Reading Recommendations from the Northwoods

Sam----Allegra Goodman

 

Samantha, whose name gives the book its title, grows from age seven to nineteen in the course of this easy-to-read novel.   Since author Goodman tells through the story through Sam's eyes, her writing style also gradually becomes more "grown up" as Sam becomes more aware of real life.  

Sam's family is pretty much on the edge of poverty, as her young single mother works two jobs to provide for Sam and her younger brother.    Sam's unreliable dad loves and encourages her, but disappears unpredictably, probably as a result of addiction and mental illness, seen through Sam's eyes.   

Sam's coming-of-age story follows her tenacity and excellence at rock climbing--pretty clearly a metaphor for the ups and downs of her childhood and young-adulthood.   ---One pleasure of the book was learning more about geology and rock climbing.

If you have been a parent or teacher, you will suffer along with Sam, a disinterested student, as she faces getting herself through junior high and then high school.  But, I always felt hope that she would succeed---and the author delivers as promised for this maturing young woman.  

Here are a couple of quotes from reviews:

“An irresistible coming-of-age portrait . . . a profound and gorgeously written gem about the tough, tender route Sam must navigate—grappling with friendships, love, insecurities and burgeoning womanhood—to chart her own course.”—People

“Sam is about as perfect of a coming-of-age story I have ever read. It explores what happens when one girl loses the wonder of childhood—the innocence of her early years only to reclaim her power and hope. ”—Jenna Bush Hager, Today

 

 

Properties of Thirst---Marianne Wiggins

 

It may take you a while to get hooked on Properties of Thirst, with its wide range of characters and historical setting and writing style.   But, I soon got familiar and appreciated reading this book every other step of the way.  

I have been fascinated with the period of Japanese internment following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.   I was first drawn in by Schiff, a young Army lieutenant changed with setting up the camp at Manzanar.   The camp's next door neighbor Rocky owned a huge CA ranch, and he'd long been fighting the diversion of their water to supply Los Angeles.   Rocky had twins, a son who'd been lost at Pearl Harbor, and a daughter, a chef, who becomes involved with Schiff.   

You can see that this is a big book, and one well worth the time.   Characters are complex and believable, and mostly admirable, and have stayed with me.   The plot covers a lot of ground, but was easy to follow, I thought, although the little extra effort to read made me appreciate it more.

There is an interesting back story---which I did not know till I had finished the book---about this well-recognized author experiencing a debilitating stroke, and her daughter helping her finish the book.  I was aware the ending felt a bit hurried, and the information about Wiggins' health explained that.   

Properties of Thirst was very well reviewed, and I will be eager to know if others like it too.

 

“A changing American landscape is beautifully portrayed in PROPERTIES OF THIRST, a moving and gripping new novel by Marianne Wiggins.  At the start of World War II, while Japanese families are relocated to Manzanar, the Rhodes family, who live on a ranch near the camp are equally uprooted by memories and circumstances.  What follows is a rich and powerful portrayal of love, loss, and the enduring strength of family.  A novel to be read and savored.”—Gail Tsukiyama, bestselling author

“[a] grand novel of principled and creative individuals caught in the vise of history… Loss, desire, moral dilemmas, reflection, and zesty dialogue with the energy of Frank Capra films generate a WWII home-front tale of profound and far-ranging inquiry and imagination, scintillating humor, intrepid romance, and conscience.”—Booklist *Starred Review*