Tag Book reviews

A Look Back at Noteworthy Books

Reg Spittle 3 Comments

It has been another year of great literature and I shared 24 reviews of books I recommend, but I enjoyed many others in 2023. (See Book Reviews in the menu to see all the books I reviewed.)

Here are some titles I didn’t have a chance to write about until now:

The 6:20 Man, David Baldacci. This is another New York Times bestseller from the master of thrillers. Like his other books, this one is tough to put down. (You may already wonder about the significance of 6:20.) The second book of this series, Edge, is on my read next list.

You Asked for Perfect, Laura Silverman. The author earned rave reviews for this story about a teen-ager whose life of pursuing academic perfection takes a dramatic turn when he falls in love with Amir, his calculus tutor. An intriguing story.

Biased, Jennifer Eberhardt. We are all biased, the author says. Whether it’s race, gender, religion, or a host of other areas, bias affects what we see, think, and do. A compelling, eye-opening book.

The Nickel Boys, Molson Whitehead. Winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize for fiction, this 1960s story follows two boys unjustly sentenced to a juvenile reform facility called the Nickel Academy. Faced with a perilous existence, the boys scheme to survive.

Irondad Life, Russell Newell. The Amazon description calls the book a hilarious look at the world of Ironman triathlons and how one man tries to juggle training with the demands of a busy family. I thought he was crazy until I quickly learned to admire the author’s incredible dedication to competing in the Lake Placid Ironman.

On the Waterfront, Mike McCoy. At summer camp, Danny is 13 and the youngest boy on staff, but expects he will have no problem fitting in. It turns out he has a lot to learn, and his swimming teacher is reluctant to help. A heartwarming and comedic story.

Anxious People, Fredrik Backman. A quirky, but powerful people story, Anxious People is just one of Backman’s successful books. The author of A Man Called Ove scores another hit title. Insightful, witty, and heartwarming.

The Emigrants, Vilhelm Moberg. The first of a popular four-book series, the emigrants are from Sweden, their destination is America, and the time is the middle of the 19th century. Moberg is a master of developing characters who seize readers’ interest. Many surprises here about what drove Swedes to America. Their journey is filled with hardships and hope.

50 Years Later, He Searches for His Lost Love

Reg Spittle 3 Comments

An English postman hates birthdays, but loves his job, except for the fact that it forces him to see other people. Even worse, he has to talk to people.

Three months before his 65th birthday, Albert Entwistle learns that postal rules require him to retire at 65. Then his beloved cat Gracie dies. His losses turn his world upside down, bringing him to contemplate his life when he was just 15 and in love. He still regrets that he consented to his father’s demand that he reject the only romance of his life.

In The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, Matt Cain describes Albert’s suspenseful journey of hope that begins when he asks himself if he can rekindle the love that he recklessly left behind. He uncharacteristically enlists the help of strangers in his search for his former lover. He follows lead after lead on a trail that fills him with uncertainty and fear. Along the way, he learns that helping others and making himself vulnerable bring rewards he never thought possible.

Cain creates a likable man whose transformation and brave pursuit make this book an easy-to-read page turner that kept me guessing until the last page. I joined the book’s charming and eclectic list of characters who so badly want Albert’s dream to come true. It is one of the best books that I have read in 2023.