Hi all. How’s your week been? Things are ramping up now with spring and the nice weather. I am in California for a long weekend for a celebration of my parents today. I’ve been walking around and biking. It’s nice to see people swimming in the Pacific even after 5 p.m. when this photo was taken, but so far I have not stuck my toes in yet. It’s too cold and the waves have been a little too rambunctious, lol. I am waiting for a warmer, calmer day.
In book news, you might have seen that Percival Everett’s novel James won again … this time for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction last week. I admired the novel last year when I read it, which also won the National Book Award in the fall. It’s one of the rare novels that have won both awards. Here are the eight other novels that have won both the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award:
The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Rabbit is Rich by John Updike
The Fixer by Bernard Malamud
A Fable by William Faulkner
Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
The Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter
What do you think — have you read any of these? I have read The Shipping News and The Color Purple, which I admired quite a long time ago. I’m not sure why I never got to The Underground Railroad, but there’s still time to read others on this list. Meanwhile congrats to Percival Everett once again for his novel James.
And now I will leave you with a couple reviews of what I finished lately.
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy / Flatiron / 320 pages / 2025
4.0 stars. There’s plenty of drama, trauma, and eco-concerns amid the backdrop of a beautiful wild island in this novel set in the remote southwest Pacific Ocean. Dominic Salt and his three kids whose mother has died are caretakers on Shearwater Island that holds a seed vault to regrow plants in case of the apocalypse. A group of researchers used to be there too studying plants and creatures, but they’ve since left as the waters are rising and storms are wreaking havoc.
Soon Dominic and his family will be leaving as well after eight years or so … but before that happens an injured woman (Rowan) washes up from a shipwreck. Over time they become more attached to her and she to them, but both sides have secrets that they aren’t sharing about what’s up.
It crossed my mind that the plot seemed a bit contrived but I went along with it. It’s fairly entertaining and visual as you begin to latch on to Rowan and what her deal is coming to the island. Her husband Hank used to be a researcher there so it appears she’s trying to find out where he is or went. But there’s some graves on the island that need explaining among other things. I thought the story was alluring in its mysteriousness and the setting on the remote island with all the elements, and Dominic’s three kids too make for enticing characters you come to know, though the story turns a bit crazy towards the end and a late twist seems to stretch its believability.
I’ve finished all three of McConaghy’s novels (2 by audios, one in print) and have liked them for their eco-settings and concerns about the planet and wildlife and for being visual, adventure plots. Her books often have broken people as the main characters living in a world with more intense climate change, ones who’ve suffered hard traumas or much loss. And this one was no exception. Rowan and Dominic’s family have had their share of heartbreak and adversity. While sympathetic, I tire at times a bit of this aspect … so I thought the tale had some hits and misses for me. Still I was entertained enough traveling to Shearwater Island. Of McConaghy’s, I think I liked her first novel Migrations best … maybe because it was a bit new and potent back then. But they all share some similarities. I plan to keep reading her.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston / Pamela Dorman / 352 pages / 2024
3.75 stars. This author has written a clever plot line that features a sharp protagonist in Evie Porter, aka Lucca Marino and enough twists and turns to make for a topsy-turvy experience, but did I hang on for the ride? Just barely. I got lost a couple times — no fault of the audiobook, but I retraced my tracks to get back onboard. Lucca is doing illegal missions for her mysterious boss Mr. Smith in which she always gets a new identity and needs to assimilate into a new neighborhood. But then she gets introduced to a woman who has her own name and must figure out if her boss is setting her up, or if the woman is trying to expose her and why.
When something happens to the woman and Evie’s later arrested on an outstanding warrant for a mission that happened years ago, Evie has to decide whether to trust the boyfriend she’s taken up with whom she’s been investigating — along with her techie friend Devon to help her get out of the situation. It’s a bit convoluted, but I was mostly onboard with what Lucca has to unravel. Still I was thoroughly exhausted by the end. I know a lot love these cat-and mouse kinds of benders … but I think I’ll need to leave town if ever a Evie Porter or Lucca Marino moves to my neighborhood.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read these and what did you think?
Susan, first of all, glad you are walking and biking on your trip. I hope that it will provide you some peace after your loss. OK, your review is the first I’ve seen of Wild Dark Shore. I had noticed the book and thought about trying it. We’ll see. I do like to read about extreme locations – not that I want to visit them – ha! First Lie Wins is on my TBR partly because our mystery book group is reading it for our November meeting. I had already seen it around and wondered about it. I’m planning on reading it probably in the early fall. Take care!
Hi Kay, thanks. Yes I think you should read both : Wild Dark Shore and First Lie Wins … and so I can see what you think. You’re more an expert in these genres so will know better. Both books seemed a bit clever in their own ways.
I’m having a nice time in Calif., bittersweet. Enjoy your week.
Great post and beautiful picture of Pacific Ocean. I am glad James won the Pulitzer. It’s such an important award because it gives a book an immortality it otherwise might not have had. I did read The Underground Railroad which was excellent. Haven’t checked out the others. Nervous about Faulkner. Read The Sound and The Fury and I was lost through most of the book.
Hi Kathy, thanks. I like the light in that ocean photo. And yeah I need to read The Underground Railroad still. Glad you liked it. It’s easy to be lost with Faulkner … and I have never heard of his book The Fable … so that’s new to me. It’s sort of a small eclectic group that made the list of both awards, hmm. I hope you have a nice week.
I used to love to bodysurf when I was growing up in San Diego. My favorite time of day was late afternoon, early evening as the sun was glistening on the water. September was the best time as the water temp got up between 65-72. Heavenly! I haven’t been in the ocean in decades!
I’ve read James, The Color Purple, and The Underground Railroad. I tried, but didn’t finish The Shipping News.
I’m looking forward to reading Wild Dark Shore. I’ve read Migrations, but not the one after that. Nice review, Susan! I may read First Lie Wins, but it’s not high on my list.
Enjoy that California weather!
Hi Lesley, yay (after fog last week) we had a clear sunny weekend at the beach! Hot even. Had to be careful not to get burned … and my brother & I went swimming in the ocean! It was like ice – so cold – but felt good after 10 mins. We used to be big body surfers too when we were younger. San Diego must have been great back then. We’ve been at the OC since we were like teenagers.
I’ll be curious if you like Wild Dark Shore or First Lie Wins. You read several of those dual award winners. Sort of an odd group.
I’m getting used to being here … and now have to go back tomorrow argh. It was a nice break & remembrance time while it lasted. Hope you have a nice week.
Great picture of the ocean, and I understand your reticence to dip into it as the water is still cold. Whenever I visit the beach is just to decompress and enjoy the environment, never to swim, but I tend to go in any season. Anyway, glad you’re enjoying the time away as much as you can. I loved Wild Dark Shore, but then again, I haven’t read the other two books of hers; I can see how her tropes can get tiresome after three books. The other book sound confusing, so I’ll pass. Have a great week!
Hi Carmen, it is nice decompressing at the beach … and yesterday it was hot enough outside that my brother and I went swimming in the ocean … which was freezing (!) but felt refreshing after 10 mins. So we have been in the water! I almost don’t want to go home tomorrow, figures.
McConaghy’s books are a bit similar in their tropes. I’m glad you liked this novel though. It is a bit mysterious about what will happen and the setting was great. I liked how she talked about going to the island in her author’s note at the end. I still gave it a 4 which is high for me in this genre. Enjoy your week too.
I’ve never been to the west coast and would love to see the Pacific one day.
Can’t wait to get the McConaghy book and I have it and another of her titles on hold at the library. Had to suspend everything now though, at least it lets me keep my place in line. Other than our buddy read I have not been able to get into a book. I’ll be glad when the packing is over!
Hi Tina, yeah you have a lot on your platter right now with the move — so not to worry if reading is not in the wheelhouse right now. It’ll return later. I’m a bit all over the place here, so reading has not been too big for me either. Been busy. Does your brother still live in San Diego? You should go for a visit. The beaches are nice in Calif but the traffic is staggering, lol. Still we had a nice beach afternoon yesterday & a swim! You’ll be done with packing soon. take care.
Love that ocean shot! I wish I was at the beach. James is a book high on m TBR list. I’ve read so many positive reviews of it. And First Lie Wins sounds like a fun summer read. Have a great week!
Thanks Lark. We went swimming in the ocean yesterday! Woohoo it’s cold but nice. I think you might like both of these books: First Lie Wins and Wild Dark Shore. See what you think. They seem to keep you guessing a bit. Enjoy your week too.
I quite liked First Lie Wins, too bad it didn’t work for you.
I hope your parents’ celebration of life went well.
I agree that the Pacific is too cold this time of year!
Hi Helen, it was hot enough this weekend outside that we took a swim in the ocean! It felt like ice but was good after 10 mins if you kept moving.
The celebration for my parents was a good gathering. Bittersweet, everything.
Yeah First Lie Wins might just be me — as it is very popular and my sister also liked it a lot. It is very clever and the author wrote it well. Perhaps not really my genre – all the cat & mouse. I was glad Evie stayed with the guy though. 🙂
Have a good week.
I meant to read Migrations this winter, but never got to it. Perhaps, I will start with Wild Dark Shore instead. Does Migrations have a winter setting? For some reason, it feels wrong to read winter books during summer.
James winning The Pulitzer Prize wasn’t a huge surprise, I guess. Still haven’t read it.
I understand your reluctance to go for a swim in the cold water, but it must be nice to be close to the ocean. Hope you are doing ok.
Thanks Stargazer, it has been good being near the beach and yesterday I did swim in the ocean! It was freezing at first but nice after a while. It’s been a good time for remembrances and downtime here.
I didn’t think those other books had a chance against James. But apparently the judges had some three-way tie of their other choices they couldn’t decide on — so James was actually like their fourth choice and it won. Crazy.
And yes — McConaghy’s Migrations novel is set mostly in the Arctic so the temps are freezing. See what you think of Wild Dark Shore. It’s been pretty popular. Have a great week.
I’m looking forward to leading my book club’s discussion of James in August. I plan to read Huckleberry Finn, first. After listening to the audio of James, I decided that I wanted a more recent memory of the Twain story. Then, I’ll re-read James in print to makes sure that I’m ready!
Hi Joy, it sounds like you’ll be ready for the book club if you do all that. I listened to Tom Sawyer and then Huck Finn on audio last year and then read James in print. I felt it was good that I did that beforehand. James was clever I thought … and perceptive. The ending is pretty action-packed. Good luck with the reading. Huck Finn wasn’t easy for me to get through. It was a bit up & down. But I managed to get through.
I was so happy to learn that James won the Pulitzer. I always want the committee to select a book which has a chance at becoming a classic. I think James has a pretty good chance at doing that. I love the photo of the beach in California. I saw on the news last night that the whole Pacific Coast, all the day down to SanDiego will experience really cool temperatures this week. Enjoy.
Hi Anne, thanks, I like the light on the water in that photo. I had a good long weekend there but now I’m back home in Alberta. It’s a bit of a whirlwind to get my mind back here. And it was terrific that James won. I thought so too. It is a good companion to Twain’s book, which says a lot. Have a great week.
I hate swimming in super cold water and I’m always amazed by the swimmers that’ll just jump in and swim!
I enjoyed First Lie Wins even if parts were stretched believability. Wild Dark Shore sounds like something I’d enjoy, too.
Hi Rachel, the Pacific sure is cold now, brrr. It takes me forever to get into the water … no matter if it’s May or August. But eventually I do.
It seems First Lie Wins was really popular. It was clever. Check out the audio to Wild Dark Shore. It’s good for puzzle time. Cheers.
Wow, that is a beautiful photo of the ocean!
Thank you for the wonderful reviews of Wild Dark Shore and The Frozen River. I have been on the fence about reading them, and now I feel like I know more what to expect from them.
Thanks Erin, I really liked the light off the water, so I’m glad that worked in the photo. I thought both books were easy to get into. The Frozen River took me a while to get through since it’s a bit long, but both are pretty enjoyable. I think you’d like them. Enjoy your week.
I would like to read both Wild Dark Shore and First Lie Wins, but I think I will wait until I can find a copy at a very reasonable price at the book sale.
Re the books that have won both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer, I think I might like to try The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx. A good length and a good setting.
Hi Tracy, yeah I think you’ll be able to find these books at a sale. I’d wait too. Luckily I got them through the library.
I remember The Shipping News was quirky … and I’m not sure I thought it was that great though I liked its setting. I just looked up that it came out in 1993. It is a bit surprising that it won both awards. I wonder how it would read today.
Have a great week.