January's Book Reviews
I wanted a fresh start for the beginning of 2021, so I decided for January I would read only new books, no rereads. This is a challenge for me, because rereading an old book is like going home–even if it is to another world. Luckily for me, the three books on this list did not disappoint, from Marcus Zusak’s magnum opus to the history of books bound in human skin.
Lucky for you dear reader, I have provided links to order all of these titles from Semicolon Bookstore and Gallery, an independent, Black woman-owned bookstore at the end of each review. You can buy them on Amazon as well, but this should be a convenient way to read these books and feel good about supporting this super important small business.
Bridge of Clay by Marcus Zusak
It is no wonder that it took Marcus Zusak 13 years to write Bridge of Clay. Honestly, I’m surprised it didn’t take even longer because of its detail and the amount of care taken to pick each word. Zusak’s mastery of language is something most writers can only dream of and his bestseller The Book Thief only scratches the surface of his skill. Bridge of Clay is the story of Penelope Dunbar, a Russian immigrant who becomes an English teacher; her husband Michael Dunbar, who disappears into himself; and their five sons, who raised each other as only brothers can. It’s written from the perspective of the eldest of brothers, Matthew. I am reluctant to say much about the plot because a huge part of the fun of this book is that it keeps you guessing. It misleads and teases you, and the plot itself is not quite as important as the humanity it reveals. It’s a tale of grief, the stories that make us who we are, and all the kinds of love that we can possibly feel. The Dunbar brothers are recognizable, almost welcoming in their familiarity, so you cannot help but love them. I recommend that everyone read this book and I give it 5/5.
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Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump, PhD
It seems that every person who ever shook Donald Trump’s hand at a party has written a book about his presidency, but this was the only one I was ever interested in. As Donald Trump’s niece, and a doctor of psychology, Mary Trump seemed like the only author of a Trump-era book who might have something to say that wasn’t obvious to the news-watching public. Her informative book not only illuminates her views on Donald Trump’s psychopathologies specifically but also discusses the ways a parent can affect their child’s development. Mary Trump minces no words and there is no need for her to embellish her anecdotes to make her point. If you’re an avid watcher of MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, then you’ve likely heard some of the more shocking revelations of the book, but it is enlightening to hear more detail about Mary Trump’s father (Donald’s older brother Fred Trump) and think about the contrast between the effects that his parents had on him and Donald. Too Much and Never Enough was interesting though not super exciting. I found it at least a good way to help me process this presidency, so I’ll give it a 4/5.
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Dark Archives by Megan Rosenbloom
This is a book for people who love books, and also have a healthy amount of morbid curiosity. In recommending it, there is no easy way to get around the fact that the full title of this book is Dark Archives: A Librarian’s Investigation into the History of Books Bound in Human Skin, and that it is a true story. As a medical librarian, Rosenbloom offers a unique perspective on how the Western medical establishment in the 19th and early 20th century created the clinical and environment in which books bound in human skin came to be. She dissects the myths and ethical dilemmas surrounding these macabre tomes and makes a compelling case for the preservation of historical artifacts as a form of honoring the dead and the history they inhabited. If you really love books, history, or medicine then this is a book you should read. Rosenbloom has an impressive ability to maintain a tactful sense of humor, which makes the subject matter much easier to digest. It’s a very entertaining book, though not for the faint of heart. I give it a 4.5/5.
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