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The Good Neighbor
6
6.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Recently divorced, Izzy finds herself right back where she started -- literally, she's living in the house she grew up in (her parents have moved on to retirement), struggling to take care of her young son Noah, and dealing with the fact that her ex, Bruce, is dating again. A school counselor by day, Izzy finds solace in blogging about her woes and dating life online at night. But when she starts writing about an imaginary boyfriend, "Mac," to make herself feel better about Bruce's new girlfriend, things go south quickly, especially when Izzy's blog takes off after her friend hires her to write for her up and coming "Philly Over 40" site. The only person Izzy can confide in is her next door neighbor, Mrs. Feldman, but her sweet 80-something neighbor may have a few secrets of her own.

I must confess, I almost gave up on this book in the beginning. It just seemed to start slowly for me. There is a lot of hand wringing from Izzy about her life and her blog. Eventually things take off and the plot gets more exciting. My biggest issue is that, in many ways, Izzy's fabrication of "Mac" doesn't really seem to be the huge deal that she makes it out to be. Sure, she shouldn't be lying to everyone, but really, her lie is going to supposedly bring down her friends' business, destroy all her friendships, and ruin Izzy's life? It is just a blog after all. Some of that just seems to be a stretch. Compare to the heartwarming and heartbreaking storyline with Mrs. Feldman -- it truly can't compare.

However, because I'm a total sucker, I kept imagining this movie as a romantic comedy or sitcom. I was sort of tense reading this novel, because you knew eventually the lie would be revealed, everything would get crazy, and all would be for naught... but you hoped like any "good" romantic comedy or sitcom, it would still tie up pretty neatly with a bow at the end, right? (And I won't lie, I sort of like that sometimes. There's enough uncertainty in real life.)

(Note: I received an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)
  
Skye Falling
Skye Falling
Mia McKenzie | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Unique look at the complexities of family and race
Skye travels for a living--nearly a nomad at forty--touching down in her hometown of Philadelphia only occasionally and staying at her friend's bed and breakfast. It's on one of those visits home that a twelve-year-old girl approaches Skye and tells her that she's her "egg." Years ago, Skye donated eggs to a friend for money, and now Vicky is here as a result. Skye soon realizes that Vicky's aunt Faye is the woman she tried to pick up in a record store the other day. And, she's starting to come to the understanding that being responsible, even tangentially, for another human means she might have to finally grow up herself.

This book was lovely and took me by surprise: in all the good ways. I loved Skye--her anti-social ways, her awkwardness, and her cynicism. She's a true mess, with a mom and dad who left her hurting and afraid to love or trust--but McKenzie captures Skye's voice so perfectly that it's hard to resist her. This is an honest and emotional book, written in a way of addressing the reader directly. It's different at times and might take some getting used to, but I loved the whole thing.

The story here is so interesting and might sound off-putting: Vicky discovers Faye, who donated her eggs years ago to Vicky's mom. Skye has a crush on Vicky's aunt. In the background, Skye is floundering--she's a great businesswoman but she has a terrible relationship with her brother and her mother, who is ill. She also has tumultuous and dramatic friendships.

The city of Philly is a character in itself here too--it stands vibrant and buoyant in McKenzie's hands, as she pens an ode to the city and its black community. There are excellent and timely discussions of race, including a strong side plot featuring Vicky and Faye's neighbor. But best of all is the existence of Skye, Faye, and Vicky themselves--strong black women finding their way in the world. They completely grow on you as you read this outstanding book.

Overall, this is an excellent read. It's funny, heartfelt, and completely engaging. This authentic cast of characters will steal your heart.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group in return for an unbiased review. 4.5 stars.
  
40x40

Kurt Vile recommended Tusk by The Dead C in Music (curated)

 
Tusk by The Dead C
Tusk by The Dead C
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I guess there is singing on it, but it's still instrumental music that opens your brain. It starts out almost sounding like weird pots and pans that I guess, my theory is, they're speeding up and slowing down their four-track so it's like [makes hissing, distorted sound]. So it does that for probably ten minutes, you're just sitting there, it's like psychedelic meditation, like you could tone it out. It's definitely analogue, it's probably four-track because, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, you feel something lift up, like it un-pause and start to record again and it's just like [makes skronky sound] and there's this weird guitar shit. But then they just have a good thing with mood where it just takes you on this weird textural journey and then somewhere along the way, it gets really heavy and the drummer starts in, and you don't know what he's saying, so it may as well be instrumental. The first Dead C record I ever got was Trapdoor Fucking Exit, which is an amazing title and an amazing album cover. That came out on Siltbreeze, which is a Philly label, so that's close to home. My buddy Richie, who I worked at this brewery with, he turned me on to that kind of thing and he made rethink how the... he basically hit me on to how my path in music should be, which would be: some people can jump up to a decent-sized label, but other people have to do it themselves, much like The Dead C, where you just start small and make it your own artform and then eventually, bigger labels aren't going to be able to ignore you because you're doing it yourself anyway. They can decide, if they like you, you're going to be doing it anyway. So I got that Tusk record pretty early, but I remember listening to it on the airplane in-between touring/recording for this new album and it's just another that just opens your brain and opens your mind. They're just as passionate, or they come off that way, about their music, except they're from Bumblefuck, New Zealand, but they put out tons of records, so it might as well be jazz - they're definitely influenced by that sort of thing. I have no doubt in my mind - but of course I could be wrong - that they're influenced by those psychedelic jazz records."

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