Book Review- Susan Perabo's Why They Run the Way They Do

Thank You to Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advanced copy of Susan Perabo's short story collection, Why They Run the Way They Do, in exchange for an honest review. 

PLOT- Susan Perabo's short story collection, Why They Run the Way They Do, is filled with mentally unbalanced, secretive, and lonely characters. They face cancer, torrid affairs, and accidental deaths. One story even has a child choosing to name her stuffed armadillo; Michael, a name that sends chills through her parent's, which the reader will learn is the name of a man that her mother had an affair with many years in the past. Until this reveal, the story has the air of a ghost tale and is unsettling. Although the stories involve heavy subjects, irony and wit dominate in Perabo's writing.

LIKE- Perabo writes in a direct, almost confrontational manner. Many of her stories are told in first person. Combining this narrative choice and strong voice, her characters were daring me to be judgmental. They demand to be heard. These characters often make odd, if not terrible decisions. For example, in the title story, co-workers are having an affair and they decide to pay a monthly fee to "adopt" a needy child from Africa to be "their baby". As they stay late in the office, they become overly invested in this child living on another continent, relying on her to fill a gap in their relationship.

In The Payoff, two sixth grade girls witness a sexual act between their art teacher and the school principal. They decide to blackmail the principal, multiple times. With each blackmail letter, they become more willing to insert their personal feelings towards the situation. Neither girl realizes that they are too young to understand the complexities of this adult relationship or the damage that they are inflicting.

Although I enjoyed all of the stories, one reigns supreme. Indulgence begins with a mom thrilled to have dodged lung cancer after years of being a smoker. She does however, have brain cancer. Her adult daughter returns home for a weekend to be with her mom before the cancer diminishes her. During this weekend, the daughter tries to tell her mother all of the things that she needs to say, but her mother cuts her off, letting her know that some things have to remain a secret and go unresolved. Indulgence was a punch to my gut. My mom died of cancer and Perabo's story made me long to have taken the opportunity to have those tough conversations with my mom. I want a redo. The real kicker is the twist at the end. I was left sobbing. 

DISLIKE- Nothing. Perabo's collection is riveting. Her stories are haunting and tragic, often taking me to places that I didn't want to visit, but felt compelled to stay.

RECOMMEND- Yes!  In Why They Run the Way They Do, Perabo tackles uncomfortable, taboo topics with humor and grace. Her talent for creating memorable characters is undeniable. 

Book Review- Alexander McCall Smith's The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine

The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine is the sixteenth book in Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. It's amazing to me that I've been following these characters since 1998. I'm even more astounded by Smith's productivity. He writes several different series and stand-alone books for both adults and children, releasing multiple books every year. I can't think of a contemporary author who is more prolific. Maybe he's dreaming of taking a vacation like Mma Ramotswe? Keep writing Smith!

PLOT - Workholic Mma Ramotswe is convinced by Mma Makutsi, to take a much deserved vacation. However, Mma Ramotswe cannot help but be a detective, even while attempting to take a break.  Mr. Polopetsi has been given a temporary job in the agency and Mma Makutsi is determined to show that she can handle things while Mma Ramotswe is on holiday. To complicate matters, Mr. Polopetsi asks for Mma Ramotswe's help, when he fears that Mma Makutsi has a case that she cannot handle. 

LIKE- In this series, characters always take center stage. Sixteen books and I still can't get enough of this story world and its inhabitants. Smith has a wonderful understanding of human nature and I get a kick out of how his characters interact, both the manners and the subtext. 

 I enjoyed the secondary plot line of Mma Ramotswe saving a young child and finding out what happened to his mother. The ending of the book is sentimental and touching. There are plenty of thought provoking themes woven throughout the story involving honesty, friendship, and secrecy. 

DISLIKE- This is one of the weaker books in the series. The big mystery involving the Potokwane family, wasn't very compelling. The only compelling component is the way it handled scandal, with Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi showing compassion towards Mma Potokwane. Similarly, the confrontation with Violet Sephotho, Mma Makutsi's arch enemy, lacked impact. 

RECOMMEND- If you're a fan of the series, you have to read The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine, not because it's the best, but simply because who can skip any books in a series? I can't. If this is your first experience with Smith or the series, don't pick this book to start. 

As a bonus, check out Smith's author page. I like the cheerful music!

Book Review- Rob Roberge's Liar

Thank You to Crown Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of Rob Roberge's memoir, Liar, in exchange for an honest review. 

PLOT- Writer and musician Rob Roberge is trying to process his diagnosis of possible degenerative memory loss. Looking towards his future, he reflects on his past, including drug and alcohol addictions and mental health issues. When we look at the memories and personal stories that form our identities, how many of these are accurate? How much can we trust in our core memories and how much does the truth even matter?

LIKE- Roberge has led a wild and reckless life, which makes for a compelling memoir. It's unusual to read writing in a second person POV, but it works very well in Liar. Roberge uses this perspective deftly. It supports the story and doesn't come off as a gimmick. I was pulled right into the action, which was uncomfortable in many of the grittier parts of the memoir. Second person perspective feels dangerous, close, and unsafe, a perfect choice for Liar. 

Roberge suffered many concussions, which may have eventual led to his current memory loss. When we are young, we often don't think of the long-term consequences of our actions. In fact, Roberge mentions that he lived life fully intending on dying before thirty. Although, anyone could easily imagine the potentially devastating effects of heavy drug and alcohol abuse, I had never given much thought to the cumulative effects of multiple head traumas. This is timely, with the same issue arising in the film/book, Concussion. 

Liar leaps through different memories spanning Roberge's life. It's as if Roberge took all of his important memories and wrote them on index cards, scrambled up the cards and told Liar in this random arrangement. I'm sure that plenty of thought and care went into the arrangement of the memories, to make the effect seem casual. It works. It especially works well to not have the story linger too long in the darker, more depressing years of his life. Floating between time periods serves to lighten the memoir. 

I was drawn to Roberge's confession that sometimes he obsesses over other people's tragedies, for example the death of a classmate in elementary school. The internet has fueled this obsession, giving him easy access to information. This confession also played into the theme of memories and how we remember stories and "facts" from our childhood.

DISLIKE- Nothing. Liar is utterly compelling.

RECOMMEND- Yes! Liar isn't for people who like to read happy and uplifting stories. It's a very dark and heavy memoir. Fascinating and well-crafted, but dark. Buyer beware!

Side Note- As a current student, I got a kick out of the mention of UCLA Extension Writer's Program. His experience as an instructor and dealing with a crazy student cracked me up.