Monthly rundown, vol. 2

Space, secrets, laughs, and murder

Buon giorno! I spent one afternoon a few weeks ago looking up Italian phrases for my current novel-in-progress, so now my social media algorithms are feeding me all of the Italian content, and I’m not exactly mad about it. It makes me want to try learning Italian, although the practical side of me always chimes in and says, “But you live in Texas. You should learn Spanish.” So, then I get indecisive and don’t learn anything. Does anyone else have this problem? 

Speaking of the new novel, It’s still a little slow going at the moment, mostly because I either get distracted looking things up (see: Italian phrases and street views of Chicago neighborhoods on Google Maps), but also because I’m trying to work out some plot things on the front end. But I met my (admittedly low) word count goal for February, and I think I’m in a good place to hopefully get a little bit of momentum going in March. 

I don’t really have much other news, but if you missed my latest author interview, you should definitely check it out. I really enjoyed getting to know Saborna Roychowdhury a little better, and I think you will too. 

((Also, here’s a reminder that the book links below are affiliate links, so if you click one I earn a few cents from Amazon)). 

And now, on to reviews!

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. This was another suspenseful and atmospheric novel by Ruth Ware that I couldn’t put down, this time set on a country estate with a family full of bitterness and secrets. I figured the puzzle a good bit before the main character this time around, but I still enjoyed watching everything unfold, particularly some of the character arcs and resolutions. Something I’ve begun noticing about Ware’s books is that she builds a lot of her tension through both setting and a slow, deliberate pacing. It’s like trying to sneak up a flight of wooden stairs without making the boards creak. (worth noting: this book is really excellent on audio)

The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal is an alternate history of the space program that tells a gripping story of a group of women working to become astronauts. It’s feminist, diverse, funny, intense, and smart, full of the kinds of details that make science and math seem really interesting. Kowal does a fantastic job of using a big backdrop (epic global event and a burgeoning space program) to tell a story that is very personal and relational, about a woman who struggles with anxiety and post-traumatic grief, and still dreams of piloting a rocket to the moon. I finished it and immediately purchased the other two books in the trilogy. 

The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily. Emma Rosales is the heiress of one of the largest ranches in Texas, a legacy passed down from daughter to daughter. One summer day, she heads out to the far edges of the ranch–something she does regularly–and comes across a community that’s built a hidden and secluded life inside a canyon, a community that feels frozen in time. I was very intrigued by the premise and plot in this novel, and while I enjoyed reading it, I ended up skimming the last third of the book. For me, it lacked sizzle, and I never quite made a connection. A good book, just not for me.

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson. A couple of weeks after Tress of the Emerald Sea released, my brother texted me to ask if I’d read it yet, so I had an inkling that it was going to be good. Tress is the first of Sanderson’s three “secret novels” that he wrote during 2020 quarantine times and crowd-funded last year. It’s part of his “Cosmere” universe, but not directly part of any of his other series. Which is important, because one of the things that was so fun about reading it, is the different flavor and tone of this novel. I’ve grown used to Epic Fantasy Sanderson, or Gunslinging Adventure Story Sanderson, and this novel strikes a tone that is much more fairytale-esque, which is definitely my jam (he says in his author’s comments that the inspiration for the novel came when his wife asked the question: what if in The Princess Bride, Buttercup went out and searched for Wesley when he went missing?). Although it’s part of his “Cosmere” novels, Tress could definitely be read on its own, and if you enjoy snarky narrators, endearing and brave heroines, creative world building, and talking rats, then it would definitely be worth giving a try.

The theme of my television watching lately seems to be: Shows A Lot Of People Have Watched And Raved About That Definitely Live Up To The Hype (and if you HAVE watched any of these shows, I’m always up for a discussion in the comments!) 

Abbott Elementary (series, ABC) - This thirty minute sit-com set in an underfunded Philedelphia elementary school is utterly charming and laugh-out-loud funny. Workplace comedies done well just can’t be beat, in my opinion, and Abbott Elementary is top notch.

Andor (series, Disney+) - We’re Star Wars fans to varying degrees at our house, so we were always going to at least give the series Andor a chance, especially since it’s directly related to my favorite of all the Star Wars movies, Rogue One. Andor serves as a kind of prequel to Rogue One, the story of how Cassian Andor got involved with the resistance movement. In addition to a phenomenal cast, the beauty of the series, in my opinion, is how in the midst of a story about something huge like a galactic rebellion against the Empire, it’s a story about individuals and choices, and the ripple effects of those choices. (and yes, you may notice that this is one of the same things I liked about Calculating Stars. Juxtoposition of big and small stories is apparently one of my favorite things). Andor is also a story about erosion, and how over time, relatively isolated or small incidents turn into something much more powerful. 

Mare of Easttown (limited series, HBOMax) - I LOVED Mare of Easttown, and here’s why: 1. Kate Winslet. She deserves all of the acting awards ever. 2. It was a mystery that reminded me of Broadchurch, in that it personally affected the whole community, even the investigators; and in that lots of secrets were brought into the light. 3. Portrayals of complicated relationships, particularly family relationships. 4. A through-line exploration of the relationships between parents and children. 5. The way the weather mirrored the trajectory of the story– from gray and cold and cloudy and rainy to sunny and springlike.  

All right, friends, that’s it from me today! May all your books be five stars.