REVIEW: THE YOGA OF MAX'S DISCONTENT BY KARAN BAJAJ

*Disclaimer: I was provided an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for a fair and honest review from Riverhead books. All opinions are my own.

Published by Riverhead Books, May 3, 2016. Hardcover, 336 pgs

         I love a good self-discovery story, particularly after a character has suffered loss. I enjoyed Wild by Cheryl Strayed, in which the protagonist decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail hoping to find solace and understanding after her mom's death. When I was contacted for this review, I happened to be reading Sanctuary of the Soul by Richard J Foster- a Christian book about the journey into meditative prayer. The theme of quieting your heart and mind to receive understanding is present in many religions, and helps ground us in a world filled with chaos.
   
      This story focuses on Max, a man in his early 20's who has just lost his mother to cancer. He lives in New York City and is straddling two vastly different worlds. On one hand, his poverty stricken childhood makes him all too familiar with the slums, where his mother raised him and his sister Sophia the best she could in the projects- while gang violence and drug deals took place in their building and the alleys outside.

      Even though Max successfully obtained a financial job on Wall Street, he still has ties to a rough neighborhood in the South Bronx. The book opens on him and his sister leaving their mother's hospital, where they are accosted by a crazed homeless man. An Indian street vendor selling falafels saves the situation. Max is still rattled by the depravity of the city and ends up going back to the vendor to give him a coat (since he wasn't wearing a shirt in deep winter) and thank him for his kindness. In the process, Max begins questioning him about his aversion to cold, and is told the story of his time in the Himalayas, where his body became used to extreme temperatures. Further pressed by Max, the vendor (Viveka) tells him of the yogis near his homeland that would sit in caves for months on end meditating in nominal clothing, and seem no worse for the wear. Thus sparks the idea for Max's journey to the Himalayas. What follows is his unclear quest to find clarity in life, in some meaningful way.

       I liked the story. I'm a cold weather person who loves being active, and I could almost feel the biting air described by Max as he journeyed further into the mountains. I liked the author's acknowledgement that most self-professed "gurus" are frauds hoping to make a buck off of hipster Westerner's naivete. The writing was strong and the story well-paced. Most people believe there is a higher power, and nourishment of the soul is essential to happiness.

        For a book describing mostly intangible elements, Karan Bajaj did a great job. However, I couldn't connect with this as much as I would have liked- since it's impossible to truly experience on paper, unless one becomes an actual Yogi. Due to the focus of the novel, I think there might be a limited target audience. However, those who have an intense interest in Yoga and meditation will find a unique experience indeed.

REVIEW: THE GIRL FROM HOME BY ADAM MITZNER

DISCLAIMER: I was sent a copy of this book for review by FSBMedia. All opinions are my own.
Published by Gallery Books, (an imprint of Simon & Schuster), April 5, 2016. Hardcover, 336 pgs

       The timing of this review request was funny, because I'd been reading my first thriller in a long time, Killing Floor by Lee Child. This used to be my primary, go-to genre before Literary Fiction and Fantasy. It was great fun returning to an old favorite, especially since this is set in one of my favorites places to visit-New York City, as well as being a financial-based thriller.
      
       The story centers on Jonathan Caine, a previously successful Hedge fund manager who wines and dines upper-echelon investors. We know he has landed in heaps of trouble, as the first page finds him musing in a prison cell. The story then details the months prior to his predicament, where we find out delightful details about his greedy lifestyle and "I want what I want" rich boy mentality. There is no pretense at innocence, which I appreciated. The immediate aftermath of the scandal finds him back home visiting his dad, where he reconnects with Jackie, the out-of-his-league Prom Queen at his 25th High School Reunion. She becomes the second conflict in the story, and the narrative goes forward from there.
Sidenote:  The scene featuring the high school reunion was startling, awaiting me sooner than I'd like to admit. The uncomfortable realization that the middle-aged people present aren't teachers, but fellow classmates, isn't something I'm looking forward to. Also, losing contact with people except for the occasional Facebook like and annual obligatory Happy Birthday message is 100% my reality.
       
        At it's core, this book is about ambition, the choices we make, and the repercussions of relationships (both good and bad). Oh, and major manipulation. Here's my conflict. I love strong characters. I don't mind unlikable characters if they're interesting and compelling enough for me to be invested. With Jackie and Jonathan, I was disappointed in lack of character development. They often had very stereotypical adulterous interactions, with her angry and dumb ex-husband thrown in occasionally. Jonathan is also supposedly seeking to reconnect with his family, visiting his father in a nursing home. I kept waiting for genuine heart to hearts that never materialized. Mitzner could have been making a social commentary that people don't change, but it felt more like he was trying to show improvement that simply fell short of the mark. Hmmm. So this will provoke thought, but I just wanted to care more about their problems. 
    
        I flew through the last seventy five pages, and loved the legal power plays and last minute twists. I would be interested in more from this author, especially to see how his characters compare in other stories. I recommend this for people who love fast-paced narratives with interesting financial components and courtroom drama.

REVIEW: KILLING FLOOR BY LEE CHILD

Published by Jove, 2012. Paperback, 524 pgs

    The first book in the Jack Reacher series, this is some fun, unrealistic entertainment! We have insta-love and a hero who is the toughest Mamma Jamma around. Law enforcement (those who aren't corrupted at least) tend to trust Jack Reacher after a few clever witticisms in just one or two conversations. He inspires loyalty from the good guys immediately with his Sherlock-ian deductions, thus opening up endless, often seamless connections when most needed. If this is something that doesn't bother you, settle into a fast-paced and larger-than-life adventure story.
      Aforementioned disclaimer aside, the book was really compelling. I loved the foreword by Lee Child where he explained his career prior to being an author, and the specific principles he devised for Reacher to follow. Specifically, that he would be an intriguing enough character to be sustained over a long running series- with an imposing physical build and background to tackle issues with unapologetic brute strength. Reacher's name development was a funny and surprising story. Child wants his readers to feel victory in this fictional setting, especially because it often eludes in real life. This escapism reading is meant to feel victorious in the end, with lots of violence and mayhem sprinkled throughout. I also found the finance angle of this story line a fun topic.
       I enjoyed Reacher being morally ambiguous, mostly unemotional, and totally focused. I thought the mystery was fun and fast paced. Literary fiction this is not, but the writing was strong and suited the book's style. This worked for me, even though Reacher is straight forward and simplistic in aim. Get the bad guys, and kill them if necessary. Also, there are at least 20 books in the series.. so I'm sure his backstory and personality will evolve as the series continues. I mean, he's not a robot. At least, I don't think so.

       

REVIEW: HIDDEN BODIES (YOU #2) BY CAROLINE KEPNES

Published by Simon & Schuster Audio, 2016. Audiobook, unabridged download

      You was one of my favorite books of 2015. I don't remember the last time I bought an anticipated read on release day. On February 23, I downloaded this from Audible as soon as I could. The release day was five weeks ago. I've been listening in small snippets everyday so it wouldn't end. This one is difficult to discuss without spoiling the first book, because Joe's journey is dependent on the events that transpired in You, and there are references that won't be appreciated as well.
     I've got to admit I was nervous for this installment. I was worried it would be rambling without a certain element present in the first. I was crossing my fingers the magic of his personality wouldn't dissipate over the course of the novel. I also dreaded the location change.
      Luckily, I needn't have worried. Joe's diabolical character assassination of each person he encounters continues with his journey to the West Coast. The chapter where he meets his landlord and Delilah are prime examples. Joe must assess everyone to see what immediate value they have to him and his schemes. Thankfully, he also has a mission.
     Then the mission shifts a bit, with the story meandering as he meets certain influential personalities in the Los Angeles area. Surprisingly, I found this to be the strongest part of the book- the meandering, with a few key, genius scenes that kept me on my toes. Sociopaths are often charismatic and scheming a few steps ahead....so the floating around made sense for that profile. If you don't mind some graphic content and sexually explicit scenes, Kepnes is a brilliant writer who has created one of my favorite literary characters to date. I want the third book immediately, but know Joe can't be rushed. If you haven't already gathered, I highly recommend to any thriller/suspense fans who crave captivating, unique characters.

REVIEW: MINDHUNTER: INSIDE THE FBI'S ELITE SERIAL CRIME UNIT BY JOHN DOUGLAS AND MARK OLSHAKER

Published by Pocket Star Books, 1996. Paperback, 397 pgs

     I expected to be disturbed by this book. The subject is quite clear. I thought I had prepared myself through other literature and movies to hear the worst kinds of depravity that human beings can inflict on each other. However, I still found myself repeatedly shocked at the details in these cases.
      John Douglas was one of the original profilers, who worked tirelessly to integrate behavior profiles into narrowing the focus of a complex case. The much-used phrases of modus operandi and signature were compared and contrasted, and I had previously had a much different idea of what those terms meant. Finding a criminal's "rock" or vulnerability point is a painstaking and necessary strategy for apprehension. Some common sense conclusions end up being anything but, and even if they do turn out as planned, conviction is a tricky tight rope.
      By far, the most difficult and simultaneously uplifting section had to do with a 17 year old girl's last will and testament written to her beloved family at 3:10 AM in preparation for her death at the hands of her captor. She talks about loving God and family, not letting the situation break their faith, and professing the joy she had in her life. Utterly remarkable, and Douglas marks it as the most impressive thing he's seen in his 25 year career. There are instances of grace and good character, but this book is primarily chock-full of inadequate personalities and perversions. A review couldn't possibly provide an adequate summary.  
     On a positive note, I'm impressed by the dedication of officers and profilers in studying their craft and doing the best they can with the resources given. The analysis and staging to draw out suspects was a fascinating topic. The integration of the media to help the cases, as well as "face saving strategies" employed (when interrogating subjects) was mind boggling. I'm interested in reading more of his up to date work, since the forensic technology has advanced monumentally in the last twenty years since publication. I recommend to anyone interested in psychology and true crime.

REVIEW: THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP BY MARIE KONDO

Published by Ten Speed Press, 2014. Hardback, 214 pgs
   
     Kondo should be proud of her accomplishments in helping people tidy their living spaces using her KonMari method- and she is. The first few pages outline the importance of this process, as well as giving the reader testimonials of her past clients. She isn't afraid to pat herself on the back, but I suppose that's okay since she displays a genuine passion for her work. This quote demonstrates her interest in the subject: "I made drawers out of tissue boxes and broke my piggybank to purchase nifty storage items....in high school I even called up the manufacturer of particularly intriguing items and pestered the receptionist to tell me the story of how they were invented." That's dedication!
      Tooting her own horn aside, I did find the book informative. It's important to note that her approach is heavily influenced by Japanese culture (yeah, I know, it's in the title:-), and thus might seem strange at times for those who aren't used to viewing their home/objects through this lens.
     Kondo personifies inanimate objects in a laughable, but oddly sensical way (sometimes). If it doesn't bring you joy, get rid of it. Buying storage containers aren't in themselves a solution. If you don't need the objects in the containers, it's still clutter. "Putting things away can create an illusion that the clutter problem has been solved." I found this the most useful revelation to my cleaning life, as well as the entire section on discarding and then storing clothing in a particular folded method to maximize space.
      While the style can be off-putting on occasion, I think these tips are useful if you keep an open mind. We can all improve our lives through organization, and if a book can help me put my favorite place in order, then it is well worth a read.

REVIEW: OUR ENDLESS NUMBERED DAYS BY CLAIRE FULLER

Published by Tin House Books, 2015. Trade Paperback, 386 pgs

    This was one of the rare books I first found browsing in a bookstore. Rare in that I hadn't heard any of my Booktube friends mention. Trying to save money, I put it down. A few months later, Jen Campbell talked about it on her YouTube channel. I was sold. All the editions of the cover are beautiful, but I love the design of this particular one. The cover, deckle edges of the pages, and the french flaps are stunning.
       This is a quietly haunting read about mental illness, extreme survivalist practices, and the lies we tell ourselves and our family. It also highlights the weird dichotomy of children. A generalization from the book and my own limited experience: while they often have seemingly endless questions about the mundane, in terms of food and safety they blindly trust. This unswerving loyalty is present in Peggy, who at eight years old is taken into the woods for a "vacation" with her dad while her mom is playing a concert in Germany. She ends up staying in the forest for nine years. The reader flips back and forth from present day 1985 to her departure with her dad James and their solitary experience over the years.
      The ending is quite thought provoking, and obviously trauma abounds. However, for a lot of the novel I didn't have feelings one way or the other- and I'm not sure why. I was disgusted by her dark circumstances, but felt mildly disconnected. Perhaps it was the monotony of their days that made me feel a bit desensitized. I can't think of anything I would have had the author change. Monotony is realistic, and her coping mechanisms seemed accurate as well. I feel like my rating might change over time, since this is a book that I won't soon forget. I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for this author's future work.