Hi. I hope everyone is doing well. Are you ready for spring break? Well I’m getting there. I’ll be flying to Southern California tomorrow to visit with my parents. It should be beautiful in the desert areas right about now.
Meanwhile my husband will be holding down the fort while I’m away and taking care of the dogs. Things are starting to warm up and the snow is melting. It’ll likely be mud season when I return in 10 days, and we’ll have to get out the doggy towels to wipe the girls’ paws.
In book news, I see that the Audie Awards recently announced that Andy Weir’s novel Project Hail Mary won Audiobook of the Year. Wow, who knew. Did any of you listen to it? It’s narrated by actor Ray Porter. My husband read and liked the book, but I haven’t picked it up yet. Perhaps the audio is the way to go.
Also the Audie Award for Best Fiction book went to Dawnie Walton’s novel The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, which is narrated by a full cast. I just put my name on the library wait list for it. In the memoir category, Ashley Ford won for her book Somebody’s Daughter about her dysfunctional family, which she wrote and narrated. If you like audiobooks as much as I do, here’s the full list of Audie Award winners. And now I’ll leave you with a couple reviews of what I finished lately.
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant / Minotaur / 288 pages / 2021
What It’s About: An Iraq/Afghanistan war vet (Cooper) and his young daughter (Finch) have been living out in the woods off the grid for 8 years … with only one other neighbor out there (Scotland) who keeps an eye for them … as well as Jake, a friend of Cooper’s from the war days who brings them food and supplies once a year. But then on the one day Jake doesn’t show and that leads them to take some risks getting groceries … as well as contending with a couple strangers who come into their neck of the woods. Over the course of the story, you learn why Cooper is hiding out there in the first place and whether it’s time for him to face up to real life again.
My Thoughts: This slow-burn suspense novel, which I listened to as an audiobook, is done well and is fairly gripping. I liked how the story made me feel some sympathy for Cooper even though he has faults and has made mistakes in the past. But you’re not all together sure of him, or Scotland, or the others — and what they’ve done or might do, so it adds a bit of uncertainty along the way to what will happen. But there also seems an earnestness about Cooper and his young daughter Finch that makes you care about them, and the woods provides a beautiful refuge, which is all Finch has ever known.
How the story is paced made me just want to rush to the end to see what would happen, but the author holds off the reckoning — making you anticipate or want it more — and doesn’t let you know the outcome till the very end. Unfortunately the only trouble I had with the novel was the ending, which seemed too farfetched or unlikely to me and felt somehow anticlimactic. I guess I was expecting a big bang but no — it was more a quietly resolved ending.
Recitatif (1983 story) by Toni Morrison / Knopf /96 pages /reprinted 2022
This short story, which was recently published as a stand-alone book, is one that author Toni Morrison called an “experiment” for not identifying whether the two main characters in it are Black or White, yet making race an integral part of the story. I listened to it twice as an audiobook and then heard Zadie Smith’s lengthy introduction to it, which is best heard after you finish.
It’s a story about two girls in poverty — Twyla and Roberta — who meet when they are 8 years old at a state orphanage in the 1950s. They are the only ones there that are dropped off not as orphans but because one’s mother is sick and the other’s mother dances for a living. There the girls bond over their failures and similarities and eventually both leave the orphanage. Then over the decades into the late ’60s and near 1980, Twyla and Roberta run into each other at various places as their lives change and their friendship does too. Along the way, it’s interesting to think about their different perspectives on things, especially what happens to Maggie, the mute kitchen worker at the orphanage, who has something you’re unsure of happen to her.
The way Morrison writes it, she seems to mix the characters’ traits, some perhaps stereotypical Black and others more White without revealing which girl is which, leaving the reader to ponder (or try to guess) these things, though often I was busy following the story of their lives and not what skin color they were. After all both are humans with similar emotions and flaws, which perhaps is one point of the story.
It’s interesting food-for-thought about Twyla’s and Roberta’s various perspectives (especially on what happens to Maggie) and how race and attitudes towards race play a part. I was actually expecting the story to go on when it abruptly ended. So I think I was expecting to get a bit more about Twyla and Roberta. So perhaps I thought the experiment could’ve been a bit more.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read either of these and if so, what did you think? Happy spring and time change everyone.
I just finished Project Hail Mary (print version) and thought it was fantastic. How fun that the audio won and Audie! Tony Morrison is always good and gets me thinking though I haven’t read this short story.
Enjoy your visit to your parents. As you say, the desert should be stunning right now. I head to the east coast on Thursday for a couple weeks where it will not be as stunning. 🙂
Thanks Helen. The desert is so nice to visit. And it’s great you finished the Weir novel. I’ll stop by your site soon to see your thoughts on it. I’m curious now about the audio version. I read The Martian when it came out but none of his following novels. I hope you have a good trip back East! Much to see right? Happy reading.
Have fun visiting your parents. I liked These Silent Woods on audio as well but, yes that ending was a bit much – still enjoyed it though. Project Hail Mary is on my audio list as well. I also have Recitatif which I suspect will require the right mood for me.
Thanks Diane, the trip should be a good one. just fyi – Recitatif is a pretty easy listen, not as complex as some of her other novels, and very short. I was really liking These Silent Woods (up until the very end) but it needed a better ending … it was quite hard to believe and didn’t do much. Darn.
I didn’t think I’d get to the Weir book but now that it won Audio of the Year – I’ll put it back on my list. I was surprised by that. Have a great week ahead.
Hi there Susan! We are closing for first term break on Friday and I am looking forward to the few days of rest. Although, not quite sure how much rest we are talking about here. Renovations are still ongoing, but luckily it’s a lovely team of workers. But there won’t be much time for reading.
Towels in the car to wipe the dogs paws… Don’t we know that! Although, every time me and my husband go to the beach lately, I feel sad for the doggies. They are both turning 13 and it’s such a mission getting them there or back that we just don’t do it.
Anyways! Hope you will havea wonderful week ahead and please travel safely!
Elza Reads
Thanks Mareli. Great update. I picture you there as you both go the beach with the dogs. Quite an effort I imagine. It’s getting to be our mud season soon ugh. I’m glad you will have a few days of break. Rest up & enjoy the time. I’m about to board my flight, so I’ll check in with you soon. Have a happy week.
Cute dogs! Enjoy your California trip! I have Project Hail Mary sitting on my TBR shelf, but if the audiobook is good, I might put myself on the library waitlist.
Thanks AJ. These dogs! I will miss them dearly even for 10 days away (quite a wuss). I had no plans to put Project Hail Mary back on my radar … but now that it won the award I’m getting on the wait list for the audio. I’ll be curious what you think of it – if you get to it. Cheers. Have a great week.
Enjoy your trip! And These Silent Woods sounds like a book I would really like. I’ve got it on my TBR list. 🙂
Hey Lark. Yeah I think you’d like These Silent Woods. It’s done pretty well! There’s some good uncertainty about what will happen which I liked. Enjoy.
As I write this message, you are winging your way to CA. I hope you have great weather and a wonderful visit with your folks.
Love the picture of your dogs. I remember dealing with messy paws during mud season. We no longer have a dog, but we do track in a lot of wet pine needles during the rainy season here.
I saw the Audie Award announcement, too. I have Hail Mary on my list to listen to, but will wait until I get caught up on some of my older audiobooks. My husband enjoyed the book quite well, too.
I’ve had These Silent Woods on my tbr list and will now consider listening to the audio. I’m not familiar with the two readers and will give the sample a listen to make sure I like their voices.
Just finished a great novel (in print) by Alex George. Have you read Setting Free the Kites? I’ve had the ARC on my shelf since late 2016 and am glad I finally made time to read it. Review coming soon, but it was a 4.5/5 star read!
Have a great week and enjoy the sunshine.
Thanks Lesley, much to do here! Made it to SoCal yesterday. So will likely be tied up quite a bit this week. Good to be back for sure. Thanks for the tip on the Alex George novel. I have not read any of his books yet — but I’d like to. He seems an interesting author — British right? I will look for it and add it to my pile. I forgot how warm it is here (even in winter) … 80s later today, wow. talk later. Have a great week.
Stella and Willow are such cuties! I can’t imagine wiping their paws in mud season. Have a fun trip! I read Hail Mary last year and liked it a great deal. I can see how it can be a great narrative on audio. I’ve thought about reading Recitatif but I’m not sure. It sounds interesting though. A Visit from the Goon Squad turned out to be pretty mediocre. It had propulsive writing and an intriguing structure/format but that wasn’t enough to love it. The characters aren’t that likable, or not developed enough to care either way.
Hey Carmen, thanks for the report on the Goon Squad. Does it make you want to read her new upcoming novel less? Or will you still go ahead with it? I guess I’m not eager for either. I guess I thought Recitatif might have a bit more to it … but it was short & easy. I remember you reading & liking Hail Mary …. I was surprised to hear it won Audio of the Year, wow. I just finished reading a PW book and might read Amy Bloom’s nonfiction book (about her husband’s alzheimers) while here in SoCal. We’ll see, it could be busy here. And Stella & Willow at certain times of the year are a handful to keep tidy for the house. Yikes mud season is not good! But I miss them when I’m away, funny girls. Have a great week.
I will be reading The Candy House, but it seems that it will more of the same. Let you know when I finish. Have a fun trip!
Thanks Carmen. Things have been busy while on my trip. So I feel I’ve deserted Cue Card this week. I’m still a bit curious how The Candy Horse will be. But I will likely find out from you first. Enjoy your week. Spring is on the way.
I hope you will enjoy your time in Southern California. It sounds nice! Thanks for the link to the Audie Awards, that was interesting. I am a big fan of audiobooks, but wouldn’t choose to read a book, because of the narrator. On the other hand, I regularly reject a book, because I don’t like the narrator. Your reaction to the Toni Morrison story is similar to how I often react to short stories. Was that it? Quite often, I find myself wanting more and feel that the story ends, just as it is starting to pick up.
Hi Stargazer. It’s been a busy trip so far, havent been able to be on the blog lately. I agree: an audio narrator can often make or break a novel for me. If the voice or reading is not right, I will likely put it down. But a good reading can elevate a book too for me.
And you’re right about the reaction to short stories … I don’t read them often but this one in particular left me feeling I needed more … or I was just warming to the characters etc. and then it ended. So perhaps novels suit us more … or linked stories. But I won’t give up totally on short stories. Enjoy your week.
I hope you are enjoying California. I understand it has been quite warm there already. Warmer than usual – I guess it is always warm, isn’t it?
I almost never listen to audiobooks unless I’m traveling. I prefer the written word. That said, I think The Final Revival of Opal & Nev could work particularly well as an audiobook. It was an interesting read.
Hi Dorothy — yes it always seems to be warm in SoCal … when I’m here. Even in March it’s been in the 80s. But we might see a drop into the 70s on the weekend, ha! The Audie Award has drawn my attention again to the Opal & Nev novel … I don’t know whether I’ll listen to it or read it … but it’s put it back on my radar. Glad you liked it. Have a great week.
I’ve not read any of these books, including Project Hail Mary although I’ve heard really good things about it. I am just now coming out of my reading slump. It’s weird how illness and recovery can affect your reading. I just finished The School for Good Mothers. So weird but I loved it. I think it’s being made into a show. I saw some photos anyway.
Spring Break came early for my daughter. She is here with us now and leaves in a couple of days. It was a super fast week. So good to see her and she’s been having fun hanging with the cat and pup.
It’s not all that warm though. They said 80 degree temps so us this week but the mornings have been slow to warm up. It’s 75 now. I guess that is pretty warm but it didn’t feel warm to me on my morning walk.
Hi Ti, well March should be a little cooler right? Technically we have a couple more days till spring officially starts. But many flowers look out now. I’m in Redlands currently with my folks. It’s been fun & busy being here. I can imagine the time has gone quickly with your daughter on spring break. So good to have that visit. I can relate with my parents.
I feel like I might be going into a reading slump. Just been on the run. You had your hands full for awhile so it’s understandable! And I hope you are feeling better. The Good School for Mothers sounds pretty wild. I’ll check your review of it when I get time. Have a great week with your daughter.
The book by Toni Morrison sounds really intriguing. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Cindy for stopping by. I hadn’t finished a Toni Morrison book … in many years! Probably since her novel Beloved which blew me away. So it’s always good to go back to her writing – she’s a master. I need to read more of it.
Beautiful pups!
I just added These Silent Woods and Project Hail Mary to my Wish To Read List. I actually have Project Hail Mary because I got it for my husband and he didn’t read it yet, but my grown son did and enjoyed it. My son also read The Martian and we all saw the film but I didn’t read that either. I’m not one for SF but I think I’ll give one or both a try. Enjoy your week!
Thanks Mia for stopping by. Good to know your thoughts on the Weir books. Did you all like the movie of The Martian? … I thought it was quite enjoyable along with the book. And I’m not into SF either! I might put the Hail Mary book back on my TBR list. I’ll stop by your site soon to see what you’re reading now. Cheers.
Enjoy the trip to So Cal. It should be nice this time of year.
Thanks Harvee, it’s very nice now in SoCal. I’ve been here a week and have been really enjoying it. Even in the 80s several days. Hope all is well with you. Happy reading.
I’ve been off on trips to North Texas and Central Texas the past two weeks, and I’ve gotten behind on visiting blogs. I imagine you are experiencing something similar during your trip to see your parents. I hope you are having beautiful weather and are getting lots of time to talk together.
I occasionally like a good suspenseful novel that isn’t too scary, but a book with a disappointing ending? I’ll pass. I do hope to listen to The Martian and Hail Mary on audio one of these days. I probably should have brought one of these along on our recent trips.
Have a great time in Southern California!
Thanks Deb. Yeah it’s been a busy time visiting & getting things done at my parent’s and with other stuff, so I’m behind on blog life. But I’m enjoying our time together in SoCal. I hope you had good times too while traveling. Texas is a big state to get anywhere by driving! Have a great week.
I haven’t read much of Toni Morrison, and I should read more. I think I’ve read other reviews of the book you described —sounds good.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Yeah Mae: sometime I need to read more of Toni Morrison’s fiction. Long ago I read her novels The Bluest Eye, Beloved, and maybe Tar Baby too. But I’d like to read Sula and The Song of Solomon sometime. But it probably won’t be anytime soon. Just got too much right now. Have a great week!
I read Project Hail Mary and liked it. The Martian still remains his best work, IMO. I do like the sound of the book you wrote about called These Silent Woods and placed a hold at the library. Thank you for the suggestion.
Visiting from Sunday Salon.
Hey Tina: thanks for visiting my blog. I will check out your site soon. See what you think of These Silent Woods … up until the end I thought it was a winner of a suspense book. Even with the quiet ending it was worth it. And I’m glad you liked the Weir books … I liked The Martian book and so I should probably get to Hail Mary, which sounds a bit similar. Happy March reading!