The Year of Reading and Not Reading

As a reader, I have always been a book finisher. No matter if I enjoyed the book or not, I stuck with it until the bitter end, which in some cases was many years. More recently, though, my view switched and on occasion I will stop reading a book that I’m not enjoy and never finish it. The old adage about so much to read and so little time must be settling in. However, this year I “shelved” many more books than usual.

While 2020 has been an odd year for many reasons, my reading mindset was to explore more authors, especially those well-known or with beloved, famous novels. For the most part, I enjoy fiction and that didn’t change this year, although I read non-fiction crossword histories (another post for another day) and a book about Whitey Bulger by Casey Sherman (having heard the author on an art heist podcast). This year was a sampling, but considering that I set down half as many books as I finished this year, I have clear preferences. We live in a world with lots of technology and demands for our time. By the same token, distractions seem at their height as well–video games, Internet, apps, shows and movies. There’s also more to learn, more easily, while goods are also more readily and quickly available than every before. With so much to possibly to do and consume, I fully support spending meaningful time on the most enjoyable, or sometimes necessary, which now for me extends to reading, or not reading in some cases.

So what did I enjoy this year? More of my favorite authors, both ones that I’ve read for years and others that are newer to me. This includes Aravind Adiga who lead me to a new favorite, Diksha Basu with her novel The Windfall. Getting into crosswords this year, one cruciverbalist mentioned a classic among them, The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin which truly was a fun, quick whodunit read. Aside from those, the past couple of years I have begun murder mysteries, which given just how many crime podcasts I used to consume, it’s truly amazing that I never read that genre soon. The original series that I picked up was Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone alphabet murder mysteries in California. However, I intersperse that with my aunt’s favorite Louise Penny’s Inspector Armand Gamache, which are set in Quebec. Both are very different but enjoyable in their own ways so I enjoy switching between them. Of course I caught up on some Brock Clarke, whom I first read in college for a creative writing assignment and was captivated by his Thanksgiving short story; he’s able to capture life in such a succinct, evocative manner that few authors pull off. Writing that makes the reader really think while at the same time nod in agreement of the realness for the details and feelings captured on the page is, for me, a example of the very best authors. Very few can achieve that, although as I read more authors from various backgrounds from around the world, I enjoy finding more authors to add to that list.

One genre that I’ve returned to more this year is my childhood favorite of sci-fi. I used to read quite a bit but it trailed off for some reason. Last year, the Expanse series captivated me for a while until the writing got in the way of the ideas behind it and I just wasn’t enjoying the third novel (of eight I believe) as much as the first; part of that were the storyline decisions and focus on certain characters rather than others so I’ve been slow to start the next in the series, but I digress. So this year I tried a couple of other sci-fi authors, with hits and misses. Although, I finally read an author that I had been intimated by growing up and then just forgot about as I read less of sci-fi over the years–Isaac Asimov. His Foundation series is phenomenal. While I’ve been setting down many other books, I keep coming back to his novel over all others. The upcoming Apple TV show based on it, prompted me to finally pick it up. Having seen the trailers, it seems that there will be at least some chronology so I began with Prelude to Foundation, which is sixth in publication order, and am throughly enjoying it. The novel is about how Hari Seldon, a mathematics professor, struggled to figure out if his future-predicting theory of psychohistory could be made practical and, if so, what the ramifications of his discover meant for him, those in power, and the entire galaxy. What amazes me the most is that this particular Asimov novel was written in 1988.

In Goodreads, I had set a goal of 30 books read this year and have only finished 20. That somehow feels appropriate for 2020 itself. Oddly, I have 10 books that I shelved and chose not to finish, as well as many that I’m currently reading but won’t complete in the next few days. Growing up, I never had more than one book going at a time, now it’s easily several if not more, when I’m in a sampling mood or all my library requests arrive at once. Sometimes it’s distracting but for the most part it’s good to have some options to go between. The Asimov novel is on my e-reader, although I still prefer print mostly, so my habits for reading e-books differ than print and they mainly become bedtime reads since it’s easier to hold and adjust lighting for reading in bed. Who knows what 2021 will bring? Rather than setting a number goal, I think I’ll do more of the same for this year–trying out authors and genres, reading books that I’ve always wanted to but just haven’t yet, and of course enjoying my favorites and, when possible, learning something along the way. Everyone can use more enjoyment in their lives, whatever that may be to each person.

As 2020 comes to a close, stay safe and healthy. Happy holidays!

Read: E is for evidence by Sue Grafton

E is for evidence by Sue Grafton is the most complex of her novels in the alphabet series thus far. Someone is framing Kinsey for a recent crime but the current case actually has ties to older shenanigans as well.

The plots of Sue Grafton novels get better with each novel. Not only is the current crime complex, but it is linked to an older death originally deemed a suicide but turns out to be foul play. As the story unfolds, the twists and turns really give this plot enormous depth. It truly is a wild ride!

Kinsey as a character continues to develop and shows new levels of her savvy and cleverness. She is tough and when the going gets tough she persists even more than usual. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters of all time.

One of the best aspects of this particular novel is the development of a character who Kinsey usually doesn’t get along with. Darcy works at the insurance company and she is almost the exact opposite of Kinsey. However, for this case, they team up and work to solve the crime together. Their relationship develops into something positive and I am sure that we will see more of them in upcoming novels. They have a great dynamic and it is fun to see Kinsey expanding beyond just herself especially when in need.

Recommended?: For mystery novel fans and of course fans of Sue Grafton. This novel stands well on its own but as always with her series, it is better read within the set.

My other reviews of the Kinsey Millhone series:

1 A is for alibi

2 B is for burglar

3 C is for corpse

4 D is for deadbeat

Read: We are holding the President hostage by Warren Adler

Successful marketing can make all the difference. That is certainly true for We are holding the President hostage by Warren Adler. Although published in 1986, I just heard about it this year and so did other people reviewing it on Goodreads. The audiobook was released fairly recently, which created new buzz.

As the title isn’t subtle, the plot itself is giveaway. However, it is well-down and intriguing nonetheless, especially considering this book was written in 1986. In the novel, Egyptians are taking American hostages and the Americans don’t want to negotiate with terrorists. A pretty basic plot but the twist comes when the hostagetaking goes wrong and the mother and the sun are grabbed instead. The main issue with this is that they’re part of a mob boss’ family. In order to get his daughter and grandson back, the padre takes the President of theUnited States hostage during a state dinner. From there, it becomes a cat and mouse game of force versus politics.

At the White House, the main question is whether or not the president is compromised. The NSA director soon joins the hostage party, along with his state of the art computer, and helps the president achieve his goals while staying in power. The political savvy of this book is interesting since the Vice President is an outsider that was just put on the ticket for the win. He believes that he must take over power in order to deal with the situation levelheadedly but the rest of the President’s cabinet does not believe in him. Among all the action, the political intrigue is fascinating. Everyone wants to affect the outcome and pulls different strings to do so.

The story itself takes place in the White House and with the kidnapped daughter and her son hostages in the Middle East. Other than their poor living conditions, there is it really description about how or if they are mistreated further. It’s clear that their main purpose is bargaining chip. Nowadays with all the detailed violence portrayed in various media, it’s nice that it’s not the focus in this book. The point is how, or even can, the President free the kidnapped hostages in the Middle East without being killed or ousted himself. Is it possible for him to remain President and in control?

Alder’s writing is simple and action-driven, making it a very quick read. It reminds be of a Vince Flynn or Dan Brown novel but with much more political intrigue. That was the part that I enjoyed the most–different characters motivations and the justification of how to achieve what they believed to be the correct course of action.

Recommended?: Yes, for anyone who enjoys a politically savvy, action novel that’s a very quick read. Well there’s not much depth, it is fun and not exactly the plot you might expect. Also, I’m sure it’d be a great audiobook.

Read: D is for deadbeat: A Kinsey Millhone mystery by Sue Grafton

Once again, Kinsey Millhone is on the trail of an unknown killer in D is for deadbeat. Sue Grafton’s next is the alphabet mysteries fits right in.

Once again, Grafton has a multitude of characters in this novel. That makes the whodunit aspect of the mystery much more intriguing. For me, it really did end up being a surprise, which was fun. Her characters feel realistic and especially in this one cover a range of emotions due to the plot and everyone’s terrible relations with the deadbeat that everyone is connected to.

As far as the plot goes, it is definitely well written but is by far the saddest so far in the series. The body count is higher and as readers we are invested in a couple of them. Oddly, the plot is a bit of a conundrum, as the deadbeat hires Kinsey first of all to deliver a cashiers check to someone that he can’t locate but then is himself killed towards the beginning of the novel and she sticks on to try to figure out who killed him because she has a sense it wasn’t an accident like the cops claim. So even though we don’t care for the deadbeat we care about the people around him who are connected to him and those who want to get even with him for the terrible things he’s done in the past. That’s what makes this plot most intriguing is because many people have a motivation to get rid of him.

As with Grafton’s other novels, this one is also a quick read, facilitated by her engaging and compelling writing that has a wonderful flow. Other than the sassy, no-nonsense main character Kinsey, her writing style is what keeps me coming back to this series.

Recommended?: Yes, as long as you don’t mind a sad ending (perhaps it’s more tragic than sad). First, of all the books so far, this one stands well on its own. There aren’t that many ties to the previous book and it is more self-contained than any of the other one so far. While the others are fun and do add to the bigger picture of Kinsey Millhone, this one could be picked up out of order or just as a single read of the series and it would be okay. There’s quite a bit of drama, lots of desire for revenge, and slightly more graphic descriptions of injuries. Still, it’s a great mystery novel.

My other reviews of the Kinsey Millhone series:

1 A is for alibi

2 B is for burglar

3 C is for corpse

Read: Rich people problems: a novel by Kevin Kwan

The final book in the trilogy, Rich people problems by Kevin Kwan achieves the same outrageous, glamorous, fabulous stratosphere of the first two novels. Kwan once again returns to Singapore to continue following the stories of Nick Young and his large and larger-than-life family. This time, his beloved grandmother Su Yi, owner of family estate Tyersall Park, is dying and everyone rushes home to be by her bedside.

Since the plot is so clever and complex, I won’t give away much about the novel. However, it really does follow the last two closely so the complete trilogy needs to be read. It wouldn’t be quite as enjoyable if read is a standalone book due to the backstory of all the characters, plot lines, and relationships that build up to the start of this final novel.

As with the first two in the trilogy, this third installment has the same satirical tone. It captures the glam and glitz of crazy rich Asians, from the posh old money Singaporeans to the brash new money Chinese mainlanders. Even among each group, there are reserved and flashy people as well. Kwan captures many nuances among the different types, motivations, and mentality of the über wealthy elites. He once again balances being bizarrely outrageous while still believable. For some reason, no matter what over-the-top occurrence happens, as a reader I was still completely bought into the characters and the story.

Rich people problems expands its breadth of main characters to encompass those who had previous lesser rolls and other books. While Nick and Rachel are still two of the main characters, Astrid and Charlie get more story time and another main focus surprisingly is on Kitty Pong–who has once again married up for even more fame and fortune. Quan deafly intertwined various storylines until they all match up and get resolved. However, he continues to use his true cliffhanger style, though sometimes irritating, in alternating chapters to different characters; sometimes I just wanted to keep reading a certain character’s storyline but that desire put aside as a reader, his novel is well-planned out just like the others.

Recommended?: Yes, for anyone who’s read the rest of the series. The other two are excellent so if you haven’t read them, start there first. There is so much back history between all the characters that plays into this novel that it only truly makes sense with all of the previous history. As it is the final book in the trilogy, all of the stories wrap up and some characters get what they truly deserve so a real pleasure comes from having read the first two in order to understand all the situations and relationships leading up to this final novel.

My other Crazy rich trilogy reviews:
Book one: Crazy rich Asians
Book two: China rich girlfriend

Read: C is for corpse: a Kinsey Millhone mystery by Sue Grafton

Finished the third in the series and can’t wait to read the next! C is for corpse: a Kinsey Millhone mystery by Sue Grafton continues to follow the sassy, twice divorced Kinsey Millhone as she takes on yet another perplexing case. This time, her client winds up dead and she even more doggedly tries to solve the case.

When Kinsey meets Bobby Callahan, he’s already been purposefully run off the road and is disfigured from his injuries. There is no evidence of a crime, however, and it appears that he just had an accident but his best friend died in the crash and Bobby is determined to figure out who is trying to kill him even if he can’t remember a thing before the accident. As Kinsey and Bobby become close, when he dies in a fatal car accident, she digs into the case even harder, wanting to figure it out not only for herself but for him.

Compared to the other two in the series, this is my least favorite so far. While Kinsey is still her same sassy and sometimes rude self, the plot just didn’t grab me. Bobby is killed about halfway through (which is spoiled on the back cover so it’s not really a spoiler) and the. It drags for a bit but picks back up at the end for a thriller. Also, the side story abut her landlord sly new girlfriend didn’t interest me even though it’s its own mini mystery inside the novel. It just felt in the way of the main plot.

Grafton includes many more characters as well, starting to include more of a cast than just a handful which is good. It may allow her to do more complex mysteries in future books in the series. In this novel, they are all well-used, even if briefly. The world felt more full and complete, though the simplicity and tightly-bound stories of the first two worked as well. It’s just a different approach. Since it is a large series, it’s nice to see variety this early on. Cookie cutter books are never much fun for me.

Recommended?: Yes, if you want to read all in the series. If you are new, better to start at the beginning and then work up to this one especially as there are only two before it. If you don’t care about reading them all, you could skip. While it stands alone better, I wouldn’t recommend beginning with or only reading this one, though. Next up: D is for deadbeat!

My other reviews of the Kinsey Millhone series:

1. A is for alibi
2. B is for burglar

Read: The diary of a Tokyo teen: Japanese-American girl travels to the land of trendy fashion, high-tech toilet and maid cafes by Christine Mari Izner

The diary of a Tokyo teen: Japanese-American girl travels to the land of trendy fashion, high-tech toilet and maid cafes by Christine Mari Izner is a fun illustrated overview of visiting Japan.

Izner writes about going back to her home country of Japan for a summer when she was a teenager. She stays with her grandparents for several weeks on her own and then the rest of her family joins for the last part of her trip. During that time she sees Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara, along with enjoying the company of her grandparents in their small town outside of Tokyo. Several popular foods, sites, and noteworthy cultural aspects are explained as she explores Japan.

Although the graphic novel is simple with only a photo or a few drawings and minimal text on a page, it really is meant for a teenager. However, adults can enjoy too especially if you need a quick idea of what it is like to visit Japan. For the most part, there isn’t anything offensive, but there is a reference made to love hotels.

The overall style of the graphic novel conveys the bright and trendy as well as historical parts of Japan very well. She uses snapshot photos, drawings and doodles to tell the story. Sometime she makes comparison drawings while other times she depicts the scenery of an area. The style makes for a fast and breezy read, and if you have a bit of time, it can be finished in one sitting.

Recommended?: yes, for any teens or adults traveling to Japan, lovers a graphic novels, and anyone who wants to be transported on a whirlwind adventure. Although it’s told from the perspective of a teenage girl, everyone can enjoy it.

Read: China rich girlfriend: a novel by Kevin Kwan

Crazy rich Asians have nothing on a China rich girlfriend. This sequel by Kevin Kwan is even more over-the-top, a feat that doesn’t seem possible, making it another fabulous time in Singapore, Hong Kong, and of course mainland China.

Rachel and Nick are back with another whirlwind adventure trip to the East. This time, they go to China but Nick’s family features fairly prominently as well in Singapore and Hong Kong. Drama seems to follow them despite their low-key attitudes, making this another fun and enjoyable read.

While the first novel focused on Nick’s family dynamics and their desire to remain private and frugally spend their wealth (or not), China rich girlfriend is all about the publicity-seeking, gigantic-spending, wealth-inheriting Chinese mainlanders of Nick and Rachel’s generation. The more bling the better! No price is too much.

Again, Kwan plots an extravagant story that has believable characters despite the grandiose setting and spending sprees. He is very deft at walking the fine line between ridiculously unbelievable and just crazy enough. Rachel and Nick head to China once again on a trip that has likely found her actual birthday father but his family is less than thrilled that she found them. As she tries to enjoy China, drama ensues with her stepmom and they try to make the best of the trip anyway.

Recommended?: Yes, especially if you’re a fan of the first novel or want a peak into how the opulent young mainlander Chinese unload their money without so much as blinking an eye. While not required to enjoy this sequel, it certainly makes more sense since you will know right away who everyone is and what their relationships are to each other. I can’t wait to read the third in the trilogy!

Read: Leviathan wakes by James S.A. Corey

Sometimes I think books should count as two, especially when they are 561 pages such as Leviathan wakes by James S.A. Corey. However, despite its size, it truly was a fast read considering, due to the plausible premise, compelling storytelling, and interesting characters of this sci-fi mystery novel. It is the first in the Expanse series, which has also been made into a tv show although the book contains much more depth and detail.

While no year is given, the story is set in the distant future in which Mars has a stable military colony, something disastrous happened to Earth that changed the environment in certain areas, and there are additional human colonies throughout the solar system on stations and moons. Enough time has passed that people born and raised in space alone have different features, being extra tall and lanky among other things–referred to as “belters”. Mars and Earth have a love/hate relationship at this point. The three groups just barely get alone since everyone needs the others to fully survive as they trade resources and provide services or goods unique to their group. However, war breaks out flamed by tension and mistrust between them all, which only obscures the real threat going on that very few know about and a handful are trying to stop it.

The novel consists of alternating chapters by two main characters: Detective Miller and Captain Holden. Miller is a belter working on a missing person’s case until he gets fired when the war breaks out. Holden was part of a larger crew when he and a few other crew members got separated from the rest and saved from the attack on their main ship, making him the new captain on their smaller shuttle; unwittingly, he sets off the war when he broadcasts the evidence of the attack, not knowing at the time that it was all a set-up to allow a greedy corporation to do human experiments with alien technology that they discovered and kept to themselves, believing they could profit from it. However, the alien technology is more of a virus than realized so wreaks havoc and devastation. Miller and Holden, first separately then together, work to expose and correct the actions of the devious corporation in order to save humanity.

Corey writes such a realistic and plausible colonized space, describing the environmental systems running the space stations, negative effects of space travel and the countermeasures in place to counteract them, as well as the aging technology in need of further upgrade that’s not receiving it. Many times sci-fi only showcases shiny, new technology and space travel with zero consequences on the mind and body, but Leviathan wakes captures a more wholistic view and places the story in a “lived in” world, at a time in which space colonies are boring, typical, everyday life. It’s a great take on life in space and likely would eventually happen if we ever actually colonized the solar system. The plot is then more about humanity than space, in that regard.

There’s a great mix of characters and personalities, several of whom the story follows closely. Their perspectives are unique and many times they have to either convince each other or explain their reasoning, which deepens the plots and characters.

Recommended?:

Yes! Sci-fi fans will love it, along with anyone who likes space novels or pondering humanity and the fragility of it. Word of caution, there’s a good amount of gore and descriptions about how the alien virus-like technology as it transforms its human victims that can be a bit disturbing. Due to this, it’s more adult reading even though older teens could understand it. Still, it’s a great novel and very enjoyable read. I can’t wait to read more books in the series!

Read: B is for burglar by Sue Grafton

Having recently finished A is for alibi, I just had get Sue Grafton’s next in the “alphabet mystery” series. B is for burglar does not disappoint and if anything, is more enjoyable than the first. Good thing there are many, many more. I’m going to try to intersperse other books in with the Grafton mysteries but clearly this is going to be a major part of my book list for the rest of the year.

The novel opens again with Kinsey Millhone once again tucking into a new case. This one begins as a missing person but soon becomes a murder mystery with lots of unknowns and questions, along with a whole slew of characters it could be just as guilty as next. Kinsey’s character development is phenomenal in this novel. The first one gave just a taste but this one really digs into who she is and her brazen, savvy personality. She is a strong woman who takes no gruff from anyone and takes particular pleasure in when she reverses gender roles and catches men of guard, such as ordering for them at a restaurant. Fun to think that this was written in the mid ’80s with all the talk about stereotypes and pushback that is going on currently in society.

The storyline in B is for burglar, is more complex and intricate than the first novel as well, which is a very good sign for the books to come. Rather than being over the top, the plot begins to unfold as the pieces slowly come into place. The drama is low-key although there are some surprises along the way. Grafton has a good blend of keeping the story progressing while making it realistic at the same time.

One thing that did jump out at me in this novel, Grafton uses a lot of metaphors and similes. Usually they just enhance the scene or emphasize something but there are some that are harsh and brash. Very funny stuff, since it furthers Kinsey’s personality with her inside commentary that the readers also get to enjoy.

Recommended?: Yes! For mystery fans, Sue Grafton fans, and anyone who wants a good crime-fighting drama with a strong woman protagonist. It’s possible to start with this book or read it on its own. But the first book does lay more groundwork although the basics are covered in this one too.