REVIEW: The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan

 

I have always been a fan of J. Courtney Sullivan. I've read all of her books and I was excited when she had a new one out - it's also a part of Reese's book club.

The main character of this novel is an old Victorian home on a cliff on Maine's coast and it serves as a repository of stories but also as a guide to a woman's story of self-discovery. It was built for a sea captain in 1846 for he and his wife, Hannah, to live in but turns hands many times - it ends up as an artist retreat and also as a home for a Boston power couple. The story itself takes place in the present, with detours to the past, including chapters that take place in the 1800's and 1960's. Jane, the protagonist, grew up hanging out in the abandoned home and as an adult is looking into its history after her life has seemingly fallen apart in one fell swoop. There are definitely times that ghosts are considered seriously throughout the novel (but are not the central part of the story - this is definitely not a ghost story - it's a story about women's history and lives that ghosts just happen to appear in occasionally). The ghosts, and an encounter with a medium, help Jane to explore different avenues and topics of research, including the Shakers and Indigenous stories. 

I loved this novel. I honestly couldn't put it down and couldn't wait to get back to reading about Jane, her life and the people and places she was researching.  The transitions between time periods was seamlessly smooth and the characters were wonderfully engaging. Her descriptions of the scenery and places that Jane and the rest of the characters encounter are amazing. The themes of loss and self discovery were also very well developed and touching. Sullivan handles it delicately and with sensitivity, although she certainly doesn't shy away from the topics.  The only thing that I wish that there was more of was more explanation of the theft of Indigenous art and its reclamation, which is a topic that needs to be discussed more but is often simply put by the wayside.

Definitely grab this book at your earliest convenienc. 

Links I love

 

I hope that everyone had a good week. We made!

1. Appalachian authors on JD Vance.
2. A history of leaf peeping.
3. This looks good.
4. Japan's new Nintendo museum
5. These ten villains are top contenders for Disney's villain land

REVIEW Dear Sister by Michelle Horton

 

I was told about this book by a friend of mine and I'm glad that she told me about it.  Wow. Just wow. Michelle's sister is Nikki Addimando - I had heard about her case on Women and Crime but hadn't heard of the book that Michelle wrote about it. 

Michelle was a newly single mom, who was getting ready to go to her job, when the police knocked on her door to tell her that Nikki had been arrested for the murder of Chris Grover, Nikki's partner and the father of her children. Michelle's novel focuses on the past, Nikki's case,  how she manages in caring for two new children unexpectedly (including how to explain what happened to their parents) as well as her massive, heavy amounts of guilt for failing to see what was happening to her sister. Her novel also tries to introduce us to how women that are the victims of intimate partner violence and other abuses are further abused by the criminal justice system, and the penal system in particular.  Many of these victims don't have any resources, let alone the resources that Michelle was able to gather for her sister (which included money, childcare and legal representation, as well as publicity when appropriate). 

We learn of Nikki's abuse incrementally, as Horton learns of it. It is often very difficult to read and learn about, so if it will trigger you I would not recommend reading this book. It's very brutal at times. I liked how Michelle wrote this book. She often grounded the present experiences in Nikki's trials with stories about the generations of women in her family, as well as her own experiences growing up. 

This is a massively important and eye opening book that everyone should read and it was wonderfully written and bravely too. 

Links I love

 

I can't wait for fall and winter, which may make me unpopular but ok. I said it!  I hope that everyone had a good week!  I'm looking forward to heading to Lincoln for the upcoming long weekend.

1. Since Halloween is in a few months, a witch reading list seemed appropriate.
2. 20 Albums turning 50 in 2024.
3. DIY Anne of Green Gables for adults. 
4. Gabby Petito's parents and BTK's daughter? Together? On tour?
5. Seagull insurance!
6. How Sesame Street puppeteers control their puppets.
7. 8 cities library people shouldn't miss.
8. Halloween costumes for adults that are bookish.
9. What was it like to be a gladiator in Ancient Rome?

Links I love

 

I have been struggling with a slight summer cold, nothing like I had about two months ago but enough to make itself known.  I hope everyone else is feeling better.  Here are these week's stories:

1. The history of the cat lady.
2. Francine Pascal, of Sweet ValleyHigh Fame, has died.
3. Halloween treats are coming back soon.
4. The longlist for the Booker Prize is here.
5. Is candlepin bowling a dying art?