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.

REVIEW: I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS BY MAYA ANGELOU

Published by Random House, 2009. Trade Paperback Edition, 285 pgs

       I'm a privileged white girl in my 30's. I'm blessed beyond measure and have never experienced prejudice of any kind. That in itself can feel shameful, and only through reading the struggles of others who are different (racially, culturally) can we learn and increase empathy.    
       It feels silly to review certain memoirs, this being one. We all have our own thoughts to differentiate a review, but it's hard to adequately discuss the importance of this memoir. Instead, here are some notes that struck me as I was reading. Angelou's character study is impeccable. When discussing a respected peer: "Anyone, I reckoned, sufficiently afraid or sufficiently dull could be polite. But to be able to operate at a top level with both adults and children was admirable."(pg 170). So true!
      The sense of solidarity was powerful. As outsiders, the black community had to take care of their own. One might think that oppressed people would be introverted and concerned only about their own families. This isn't the case in her small Arkansas town. Friends and neighbors make the graduating kids their pride and joy. Going beyond the usual parties and food, garments are made and homemade gifts shared.
      The tent revival was an informative look at status and belief. "People whose history and future were threatened each day by extinction considered that it was only by divine intervention that they were able to live at all. I find it interesting that the meanest life, the poorest existence, is attributed to God's will, but as human beings become more affluent, as their living standard and style begin to ascend the material scale, God descends the scale of responsibility at a commensurate speed." (pg. 118 in my edition). Wow.
        One of my favorite parts was Maya's joy in finding an unexpected friendship in Mrs. Flowers. Finding someone outside of your own family who likes you is a wonderful coming-of-age experience. I was also humbled by the thankfulness and humility her people had, when it would be easy to live in a blind rage over the injustice of it all.
       While I expected to be furious and heartbroken at times for her plight (and I was!), I was also surprised at the joy and strength found in her childhood journey. The ignorant white people who sneer at her as she attempts to procure her first job wouldn't have the resourcefulness she was forced to learn in order to change her situation. This memoir ends rather abruptly when Angelou is sixteen, so I would definitely be interested in reading her further memoirs and poetry. I'm sure this is just a small taste of her genius.

REVIEW: ONCE A RUNNER BY JOHN L. PARKER, JR.

Published by Scribner, 2010. Trade Paperback, 272 pgs

      I was looking for running inspiration for my two half marathons this year. I also needed to read this before the sequel on my shelves, Again to Carthage. After receiving it from interlibrary loan, I excitedly began reading. I was a little letdown. I believe the blurbs overhyped it a tad with the promises of "best novel ever written about running" and also that it could "inspire a couch potato to run". Both are lofty statements and didn't quite hit the mark for me.
      I think this is relatable to a small group of super elite competitive runners who are all-consumed with achieving excellence in this field. The anecdotes of eccentric characters, the breaking down phenomenon, the runner's high, and self-care were interesting from an outsider perspective, but most was truly insider baseball (perfectly phrased by David's The Poptimist's review on Goodreads). I love the feeling and joy that comes after a long run, and I also love a challenge. I was looking forward to vicariously experiencing the power of feet pounding the pavement, and not as interested in the reading about seconds shaved off a mile. I understand this is just a reader preference, and not a fault of the book. This was more technical training, male group dynamics, and commentary on the good ol' boy network of a college campus in the 1970's.
      Parker was discussing odd behaviors and personalities that can occasionally come with people who have a singular pursuit, but the style was slightly snarky and show off-y. I tried really hard to connect to the runners and their endeavors, but there seemed to be a wall I couldn't get past (like Andrea, Cassidy's girlfriend in the book!) I'm going to give this three stars because I do think it has value to a select few, but not for this amateur runner. I would definitely be curious to hear what regular marathoners and ultra-marathoners think of this work.