REVIEW LA Weather by Maria Ampano Escandon

 

This 2021 book was part of Reese's book club - and I generally enjoy the books she selects. So I picked it up from my local library. This novel tells the story of the Alvarado family as they navigate major life changes - not one of the characters isn't experiencing a major shakeup. When we meet them, Oscar, the patriarch, has become distant, leaving his wife Keila feeling lonely and emotionally abandoned. This has prompted her to threaten divorce, which devastates her three daughters: Olivia, Claudia and Patricia. The girls convince their parents to give it a year before finalizing any decision to divorce. During that year, each member faces major life challenges that we navigate with them. 

Stories about families and relationship dynamics are stories that I'm drawn to. I'm insanely curious about them, so this book was definitely in my wheelhouse and satisfied that itch to some degree.  It wasn't the best novel that I have read that looks at these dynamics though. I felt like the characters were one dimensional and I had a hard time empathizing with any of them (except maybe Dani, who is Patricia's child). There was not a satisfying resolution for any of the characters except for Oscar and Keila, which was frustrating.  No one besides them seemed to actually learn anything or develop at all.  I did appreciate seeing how families were dealing with divorces, but that was pretty much it.  I mean, Escandon literally threw everything she could at this family in addition to divorce: gender/sexuality issues, infertility, cheating, stealing, cancer, you name it.  I found myself thinking: can we just pick like one or two big things and do a deep dive instead of barely scratching the surface on many things?

That being said, it was a pretty quick read, which was good.  

You can skip this one if you'd like!

REVIEW The Last Policeman by Ben Winters

 

I'm going to be completely transparent here - Ben Winters is a local author whose brother I occasionally try cases against.  So when I heard that Ben wrote this trilogy, I was excited to start it because not only do I love reading about places that I know about, but it's written by someone I'm connected to, albeit tenuously.

In this book, the asteroid Maia is on a crash collision with Earth and that collision can't be stopped. Society is falling apart but it's not as bad as you would think although there has been a significant uptick in suicides, people walking away from jobs and people walking away from families to do whatever suits them in the moment. Except for Henry Palace, a detective with the Concord PD who has responded to a suicide call at a local McDonald's.He quickly believes that this was a homicide, not a suicide. 

What I enjoyed about this book is its critique of society when everyone knows they're going to die and the questions it poses.  Henry, for instance, is trying to figure out why someone would commit a MURDER now of all times. I enjoyed how quick paced the novel was and its introspection - you're in Henry's head for the entire novel. He's likeable and a nerd at heart. I also like Winters' writing style - it's precise and quietly humorful (don't blink or you'll miss the humor). I also really enjoyed seeing how different people were reacting to the news that the world was ending - some were pursuing bucket lists, some adrift, some committed suicide and some just did what they loved or were plodding along. This was a great commentary about the value of life and time and the message that I got was that our time was limited so best to enjoy every moment you have.

Definitely worth the read. 

Links I love

 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day las weekend! I have been experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety related to my health and my reading, among other things has suffered so I didn't have any reviews this week and I'm sorry for that. 

1. 6 Historical figures with powerful mothers. 
2. Why do museums make you tired.
3. What does the term "unc" mean?
4. Some dolls that took over the 90's. 
5. Jane Austen and modern detective fiction. 
6. 7 songs you didn't know that Neil Diamond wrote. 
7. The 2026 Edgar Award winners have been announced. The list is here. 
8. The best books on prophecy. 
9. I'm always looking for quick dinners. 
10. 5 historical figures that led double lives. 
11. Best historical fiction of 2026, so far. 
12. How substack became the new book tour.
13. This is a really old dental bridge. 
14. Women are more likely to struggle with these mental health diagnoses. 
15. 6 forgotten mall stores from the 90's.
16. These are some dark moments in kids' movies. 
17. Murdaugh's convictions were reversed (saw that coming!). The full opinion can be found here.
18. This is going to make your commute even worse.
19. 250 for 250 - a booklist from the BPL for the 250th birthday of America. 
20. Shakira is at the World Cup, again. 
21. The real world animals that inspired Star Wars characters. 

Please visit my Pangobooks store! And have a great week!

Links I love

 

My week was a rough one - I was in the ER on Friday for chest pressure and shoulder pain.  Thankfully, not a heart attack, but the doctors are still trying to figure out what is going on with my lungs and heart. I had a CT scan with contrast and, aside from them messing up the IV the first time (resulting in contrast going under my skin), it was fine.  I have several nodules on my lungs, I'm inflamed and it looks like my right ventricle is slightly delayed/may be working a bit harder then the rest of my heart. This is really scary.

The rest of the week was fine! The weather is improving and we have had some nice warm days.  

1. "What if They Knew" - mental health workers in NH talk about their experiences with mental health treatment and in general. 
2. One of my new favorite podcasts. 
3. I found a new reading challenge.  20 books of summer has also been announced!
4. Some 90's gadgets that people still miss. I don't miss pagers.
5. Three Mexican foods that have ritual meaning. 
6. Slow and long checkouts at Walmart have shoppers down. 
7. A hobby that is good for the aging brain.
8. Some obscure travel laws that you didn't know existed. 
9. The winners of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize. There are many that I would like to read from this list.
10. Some ideas for dystopian books for you to read if you are interested.
11. Flowers or books - recommendations for mother's day. 
12. On making time to read the classics.
13. Some misconceptions about Cinco De Mayo that Americans still have.
14. 7 things about Star Wars that were inspired by real life events. 
15. 7 novels about dysfunctional but charming families.
16. The oldest cold case ever solved in Massachusetts. 
17. The burnout trap: why the women who never fall apart are the ones that need to stop. 
18. THe best and worst states for working moms. 
19. 5 books about matriarchs and motherhood. 
20. The Deep humanity of Project Hail Mary. 
21. Cozy and romantic mystery series.
22. Trips inspired by books and film.
23. Why it's deadly when older people get pneumonia.
24. Some Asian American and Pacific Islander horror stories you should read. 
25. Scottish bookstores take the high road and increase sales as a result.
26. What's new to streaming (LORD OF THE FLIES FOLKS!!) this week. Some other ideas for things to watch. 
27. Murky murders: the Murdaugh murders. 
28. Books about female migrant workers.
29. This guy fled Pompeii very long ago - guess how they found him?
30. This necklace was given to Anne Boleyn by Henry VIII.
31. What did dogs mean to the ancient Mayans?
32. The 20 most addictive books of 2026 so far.
33. Pugs and libraries? Yes please!

I have questions!  

What are you guys listening to for podcasts? And watching?

What reading challenges to you participate in?

Please visit my PB store!

REVIEW Stay Alive by Ian Buruma

 

Not going to lie, I'm fascinated by the horror of the Holocaust and why  people do what they do, even though it's been 80 years since Hitler killed himself. There seems to be no end to the books about this dark era of world history and this is one of the recent releases. This book is about living in a city in a country where the average  person has absolutely no control over anything. Buruma was inspired by his grandfather, Leo's experience living in the country during this time period. Leo was a Dutch student who was forced to do factory labor in Berlin. Ian combined this experience with interviews, diaries and letters to try to provide us with a snapshot of what it was like to live in Berlin during the bulk of the fighting. 

There were a number of real life "characters" that we meet - Coco Schumann (a Jewish musician who seemed to hide in plain sight playing Jazz music), Lilo (a 15 year old who initially idolizes the Nazis but who then comes to idolize the people who try to assassinate Hitler), Helmeth Von Motke, a dissident Nazi who gets hung and Erich Alenfeld, a Jew who converted to Christianity and remained a German patriot. Of course, we see Goebbels (whose diaries and letters are quoted extensively).

Given the lack of primary resources at Buruma's disposal, he did a magnificent job in providing the intimate details of people's lives and then placing it within the wider context of the war itself. This is by no means a light or easy book as a result, but it is a necessary and intriguing one. He also doesn't gloss over the experience of the city's Jewish population. Their story is woven into the story of the city as Buruma writes it. 

Definitely a must read but give yourself some grace and take breaks if you need it. 

REVIEW Into the Blue by Emma Brodie

 

This book absolutely surprised me. In a good way.  In this novel, we meet AJ Graves and Noh Drew initially as teenagers and we follow them on an improbable journey that begins with them as teenagers in the early 2000's to adults living and working in entertainment In New York City, where AJ is writing for SNL and Noah Drew is a famous actor. 

I LOVED this book and couldn't put it down. It took over my life from the moment I started it until the moment I finished it like three days later. I read it whenever I had a free moment. When Noah and AJ interact, it felt the same way. ALL CONSUMING. The book is chronological, so you don't have to worry about trying to figure out what is happening when and you can focus on AJ and Noah and what's going with them. You experience everything that AJ is experiencing as she experiences it.  And her feelings are absolutely down to earth and relatable. 

For some odd reason, I didn't know that this book was a romance.  But it's not like a typical romance novel. It had me wanting to read more and it wasn't all rainbows and sunshine either.  and yet, I still enjoyed reading about the romance.  I also really loved reading about NYC and the comedy scene, which is also quite an important character as well.I loved the fan communities as well (there are scenes written at those Comic Cons) and I can't help but wonder if Emma Brodie may have attended one or two herself. 

Definitely worth the read (and re-read). It moves quickly but don't let that fool you - this is by no means a fluffy book. The characters and the stories are real and emotional and well worth it. 

Links I love

 

I'm still recovering from the plague.  It's taking way longer than I want it to and then I expected. Whatever I had was really bad. I have to get a chest CT scan and see a pulmonologist, who I hope will help me get my asthma under control again.  Hoping that I kick it soon!

1. Why Carmel-by-the-Sea has banned chain restaurants. 
2. The only two songs that Ringo wrote for the Beatles. 
3. Did Julius Caesar really say "Et Tu Brute?"
4. 5 biggest misconceptions about the Salem Witch Trials.
5. There are two new Rebecca Yarros books coming out this fall. 
6. Seven novels about the secrets women keep. 
7. TikTok made me buy it. 
8. Was Emerson the true father of American literature?
9. Ten memoirs that explore family estrangement. 
10. Books to read if you loved Hamnet.
11. If you're like me and you like True Crime, check out this list of things to stream or read.
12. Novels set in Montreal. 
13. The best books on WW2 in Asia. 
14. This article on The Dark Crystal is golden.
15. Why the Buffalo Sabres play O, Canada at their games. 
16. 8 common myths about Star Wars.
17. The best books about witches and witch hunts. 
18. The book news isn't all bad.
19. The best Wizard of Oz adaptations ranked. 
20. Magic the Gathering has a Hobbit set. 

Nearly done reading Into the Blue (i had to take a break from my WW2 book because it was heavy!) and listening to The Girls (I was also listening to a fascinating podcast about Michael Jackson called Think Twice).

Here is a link to my Pangobooks store. Enjoy!