Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. I hope you are enjoying this day wherever you are. Perhaps you received a card, or chocolates, or flowers, or planned a night out with your partner. That would be fun. Or maybe you’re staying home and enjoying a nice meal and show. Speaking of which, we are just starting to watch Season 3 of the drama series Your Honor as well as the post-apocalyptic series The Last of Us, which was filmed near here in Alberta. I haven’t seen any Zombie-like creatures yet after we moved in, but you never can tell when they might suddenly appear. I was looking for a few on the lawn when I took this photo of the clouds at sunset. Nothing much else is new, but we are settling in and getting some unpacking done.
Meanwhile in book news, I see that Washington Post critic Ron Charles wrote a fun article last week asking readers about what annoys them most when they come across it in a book. Some said historical and factual inaccuracies, others said copyediting and grammatical errors, or when authors choose not to use quotation marks in dialogue, or to use foreign words without defining them. That usually ticks readers off.
Others mentioned not liking confusing timelines, dream sequences in plots, gratuitous violence, and explicit sex scenes. Readers also don’t like to see cliches, or old sexist tropes in books. And one that I especially agreed with: is books that include long passages in italics. Ugh. Reading pages of novels with italics can be sort of torturous. What do you think — is there something that annoys you the most when you’re reading along and see it in a book? Any pet peeves?
And now I will leave you with a few reviews of the books that I finished lately.
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton / Grand Central / 336 pages / 2022
I was a bit skeptical of this novel going into it, but man author Lily Brooks-Dalton delivers a page-turning tale about a family living in a near-future Florida ravaged by climate change. Hurricanes and rising sea levels have decimated the southern parts of the state and residents are starting to leave in droves.
The story follows Wanda, a young girl, and her family who try to stick it out. Wanda learns the way of survival from a lady on her street named Phyllis who gives her the tools to persevere. I can’t say much more without giving too much away, but the writing of Florida and the elements are very well done, and there’s even a bit of an unknown element about how water affects Wanda that leaves you wanting more. It feels quite realistic and post-apocalyptic at the same time. It likely was my favorite read of January. And now sometime perhaps I’ll go back and read the author’s 2016 debut novel called Good Morning, Midnight, which inspired the 2020 film The Midnight Sky with George Clooney that was pretty good.
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder / Doubleday / 256 pages / 2021
This novel follows the story of a new mother who finds herself on the brink of her wits. She’s given up her job as an art gallery director and put her ambitions and advanced degrees aside (much to her dismay) to be a stay-at-home mom to her infant son while her engineer-y husband is off traveling for work during the week and she is left to care for their son alone.
By the time her son is two, the harried mom with little sleep and without a shower in a week begins to lose it and finds herself transforming into something feral. Worried about her sanity, she takes home a book from the library called A Field Guide to Magical Women that she thinks speaks to her situation, and she meets a group of other moms who might be more than what they seem and want her to invest in some kind of herbal marketing scheme.
I loved this smart, darkly satirical tale and found it funny, weird, and a feminist manifesto of sorts. I laughed through much of it and sympathized with the mother on the brink who offers much to think about on society, art, and what women go through and sacrifice … in marriage, motherhood, and roles in the working world. This is smart and well done and I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads! It seems in recent times there’s been a slew of “motherhood madness” kinds of stories that have raised pertinent issues and questions … and of those this novel is gleefully a favorite.
Run Towards the Danger: Confrontations With a Body of Memory
by Sarah Polley / Penguin / 272 pages / 2022
Canadian film director Sarah Polley delivers a pretty gripping book of essays about her life story growing up as a child actor, then evolving into a screenwriter and director. Much of it deals with her personal life with her parents, her husband and kids, and what she experienced over the years in her life on and off the screen. I had no idea she’s had so many serious health issues, which I felt terrible about – that she’s been all through that.
I first came upon Polley’s work from her directorial debut of the 2006 film Away From Her, which sort of rocked my world. It’s a sad film about a woman with Alzheimer’s that hits the heart. I also hope to see her latest film Women Talking soon.
I listened to the audio version of Polley’s book, which she narrates and I would recommend. She talks among other things about her stage role in Alice Through the Looking Glass in 1994 and how she cut short her run of the role while going through severe stage fright and scoliosis; and how she did not come forward during the sexual abuse trial of Canadian radio broadcaster Jian Ghomeshi who she said assaulted her when she was 16; her fused back operation and her high risk pregnancy; her terrified time as a child on the film set of The Adventures of Baron Munchausen; her visit to Prince Edward Island years after being an actress in the TV series Road to Avonlea (1990-6); and lastly the severe concussion she suffered from an accident that took 3.5 years of her life away and the recovery that eventually saved her.
What I liked is how she reflects back on her life candidly trying to come to grips with things that had happened to her and what she experienced. She really uncovers it in a forthright kind of way that is quite refreshing and engaging. And she seems to do it with much integrity and courage, unsparing of herself, or any possible embarrassment. So after hearing her tell of her life, I’m even more a fan for her projects to come.
Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore / Morrow / 384 pages / 2022
This was an entertaining, women’s fiction kind of drama that I listened to as an audiobook as I was packing and unpacking after the move. It held my attention as it went along more than I thought it would and had some laughs amid the drama too.
The story alternates mostly between Louisa’s life as a mother and college professor who takes her three kids to stay for the summer to her parents’ estate in Owl’s Head, Maine – and Kristie, who arrives in Owl’s Head from Pennsylvania, is about broke and grieving after her mother’s death.
The two women whose paths eventually cross are contrasted nicely, Louisa is pretty well off – though her life is not without troubles as her father is suffering from Alzheimer’s, and Kristie in need of cash has creditors after her. Moreover, Louisa is trying to work on a historical book she’s been procrastinating over, while Kristie is trying to hold onto a waitressing job she picks up along with a boyfriend there. But what’s their connection? You eventually find out as it goes along.
It’s a story that branches entertainingly into quite a family saga: Louisa’s kids’ summer lives add flavor along with Louisa’s tension with her workaholic husband back in NY – and Kristie’s boyfriend who is so nice she’s not sure she deserves him.
It might end a bit predictably, but the author does well breathing life into these characters that you care to stick around to see how it will play out all the same. It would make for a good summer beach read or listen, though for me it was a nice wintry escape. The setting of a summery Maine was pretty blissful.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read any of these books and if so, what did you think?
I haven’t read any of the books, but “Nightbitch” is one that I certainly want to read. You had me at “darkly satirical!”
Hi Dorothy: yes oh my gosh – Nightbitch is something else. I was snickering a bit while reading it. See what you think of it. The author seems talented and I will look for whatever she writes next. Cheers.
Wow! What an amazing sky! We used to see some incredible cloud formations when we lived on our acreage in Nebraska. I love seeing your photos from your new home. (Did I tell you we are going to travel up to Alberta & BC this June? Can’t wait!)
I have a copy of The Light Pirate on my TBR shelf. It’s one that I heard great things about as bloggers shared their “Best of 2022” lists, so I bought a copy with my Amazon Christmas loot. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it!
Nightbitch sounds entertaining. My daughter turns 40 this year, so I’m not sure I’m the target audience, but I do enjoy Caitlin Murray @bigtimeadulting on Instagram, so maybe I would enjoy this book.
I read (and LOVED) Meg Mitchell Moore’s novel The Arrivals (reviewed here), but haven’t read anything else by her. I’ll look for Vacationland at my library.
Thanks for all the recs!
Hi Lesley, wow if you’re coming through Alberta – perhaps you should make a stop in our neck of the woods and hopefully we’ll be in town then. I’ll probably be on a tractor by then trying to tame the field out back, LOL.
I hope you like The Light Pirate — it’s somewhat ominous about the world ending as we know it. You might also like Vacationland which was an engaging listen. The Nightbitch is pretty satirical but a little relentless about this woman’s semi-breakdown. Not sure what you’d think. I hope all is well at the Cove. We still have much to do here but at least we’re here now. Have a great week.
Now I can’t wait to read about pet peeves in literary experience! I definitely have some myself, and often feature them in my reviews. Your book list is intriguing as well. I hope you are soon happily settled into your new house.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Mae, yeah I’m not too picky when reading so I don’t think I have too many pet peeves — but I know I don’t like pages of text put into italics. That always seems hard to read. Your trip seemed so excellent! Good for you.
That’s a beautiful photo! It’s way too nice of a sunset to attract zombies. Thank you for sharing the article about reader annoyances. I generally do not mind italics, but long passages of italics an definitely be painful to read. It looks like you have read some good books as of late. Light Pirate is one that I have been curious but hesitant about. I am glad you ended up liking it. Nightbitch sounds especially good. I will have to check that one out. I hope you have a great week!
Thanks LF: no zombies yet. We have just started that show the Last of Us, which was filmed around here so we are liking the backdrops. These books were all pretty good, especially Nightbitch, in which the woman seems to be having a bit of a breakdown. And I guess too much italics in books drives me sort of crazy otherwise I don’t think I’m too picky when reading. Glad you liked the article.
Hope you have a great week too.
I have not been reading many books lately because I think I need stronger glasses and I’m straining my eyes to see the smaller print. I should start to listen on audio or read on my kindle. Thanks for all of the reviews. The NightBitch sounds interesting.
Hi Judee — I can relate – some books have too small print to see adequately. I find reading on the e-reader is a bit easier on the eyes. I hope you find the right glasses. The Nightbitch was my favorite of these. Have a great week.
The Light Pirate and Nightbitch both sound quite compelling. Climate change in Florida in the near-future? The setting sounds ominously close to home for me here on the Texas Gulf Coast. And taking care of a child after setting aside a career one loved? Yep, I’ve experienced that, too. Thank you for sharing these with us.
I hope the move is going smoothly. The last time we moved was thirty-eight years ago, and I’m not interested in doing so again. But who knows? If I had the opportunity to experience the beauty of your new home every day, well, I might change my mind.
Ha. thanks Deb. We are liking it out here and are looking forward to spring & summer when we can enjoy it more. 38 years is a long time – I think you’re in the right spot … with all the Gulf Coast beauty. Two years ago we moved my parents from their home of 50+ years – that was tough. I credit my sister for all the work.
These books were all pretty good. I like when that happens. Enjoy your week!
Hi Susan, Great post! I live in South Florida so I just might read The Light Pirate to see what’s coming. I wish I could move back to New York!
What bothers me in novels is stream of consciousness writing that in some cases can become hard to follow. I read To The Lighthouse for example by Virginia Woolf which was a bit of a struggle to get through although I loved A Room of One’s Own. And then there was The Sound and The Fury by William Faulkner. What was going on there I have no clue.
Ha Kathy I know. Some of the stream-of-consciousness writing is mystifying. I do find Woolf’s novels hard as well as Faulkner’s. I think I’ve only read 1 of Woolf’s (Mrs. Dalloway) and 2 of Faulkner’s (Light in August & The Sound & the Fury). Not sure if I’ll try any more.
I’m listening to another South Florida disaster novel now called The Displacements. Gosh. I don’t mean to be experiencing these right in a row. Poor Florida! thx for stopping by.
I don’t think, I have any pet peeves, when it comes to reading. Lack of quotation marks used to annoy me, but these days I mostly read via audiobooks, so it doesn’t matter anymore. Books where all the characters are black or white are usually frustrating. I need nuance and character depth!
Nightbitch has been recommended a lot on Booktube. Don’t know if it’s for me, but your review has intrigued me. I just finished a really amazing book, Our Wives Under the Sea. An unusual read, but strangely mesmerising.
Hi Stargazer. I hadn’t heard much of Nightbitch before I picked it up. I got it b/c a bookstore had their book club doing a discussion of it – which I wanted to go to but then I didn’t finish the book in time, argh! It was good though. I agree with you about Our Wives Under the Sea – it was quite absorbing. I listened to the audio of it in November & thought it really picked up towards the end. Weird & good, & visual. My review is here: https://www.thecuecard.com/books/blowing-steam/ Look forward to your thoughts on it as well. You make a good point about characters in books being too much all the same. Enjoy the week.
I read your review of Our Wives Under the Sea. Yeah, it sounds like we agree, although I was invested already quite early in the novel. My review should go up shortly.
Good Stargazer, I will look for your review. I was quite taken with the author’s sensibilities as a writer and I will look for whatever she puts out next. I love the whole murkiness of the story.
I tried to submit two comments on the 14th through my laptop and your site ate them both, so here I am after a few days. 😉 Wow, four books… You’re on a roll! Light Pirate sounds intriguing, as do Nightbitch and Polley’s essays. Nightbitch was on my radar for a while due to a mini review I read on Amazon Book Review, which piqued my interest; I’m glad you enjoyed it. The essays would be appealing to me because Polley is a filmmaker, and I’m into that, as you know.
I think I told you I was juggling Victory City and Spare, but after a few days I have started concentrating solely on Spare since I was reading it at a faster pace than the other. Since I was liking Victory City, I’ll go back to it. On the 14th I was feeling kind of down reading-wise, so I’m happy to report that it has improved substantially. Let’s see if I’m able to get to the pace I was keeping last year before my concentration tanked. 😮
Hey Carmen, so sorry about your comments being eaten. That’s terrible. I have no idea if it’s a new problem or if the site is falling apart or what. Ugh. I’m not technically inclined but if it continues I will have it looked into. I do hate when that happens. I have had that on other sites.
Try not to put too much pressure on yourself about the books. Go with whatever you are enjoying. It sounds like Spare has a lot in it. The Sarah Polley book is a bit eye-opening. More of it is about her personal life but she does talk of her severe stage fright doing theater and excoriates director Terry Gilliam for his unsafe sets for children on the movie The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (which I hadn’t heard of). I think you’d like the Polley book. It felt fast too. I still need to see her latest Women Talking. We recently watched Armageddon Time and I’m quite surprised it was snubbed out of Oscar nominations. It is worth watching and the child actor is very good and screenplay. The title of the movie seems not good to me for what it is. Hope all is well there. Enjoy the week. thanks for persevering with the comments – as I always love hearing your perspective on books & films. & life. 🙂