'The Yahoo Boys' by Carlos Barragan

 The Yahoo Boys, Carlos Barragan (4.0)

I learned a lot about the history of Nigeria and the sad situation there now through this interesting book about the young men who use the internet to con people in the west. The author went to investigate the crime syndicate responsible for his mother losing money and found a group of young men, working independently to scrap together a sad existence. Unlike organized groups out of various countries in Asia, the Nigerian Yahoo Boys come across as opportunistic, but not very successful at turning their cons into security. The majority he talked to over several years worked ‘paycheck to paycheck’ so to speak. The culture of the con men was to flaunt and share the wealth with few investing or saving. Much was sad in the book – particularly the lonely people who had to have known the love of their life was not the famous person (Brad Pitt?? Cody Rhodes??), but the person texting with them was someone showing them attention and listening to them.

'Kin' by Tayari Jones

 Kin, Tayari Jones (4.0)

I enjoyed this touching story of friendship and family. The characters were fresh voices, and the plot was not overly predictable. The author did a great job of highlighting two seemingly similar but different young women growing up in the South without mothers. While their journeys were quite different, they were always there for each other. I also appreciated the view into the lives of young, black women at Spelman college in the 1950’s.

'This Land is Your Land' by Beverly Gage

 This Land is Your Land, Beverly Gage (3.0)

While I found some of the chapters interesting in this recounting of a meandering trip across the US, I had trouble discerning a theme. The chapters felt very random- more like articles in a magazine. I particularly liked her retelling of visiting Los Alamos with a night’s stay in a missile silo. I also enjoyed the Chicago World’s Fair chapter. She does a good job of highlighting the smaller, yet equally important, parks and important historical landmarks. I would have liked more of an obvious theme joining the chapters.

'Atmosphere' by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 Atmosphere, Taylor Jenkins Reid (3.5)

Upon completion I gave this book 4 stars. Then as I reflected on it, more of the plot and character behaviors annoyed me. I liked the idea of two of the first women astronauts forging a relationship during their training for space shuttle missions – though the idea of a 30-something not knowing she was attracted to women, even in the 1980’s, seemed odd. She also was way too accommodating of a monster of a sister and absentee parents. The next oddity was that after she accomplished her life-long dream, she quickly dumped it to work in Mission Control. Worked for the plot, but hard to believe. Of course, the ending was the last straw. At that point I understood it would turn out that way, but was oddly disappointed. 

'The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority' by Martin Gurri

 The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority, Martin Gurri (2.0)

I was quite disappointed in the second half of this book. It was recommended by someone whose opinions I respect. While the first half he did a good job of describing his thoughts on how traditional ‘Authority’ sources have lost their power in the new era of accessible information, unfortunately the second half was repetitive and wandering so any point was lost to me. It also was very focused on politics as opposed to broader subjects also impacted. I tended to disagree with him on many of his comments (some also proved wrong in hindsight). Readers don’t have to agree with all put forth by a writer, but his tendency to generalize and some inaccuracies left me less inclined to be generous. He added a last chapter a few years later, during Trump 1.0, to comment on how things were moving forward and if representative democracy was moving towards authoritarianism. Sadly, he didn’t wait for Trump 2.0, so his points fell flat again.

'Calling Me Home' by Julie Kibler

 Calling Me Home, Julie Kibler (4.0)

A woman in her 90’s remembers a difficult past in Kentucky. Her story unfolds to her friend as they make their way from Texas to Kentucky to attend a funeral. Her love for a man of another race was forbidden in many ways in the 60’s. Their story is poignant and tragic. I liked that the author was inspired when she heard something similar had happened to her own grandma. My one complaint was how much was held to the last few pages – which then hit you in a downpour of emotions. 

'Whistler' by Ann Patchett and 'The River' by Peter Heller

 The River, Peter Heller (4.5)

I always appreciate a well written story with a compelling plot, interesting characters and a good sense of place. This book has all of that. Two seniors in college are on a river trip in a remote part of Canada. They are travelling in a canoe going along a river with lakes along the way. A large wildfire is growing nearby, and they come across two pairs of somewhat suspicious characters. The rest of the story balances the approaching fire, the mystery of the strangers and their own survival. I happened to read this while on a lake in a forested part of northern Wisconsin with the Canadian wildfire smoke blowing in – very apropos. 

 

Whistler, Ann Patchett (4.5)

Ms. Patchett writes about families well. The characters in this story are interesting and well thought out. The protagonist runs into her estranged stepfather at a museum in New York and they work to get to know each other anew. I liked that their obvious affection from the past is underlying their adventure in finding out why they had drifted apart. I also appreciated that while the mother could have been written in two dimensions, her actions become more understandable as the story unfolds. The twists and turns of the plot do not feel like trickery or coercion.