Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Could be any sport

Beartown by Fredrik Backman;2016; $26.99; 418 pages; Atria Books, New York, NY; 978-1-5011-6076-9;checked out from Multnomah County Library, Fairview; 1/26/2020-1/29/2020

Beartown is a small Swedish team that only has only thing going for it, one of its hockey team.  As the economy has receded so have the fortunes of the town.  A native son who played in the NHL has returned to be the general manager of the team and its attempt to return to its former glory and bring the town up with it.  Peopled with an unforgettable cast of characters of players, coaches, sponsors, parents it goes places I didn't think it would.  Privilege, wealth, class, immigration, sexual harassment and more all affect the people of the town.   
This is the second book I have read by Fredrik Backman and I have a third on my bookshelf.  An excellent writer and I look forward to reading more by him.    

Understanding the Racial Divide in the United States.

We Are Not Yet Equal, Understanding Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson with Tonya Bolden; 2018; $19.99; 270 pages; Bloomsbury, New York, NY; 978-1-5476-0076-2; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Troutdale; 1/17/2020-1/25/2020

The chapters alternate between the strides African-Americans have made and how the culture has responded to keep them in their place.  It is a young adult version of White Rage, which I read last year.  It is an easy read, if you can contain your out rage at the oppression.  

who really runs things

Deep State by Chris Hauty; 2020;$27.00; 281 pages; Emily Bestler Books, New York, NY;978-1-9821-2658-2; checked out from Multnomah County Library, St. Johns; 1/14/2020-1/17/2020

An exciting female protagonist, who can kick butt and function as an extremely competent administrative assistant.  A story ripped from the headlines and a twist I did not see coming at all made this an exciting read.
Haley Chill is a exciting new action hero who breaks all the molds.