Dame Jilly Cooper's Obituary, Pynchon at Elliott Bay Book Company, Tommy Orange Wins MacArthur Genuis Fellowship, Powell's on Book Bans, The Hearth Witch's Guide to Magic and Murder by Kiri Callaghan, Vianne by Joanne Harris, Every Spiral of Fate by Tahereh Mafi,and Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Welcome and greetings, my fellow book dragons! It's already the second week of October, and it is finally getting colder outside, and the muggy air is becoming crisp. This is welcome news for those of us who aren't fond of heat and humidity. I've been really enjoying some new books, and I'm hoping that I will somehow be able to get more soon. I will say that the closer I get to my 65th birthday in December, the more I am inundated with scams trying to get money from someone who has none, (I've been denied social security and SS disability 5 times). Seriously, for those of us living on one social security check, (my husbands, which he hoards for alcohol and take out for himself), there's barely enough to keep a roof over our head and food on the table. Yet for some reason predators come after seniors constantly, for the mere crumbs that they get from the government. It makes no sense...its like a schoolyard bully stealing a kindergartener's lunch, or the few dollars that they have for a hot lunch. Why take something of so little value? How does it help these scammers/bullies? Anyway, enjoy the reviews and tidbits.

 

I remember reading Cooper's "Girl names" books back when I was a teenager...they seemed so exotic to an Iowan who hadn't been out of Iowa but once (to Colorado on vacation), and who certainly had no connections to the English horsey set. The raunchy part of the tales would be considered tame these days. At the time, they were mind-blowing for a teenager from the Midwest. RIP Ms Cooper.

 

Obituary Note: Jilly Cooper

Dame Jilly Cooper, "who captured millions of readers with her raunchy tales set amid horse-loving high society," died October 5, the Guardian reported. She was 88. Cooper was best known for the Rutshire Chronicles, which include Riders, Rivals, and most recently, Tackle!. Rivals was adapted as a TV series for Disney+.

Cooper's novels "defined culture, writing, and conversation since she

was first published over 50 years ago," said her agent, Felicity Blunt.

"You wouldn't expect books categorized as blockbusters to have so

emphatically stood the test of time but Jilly wrote with acuity and

insight about all things--class, sex, marriage, rivalry, grief and

fertility."

Bill Scott-Kerr, her publisher at Transworld, observed: "Working with

Jilly Cooper over the past 30 years has been one of the great privileges

and joys of my publishing life.... Jilly may have worn her influence

lightly but she was a true trailblazer. As a journalist she went where

others feared to tread and as a novelist she did likewise. With a

winning combination of glorious storytelling, wicked social commentary

and deft, lacerating characterization, she dissected the behavior, bad

mostly, of the English upper middle classes with the sharpest of

scalpels."

He added that Transworld "has been blessed to be her publishers for 50

years since we published Emily in 1975--her work spanned 18 novels and

short fiction as well as over 20 books of nonfiction which were not only

a window into her own life, but also acute observations on the essence

of a certain type of Englishness. The Common Years, in particular, was a

particular reader favorite."

Cooper began her writing career in journalism as a cub reporter on the

Middlesex Independent in 1956, before moving into PR. In 1961, she

married publisher Leo Cooper and during the late 1960s, she began

writing columns for the Sunday Times before moving to the Mail on Sunday

in 1982. Her first book, the nonfiction title How to Stay Married, was

published in 1969 and her debut novel, Emily, was released in 1975, "the

first of a series of romances based on magazine stories she had

published. Bella, Imogen, Prudence, Harriet, and Octavia would follow,

plus a collection of short stories, Lisa & Co, in 1981," the Guardian

noted.

Riders, the first of 11 Rutshire Chronicles books, appeared in 1985,

followed by Rivals in 1988. She also wrote several books for children

about a mongrel, Mabel, and many nonfiction titles, including Class,

about the English class system. Cooper was honored with a damehood in

the 2024 new year honors list for her services to literature and

charity. Jenny Colgan noted that "it is nice to hope she got her wish, that:

'When you arrive in heaven, all your dogs come rushing across a green

lawn to meet you.' "

I LOVE the fact that Seattle is such a literate city, and that so many people will line up to get a book at Midnight. This happened often with the Harry Potter series, but I'm glad to see that adults lined up for the famed T Pynchon.

 

Plenty of Pynchon

On Monday night, Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, Wash., hosted a midnight release party for Thomas Pynchon's Shadow Ticket (Penguin Press). The evening included themed music, drinks and snacks, trivia, and "plenty of Pynchon" (though, as the store noted: "Thomas Pynchon will not be present."). As soon as the clock struck midnight, the store handed out copies to the eager readers.

I read the famed "There, There" and though I didn't really see the lure, I think it's awesome that Orange won a Genius Grant. Good on ya, TO!

 

Tommy Orange Wins MacArthur 'Genius' Fellowship 

Tommy Orange, author of There There (2018) and Wandering Stars (2024), has been named one of 22 recipients of this year's MacArthur Foundation "genius" grants. Each MacArthur Fellow receives a no-strings-attached, $800,000 award.

The foundation lauded Orange as "a fiction writer capturing a diverse

range of Native American experiences and lives in novels that traverse

time, space, and narrative perspectives. Orange's novels center his

characters' interior lives: their emotions, ideas, and realizations in

moments of joy and pain. Through expansive casts of interconnected

characters, he shows the many ways historical trauma and dislocation can

rupture the fabric of everyday life....

"In both of Orange's novels, hope is subtle yet persistent. It is buried

under the weight of history in his characters' search for connection,

meaning, and a way forward. Through sweeping storytelling married to an

intimate focus on interiority, Orange illuminates the richness and depth

of contemporary Native American life."

I love Powells...they're the mecca for booklovers and their words here resonate. 

Powells On Book Bans

"Book bans aren't about the books. They're about the ideas inside--and

the power stories have to expand minds, spark questions, and encourage

critical thinking. At Powell's, we've supported and celebrated

independent thinking since our inception, which means continuing to

stock and sell books others have labeled "offensive" or "inappropriate."

We will always fight for your right to read anything you want."--Powell's Books, Portland, Ore.

The Hearth Witch's Guide to Magic and Murder by Kiri Callaghan is an LGBTQ cozy romantasy that is rendered in a beautiful edition with pink edges and incredible illustrations and cover art. Here's the blurb: 

"For all intents and purposes, we are still blissfully separated from the mortals, but there have been…complications."

When a rise in London's supernatural crime puts Fey society at risk of discovery, the Winter Council turns to an unlikely solution: Avery Hemlock, the changeling they sentenced to 500 Years of Nightmares. Inherently lacking social grace and missing approximately two centuries of world knowledge, Avery must find a way to acclimate and solve the case or lose her probationary freedom.

After being left at the altar and dropping out of medical school, Saga Trygg attempts to rekindle her faith in life, humanity, and witchcraft. But when her new neighbor, Avery, accidentally reveals the Fey that have been living among humanity all along, Saga realizes magic is far more than prayers, intention, and candles.

Each faced with navigating an unfamiliar world, the two form an unexpected partnership—but shortly into Avery's investigation, they discover the threat might be closer to Saga than either of them imagined, and Avery will do anything to protect the first friend she's had in more than two hundred years.

 

What I loved in this utterly delicious romantasy/mystery was the Sherlock Holmes-style pairing of the two main female characters, who are both outcasts and both trying to navigate a world that often doesn't make sense to them. The prose sparkled and the plot was detailed but not stuffy or slow, in fact it skipped along like a child with boundless energy. I loved the glimpse into the magical realm, and how the author showed that not all magical beings are fun, whimsical or nice...there was a kind of 'realism' at the base of the magical system in the book that made it seem more likely, with dangerous and dull creatures bent on chaos. It was also fascinating how, when the magical fae world mixed with humans and created changelings that are neither fish nor fowl, that these halflings are discriminated against, just as they would be in today's society. Those who are different are rarely welcomed with open arms. Avery (A Sherlock substitute) and Saga (A Dr Watson-style sidekick) moved through the story with grace and growth, which kept the plot riveting. An engrossing tale that deserves an A, and a recommendation to anyone who enjoys diverse stories and cozy mysteries. I definitely want more!

 

Vianne by Joanne Harris is that rare treasured gift, a book wherein the author returns to her renowned bestseller and outlines how it all began. So this prequel is romantic "women's" fiction, but realistically, anyone who read "Chocolat" (and it can't have been just women for it to be such a bestseller) will love learning Vianne's back story. Here's the blurb: Million-copy bestselling author Joanne Harris returns to the world of Chocolat with the long-awaited story of Vianne, which begins six years before she opens her scandalous chocolaterie in the small French village of Lansquenet.

Secrets. Chocolate. A touch of magic.

On the evening of July 4th, a young woman scatters her mother’s ashes in New York and follows the call of the changing winds to the French coastal city of Marseille.

For the first time in her life, Vianne feels in control of her future. Charming her way into a job as a waitress, she tries to fit in, make friends, and come to terms with her pregnancy, knowing that by the time her child is born, the turning wind will have changed once again.

As she discovers the joy of cooking for the very first time, making local recipes her own with the addition of bittersweet chocolate spices, she learns that this humble magic has the power to unlock secrets. And yet her gift comes at a price. And Vianne has a secret of her own; a secret that threatens everything.

 

Joanne Harris's books are a j0y that will enchant and transform the reader. The delicious descriptions and gorgeous prose envelopes the reader from the first page, and the sumptuous plot casts a spell that will have readers turning pages into the wee hours. Vianne's backstory is rife with wonder and surprises, warmhearted and full of insights into the human heart. After reading this book I felt as if I'd actually lived in France and smelled the hot chocolate and croissants, heard the accented language and seen people from all walks of life wearing stylish clothing old or new. I could hear the screeching of the gulls and the yeowling of the cats and clamor of the church bells. ...What a feast for the senses and the soul! Harris leaves readers satisfied, yet hungry for more of her magnificent books. I'd give this fantastic story an A, and recommend it to anyone who loved the book or the movie "Chocolat."

 

Every Spiral of Fate by Tahereh Mafi is a YA romantasy that is, essentially, torture porn with a lot of romantic/sexual yearning added for the sake of a very melodramatic plot. Here's the blurb: 

The highly anticipated fourth novel in the Woven Kingdom romantasy series, brimming with fiery romance, spectacular magic, and breathtaking secrets, from Tahereh Mafi

At long last, the wedding day has arrived.

The Jinn queen and the enigmatic ruler of Tulan are to be married in a magical, enchanted ceremony—but Cyrus, tethered by a blood oath to his bride-to-be, can find nothing to celebrate in this union. He’s falling ever more deeply in love with the one person oathbound to kill him.

Sworn to an ancient, unbreakable magic, Alizeh can only fulfill the prophecy to free her people by ensuring Cyrus dies by her own hand. And Cyrus is forced to await his end all while Prince Kamran inches closer, ready to take his place by Alizeh’s side.

The countdown to murder coils tensions ever tighter, but the historic wedding has already drawn deadly attention. To prepare for war and protect her people, Alizeh must finally discover her magic—and outrun the enemies trying to stop her.

Alizeh and Cyrus, along with Kamran and their friends from Ardunia, must flee on dragon-back to begin the perilous journey into the legendary mountains of Arya, where a firestorm of revelations, magical discoveries, and fresh allies awaits them. Every allegiance will be tested, every darkness uncovered, and when the shattering secrets of the Tulanian king are finally revealed . . .

Nothing, and no one, will be the same.

There were short chapters (usually no more than 3 pages) throughout the book, which helped when the prose got repetitive and slowed the plot to a meander. The female protagonist, though she grew up during the course of the book, was still indecisive and somewhat spineless when she needed to be tough and bold and ask the right questions while being honest about her feelings. The male protagonist was way too much of a drama llama, plus he was whiny and often seemed stupid in his over-the-top adulation (one could hardly call it love) of Alizeh, whom he martyrs himself to, as this is what is deemed love in this mess of a book. Only those willing to undergo torture and death are worthy of love (insert eye roll here). The way that all of the characters deal with the devil was ridiculous, making them seem primitive and superstitious, though the magic queen managed to rout the devil once and for all, even though the devil, like every other male in the book, lusted after Alizeh as being some kind of perfect woman (because she was rather stupid and indecisive and hated herself, and didn't recognize her physical beauty, and, along with being petite, this makes her the manic pixie dream girl trope that its assumed all men want). Since I've read all the other books in this series, I would say this tortuous novel deserves a B-, at best, and I'd only recommend it to anyone who has a thing for melodrama and torture.

 

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry is a contemporary rom-com that falls somewhere in the middle of her published works, as not fantastic but not awful, either. Having experienced a number of Henry's romances, I would note that its always been hit or miss with her works, with some being top shelf and others being 'phone it in' Hallmark channel romances that are trope and cliche-ridden messes that they leave the reader angry and unsatisfied. Here's the blurb: Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: to write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the twentieth century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication.

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room. And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad . . . depending on who’s telling it. 

 

This book, despite the bright title, is a dour old mutt, not quite beautiful, but so odd as to be endearing enough that you want to find out what happened to the main characters. Alice the journalist is painted in an uncomfortable light here, wanting to write biographies and true love stories, but making her bread and butter from writing for an online gossip tabloid called "The Scratch". Hayden, the guy she falls for, is a famed biographer whose stony and dour demeanor keeps people away from him, and makes him unlucky in love, until, of course, he claps eyes on Alice (love at first sight? Really?). The subject of their rivalry is a mean, lying old woman, who, though she's had every advantage in life, is miserable because of the tabloid press who won't leave her alone. Alice is disingenuously sympathetic to her, because, as part of the press, Alice never even questions Margaret's motivation in having her write her biography at all, which makes no sense. Henry's painting of the press (tarring all with the same brush, which is hardly fair) as all asshats bent on destroying the lives of the rich and famous (boo-freaking-hoo!) is hypocritical at best. Most journalists aren't the investigative kind (I wasn't), and are just regular people trying to tell the stories of community members and businesses to draw that community closer together. Part of fame, as every famed actor or musician or rich entrepreneur can tell you, is the contract that is forged when you reach popularity in your profession and you give up some of your privacy for notoriety. Its the price of success that many are willing to pay in order to not have to worry about finances for themselves or their families. They also get to work in a creative field that they usually love, something very few people (statistically) get to do. Those with inherited wealth or royalty are trained from childhood to deal with the press and lack of privacy. So the press-bashing didn't wash with me, and I found myself feeling that Henry was taking the easy route here when looking for her antagonist. I'd give this book a middling B-, (or C+) and only recommend it to those who buy into the lie of the lying press and the writers who are 'enslaved' by it.