the bright lights:  she sees Hollywood as a way out to build the life she wants and she does what she needs to in order to achieve her goals. I think what intrigued me most is that while Evelyn has regrets, she’s not about to apologize.  She did what she felt she had to.  Agree with her or not, she doesn’t care.

I found Evelyn to be mesmerizing.

Love her or hate her, you will certainly remember her.

We actually had an earlier (and better written) review of this book back in 2019 but I was so enchanted with Evelyn that I had to throw in my two cents.   You can read Christy’s review here.

Nevermore: Something for the Pain, Eli the Good, Heartwood

 Reported by Rita

 

Something for the Pain: Compassion and Burnout in the ER by Paul Austin

An ER doctor's memoir describes the psychological impact of his profession, explaining how his daily exposure to critical illness, injury, and tragedy in the industrial setting of a modern hospital rendered him bitter and estranged from his family.

So real. This book is the best medical book I've ever read. - DC 5 stars

 

Eli the Good by Silas House

In the summer of 1976, ten-year-old Eli Book's excitement over Bicentennial celebrations is tempered by his father's flashbacks to the Vietnam War and other family problems, as well as concern about his tough but troubled best friend, Edie.

Very detailed and beautifully written. It feels very autobiographical. - MD 5 stars

 

Heartwood by Amity Gaige

Heartwood takes you on a journey as a search and rescue team races against time when an experienced hiker mysteriously disappears on the Appalachian Trail in Maine.

It is dramatic and cinematic with a cliffhanger ending. - AH 5 stars

 

Other Books Mentioned: 

Hola Papi!: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons by John Paul Brammer

My Name is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende

Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering by Malcolm Gladwell

Levi Strauss: The Man Who Gave Blue Jeans to the World by Lynn Downey

Mind Games by Nora Roberts

A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson

Dance of the Four Winds: Secrets of the Inca Medicine Wheel by Alberto Villoldo

Cave and Cosmos: Shamanic Encounters with Another Reality by Michael J. Harner

The Indian's Secret World by Robert Hofsinde

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Lies on the Serpent's Tongue by Kate Pearsall

How to Rate a Cat: Rate Any Feline Friend from Their Boopable Nose to Their Sweet Toe Beans by Matthew McGlasson

 

New Books:

Mark Twain by Ron Chernow

Poets Square: a Memoir in Thirty Cats by Courtney Gustafson