Greenlights

 

This, my friends, is a one-flight read.

Well, actually two flights. A connecting flight in Seattle interrupted my flow.

Still, this was the perfect book to start a week-long vacation and was utterly satisifying.

I'm such a Matthew McConaughey fan, but I don't think you need to be to really get something out of this book. He goes out of his way to say it's not a memoir because he's not done. But, it truly is a journey through his life, punctuated by the "greenlights" he mentions as the things that cleared his path over the years.

He's a fascinating dude, which we know already. But, the stories about his childhood and parents and Airstream journeys across the country make for such a fun read. I especially love reading about a bizarre night in a Montana bar with a cast of characters that could make its own movie, and his story about being cast in The Pelican Brief, which launched his career.

I've heard from several people that the audio book is even better, as it's narrated by the man himself. But, if you choose to read it, it's his voice in your head all the way through. 

Hamnet

 

Did you know about William Shakespeare's dead son? The way it may have inspired one of his best-known plays? Or the family he left behind while pursuing his dream in London? 

Most of us did not. And while this book is a fictional interpretation of those events and never actually mentions his name, it's an enlightening (though often slow) look at the possible motivation behind one of the best writers the world has ever known.

We know from history that Hamnet Shakespeare was William's only son. We know he died at the age of 11 and left behind his grieving family and twin sister. Beyond that, much of Hamnet's life and death - and, its connection to his father's work - is the subject of scholarly speculation. 

But, it's a heck of a jumping off point for this book.

O'Farrell's story of Hamnet weaves together his family's history and his death from the plague. You know it's about Shakespeare, but the name is never uttered. Hamnet's father is written about only as an unnamed man. But, the details revealed about the boy's life and death also reveal the complicated relationships the famous playwright had with both his son and his own father, and allows the reader to infer how those relationships likely impacted his writing.

The subject matter is fascinating and as someone who studied Shakespeare in college, it was a fascinating look behind the (speculative) curtain. The middle was slooooow.... But the end provided enough of a reward to make me glad I didn't give up. 

Think Again

 

 

 

Know what you don't know. And don't be afraid to change your mind.

Those are qualities I value in others, but probably didn't prioritize in myself. Once again, Adam Grant upends the way we think - this time, about what we think - and, places value on being strong/brave/smart enough to change your mind.

I'm an Adam Grant fan and this book is one of those that I'm thinking about more and more, weeks after I finished it. It's all about challenging our own beliefs and assumptions to truly grow. 

Most of us take far too long to feel confident enough to say "I was wrong." This book puts added value on being able to do that, in everything from parenting to social justice. 

If you've never read Grant's writing, you'll enjoy seeing the way his brain works and how he uses examples and storytelling to back up his research. For me, I got more out of hearing Grant talk about this concept than I did from the book, but that's not to say it wasn't a valuable and important read. 

The Revisioners

 

A book filled with powerful characters, family connections and history. While the groundwork was laid for a really satisfying read, it fell just slightly short for me.

Josephine is our main character here, and she's represented in the various timelines presented. We see her as a child in 1855, her family in the bonds of slavery. We meet her again in the 1920s, as she's free and raising her own family. And we meet her again through her granddaughter, who is living in present-day New Orleans, raising her son and facing the echoes of the racism her grandmother fought through.

There are ghosts of the past throughout this book. There are stops and starts on powerful connections between timelines. But the ends never quite connected for me in a way that was meaningful or memorable. 

Loved the characters and concept. It was well-written, too. But, I wanted something to more powerfully honor Josephine and the sacrifices she made for her descendants' freedom. 

A Thousand Ships

 

It's probably the most written-about war in human history. Finally, after all of these centuries, we get to hear about the Trojan War from the women.

I love this whole genre of literature. Loved it in Circe, love it here. Haynes explores the fall of Troy from the women who were made into slaves, the women who loved the warriors, the women left to fend for themselves. It changes the perspective completely, as women are no longer the ones blamed (Helen) or the ones watching. We hear instead about life as second-class citizens or worse and we are also allowed to be awed by their strength.

If you have even a passing interest in Greek Mythology, this is a fantastic read. It gets tricky at times to keep track of all the women because of their names and the names of the men to whom they're typically attached. But, the payoff of beautiful storytelling is worth it.

My favorite parts of the book are the inserts from Penelope, written as letters to her husband Odysseus. He may be remembered by literature as a brave exploring warrior, working his way home. Penelope sees it another way - and, she's OVER IT. 

Finally (and of least relevance), I love the title so much. The entire time this was on my nightstand, I remembered one of my favorite works of songwriting. The final verse of the Indigo Girls "Ghost" is perfection.

May I?

The End of October

 

Look, I've made some questionable choices over this last year. Reading a book about a pandemic during a pandemic was up there as one of the worst. The book was good - but maybe wait until this pandemic is over to give it a try.

The End of October starts with a pandemic overseas and the attempts to isolate it. A key researcher with the CDC happens to be there as it unfolds, and tries to warn his wife and family in America to prepare. Quickly, we see the pandemic spread across the globe and the government attempts to stop it.

But, shit gets dark. 

Like, kids burying adults dark.

And government conspiracy dark.

While much of this story was interesting in a Michael Crichton kind of way, the author complicates things a bit by introducing plotlines and characters that, on their own, would be chilling enough. Throw in the pandemic and it's just a lot to take. At least for those dumb enough to read it before being vaccinated.

Light from Other Stars

 

There were times when I was reading this book when I wasn't sure if it was going to pay off. Now, a couple of weeks after I've finished, I can't stop thinking about it. What a unique, creative story with a twist that took my breath away.

The story shows our main character Nedda as a child and as an adult. As a child growing up in the shadow of NASA, she dreams of becoming an astronaut. Her dad is connected to the space program, too, and much of their bond involves watching the stars.  Her life changes dramatically the day she witnesses the Challenger explode (as someone who has a child on that day, the implications of her memory are powerful.) 

Flashing forward in the novel, we see Nedda living her dream: she's in space, as part of an experimental group that will colonize a new planet. They've had to say goodbye - forever - to everything and everyone they love and make this sacrifice for the future of civilization. What she and her fellow astronauts are going through is made possible through an experiment her father had done decades ago. An experiment that - when it happened - went horribly wrong.

I hesitate to give away anymore, because the details of that failed experiment and its connection to the later space mission provide fascinating plot twists. But, it's a powerful book about family and friendship and dreams and what we do for those we love, no matter the cost.