Hi bookworms. How was your week? Yesterday we took a drive into our local mountains and parked at the top of the pass. There was some snowflakes swirling about and it was nice to get out and see the natural world after my knee surgery. Does this picture at left look like a painting or a photo? Lol.
We saw some bighorn sheep on the way back, but otherwise it was fairly quiet out there. Soon the park service will close the mountain gate on Dec. 1, and so it will be snowed in for the winter. You can continue to hike up there if you want, but otherwise nature and wildlife get a nice reprieve from humans and cars. This week there’s more snow forecasted for the mountains and we should get some too at the house. Happy Thanksgiving week to those in the States.
Also yesterday was our dog Willow’s fifth birthday. Here she is trying to help out my husband with the chores. Willow was a pandemic baby born into this world in November 2020. We got her when we felt our other dog Stella, then 9, was getting a bit too old to go cross-country skiing very far. As you know, Stella and Willow have become a dynamic duo over the years 🙂 and they continue to live their best lives.
In book news, you might have seen last week that Lebanese author Rabih Alameddine’s novel The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) won the fiction prize for the National Book Award. The novel is set in Lebanon and “chronicles a family’s turbulent but happy lives” and the “unbreakable attachment of a [gay] son and his mother.” This novel was released in September and flew under my radar and I’m still a bit unsure about it, but it has a 4.18 rating on Goodreads … should you want to check it out.
Meanwhile Laotian-Canadian writer Souvankham Thammavongsa won this year’s Canadian Giller Prize last week for her second book of fiction Pick a Colour. It’s about the day in the life of a weary nail salon owner (a retired boxer) as she toils away for the privileged clients who don’t even know her true name. The novel is only 192 pages, but it sounds like it packs quite a punch … and is said to be about loneliness, love, labor, and class. I’m one of 349 who are on the wait list for it at the library, so we will see.
And now I’ll leave you with a couple reviews of what I finished lately.
Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks / Viking / 224 pages / 2025
4 stars. Sadly back on Memorial Day weekend 2019, Pulitzer-prize winning author Gerald Brooks’s husband historian Tony Horwitz suddenly died of a heart attack on the street in DC at the age of 60. He was on a book tour and Geraldine was not with him at the time. She had learned of it by a rather brief and imprudent call by an ER doctor while at home on Martha’s Vineyard.
This touching memoir follows those immediate days and months after the shocking death of her vibrant husband, who wrote a number of best-selling nonfiction books — along with alternating chapters several years later of a trip she takes to Flinders Island off Australia, where she finally goes to give herself the time and space to fully grieve him.
Geraldine had met Tony in graduate school at Columbia University and they had been married for 35 years. During their careers, they had taken news correspondent jobs in Australia and the Middle East and later became book authors after becoming parents to their two sons. At the time of Tony’s passing, they had been “empty-nesters” only for two years, living on their farm on Martha’s Vineyard. This book details their lives together as well as gives helpful insights into dealing with grief and sudden loss of a loved one.
I found her memoir both moving and wise and it helped a bit in light of the loss of my own father in March. It’s a good tribute to her husband Tony Horwitz, who wrote some great books, and I sympathized with her a lot. One side note is: I had met and interviewed Geraldine Brooks online for Publishers Weekly in April 2022 about her novel Horse. Back then I could sense the enormity of her loss hovering, but I could only say I was sorry, which felt pretty inept. I’m glad she gave herself the time in February 2023 to go to Flinders Island to do the work of grieving and remembering that would help her.
Here is a quote from the book I liked:
This story of a death is the story that dominates my life. Here I have retold it, rethought it. But I can’t change it. Tony is dead. Present tense. He will be dead in the present, in my present for as long as I am alive. I cannot change that story. I can only change myself.
Write the truest thing you know, said old man Hemingway.
Dear reader this is it.
Culpability by Bruce Holsinger / Spiegel & Grau / 380 pages / 2025
Synopsis: “A family heading to their son’s high school lacrosse game is thrown into chaos when their self-driving minivan is involved in a fatal accident. As each family member wrestles with their responsibility for the crash and how much trust they should put in AI, the author grapples evocatively with the trade-offs of automated life. This timely tale leaves readers with much to chew on.” — per Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly.
My Thoughts: 3.75 stars. This thriller and family drama novel, which was chosen by Oprah for her book club in July, had some pluses and minuses for me. I liked how the family’s autonomous car crash raises various ethical issues about artificial intelligence in our world and how sticky and tricky that all will be especially as it becomes more and more prevalent in the future. Parts of the story are pretty gripping and I followed it as an audiobook closely to see what would happen.
But the main family is overall pretty annoying and a later accident that happens while they’re recovering at a beach house on the Chesapeake Bay overshadows a bit of the main plot. I thought the novel was sort of trying to do a bit too much and maybe was half successful. Still it’s a thought-provoking glimpse into today’s AI world and maybe it only suffers from being a bit over-the-top. Still it’s a popular fiction kind of read so that’s pretty typical.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read these and if so, what did you think? Happy Turkey Day.
That is a gorgeous snowy mountain photo.
Happy birthday to Willow! I can’t believe Willow is five.
I’ve added Pick a Color to my library request list. Right now our library is not filling orders as it is busy re-working the checkout system.
Thanks Deb, the years with Willow have passed quickly. So glad she was added to our family. 🙂
I hope you can get a copy of Pick a Color. It seems popular in Canada.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving week.
Brooks’ memoir does sound very moving and emotional. I can’t imagine hearing about the death of a loved one in that way. And that photo is gorgeous! Definitely good enough to hang in a gallery. Happy Thanksgiving this week! 😀
Thanks Lark. The photo does have a bit of a hazy painting looking quality to it.
The Brooks memoir is quite emotional …. and she is quite critical of the hospital and how she was informed of her husband’s death. It was quite insensitive!
Wishing you a great Thanksgiving week.
I want to read Memorial Days, but I need to be careful about when I do so. I know it will affect me deeply. I loved Tony Horwitz’s books and feel his absence when I am browsing for nonfiction that I know I will love.
Pick a Color sounds like it could be quite good. The subject sort of reminders me of The Leavers. Valuable insight into a world I know little about but take for granted.
Looking forward to a mild Thanksgiving.
Hi Jane, yeah Memorial Days is a pretty affecting book. But how she writes it is so well done. It’s a searching …. and fond tribute.
It seems Pick a Color is a day in the life kind of tale. It’s received much critical praise but readers seem split. I’m curious what I will think.
Wishing you & your family a Happy (mild) Thanksgiving!
Great photo, and Happy Birthday, Willow! It looks both like a picture and a painting, mixed media (maybe?) 😉 Raja the Gullible winning surprised me as I was betting on A Guardian and A Thief (4*) or The Antidote (3*), which I read. Anyway, I will be reading Raja… as it’s relatively short. My library doesn’t have Pick A Colour, which I got interested in because some publication or other chose it as one of the best books of the year, anyway I put it in my library wishlist just in case they want to acquire it; I have been very lucky with the books I have put on my wishlist as they have gotten it soon after release. Let’s see what happens. For the Giller I read We Love You, Bunny (3.5*), a sequel to 2019’s runaway hit Bunny. I rated both 3.5* but I liked the sequel a bit more; it would have been a 4* if the author hadn’t stretched out the ending that much. Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving week to you and yours as well! And have a nice reading week!
Thanks Carmen, I’m grateful for your report on these award nominees, which I have not gotten to. It is surprising Raja won considering its strong competitors. I will look to hear what you think of it. And I hope your library gets the Pick a Colour novel. It’s been a bit of a hit and miss with readers, but has more critical praise it seems.
And I’m impressed you read the Bunny books of Mona Awad … as it seems they’re not exactly easy to get through …. but appear to have some devious satirical wit about them. I was a bit surprised she didn’t win. She seems fairly clever. Keep reading! You’re having a great year. And wishing you & your family a very Happy Thanksgiving too!
I have the National Book Award winner on my “to be read” list and I might add the other books you mention in your post. I have always enjoyed Geraldine Brooks’ writing.
Those are two lovely pictures at the beginning of your post. I hope Willow has had a wonderful birthday with the people she loves.
Hi Dorothy, good to hear what’s on your TBR list. The Brooks memoir is a powerful thing.
And thanks about the photos — Willow received many pats on her birthday. She seems very happy at 5.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week.
Those mountains are gorgeous!! Wow! That’s interesting that it is closed down for winter. what a nice break for the wildlife there.
Your reads look interesting. I hope you can get a couple of them from the library eventually.
Hi Lisa, thanks … we are grateful to live not too far from the mountains. And it is cool they close some of the mountain roads in the winter.
I have quite a pile of books from the library so we will see what’s next. Thx for stopping by here … and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
The photo looks like a painting to me – beautiful. And happy birthday to Willow! I just added Rabih Alameddine’s new novel to my list last week. Not sure how I wasn’t already aware of it since I enjoyed An Unnecessary Woman back in 2015. Pick a Colour is another recent addition, and I just added Memorial Days after reading the review Les posted. So many books! Hope you have a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving.
Hi JoAnn, thanks. The photo does look a bit like a painting & Willow is happy at 5. 🙂
The Brooks memoir is quite powerful. It’s a quick, moving read. And I’ll look to hear what you think of the Raja novel if you get to it. Many book piles to get to!
It should be a snowy Thursday U.S. Thanksgiving here … I will watch from the window. Hope yours is very happy as well.
What a gorgeous photo of the mountains! So nice that you were able to get out and enjoy it before the pass closes. You’re getting snow early! We’ve had temps in the low 30s all week, but it warms up to mid 50s during the day. I think it’ll be a while before we get snow, but who knows, haha! You had your knee surgery? I missed a couple of weeks in the blogging community being gone. I’ll have to check and see if you wrote anything about it in your previous posts. Hope you’re feeling good and on your way to full recovery!
Hi Rachel, thanks the drive into the mountains was so nice. And yes I had the dreaded knee replacement surgery on Nov. 10 … lol. It’s a tough one but I need to get working on the PT exercises pronto … so hopefully it will eventually bend better. Much work still to do.
We had about 5 inches of snow yesterday and it’s supposed to snow more on US Thanksgiving. I hope you have a wonderful holiday there … and it’s nice you’re back home with your kitties. 🙂 Sweet.
That photo of the mountains is stunning. Happy Birthday Willow.
I have Culpability on my TBR.. thanks for sharing your honest review.
Hi Hena, thanks about the photos. And I think you will find the novel Culpability mostly alluring. There are parts of the story that are pretty gripping and you want to find out what will happen to the family. I listened to it on audio and found it a good listen. I had some quibbles with it — but still thought it interesting. See what you think. And Happy Thanksgiving!
What a beautiful photo of the mountains! Happy Birthday, Willow! Glad to hear that both Willow and Stella are going strong. Grief in sudden death, in my experience, is a different animal than death due to prolonged illness. And I haven’t been able to make peace either of them. Maybe Memorial Days would be helpful…
Hi Olivia, thanks about the photo and dogs. They are doing well.
And I agree with you — sudden death is quite different than from a prolonged illness. Both are difficult. But I’m still having trouble with the sudden one a bit more than the prolonged. I think Brooks’ memoir was a bit helpful to me, but still feel searching. I wish you solace, & happiness abroad.
Happy birthday Willow!! What a cutie!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Thanks Erin. Willow is a cute girl. She is very sweet too.
We will have snowflakes on Thanksgiving …. how about you? Wishing you a very happy holiday too!
I love, love that picture! Happy birthday to Willow! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your husband! I’ve thought about reading Culpability. Have read at least one other book by the author. We shall see. Actually, I just started a Christmas family book today and think it will be a good one for me. A Merry Little Lie by Sarah Morgan. Family drama, but also some Christmas cheer. Take care of yourself!
Hi Kay, thanks we are hunkering down for a snowy U.S. Thanksgiving here. I think it’ll be pretty quiet but nice. You have already jumped to the Christmas reads eh? Well it’s nice to get some holiday cheer in early.
I think you should read Culpability …. parts of it are pretty alluring or gripping. See what you think. I have read Holsinger before as well … but this one seemed a bit better or more topical. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving as well. Happy reading.
Such a lovely scene!
Memorial Days is on my TBR but it sounds so intense, I’m not sure I’m up for it. I am intrigued by the premise of Culpability.
Wishing you a happy reading week, and continued healing.
Thanks Shelleyrae. I have much healing and physical therapy left to do, argh.
Memorial Days is a moving read (when ready, it’s more quietly affecting than intense), but I think you should check out Culpability. It’s pretty gripping in parts and you want to find out what will happen to the family. I think it’s a pretty topical thriller kind of story. See what you think. Have a great week. & Happy reading. 🙂
I must read Memorial Days since I am a big fan of Tony Horowitz’s writing and I have been remiss in not reading Geraldine Brooks, also a gifted writer.
Hi Kathy, Good idea, I think this is one of Geraldine Brooks’s best books. It’s to the heart and is very real. I’m still shocked by Tony’s passing … he seemed in the peak of his life in ways, which makes me sad for their family. I think you might find wisdom in the memoir. Cheers. Happy Thanksgiving.
That’s a beautiful photo — and yes, it is very painterly! I’m glad you are recovering from your knee surgery and hope all is going well and to schedule. It’s good to get out when you’ve been having medical stuff in your life. Thanks for your visit to Marmelade Gypsy and also for your reviews here. I’m especially interested in Geraldine Brooks’ memoir — I have always admired her work.
Hi Jeanie, thanks. I hope to be done with this knee recovery by February. I will try to keep getting out & about despite winter here. I think you’d like the Brooks memoir. It is sincere and heartfelt. Cheers & Happy Thanksgiving.
I just got myself a copy of Geraldine Brooks’ new memoir. I’ll need to be in the right mood to read it though.
I love that the mountain pass is closed to vehicles! Let nature be for a while, good sentiment.
Hi Helen, I’ll be curious your reaction to Brooks’ memoir. But read it when you’re ready to.
I think the two mountain roads near us are closed Dec. 1 to May & the other till June, so it is nice to have the closures. We like to bike the roads in the spring before vehicle traffic opens! A big plus. Cheers & Happy Thanksgiving.
That is a gorgeous picture at the top of your post. And I loved seeing Willow helping out with the chores.
I will definitely be reading The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) in 2026. I already have a copy. I was eager to read Pick a Colour after seeing that it had won the Canadian Giller Prize, but don’t know when I will get a copy.
Your review of Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks convinces me I want to read that too, although I think its sadness might overwhelm me.
Currently I am reading what I consider a lightweight mystery, The Guest List by Lucy Foley. Since I have not finished yet I may have to revise my assessment. In 2019, I read the author’s first mystery/thriller, The Hunting Party, and I think this one is better than that book. In both cases I read them for the setting, and because Glen had read them first and passed them on to me. This one is set on a tiny isolated island off the coast of Ireland; the characters in the book are there to attend the wedding of a TV star and the publisher of a well-known magazine. So far, about 35% into the book, I am still entertained, which is important.
Thanks Tracy, the two photos at top are fun for me to keep and look at.
And I’m impressed you already have a copy of the Raja novel and will look forward to hearing what you think when you get to it.
The Brooks memoir is sad but also moving in an uplifting way. I only lost it once near the end when she talks of her son speaking at her husband’s funeral … that choked me up.
I’m glad you are enjoying the Lucy Foley mystery. Her books are popular and the setting of an island off Ireland sound excellent. I look forward to your review.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. & I hope you will post about your kitty again soon. Cheers.
My brain has been on vacation…evidently. Thought I pressed “post comment”…yeaaah… Anyway, here I am again!
Happy birthday to beautiful Willow. I am adding Pick a Colour and have just received my library loan eBook of memorial Days. I hadn’t planned on that yet but, now it’s downloaded. Fantastic review, Susan.
That’s a gorgeous photo of the mountains. I’d hang that in the den for sure.
Hi Tina, no problem. Glad you liked the Memorial Days review, thanks. See what you think of it.
There’s so much to read right now, right? They keep coming in at the library.
It’s hard to believe Willow is already 5. She assimilated so easily into our family back in Sept. 2021 when we got her. (I had to look up that date.) …
Maybe that mountain photo could be a puzzle … speaking of which how is your puzzle going? Enjoy the sun for me. Cheers.
Gorgeous photo of the mountains! Where abouts were you? Nice that you saw some bighorn sheep.
Willow looks like she’s ready to drive the mower! I’ll bet she and Stella love living in the country.
Whoa! 349 people waiting for Pick a Color?! I’ll be eager to hear your thoughts.
Excellent review of Memorial Days. I loved that memoir. I’m glad it helped you through some of your grief after losing your dad. Wow. You met Brooks? I wonder what it was like for her to go on tour for Horse so soon after losing Tony. Those first couple of years are brutal. Like you, I’m glad she was able to go to Flinders Island and spend time alone in her thoughts and grief. Rod & I went on a 2-week “cruise” on my dad’s cabin cruiser through the San Juan Islands after couple of years after losing our daughter. It was very healing. Great quote, by the way. Gave me goosebumps.
Hi Lesley, yes you must have passed the mountain road Hwy 40 when you came up 22 and passed Longview and went into Black Diamond. So that photo is taken up Highwood Pass off 40. It’s a neat place to see wildlife and often has bears.
I’ve seen some mixed reviews for Pick a Colour so I will downplay my expectations till I read it, but when it won the Giller Prize Canadians got on the library list for it. So it’s in high demand here.
I’m glad you liked Memorial Days too. I thought it was well done & heartfelt and true. Like your loss, hers was so sudden and overwhelming …. it seems a must to get away somewhere at some point. I’m glad your trip helped. I think Memorial Days has stayed with me a bit. I both read it and listened to it …. so I gather I got stuff from it. Thx for your comments. Wishing you a peaceful & happy December.
I am not a big fan of memoirs even when they aren’t sad but I do admire Geraldine Brooks’ books and am interested that you have interviewed her. I loved Horse (except the ending – now I wonder if she made the ending sad because she was in the midst of grieving – I guess you couldn’t ask her that).
I may have shared the story of how my friend once came home from a vacation to find a bouquet of dead flowers stuck inside her storm door with a card that said, “Congratulations on your Pulitzer!” Puzzled, she called the florist and found out that Geraldine and Tony were renting a house several doors down the street. She went down to explain and Tony invited her in for champagne, as they were still celebrating!
Hi Constance, yeah I liked her novel Horse in some parts more than others. I especially liked the Black jockey parts of him racing in New Orleans. The memoir is quite moving.
I hadn’t heard that story of the flowers before — Wow! That’s a great story … would’ve loved to have met Geraldine & Tony. That’s a nice mistake.