"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?