The Vacationers by Emma Straub

The Vacationers by Emma Straub
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had trouble rating this book. It worked the magic of keeping me engaged and happy to return to it (in between bouts of indulging my new Bravo addiction), but it didn't blow me away.

This story of infidelity, family and figuring out what you want in life had a crispness to it, an easy style. But a certain depth was missing for me, I'm not sure what it was. This would be a good read for the beach or plane, being breezy and entertaining without offering much challenge or complexity.

I mean that as a compliment, truly — sometimes I want a light read, but not so light as to be pointless or poorly written, and this book is neither of those things. 

Misfits: A Personal Manifesto by Michaela Coel

Misfits: A Personal Manifesto by Michaela Coel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Writer and actor Michaela Coel lays her life bare in so many ways through her work. Ways that seem scary, dangerous and difficult, but she's fierce enough to reveal what most would hide from the light.

Misfits is the text of a lecture she gave in 2018. In it, she cracks herself open to share thoughts on individuality, not fitting in, and doing what you can to make things better as you go. It's honest and powerful and kinda badass, just like she is.

This book is like a mini memoir, and it was both satisfying and left me wanting a full-fledged memoir from Coel at some point. 

Ark by Veronica Roth

Ark by Veronica Roth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a beautiful short story, submerged in a sense of pending doom and loss as the end of the world nears. Hope flowers nonetheless (little pun intended there).

There were many lines I loved for various reasons. Here's an example of the author's lovely way with words:

The wind shifted, and flakes of ash blew toward her face, pricking at her eyes. One landed on her lip, and she tasted it with her tongue. It tasted like burned leaves curling up at the edges in the flames, like musty old coats, like breaths you could see unfurling.

Evan Rachel Wood delivers a pitch-perfect narration, capturing the story's mood. This is lovely as a listen or a read.  

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What to Watch January 2022

The new year started off with a flash of fireworks displays in cities around the world, and it's kicking off with a bang on streaming, too! In January, I look forward to a slew of new shows and movies, with highlights including The Righteous Gemstones Season 2 and the final season of Search Party on HBO Max, The Eternals on Disney Plus, The Tender Bar on Amazon Prime Video (based on a book I very much loved), and so much more. 

As always, I've compiled a list of shows I'd like to see that are coming soon, and I'm sharing it here along with links to everything coming to those streaming services so you can go through and pick your own must-watch viewing. Most of what I've collected is on streaming, but a few shows can be found on old-fashioned network TV. And away we go! 

Dear Ijeawele; or, A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Dear Ijeawele; or, A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie wrote this short piece in response to a friend's request for advice on how to raise her daughter as a feminist. That inspired some reflection on her part, and eventually this book.

Dear Ijeawele; or, A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions lays out many great points on how to raise a daughter to feel she is equal and to stand up for herself. Some arguments are weaker than others, but overall she clearly and strongly makes her points.

If the Fates Allow: A Short Story by Rainbow Rowell

 If the Fates Allow: A Short Story by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a short, sweet tale of family, romance and Christmas in the Covid era.

I enjoyed the wit laced throughout, and that main characters were socially awkward and didn't look like models. My people!

This is my first book by Rainbow Rowell, though I have one or two languishing in my Kindle library from past sales. I'll definitely be cracking the (digital) spine of those next year. Probably/maybe anyhow, who knows what I'll actually get around to doing next week, let alone in the next twelve months?!