American Dirt

I have been, as Richard Santos puts it, "lucky enough to have missed the drama" surrounding Jeanine Cummins' American Dirt. It's been on my seemingly never ending to-be-read list for a few weeks now. I've come across a few reviews but nothing that clued me into what is really going on.

In his article, Santos is trying to explain the difference between Cummins' intended message and what we as readers actually read. American Dirt was advertised as a "game changer," a "novel about the immigrant experience that was compassionate and gripping, and would open people’s eyes to a suffering that so many Americans cannot begin to comprehend." Not only did the book get pushed by it's publisher, it was supported by numerous celebrities, including Oprah and her book club.

The issue with this book was not that the author is white. The issue Santos brings up was that "despite its cultural inaccuracies and stereotypes," American Dirt was advertised as "the book—that will force people to recognize the injustices being done to Latinx people on the border and well beyond." There are several "Latinx" authors who have been writing about the suffering of immigrants for years. So why is American Dirt special?

The hype that heightened American Dirt to it's apparently unworthy pedestal and the fall from social media grace both did Cummins' a disservice. As well intentioned as Cummins' was undoubtedly being when she wrote this novel, there is still a detachment here. Many people, including the author herself, want the world to view race and skin color differently. We want change. However, most of the people who read Cummins' book don't need to hear an immigration message because they're already aware. They did pick up the book in the first place. Santos explains that those who do need to hear Cummins' message, "the racist uncle, a bigoted grandmother," aren't going to pick up American Dirt BECAUSE it's about immigrants. So why are we celebrating a medium that isn't going to speak to it's intended audience?"

Unfortunately, as Santos mentions, literature alone doesn't change the world anymore. What will change the world is open dialogue and that's something Cummins did accomplish with American Dirt. We're discussing the ups and downs of her book, more Latinx authors are being sought out because of read-a-like suggestions or blog promotions. Author Ramin Ganeshram speaks about this in her article concerning the removal of her book A Birthday Cake for George Washington. She says, "The righting of racial injustice doesn’t come from shutting down conversations by banning books or screaming the loudest but from opening dialogues. Without these dialogues we’re in danger of living in a world where any single, sanctioned group may decide what we might write or read or say or think, based upon their own interpretations of an “us” and “them” society."

Personally, I think Cummins should get some credit. At least she's trying. She had an emotional connection to a topic and she tried to make it better with words in a positive way. The conversations born from the debate over her book might not be all positive but those that are listening to her intentions instead of her words are getting the point. Santos is right that publishing still has far to go but this is at least a step in that direction.

Ready Player One

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Summary:

In the year 2044, Wade Watts spends the majority of his time inside a massive virtual reality world called The Oasis, because, well, the real world sucks. Cities are falling apart, trailer parks are built up instead of out, and Wade has to live with his aunt and her abusive boyfriend. In The Oasis, Wade can be himself. When The Oasis creator, 80's pop culture obsessed James Halliday, dies, he leaves clues for three hidden keys and gates inside The Oasis. The avatar who solves the puzzles and finds the keys wins the ultimate prize: an egg that contains all of Halliday's fortune and complete control of The Oasis. When Wade finds the first key, his avatar, Parzival becomes instantly famous, and The Oasis changes from an escape for humanity to an unapologetic fight to the death.

Sci-Fi Characteristics:

Characters: The characters' avatars are used to show a different version of themselves. H specifically uses his avatar's gender to hide his true identity because of past discrimination. Wade uses his avatar to show the bravery he's too scared to show in reality.

Pace: The story, for the most part, is told through physical action of the characters' avatars, so the pace is fairly quick.

Tone: This story is emotional. It brings adventure and a sense of purpose to a desolate world. All five of the main characters deal with loss while trying to complete the Oasis challenge, often endangering their own lives in the real world. The danger is offset by the fun 80's pop culture references, the friendly banter between characters, and the romance between Wade and Art3mis.

Setting: Cline evokes an emotional response with his depiction of the dystopian reality and awe and wonder with the complexity of the Oasis, a technology that doesn't exist outside of Cline's mind...yet.

Read-a-likes:

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia
For the Win by Cory Doctorow
Press Start to Play by Ernest Cline
Girl in Landscape by Jonathan Lethem

Bookflix

I am not ashamed to admit that once I find out a book has been adapted into a movie, it becomes significantly more appealing to me. I'm a visual learner. I LOVE seeing characters come to life on a screen, even if the movie isn't as good. Using move tie-ins could be a useful tool in enlightening our patrons about some of our romance titles and authors. The great thing about this idea is there are SO many to choose from! There are several ways to go about this kind of display. Two of my favorite ways are placing the book and the movie together or using a fun gimmick like "Bookflix." Here are some examples:

    

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig

Synopsis:

Eloise Kelly, a graduate student studying at Harvard, travels to England to explore the history of the noblemen who disguised themselves as floral heroes and spies during Napoleon's revolution. The most well known, the Scarlet Pimpernel, and his successor, The Purple Gentian have been unmasked but the whispers of the Pink Carnation's identity are still too soft to understand. As luck would have it, Eloise meets a descendent of The Purple Gentian who offers Eloise access to her family's archives.

Back in 1803, Amy Balcourt is on her way to France with her cousin, Jane and their chaperone, Miss Gwen, on a mission to join the league of The Purple Gentian. Since the day her father was taken at the hands of madam guillotine, Amy has dreamed of becoming a spy. On her journey she meets charming Lord Richard Selwick, who soon reveals to Amy that he works for Napoleon Bonaparte, causing her to proclaim hatred always and forever for Selwick. After reaching France, Amy meets The Purple Gentian and falls head over heels in love with him. Little does she know, the man she loves and the man she hates are the same person.

A very charming historical romance.

Romance Characteristics:

Character descriptions: The characters are all described in great detail. The men, specifically Richard and Miles, are charming, dashing, rich and handsome with exception to the villains. The women, specifically Amy, Jane, Henrietta, and Lady Selwick are strong, independent, and intelligent. In contrast, Eloise is head strong and intelligent but doesn't always speak her mind. Collin is handsome and rich but not always charming.

Storyline: Richard and Amy have a misunderstanding right from the get go. Amy is convinced Richard works for Bonaparte but doesn't know he is secretly The Purple Gentian. This confusion and lack of communication keeps them apart for the majority of the story. The result of Amy's brief affair with The Purple Gentian is an essential part of the story, despite the affair's invasion of the time period's moral codes as well as Amy's personal ones.

Historical Aspects: The historical framework that brought about this story is interesting and successfully draws in the reader. Although not always factual, the historical figures and events provide charming and entertaining elements.

Romance: The romance between Amy and The Purple Gentian happens so quickly their love can easily be mistaken for lust and passion. The romance between Amy and Richard is a little more involved.

Language: The language of the time period--"What the deuce?" "Cheer ho!"--add to the reader's experience in a humorous way.


Read-a-likes:

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne
Loving a Lost Lord by Mary Jo Putney
From London with Love by Jenna Petersen

Ask Again Yes, a la Kirkus

The lives and relationships of two childhood friends are changed forever by one tragic incident.

Francis Gleeson and Anne Stanhope, both from Ireland, end up neighbors in a small New York suburb. Anne’s husband, Brian, who works with Francis at the NYPD, knows how unstable his wife’s mental health is but chooses to ignore it. Francis’ wife, Lena, longs for female friendship in a very lonely small town. Connected by work and their children, the Gleesons and Stanhopes build an unsteady and sometimes tumultuous relationship. One fateful night, Francis and Anne's lives clash in a single heartbreaking moment, forcing their families into a reality no one expected or wanted. Brian and Anne have to face their devotion to each other and decide how important it really is to keep their marriage intact. Francis goes from being a provider to being completely dependent on Lena, leading him to search for constant validation. Out of the ashes blossoms a relationship between Francis' daughter, Kate and Anne's son, Peter. Believing they can withstand and be strong despite the decisions of their parents, Peter and Kate begin a life together but they can't shake the effects of their past. Peter is held accountable for the tragic incident by Francis, Kate slowly becomes isolated and dishonest, trying desperately to keep her marriage together. Both feel the need to hide their true feelings and struggles from each other, but Anne’s unending quest for repentance shows Kate and Peter that family will always be there for you, no matter how long it takes. Keane leads the reader on a decades long story about grace and forgiveness, enduring love, alcoholism, and mental health, portraying a very realistic journey of a family struggling to hold it together; sharing the fear that history will ultimately repeat itself.

 

 A heavy and beautifully written insight into human nature.

Booklist, Kirkus and Goodreads, oh my!

Book reviews seem to be going the way of social media posts. Everyone has an opinion and our filters are becoming as thin as our grammar and spelling abilities. Don't get me wrong, I do put stock in a patron review. Librarians have the knowledge and a good idea of what our patrons want, but ultimately when the patrons speak for themselves, we should listen.

As much as I detest social media trolls and the like, Kirkus has the right idea allowing both positive and negative reviews. Opinions are important and Kirkus reviewers do an all around good job at presenting their views in a professional, albeit sometimes harsh, way. Patrons want to know if a book is good before they check it out and librarians need to know if the title is worth putting on their shelves or in their digital collection, therefore negative reviews need to be given as much precedent as positive ones. Let's not allow the world of books to become an "everyone wins, enjoy this participation trophy" world. Well written books should be celebrated and we should allow honesty about the not so great ones. Whether the author is considered a talented writer or not doesn't always play into how our patrons choose their books. Talent is in the eye or ear of the reader after all.

Case in point--The Billionaire's First Christmas is a free Amazon book. I'm not usually a romance reader but the story sounds cute and I wouldn't mind picking it up around the holidays. It sounds like the makings of a classic Lifetime Christmas movie! The reviews were positive and I wouldn't hesitate to put it my collection because it's digital only and free. Angela's Ashes is a book I haven't read but I've heard enough to know it's a classically popular book; something you read for a high school or collegiate English class. Despite it's heavy, and from what I gathered reading the summaries, extremely depressing content, the reviews are also positive and I would have at least one copy, maybe two, in my collection. Both of these titles deserve to be reviewed and given the same exposure to readers. It effects collection development in a negative way if certain genres of books aren't allowed the same amount of exposure as others. With the invention of digital books and audio books, librarians are able to provide patrons with a larger variety of items. We can't do that if we don't know the book exists.

Unfortunately, romance novels, especially digital only books, are not given as much exposure as titles like Angel's Ashes. There are a number of reasons why this could be the case but I would wager it's because both the authors and books aren't viewed equally. One of the authors is most likely interpreted as superior and by default, their books are too. Whether my assumption is correct or not, I don't believe an author's perceived writing talent should negate their right to be reviewed. If the book is great, say so. If it's the worst thing you've ever read, say that too. Let your voice be heard, even if it is wrong...just kidding ;)

I recommend both Kirkus and Goodreads for professional and personal reviewing! Add School Library Journal to that list if you are looking for school age reading!

Sunday's Super Secret Shopper Summary

The librarian who fell for my sneaky secret shopper alter ego did a great job. I went in knowing I would most likely get at least one good recommendation. I also expected to be in and out in a tight 5 minutes. The librarian who helped actually spent a significant amount of time with me and gave 6 recommendations, all worth while. They asked questions, used some great resources, and even gave me some personal suggestions near the end. The whole experience was very positive. I left with a high level of respect for the library and the librarian.