Topics of Conversation by Miranda Popkey

A very unique book - I’m not sure I “enjoyed” the experience, but it was addicting and compelling enough for me to keep picking it up until I had read all of it. And I must say, it was worth it! While I can understand how there might be some who won’t like this book (unusual, crass, even repulsive at times), there is a lot of merit between its pages too. The narrator/protagonist definitely has her flaws, as do a lot of the other characters we meet, but there is something so fundamentally “real” about them all; conversations that feel vulnerable, relatable, and unearth the deepest thoughts a lot of us might have that we never really bring up!

The journey of the book almost felt “Kerouac-esque” to me, but with majority female characters with a few sidelined male characters peppered through. A quote towards the end of the book made me pause, and think upon the lines I had read as well as what the book was attempting, and it all made sense: “The writer who depicts an abhorrent male character still demands that the reader pay the abhorrent man his attention” - similarly, how many abhorrent women have we, as readers, been demanded to pay attention? I believe this book attempts to do just that, and with that in mind, I’ve determined that it was a pretty good read! 

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

 As I sit here and ponder over what to tell you about this incredible book, I’m at a bit of a loss for words. Every once in a while, a book comes into your (my) life that leaves you feeling all sorts of things, that has an impact deep within, that perhaps has a profound effect on that way you think or feel. This one started a bit slow, the style of language threw me a little, but I quickly got over it as I found myself enveloped into the mind, heart, and world of the protagonist, Adunni. She is feisty, strong, never gives up and has simply become one of my favorite literary characters! I am usually a plot-favoring reader; I always want to know what's going to happen next. For the first time (in recent memory), I found myself enjoying the plot, but enjoying the main character even more. 

Adunni's journey is harrowing and unique. The troubles she faces are monumental, especially for someone her age (14). However, the driving force in this novel is Adunni's spirit. She never gives up, is the strongest version of herself at each step, and meets a fate that her determination and strength deserve (if not a lot more). In recent years, my reading has increased quite a bit - from health issues keeping me at home, to lunch hours escaping from the work day, to my book of the month membership and some amazing debuts to all the book clubs I'm a part of - whatever the reason, my reading has gone from 10-12 books a year to almost 40! And I must say, at the pace of 30-40 every year for the past 3-4 years I've met a lot of characters, fallen in love with a lot of books, and overall had great impressions left upon my heart and soul. However, I cannot recall ever meeting a character like Adunni. She has become one of my favorites. A character that I know will stay with me for years to come. 

An excellent read that deserves all the stars and one that I highly, highly recommend! If you only pick up one of my recommendations this year, please make it this one!

In parting, I would like to leave you with one of my favorite quotes from this book: 

“Everybody in the whole world be speaking different...We all be speaking different because we all are having different growing-up life, but we can all be understanding each other if we just take the time to listen well.”

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

I have pondered and mulled. I have waited and watched my thoughts come and go. This book - this amazing, powerful book has made a lasting impression, and I (for once) am at a loss for words. The glimpses into the characters' lives, the moments - fleeting, yet telling of events that shaped and molded.

The story line, at first, seemed simplistic and even over-done. The back of the book, the side flaps - don't even begin to do this book justice. The layers peel off slowly, like those of an onion, and reveal insightful, poetic, deep rumination on life and what it means to live. Live for oneself - live for others - just live. Love, loss, oh my goodness - so much loss. And yet, there is a hopeful undertone. I have no idea how Ms. Woodson has pulled this all off! 

Readers, I hope you will pick up this book. I don't think I can speak much of it - you will have to give it a chance all on your own. All I can say is that it will remain with me for a long while. Hold on to your hearts and emotions too, this book sent me all over the place (in the best way a book can)!

Fair Play by Tove Jansson

On a bright Saturday afternoon, as I unwrapped the package from New York Review of Books - not knowing what was to happen to me that evening - out came the three books I had ordered at the end of last year. I flipped through each of them and toted them up to my bookshelves to shelve away into the massive TBR piles I have amassed. But as I entered my room, I ended up being enticed by my desk and the (very) comfortable desk chair and promptly plopped myself down with these books among others already on my desk. 

As I opened the first pages of one of the books, I had no clue that I would read it straight through - and that a few hours later be closing the last page with a deeply satisfied sigh and a strong desire and premonition of re-reading this book for many years to come. How poetic, how lovely - one of the first books that has made me write down quotes and go on writing long musings about life and such! My journal was quite happy with the time I spent with it as well! With you, my reader friends, I share this beautiful book “Fair Play” by Tove Jansson and the quote that prompted me to fall in love with it: “do not tire, never lose interest, never grow indifferent - lose your invaluable curiosity and you let yourself die.”

I am quite glad it is the first book I completed as this new year began. 2020 is good, will be good, will be what I/we make of it. This book felt melancholy, yet so hopeful. Pregnant with possibilities, bursting with beautiful writing and filled to the brim with characters I felt like I knew. The time and place fell into the shadows, the depth of the story and human condition at the forefront and the universality of it all brought me into a mood of well-being. I hope this is a symbol - a symbol of similar great reads to come this year. A symbol of a beautiful new start. A symbol of finding myself as a reader, a writer, as a kind human being. A symbol of hope.

Here is to you, my friends, happy reading and happy new year!