Almost every single book I read in August was borrowed rather than from my own shelf. I finally signed up for a physical library card (until recently, I only had a digital “card” that had expired). With this new card, I am now able to check out books of all forms: graphic novels, e-books for my Kindle, and audiobooks. This allowed me to fit in more reads in one month than I have been able to much of this year. I’m going through a lot of changes in life between moving and expanding on my responsibilities at work, so it’s been great to spend a little more time dedicated to reading!
Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory by Deeana Kastor and Michelle Hamilton
You don’t run with your feet – you run with your heart.
Published: 2018 Pages: 286 Genre: Memoir, Sports Nonfiction, Self Help
Plot: Ever since childhood, Deena Kastor has been racing her way to victory, claiming first-place ribbons and moving up into elite running teams. However, Deena’s racing career has been an uphill battle after experiencing a devastating blow to her confidence and ability. To get back in the game, Deena set upon a journey of using positive psychology to become a stronger athlete than ever before.
Thoughts: This book was lent to me, a new-ish runner who’s getting back on her feet, by my dad, a long-time, long-distance runner who is exceptionally dedicated to hitting the trails. Although Deena Kastor has competed in the Olympics and is probably one of the most famous female distance runners in recent history, her stories of endurance and the power of positive thinking that runners and athletes of all levels may find encouraging. When I was a swimmer in high school, my coach gifted my varsity teammates and me each a copy of Stotan! by Chris Crutcher. These two books both carry the same message: the best athletes learn to control and train their minds just as much as their bodies. I will be filling out Deena’s workbook The Optimist’s Guide (found at the end of her memoir) to plot out new goals, both in my exercise routine and daily habits.
For fans of Runners World Magazine, Chi Running by Danny Dreyer, and What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
We are all stardust and stories.
Published: 2019 Pages: 498 Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism
Plot: The Starless Sea, a fantastical place hidden from everyone above the surface, is home to stories and their gaurdians. Graduate student Zachary Ezra Rawlins is lead to this magical world once he discovers a mysterious book at the university library containing a story from his own childhood. In this journey, Zachary will discover his own purpose as well as meet many friends and foes of the Starless Sea.
Thoughts: I started this book on my Kindle and then switched to the audiobook version after hearing my friend was doing that to stay on top of the story. Honestly, even with six or so narrators to signal the different plot lines, it was super difficult for me to concentrate on this book. Starless is a love letter to stories, fairy tales, and the magic of reading. But without much plot or character development, what does that leave? I am slowly starting to gravitate away from overly descriptive, lengthy books in favor of reads that are fast and punchy. I just don’t have the attention span for anything that reads like a maze full of Russian dolls. However, I do think that Erin Morgenstern writes beautifully and her imagination is equally lovely and magical. I have The Night Circus sitting on my shelf, so I don’t mind giving her writing another try…someday.
For fans of fairy tales, video games, and short story collections
Destiny’s Surrender by Beverly Jenkins 🌟
To tell you the truth, I did something women like me are never supposed to do…fall in love.
Published: 2013 Pages: 384 Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction
Plot: Prostitute Billie has been making ends meet for herself since she was a child. She spares herself no rest or tears, believing that toughness is the only way to survive this life. The one weakness she allows herself is pining for her most loyal customer: Andrew Yates, a wealthy and successful lawyer who indulges Billie in extravagant trips and gifts as well as teaches her new skills. But when Billie becomes pregnant, she must find a way to save her child – and herself – from a disastorous fate. The path to safety leads her back to Drew, who has meanwhile been seeking a wife of proper standing.
Thoughts: At this point in my life, I am a sucker for clinch covers, feisty heroines, and happily-ever-afters. That’s why I was so excited to discover Beverly Jenkin’s Destiny series which contains all of the above plus some seriously cool history about the Latinx and Black American experience in the post-frontier United States. Even though I really enjoyed Destiny’s Embrace, I am an even bigger fan of the sequel. How often have you read something from the perspective of a pistol-wielding, pregnant prostitute? I also was impressed with the many different mothers from Alanza, the compassionate, hardworking ranchera to Addy, the whorehouse cleaning woman with a secret agenda.
For fans of Alyssa Cole, Julia Quinn, and Courtney Milan
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark 🌟
Now Lie go around wearing Truth’s face, fooling everybody he meet.
Published: 2020 Pages: 185 Genre: Horror, Historical Fiction, Dark Fantasy
Plot: In the 1920s during the Prohibition era of the United States, evil magic is brewing catalyzed by the film The Birth of a Nation. The films popularity has allowed the Klan to rise in power, warping the truth to fit their regime and manipulating the very fabric of humanity. Meanwhile, Maryse Boudreaux runs a bootleg whiskey operation in Georgia on top of one dangerous side gig: slaying “Ku Kluxes,” humans who have evolved into monsters after feeding on the Klan’s hateful spell. With the help of a mystical sword, a ragtag team of Ku Klux assassins, and her guardian aunties, Maryse battles the Klan as they attempt to release hell on earth.
Thoughts: What a freaking concept: the KKK reimagined as hideous flesh-eating monsters and a crew of Black defenders fighting them with ancestral wisdom and badass weaponry. I listened to the audiobook version and was mesmerized by Channie Waites’ narration in which she swiftly transitions between the haunted savior Maryse, hilarious sidekick Sadie, eerie monsters of many forms, and a host of other characters. This story had some of the most skin-crawling imagery I’ve ever experienced in a horror novel, especially considering it is all a metaphor for the true ugliness spouted by racists of yesterday and today. But it was also funny and tender, reflecting how Black people have sought comfort and joy with each other through pain and persecution. I am going to revisit the story, maybe in book form, to further appreciate the dark historical fantasy P. Djèlí Clark has cooked up.
For fans of zombie movies, American Horror Story, and Stephen King
The Pursuit Of… by Courtney Milan
We make the world we can, and tell those who come next how to make it better. I suppose we’ll get all the way home eventually.
Published: 2018 Pages: 146 Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction
Plot: During the Battle of Yorktown, Black American soldier John can only grit his teeth and think of returning home to his family as cannons fire and men die around him. He approaches a British officer ready to defend himself by whatever means necessary. However, John cannot be more surprised when the man at the other end of his bayonet drops his own weapon, introduces himself as Henry, and begins chattering away about the weather. Suddenly, the British wave their white flag of surrender, leaving John to determine the fate of Henry, a man who is no more a patriot than he.
Thoughts: This was a re-read for me. Or, you might say, I “borrowed” it from my own Kindle library. I just happened to pick it up for some light reading and couldn’t put it down. It’s just such a light-hearted story set during the American Revolution, or rather, directly afterward on a soldier’s journey home. Even though it’s a short and sweet story, The Pursuit Of… touches on some serious topics of masculinity, racial inequality, and patriotism between two gay men who just happened to be thrown into a war that meets neither of their interests or needs. This novella is quickly becoming a classic for me, one I can return to whenever I need a comforting read that falls a little outside the box of typical romances.
For fans of Hamilton: An American Musical, Alyssa Cole, Julia Quinn, Beverly Jenkins
Trigger/Adult Content warnings (CONTAINS SPOILERS!) below
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Let Your Mind Run: may be triggering to pro-athletes/former pros for mentions of extreme running and training conditions, injuries from running/overworking body and not resting, some mild adult references but generally appropriate for young athletes as well as adults
The Starless Sea: multiple deaths of people and at least one animal, abduction, forced drug use, mention of su*c*dal thoughts, mild blood and gore, skin branding, non-fatal drowning
Destiny’s Surrender: attempted and implied r*pe, death and murder at the hands of one very notorious predator, a man slits two people’s throats, a man shoots two people in the kneecaps, a bear attacks a person and kills one dog, lots of shooting of guns both in combat and for recreation, a woman burns alive after her house is set on fire, homelessness, child abandonment, child abuse, child trafficking/prostitution, adult prostitution/sex work (major theme), several explicit sex scenes
Ring Shout: all action relies on heavy violence and mutilation, gore of humans, animals, and “Ku Kluxes” (monsters evolved from humans), it is implied that one of the characters is a child born from r*pe, bombings, stabbing, racism, slavery mentioned
The Pursuit Of…: war violence, slavery, racism, one explicit sex scene
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Stardusted Shelf 