July Book Review
Welcome to my July 2023 Monthly Reading Wrap-Up!
Before diving in, you might want to check out last month’s reading wrap-up here.
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 seven books, presented in the sequence I read them. As is customary for me, there's a blend of fiction and non-fiction titles.
Now THIS is the murder mystery/psychological thriller I asked for! Previously, I recommended "The It Girl" by Ruth Ware with the caveat that it was a basic, no-frills psychological thriller. However, this book was infinity times better – it had the exact same plot, (like, exact same) but compared to "The It Girl," it felt like I finally got "what I ordered."
It felt fresh, original, and exciting while still hitting all the classic notes you'd expect from a thriller. Someone is dead, and the task is to uncover the identity of the killer. With multiple suspects and secrets gradually surfacing, anyone could be the culprit. What more could you ask for?
I have a real love for murder mystery thrillers. When they are well-executed, they never get old, kind of like a fireworks show. Yes, they all may share similarities, and you can anticipate certain elements, but that's part of the charm. I'm here to have a good time, experience the suspenseful moments, witness surprising plot twists, and get that thrilling jolt.
If I were to offer one and only complaint, it would be about the cover. It should have featured a knife instead of scissors. I understand the choice, given that the murder weapon in the story is scissors, but still, it totally should have been a knife. Anyways, despite that, I absolutely loved the book and would give it 5 stars.
From the woman who graced us with "When Harry Met Sally," "Sleepless in Seattle," and "Bewitched," emerges a candid and amusing exploration of life as a "woman of a certain age."
In these essays, Nora Ephron, a journalist, film director, and screenwriter, shares her disdain for purses (and the absurdity of spending $2000 on a bag just to lose uncapped chapstick in it). She humorously reveals her unscandelous tenure as a JFK White House intern, where, quite possibly, she was the only young woman the President didn't make a pass at. Moreover, she laments the excessive time, resources, and money spent on anti-aging treatments for every part of her body, including her neck which she despises.
Her essays epitomize brevity and charm. And by charm, I refer to their genuinely funny and relatable nature, complemented by the ideal amount of insight and advice that showcases Ephron’s intellect and wisdom without feeling overbearing or self-righteous. I devoured the book in just 24 hours; it was truly a swift and delightful read. I give it 5 stars.
If Tommy Orange's debut novel is a harbinger of his future works, he is sure to become an influential force in the literary world. "There There" is a contemporary, multigenerational drama that follows the perspectives of a dozen different characters. While the stories are unquestionably important and necessary, the attempt to include so many characters sacrifices some depth and plot cohesion, resulting in a flow and pacing that I personally found less seamless than I would have liked.
This book possessed incredible potential, as the narratives are undoubtedly important. Orange paints an emotionally resonant and stark portrait of modern Native American existence, exploring the systemic plights and daily hardships that families endure across generations. Issues such as poverty, drug and alcohol addiction, and suicide are poignantly portrayed, making the characters feel authentic and relatable. However, I found myself lost amidst the sheer volume of characters introduced.
Personally, multiple perspectives tend not to work well for me. I can manage maybe three or four characters before I struggle to process more profiles. Introducing one character after another, and then returning to the first, often leaves me wondering, "Wait, which one was this again?" I acknowledge that this might be a personal limitation, but it negatively impacts my reading experience. I would have preferred a smaller cast of characters with a deeper exploration of their individual stories, rather than just wading ankle-deep into an overwhelming number of narratives.
In this instance, the significance of a story isn't enough on its own—plot and execution are equally important. Thus, I have to rate it 3.5 stars. However, I am still inclined to pick up Orange's future works. Native American stories are intriguing and necessary, and I enjoy reading them. If you're looking for a contemporary Native American narrative, I'd recommend "The Only Good Indians" by Stephen Graham Jones, which I found more enjoyable personally.
A celebrity memoir? I was basically foaming at the mouth. To say I eagerly anticipated this book would be an understatement.
And indeed, it was worth the wait. Elliot Page's debut as an author not only showcases his immense literary talent, but also offers a candid glimpse into his life journey. For the past two decades, we've seen him in blockbuster films like "Inception," Academy Award-nominated roles like "Juno," and popular TV shows such as "The Umbrella Academy." But it was his December 2020 Instagram post, where he bravely shared his identity as a transgender man, that marked his most authentic and vulnerably intimate role yet.
His memoir, beautifully written and evocative, reveals an emotional maturity and a depth of self-reflection born from personal struggles. Page shares deeply personal stories about growing up in a divided household, navigating a strained relationship with his father, step-siblings, and step-mother, and managing his rise to stardom in the acting industry.
But the central theme threading through all chapters of his life is the pain of living as a closeted queer individual. He spent the majority of his life presenting as female and hid numerous romantic relationships with women, fearing Hollywood's potential homophobic backlash. Yet, amid this anguish, the strength of friendships and the sanctuary of chosen family illuminate the narrative, emphasizing their vital importance.
While marginalized experiences should not have to bear the burden of representing an entire group, Page's memoir as a queer person resonates as a deeply personal yet universally relatable account of navigating a world rife with sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. Despite these hardships, his narrative still manages to celebrate the joy, love, and peace life can offer. It's no surprise that I'm awarding this book a well-deserved five stars.
This book made me so mad, but in a good way. It was at once fascinating, insightful, and deeply vexing.
Sociologist Matthew Desmond, drawing on years of research and in-depth historical analysis, puts forth the compelling argument that poverty in America - the world's richest nation - is not an unfortunate yet unavoidable circumstance, but rather a system intentionally designed to keep the impoverished in their place. He reveals how the affluent knowingly exploit the poor, driving down wages, charging exorbitant rates for housing, and monopolizing opportunities to establish exclusive enclaves of wealth, systematically withheld from those who need them most.
This book is replete with eye-opening information, statistics, and research, all presented in an accessible and comprehensible manner. Even more impressively, Desmond proposes pragmatic solutions to the issue of poverty, and not the fantastical notions like “just give all of Bill Gates’ money to the poor”. These are actionable, feasible solutions that could be implemented today - if only our politicians weren’t cowards. *Sigh*.
As a sociology graduate myself, I found this book utterly captivating. I am deeply intrigued by the uneven distribution of resources and the powers (and individuals) that perpetuate such inequalities. We didn't simply wake up one day in an inevitably imbalanced world. Each system governing our lives has been purposefully established, and it's fascinating to dissect them.
If these topics pique your interest as well, I highly recommend this book. I would also suggest reading 'Jackpot: How the Super-Rich Really Live—and How Their Wealth Harms Us All' by Michael Mechanic, which explores similar themes and is equally engaging. Both books have earned a well-deserved five stars from me.
I concluded last month with a book that ranked among my least favorites, so I was determined to end this month on a high note.
Regrettably, that did not happen. I'm giving it three stars because I had to push myself to finish it.
Originally published in Bulgarian, the book has been translated into several languages and has garnered nominations and awards aplenty. Given its science fiction and time travel elements, it seemed right up my alley on paper. However, in reality, it failed to engage me.
The narrative style felt more like the narrator was speaking at the reader, rather than immersing them in the story's events and actions. It was challenging to feel connected to a story from which I was intentionally distanced. This disconnect was particularly disappointing because the themes and storyline were quite intriguing and innovative.
Spoilers ahead – a novel treatment for Alzheimer's patients involves a 'clinic for the past', where each floor meticulously recreates a bygone decade. This allows afflicted individuals, who may believe they are living in, say, 1976, to comfortably experience their fantasies as reality. But when 'healthy' individuals start yearning for 'the good old days,' each European country holds a referendum, voting on the decade to which they will 'return.' This rollback affects not just time but also laws, technology, and rights.
These concepts could have blossomed into fascinating themes if the author had taken the time to develop them. Unfortunately, the lessons only seemed to skim the surface, vaguely hinting at the idea that while some people wanted to revert to the past, those who didn't found it less than enjoyable. I must commend the translation, which was so seamless that it didn't feel like a translation at all. However, the book still fell short for me, as I likely wasn't its intended audience.
This book took me by pleasant surprise. Not that I had set low expectations, but the sheer quality and intellectual depth of it simply blew me away.
As someone interested in the societal perception and commodification of female bodies, and the consequent pressure on women and girls to conform to beauty standards, I anticipated this book to present a male equivalent. I was intrigued by the exploration of how our culture perceives and indirectly harms men in their self-perception.
Manuel Betancourt delivers just that, and more, blending personal anecdotes with insightful research to dissect how the media and broader culture represent male bodies. While there is a fair amount of memoir-style personal narrative, these narratives primarily serve to illustrate his findings. The result reads less like a memoir and more like a well-researched, insightful doctoral thesis.
Betancourt critically examines and dissects the portrayal of stereotypically masculine figures in various media, ranging from telenovelas and Disney princes to teen heartthrobs in shows like 'Saved by the Bell' and pop icons like Ricky Martin. Growing up as a closeted gay kid in Colombia, he reveals his deep-seated yearning for the idealized version of masculinity that was both elusive and at odds with his own sensitive nature.
This collection of essays seeks to reframe the discourse around men, offering an exploration of intimacy and the perils of internalizing toxic masculinity. Betancourt's self-awareness and critical thinking skills are impressive, as is his ability to connect personal experiences with broader cultural themes. The result is a book that is both uniquely individual and universally applicable. It’s getting five stars.
What did you read in the month of July? Any that topped your favorites list? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll be back soon with reviews and recommendations aplenty :)
