Daisy Jones and the Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid ------------- 4.5 Stars

I really wasn't planning to read Daisy Jones and the Six. The few thing I read about it said it was a book about a 70s musician/female protagonist (not really my cup of tea), and the few images of the TV show did not seem to interest me. However, while on vacation my wife suggested I give it chance, and I was open to it after learning a little little bit more about the story. Wow, was I happy I did.

It's hard to actually describe how much I enjoyed this book. And, even more surprisingly, I'm not sure if I even know why myself. At first blush, a fictional oral history about a made-up rock band from the 70s really isn't something that I thought I would've enjoyed. And, while I do enjoy an oral history of real life events (oral history reviews or 9/11, Daily Show, and SNL), how good could a fictional account of a fake rock and actually be, I thought. But something really worked with this story. 

Quick synopsis - "This historical fiction novel tells the story of the rise and fall of a 1970s rock band from their start in the LA music scene to becoming one of the most famous bands in the world. The novel explores the reason behind their breakup at the height of their success.

So, again, not necessarily the most exciting premise, but something really worked with this book. First, I think the author really dialed into the 70s, and specifically the flavor of rock n' roll at that time. I read that she modeled this story after Fletwood Mac and numerous characters are intended to represent different people from that band. Second, the pace of the novel is phenomenal. While I thought it wouldn't be possible to have an oral history of something fictional with people sharing their memories as retrospectives decades after the events, it really works. Third, the novel has some great themes. In many ways it's a love story between two people who can't be in love. Or more accurately, can be in love but only through the music they create, if that makes sense. It also tests the idea of choosing career vs, family; especially complicated when your career might be one that allows you to be the best in the world at something. Finally, the characters were awesome. Each distinct, with a clear voice, I really felt I could picture in my mind what each of them were like and how they looked.

Which leads me to the biggest problem with the book: watching the TV series based on the novel (currently on Prime). I am so happy I read this book, though I am disappointed with how bad the series is. Of course, any time there is a great book that a movie or TV show is based on, people will compare them. And a novel that is so fantastic, like in this case, makes it hard to reach the same level of success. But that doesn't mean it has to be terrible. I mean, the show isn't the worst show I've seen but it's really not good. I understand taking some creative license and shifting away from the original (which the series does), but it can still cast better actors, have a tighter script, and be better executed (I do appreciate they created original music trying to mimic the original band. Unfortunately, saying it's one of the greatest bands ever, makes you have some pretty high expectations of what the music will sound like).

Of course, the 4 1/2 star rating it earned is not based on the TV show. Candidly, a book about a fake band from the 70s can't earn a five star rating. For me, those tend to be stories that are epic sagas and/or are so memorable that I can't help but think about them often after I'm finished. And while this is one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a long time, I really can't imagine this book sticking with me in the future. But, that doesn't mean it's not worth at least one very enjoyable read!

Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton -------------- 4 Stars

Like most people, I saw and greatly enjoyed the original Jurassic Park movie many years ago. At the time, I don't think I was aware that there was also a book, of obviously the same name, the movie was based on. I appreciate that I finally got to the book and enjoyed the much more detailed slightly different experience of the original novel.

While not significantly different than the movie, like most novels that a major movie is based on, there are a number of differences. In an odd experience, this is a movie that I've probably seen over a dozen times prior to reading the book. So, I remembered much of the story and scenes vividly and had an interesting experience comparing parts of the movie that, were in my head, to the written novel. While I'm not sure either version was better, there were certainly much more detail, information, and character/plot development in the novel.

The book was definitely enjoyable, and the level of detail was welcome. The book went too much more of the "science fiction" that Crichton often bases novels on. it was also interesting to see how certain character shifted to the movie. I found there were many more "bad guys "in the book then I recall in the movie. I also found the pace different from the book to the movie. The book actually seem more frenetic with much more of the novel dedicated to the dinosaur attacks than I actually remember in the movie.

Of course, there were some drawbacks of the book. I found the characters not as interesting as the original movie and the story seemed darker. Unsurprisingly, I kept comparing so much of the book I was reading to film going in my head of the same scenes and characters, and right r wrong, found myself constantly annoyed that it wasn't the way it seemed from the movie. It really did take away from the novel though I'm not sure I should hold it against it.

I found it was a very engaging book that I struggled to put down. The story flows easily, and Crichton does a great job of keeping the reader engaged with action scene after scene. While I highly doubt there are many people left who have not seen the movie or read the book, I would recommend the book to everyone, though it might be especially interesting to be able to read it prior to seeing the movie. Though I am not sure that's a realistic idea!

The Silent Patient - Alex Michaelides ------------------- 3.5 Stars

A couple years old, The Silent Patient is a book that recently was recommended, and it was a pretty enjoyable read. Really a mystery novel set up as a first person story
about a psychotherapist attempting to help a famous and non-talking artist in a mental institution, the book was a fairly enjoyable read.

As I noted above, the book is really enjoyable as it's a constant "whodonut," never knowing exactly who might be lying or telling the truth. To offer a bit more background, the book is told mostly through the main character who is a psychotherapist with a traumatic past. You also get diary entries from the mute artist who slowly gets you up to speed about her past and catches up to the current timeline. As the novel moves forward, the pace increases and many more pieces of relevant information are offered until the rather shocking ending. Yes, it's one of those books with a big twist ending, which, based on Reddit threads, was very controversial. For me, it was a good ending, and I'm happy the author took a chance with a less than expected way to finish the story.

For the most part I really enjoyed the book. It was entertaining in the sense that I found myself constantly wanting to start the next chapter to see what happened next and found the plot exciting and interesting. On a downside, for a first person novel with the main character owning most of the narrative, I actually found him a flatter character than I would like. While sharing some about his history, much of the book is him simply telling what happens in the plot and very little expository about his own motivations. 

One last piece - I listened to nearly this whole book while driving. While a great way to pass time on a long car ride, I am curious if I would have liked the book more and given it a higher rating had I read it the traditional way. While I received the content and comprehended as much I believe I would have while reading it, I do think it took away from the experience. Perhaps because it was a bit of a binge (basically finished the book in 3 days on the road), I think there is something about pacing your own reading and getting the story directly with your own eyes.    For a future blog - better reading of paper book vs. Kindle?

Boy21 - Matthew Quick ---------------- 3.5 Stars

I would have never planned to read Boy21 if my son had not read the book and exclaimed it was the "greatest book I've ever read." Now, for context, he's not really read that many books but it certainly piqued my interest, and he was hoping that I would read it too.  So, I think I'd give it a try and pretty happy I did.

Some more background as most are probably not familiar with this book. The book is about 10 years old and is considered young adult fiction. Knowing it was YA, I did change my mindset going into reading it. That being said it was enjoyable. The story is told from the first person perspective of a teenage basketball player who befriends, a very talented player, who is struggling with some trauma in his past (he names himself Boy21). Also, fun fact, the author was the writer of Silver Linings Playbook.

There was a few things I really enjoyed about this book. First, it's really engaging. The plot moves quickly and there is not a lot of excess (negative too - see below). Second, as a YA book and related to the above, it's a short, quick read and easy to get through. Finally, I found plot very accessible, along with the characters, and enjoyed the many basketball and school connections.

On a downside, the book doesn't develop characters and plot as more typical adult novels. I figure this is mostly because the author is worried about keeping a young reader's attention, but it is a detriment to the story. Nowhere is this more on display than in the final 20-25 pages. The book was moving at a quick pace but nothing unreasonable and really doing a nice job to move the story forward. Oddly, a TON of things happened in the last chapter or two that really hurried the ending and left a bad taste in my mouth.

On the whole, fun book and happy I read it.

Sharks in the Time of Saviors - Kawai Strong Washburn --------------------- 4.5 Stars

Released a few years ago, I've been a bit skeptical about reading Sharks in the Time of Saviors, though it received high praise from my sister. I think there were two things slowing me down. The first is the emphasis in previewing the book about 'magical realism,' as that's been an area of fiction I tend to not enjoy as much and not be drawn to. Also, the book is based in Hawaii and the place of Hawaii is basically a full character on its own. This made me both interested and skeptical. With Hawaii being such an integral part of my youth, I often fear authors (or others) will not represent it fully and respectfully.  Well, as you can see from my strong rating, I am happy I finally was able to pick this up and get through and could not be more pleased.

Quick background - the book is about a family of five living on the Big Island and their lives growing up in Hawaii and beyond. With three children, the novel weaves each person's tale through a different lens via chapters that are first person accounts from each family member. As noted above, there are some supernatural elements that play a part in the story.

On the whole, I really enjoyed this book. I found it gripping and thought the story really picked up in the final half of the novel. While my skepticism remained for much of the book that it would be overly focused on the supernatural or unreal, I was pleasantly surprised, that while a core element, it didn't have an inordinate focus. In fact, I felt it was quite the opposite. As the author described in an interview, the Hawaiian gods/goddess are a core part of daily life in the islands, and I remember learning about Pele and others growing up. And, I didn't find these religious connections to be separate from daily life and culture. Instead, I think the way the author used the supernatural fit perfectly into my memories of that while in Hawaii.

Other reasons the book is good - it's a really fascinating story and written in a very accessible way. Besides being able to easily relate to the characters (I too spent my formative years on the islands), the experience of the families children going to the mainland and experiencing how different it was from Hawaii also resonated. Of course, there was a notable difference; the characters in the book are 'local' while I'm 'haole,' which, of course, leads to very different experiences. 

It's hard to find many flaws with this novel. Perhaps it was a bit slow in certain parts and the writing was overly individualized (i.e. because each character literally had a different voice, the flow sometimes was inconsistent). I suppose you could also pick nits that one of the main characters doesn't have a voice for much of the book and that gap makes the story read differently.

I strongly recommend this book, whether you are from Hawaii, have visited Hawaii, or simply heard of Hawaii. The story is an easy, modern read that has themes and conflict that should resonate with most people. Of course, there are parts that were even more special for me, and I am so appreciative I was able to read this story and this book exists. 

Rabbit, Run - John Updike ------------------- 1.5 Stars

Rabbit, Run has been on my "to read" list for a very long time. Released in 1960, this book made Updike quite famous and is regarded as a "brilliant and poignant" piece of writing. Well, clearly not in my opinion. Though, I should give credit before bashing this book too much. Updike is a super writer and often I felt like I was reading poetry rather a novel (which may also be part of why I disliked it so much). And while I am about to critique the book below, I do acknowledge that it was written over 60 years ago so some of themes and challenges the main character was going through (and the massive amount of privilege he didn't even realize he enjoyed) perhaps were more timely back in 1960.

Short synopsis (from Amazon b/c it's just easier) - "Its hero is Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom, a onetime high-school basketball star who on an impulse deserts his wife and son. He is twenty-six years old, a man-child caught in a struggle between instinct and thought, self and society, sexual gratification and family duty—even, in a sense, human hard-heartedness and divine Grace."

Even this synopsis bothers me. "Hero" - wow, I would certainly not consider this character a hero (and bet most you don't either based even on the short description above). He's actually an incredibly unlikable person; and unfortunately, nearly the whole novel is about him. Perhaps it was because I just read Razorblade Tears which couldn't have been more different. Written last year (and, admittedly, more violent), this book takes on modern challenges - like race, sexuality, socio-economic conflicts, etc. with so much relevance (at least to me) than any parts or Rabbit, Run. And, perhaps, way more important, again, at least to me - that book was super enjoyable to read!  Unlike this book, which I felt like I had to get through in case of, perhaps, a great ending (spoiler alert - also terrible!).

I was actually so conflicted after finishing this book and went to the internet to learn more. Was I really this off? How does this book have 4 stars on Amazon and is so well known?  I actually found two separate articles that helped me better resolve my misunderstanding.

First, is this book review that explains some of the legitimate (again, at least for me), why this book is well regarded. 

Second, is this Guardian article that made me so pleased to find and read as it helped to elucidate my thinking after finishing the book. While this article especially focuses on the implicit misogyny throughout the novel, I am sure there are plenty of other viewpoints that could be found throughout the internet questioning a variety of dated themes of this novel.

Ultimately I leave it up to others to decide. I am sure this book is taught in many college classrooms across the country to learn more about the beauty of writing: I just really worry about what other lessons it may be teaching too. 

Razorblade Tears - S. A. Cosby ---------------------- 3.5 Stars

While not on my radar, and not something I had previously come across, I was happy to take some time to read the recently released Razorblade Tears. A fairly violent read, this book had a great pace and felt like an almost new genre coming across the page.

So, to provide a bit more clarity to the last sentence, I found this book to be unique. A little background - the story is about two dads in southern Virginia whose sons are murdered. Unexpectedly, the sons of the boys are gay and different races (one black; one white). The book then brings together these fathers, both struggling to accept the identities of their sons, to team up to find the people responsible for their murders. 

The book certainly was action packed and easy to read. As I was reading the book, it reminded me of a movie playing out (after finishing, I researched and found out that there are plans to make this into a major motion picture). Besides the story being accessible and interesting, the author has a great way or building excitement and break down action packed scenes with wonderful details to make it read clearer.

What I think will also resonate with people was the diversity of the characters. Unlike so many typical action stories (especially one's from the past century), having the variety of characters was so much more interesting. Besides the race and sexual orientation elements that were through lines throughout the book, characters also include a transgender person and someone adopted. And, the identifies of these people, while noteworthy, were secondary storylines for their characters.

As much as I enjoyed this book, I am not sure it's for everyone. Again, the more modern storylines stood out but what was most noteworthy were the really specific, and on occasion, excessive details of violence. Kidnapping, torture, murder, arson, etc. were commonplace throughout the novel. 

Again, I really had not read a book like this before. While it's both a thriller and crime novel, the Southern element is distinct, along with the diversity or characters. I really enjoyed the social commentary throughout the book and the emotional journey that bother fathers go in, is something memorable. I also am looking forward to seeing it turn into a movie. As it was a richly detailed book, I can already see in my mind who I think would work well in the main roles. 

Eye of the Needle - Ken Follett ----------------- 4 Stars

I've read and reviewed three Ken Follett books (reviews here), including the incomparable Pillars of the Earth, which was one of the few books to earn a five star review. Hoping to enjoy another great story, I learned of a fairly well reviewed Eye of the Needle. While released over 40 years ago, I wasn't aware of the book and was excited to pick it up. For the most part, I was happy I did.

Unlike Pillars of the Earth, this book is set during World War 2 and covers a Germany spy living in England. A fascinating character with an interesting history, the German spy was really the centerpiece of the novel. Beginning with a murder early that sets the tone for much of the novel, the story turns in a spy thriller as it moves into the final quarter of the novel. And, a strong ending helps it along.

While nowhere near as interesting and well detailed as Pillars of the Earth, it's certainly a much shorter book that feels more like a deliberate page turner to keep the reader engaged. And, while I'm not complaining about the pace of the story, I do wish there was more depth created for certain characters and historical pieces. For example, we get a few fictional scenes with Hitler, that simply move the story along, rather than add any profundity.

What may have actually helped my review as I watched a feature film based on this novel just after I finished the book. Filmed in 1981 and starting Donald Sutherland, the movie helped to provide some visual accompaniment to the story that existed in my head but really did not do the novel justice. While I appreciated a greater amount of screen time was given to the relationship between the spy and the other main character - a civilian woman and eventual adversary - the movie too quickly ran through parts and didn't hold my attention.

Perhaps my biggest problem with the book was Follett's introduction in which he prides himself on having a female protagonist be the hero of the story. And, while this woman does end up being a hero, the author's creation of her character is very one-sided and flat. Besides depicting her as unhappily married, he also shows her as sex crazed on multiple occasions. This deliberate focus on her sexual interest ended up being her defining characteristic, which I really found minimized her character significantly.

Overall, the book was an exciting and engaging read that did a great job holding my attention. While it had some character development holes, and ran too fast in some places, it was a fun book to keep my attention and had plenty of chapters ending with a question that made you want to read on.  I would recommend the novel but I would skip the movie.