Nevermore 6-11-24: The Cartographers, My Side of the River, The Forgiving Kind

 

Reported by Rita

The Cartographers: a Novel by Peng Shepherd

When her estranged father is found dead with a seemingly worthless map hidden in his desk, cartographer Nell Young soon discovers the map is extremely valuable—and that a mysterious collector will stop at nothing to destroy it and anyone who gets in the way.

 Unbelievable fantasy story, but the maps were very interesting.    – MH     4 stars

 

My Side of the River: a Memoir by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

Exploring separation, generational trauma, and the toll of the American dream, the author recounts what happened when, at 15, her parents were forced back to Mexico, leaving her and her brother to fend for themselves as underage children affected by broken immigration laws.

  It's a quick read with fascinating characters. Well written.    – KM      5 stars

 

The Forgiving Kind by Donna Everhart

After her beloved father dies in 1950s North Carolina, 12-year-old water diviner Martha "Sonny" Creech must deal with a shady, bigoted neighbor who is trying to insert himself in her family's cotton farm business. By the author of The Education of Dixie Dupree. 

A really good book, but kind of depressing.     – WJ      5 stars

 

Other Books Mentioned

The Cider House Rules by John Irving

Before We Were Yours: a Novel by Lisa Wingate

Some Days There's Pie: A Novel by Catherine Landis

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

Cat Confessions: a "Kitty Come Clean" Tell-All Book by Allia Zobel Nolan

The Women by Kristin Hannah

The Ship of Brides: a Novel by Jojo Moyes

Moonrise Over New Jessup by Jamila Minnicks

The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom

Abingdon Boardinghouse Murders by Greg Lilly

 

New Books 

In My Time of Dying: How I Came Face-To-Face With the Idea of an Afterlife by Sebastian Junger

The Element Encyclopedia of the Celts by Rodney Castleden

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Subtitled “The ultimate a-z of the symbols, history, and spirituality of the legendary Celts,” this book does take on a lot of territory.  Author Castleden, a former teacher, divides the book up into six sections: Celtic people and lifestyles; Celtic places; Celtic religion; myths, legends, and stories; symbols, ideas, and archetypes; and Celtic twilight and revival.  Each section has an a-z listing of terms under that topic, with many “see” references for alternate terms and spellings.

The length of entries varies from a couple of sentences to several pages, depending on the topic.  The tone is conversational but not casual; and the author tries to be very even-handed on some controversial topics, such as King Arthur. (Castleden does believe there was a historical Arthur but also explains why others don’t believe he existed.)

To be honest, I got much more than I expected from this book.  I like the detailed explanations and that some things are put in historical context:  as in, this is what was thought about the item when first discovered, this is what other evidence showed, and this is the current thought. I like that it is very browseable, and that I found all the entries both interesting and entertaining.  Under “Bean Si,” I learned that this is the term for a Celtic fairy woman who is often seen washing the bloody clothes of those about to die.  It’s pronounced “banshee”—and that certainly explains a lot.  Another term I looked up was “Claddagh,” the popular symbol of clasped hands and a heart. Castleden says it dates to the sixteenth century and seems to have originated in Galway, though it may have been inspired by a Roman design. The section on “Fairies” was quite enlightening, and certainly explained some references I had come across as to their origin and dress.

There are entries on Druids, Samhain, Celtic Cross, and many more.  There aren’t a lot of illustrations but the information more than makes up for it. As mentioned before, I like that the author is up-front about his biases and beliefs rather than just presenting them as fact; it leaves room for disagreement.  I do wish there was an index, but otherwise I found this a very enjoyable and informative book.

The Secret History of Bigfoot: Field Notes on an American Monster by John O’Connor

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

John O’Connor spent months writing a Sasquatch monster movie which was never produced—and that’s probably all to the good.  As O’Connor admits, research was limited and even that is a generous assessment.  Years later he became interested in the search for the apelike cryptid who goes by so many names:  Bigfoot, Yeti, Sasquatch, and even our own “Wood Booger.” He reached out to some groups who search for the creature and spent some time in the woods with them.  He even helped an attempt to re-create the famous Bigfoot footage shot by Roger Patterson in 1967.

However, don’t expect this book to prove Bigfoot exists.  And don’t expect it to prove that it doesn’t exist.  This book is more about human nature and why we believe or, more to the point, why we want to believe in the things we do.

Since we were doing a display on cryptids, I decided I’d give this one a try. Right off the bat, O’Connor lets you know that he doesn’t take himself too seriously and that the book is going to more light-hearted than most on the topic.  He makes some flippant remarks about some Bigfoot enthusiasts, but he obviously likes and respects the people he met.  They come from all walks of life, but they all bond over Bigfoot.  O’Connor does a good job of presenting the arguments for and against the existence of such a creature, and also compares the search to others—including the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, thought to be extinct until a researcher claimed to have evidence to the contrary. The jury is still out on that one as well.

For me, the book did take very seriously the question of belief.  I found that to be thought-provoking and made me consider some of my own biases.  It is definitely not an argument against believing in Bigfoot, ghosts, or Ivory Billed Woodpeckers but just asks the reader to ponder.  There is an epilogue which really puts it all in perspective and had a definite effect on the way I saw the book overall.

Nevermore: Things Past Telling, Summer Crossing, After World

 

Nevermore 6-4-24

Reported by Rita

Things Past Telling: a Novel by Sheila Williams

Loosely based on the author's real-life female ancestors, this story of Maryam Prescilla Grace, a midwife, born in West Africa around 1758, charts her journey across an ocean of years, as she gains and loses family, her culture, a husband, lovers and children

  Excellent read – highly recommend.      - KN      5 stars

 

Summer Crossing by Truman Capote

Seventeen-year-old Manhattan society girl Grady McNeil is free to pursue her illicit romance with Clyde Manzer, a Jewish parking lot attendant from Brooklyn when her parents decide to leave her alone for the summer.

 Loved it – will be reading more Capote.    – DC      4 stars

 

After World: a Novel by Debbie Urbanski

A sentient AI determines that all humans must be eliminated as the root of climate change and leaves a woman named Sen as a“witness” to record her observations on the end of humanity as the world begins to rewild.

Enjoyed the creativity, but it is a very bleak story.    – PP       3.5 stars

 

Other Books Mentioned

 

Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati

Know My Name: a Memoir by Chanel Miller

The Lost City of Z: a Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann

British Killers by Guy Hadleigh

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers: a novel by Samuel Burr

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Reclaiming Desire: 4 Keys to Finding Your Lost Libido by Andrew Goldstein

What a Fool Believes: a Memoir by Michael McDonald

The Hawk's Done Gone by Mildred Haun

The Great Society to the Reagan Era, 1964-1990 by William Loren Katz

The Maid: a Novel by Nita Prose

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

 

New Books

 

The Museum of Lost Quilts by Jennifer Chiaverini

Throne of Grace : A Mountain Man, an Epic Adventure, and the Bloody Conquest of the American West by Bob Drury

LOL Mysteries

 Love Janet Evanovich but you’ve finished Dirty Thirty and can’t wait until November’s Now or Never comes out? Here are some other authors who might just tide you over: 

With a heroine named Bubbles Yablonsky, Sarah Strohmeyer dives right into laugh-out-loud land in Lehigh, Pennsylvania. Bubbles is an investigative reporter whose native costumes might include leopard print, mini-skirts and high heels.  Strohmeyer also has written several stand-alone novels, both for adult and young adult audiences. The first in the series is Bubbles Unbound.

 Jesse Q. Sutanto writes in difference genres, including some truly warm, wonderful, and very very funny mysteries.  In Dial A for Aunties, Meddelin Chan accidentally kills her blind date and has to call her mother and aunties for help. Since they love to meddle in Meddy’s life, they’re only too happy to help her dispose of a body.  Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers features another determined mother. When Vera finds a body in her tea shop, she decides she is going to solve the crime.  After all, she’s watched many, many episodes of Law & Order. On the way, she’ll take charge of her suspects’ lives in ways they could never imagine. Intended as a stand alone novel, Vera’s fans have demanded more so a second book is in the works.

Michael Lee West (otherwise known as Piper Maitland) says she was raised by a tribe of wild Southern foodies, so it’s no wonder food plays a major role in her books. A sense of humor is also standard!  There are three books in her Teeny Templeton series, the first of which is Gone with a Handsomer Man 

Elle Cosimano started out writing YA fiction before debuting her adult mystery, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It.  Finlay’s life is chaos.  She’s a recently divorced author with two small children, deadlines she isn’t going to be able to meet, and bills piling up.  When she meets her agent to pitch a non-existant new book about a hit woman, someone overhears the conversation and believes Finlay is a killer for hire. She’s offering a lot of money—a LOT.  Surely it can’t hurt or Finlay just to take a look at the guy, right? This is the first book in a laugh-out-loud series with a full slate of memorable characters. 

Meg Lanslow is a blacksmith/artist who has a knack for solving mysteries in Donna Andrews’ long running series.  She has an interesting family, to say the least.  In Murder with Peacocks, she is the default planner for three family weddings with brides who keep changing their minds. Then of course there’s a murder…. The titles all have bird themes, mostly puns such as Owl’s Well That Ends Well.    

Carl Hiaasen writes very funny mystery stories that are set in Florida. Off-beat characters and outlandish situations are hallmarks of Hiaasen’s books, which makes trying to describe them rather difficult. Just to give you an idea, one of his most popular characters is Skink, a former Florida governor who lives off the land and eats roadkill. Hiaasen does have some series, but the books can be read as standalones.  He’s also an award-winning author of children’s books. 

Sophie Littlefield’s Stella Hardesty series is about a formerly timid housewife, who finally got fed up with her husband berating and abusing her.  Ever since she took care of her husband, Stella has been doling out vigilante justice to other philandering and just plain mean men.  Stella keeps the scoundrels in line and her women friends just a little bit safer. The first in the series is A Bad Day for Sorry.

 

Newly elected sheriff of Del Sol, New Mexico, Sunshine Vicram hits the ground running as she returns to her hometown. With a teenage daughter, a bad boy ex, an elderly flasher on the loose, and a kidnapped prize rooster, Sunshine has to prove (to herself) that she can make it in her new law enforcement career in this trilogy by Darynda Jones.The first title is A Bad Day for Sunshine. 

Jaine Austen—no, not THAT Jane Austen—is a freelance writer. While that sounds fancy, it really means she takes on writing commercials, jingles, personal ads, you name it.  She is looking for love, but tends to find Chunky Monkey instead.  Subplots usually involve her cat Prozac and her parents, both of whom complain about the other to Jaine. Breezy and over the top, Jaine never met a situation she couldn’t complicate in Laura Levine’s fun series.

The Southern Sisters mystery series by Anne George features two delightful but entirely opposite sisters:  Mary Alice (“Sister”)—the flamboyant, many times married, life of the party; and Patricia Anne (“Mouse”)—the calm, retired school teacher married to the same man for forty years.  Set in Alabama, this series is laugh-out-loud funny. The first in the series is Murder on a Girls’ Night Out.

Third Shift Society by Meredith Moriarty

Reviewed by Jeanne

Ellie is not having a good day.  Bills are due, well, okay PAST due, the landlady wants the rent, and when she goes into work, she finds she is now unemployed.  Desperate, she tries her hand at several jobs and manages to fail spectacularly.  As Ellie says, “Why am I so bad at adulthood?”

Her day may not get worse but it is about to get weirder.  As she walks down an alley, there’s a guy who looks as if he’s wearing a jack-o’-lantern for a head being attacked by some sort of dog thing with horns and a mane.  Impulsively, Ellie leaps in to help—and suddenly there’s blue fire coming from her hands.  Together they manage to subdue the dog/lion whatever and Ellie gets a job offer as a paranormal investigator.

And by the way, his head IS a pumpkin. And his name is Ichabod.

That’s the opening sequence for Third Shift Society, a graphic novel that began life as a web-comic.  Meredith Moriarty, Eisner Award nominee, does both the art and the script.  Ellie is definitely in for the ride of her life as she meets other supernatural beings, friendly or not, and helps Ichabod solve cases.  The artwork is wonderful, very expressive and vivid. I liked both the style and the color palette.   The characters are well developed, especially Ellie who is an appealing heroine:  brave and impulsive, but with a good heart. This is probably a good place to mention that she’s also a bit gullible. It’s very easy to get drawn into this world of curses, vampires, demons, and things that go bump in the night.

More and more web-comics are making the leap into print, and I definitely approve.  I now have several favorites which began life online such as Breaking Cat News, Swan Eaters, and Lore Olympus.  I had never heard of this particular web-comic until the book came out but I have now become a fan.  A second volume is in the works and I’ll look forward to reading it.

Nevermore: Figures in a Landscape, When the Jessamine Grows, Followed by Frost

 

Nevermore 5-28-24

Reported by Rita

 Figures in a Landscape: People and Places: Essays: 2001-2016 by Paul Theroux

Drawing together a fascinating body of writing from over 14 years of work, Figures in a Landscape ranges from profiles of cultural icons (Oliver Sacks, Elizabeth Taylor, Robin Williams) to intimate personal remembrances, from thrilling adventures in Africa to literary writings from Theroux's rich and expansive personal reading. Collectively, these pieces offer a fascinating portrait of the author himself, his extraordinary life, restless and ever-curious mind.

  Downloaded through the hoopla app – loved it – highly recommend.    – CD     5 stars

 

When the Jessamine Grows by Donna Everhart

With her husband and son off at war, and the burden of running the farm falling to her, Joetta, shunned because she doesn't support the Confederacy's position on slavery, finds one act of kindness, bringing her family to the edge of even greater disaster.

 Really interesting – liked it – worth reading.     – WJ     5 stars

 

Followed by Frost by Charlie N. Holmberg

After being cursed for her cold heart, seventeen-year-old Smitha is forced to retreat to the mountains, where she finds companionship with Death, an enigmatic being who would rather see her rule beside him in the Underworld than live such a frozen existence.

  Didn’t really like this book or author.    – MH    3 stars

 

Other Books Mentioned

 

Amazing Men: Courage, Insight, Endurance by Joyce Tenneson

Two Trains Leave the Station: A Meditation on Aging, Alzheimer's, and Arithmetic by Catherine Landis

The Lost City of Z: a Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann

The Golden Apples by Eudora Welty

The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth by Zoèe Schlanger

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

Lost Horizon: a Novel by James Hilton

The Husbands: a Novel by Holly Gramazio

 

New Books

My Beloved Monster: Masha, the Half-Wild Rescue Cat Who Rescued Me by Caleb Carr

The Rulebreaker: the Life and Times of Barbara Walters by Susan Page