Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut

Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut
⭐⭐⭐

In Player Piano, Kurt Vonnegut imagines a society that is completely controlled by machines, and the average man seems to have lost his place and sense of purpose in the world. After several devastating wars take place, the need for Army recruits and devoted soldiers becomes terrifyingly dire. To satiate this necessity, two Industrial Revolutions take place, where machines are developed to replace humans in almost every way. Society becomes broken into a hierarchy of two classes, the elite and the lower class. Due to the lack of jobs, the lower class (who are uneducated, unskilled, poor, and belonging to average families) are forced to choose one of two careers: become a Reeks and Wrecks worker (basically a repairman/garbageman/mechanic) or join the Army. Our main character Paul is the son of one of the founding engineers of this new society, but he doesn't feel satisfied following in his father's footsteps. Player Piano is Vonnegut's attempt to describe a civilian uprising and whether or not it would be successful. 

Player Piano is Vonnegut's first book, and being fully transparent, he is one of my favorite authors so I knew I would enjoy this story. What I didn't expect was how progressive some of the ideologies Vonnegut highlights throughout the book would be. This is a story about capitalism, humanism, class war, rebellion, privilege, and how the democracy our country is built on is not quite the democracy that we are being sold. There are a lot of examples of these themes, but I am specifically impressed with how Vonnegut dealt with the ideas of needing to dismantle a society/government in order to build a new one, and false saviorism. Actually - one of my favorite parts of this story is that Paul decides that he is the Messiah that the lower class is needing, and so essentially, he is moving from a position of power to ANOTHER position of power (which directly sheds light on the regularity of nefarious intentions, even if someone's heart is in the right place). 

I rated this three stars only because you can tell it's his first book! There were some moments that could have been edited out. You can tell that Vonnegut wanted to include every idea and criticism he had and at times, the story kind of jumped all over the place. I also wasn't a fan of the ending. I felt that it kind of defeated the purpose of the whole book, but you would have to judge for yourself! I also would have enjoyed a more thorough ending, something that we could have experienced just as we experienced the rest of the novel, but unfortunately, we only see the results of what takes place, not the actual events. 

All in all, this is classic Vonnegut! He's funny, witty, and his politics are mostly always on point. I enjoyed Player Piano a lot - it just wasn't my favorite book of his that I've read. I would definitely recommend reading it if you enjoy politics or satire or are looking for an introduction to more classic literature. Kurt Vonnegut writes Science Fiction like no other! 

This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno

This Thing Between Us 
by Gus Moreno
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thiago has just lost his wife Vera in a terrible accident. Everyone believes that it was just a random tragedy, but Thiago is of a different opinion. Before Vera's death, the couple purchased the Itza, a smart speaker, and very quickly afterward, started to experience some extremely strange and haunting things. Thiago knows deep down that the Itza is related to Vera's death - he just doesn't know how... yet.

This Thing Between Us is a meditation on grief, a horror story, a discussion on race and identity, and an interesting take on the relationship we form with the technology surrounding us. The story begins with Vera's funeral and the book actually reads like a letter that Thiago is writing to his deceased wife. 

This is honestly one of the more unique books I've read this year and I LOVED it. There are so many elements to this story, and it very easily could've felt aimless, but Gus Moreno did an exemplary job giving this story direction and purpose. I loved how honest Thiago's grief is and how strong his love for Vera is. 

This Thing Between Us is definitely a horror novel but determining what kind of horror this is - it's pretty difficult. More than anything, this story is about a haunting. The type of haunting is definitely up to interpretation, though (is it ghosts? demons? PTSD? lost love? who knows!). This is a slow build of a story, and it has proven to be pretty divisive amongst readers. I personally thought it was eerie, creepy as hell, and profoundly cathartic. It really left its mark on me!

If you are open to more experimental books, this one is really intriguing, thought-provoking, and haunting. It moved me in a million different ways. Gus Moreno is for sure an author that I will be following and I'm eager to see what else he comes up with in the future!

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
⭐⭐

Emma Davis seems to have her life together. She has a promising career as a painter, and she's considered an up-and-coming artist in the NYC art scene. No one but Emma knows that beneath each of her paintings are hidden three missing teenage girls. Having been the last person to see them alive, Emma is haunted by her past and these three girls, with whom she spent a summer vacation at Camp Nightingale. On the 15th anniversary of the incident, the camp is reopening, and Emma gets the opportunity to return as a camp counselor. Determined to solve the mystery of her missing friends, Emma must face the guilt and the ghosts that have followed her all these years. 

I really enjoy Riley Sager's books, but this one just didn't work for me! I felt like it was a hodgepodge of different thriller elements thrown together, and unfortunately, that approach didn't put a cohesive story together. Every bit of angst and tension was put onto the page, even when it didn't fit the narrative or mesh with the characterization/logic of the story.

I would've enjoyed more of an investigation on Emma's part, more history, and more realistic relationships and characters. The flashbacks were the most interesting parts of the book, so I wish they had been lengthier with more depth. I feel like 300-400 pages is just too short for a fully realized, immersive thriller with decent characterization and a well thought out ending (although those are thoughts for another time lol). 

The ending also left me wanting more as well! The first twist was very predictable for me, though the second twist definitely surprised me. Even so, I didn't really enjoy the ending. I felt like it was a little forced. 

Overall, this book was a bunch of pointless chaos and the ending felt like it was supposed to be a tidy lil' bow, but I just really wanted more. The Last Time I Lied just wasn't a book for me! And that's okay! Not all books can be winners. Lots of people loved this one, though, so if you're interested in the synopsis, check it out and give it a chance! It just didn't leave much of an impression on me!

We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix

We Sold Our Souls
by Grady Hendrix
⭐⭐

Kris Pulaski wasn't always a failed, washed-up, wannabe rockstar in her 40s working at a motel to make the ends of her miserable life meet. She was once a badass guitar player for a band named Durt Wurk... at least she was before her bandmate Terry Hunt sold out and went solo, leaving his ex-bandmates to fall in his shadow. One day, Kris is driving home when she sees a billboard sign promoting Terry's post-retirement concert, and she instantly knows that he must be stopped. As she contacts her ex-bandmates, Kris stumbles upon a conspiracy theory that may just be true - Terry isn't who he says he is. There's also killer UPS men and demon creatures and lots of metalhead trivia. 

As a metalhead myself, I wanted to love this book. I was really appreciative of the fact that our main character is a middle-aged woman and was excited to follow her on her journey of kicking men's asses. Unfortunately, that didn't really happen. Actually... nothing really happened. The concept of the plot was strong, but it was executed poorly in my opinion. It was so loosely tied together, and the most interesting parts of the story were completely brushed aside. There was close to no characterization, and there is also barely any exploration into the relationships between Durt Wurk's members. Kris was the only female in an all-male metal band - to go deeper into that dynamic would have been interesting, especially as she was the creative force behind the music. 

There were cool aspects of this story but it mostly all fell flat. There was a total of three months in the book that were completely cut out of Kris' journey to reach Terry Hunt. This was like a story where things just happen for the hell of it, with no real explanations or storytelling whatsoever. The ending is bizarre and rushed. Between each chapter are radio show snippets and they were completely unneeded. They were mostly pointless - not adding humor or knowledge that was needed for the story. It really seemed more like an attempt to make the book look longer than it really is. 

I was honestly so disappointed in this story and I wanted a lot more from the plot and characters. This is unfortunately another example of a great idea executed poorly. I really think that with a little more time and effort, this could have been something special. With that said, this is just my personal opinion! If the story interests you, definitely give it a try!

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Washington Black introduces us to Wash, an eleven-year-old slave on a sugar plantation in Barbados, right as a new master comes to take control of the farm. The master's scientist of a brother, Titch, arrives alongside him. Titch takes a liking to Wash and takes him under his wing as an assistant and apprentice. Through Titch, Wash learns how to read, write, and draw, the latter of which Wash seems to have a natural talent for. As their bond grows, there is a tragic event on the farm, causing Titch and Wash to go on the run. Washington Black chronicles these events as well as Wash's experiences of becoming a free man and finding the identity that was stolen from him the day he was born.

Washington Black is a subtle yet profound story that really left its mark on me. I can't express the pure genius of this story and the finesse with which it was written. Esi Edugyan not only gives us a heartbreaking and realistic tale of slavery, but she also gives us an intimate look into how difficult freedom was for the slaves who were able to escape captivity. Throughout the story, Wash questions his identity and existence, not knowing who he is or what his purpose is, having been taught his whole life that his is an unnatural existence and that he belongs in chains. 

The relationship between Wash and Titch was so impressively nuanced. Edugyan was able to portray Titch's clemency whilst shedding light on white saviorism and the very harm it does to the people you are wishing to help. To witness Wash go from putting Titch on a pedestal to coming to terms with Titch's egocentric ideology was emotional but also very thought provoking.  

Some people didn't like the science and mystical elements of the story, but I found them vital to the narrative as it was clear to me that Edugyan put an incredible amount of effort into the metaphors used throughout the book. Every moment has a purpose, and it was a great experience as a reader to discern the deeper meanings. The characterization was amazing and your opinions on the characters change as you watch Wash's opinions change at the same time. It was a wild and emotional rollercoaster of a ride, and this is one of those books I wish I could read again for the first time.

Overall, Washington Black is one of my favorite books I've read this year! I highly recommend it! Wash's journey was incredible to experience, and I think he will stay with me for a long time.

No Heaven for Good Boys by Keisha Bush

No Heaven for Good Boys
by Keisha Bush
⭐⭐⭐

Set in Senegal, No Heaven for Good Boys sheds light on the disturbing cruelty and abuse that young boys, known as the Talibe, must suffer and endure. The Talibe are young boys taken in by respected Marabouts, or holy men, whose purpose is to teach the newer generations the beliefs of the Koran. Marabouts are not always kind, righteous people, however, and many Talibe end up starved, abused, m*lested, and sometimes even k*lled. The Talibe are forced to roam the streets, begging for money from civilians for their supposedly holy masters. 

In No Heaven for Good Boys, we follow six-year-old Ibrahimah who, after being accidentally left by his family on a beach, is rescued by a man named Marabout Ahmed and is forcefully taken from his parents in order to pay back the debt that his saving has cost. Ibrahimah and his cousin Etienne fight for their lives daily in the city of Dakar, begging for money, food, and gifts for their Marabout, in a desperate hope of avoiding his merciless beatings. 

Truthfully, this is one of the more disturbing books I've ever read. The perspective shifts from time to time, but we mostly experience life through the eyes of six-year-old Ibrahimah. To see such abuse and cruelty through a child's eyes is really heartbreaking. I understood the author's intentions behind using Ibrahimah's age, especially because this story is a nightmare come true for so many boys. Ibrahimah's is a real story, one that many young boys suffer through. I am very impressed with Keisha Bush's ability to write something this cruel and actually have the ability to finish it.

Despite how important it is to shed light on this issue, I only rated this three stars because of the ending. I know that, when portraying real life issues, in an effort to emphasize the severity of the problem, authors will write ambiguous endings to avoid a "happy ending." Typically, I enjoy vague endings, but there are some stories I believe NEED hope, this narrative being one of them, and unfortunately, for me, there was simply no hope in this book. After witnessing all of Ibrahimah's suffering, I really wanted to witness his liberation as well.

Overall, this book is addressing a very real and serious issue that more people should be made aware of. As a story, however, it was very disturbing and triggered a feeling of perpetual suffering. So, with that said, if this story interests you, please be aware of the content warnings because there are definitely many of them!

- trigger warnings - child cruelty, child ab*se, death, p*dophilia, m*lestation, r*pe, s*xual assault

The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman

The Bullet that Missed
by Richard Osman
⭐⭐⭐

The Bullet that Missed is the third installment in the Thursday Murder Club series! As usual, the gang works together to solve a famous murder case. This time, the murder belongs to news anchor Bethany Waites, whose car was pushed off the edge of a cliff… without her body. While the crew works hard to find Bethany’s killer, Elizabeth’s murky past starts to catch up with her. 

The Man Who Died Twice was such a great sequel, so I was really excited to read this book! Unfortunately, it wasn’t as strong, in my opinion. Of all three books, this one felt very rushed, like Richard Osman was getting close to his deadline. The humor wasn’t as frequent or strong, Elizabeth wasn’t really at the top of her game, and there, quite frankly, just wasn’t enough Joyce. Also, the mystery of this book wasn’t spectacular and the villain of the story was predictable to me. 

With that said, however, I loved the new characters that were introduced to us in this book! Each one is totally unique and adds a new perspective to our group of elderly crime fighters. And honestly, despite my criticisms, I still enjoyed revisiting these characters and liked the story decently enough. 

I saw that book four is already in the works, which is great, but also worrisome. It’s when publishers put pressure on authors to write an annual bestseller that we enter the territory of lower quality storylines and rushed endings. I really hope the next book is stronger than this one. Still, though, it was an enjoyable story!

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hamnet is Maggie O’Farrell’s interpretation of the parts of Shakespeare’s life that the history books unfortunately cannot provide to us. Not only does this book take a deep dive into Shakespeare’s marriage and family life, but also the death of his son and how this loss inspired him to write one of his most famous plays, Hamlet. 

This is one of those books that is entirely characterization and not much plot, which I personally adore! With that being said, this narrative is incredible. I really loved that Shakespeare remains unnamed in the story; instead, it focuses more on his wife Agnes, how they met, the evolution of their marriage, and Agnes’ role in the family. 

Hamnet is an incredible dialogue on grief, and Maggie O’Farrell’s commitment to depicting the different forms of grief is so appreciated. Of course, the main grief discussed in Hamnet is child loss and how this affects parents and siblings as they try to pick up the pieces of their lives. In addition to this, the grief of the past, of the future, of hopes/dreams, and of motherhood are also chronicled in this story. Not only are these examples of grief realistic, but they are also heartbreaking. 

There were also mystical elements mixed into the story, which added a lot of depth and emotion that maybe would have lacked due to unknown historical facts surrounding Shakespeare’s life and relationships. Agnes’ abilities in particular were interesting and I really enjoyed those parts of her character. 

As the cover of this book mentions, Hamnet is a plague story, focusing on the Bubonic Plague in particular. Maggie O’Farrell was able to paint a very real and disturbing version of the Bubonic Plague without being gory or disrespectful to its victims. She was able to use the plague almost like an additional character, and the finesse with which she did it shows the talent she possesses. 

Overall, if you enjoy historical fiction, this isn’t just a recommendation - this is a must read for you! It very quickly became one of my favorite books this year! It really is incredible. As someone who has lost a sibling, this story really hit me. I loved it.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
by Holly Jackson
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Five years ago, Sal Singh allegedly murdered his high school girlfriend, Andie Bell, and later committed suicide. It is widely believed by the town that Sal perpetrated the crime, despite Andie's body never having been found. Seventeen year-old Pippa Fitz-Amobi never truly bought into Sal's guilt and, with a secret agenda in mind, chooses to base her senior year project on the crime. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder follows Pip as she uncovers her hometown's dark secrets and the truth of what happened that night five years ago - because Sal couldn't possibly have done it... right?

From front to back, this book was awesome. I was so impressed that this is marketed as a YA novel. Not only did we have a strong, intelligent, and determined female lead, but she was funny as hell, too. If I ever decide to actually grow up, I want to be Pip. 

The story dealt with some heavier themes such as s*xual assault, dr*g abuse, abuse of power, and racism. Holly Jackson did a phenomenal job weaving these darker topics into the narrative, as well as discussing and portraying them realistically. Our secondary characters (especially Ravi, Sal's younger brother who aids Pip in her investigation) added to the heart of the story and served to highlight some of Pip's best qualities throughout the book. 

This would've been five stars, but the ending was partly predictable for me. That's okay though, because A Good Girl's Guide to Murder was otherwise incredible!

Overall, this book was fun, dark, perfectly paced, intense, thought-provoking, and funny. Pip is a character that will hang around for a while in my mind. I highly recommend this one if you like mysteries and/or thrillers! I can't wait to read the sequel! 

- trigger warnings - s*xual assault, r*pe, su*cide, dr*g abuse, racism