#24 [2024/CBR16] Best Men by Sidney Karger

Best Men (2023) by Sidney Karger is another audiobook I stumbled upon when I was looking for some commuting entertainment. Best Men is a romance novel that is told from the point of view of Max Moody--a thirty-something gay men who lives in New York City.

Max's childhood best friend Paige just told him that she's engaged to her boyfriend, Austin, and she wants Max to be her best man. Max isn't in the best place in his life. He works in human resources at a dead end job with a horrible boss. He was in a very long-term relationship (with Greg) but was recently dumped. Instead of moving on, he's desperately holding on, hooking up with Greg for meaningless sex whenever its convenient for Greg.

Max is quickly dragged into the many details of wedding preparation, and that's when he meets, Chasten, the groom's brother. Chasten is very good looking, fashionable, wealthy, and a social butterfly. Max is immediately jealous and feels like Chasten is edging in on his relationship with Paige. To make matters worse, it just happens that Chasten and Matt almost hooked up one night, but it ended in disastrous embarrassment. Max wants nothing to do with Chasten, and he doesn't want Chasten around Paige either.

Obviously, that dynamic can't last forever. This is a romance novel after all. Eventually Max and Chasten start talking, and they give each other another chance. The big obstacle after that is they are both (kind of) with other people, but we all know it will work out in the end.

This book was kind of "meh" for me. There were some fun scenes and parties around New York and in the Hamptons. It felt like a different world. But Max seemed very whiny to me. It was satisfying to see him improve his life. However, he wasn't happy to help Paige with the wedding, and then he wasn't happy when Chasten was helping her either. He didn't seem to think about anyone but himself. Also, the romance didn't feel as intense as maybe it could have been. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't my favorite.

#23 [2024/CBR16] The Best Minds by Jonathan Rosen

I remember reading in my Intro to Psychology college text book that Schizophrenia is the "cancer of mental illnesses." Because Schizophrenia has reared its ugly head in my family, I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment. Dealing with it is tragic and life altering. I feel like I'm always trying to figure out more about it, so I find myself reading books on the subject. A couple of years ago, I read Hidden Valley Road, a non-fiction book about a large family where over half the kids struggled with the disease. When I saw that Barack Obama had recommended The Best Minds: A Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions (2023) by Jonathan Rosen, I knew I was going to read it.

Jonathan Rosen moved to New Rochelle, New York as a kid. It was in New Rochelle where Rosen met Michael Laudor, who lived around the corner. Both kids were smart and ambitious, and the two were often competitive with each other. They both did well in high school and went off to separate colleges. Michael Laudor went to Yale, where he graduated in only three years with all kinds of merits and awards. From there, Laudor got himself a prestigious consulting position and seemed to be winning at life. 

But it was during this time where Laudor began to get paranoid and delusional. Laudor ended up spending eight months at a New York-Presbyterian mental hospital where he was diagnosed with Schizophrenia. It was Laudor's father who talked Laudor into voluntarily committing himself, and Laudor seemed to improve under supervision and after trying a variety of medications.

When Laudor left the hospital, they recommended he get a low-stress job that he could fit into a routine that would help him stay well. Laudor had no interest in doing anything so menial, and he enrolled instead at Yale Law School. 

For awhile the story of Michael Laudor was one of triumph over tragedy. Laudor graduated from Yale (with help from friends and a very lenient school). He wrote an article about mental illness in the New York Times that garnered a lot of attention and prompted a book deal for Laudor. Ron Howard even bought the rights of Laudor's story to make into a movie. Michael Laudor was in a serious relationship with Caroline Costello, who went by Carrie. She was smart, dedicated, and very loyal to Michael. It seemed like he had everything.

However, the stress of the book deal and the movie weighed on Landor, and his mental health deteriorated. Without the supervision of the hospital he likely stopped taking his medication. Poor Carrie was standing by him, but it sounded like it could be very difficult--especially when his paranoid delusions made him not trust her. Finally, Michael Laudor stabbed and killed Carrie, before taking off to Cornell where the police found him. He didn't really understand that Carrie was dead. He thought he'd attacked a robot that was impersonating her. Laudor was found incapable of standing trial because of his mental illness, and he remains institutionalized to this day. The story of Laudor, what he could have been, the damage he did, and what became of him is a pretty harrowing and intense read.

Rosen also discusses some of the history, legalities, and perspectives of mental illness and how that's changed through the years. JFK closed down many mental hospitals in the 1960's in favor of "community medicine." The impetus for these closures is understandable because there was a lot of abuse and really bad conditions for the mentally ill. The problem is that there wasn't anything to take its place. Many people who really couldn't take care of themselves were basically thrown out on the street. The other problem is that many people with mental illness--especially Schizophrenia--actively avoid medication and other help from experts. It is a part of their illness that they do not trust them. But they cannot be forced to get help unless they are an imminent danger to themselves or others. People can be in horrible shape, but we can't do anything until they are actively suicidal or homicidal. There needs to be more of a safety net for the many people who need help but may not want it or don't know how to get it.

On the whole, I thought this book was well done. Whenever Rosen talked about Laudor, I couldn't put it down. I also thought knowing some of the history was necessary in order to understand why Laudor was able to go for so long without anyone stepping in. However, it did feel like Rosen went off on a number of tangents that were not really relevant and sometimes difficult to get through. I thought Rosen could have made some of his points much more succinctly. I wondered a number of times why he was writing about certain topics, and I often wished he would just get back to Laudor. Still recommended if you're interested in the subject because the good outweighs the bad.

#22 [2024/CBR16] Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell

Many months ago, I was getting ready for a short road trip to New Mexico and Texas, and I needed something to listen to. I've read a couple of history books by Sarah Vowell, and I enjoyed her take and irreverent style. When I saw, Lafayette in the Somewhat United States (2015) by Vowell, I decided to read it. 

Before reading this book, everything I knew about Lafayette was from Hamilton. In fact, I imagined Daveed Diggs, the original Lafayette from Hamilton, as I read this book. First, I need to admit that I read this book so long ago, that I'm having a hard time remembering many of the details. Add to that, a couple of years ago, I read You Never Forget Your First by Alexis Coe, which if you can't guess by the title, is a somewhat irreverent biography of George Washington. These two books may have gotten mixed up in my head a little bit at some point.

Sarah Vowell likes to dig into the interesting little tidbits of history instead of getting bogged down in the depths. She begins the book with Lafayette returning to the United States to overwhelming support. Over 1/3 of New York City was out on the streets to see him arrive, and his face was plastered and sold on anything and everything, including handkerchiefs. He was like an incredibly popular rock star.

I knew that Lafayette was French and an important officer in the American Revolution from Hamilton, but that was about it. There were a number of things I learned from this book that surprised me: Lafayette was only 19 when he came over to America to help fight the revolution. He came against the wishes of his father-in-law and had to sneak out of France. He arrived in South Carolina and had to get himself unglamorously up to Pennsylvania where he was not even wanted. Apparently, the troops were flooded with French officers who spoke no English and were not very helpful. Lafayette offered to work for no pay, so he would not be turned away.

Lafayette distinguished himself in battle, and was quite fearless. And then he went back to France where he just missed getting beheaded because of his nobility and became a hero there as well. (However, I really don't remember much about this part of the book). 

One thing I do remember learning from this book was how pivotal France's help was in the United States winning its independence. It's something that we don't think about (or even know about) today. But we were desperate for money. The troops were starving and had no shoes; the conditions were terrible. So, it was funny when Vowell recounts visiting D.C. back after 9/11 when Congress was screaming about "Freedom Fries" and hating on France for not joining in on our war in Iraq. I think she found it ironic when Lafayette square was right outside.

On the whole, I recommend this novel for the history buffs that would appreciate it. I do think it would have retained more if I had read it instead of listening to it on Audiobook, though.

#21 [2024/CBR16] Happy Place by Emily Henry

I've read a number of books by Emily Henry, so it was not a surprise when I picked up her latest, Happy Place (2023). I can always count on Henry for some fun entertainment, interesting characters, and sweet yearning. Full disclosure: I finished reading this book quite a while ago now, so I don't remember it as clearly now. I know I had no problem finishing it, though.

Harriet has been best friends with Sabrina and Cleo since they all roomed together in college. They've gotten together, with their significant others, at a house in Maine for years. But Harriet is dreading this year because she has broken up with her fiancé, Wyn--and her friends don't know about it yet. Harriet doesn't want the news of their breakup to ruin the fun for the weekend--especially when Sabrina announces that she and her partner, Parth, will be getting married at the end of the week. Harriet and Wyn agree to fake it for the week.

The story jumps back and forth between when Sabrina and Wyn first met, and the current week in Maine. Eventually we see what broke them apart. It's interesting to read, because I could see how perfect Sabrina and Wyn were for each other, and I really wanted to see them together. 

When I first began reading this book, I was a little turned off by the descriptions of Harriet and her friends. They seemed a little caricature-ish. Fortunately, as the book progresses, Henry adds plenty of details and feelings that make them all feel more real. 

I remember enjoying the sexual tension between Harriet and Wyn--two characters who still love each other and want each other, but are trying not to let it show. I may have been a little frustrated that they couldn't just talk and work out their issues, but Henry does a good job in creating circumstances and personalities that would allow them to believably break up.

Another enjoyable book by Emily Henry. Recommended for those who enjoy fun romances.

#20 [2024/CBR16] Hi Honey, I'm Homo! by Matt Baume

I like to listen to audiobooks in my car, and I found Hi Honey, I'm Homo!: Sitcoms, Specials, and the Queering of American Culture (2023) by Matt Baume on NPR's Favorite Books List. Baume discusses how sitcoms used characters and plots involving gay/trans characters or lightly disguised allegory that may have helped middle America become a little more tolerant than before.

Because this book generally goes in chronological order, many of the shows that Baume begins writing about were ones I was not familiar with. These included Soap and All in the Family. And even though I'd seen Bewitched, I could barely remember it. It was surprising to see how progressive some of these shows were--even way back then.  

When Baume hit later years, I knew he would touch on Ellen, Will & Grace, and Modern Family. It was interesting to hear about some of the behind-the-scenes discussions before Ellen came out on her show and the difficulty in getting Will & Grace greenlit. Baume also talks about the first onscreen kiss between the two gay fathers on Modern Family. After some criticism and pushback, they had a kiss in the second season. Modern Family is another show I haven't seen much of, but I do remember not really buying that relationship. They were sweet parents, but they came across as wholly platonic, always more goofy than romantic. It was nice to learn that this was somewhat addressed at one point.

Even when discussing the shows I didn't know, I did find this book interesting. Probably more than anything, though, is the reminder of how hard gay people had it back when some of these television shows were airing. (I'm not saying things are peachy now, but there's been drastic improvement). Harassed by police, fired, kicked out of your home; things were pretty drastic, and it was very, very brave to come out under these circumstances.

#19 [2024/CBR16] The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

I may have had the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce romance in my head when I decided to read a football romance. Also, my friend recommended The Wall of Winnipeg and Me (2023) by Mariana Zapata, and she usually has pretty good recommendations. This was a fun romance. It generally kept my interest, and I enjoyed reading it.

Vanessa Mazur had a pretty terrible childhood, but she's managed to make a pretty good life for herself. She wants to start a graphic design company, but has worked for the past couple of years as an assistant/do-it-all for Aiden Graves. Aiden is a defensive end in the NFL. He's a superstar with the nickname of "The Wall of Winnipeg." He's also incredibly standoffish and unmindful of Vanessa and all the work she does for him.

But after being berated by Aiden's manager one last time, Vanessa has had enough and she quits. She's ready to start her own business anyways. Shortly thereafter, Aiden shows up at her place, begging for her to come back. But he wants more from her this time. Born in Canada, marrying an American would solve his residency issues. He asks Vanessa to marry him for five years, after which, he will buy her a house and pay off her student debt. Having this financial burden off her back is too tempting and Vanessa agrees. 

As Vanessa and Aiden are faking being a couple, they develop real feelings for each other. It is a slow burn as the two really fall for each other and then finally admit it to themselves and each other. I enjoyed the little bit of football that was in the book--all from Vanessa's perspective, and I was glad they got together in the end. There's even a puppy! (Although I was a little disturbed that Vanessa would put a brand new puppy all by itself in the garage--the poor thing was probably scared!)

I was happy in the end, but it definitely took me awhile to warm up to Aiden Graves. If this wasn't a romance novel, I would have told Vanessa to stay away from him. He was rude, thought of no one but himself, and was difficult to get along with. At first I couldn't see why Vanessa even had a crush on him. I thought she should get together with Aiden's roommate: the guy she talked to about all her secrets and problems, another hot football player, and the guy she would go running with. But it all worked out in the end. Enjoyable.

#18 [2024/CBR16] Absolution by Alice McDermott

Absolution (2023) by Alice McDermott was one of the books I picked out from NPR's Favorite Books last year. I saw that it was about American women in Vietnam at the beginning of the Vietnam War, and figured it might be interesting. My father fought in Vietnam, but I know very little about it. The war in Vietnam felt like one of those subjects we practically skipped over at the end of U.S. History in high school, and my father rarely talked about it.

The beginning of this book sucked me in--with the main character feeling awkward and out of place at a party with her husband in Vietnam. As a dedicated introvert who is about to be dragged to my husband's work party tomorrow evening, I can definitely relate. Tricia is a shy newlywed married to a rising attorney and engineer, who is working for the armed services in Vietnam. 

Tricia first meets Charlene at this party. Charlene is a busy and powerful (in her sphere) mother of three. Charlene can be pushy and oblivious, but does try to do good with what she has. The book takes place in Saigan in 1963, and generally follows Tricia throughout her time in Vietnam. The American women and families all live in nice houses, with high fences around them, and waited on by Vietnamese servants.

This book is difficult for me to rate. At times, I couldn't stop reading. Yet at other times, the book felt uneven and I wondered where it was headed. I found the interactions between the characters to be the most interesting part of the book. Tricia and her husband seemed to love each other, but she was very much a stereotypical 1950's housewife. She was expected to present herself as his helpmate and had no say, or even knowledge, of much of what her husband was doing.

Charlene was also a very interesting character--annoying in how she pushed everyone around to get her way--but also impressive that she was able to push people around to get her way. On the one hand, Charlene worked hard at helping the Vietnamese women and children around her, but she also trampled over their thoughts and wishes in her eagerness to do what she thought was right. Is trying to do something good and maybe doing bad better than turning a blind eye to people's distress? Maybe?

After what felt like a bit of a wandering narrative, Absolution ends with something of a shocking twist that was certainly memorable and disturbing. Even though I wasn't completely drawn into this novel, I do think it would make a compelling Book Club choice. I can imagine a spirited discussion centered on the various choices characters make.