My Heart Pumped Chocolate for Project Hail Mary

Move over Bill Nye, there’s a new science guy in town. I’m not a science fiction lover—not by any stretch of the intergalactic imagination—but Andy Weir has gone completely interstellar with his latest: Project Hail Mary. I know we mete out stars to let you know just how shiny and memorable a read is, but maybe we should rank books by how very much we miss the friends we made in them.

I hate to admit that I finished this supernova novel two months ago (and I’m just now blogging about it), but man I miss Ryland Grace, a disillusioned molecular biologist masquerading as a sorta hip Jr. High school teacher. And space alien/engineer Rocky—I’ve missed him a bunch too. One reviewer said this about my buddy Rocky: “As far as I’m concerned, Weir’s alien, Rocky, from the hot, gassy planet Erid, is a stroke of genius and it sets the narrative and this novel apart. Nothing about this alien is, well, properly alien-like, the way popular culture has established….I really liked Rocky and my heart pumped chocolate for him.”

Novels about the end of the world can feel like garden-variety stories. Yes, Weir’s premise revolves around saving the solar system. Yes, time is of the essence because a microorganism called Astrophage is essentially eating the sun. And yes, billions of people’s lives hang in the balance with an impending Ice Age chilling faint hearts. That’s semi-standard fare for Sci-Fi, no? So what makes Project Hail Mary so remarkable? For starters, Weir wrote, “For John, Paul, George and Ringo” on the dedication page. (You’ll see why—perfect for across the Universe stuff.) Turns out, the former computer programmer turned novelist can create anticipation. His story starts with this hook: “What’s two plus two?” Grace follows with, “Something about this question irritates me. I’m tired. I drift back to sleep. A few minutes pass, then I hear it again. What’s two plus two?” I’m interested, are you? You’ll be riveted throughout, especially if you’re listening to PHM—I don’t know who Ray Porter is, but he cut a whole lotta mustard in his audible performance. In fact, he earned The Top Listen of 2021. Porter definitely added to the metagalactic magic. And then there’s my friends, my relatable, I-get-by-with-a-little-help-from-my friends. I miss you boys. So much so, that I’ll be sure to tune in again. Soon.

Posted by Tracy

Rock-Solid Reads

“My mama say education will give me a voice. I want more than just a voice, Ms. Tia. I want a louding voice,” I say. “I want to enter a room and people will hear me even before I open my mouth to be speaking. I want to live in this life and help many people so that when I grow old and die, I will still be living through the people I am helping.” —Abi Daré, The Girl with the Louding Voice

I’ve got two new book besties: Jenna Bush Hager and Barack Obama. Reese and I have had a bit of a falling out of late, but Jenna and Barack, we’re rock-solid. They’ve yet to steer me wrong. Here are four of the Read with Jenna picks I can’t stop thinking about. You’ve got next, Barack. Ladies first.

Favorite Listen of 2021

Had I done a Best Of for 2021, this beauty would’ve taken top prize in the listen category. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, should read this book. Which is why it’s been my most gifted book of the year so far. Hard to sum it up better than Jeanine Cummins, author of another favorite of mine: “The girl with the louding voice is a character for the ages. Adunni is a girl who narrates her own suffering with levity, who paints depth and texture and beauty into her Nigerian homeland, who tenderly cultivates her own humanity even while everything around her seeks to thwart it. She is an ambassador for girls everywhere. She is important, funny, brave, and enduring. Abi Daré has written an unforgettable novel, by the strength of her own louding voice.”

Best Memoir 2021

Seems to be a day of bests. I would add a caveat here, only because declaring bests always makes me nervous: this wins favorite new memoir I read last year. It must be said that I equally loved one written a few years ago that I waited way too long to read: Born a Crime. You can read Sharee’s review of that winner here. But back to Beautiful Country. It’s so good it landed on both Jenna and Barack’s lists. I love this description by Gish Jen: “Heartrending, unvarnished, and powerfully courageous, this account of growing up undocumented in America will never leave you.” I know it hasn’t left me.

Amor does it again.

Another Jenna and Barack crossover. Seems Michelle and George aren’t the only Bush/Obama besties. A Gentleman in Moscow remains my favorite Amor Towles to date, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t love every page of this one. Pardon me while I let Ann Patchett (man, I love her) tell you why you should read this book: “Welcome to the enormous pleasure that is The Lincoln Highway, a big book of camaraderie and adventure in which the miles fly by and the pages turn fast. Set over the course of ten riveting days, the story of these four boys unfolds, refolds, tears, and is taped back together. When you aren’t actually reading the book, you’ll be worrying about the characters, so you might as well stay in your chair and keep reading.”

Family Saga with a Twist

This was probably my least favorite of the four, but considering how much I loved the other three, that’s not a fatal criticism. It’s still well-worth the read. I found the premise intriguing: while we can’t choose what we inherit, can we choose what we become? At times clunky—mostly due to trying to cover one too many social issues—it explores its premise well and leaves us with a beautiful family saga rich in culture, courage, and the sheer force of will. Not to mention a nice helping of murder mystery on the side. Word has it it’s soon to be a series on Hulu. Sign me up!

Posted by Rachel

R.J. Palacio, You Are A Wonder.

“Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.” —Napoleon Bonaparte

At two@twenty-seven, we are a family of readers. Sharee is literal family. She’s my older wiser sister who happens to be on fire as of late. You’ve probably noticed she’s reading circles around us. Sharee had a hat trick last month. A reading/reviewing hat trick!!! We’ve been reading the same book—she just finished ahead of me, I’m nearly there. Can’t wait to have a chat about it; impromptu book discussions revive me.

Let’s chat about R.J. Palacio, should we? It goes without saying R.J. deserves countless standing O’s for crafting one of my all-time favorite, wish-I’d-written-it-myself, starry, starry young-adult novels. Wonder lived up to its name in every sense of the word. Palacio “excited amazed admiration” out of me, one page at a time. It’s a reading miracle in my opinion. How on earth and all the other planets do you follow with another novel after that? I feel for ya, R.J. (Not to mention, I wish I had that same problem right about now.)

I’m here to tell you that Palacio is not a one-hit Wonder. Her latest book, Pony, is a real Winner. And why wouldn’t it be? She’s conjured up a twelve-year-old boy named Silas whose best friend happens to be a ghost named Mittenwool—an imaginary support with perfect timing and even better advice. When “they” set out across the frontier to rescue Silas’s mysteriously kidnapped father, they end up on an unforgettable, life-changing journey. If you love a good ghost story, this book’s for you. If you love a good story that underscores the need for courage in a mixed-up chaotic world, look no further. If you’re after “meditations on love and faith that feel timeless and utterly necessary,” pick up a copy of Pony today. Say it again (reading specialist) Erin O’Leary: “I feel like I just read a symphony, a melody I’d never heard before, but my heart somehow remembered. R.J. Palacio, you are a Wonder.”

Posted by Tracy

Shed a Little Light

“Each year I look forward to whom Marie Benedict will spotlight in her stories of strong women in history.”    —TarHeel Reader’s Review

Me too TarHeel, me too. Historical fiction fans will not be disappointed with Marie Benedict's latest offering. As one who has read many of her "I-am-woman-hear-me-roar" stories, this is definitely one of her best. Hedy Lamarr’s chronicle remains my personal favorite. (Her story is hard to beat). But Rosalind Franklin is a gem in her own right.

Rosalind was years ahead of her time (and her male colleagues). In the aftermath of WWII, she was exceptional in every area of science—she dedicated her life’s work to the relentless pursuit of DNA research.  Like Benjamin and Aretha, Rosalind changed the world. Shamefully, three men took credit for her ground-breaking discovery. I’m with this savvy reviewer: "Marie Benedict's powerful new novel shines a light on a woman who sacrificed her life to discover the nature of our very DNA, a woman whose world-changing contributions were hidden by the men around her but whose relentless drive advanced our understanding of humankind." 

A shiny 4.5 stars from this historical fiction lover.  Anyone who can put their life on the line in a male-dominated world and succeed deserves nothing less.  

Posted by Sharee

Crazy 4U

“Lying was like taking a breath to Shelly. Sami could never grasp why her mother felt compelled to lie when saying nothing at all would be a smarter course.”

I cannot tell a lie—I love a good true crime! My children mock me on a weekly basis when I run to the couch on Friday nights to gawk at Dateline. Was crime busting my first love? Quite possibly. At a young age, I watched Murder She Wrote with my grandma. Most of those episodes were predictable (and maybe even a lil’ bit corny), but Grandma Smith loved them. And I got hooked. When I came across If You Tell, even my mystery-solvin’ heart wasn’t ready for the story that was about to hit me.  

I imagine the most devout true crime fans may have trouble stomaching the horrors that took place behind the closed doors of Shelly Knotek’s farmhouse in the Grays Harbor, Washington. The torture and abuse Shelly’s daughters experienced, along with a number of “friends” that were lured into her web of deceit, will leave your head spinning. I’m still in shock. If You Tell is a fascinating eyewitness into the actions of a sadistic psychopath and the dark secrets that can bond siblings together for life, despite the decimation of family by the one who should love you the most.

Here’s a warning for all readers: If You Tell is not for the faint of heart. This is, in no way, a recommendation for your valentine. It’s hardly a gift for the one you love. Shelley’s story is dark and disturbing. I told my daughter about halfway through the book, “this has to be one of the most deranged stories I’ve ever read.” But I couldn’t put it down. I had to see how it ended! Just a few weeks later, she called me and told me the same thing as she was reading it. Both haunting and troubling, the story is guaranteed to make an impact. How many stories can say that? Just wish this wasn’t a true one.

Posted by Sharee

A Tale of Two Sisters

“In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips.”

I love historical fiction because it blends history with good storytelling. Is it me or do we find more writers challenging the border between fiction and nonfiction these days? I just love it! As far as stories go, Antoinette’s Sister has it all—political unrest, royalty, the bond of sisterhood, love—this brand-new novel masterfully weaves all of the above into a hugely captivating story.

While most of us are familiar with the tragic story of Marie Antoinette, few will have heard of Antoinette’s sister Maria Carolina Charlotte or “Charlotte” as she boldly proclaimed herself in her teenage years. Charlotte and Antoinette are best friends. Both Habsburg archduchesses are obligated to leave home (and one another) to marry royalty from neighboring nations to secure Austria’s position in Europe. Sadly, Antoinette is given to the future King of France at 14 years of age and Charlotte must marry the weak and immature King Ferdinand IV of Naples.

Charlotte is a strong intelligent woman. She quickly realizes she must secure her position as Queen and Ruler of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. When the French Revolution begins and Antoinette is imprisoned, it’s Charlotte who works tirelessly to bring the Queen of France back to Austria before it’s too late. Way to go, sista. Way to go!

A solid 4 out of 5 stars with a caveat for my friends. I enjoyed learning about the “other sister”; historical family dynamics are always interesting to study. However, I can’t say I liked the author’s portrayal of Charlotte—I couldn’t quite get in her corner. I felt like the author didn’t blend the history and fiction as seamlessly as our friend Marie Benedict. But as one who dearly loves her sisters, I have to admire Charlotte’s tenacity.

Posted by Sharee

Nobody Out-Cleans the Maid

“I’ll never understand it—why people find the truth more shocking than lies.”

And I’ll never understand how a newbie publishes a book at the beginning of the month and has an option from Universal Studios (with Florence Pugh as the lead no less) before it’s time to turn the calendar’s page. Crazy stuff. Nita Prose’s debut thriller is hot of the press, so grab the NyQuil Rae and pull up your pillow. You’re about to encounter Molly. She’s a maid at a five-star luxury hotel, who’s obsessed with order and cleanliness (probably a natural by-product of being on the spectrum, just my opinion). Molly loves her job. Who doesn’t have mad respect for a woman who loves to religiously scrub, right? Life gets messy fast when Molly becomes the prime suspect in a scandalous murder investigation. After all, she discovered the body.

On her own since Gran died a few months earlier, Molly’s life is pretty well isolated. She discovers, like Eleanor Oliphant, that friends stand by her side to help her uncover the truth. We experience the story through Molly’s eyes. While some of the events in the book seem obvious to the reader, they aren’t to Molly, which makes her all the more endearing. The Maid is a heartwarming story that helps us realize that “different” is okay.

Long-time editor Nita Prose (do we really believe that’s her name; how could she not have a successful book career?) ends The Maid with an unexpected twist. A surprise culprit and feel-good vibes, I have to give it 4.5 stars. This Good Morning America Book Club pick and New York Times Editors’ Choice lived up to its billing: “a twist-and-turn whodunit…The Maid satisfies on every level—from place to plot to protagonist…Think Clue. Think page-turner.”

Posted by Sharee

It's Miller Time

“Circe, he says, it will be all right. It is the saying of an oracle or a prophet….He does not mean that it does not hurt. He does not mean that we are not frightened. Only that: we are here. This is what it means to swim in the tide, to walk the earth and feel it touch your feet. This is what is means to be alive.”

I wore out my audible rewind when I listened to those soothing lines.  So often good books deliver important messages straight to my heart. And I’m a huge sucker for life in perspective. Thankfully, Madeline Miller’s got one ton of wisdom, and she’s not afraid to share it. Sapience bubbles up and overflows in her protagonists. To quote Depeche Mode, “I just can’t get enough. I just can’t get enough.”

In case my December post wasn’t effusive enough, let me reiterate once more: I L-O-V-E-D The Song of Achilles—as in big Aphrodite platonic love. So I downloaded Circe with wicked speed.  In college, because I totally dig the humanities, I took not one but two Greek and Roman mythology classes. Years later, I’m well aware that Circe is a minor goddess. (Nymphs aren’t front and center stuff.) Like Harry Potter, she’s good with a magic wand and she’s not afraid to turn men into pigs. Other than that, she was hardly on my radar. Miller gave Circe dimensions. Beautiful dimensions. That’s not all, “this first-person account is a kind of greatest hits of the ancient Greek world: Prometheus and his endless punishment, Scylla and Charybdis, Hermes, Apollo, Athena, Daedalus and his son Icarus, Ariadne and the Minotaur (who is Circe’s nephew), Jason and the Golden Fleece—and Odysseus, of course.” I’m with reviewer Aida Edemariam when she observes, Miller goes beyond mere magic realism where anything can happen—where changes occur willy-nilly and leave audiences divested. “The real power doesn’t lie in the ostensible facts of the narrative, but in its psychology. And that is where Miller anchors her story—in the emotional life of a woman.” A woman who I now find relatable and relevant. A woman who has me thinking about what it means to swim in the tide, to walk the earth and feel it touch my feet. Who’s got me thinking about what it means to be present. 

Posted by Tracy