I've been aware of this author's ability to create memorable characters ever since reading his first one, She's Come Undone back in 1992. I was utterlI've been aware of this author's ability to create memorable characters ever since reading his first one, She's Come Undone back in 1992. I was utterly blown away by his ability to portray a woman struggling with self-esteem, identity, and body image so perfectly. This man, I told myself and the many others to whom I recommended the book, really understood those who are all too often overlooked, misunderstood, and forgotten. That's the case once again in this, his latest novel. The protagonist, Corby Ledbetter, isn't particularly sympathetic during the book's opening pages. He's in total denial about his addiction and his carelessness as well as his dishonesty toward his wife, Emily, about his job searches even as he tries to hold down the home fort while she pursues a teaching career. If his life has been falling apart before, it only gets worse once he accidentally runs over his twin son, Niko. Sentenced to three years in prison, Corby struggles to find a way forward and a way to forgive himself or to hope that his family can forgive him. The novel raises important questions about humanity, redemption, the justice system, and takes readers to some very dark and disturbing places as Corby deals with abusive guards and silence and anger from his wife. But ultimately, he is saved by the friendship of a gregarious cellmate, a prison librarian, and a mural that he initially paints reluctantly. There are several passages that brought me close to tears and others that made me smile, but this book doesn't offer any easy answers or resolutions to the questions it poses. As Corby's sentence nears its end, I wondered how everything would be resolved, and while I shouldn't have been surprised, given the timeframe, at how the author wraps everything up, I was, and I closed the book wondering about what might have been, for Corby and so many others like him. I'll be thinking about this story for some time. ...more
I'm certainly not the only person who is quick to grab a copy of a new book from S.A. Cosby. Having read three of his books, I know to expect snappy wI'm certainly not the only person who is quick to grab a copy of a new book from S.A. Cosby. Having read three of his books, I know to expect snappy writing, flawed characters, and gritty scenes of violence as well as a plot that could have been ripped from today's headlines. Roland Carruthers is enjoying a successful career as a financial planner in Atlanta when his sister, Neveah, summons him home. It seems that their father is in the hospital after a car crash. Once back in Jefferson Run, Virginia, where his father runs a crematory, Roland quickly realizes that the crash was no accident and that his brother, Dante, is in big trouble. As Roland sorts through the mess, trying to find a way to fix everything and thwart the thugs who want their money back as well as a heaping measure of revenge, Roland concocts a plan using his connections and money skills to thwart them. However, as his plan unfolds, he finds himself taking action in ways that are just as bad as those of the Black Baron Boys. Of course, he justifies his deeds because he's saving his family. Clearly, he's haunted by a childhood trauma when his mother disappointed, and the responsibility for that death is hinted at early on. Fast paced, gripping, and troubling, this is another winner from Cosby. ...more
I don't quite know how he does it, but this author always, always manages to tell stories in a way that makes me care about his characters, even thougI don't quite know how he does it, but this author always, always manages to tell stories in a way that makes me care about his characters, even though they are nothing like me, and prompts me to see the world as being a little brighter and humans as better than I have before. In his most recent title, he explores the power of friendship and artistic expression through the stories of four teens who spend a splendid summer together in a town by the sea. Their homes are not exactly sanctuaries as there is violence in some, death and dying in others, and carelessness in still others. But none of that matters when they're together. Their stories are told through the eyes of Ted, one of the boys, 25 years later, as he and Louisa, an 18-year-old artist, deal with loss and their connection to a recently deceased artist who has given her, a homeless girl, his most famous and most valuable painting. As usual with this particular writer, there are moments of immense pain and heartbreak, but there are also moments of joy and humor, and readers can't help but feel uplifted by his words and the time they have spent with these characters. ...more
Set in and around Spokane, Washington, this book [3.5 for me!] features flawed characters, several of whom are searching for some sort of redemption oSet in and around Spokane, Washington, this book [3.5 for me!] features flawed characters, several of whom are searching for some sort of redemption or a way to find their way back home. The central character, Rhys Kinnick, a former journalist who has gone off the grid to live on his family's land in the woods for several years, has surrounded himself with solitude and books as he tries to sort out the meaning of life and avoid the messiness of the outside world. He's had little to do with his daughter, Bethany, or his two grandchildren, Leah and Asher, but once the two of them land on his doorstep, he begins to regret his actions and what he's missed. But his daughter is in the midst of an identity crisis after the death of her mother and her husband, Shane's, increased involvement with a fundamentalist group that has a branch called AOL (Army of the Lord), and Rhys must find the youngsters after they've been kidnapped. There are some interesting twists and turns in the plot, but what sparkles here are the characters. Even the less important ones have stories and complexities that draw readers into the book. This is a fast read but one with layers and emotional resonance. ...more
All of my life I've been quick to pick up anything written by this master storyteller, liking some of his books more than others and relishing the surAll of my life I've been quick to pick up anything written by this master storyteller, liking some of his books more than others and relishing the surprises he often has for his readers. While he once again handles tension beautifully in this, his latest offering, building it minute by minute during the last portion, the plot ultimately didn't work for me. While the "Bill Wilson" character's need to atone for or seek atonement for initially unnamed acts, the more I read, the less his desire to pay back members of a jury who got the verdict in a case wrong made sense. And when the paths of this revenge-minded individual and that of a deluded pro-life supporter converge, I was disappointed and not even surprised. After all, there are plenty of troubled individuals out there, but must their anger always be traced to sexual identity or daddy issues? As another reviewer wrote, this one never made me flinch or buy into the narrative's premise, and even Holly Gibney, one of the characters from previous novels, seemed less intriguing than might be expected. I'm sure that Stephen King still has the ability to move, fascinate, and frighten his readers, but this one just didn't do much for me. Probably the best part of the book is the cover, which fits the book's contents quite well, prompting some consideration of justice. ...more
Poems and short stories compose this tribute to the resilience of young people during and after the pandemic. Sometimes slightly disjointed and as disPoems and short stories compose this tribute to the resilience of young people during and after the pandemic. Sometimes slightly disjointed and as disorienting as the virus's relentless incursion across the globe, the book gives insight into the lives, thoughts, and feelings of various young New Yorkers during that bleak and confusing time. As the book's title declares, there is hope that life will go on and that there will be joy, even from the seemingly smallest moments. From Malachi Craig's surreal imaginings of the aftermath of the pandemic after losing three years as the result of COVID-19 to Tariq's description of the seven stages of quarantine to Hyacinth and Electra's reminder that we need each other and on to Zamira as she watches her older sister, Tamara (Tam) double-glove to stay as safe as she can as she delivers groceries throughout the city, all of them and several others are "just trying to make our ancestors proud / even when our backs are against the wall" (p. 145). Readers will long for more from each of the voices that are speaking here and hope that things will improve. ...more
No single article or book can do justice to a place like South Bronx, and anyone who reads this book and comes away with the notion that everyone liviNo single article or book can do justice to a place like South Bronx, and anyone who reads this book and comes away with the notion that everyone living there has the same chaotic lives as Jessica and Coco, who are its focus, is incredibly naive. Yes, there are others just like these two Latina women, who are caught up in cycles of abuse, unhealthy relationships, and poverty. Some of them turn to crime, but that isn't always the case. While I had many unanswered questions upon finishing the book and felt curious about what happened to all the members of this sprawling random family. I also wondered about how the author gained access to these particular individuals and how her presence affected their behavior. Nevertheless, she provides fascinating insight into poverty and the institutional maze through which many individuals must travel in order to receive some of the services they need to survive, much less thrive. making this a rich, substantive slice of its place and times. By the time I finished this book, I felt as though I knew quite a lot about Cesar, Boy George, Lourdes, Serena, and Mercedes, but never enough, never enough. If nothing else, reading it serves as a cautionary tale about getting rich through illegal means since the fall is often faster than the rise, a plea for understanding, and possibly a call for welfare reform. As other reviewers have noted, the book puts faces behind the concept of poverty. It bears considering how difficult it is to get out of the endless loop of poverty as even when someone moved from the Bronx to Troy, New York, some of the same problems seem to go with them. ...more
I didn't enjoy this novel [3.5 for me!] as much as I expected to. Its characters--Cam, TJ and Kai--are well drawn, and readers will certainly come to I didn't enjoy this novel [3.5 for me!] as much as I expected to. Its characters--Cam, TJ and Kai--are well drawn, and readers will certainly come to care about them over the course of the book. Cam and TJ reunite in Houston, TJ's hometown, where his parents ran a bakery, Cam is on a downward spiral, grieving the death of his lost love, Kai, and trying to make sense of the world, while engaging in various self-destructive forms of behavior. While both TJ and Cam have families of origin, they seem to have the strongest bonds with their chosen family and support each other even when they make choices that aren't necessarily going to lead to happiness. As other reviewers have noted, this one is filled with food and lots and lots of sex as well as the awareness that those we love the most often have the ability to hurt us more than anyone else. But they also have the ability to nurture us and help us heal. I'd probably have enjoyed the book more if it didn't bounce around in place and time so much. While I usually enjoy nonlinear narratives, some of these transitions in time were so jarring as to disrupt my appreciation of the book. And what about Cam's eating disorder? At first, there were hints about his not eating much, but then this part of the book or this part of his journey seemed to no longer matter. Surely, there'd be more pages devoted to that as well as his time in rehab. The abrupt ending also left me wanting more and feeling quite unsatisfied. ...more
Although it's quite different from The Girl on the Train, the author's previous book, I liked this one just as well. It's atmospheric, almost claustroAlthough it's quite different from The Girl on the Train, the author's previous book, I liked this one just as well. It's atmospheric, almost claustrophobic, suspenseful, and well worth the time spent reading it. While parts of it are a mystery--the discovery of what seems to be a human bone among one of the works of Vanessa, a deceased artist--it's more a study of obsession and what humans will do to avoid being abandoned. While it seemed clear from the very first introduction of the character of Grace that something is terribly wrong with the picture being presented, I found it fascinating to watch as the author slowly unlocks various secrets, revealing Grace in all her vulnerability and vengefulness. As some other reviewers have noted, it's hard to like any of characters, including Becker, who is tasked with tracking down the missing paintings, artwork, and writings of Vanessa that have been promised to the art gallery whose owner is his employer. Becker's own insecurity about his marriage and social status make for an interesting contrast to Grace's feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. Those who enjoyed The Girl on the Train may not find this one to their liking since the pace here is slower and this is more of a character study, but for me, it was a great way to start my 2025 reading year. ...more
Don't be fooled by the book's cover or the dog's name--Gather--into thinking that this is yet another sweet book about a boy and his dog. While it is,Don't be fooled by the book's cover or the dog's name--Gather--into thinking that this is yet another sweet book about a boy and his dog. While it is, to some extent, that, it is so much more than that. At its heart it's a story of survival and determination, a treatise against systems that keep individuals and struggling families trapped, of the wide-sweeping effects of addiction on families, but also, about those individuals who gather together to lend a hand to someone who is drowning. It examines bullying, social class, and the dwindling of family farms as well as home and the importance of having a place to call one's one. The narrator, Ian Henry, who is managing to keep things afloat on his family's Vermont farm until the worst possible thing happens, has the most distinctive narrative voice that I've encountered in a YA novel in a long time. I was moved by his journey, one that is both figurative and literal, but also one that resembles the lives of many teens today. This one would have been my pick for the 2024 Printz Award. The way the author builds suspense and hints of tragedy ahead is effective and holds readers' interest all the way to the end. ...more
I wish this book [4.5 for me!] had received more attention than it did since it's important, moving, and insightful. The author, a journalist who workI wish this book [4.5 for me!] had received more attention than it did since it's important, moving, and insightful. The author, a journalist who works for the New York Times, spent several months in and around Chinle, Arizona, following the high school basketball team and its coach, Raul Mendoza, as he tries to shape his players as basketballers but also as human beings with a bright future. Naturally, there are many challenges to these tasks--sometimes even the young men themselves and the long, wearisome road trips necessary to reach some of the teams they'll play. While basketball is the focus here--or the excuse to publish the book--this is so much more than a book about a basketball team. Author Michael Powell conducted many interviews with individuals living on the Navajo Nation, including families of the team, fans--and basketball is SERIOUS business in Chinle--educators, even a ranger. While Powell acknowledges the isolation, poverty, abuse, addiction, and suicide that are so often a part of the boys' lives, he also celebrates their tenacity, determination, and spiritedness that they possess. Several parts of the narrative are downright poetic as Powell soaks in the culture, the awe-inspiring beauty of the land, and the warmth of his welcome even as he ruminates on what he's observing and feeling. The connection to this place is strong even while many of its residents, especially the youth, dream of a different, not necessarily better, life. Fans of those Netflix docudramas about basketball and football should love this one with its insight into a place and its inhabitants. ...more
Seventeen-year-old Hannah Lynn is eager to leave her small Maine town behind when she starts college, hopefully at Tufts where her mother went but faiSeventeen-year-old Hannah Lynn is eager to leave her small Maine town behind when she starts college, hopefully at Tufts where her mother went but failed to graduate. Having lost her mother when she was four, Hannah has become quite independent and distant due to her father's less than organized way of life. When her troubled [and often troublesome] older sister, Pauline, gets in trouble one again and her two sons need a place to stay, Hannah reluctantly agrees with her father that they should take in Henry and Simon. Feeling guilty for the mistakes he made with his own girls, her father, a former baseball star, turns over a completely new leaf. But nothing is easy with the boys. They are anxious about their places in their new home, uncertain about how long they will be able to stay, and understandably confused. Hannah never planned for them to be with the Lynns for long, just long enough for her sister to be in recovery and come get them or until a different placement can be found. But along the way, no matter how hard she tries to harden her heart, Hannah falls in love with her two nephews as well as someone else who has become important to her. While her choices aren't easy and she questions her decisions constantly, there are rewards for those decisions. This well-written story, told from Hannah's perspective, is filled with hope, heart, and insight into the foster care system. With several passages describing how Hannah deals with enormous grief and falls apart at times as well as coping, t's a 3.5 for me. Because of her flaws, she is all the more relatable. ...more
Once again, author Kathleen Glasgow has written quite a page-turner, tackling the tough topics of grief, loss, family dynamics, self-esteem, and alcohOnce again, author Kathleen Glasgow has written quite a page-turner, tackling the tough topics of grief, loss, family dynamics, self-esteem, and alcoholism. Just as she did in Girl in Pieces and You'd Be Home Now, she creates a likeable female protagonist in Bella Leahey, who will remind readers of themselves or someone they know. Bella, 15, drinks for many reasons. She does it to feel good, to become more outgoing, and to numb the pain. Still reeling from the loss of her beloved grandmother, Laurel, who lived nearby, and her breakup with her first boyfriend, Dylan, her social drinking is now out of control, and even at school she craves some liquid relief. Glasgow describes her downward descent, even as she lets down classmates and friends, while continuing to bear responsibility for her little sister, Ricci, and acting as a go-between for her parents. Much of the book focuses on her time in rehab after her mother finds her passed out on the front steps on Thanksgiving, having been left there by friends. Bella's journey to recovery isn't easy or assured, and she is so in denial about her addiction that it takes time before she realizes just how much harm she's done to her body and mind as well as those who love her. And even some of the others who are in rehab can't necessarily be trusted. Since the book is told from Bella's point of view, readers are able to see into her heart and mind while being fully immersed in her journey. Because drinking is so socially acceptable these days and her family often seemed so preoccupied by other matters, it's easy to see how and why Bella turned to drink to self-medicate. Readers who enjoyed this one might also want to read Thirsty by Jas Hammonds to compare the protagonists' journeys as well as how their family members and significant others react. There isn't a false note in this entire book, and it's clear that Glasgow knows the terrain quite well. ...more
I'm certainly not the only reader who finds books written by this author to be just as addictive as Lay's Potato Chips. Just as with someone's inabiliI'm certainly not the only reader who finds books written by this author to be just as addictive as Lay's Potato Chips. Just as with someone's inability to stop at just one of these salty, greasy chips, it's hard to stop at the end of a chapter or two or three in this book, and before much time has passed, I find myself halfway through, thoroughly hooked and invested in the story and the characters. Although this one is a mystery of sorts, and it does contain some deaths, it's a departure from her usual fare since it focuses on a jewelry heist. Tidbits about the two narrators' lives are revealed gradually, allowing readers to get to know them slowly while also wondering just how trustworthy they are. Kat, who is savvy and quick to think on her feet, has been reared by her mother, Jamie, who works as a jewel thief and is ready to go straight after one more job. The other narrator, Liam, is fed up with Luke, his father, and how he takes advantage of women. Kat and Liam haven't had contact with each other since the quicky wedding between their parents, and their paths cross unexpectedly prior to Jamie's planned theft of an expensive ruby necklace, to be replaced by an imitation. Readers are unlikely to guess the outcome of all this plotting and conniving, and the conclusion will surprise most of them. There are several nifty twists and turns, and even a love connection between Liam and a member of the wealthy family at whose home the heist is supposed to occur. Parts of this book don't bear up to close examination, but reading it surely is fun. And most of us have met one or two of those "charming liars" over the course of our own lives, which makes it satisfying to watch them get put in their places. Fans of the Gallagher Girls series will enjoy this one. ...more
Returning to two characters first introduced in Liar's Beach--childhood friends Michael Linden and Holiday Proctor--this mystery set at prestigious HaReturning to two characters first introduced in Liar's Beach--childhood friends Michael Linden and Holiday Proctor--this mystery set at prestigious Harvard highlights the lengths some individuals will go to make the grade, often sacrificing the best in themselves and destroying others in the process. The writing is snappy, and some of the characters are untrustworthy, leading readers to point the finger of suspicion for the death of Bri, roommate of Greer, Linden's former and future girlfriend. The author plants subtle clues about what's going on, but they are easy to miss when distracted by other aspects of the story. While this one might not be as pleasing as its predecessor, it still provides a good read as well as contemplative passages about class privilege and fitting in. This one is a fast read too. ...more
Spanning a quarter of a century from 1975 to 2001, this well-written and emotionally compelling novel reminds readers that even great tragedies can giSpanning a quarter of a century from 1975 to 2001, this well-written and emotionally compelling novel reminds readers that even great tragedies can give rise to heroes, heroic actions and offer hope. Set in small-town Monta Clare, Missouri, the story follows two youngsters [Patch and Saint] whose unlikely friendship stands the test of time as well as testing their own beliefs and moral compasses. While parts of the plot may seem unbelievable and the author skips around a bit, trusting that his readers will be able to fill in the blanks, the main characters as well as some of the secondary ones, are multifaceted. By the time the final pages have been reached, it's clear that almost everyone in that small town has secrets, several of them shocking, and that redemption comes in surprising ways. To say too much about the plot or the surprises that await readers will spoil the book for them so I'll just say that this one with its rich descriptions of places, people, and things, including art and food made this one of my favorite adult books of the year--so far. Although the book is long--592 pages--it didn't seem that long, so invested was I in solving the mystery at its heart and watching these characters on their various journeys. There is darkness in this story, but there are also splashes of color that offer a way out of that darkness. ...more
This one is a 3.5 for me. This author's books always stick with readers because she creates characters that are believable, even if flawed, and then pThis one is a 3.5 for me. This author's books always stick with readers because she creates characters that are believable, even if flawed, and then puts them in circumstances that are entirely too real. In this case, eleven-year-old Hank Hooperman, who dearly loves his mother, must figure out how to take care of his little sister Boo after his mother disappears. When she still hasn't returned after a week, the cupboard is bare, and the youngsters are reduced to eating a Popsicle and saltine crackers for breakfast. Desperate and with nowhere else to turn, Hank boards a bus to seek help from the woman listed as the emergency contact on his school field trip form. The woman, Lou Ann Adler, runs a childcare service in her home and immediately falls for the precocious Boo, but she isn't as happy with Hank due to his age and some personal issues from her past. Still, it's all very temporary, Hank figures, and he can stand anything until his mother comes back. As tension builds between Hank and Lou Ann, Hank finds some acceptance at school with other basketball players, a possible romance, and a kind-hearted neighbor with a dog named CPU. But he also knows that the stakes are high and time is running out. When the youngsters' mother's whereabouts are finally revealed and she pops back in their lives, Hank makes a decision that has unforeseen ramifications, and everything changes. Middle-grade readers will fall in love with Hank and keep their fingers crossed for a happy ending while knowing just hard that may be to find. They'll also relate to Hank's dilemma about doing what his mother tells him to do even when part of him knows that this will be a mistake. While parts of Hank's journey seemed rather unrealistic--the quick acceptance by several classmates at his new school--others provide insight into addiction, the foster care system and family dynamics. Fans of How to Steal a Dog will want to read this one. And just like with that book, the main character sticks with readers long after the book has been finished, leaving them wondering how everything turned out and hoping hard that things will work out and that the protagonists have a safe place to stay--a home of their own. ...more
It may be a platitude to say that life isn't fair, but this well-written, emotionally engaging novel hammers that message home. It starts off with a tIt may be a platitude to say that life isn't fair, but this well-written, emotionally engaging novel hammers that message home. It starts off with a tragedy in a small California town on the coast, then moving forward 30 years as it seems that a similar tragedy will befall the same family. Star Radley, the sister of the girl who died decades ago, is unable to take care of herself, often self-medicating to dull her pain, and leaving the responsibility for her family to her daughter, thirteen-year-old Duchess Day Radley, who tends to her mother and young brother, Robin. Duchess sees herself as an outlaw, quick to react and to seek retribution for any wrongs done to her mother, her brother, or herself. But she makes a mistake that will result in several acts of unnecessary violence. The character of Duchess is well-developed, and readers will often bite their nails in fear of what's coming for her and for her barely suppressed anger. She's had to be strong for much of her life, and she's become quite skilled at hiding her softer impulses. Just as well drawn is the character of Walk(er), the local police chief who keeps on an eye on Star and her family, partly out of honor for their youthful friendship but also out of a sense of guilt for his hand in sending his best friend and her boyfriend, Vincent, to prison. He's hiding a secret of his own, worried that his Parkinson's will keep him from doing his job properly. Several secondary characters are also quite interesting, but perhaps most important when considering this book is its title and the very notion that it's at the end of a terrible experience when it is possible to start fresh and begin again. It isn't necessary--or even healthy--to remain mired in thoughts of what might have been and all the mistakes that have been made. While reflection and atonement have value, they aren't enough, and for those broken individuals and wounded warriors among us, hard as it might be, it's important to begin again, to embrace new relationships and possibilities. Life just may surprise us, just as parts of this book are gifts that make us think more deeply about relationships and the assumptions we make about those around us. Perhaps also it's a testimony to the power nature and hard work have to help us heal. The descriptions of rural Montana and small-town Cape Haven are poetic, moving, and soul-soothing. I'm so glad that I stumbled upon this book. ...more
While I still don't understand exactly how cryptocurrency works--something that's quite important in this book--and the main character, Crissy DowlingWhile I still don't understand exactly how cryptocurrency works--something that's quite important in this book--and the main character, Crissy Dowling, seems incredibly naive for someone who has lived and performed in Las Vegas for several years, I still enjoyed the book, which is filled with some of the least trustworthy men to ever grace the pages of a mystery. Readers are plunged into the performances of Crissy, who channels Princess Diana on stage, complete with images, words, clothing, and her own eating disorder. Like Diana, Crissy has demons of her own, which are revealed over the course of the book, something she avoids through her performances. Estranged from her sister, Betsy, who moves to Vegas with her new boyfriend and adopted daughter, who is a prodigy, Crissy seems to have the worst possible luck someone could have, and her sister just might rival her for naiveness as both women become pawns in a deadly game. Frankie Limback, Betsy's boyfriend, is about as inept and limp as his name might indicate, and really lets her down when the chips and the bodies start falling. The glimpses of insider Las Vegas were tantalizing but only served to remind me why this glitzy city carved out of the Nevada desert isn't my cup of tea. Still, the author has a way with words and employs unique turns of phrases throughout the narrative that were surprisingly pleasant to read. ...more
This companion novel to Tommy Orange's first one, There There, is probably best read right after the first book while the characters are still fresh iThis companion novel to Tommy Orange's first one, There There, is probably best read right after the first book while the characters are still fresh in readers' minds. But it's also possible to understand what's happening without having read that one since this book covers what happens before the events in There There as well as after. For those in need of a refresher in Native American history or those who know little of that history, Orange begins with the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864, moves into the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, the Alcatraz protests, all the way to a shooting at a powwow, following several generations of one family, starting with Jude Star. The aftermath of that shooting is shocking but perhaps also not unexpected as Orvil Red Feather survives only to battle other demons. Addiction, poverty, stolen children, erasure of identity, and genocide are all topics addressed throughout the novel in writing that almost stops readers in their tracks with its power, precision, and straight-to-the-jugular punches. There is so much heartbreak, so much love, and so much resilience and striving on the part of each generation that taking short breaks while digesting all this is recommended. If there is a flaw in the book, it's the way the story is organized. It's linear, and yet not linear, and there are moments in which readers like me longed for more about certain characters. I often felt so invested in a character only to watch the narrative move in another direction. Like others, I eagerly anticipate his next book to see what territory he will explore. And what in the world happened with Will the Dog?...more