The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

 Rating: 4.9/5 stars

CW: depression, suicide, attempted suicide, assault, mild language. 

Do you ever read a book and feel as though your brain is taking a deep breath for the first time in ages? Parts of your brain you forgot about are suddenly stimulated and you feel fully engaged and focused? This was one of those books for me. Gripping, extremely well-written, with lots to reflect on and think about.

Summary:

Esther is a young woman on the brink of many exciting possibilities and in the middle of an internship with a ladies magazine in New York. As it ends and she returns home, she falls into a deep depression and struggles to find a purpose as she is confronted with harsh truths about people and life.

Spoiler-Review/Synopsis:

Told from a first-person perspective, Sylvia Plath's novel hauntingly depicts the gradual and all-encompassing submersion into a deep depression. Some memories are sharp and full of detail, such as her relationship with Doreen or her visit to Buddy while he was in isolation. Others are fleeting, such as her relationship with Betsy. As the book goes on, it also shifts from Esther's observations of the outside world to an inner reflection of what is happening in her own mind, and her perception of her relationships with other characters is less and less objective and more and more unsure, both of herself and the motivations of others. The timeline of some memories also becomes unclear, fuzzy and foggy. As all possibilities seem pointless and hopeless, Esther makes several suicide attempts, with a varying level of execution. Some are all planning and no action. Others have at least one thing go wrong. Finally, she has a near complete attempt, and only by the luck of her mother finding her hidden nearly-dead self is she resuscitated and placed in a long-term care facility. Esther gradually moves up, but it is unclear how much internal healing she feels and how much is masking.

All in all, I think this book is an incredible example of how to write a book about trauma that doesn't skimp on true emotional connection. Too often, books use trauma to sensationalize or as a way to make the reader feel something without putting work or motivation into it. (*cough cough* my last two reviews *cough cough*). The trauma is central to the story and treated gingerly, not as something thrown in the reader's face to force an emotional connection.

The element that kept this book from being a perfect score for me was the scene at the communal dining table where the black employee is described in a stereotypical racist fashion. Sylvia Plath is clearly gifted, but this evidence of racism clearly demonstrates a deeper personal belief that I am saddened to learn about.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think happened to Doreen after the internship?

2. After watching a live birth, Buddy tells Esther of the drug that "would make her forget she'd had any pain" (Plath 66), and Esther remarks "I thought it sounded just like the sort of drug a man would invent...the drug would make her forget how bad the pain had been, when all the time, in some secret part of her, that long, blind, doorless and windowless corridor of pain was waiting to open up and shut her in again," (pg. 66.). Do you think pain hides in our heads? How is this a metaphor for mental health?

3. What three words would you use to describe Dr. Gordon?

4. We see a definite difference between Esther's first hospital and the second, most particularly in how her personal requests are respected or not (i.e. visitors). Why do you think this is?

5. What are your thoughts on Joan? Where did she come from? How did she get released?

6. It is unclear at the end of the book whether or not Esther passed her interview. Do you think she does?

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

 Rating: 1/5 stars

CW: Heavy language, abuse, child rape, manslaughter, drug use, body shaming, disordered eating.

Y'all. This book is trash. In fact, I just switched it from 2 stars to 1 star because I really cannot think of anything redeeming about this book.

Summary:

Amy Whey is your typical suburban mom, married with two kids, a stepdaughter and a baby boy. While hosting a run-of-the-mill book club with her best friend, a new neighbor who goes by Roux stops by and turns Amy's life upside down, claiming to know about misdeeds from her past that even Amy has tried to forget. Confronted with the possibility of her whole world falling apart, Amy starts playing the game, only to discover she's more devious than she thought.

Spoiler Review:

First of all, if you're looking for a really good thriller/horror novel with ACTUAL stakes, please, please, please go read "The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires" by Grady Hendrix. I cannot say enough good about it. But sadly, we are not here to discuss that book today.

I love a good thriller. They are usually quite descriptive, but this whole book felt like a parody of a thriller. It's really over the top language with such low stakes. I mean, only $250,000 in ransom? When she LITERALLY had that readily available? Also, at most, her crime was manslaughter, and though terrible, they were minors. She could easily use her friendship and influence to lie about the whole thing, as her name would've been kept out of the original reports and we are repeatedly told she is now unrecognizable.

Also, there is an UNHEALTHY amount of discussion about bodies, food, and weight, in addition to body shaming. And many of the things deemed "healthy" within the narrative are classic signs of disordered eating. I believe authors have a responsibility to address harmful messaging, not to promote it.

The one redeeming quality is the scuba diving. It is described beautifully, and the author clearly did some serious research for accuracy.

Discussion Questions:

1. Thrillers are generally intense. Do you feel the writing in this book was engaging or distracting?

2. There are many times the author purposefully omits details to leave the truth vague (e.g., who was driving, what happened to Lolly). Which truths did you guess correctly? WHich was the biggest reveal?

3. The novel is full of body shaming. What responsibility do fiction writers have to help dismantle harmful messaging?

4. I'd call this novel sensational. What draws us to books without depth?

5. Do you think Amy ever told her husband the truth about her past?

"These Is My Words" by Nancy E. Turner

 Rating: 3.5/5 stars

CW: Death, murder, sexual assault (multiple), mild if any language. No graphic descriptions.

Summary:

Come along with Sarah Agnes Prine as she journals of her experiences living a frontier life filled with highs, lows, trauma, and love. Though every imaginable trial is sent her way, she fights her way to the top again and again.

Spoiler-filled review:

Imma be honest, I had a tough time getting into this book. It was recommended to me from a library I admire, so I felt determined to push through. However, I did pause about 20 pages in to write down that we already have 1. A brother dead 2. Another brother's leg is amputated 3. Rape 4. Self-defense killings 5. Father dead from heart attack 6. Move BACK across the territories.

These are followed by attacks from Apaches and endlesssssss tragedy. In general, I enjoy a journal narrative, but this one, I don't know, I just couldn't get into it. However, once the love story with Jack Elliot really gets going, I became more invested. I did enjoy having a strong female lead and was impressed with Sarah's determination, entrepreneurship, and growth. There were a lot of characters I felt would have been serviced better by a third-person narrative rather than a journaling format, such as her younger brother and his flighty wife.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you believe was Sarah's primary motivation for marrying Jimmy?

2. Albert knew Jimmy was unfaithful to Sarah. Do you think he should have told Sarah before she married him? Do you think that would have influenced Sarah's decision?

3. Sarah decides to leave the blue stains from April's exploration of ink on her floor and walls. What's something untraditional you have kept because of the memories attached to it?

4. We see Sarah's soap business for a small portion of the story, though it is referenced throughout the story. Does this indicate she continued the soap business when they moved to town?

5. Jack dies while fire chief, a job that was supposed to be safer than being in the army. What other stories can you think of that have a similar trope? Running away from a consequence only to find it in the new field?

"My Lady Jane" by Cynthia Hand

 Rating: 4/5

CW: Some language, a small amount of bawdy humor

Yo. I LOVED this book. I had it recommended to me as an audio book, and I really enjoyed the narrators breaking the fourth wall. 

Summary:

You may think you know the story of Lady Jane Grey (or like me, have no idea), but you've never heard it quite like this. Poisonings, ploys, love, and several coronations. King Edward VI is dying, and he decides to change the line of succession to place his best friend and cousin Jane on the throne, after marrying her off to the second son of his...English equivalent of a grand vizier. The plot thickens as betrayals become apparent and the fate of the country as well as its leadership is at risk. Amidst all this is Jane, trying to figure out her new role and new marriage.

Spoilers Ahead:

A key component of this retelling involves "Ethians", which honestly feels like their version of Animagus (from Harry Potter). Certain characters can transform into animals. Though most can control it, Jane and G cannot.  This leads to further misunderstandings in their already troubled marital relationship. We discover Edward is not dead (surprise!), and G's confusion about Jane and Edward's previous friendship becomes yet another stumbling block for the (un)happy couple. Edward is too busy trying to figure out how he feels about Gracie to notice, and Jane, too consumed first with trying to run a country, then to getting Edward back on the throne to understand his jealousy. There were many moments I said (shouted) out loud, "IF YOU WOULD JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER", proving once again that communication skills are the surest way to make a relationship last. There were many very fun side plots in this novel, I'm just choosing to focus on the love story between Jane and G because I am wholeheartedly a romantic. 

Another very enjoyable aspect were the many, many famous references to other works. I think my favorite was "Frying pans, who knew, right?" What was yours? This book was really fun, and I hope you enjoy it too!

Discussion Questions:

1. If you were an Ethian, what animal would you want to be?

2. Did you have any moments when you wanted to yell "JUST TALK ABOUT IT" to Jane and G? Which ones?

3. Did you expect Edward to end up with Gracie instead of Petunia? Why or why not?

4. Why do you think Jane and G's Ethian forms presented themselves as curses tied to the sun?

5. What context clues warned you of Edward's decision to abdicate the throne?

6. Jane's declaration at the end of the story of "I love you more than books" carried some serious weight. What would be in your list for your current or future significant other?

"Ocean Anatomy" by Julia Rothman

A bit different from my usual novels, this week I read Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World Under the Sea by Julia Rothman. It was incredible! Reminded me of all the reasons why I wanted to be a Marine Biologist or work at the Aquarium when I was a kid. I absolutely love learning about our beautiful Earth and so many facts!

What I did not expect was to discover I am slightly afraid of the Ocean. Learning about how expansive it is and how little we understand about it is every so slightly bone chilling. But this is truly a beautiful resource for learning more about oceans, and a little bit of everything! Creatures, plants, how waves work, ice, the landscape, birds and mammals that depend on the ocean, etc. 

This review is spoiler-free, but I do have a few discussion questions to get the juices flowing if you want to talk about this book in a group or just do some self-reflection! And I've included my answers this time as well:

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What chapter was your favorite? Why?

    I think my favorite was Chapter 3: "A Whale of a Time". I love whales and dolphins, and learning more facts about them always brings me joy!

2. What new facts surprised you?

    The section about Ocean Depth Zones was especially eye-opening. I knew there was a lot of ocean we don't know, but I was shocked when I saw the drawing of the zones and realized how shallow our understanding of the sea is when compared to what we don't know. (couldn't resist the pun ;) )

3. Anything that scared you?

    Hands down how many eyes clams have.

4. What inspired you to read this book?

    My aunt has several of the anatomy books by Julia Rothman. She offered to let me borrow some, and I chose to read this one. I'm excited to read her other books too!

5. If asked to write an "Anatomy" book, what topic would you pick?

    I think it would be really fun to write a book about "Orchestra Anatomy" and took about instrument families and performance halls, etc.    

"Book of A Thousand Days" by Shannon Hale

 Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Very clean book, suitable for all ages, intended for middle readers.

I read this for a book club this month, and it was the first Shannon Hale book I've read! Scratch that, a few weeks ago I read "The Princess in Black" to my cousin's kids, but this was my first full-length novel.

Dashti is a mucker maid who soon after arriving in a new city agrees to be lady's maid for Lady Saren, esssentially a princess for all intents and purposes, and finds herself locked into a windowless, doorless tower for an expected 7 years with Lady Saren, who has refused to marry Khasar, the suitor her abusive father has selected for her. Dashti decides to keep a journal of thoughts, chronicling their time in the tower, but she quickly discovers life in the tower is not the blessing she first thought it to be.

Spoilers Ahead!

I read this book in about 2 days, I was so eager to finish it! Though it was a delight to do so, it did not leave much time for rumination, so I will just jump into the discussion questions.

Discussion Questions:

1. We see Dashti grow into herself over the course of the book. For example, she allows Khasar to slap her hand and later remarks towards the end of the book that she would never allow that. Would you have been as submissive? Or as bold?

2. At what point did you suspect Khasar was a skinwalker?

3. What do you think of Saren's hidden illness? 

4. Did you suspect the city had been destroyed? What tipped you off?

5. Were you surprised Tegus didn't recognize Dashti sooner? Why or why not?

6. Where is the line between loyalty to your word and loyalty to yourself?

7. What thoughts do you have about Dashti giving Saren the cat?

8. Had she been alive, what advice do you think Dashti's mother would have given her?

9. "I think [Khasar] felt that something was wrong but he couldn't allow himself to be afraid, not of me, not of a naked girl singing. And because he did nothing to stop me, neither did his men," (pg. 253). What things in your life do you not embrace for the sake of appearances?

My parting thought: The live-action Cinderella (once again with Lilly James!) is one of my favorite films. I get so excited every time the prince reveals himself to have been travelling with the guard looking for Ella (I even took a break just to watch that part while writing this). When we realize the soldier that helped Dashti after her ordeal with Khasar is actually Khan Tegus, I swooned.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

 Oh my I thought I had already written this review, it's been a minute since I read it, so forgive me if this review is shallower than others.

Rating: 4.5/5

CW: some language (including f-word), not spicy, multiple attempted suicides

Ove is a 69-year-old man who lost his wife 6 months ago and his job yesterday. Feeling he has no more purpose in life, he decides to end his life--but is unsuccessful. A new family moves in on his street, and this disgruntled curmudgeon quickly becomes frustrated with their antics and the continual thwarting of his death. All he wants is to be reunited with the love of his life.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Hear me out. I know this sounds like a depressing book (I mean there are at least 4 suicide attempts), but it was seriously SO. FUNNY. I laughed out loud multiple times and found myself having a deeper appreciation for the crotchety older folks in my life. For me, it really seemed like Ove had led a pretty traumatized existence before he met Sonja, with his beliefs about what made someone good or bad cemented from the moment his father died. There is something beautiful about Sonja rounding him out, and even more beautiful when he experiences a similar stretch by engaging with Parvaneh, her family, and his neighbors. To me, this book is a story about community and the need we all have for each other and for a purpose. And to be accepted for who we are! I think there is an interesting parallel when Ove lets Mirsad come live with him and completely accepts him as gay. Similarly, Parvaneh accepts Ove where he is and does not force him to be different from himself, rather encourages him to be the best of himself. 

Book Discussion Questions:

1. How did your perception of Ove shift (or not) as you learned more about his past?

2. Ove and Sonja have some parallels in their childhoods (their mothers die young and each is raised by a father), yet their personalities could not be more different.

    a. Is this an example of nature over nurture?

    b. Do you think Sonja was better able to see Ove's worth because of his similarities to her father?

3. Ove has a very black and white view of the world. Though his principles keep him grounded, are they ever an impediment? Why or why not?

4. How do you think Ove's work experiences influenced his dislike of asking for help?

5. At what point did you suspect Sonja was in a wheelchair?

6. Parvaneh is a favorite of mine. Why do you think Ove believes she is "not a complete idiot"?

7. Which of Ove's choices surprised you the most?

8. How do you think Ove and Rune's relationship would be different if Ove and Sonja had been able to have children?