by It’s not often a book gets the best of me. You know us old English majors; before we die, we read everything. And we make a point to finish the obscure, the difficult, and the weird. But I’ve got a doozy on my nightstand, a novel that makes me feel I’m living Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (or, for the more highbrow, Moby Dick).
The Luminaries, you task me.
I started this whale of a novel (830 pages, egad!) when my dad, who never, ever shares books with me, asked if I was familiar with Eleanor Catton’s prize-winning story of goings-on among New Zealand’s gold fields. “Here,” he said, handing it over, “you should read this. Tell me what you think when you’re done.”
He’d thrown the gauntlet.
That was January. For months, I read and reread the first, oh, 25 pages. I couldn’t get beyond the pompous gentlemen with their 1900s-era harrumphing. I say, old chap: The Luminaries was doing a great job of putting me to sleep at night.
But how could I let my dad down? I decided to take my whale of a tale along on our annual family vacation. The Luminaries–AND NOTHING ELSE–to read. No light mysteries or speedily devoured, pop culture-y beach reads for me. Surely under such deprived conditions and over a four-day weekend I’d finish the beast!
Sigh. Gentle reader, you know I failed.
I’m now 300 pages along, a mere fraction (about one-third) through but, nevertheless, I have persisted. Do I enjoy the book? No. But dammit, like Khan and the USS Starship Enterprise (or Ahab and Moby Dick), we are locked in mortal combat. Oh, ye task me, The Luminaries, ye task me. But I will prevail.
Books 26–30 in 2019
Just because I’m struggling with The Luminaries doesn’t mean I haven’t been finishing books. In fact, the opposite: short reads have been saving my soul from giant sucking feelings of reader defeat.
No. 26: Herding Cats: A Sarah’s Scribbles Collection by Sarah Andersen
Since I’ve been working on my #100dayproject (a new blackout poem each day; currently 65/100), my eye has been drawn to graphic works. I stumbled upon this little book in a waiting room. At only 112 pages chock full of drawings, I was able to finish Herding Cats before my appointment (we Nyfelers are pathologically early).
In these simple comics, the big-eyed character shares all kinds of pursuits and insecurities and foibles. Andersen’s funny takes amuse, inspire, and reinforce with a “you go!” message especially for (but not limited to) creative women. In these dark days, Herding Cats was a sweet, soothing blob of aloe vera on my throbbing, angsty writer-type feelings.
No. 27: Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
Sometimes, in the middle of a movie, my husband will exclaim, “Hey! Have I seen this before?” Discussion ensues; we narrow possibilities, and I’m always incredulous–how do you not remember? Uh, hello–I got about halfway through Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter before I realized I’d read it years ago.
Published in 2010, Grahame-Smith does a fun reimagining of Lincoln’s factual life; only this time around, the president has a unique side gig. He kills vampires. And yes, a movie (screenplay by Grahame-Smith) came out–and went quickly to video–in 2012.
Vampire Hunter came through my hands as a Little Free Library donation. Because it’s a fun, fast-paced, entertaining read, I went ahead and finished reading it again before passing it on to the next reader. And, yes; the movie’s a fine substitute.
No. 28: The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon
One of my favorite things: shopping Goodwill for bargain books in good shape. I peruse the shelves for things I know to be worth passing along; these go straight to my Little Free Library. And I also search for interesting things I’d like to read before sending them into the ‘hood. The Winter People falls in that second group.
Part psychological thriller, part Steven King-esque horror, and sprinkled with some who-done-it history, The Winter People may or may not involve malevolent ghosts. As with any creepy bump-in-the-night novel, some disbelief must be suspended, but McMahon makes it easy to put logic aside with an interesting story and wonderful scene building. She does a nice job of fleshing out characters you care about and are interested in.
The Winter People would make a great beach book; I recommend taking it along for a sunny, daytime read.
No. 29: Little Bee by Chris Cleave
Wow.
Perhaps these days, with the many horrors of our U.S. border situation, everyone should read Little Bee, which is about a young woman seeking asylum from violence in her home country. Yes, it’s fiction. But Cleave masterfully crafts the lives of all the various characters and plays with time to tantalizingly reveal just how a mourning British widow, her Batman-loving small son, and a young African refugee’s lives have become intertwined.
I cried while reading. Little Bee often made me wonder what would I do? And that’s a good thing for all of us . . . if you are willing to go there.
No. 30: Fig by Sarah Elizabeth Schantz
Talk about triggers.
I’m a sucker for bird-based cover art, and Fig is a beautiful book. It was always destined for my LFL; unlike Little Bee, however, it will continue on its journey.
As in Everything Here Is Beautiful, Schantz’s debut novel involves a main character who suffers from a psychological condition. The plot revolves around how that mental illness affects her family and plays out within their small farming community. Fig (the main character’s nickname) makes bargains with herself in hopes that “being good” and overcoming obstacles will help her mother get better. Sadly, we know how this story goes.
Fig follows its narrator, Fiona, from age six to nineteen. On the isolated Kansas farm where she lives, tragedies big and small occur: neglect, self harm, loneliness, bullying. I only stayed with the book for the sheer beauty of description Schantz brought to everything from a little girl’s inner life to fall colors along a midwestern creek.
When I put Fig in the LFL, I’ll stick a warning note on its cover. Though published by an imprint of Simon & Schuster Childrens Publishing Division, Fig is most definitely not a kid-friendly book. It was almost too difficult for this adult.
Some Links, Y’all
#100dayprojectblackout (all my poems)
What’s this Little Free Library I keep talking about? (also books 11–20)
Read some Sarah Andersen daily comics here
They’re making a movie out of Little Bee
Books 21–25 (includes Everything Here is Beautiful)
You are definitely the little engine that could. You just keep reading, even books you aren’t enjoying. My example was Giles Goat Boy. Never finished it. Gave it away.
My most recent book was Dreamland by Sam Quinones. About the opioid epidemic. The narrative pulled me along even though the author reuses sentences and metaphors over and over.
I am off to MN on Tuesday. I’ll call when I return.
Dang it, I have missed the window of your appearance. When you return, for sure—safe travels! 😘