The Snow Child, by Eowyn Ivey: Mabel and Jack left their old life behind and moved to the Alaskan wilderness, at a time when the government was enticing settlers to establish homesteads. They are a middle-aged childless couple, who never fully recovered from the loss of their only child who died at birth. On the evening of the first snow, they build a snow child only to discover it gone the next morning. Soon after, they meet a mysterious little girl who lives in the woods, by herself with a fox. The child visits them, but goes away every summer. She becomes a part of their lives and the lives of their friends, but the mystery surrounding her appearance never ends.
Overall Assessment: This was a really well done novel, and the premise is based on an Eastern European/Russian folktale. Ivey’s novelization is lovely, and maintains the magic and feel of a folktale. It’s very refreshing to read an adult novel without gratuitous sex, violence or swearing, while maintaining a sophistication and elegance of storytelling.
My Labels: adult fiction, popular fiction
Twenty Thousand Roads: The Ballad of Gram Parsons and His Cosmic American Music, by David Meyer: Those of you who are familiar with my musical taste know of my love of classic country, alt-country, folk, bluegrass and rock. Naturally, I’m drawn to Gram Parsons one of the first musicians piece the sounds, themes and feel of classic country music and combine it with rock. Meyer presents a thorough, well researched biography detailing Gram’s too short 26 year life. He fully delves into Gram’s life, as well as those close to Gram who played pivotal roles in his life. He analyzes the lyrics to some of Grams best songs putting them in context. While Parsons grew up wealthy, never worrying about money, he had his share of hardships, from his father’s suicide to watching his mother drink herself to death. Following his musical interests and evolution is fascinating, from his early interest in Elvis, to the folk scene, to country and gospel to finally creating his niche of melding country and rock. He was a member of the Byrds, friend to Kieth Richards and discovered Emmylou Harris. While he’s not as famous as his peers, his influence on music was strong and lasting. Perhaps most memorable, is the telling of how Gram’s friends stole his body before it could be sent to Louisiana for burial and burned it at Joshua Tree, one of his favorite places. 
Overall Assessment: Coming in around 500 pages, Meyers doesn’t skimp on the details of Gram’s short life. For those unfamiliar with Gram, it’s still worth a look/skim even if it’s just for the stories of Gram and Keith Richards, Gram showing up late to play a show after having hit cow or taking LSD to get out of the draft. Well written and researched Twenty Thousand Roads presents an honest and moving account of Gram’s life and an analysis of the music that he left behind too soon.
My labels: Biography, Music
If that’s not enough: Gram wore nudie suits on stage, which are one of my favorite types of suits. Doing a quick google search for a picture of Gram in his nudie suite, brought me to this article, that I wholeheartedly agree with. Bring them back. I would totally wear one everywhere I went. Gram is quoted in the beginning of the book, “Just because we wear sequins doesn’t mean we think we’re great, it means we think sequins are great.” Exactly.
If You Find Me, by Emily Murdoch: This is a powerful story about two girls who are reintroduced to “civilization” after growing up hidden in a camper in the woods. Fifteen year old Carey raised and cares for her younger sister Ness. Their mother leaves camp on a supply run and never returns. She releases them to Social Services, who find them in the woods along with their father – whom Ness has never met and Carey barely remembers.
A bit slow at the start, but Murdoch slowly and surely builds the tension and draws out the mystery of what happened to the girls in the woods as well as how exactly they wound up there. Hard to read at times because of the ugliness of their situation, but at the same time a must read. I listened to it and found the audio to be okay. The reader did a great job of catching the emotion, but I found the accent a bit off (the novel is set in rural Tennessee).
Overall Assessment: Really well done novel, probably best for high schoolers since there are some sensitive subjects that come up. Strong characters, good writing and a moving story.
My labels: Young Adult, realistic fiction
In the Shadow of Blackbirds, by Cat Winter
: This ghost story incorporates a lot of historical elements that make for an intriguing tale: the Spanish Influenza, WW I, spirit photography. Mary Shelly Black (named for the famous writer) has been sent to San Diego after her father was arrested for possibly having German sympathies. Her longtime childhood friend has gone to war, and his brother has become a spirit photographer. Mary is forced to sit for him, setting off a chain of mysterious events.
This is a brilliant time period to write about because, while it is historical fiction, it has the dystopian/coming-apocalypse feel that is so popular. Everyone wears a white gauze mask hoping to avoid a deadly illness, people are arrested for saying the wrong thing, neighbors spying on neighbors, etc. The added paranormal element works well in this setting, where people are scared and distraught and looking to spirits for comfort. Mary Shelly is a great heroine – she is smart, independent and clever. The story is well developed, and you never can fully see where Winter is going, so the twists come as a surprise.
Overall Assessment: Great novel that makes for a quick read, because it’s hard to put down. Perfect for fans of dystopia, paranormal or historical fiction novels.
My Labels: YA, Ghosts, historical fiction
Backbends and Bookends 