January 2024 Book Review
Welcome to my January 2024 Monthly Reading Wrap-Up!
My first monthly review of the New Year :’)
My reviews will have a fluid structure, reflecting my genuine thoughts and feelings about each book. Some reviews will delve deeply, teeming with opinions, while others will be more succinct. This diversity in my reviews is precisely the reason I embarked on this book review journey. I'm passionate about reading and craved a space where I could articulate my reflections without restraint.
This month, I delved into five books, presented in the sequence I read them. As is customary for me, there's a blend of fiction and nonfiction titles.
Kicking off my 2024 reading list with a solid 4-star read! The Kaiju Preservation Society is a delightful, low-stakes sci-fi novel that embraces its fun and easygoing nature. It's clear that the author thoroughly enjoyed writing this book, and frankly, he deserves that.
One key attribute that many sci-fi authors strive for is 'accessibility,' and this book hits the mark. However, it's worth noting that this accessibility stems from the science fiction elements being either basic or not technically complex enough to require in-depth explanation. This isn't a drawback, though; it's part of the book's charm.
Imagine a Netflix adaptation starring Ryan Reynolds as the main character – it's exactly the kind of engaging, light-hearted fare you'd want to watch with your family over Christmas vacation. It's easy to digest yet interesting enough to hold everyone's attention.
In summary, The Kaiju Preservation Society is a fun, uncomplicated sci-fi adventure that doesn't demand too much from its readers, making it a perfect casual read.
Disclaimer: If you happen to be TJ Klune, don’t read this.
As a critic, it's tough to balance honesty with sensitivity, but I believe in being genuine. Despite my eagerness to enjoy In The Lives Of Puppets, it ultimately didn't resonate with me, and here's why.
Firstly, I acknowledge and appreciate what TJ Klune aimed to achieve with this book. His intent and creative direction were clear, and I understood the thematic elements he was exploring. This isn't a case of missing the point; rather, it's about the book's execution not aligning with my preferences.
The novel, a loose retelling of Pinocchio, starts impressively strong. Klune's skillful writing, rich emotional imagery, and imaginative storytelling initially captivated me. The characters, especially Rambo, a sentient Roomba-like vacuum (yes, you read that correctly), are endearing and well-crafted. The fantasy setting intrigued me, and I was eager to unravel the mysteries of this unique world.
However, the book's second half, which shifts into an adventure narrative, lost my interest. The mystery, a compelling element in the first half, was abruptly resolved in a few pages through an expository video, leaving little to discover thereafter. This pacing issue, where major reveals are clustered rather than spaced out, diminished the story's intrigue and excitement for me.
Another aspect I found lacking was the exploration of the main character's asexuality. The portrayal felt limited, focusing solely on placing the character in uncomfortable sexual situations to highlight his asexuality. I was shocked to find out the author himself is asexual. This approach, especially from an asexual author, was disappointing. It missed an opportunity to delve deeper into the nuances of asexual identity.
In conclusion, while In The Lives Of Puppets showcases Klune's strengths as a writer, its pacing and character exploration didn't meet my expectations, leading me to rate it 3 stars. For those seeking a compelling LGBTQ story, I highly recommend Klune's The House in the Cerulean Sea, a truly 5-star read.
The Old Man and the Sea wants what Whalefall has. This is the kind of book that high school English teachers dream of - brimming with symbolism, metaphors, and all the literary intricacies that are essential for educational curriculums. However, unlike the often dry and uninspiring 'classics' that students laboriously trudge through, Whalefall offers a refreshing twist with its engaging and thought-provoking plot. It's a book that high schoolers will actually be eager to read!
So, what's the story about? At its core, it's a tale of a diver who gets swallowed by a whale. Yes, it does sound a bit far-fetched and fantastical, but Kraus masterfully weaves this narrative with a level of realism and biological accuracy that is both surprising and impressive. The way he tells the story, you almost feel as if you've been swallowed by the whale yourself - but in the best way possible.
Yet, at its heart, Whalefall is more than just an adventure story; it's a poignant exploration of the relationship between a boy and his father. The narrative is both propulsive and deeply emotional, striking a perfect balance that keeps you riveted from start to finish. It's the first 5-star read of the year.
My first nonfiction read of the year! Dreams are somewhat of an obsession for me. I am fascinated not only by the deep psychological theories that suggest dreams reveal our hidden inner fears and desires but also by the actual scientific and biological research into the mechanisms behind dreams and sleep in general. One of my favorite nonfiction books is Why We Sleep, and The Nocturnal Brain has been a wonderful addition to my collection of sleep-related literature.
While Why We Sleep explores the biological mechanisms of why we sleep, The Nocturnal Brain takes a different approach by highlighting the various ways in which our sleeping brains can malfunction, such as through sleep disorders. Dr. Guy Leschziner, a neuroscientist who heads the Sleep Disorders Centre—one of the largest sleep services in Europe—covers a range of issues from insomnia and night terrors to sleep apnea and narcolepsy. He does so with compassion and informative clarity, illustrating the neuroscience behind the disorders of some of his most interesting patients.
The book is incredibly accessible and straightforward, making it an "easy" read, especially for a subject as seemingly daunting as neuroscience. Or perhaps I'm just a genius who can easily grasp difficult concepts. IDK. You read it and let me know what you think in the comments.
5 stars.
TLDR: Marty, I'm scared.
When a book is of average length, my usual lament is, "It was good, but I wish it delved deeper!" Yet, when faced with a longer book that does indeed go deeper, I find myself complaining, "It was good, but it was way too long. It could have been shorter." Is it even possible to satisfy me? Stay tuned to find out.
This book was a behemoth—an absolute unit of a novel, a Work of Literature with a capital "L." At just under 900 pages, it's not even the longest book I've ever read, but, Lord in heaven and on earth, it certainly felt like it. The plot spans 30 years, and it truly felt like it took me 30 years to read. Who was I before I started reading this? I don't know, but I can tell you I'm a different person now.
The plot weaves together the lives of a diverse group of characters from all different backgrounds and walks of life, from 2014 to around 2040, detailing their differing perspectives on our climate crisis as our world succumbs to the devastating effects of global warming. The depth of the details and the progression of the plot were unparalleled. There is more information in this one book than I have stored in my whole brain—and I have entire Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga albums filed away up there.
I will admit, it took a while to get into. I spent the first 200-300 pages on the brink of DNF'ing (Did Not Finish). I googled multiple times, "Is reading The Deluge worth it?" and skimmed reviews trying to determine if I was going to stick it out. I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, I can say that yes, it was worth it. The fact that I considered DNF'ing but then ended up awarding this book 5 stars is a testament to the author's strength as a writer, his masterful handling of plot development, and impressive conceptualization of numerous timely themes. I am genuinely in awe that a person was able to write this.
There are parts of this book I'm still thinking about and will continue to live rent-free in my mind for the foreseeable future. I’ll conclude this review with one of those passages: “Eons rushed over him, with each second taking on the duration of whole millennia—the reign of the sun, Earth's corpus blooming to life, humankind's dallying—all visible for those interminable nanoseconds as the souls of the dead whispered in his ears. The terror he'd felt his whole life, a siege that begins at birth, slipped away, and the more the dread of oblivion receded, the more overwhelming the wave of love. His mom and dad and sister were there, and even his life's sorrows now felt precious. The curse of this life, from the yawp to the ashes, finally blew apart, vanishing to wind and stars.”
And scene.
What titles are on your 2024 reading list? Let me know in the comments below.
If you need suggestions, check out my top-rated fiction books from last year.
I’ll be back soon with more reviews and recommendations. Ta ta :)
