Amelia Unabridged

 Amelia Unabridged
Ashley Schumacher
304 pages
Wednesday Books, 2021

From Goodreads: Eighteen-year-old Amelia Griffin is obsessed with the famous Orman Chronicles, written by the young and reclusive prodigy N. E. Endsley. They’re the books that brought her and her best friend Jenna together after Amelia’s father left and her family imploded. So when Amelia and Jenna get the opportunity to attend a book festival with Endsley in attendance, Amelia is ecstatic. It’s the perfect way to start off their last summer before college.

In a heartbeat, everything goes horribly wrong. When Jenna gets a chance to meet the author and Amelia doesn’t, the two have a blowout fight like they’ve never experienced. And before Amelia has a chance to mend things, Jenna is killed in a freak car accident. Grief-stricken, and without her best friend to guide her, Amelia questions everything she had planned for the future.

When a mysterious, rare edition of the Orman Chronicles arrives, Amelia is convinced that it somehow came from Jenna. Tracking the book to an obscure but enchanting bookstore in Michigan, Amelia is shocked to find herself face-to-face with the enigmatic and handsome N. E. Endsley himself, the reason for Amelia’s and Jenna’s fight and perhaps the clue to what Jenna wanted to tell her all along.

I'm not sure I have the words to convey how absolutely beautiful this book from debut author Amy Schumacher is. Amelia Unabridged wormed its way into my heart from the very beginning and by the end I find it situated in there so firmly, I don't think I will ever forget this gorgeous novel.

Take a look at the cover for a moment. The hand drawn image of a young woman, Amelia, screams "take me seriously," and the illustrations of a whale and foliage suggest a charm within the pages. The colors are dark and cool, suggesting a melancholy throughout the pages, but the colors surrounding the couple sharing a book together are warm and inviting, maybe even hopeful in the face of the darkness that surrounds them. Now read the description of the book again. Grief stricken at the death of her best friend, Amelia goes on a quest to find the source of special edition of the book they both loved, and finds herself in front of the young author himself. My first impression before even reading the book was that they didn't match very well but after reading, they do, they do! 

In the hands of a lesser author this book could have easily disintegrated into something campy and twee. Something I've read dozens of times before, and despite enjoying them very much while reading, didn't stay in my memory even a few months later. Somehow Schumacher manages to create something so beautiful, raw, and realistic here that I'm in awe. According to her bio on Goodreads, she has a degree in creative writing but I think she has a way with crafting words that is rare, you either have it or you don't. Regardless of how she does it, she's on my must read list now.

Amelia's heartbreak is so raw and realistic I really felt for her. Her best friend Jenna is her anchor in a disrupted world where her father leaves and her mother stops caring, so losing that turns her entire life upside down. The timing makes it worse, on the cusp of starting college Amelia only has the summer months to figure out how to live life without Jenna. Her spur of the moment trip to Michigan is so unlike Jenna but is the start on her path to finding her true self. Enter N.E. Endsley. Some might argue that their dependence on each other is unhealthy and I agree, but don't hold that against the author because that is realistic. That's how life is; sometimes we cling to our partners with such emotional voracity... here Schumacher has written life as it actually is.

I can't recall the last time I read such a satisfying and stunning book, and if you love YA you ought to add this to your TBR immediately, or better yet preorder a copy. Amelia Unabridged is due out February 16, 2021.

Viral BS

Viral BS: Medical Myths and Why We Fall for Them
Seema Yasmin
272 pages
John Hopkins University Press, 2021

From Goodreads: Can your zip code predict when you will die? Will testosterone supplements boost your libido? Should you space out childhood vaccines? Does talcum powder cause cancer? Why do some doctors recommend e-cigarettes while other doctors recommend you stay away from them? Health information--and misinformation--is all around us, and it can be hard to separate the two. A long history of unethical medical experiments and medical mistakes, along with a host of celebrities spewing anti-science beliefs, has left many wary of science and the scientists who say they should be trusted. How do we stay sane while unraveling the knots of fact and fiction to find out what we should really be concerned about, and what we can laugh off?

This book caught my attention because of our current Covid situation, marked by disinformation. It can be extremely frustrating when you know the science and facts, but others refuse them and continue spreading false information, so I thought maybe this book would show the way between fact and fiction and help set the record straight on some other medical misinformation, some of which has been spread for decades and then some. I was drawn in by the book's simple question and answer format in short chapters. What a great way to get information to the casual layperson who may or may not know what to believe anymore.

The first chapter was about weight-loss teas, which I've never believed in, but the descriptions of how they can actually be toxic are surprising. Even more shocking is that they aren't regulated in any way. Ditto vitamins and supplements. Yikes. Other topics I found interesting: the recent trend of eating your placenta after giving birth (my OBGYN asked me if I wanted it and in my drug induced haze I believe I said "Throw that shit out."), is trauma inherited, diet sodas in relation to Alzheimer's/stoke (I call Diet Coke "mom juice"), mammograms, statins, supplements, and fracking.

Ultimately and unfortunately, I don't think I was the intended target for this book. Most of the information presented was old news to me and I admit to skimming a few sections. The topics are explained in simple manner, which I sometimes found lacking or a little over generalized. As for the section on vaccines, well, you're never going to change anyone's mind on that so why bother. 

And I don't know if it's just because I have an advanced copy, but there is no bibliography or endnotes. For someone who gives us a numerical list in the appendix of what to look out for in deciding if something is true or false, the author doesn't provide the reader with much to go on besides studies mentioned in the text. Should we just take her word for it? (I mean, probably because this is published by a reputable university, but still.) 

If this sounds like something you're interested in, by all means get a copy and read it. I'm not saying it's poorly written beyond a couple over generalizations; but if you already have a great handle on viral medical mysteries, then I'd say this is one you can probably skip. 

One of the Good Ones

One of the Good Ones
Maika and Maritza Moulite
384 pages
Inkyard Press, 2020

From Goodreads: ISN'T BEING HUMAN ENOUGH?

When teen social activist and history buff Kezi Smith is killed under mysterious circumstances after attending a social justice rally, her devastated sister Happi and their family are left reeling in the aftermath. As Kezi becomes another immortalized victim in the fight against police brutality, Happi begins to question the idealized way her sister is remembered. Perfect. Angelic.

One of the good ones.

Even as the phrase rings wrong in her mind—why are only certain people deemed worthy to be missed?—Happi and her sister Genny embark on a journey to honor Kezi in their own way, using an heirloom copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book as their guide. But there's a twist to Kezi's story that no one could've ever expected—one that will change everything all over again.

 

Hey, you. STOP. Stop what you are doing right now and preorder this book. Or if it’s after January 5th, go buy yourself a copy right now. I’ll wait. You will not have regrets and I could tell you why but that would be spoilers. 

Kenzi is a social justice YouTuber ready to turn eighteen and spread her wings in a wider scope, when tragedy strikes. The first half of the book shows us what has happened to Kenzi’s family in the months after her suspicious death while in police custody. Whether in person or on television, we’ve all seen the mothers of those taken by police, crying out for their babies, but this book goes far beyond that and shows how the whole family unit suffers, and in fact grows, as they try to understand and heal together. In her wake, Kenzi has left two sisters who don’t understand each other, and two pastor parents who are trying to be a rock for their girls but are suffering through their own issues as well. Before she died, Kenzi had planned a road trip to celebrate her graduation, following Route 66 using The Green Book as a guide (if you don’t know look it up.) Now her sisters and two of her friends will take the trip together and chronicle it for her YouTube followers. 

Then comes the second half of the book AND THE HUGE GIGANTIC TWIST I did not see coming and is why I’m pleading to you again, buy yourself this book and consume it ASAP. 

But I digress. The road trip portion of the book was my favorite part, I really enjoyed following the group as they visited boarded up Green Book hotels, museums, monuments, and even the Grand Canyon (admittedly slightly off course.) Heading into this I knew the basic history of the Green Book but I find myself even more fascinated now and I’ll be looking up a digital copy for myself and exploring more. 

Of course one of the main themes is the title itself, One of the Good Ones. The belief among whites that there are “good ones” and “bad ones” when it comes to black people in America. The “good ones” who study and work hard, are “articulate,” and fall within the whites narrow definition of what makes a good person. Then there are the “bad ones” who are seen as less ambitious, talk loudly in a vernacular white people feel threatened by, and presumably push drugs. These judgements rely on what we see at first glance and fail to take into account black people's literal humanity. This is something Kenzi's sister Happi thinks about frequently during the road trip; something we should all spend more time thinking about.

I loved One of The Good Ones, written by the same sister team who brought us Dear Haiti, From Alaine last year. I’m giving it 4.5 stars because even though I loved the book on so many different levels, I think it could have been better with one less POV, a shorter first half, and an even greater emphasis on the road trip. But seriously, go get it.

You Have a Match

You Have a Match
Emma Lord
320 pages, 2020
Wednesday Books

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

Emma Lord's first novel, Tweet Cute, has proven to be very popular this year and I even have it on my shelf... unread, though, so this was the first book I've read by Lord. The book is due out in January 2021, which seems fitting because one of the book's main themes is new beginnings. Undoubtedly when you find you have a secret sister you knew nothing about for sixteen to eighteen years, that's the start of something new, but many of the main characters are also facing new beginnings in their lives, whether it be going off to school, closing a family business, starting new relationships, or even under going a personal rebranding on Instagram.

I'm always a little wary of heavy technology use in contemporary novels because they don't always age well, however Lord manages to weave Instagram into her novel thoroughly, both literally and more importantly, metaphorically - and that's why I think this book will age gracefully even if we ever come to a time where Instagram is dead (I hope not, I love wasting time on Instagram!) 

Savannah, the older sister, runs a popular influencer Instagram account focused on wellness. What started out as a hobby has become a bit of drudgery in her life, though she's hesitant to admit that at first. Opposite, younger sister Abby is a wary of Instagram. She's a talented, budding photographer and she knows a good Instagram account can only help her, but she doesn't trust herself to pick the best shots to showcase. Actually, Abby comes off apathetic towards social media in generall. As a gift, her friend Leo set up an account for her a couple years ago, and since then picks the photos himself from a shared dropbox. Since Abby has almost nothing to do with it, she doesn't even know how many followers she has! I think that's the way she likes it and you can see how embedded social media is in this story. The plot cannot stand without it.

But there are so many different interwoven plots to this book. Both Abby's parents and Savannah's adopted parents play a significant role in the book, and not just because they are the protagonists' parents, but because they have their own drama going on related to the adoption. Something contentious between the two couples is mentioned in the beginning of the book, but when we come to the meat and potatoes of the issue, it's bigger than we thought. I was a little surprised by what happened eighteen years ago, and then saddened. Would it be something they could get past for the sake of their girls, or would this strange extended family be a stressful mess? Yikes, this was the part of the story that left me on the edge of my seat.

You Have a Match is also a YA romance. Abby and Leo have been dancing around a relationship for months and I really enjoyed their story. They had a lot of "moments" at summer camp and I just wanted to scream, "Get together, already!" In addition, Savvy (as they call Savannah) is also dealing with her own relationship issues. I really enjoyed the romance aspect of the book and while I wish it had been elaborated on, the more important issue for the main characters was their sister relationship and adoption, so I can't be upset that that's what took the forefront.

The themes in this book are enduring and heartfelt. I really enjoyed reading You Have a Match by Emma Lord, and now I'm looking forward to reading her debut book, Tweet Cute, even more! This book made me smile and even laugh while taking on a tough issue. I definitely recommend it for YA lovers.

One More for Christmas

One More for Christmas
Sarah Morgan
Harlequin, 2020
416 pages

From Goodreads: For sisters Samantha and Ella Mitchell, Christmas is their most precious time of the year—a time for togetherness, love and celebration. Most of all, it’s about making up for everything their childhood Christmases lacked. But this year, they’ll be buying presents for the most unexpected guest of all—their estranged mother. It’s been five years since they last saw each other. But when their mom calls out of the blue and promises that this Christmas will be different, Samantha and Ella cautiously agree to spend it all together…

Gayle Mitchell is at the top of her career, but her success has come at a price—her relationship with her daughters. She never seemed to say or do the right things. Her tough-love approach was designed to make them stronger, but instead managed to push them away…until a brush with her own mortality forces Gayle to make amends. As the snowflakes fall on their first family celebration in years, the Mitchell women must learn that sometimes facing up to the past is all you need to heal your heart…

Once upon a time there was an author, who shall remain nameless, who I read every Christmas. Then I discovered some of her personal beliefs were a little unsavory to me and thus a big gap was opened in my holiday reading repertoire.  Entrée Sarah Morgan, who I discovered last year, and who writes a Christmas book every year. Her books more than filled my empty spot because they are even better than aforementioned nameless author's. Morgan's books are romantic, witty, unique, and best of all... her characters are individuals with different personalities. The heroines in each book are not the same (oh, cheap shot at other romance authors.) Morgan has a big back catalog that I'm looking forward to reading over time.

Anyhoo, when One More for Christmas became available to me, I snapped it up. It sat on my Kindle for a couple months and I wish I had read it sooner because it was fantastic. What was refreshing to me was that this book was not simply a romance story, but more of a family story. As Ella and Samantha are reunited with their mother, Gayle, they find the whole family suddenly in Scotland for the holidays. Removed from their every day lives, the family has ample time and space to try and heal past wounds and, what's more, Samantha has time to find a love interest after a disastrously awkward breakup (this plot point alone was worth the read!).

At the same time, the family who owns the Scottish estate where they are staying is also experiencing some growing pains. After the patriarch of the family passes away, mother, brother, and sister, are left to find a way to keep the estate running on ever-shrinking finances. In fact that is why Samantha and her family are there, to check out the place to see if it would appeal to Samantha's boutique travel agency's customers. And oh it does- the setting was gorgeous from the home to the tiny village, from the snow to the reindeer. I'd certainly book a trip there if it were real and in the budget!

While it was refreshing to have the romance come second string, I do wish there had been more since the couple had such great chemistry. I loved that Brodie wasn't your typical buff highlander in a kilt, but rather a nerdy yet handsome guy who was adorable. I cannot overstate how ADORABLE he is.

All in all this was another fantastic Christmas book by Sarah Morgan and I am looking forward to catching up on her past novels while also looking forward to new. If you like a cozy holiday story, this is definitely one for you.

Review: White Evangelical Racism

 White Evangelical Racism
Anthea Butler
University of North Carolina Press, 2021
176 pages

Summary via Goodreads: The American political scene today is poisonously divided, and the vast majority of white evangelicals plays a strikingly unified, powerful role in the disunion. These evangelicals raise a starkly consequential question for electoral politics: Why do they claim morality while supporting politicians who act immorally by most Christian measures? In this clear-eyed, hard-hitting chronicle of American religion and politics, Anthea Butler answers that racism is at the core of conservative evangelical activism and power.

Butler reveals how evangelical racism, propelled by the benefits of whiteness, has since the nation’s founding played a provocative role in severely fracturing the electorate. During the buildup to the Civil War, white evangelicals used scripture to defend slavery and nurture the Confederacy. During Reconstruction, they used it to deny the vote to newly emancipated blacks. In the twentieth century, they sided with segregationists in avidly opposing movements for racial equality and civil rights. Most recently, evangelicals supported the Tea Party, a Muslim ban, and border policies allowing family separation. White evangelicals today, cloaked in a vision of Christian patriarchy and nationhood, form a staunch voting bloc in support of white leadership. Evangelicalism’s racial history festers, splits America, and needs a reckoning now...

One of the things that confuses secular Americans the most is how the evangelical crowd can vote for Donald Trump when he is the antithesis of everything the Christian religion supposedly stands for. How can someone who believes in the teachings of Christ first and foremost, vote for a thrice married adulterer, alleged child rapist, liar, etc., etc.. I know it certainly has been a dichotomy that has been turning over in my head for the past four years. Enter Anthea Butler who has succinctly explained how this came to be and, while many presume the reason is simply abortion, there are actually more layers and quite a history that has lead to where we are now. The underlying reason evangelicals are this way? Racism. 

It's so easy for modern evangelicals to balk when being accused of racism, but how many of them accurately know where their movement has come from? I would wager not many. Thankfully for those of us who have been hung up on this issue for awhile, Butler lays out for us in a very succinct manner how evangelicalism adopted racism for its benefit since slavery and how it grew after the second reiteration of the Klan in 1915. 

Many people know that when Trump and other Republicans talk about "law and order" they are using a dog whistle for anti-blackness. It seemed evident to me when this phrase first hit my radar during the protests this past summer, but how did that phrase become such a dog whistle? This was one of the most eye opening parts of the book to me, along with the rise of Billy Graham and how he ties in with anticommunist sentiments which then morphed into racist sentiments. Graham, Hoover, the Red Scare, an evangelical fear of end times... it seems they all combined to create this everlasting racism.

Butler also demonstrates how evangelicals became politically entwined with the Republican party, to the point today where, in my mind, it is impossible to separate the two. I would urge you to read this book even if it were just for this section because it shows how a minority of Americans have been able to leverage their vote and win presidential elections as a result. Butler argues that George W. Bush was the first to benefit from this and how it has grown. A look at almost any evangelical/fundamentalist Instagram or Facebook account shows they are falling for the conspiracy theories spouted by Trump, who they seem to think is second to Christ but indeed act as if he is first. Even knowing how they arrived there, it still blows my mind.

On a side note, this section reminded me of something important. In the age of Trumpism, it's easy to look back at George W.'s administration and think, "Well, maybe it wasn't as bad as I thought," but if you take the time (for a two minute Google search, even)  you can easily find examples of disgusting, racist behavior on the behalf of the former president. We have to insist that the bar has not moved. We cannot dismiss the awful behavior of other Republicans because "at least they're not as bad as Trump." Trump should be the extreme, not the bar between okay and not okay.

I want to thank Butler for taking the time and putting in the work to write this book because it answers several questions many of us have had about the religious voting bloc. I would encourage you to read this succinct and timely book, it won't take more than a few hours, and in the end you'll have at least some of the answers you may have been looking for.  If you are evangelical, Butler also writes directly to you at the end of the book. While it's unlikely evangelicals will read the book, they ought to. They know they are accused of racism and it's time for them to learn why and grow from it. Well, one can dream. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advanced copy to read.

PS: Butler mentions the Lost Cause a few times in her book, but if you're looking for more about the Lost Cause and its racist and religious ties, I highly suggest the recent book The False Cause: Fraud, Fabrication, and White Supremacy in Confederate Memory by Adam H. Domby.