Ascension

Edinburgh-based Nicholas Binge is "an author of speculative thrillers, literary science-fiction, and horror." The premise is that a towering snow-covered mountain that "dwarfs the Himalayas" (Publishers Weekly) has suddenly appeared in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, defying all logical explanation. Harold Tunmore, former surgeon, former physicist and currently investigator of "mysterious phenomena" is recruited by a nameless organization to join a team of other eminent scientists to scale the mountain and provide answers. 

It's 2019 and Harold has been missing for 30 years. When brother Ben hears from a friend that Harold has been seen living in a psychiatric hospital, Ben immediately goes to verify. Ben finds Harold alive and well physically but making no sense in his conversation. Harold commits suicide days later and Ben takes possession of his only personal belongings, a briefcase filled with papers. Most of them are unsent letters addressed to Ben's teenage daughter Hattie and it is through these letters that we learn of the attempt to make sense of the strange existence and effects of the mountain. 

Booklist makes favorable comparisons to other eminent authors' works: "Ascension is a pastiche of august influences. The epistolary structure is borrowed from Dracula. The doomed expedition that drives Harold mad is akin to H. P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness. Even the frame of Ben publishing his brother's wild tale is reminiscent of the children's classic Bunnicula. Binge earns his place among these literary lights with an expert story of creeping dread and cosmological horror."

Publishers Weekly calls the book a "superlative science fiction thriller," and goes on to praise the author: "Binge's superlative imagining of how the mind-blowing scientific discoveries, which have global implications, would affect his characters elevates this above similar genre fiction." Even Wall Street Journal concludes favorably, "“Ascension is thoroughly recommended—a macabre, escapist pleasure for the thoughtful set."

Library Journal is also laudatory, saying "This thrilling science fiction novel from Binge ... is full of exploration and intriguing thoughts about the true nature of life on Earth...The story of that improbable and amazing ascent brings mystery and thrills as nothing is as it seems, and the implications for God and humanity are staggering...An exciting story where the undiscovered wonders of Earth prove as exciting as those out in the galaxy."

My verdict: although very readable, this novel is grim, sad, and hard to unwind at times.

 

IQ

The title of the book, the first in a series by Joe Ide, comes from the initials of its protagonist, Isaiah Quintabe. When the book opens, we learn that IQ is being raised by an older brother who takes any legitimate job he can find to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. When his adored brother Marcus is killed in a hit and run, IQ goes off the rails and drops out of high schools--in spite of his being the smartest kid in school and maybe in the whole of East Long Beach. Marcus had continually reminded IQ that this was a gift he should not waste, that his intelligence would allow IQ to make his own luck in their unlucky world. When the money and the food are all gone and the rent is due, IQ turns to petty crime and takes up with the dubious Dodson, a drug runner, who becomes his roommate. IQ soon figures out smarter ways to steal goods with much less risk by casing stores that sell unusual but highly profitable goods that can be sold on the black market. Things come to a breaking point with Dodson and money is once again in short supply, so IQ agrees to take on a job tipped to him by Dodson--by a 50/50 split of course-- to find the would be killer of a famous rap star. The hunt gets much more complicated and dangerous when the assassin then begins to target IQ himself.

Booklist's starred review gushes that "First-novelist Ide...does here what few first novelists can manage: dexterously juggling multiple styles and tones to create a seamless, utterly entertaining blend of coming-of-age saga, old-school detective story, and comic caper novel...Best of all, though, is Ide's deft touch with his richly diverse cast of characters, all of whom are capable of stealing scenes with just the right mix of bravado, sly intelligence, sparkling wit, and deeply felt emotion. This is one of those rare debuts that leaves us panting for more and soon." 

The New York Times also raved about this debut, saying: "Mr. Ide packs a lot of action and scenery into the book’s investigation scenes. But he has also built and bolstered Isaiah as a fine, durable character for the long run."

Similarly, Kirkus thinks this series will succeed. "Isaiah Quintabe, young, gifted, and nonchalantly brilliant, displays few distinguishable quirks beyond a formidable attention span that misses nothing. Well, having a live chicken named Alejandro wandering around his crib may be a little eccentric. But IQ, as he’s appropriately known, earned that bird for services rendered as a discreet, unlicensed investigator who finds missing people, recovers stolen property, and unravels puzzles..." They conclude, "the roughhousing energy, vivid language, and serrated wit Ide displays throughout this maiden effort make Isaiah Quintabe seem a potential rejuvenator of a grand literary tradition. The present day, with its high-strung social media and emotional overload, could use a contemporary hero like Ide's, more inclined to use his brain than his mouth (or fists) to vanquish evil and subdue dread. " 

You can read the first chapter here. There are now 6 books in the series and I will be getting into number two, Righteous, ASAP.

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Youself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter

Author Margareta Magnusson is aged "between eighty and one hundred." She lived in several parts of the world after obtaining her degree at the Beckman College of Design. Her art has been exhibited in in cities from Hong Kong to Singapore. She defines death cleaning as a "term that means that you remove unnecessary things and make your home nice and orderly when you think the time is coming closer for you to leave the planet." She goes on to say that it can be used more generally to describe when "someone ...does a good, thorough cleaning and get rids of things to make life easier and less crowded." I don't think I learned anything I hadn't encountered in numerous books, magazine articles and videos from Marie Kondo, but her emphasis is somewhat different. In addition to the benefits to the cleaner--and probably those who live with the cleaner--she insists that we should clean up our own mess and not leave it behind from someone else to clean up after we have died. 

Library Journal offers this review: "Striking a balance of gentle encouragement, philosophical musing, and pragmatism, her recommendations are wholly practical and warmly convey her hope for a positive outcome.... The title alone, with the juxtaposition of "gentle art" and "death," is eye-catching. Invoking the Swedish theme of lagom ("just the right amount"), this book should appeal to readers who have faced the challenge of sorting through their loved ones' or their own belongings at various life transitions." And Booklist concludes, "What makes this book worthwhile isn't the sorting tips. It's Magnusson's humorous common sense. She rightly reminds readers that it takes time to downsize and that putting it off won't make it go away." The New York Times reviewer jokes that "Magnusson’s book has a gripping title: terrifying yet cozy, like an avalanche as seen from a ski chalet," and go on to praise it as a "a fond and wise little book." Here is a link to a 4-minute interview with Margareta.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

This delightful and heartwarming story by Shelby Van Pelt was such a pleasure to read.  The main character at the beginning is Tova Sullivan, a woman in her 70's living in a small coastal town north of Seattle. She lost her 18-year-old son in a boating accident (although some claim it was suicide) and her husband and brother have recently died. Her only friends are a handful of women who used to gather for knitting and called themselves the Knit-Wits. But she also converses with the creatures at the local aquarium where she now works as an evening janitor; this provides some solace for her increasingly lonely existence. One creature in particular, Marcellus the Giant Pacific Octopus, is especially engaging and he gets the chance to offer his own perspective on human behavior and his own impending death in several chapters.  There are two missing persons mysteries that carry through the story. How did Tova's son actually die? And, as we are introduced to 30-year-old Cameron, whose mother left him with an aunt in a trailer park when he was 9 and never returned. When Cameron finds a picture of his mom with a man he recognizes from newspaper stories--a successful businessman by all accounts--Cameron takes off to find his father, get years of unpaid child support from the man, and start a new life. Of course Cameron tracks his father down, living in the same small town that Tova does, and their lives collide. Marcus feels that he knows something about the solution to these mysteries and desperately tries to help his friend Tova before he himself dies. People, in all their strengths and frailties, are revealed  in this touching story. And you might get a little surprise about the title at the end.

The Washington Post had this to say, "What makes the book so memorable and tender is Van Pelt’s depiction of Tova and her insistence on aging like a responsible person should....Tova won’t have anyone fussing over her — especially ... Ethan, the ... grocery store owner who’s been sweet on her for ages." NPR's Maureen Corrigan had her doubts about reading the book, but notes that "its weird premise kept calling to me." She calls the book "strange and freshly-imagined." Kirkus concludes their review as follows: "Although Tova and other characters are dealing with serious problems like loss, grief, and aging, Van Pelt maintains a light and often warmly humorous tone. Tova’s quest to figure out what happened to Erik weaves her back into other people’s lives—and occasionally into someone’s tentacles. A debut novel about a woman who befriends an octopus is a charming, warmhearted read."

An update (1/9/24) from The New York Times about this book's remarkable success and it's staying power.

Leaving Time

I have not been an avid reader of Jodi Picoult like so many are, but I absolutely loved this book. Chapters shift narrating perspectives amongst several different characters including Alice, an elephant researcher in Africa who married a man with an elephant sanctuary in New Hampshire and with whom she had a daughter, Jenna. But ever since the night when one of the elephant caretakers was found dead and Alice was found unconscious and taken to the hospital, Alice has been missing--for over 10 years now. Thirteen-year-old Jenna has been raised by a curmudgeonly grandmother who won't talk about Alice, even though Jenna desperately wants to know more about her. More than that, Jenna wants to find her mother and ask the really big question,  "Did her mother abandon her or is she dead?" Seeking some closure Jenna does her own research and saves up her money from babysitting. She tracks down and implores the two people she thinks might be able to help her: Virgil, the disgraced police officer who investigated the death at the sanctuary, and Serenity, a disgraced celebrity psychic who has lost her powers. 

Publishers Weekly opens their review with "Picoult's ... novel explores grief, memory, and motherhood through the unlikely lens of elephant behavior," and concludes by saying, "The pachyderms are as complex as the humans, making the journey memorable and poignant." Library Journal offers this verdict, "A truly engaging read that crosses through the genres of mystery and the supernatural." Booklist praises, "Picoult's newest multifaceted novel is redolent with elephant lore that explores the animals' behavior when faced with death and grief, and combines a poignant tale of human loss with a perplexing crime story that delivers a powerhouse ending." The New York Journal of Books also offered a glowing review which ended with "Even for someone who is not usually a fan of ghost stories and mysticism, the writing and storytelling compelled the suspension of disbelief and acceptance of the unimaginable. And in the end an amazed and admiring gasp—'I did not see that coming.'" I totally agreed with that! 

There is an interesting interview with Picoult in The New York Times.

Animals Make Us Human

This book by the prolific writer and advocate for animal welfare and people with autism, Temple Grandin, is not what I expected. No one can argue with Grandin's research-based information about animal behavior and she often ties her observations and research to her own childhood experiences with autism. She delves into the behaviors and science of dogs, cats, livestock (cows, horses, pigs, poultry), wildlife and zoo animals to tell us what she considers to be their foundational emotions. Are they prey animals or predatory? How does this affect their responses to various environmental stimuli, including human behaviors. The core emotions she discusses are fear, rage, panic, seeking, play, lust and nurturing. I suppose I was hoping to hear more about how animals influence humans in a positive way, but this is still a worthwhile read.

Her basic premise is that "an animal is a conscious being that has feelings,"and that, by understanding animal emotions, we humans can help provide "a good mental life" for the animals we interact with. Library Journal says that "readers will be able to glean new perspectives about animal welfare." Publishers Weekly offers that the book is "Packed with fascinating insights, unexpected observations and a wealth of how-to tips, Grandin's peppy work ably challenges assumptions about what makes animals happy." The New York Times wrote a lovely review that starts out by saying "Ms. Grandin’s autism gives her a special understanding of what animals, whether house cats or cattle, think, feel and — perhaps most important — desire. There is a revelation on almost every page, and Ms. Grandin’s prose (she wrote with Catherine Johnson [a neuropsychologist]) is ungainly in the best possible way: blunt, sweet, off-kilter and often quite funny."