I wanted to love this book as much as The Guncle, but that was not quite the case. Patrick is still self centered and irrational, He “learns the lesson” at the end, but but then I was too annoyed at his immaturity.

I adore reading a sweeping, multi-generational story. This was a gorgeously rendered book and I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did. The setting and political movements within the book were a bit unfamiliar to me, but I swept up the characters and how they connected. 

Clever premise and I enjoyed the mystery with its twists and turns. Some things I predicted, others surprised me. Glad I gave it a listen. 

Interesting memoir written through essays. Some funny, many reflective and sad, but the author/comedian does acknowledge the pain and that he is on the other side of those situations. 

Each of Jimenez’s books gets better and deeper with characters and meaningful connections and relationships. This was so enjoyable I forced myself to slow down while reading it. A great start to summer! 

Started as an audiobook, but needed to move to the print version. This was the Young Reader’s Edition, and it was very powerful, informative, and sobering. Reading this after Firekeeper’s Daughter and Warrior Girl, Unearthed (YA fiction by Angeline Boulley, an Indigenous author) added layers to what I had learned in those books. This should be required reading. 

I can say that I am glad I listened to this, but the characters were sad (and some were very manipulative) and I was hoping for a bit more action. On the flip side - it really did paint a picture of a summer between high school and college - that “waiting room” feel that one has before the next part of adulthood begins.