Songs from Richmond Avenue

Songs from Richmond Avenue was written by Michael Reed and published on 3 November  2016.

“If the adage “nothing civilized ever resulted from the drinking of beer” requires further proof, one needs look no farther than down Houston’s pothole-infested Richmond Avenue. There, the blurry-eyed denizens of the Relix Club wile away the hours engaged in their two favorite activities – drinking and betting.

Until recently that was good enough for our storyteller, a journalist of questionable work ethic, who undergoes an epiphany following a bus stop meeting with pretty Michelle, a woman he declares has “skin so perfect I doubted she even had pores.”

Could she be his redemption? Maybe, but first he’d better contend with her baseball bat-wielding former beau, her nihilistic stripper roommate and the suspicious death of a friend, who fancies himself the father of Brute Generation poetry.

Mostly satire, often wildly unpredictable, the only real long shot in Songs From Richmond Avenue would be for its protagonist to put down his beer long enough to learn anything of true value.”*

 

I was provided a complementary copy of Songs from Richmond Avenue to review. It in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion/review of the book.

 

I had a tough time writing the review for Songs from Richmond Avenue. It was one of those books that left me puzzled. Did I enjoy it? Would I read it again? Is there anyone I would recommend it to? Can I even remember what the plot was? Stream of consciousness books have been around for many years, and they tend to be polarizing. It takes a lot to make them succeed: captivating characters, a strong narrator, and some kind of interesting situation to propel the novel onwards.

Songs from Richmond Avenue doesn’t necessarily lack captivating characters. In fact, it has a whole cast of them. This is where the novel shines, at least in terms of secondary characters. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, people like the Buddhist slink their way onto the pages (and into the backseats of cars). Every character has their own part to play, and you get the feeling that if one was left out, the book would suffer. Thankfully, the multitude of drunks, strippers, and not-so-hardworking workers make Songs from Richmond Avenue a wild, fulfilling ride from start to finish.

Though the characters are a high point for this novel, the true gem lies in the descriptions. Even places like the local bus stop have been carefully and masterfully described. There is an artful way Reed weaves the novel that is to be commended. If you thought a dirty, rain-soaked road could never seem lyrical, you have not picked up Reed’s novel. The descriptions are the main reason I kept reading. The tiniest of details are never forgotten or overlooked. Moreover, Reed is able to inject quick humour and sharp wit to lighten up even the darkest of situations.

Of course, not everything about Songs from Richmond Avenue shines. There are a variety of simplistic mistakes that have no place in a published book:

Smirking as he wiping out a pair of shot glasses before filling them. (23)

I’m going home and sleep. (80)

I moving around Danny and opened the driver’s door. (94)

I thinking I shouldn’t really be telling you most of what I know. (256)

On a less technical note, I also had issues with the main character. (Although he is nameless, he will be referred to as his nickname, Hoss, for clarity). Hoss is a strangely unlikeable man who’s cognitive dissonance is at an all-time high. It is amazing to see such an immature man ruminate on the lacking humanity of others while he drives drunk and urinates wherever he pleases. His pretension is exhausting. Though sometimes Hoss will stop and correct his initial thoughts, he oftentimes barrels forward with no concern for his toxic thoughts. Case in point: He compares Michelle’s attempt to comfort herself to that of a “demented” person. Later on, he comes to the conclusion that a woman’s teenage acne is the source of her screwed up adult life. Mental illnesses are never directly addressed or mentioned, yet the underlying current is problematic.

Also, he leaves his dog in the backyard as a Noah’s Arc-esque flood occurs.

(Seriously, who does that?)

Moreover, the actual plot of this novel is convoluted. Half the time I had no idea what was going on. Hoss is a journalist, but his job is only important until…well…it doesn’t need to be. The times where I was actually hooked on the novel (like the North Las Vegas story), the situation is rushed and then shoved away to allow the characters to get back to doing, well, whatever it is the characters do. Drink? Sleep on couches? Take the bus? I’m not sure.

All in all, Songs from Richmond Avenue is definitely not an amateur book. It is often poignant, thoughtful, and artistic. However, this seems to be hidden under a heavy veil of unlikeable primary characters and a strange overall plot.

2 out of 5 stars.

*Blurb by Goodreads.

 

Redway Acres: Book One – Helena

ACTUAL RATING: 3.5/5 STARS

Trigger Warning: This review contains information about sexual assault, and may be uncomfortable to some readers.

“Set in early 1800s, England…

Mrs. Helena Andrews is the widow of Captain Andrews who died in battle. Leaving all she knows behind her in Norfolk, she travels to Lincolnshire to live with her grandfather, Redway Acres stable owner, George Stockton. There she will raise her daughter.

After the death of her grandfather, she is left to run Redway by herself. She makes friends with an old widower in a ramshackle cottage, the family from a local, grand estate and their friend, a colonel and second son of the Earl of Aysthill, Nathaniel Ackley.

She is an opinionated woman in a man’s world, who loves horses and her daughter, and will stand up for those who are in need.

Her story is one of horses, strength of will, music, friendship, love and loyalty.”*

I was provided a complementary copy of Helena to review. It in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion/review of the book.

Two years ago, I had to actively stop myself from whipping the remote at my television. I had been binge watching Downton Abbey all summer (I know, I’m always late to the party), and to see Matthew Crawley meet such a tragic fate had me reeling.

Imagine if you could take that season three finale and rewrite it to have a happier ending.

You’d get Helena’s story.

And no, that is not a jab at the book. In fact, it was possibly my favourite aspect. The plot of the novel follows Helena, a refreshingly resilient and quick-witted woman, and her plight of propriety versus freedom. Instead of the stuffiness that is characteristic of 1800s England (or 1800s anywhere, really), Redway Acres – Helena reads like the whimsical dreams modern day women have of what life was like in the past. It takes all the good points of such a time period (such as balls, courtship, and old-timey language) and interweaves the modern ideals of equality and respect that women still fight for into it.

Colonel Nathanial Ackley is another high point for the book. He is the perfect embodiment of a gentleman. An out-of-touch one, but a gentleman nonetheless. He is initially wrapped up in the ideals of his society, where war is fought for personal dignity and the biggest concern about rape is how best to sweep it under the rug. However, as the story continues, his arc develops with it. Nathanial learns and grows organically. He goes from doing things for Helena’s sake to doing them because they are the right things to do. I was never once confused or put off by his thought process, as it evolved so naturally. Nathanial is dislikable at times, but that is only because he was written to be a person, not a character. Even when you think he is fully changed, he reverts back to the opinions instilled in him from childhood. The ebb and flow of Nathanial was truly beautiful.

Though this book is fairly breezy, there are mature themes such as rape and assault. For the most part, they were handled well. The scenes themselves were written delicately, and they never seemed overly graphic or lengthy. The scenes also did not grind the story to a halt, which can become an issue when heavy-handed subjects are brought into otherwise light-hearted books.

Also, bonus points for the Pride and Prejudice quote at the beginning.

Unfortunately, mistakes are abound in this novel. It’s always frustrating to read, especially when no less than six people had access to it before publishing.

“I grew larger and larger with Isabella. until I thought I was going to burst!” (118)

As he continued to sooth his horse… (167)

In the morning, Ruth found her there and seeing the letter to the colonel on the desk she scooped it up to get it to the post coach with the child’s own letter of thanks; leaving her mistress to sleep a little longer. (145)

There are also many errors with commas. They’re either lacking in parts that require them, or are sprinkled in parts that don’t need them. These mistakes are frequent, and are the culprits in drawing readers out of the story. Mistakes stop the reader from getting sucked into the story, and when they’re not invested, they continue to catch those tiny issues. It creates a vicious cycle.

From a less technical standpoint, this book also suffers from jumping from one interest to another. Certain things are only important when they story needs them to be. The cover, boasting a fiery redhead galloping on a horse, is perfect for embodying the first chapter. Then it becomes unrelated to the book. Once it was no longer “important” that Helena was an accomplished rider, all the horses were shoved away. Redway was rarely a setting utilized, and it becomes hard to believe Helena is such a horse-lover when she spends all her time in a study, writing to Nathanial. Helena is also described as a philanthropist who spends her Sundays tending to the less fortunate, but she only does so when the storyline needs her to be a good person. Old Joe’s cottage is important for the budding relationship of Nathanial and Helena, and then Joe is discarded until his death is needed to aid another character. Even poor Harriet, who was blossoming under Helena’s wing, was flushed out because, surprise! Helena no longer needs Harriet as a way to visit Eastease, so she becomes irrelevant.

Finally, some parts of the book are just…strange. The man that is essentially Helena’s father watches her have sex in a barn. When he notices he can’t get away without alerting the couple of his presence, John continues to watch. He doesn’t close his eyes, turn around, or offer them any semblance of privacy. Just watches. Maybe his name should have been Tom. Moreover, a gratuitous sex scene follows, where John uses what he witnessed to enhance his own experience with his wife.

The comments many of the men make about virginity and sex are also uncomfortable at times. Nathanial congratulates his horse on impregnating Helena’s, implying the horse accomplished what Nathanial himself had set out to do, only much sooner.

Overall, Redway Acres: Book One – Helena is a decent foundation for a series to stand on. It’s a lighthearted read that I definitely don’t regret. I’m excited for the next part!

3.5 out of 5 stars.

*Blurb by Goodreads.

Read the review on Goodreads.

 

 

 

Escape from Prague

 

Escape from Prague was written by Colin Knight and was published 26 February 2017.

“Krystyna’s life is brutal. It has always been.

Forced into prostitution by Edvard, a violent Prague criminal and pimp, Krystyna struggles to survive.

Worse, her younger sister, Anna, whom Krystyna has protected and loved since childhood, has naively followed Anna to Prague and into Edvard’s clutches.

Desperate and reckless, Krystyna gambles her life and her sister’s to become the concubine of four Englishmen.

A virtual prisoner in a remote house near Manchester, and powerless to help Anna, Krystyna becomes increasingly guilty about leaving Anna.

While Krystyna endures the men’s perverse demands, she undertakes a dangerous plan to free herself and Anna from Prague forever.

But for the plan to work, she needs Anna’s cooperation.

Can Anna make it to Manchester to help Krystyna?

Will Krystyna’s plan work, or will her captors discover what she is doing and make her pay the ultimate price?

As pimp and clients join forces to exact revenge, will Krystyna and Anna survive or, like so many other anonymous sex-trade victims, will they simply disappear?”*

I was provided a complementary copy of Escape from Prague to review. It in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion/review of the book.

It has been SO long since I’ve come across a book that I couldn’t put down. A book that was so intense my heart beat with it. A book so true in all aspects that it was like listening to a person tell me their life story.

Escape from Prague is all this and more.

It does not surprise me that this book has been either loved or hated by reviewers. Gritty, raw, intense books like this one tend to be polarizing. It is not for the faint of heart, and certainly not a book you would expect to fall in love with. Still, I can say only good things.

There is something to be said about the power of two sisters. Two women who are strong in different ways and can buoy each other up in times of hardship. In this case, Anna and Krystyna are a power duo. Perhaps what makes them so great is not their strengths, but their weaknesses. Anna is impulsive and emotional. Krystyna is cold and too pragmatic at times. Put these together and you have a bond between two women who balance each other out. When Anna screws up (and she does, big time), Krystyna is there to offer both Anna and the reader a sense of calm in the storm. When Krystyna is too calculating, Anna is there to add a moral voice to the mix. Both women are strong, capable, and flawed in a way that only humans can be.

The book itself is fast-paced and offers little in the form of breaks. When you finally expect to take a breather, another plot twist is thrown. It is this continual unfolding of drama that makes the novel one you can’t possibly put down. When you do put it down (reluctantly), you can’t stop thinking about it. As soon as I finished Escape from Prague, I told my mom to stop reading her own book and start reading this one. (She’s thoroughly enjoying it so far, and has similar thoughts). Certain parts had me gasping out loud (without revealing too much, an unexpected death had me reeling), and at certain times, I was afraid to turn the page because of what I might find. Honestly, I’m having a hard time reviewing this book for the fact that I was too engrossed to take notes!

If the two protagonists weren’t enough to keep me reading, the plot would have been. It is a thrilling chase of cat and mouse all the way from Prague to Manchester. There are just enough tiny connections to allow antagonists (such as Tyrion and Edvard) to piece together a puzzle that leads them within striking distance. Each time they found a clue or stopped to think like foreign prostitutes, I found myself tensing up as if they would find me as well. Stringer offers a nice curveball to the mix, and even though his fate is expected, I was still saddened. His side story of why he became a private investigator was a nice respite from the ever-growing tension between the sisters and their pursuers. Stringer himself added a layer of humanity to the plot, and helped it to ground itself into reality even more.

This is a shorter review than most because I have absolutely nothing bad to say. Drop whatever book you’re reading now and run to the store (or to your computer) to pick this book up. Add Knight’s other books to your cart while you’re at it – I’m sure they are just as fantastic as this one. Knight’s work in literature is unparalleled – Escape from Prague is just one example: the novel was masterful in all aspects. I look forward to hopefully reading his previous and future books soon.

5 out of 5 stars.

*Blurb by Goodreads.

The Circle

The Circle is written by Dave Eggers and was published on 8 October 2013

“When Mae Holland is hired to work for the Circle, the world’s most powerful internet company, she feels she’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime. The Circle, run out of a sprawling California campus, links users’ personal emails, social media, banking, and purchasing with their universal operating system, resulting in one online identity and a new age of civility and transparency.
As Mae tours the open-plan office spaces, the towering glass dining facilities, the cozy dorms for those who spend nights at work, she is thrilled with the company’s modernity and activity. There are parties that last through the night, there are famous musicians playing on the lawn, there are athletic activities and clubs and brunches, and even an aquarium of rare fish retrieved from the Marianas Trench by the CEO.
Mae can’t believe her luck, her great fortune to work for the most influential company in America – even as life beyond the campus grows distant, even as a strange encounter with a colleague leaves her shaken, even as her role at the Circle becomes increasingly public. What begins as the captivating story of one woman’s ambition and idealism soon becomes a heart-racing novel of suspense, raising questions about memory, history, privacy, democracy, and the limits of human knowledge.”*

The Circle isn’t based on any new revelations – as a society, we have been collectively warned about the power of social media and the growing influence it has on our lives. Each and every day, someone is tweeting, updating their status, watching a video…it has become integrated in our lives the same way brushing our teeth is. This normalcy makes it easy to imagine a platform like Google taking over the world piece by piece, and this is what makes The Circle so terrifying; it very well could be true.

The book itself presents an issue in the form of Maebelline “Mae” Holland, the protagonist (and antagonist, depending on one’s POV). Unfortunately, Mae is simply not likable. From the beginning, she comes off as stuck up, narcissistic, and honestly, just plain mean. Mae’s ex-boyfriend Mercer is often the scapegoat for her ranting episodes, but the worst she can call him his condescending and a fat Sasquatch. It’s spiteful and not relevant to the story whatsoever. Mae also complains about working an office job, but has no problem transferring to another office job because yay! New phone! Kind of nice people!! The CIRCLE!!!

The Circle is another issue entirely. It seems as if Mercer is the only person who has an issue with the entire business, and that just isn’t realistic. There is never any mention of revolt or opposing parties from normal people. Where are the others like Mercer, or Mae’s parents? Also, why isn’t there any breech of privacy laws? They do exist in this world (as it’s played off to be the near future), so one can assume our laws today are still in place. Where is the issue with putting “SeeChange” cameras on private property? Surely if I wanted to go place a camera on a neighbor’s lawn, I’d have to answer for a multitude of offences – trespassing, destruction of property, etc. So why is this not addressed?

This is my first Eggers book (though I do believe I’ll be reading more), and it seems that characters aren’t his strong suit. I’ve covered Mae, but there are secondary characters that just seem inconsequential. Mae’s parents have no substance, and so when they essentially disappear, I went “meh”. When Annie had a nervous breakdown and lapsed into a coma, I went “meh”. When Francis came in and out of the picture (constantly), I went “meh”, then “please leave forever”. Francis has nothing going for him, and the fact that Mae always runs back to him only to part ways again is exhausting – also, it doesn’t enhance the story whatsoever. If Francis was scrapped completely, this book wouldn’t change at all, and that’s how you know something has to change. The characters aren’t developed properly, and even though the “twist” at the end is surprising, it ends up feeling like a cheap trick.

Of course there are always good points to the book. Any novel that can get me thinking after finishing it deserves a fair review. As we head into a digital world, there are so many ethical issues we have to face. While I think this novel is a dramatization, it’s not so far-fetched, and that’s where I think it is most successful. It is a world that forces you to examine your own, and for that, I commend it.

4 out of 5 stars.

*Blurb by Goodreads.

Mad About Men

Mad About Men is written by Madelyn Morgan and was published on 2 December 2016.

“MAD ABOUT MEN IS:
– A (mostly) true, laugh-out-loud account of a successful executive single mother’s search for love.
– -Racy, raw, sometimes vulgar, always hilarious, – according to a guy in Chapter 32 who actually read it.
– An account of dating and sex from a liberated, confident, unapologetic MILF in her 40s.
– A warmly relatable story, even though it sounds like a sordid, lustful tale of promiscuity (which it also is, the author admits).

MAD ABOUT MEN IS NOT:
– A self-help book about relationships.
– About a woman who finds herself after some extreme, soul-searching, incredible journey.
– A sticking-finger-in-throat sappy account of finding true love and living happily ever after.
– Only for women to read.

Madelyn gains a new perspective on relationships after a series of major losses (some devastating, some not so much). Root for her as she entertains each potential suitor and laugh with her (or at her) as she tries to make sense of what she wants, what men want, and what to do next. Whether or not you’ve ever swiped right, Match’ed, or flirted with the flight attendant, you’ll relate to Madelyn’s search for love and (hot) sex–not necessarily in that order. Go ahead and judge her, she won’t mind.”*

I was given a complementary copy of Mad About Men to review. It in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion/review of the book.

This book is gorgeous. I’m not even talking about the content right now – I’m talking the book itself. The cover is vibrant, bold, funny, and was an incredible precursor of what was to come. Even the quote on the front – credited to “A Guy I Dated In Chapter 32” – is brilliantly satirical. Right away, this book pokes fun at your typical memoir. I could also go on and on about the quality – I swear that even if I wanted to rip the pages, they wouldn’t tear (please don’t try it though!). It’s a small book in size(roughly 250 pages) but huge in personality. I had multiple people come up to me and laugh at the cover during the week I read it. On its best day, Mad About Men is a conversation piece, and a hilarious one at that.

On to the actual book. This is my first time reviewing a memoir (or a “menmoir” as this book is marketed), and I’m still learning. There’s no real “story” here, so there’s no characters to review or plot to dissect. Morgan takes us on a hysterical journey of all her past lovers, with nicknames to keep them all in check (hello, HH and HDT!). Morgan writes with such a strong voice that it’s as if she’s sitting across from you, snarking about MD and the rest of her Taylor Swift amount of exes while sipping tea. The book flows as if a really talented storyteller is making it up off the top of their head. I’m not here to judge Morgan’s choices in life – she’s a woman who knows what she wants (and by that, I mean a black guy ten years her junior). She writes herself to be almost flat – we learn she loves wine (white, not red), sex, and her daughter (not particularly in that order). However, we never really get the chance to learn about her other interests. This is a book about her love life, yes – but I wanted to know and relate to Morgan a little bit more. That being said, if she’s got amazing friends like Chloe and Ascot, she must be a pretty fantastic person.

Unfortunately, I don’t really relate to Morgan. Sometimes I’d have fleeting moments of “I’m really having a hard time feeling sorry for you” simply because her taste in men in questionable.
I’m not saying this without proof:
Exhibit A: Zander, who “grabbed the skin folds on his stomach and started making fart noises”.
Exhibit B: Hector, who’s apartment was undergoing renovations for the entire time they dated.
Exhibit C: Literally everything about Dele.

One issue I have with this book is that it’s described as “a [mostly] true” account of Morgan’s life. I appreciate the honesty – don’t market your book as totally real if it’s not. The problem that presents itself is sometimes I’d find myself going “that’s really funny…if it’s true”. For some reason I just couldn’t get past wondering HOW much was fake. I’m going to assume most of it was true with some “embellishments” to make it funnier, along with name changes. That’s fine with me! I just struggled with that “what if” feeling. 

 There was also a few baby mistakes, like “time move on from the past” [43], and “Arty” (as opposed to artsy, I’m assuming). Definitely not enough mistakes to detract from the rest of the book though. 

The rest of the book is absolutely hilarious. I had a BLAST laughing at Dele’s best friend “Steve”. Seriously – it was barely half a page long and it had me rolling. It’s these little anecdotes that sets this book apart from the rest. Morgan isn’t afraid to really let loose, whether it be at the expense of an ex or herself. I also enjoyed the interactions between Morgan and her daughter, Imogen. It added another dimension to the book. Instead of being a memoir solely about a woman’s love life, Morgan tackles familial topics like her divorce and the possibility of her daughter being gay. This added much needed depth to the book. The relationship between Morgan and her daughter was very candid – as I stated above, I wasn’t sure what was real, but I KNOW those moments were true as true can be. It was both genuine and heartwarming. It was these parts where Morgan’s writing was the strongest.

Overall, I would return to this book again and again. If you need a good laugh after a breakup or need a book to bring to the beach, Mad About Men is the book for you. 

And Madelyn Morgan, I hope you find your Tyrone.

4 out of 5 stars.

*Blurb by Goodreads