The Family Chao

 Fiction by Lan Samantha Chang

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

In the small town of Haven, Wisconsin, there is a family-owned restaurant called Fine Chao, run by Leo and Winnie Chao and their three sons. Leo and Winnie came from China to make their fortune in America, and to give their children a better life. On the surface they succeeded: their three sons seem successful, or at least on the the road to success. Dagou, the oldest son, is a manager and cook at the restaurant; Ming, the second brother, has a high-paying career in the city; and the youngest boy James is studying to be a doctor.

But the problem is, Leo Chao is a jerk. He is such a jerk that his own wife has literally entered a Buddhist convent to get away from him. Mostly just his own family know about Leo’s unpleasantness, but the small Chinese community in the area are also aware that he is far from a model minority. 

The concept of “model minority” is important in this book. Although it’s not something I’ve thought about before, it’s true that we as Americans like to stereotype Asians as a “good” minority and other ethnicities as “bad” minorities. Asians are supposed to be hard working, high achieving, family oriented, and so on. But the whole idea is rather ridiculous when you look closely at it. Human beings are so much more complex than that! We are not socks to be sorted.

In this story, all three Chao sons feel the pressure to be “good” Asians, which is not necessarily the same as just being good people. But everything comes to a head at the Christmas party, and chaos ensues. 

(Incidentally it took me halfway through the book to realize that the name Chao when pluralized spells Chaos. I’ve got to hand it to the author on that bit of cleverness!)

This was a good story with great characters. The surprise in the middle is really unexpected, and there was a lot to think about. I recommend this book!

One of Us is Dead

 Fiction By Jeneva Rose

https://www.audible.com

In Buckhead, the richest area of Atlanta, everyone who is anyone gets their hair done at Jenny’s salon, Glow. Olivia, Shannon, Crystal, and Karen certainly do. So Jenny is just the person to explain to the police just why one of these rich ladies got murdered!

This story is told from the perspectives of each of the women, and it’s a long way into the book before you discover which one is dead. 

This was a good mystery/thriller but not a great one. The ending was definitely a surprise but I didn’t love the characters. 

Memorial

 Fiction by Bryan Washington

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

Mike and his boyfriend Benson live together in Houston. They really love each other, but they have been going through some troubles.  The major issue is Mike’s lack of fidelity, although Benson tries to act like he doesn’t mind. 

Then Mike hears from his mother in Japan that his father is dying. Although his parents are divorced, he knows this will upset his mother, so he invites her to come for an extended visit to the apartment he and Benson share in Houston. Then (inexplicably!) he leaves for Japan the day after she arrives, blithely expecting Benson to take care of her in his absence as he goes to see his dying father instead.

Although Mike’s mother and Benson are strangers, they begin to forge a relationship. Mike stays in Japan for months, waiting for his father to die. Occasionally he texts. Benson continues to muddle along as he always has, but it’s clear he needs to decide if he will continue to accept Mike’s casually selfish behavior or demand a change. 

This was an interesting book and I really liked some of the characters (NOT that dirtbag Mike). The story was difficult for me I guess; I really wanted good things for Benson. I wasn’t exactly happy with the ending but I guess it was realistic. I don’t know how to rate this one.

Unmissing

 Fiction by Minka Kent

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

At the beginning of this book, newlywed Lydia Coletto is abducted while hiking a forest trail near her home, leaving only her backpack behind. After a few years she is declared legally dead, and the husband she left behind moves on to marry someone else. But ten years after her abduction, Lydia comes back!

This was an interesting story but not as engaging as I would have preferred.  I think I just didn't like the characters much.

Truths I Never Told You

 Fiction by Kelly Rimmer

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

In 1957 Grace Walsh has four children under four, and she's not coping well. Her husband Patrick is gone all the time, and Grace has no one to talk to. She starts to write about her struggles with what the reader recognizes as postpartum depression, getting her feelings out in a series of notes.

In 1996 Grace's youngest daughter Beth is also struggling with the adjustment to being a first-time mother. Cleaning out her parents' house, after her father has been hospitalized for dementia, Beth finds some of those notes. Beth knows her mother died young, but can remember very little about her.

This story is about what really happened to Grace, and also about the differences and similarities of the experience of motherhood in the two time periods. Women came a long way in those forty years, but somethings are always going to be difficult.

This was a good story that gave me a lot to think about.

I also read recently by this author: The Things We Cannot Say

The Postmistress of Paris

 Fiction by Meg Waite Clayton. 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

This story is set in occupied France in 1940, but very little of it takes place in Paris. Still, the main character Nanee is a postmistress of sorts; she's an American heiress who carries messages and helps smuggle endangered artists and intellectuals out of France.

This was a good story and Nanee is based on a real American woman who did this work during the second world war. 

Just Like You

 Fiction by Nick Hornby. 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

This author usually writes good characters, likeable and believable and often funny. This book was no exception, and the story was good as well.

Lucy is a forty-one -year old teacher with elementary-aged kids, and she's in the process of a divorce from Paul, a man who should have been perfect for her. Paul was great, except for the alcoholism and illegal drug use that killed their relationship. 

Lucy is half-heartedly attempting to date again when she meets Joseph, a man who is too young for her and of a seemingly incompatible background. Can a relationship between them work out?

I also read recently by this author: Juliet Naked