"a spectacle of indecency"

Workers rally in favor of union. Wealth inequality is only getting worse.

Headlines familiar to today’s readers wouldn’t have been foreign to the early 1900s reporter of Jess Walter’s The Cold Millions. Set primarily in Spokane, Washington, the novel examines the struggles of miners and day laborers. 

Brothers Rye and Gig are among those who scrape by on odd jobs. Tired of the hustle, they gravitate to the union hall, not only to fight for their rights, but for the free breakfast. When a policeman is found dead, the tension between the workers and management escalates. Gig ends up in prison, and Rye strikes an unsavory deal with the richest man in town, Brand.

Fans of historical fiction and contemporary lit will both find something to love in this story. One of my favorite scenes takes place between the retiring vaudeville actress and her successor. Read the excerpt.

This book also checks off a box from my reading challenge. Find other Washington State Award Winners here.

Spotify and Side Hug

I may have mentioned once or twice how I love any book or tv show that takes me behind the scenes. One world I haven’t ventured into is that of classical music. Until now.

The Ensemble by Aja Gabel follows the careers and personal entanglements of a young string quartet. The story opens as Jana, Brit, Henry, and Daniel are preparing for the competition that will launch their career. Jana is the most ambitious; Henry the most talented. Daniel the most likely to sleep with someone; Britt the most likely to pine. From the rehearsal room to the stage, the bedroom to the bar, we discover their career goals, familial disappointments, and later their parenting styles. 

With each section being introduced by a set list, this book begs for a playlist. Thankfully, Gabel obliges.

And adds just the right note.

Happy Birthday, Murakami

In honor of Haruki Murakami's birthday this week, here's a repost from 2010 about a Murakami-esque author. 

I swear I did not read the blurb on the back of this book when coming up with this comparison myself. So, Vendela Vida, I agree. Atmospheric Disturbances by Rivka Galchen is quite.

Never read Murakami? Start here. Or with this more recent essay about his love of t-shirts. 

Never heard of Galchen? Start here.

Never mind? Go here for other authors on The New Yorker's list of 20 under 40 to watch. And read.

Five Tuesdays in Winter

Did you make a resolution to read more in 2022? You might try the challenge over at Book Riot. Or you might create a BINGO board like the one provided by my local library.

I started off the year with a new book of short stories by one of my favorite authors, Lily King. Five Tuesdays in Winter includes a little romance, a lot of adolescent awkwardness, and a fair bit of mother-child angst. King’s characters are reminiscent of friends you had in college or a coworkers’ eccentric aunt. Ones you can look on fondly, yet remain nostalgically detached, while you enjoy hearing about their antics. While the stories touch on realistic themes, they remain sunny enough for even the coldest winter afternoon of reading.

For more short story recommendations, click here. (Or click on "stories" under the Index on the right.)