Book Review: Katie, Bar the Door

Katie, Bar the Door. Ruth Hull Chatlien, Amika Press, September 22, 2021, Paperback and eBook, 466 pages.

Review by Kelly Fumiko Weiss.

Katie, Bar the Door is a novel written by Ruth Hull Chatlien that follows the life of Katie Thompson and how her formative years impact her life's choices. After her father's death, Katie never lets herself grieve and internalizes the messages of her Baptist mother in ways that twist and distort who she was meant to be. The book is a journey to see how she hits rock bottom and then pulls herself up again, all while untangling the web of judgment she's told herself and has been told by others. Katie, Bar the Door does not shy away from any topic—whether it be disparate Christian viewpoints, sex crimes, and sexual identity, the role of women in relationships and marriage, or the bonds between parents and children. 

Some parts of this book are genuinely emotionally difficult to read. In extreme cases, the sexual exploitation can be jarring and triggering. But in most cases, it hurts to watch as Katie pushes away any good that she comes across because she cannot see the good in herself.

I will admit, the summary on the book jacket affected my reading of the book. It was so specific that I kept thinking about it as I was reading instead of letting myself really settle into what was a compelling, well-written, and emotionally honest journey. I appreciated that this book was not 100% anti-Christian or anti-religion. The layers of faith woven into the different characters became really flushed out, especially toward the end. I also appreciated how the author contextualized the prose more than the "disastrous choices about men" the jacket cover alluded to. Chatlien did a lovely job of not victim-blaming, diving deeply into the motivations behind the characters and the healing journey Katie ultimately embarks upon.

While the book tackles a wide range of difficult topics, it was quick to read and flowed at an easy pace. It was a fast 466 pages and had a satisfying ending. The full circle of love, loss, and forgiveness left me with a great deal of hope and heart-swell; after everything Katie endured, it could have just as easily been a cynical tale of repression. I truly appreciated the kindness of the last few chapters especially. 

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves family-driven fiction. However, I will say that some of the themes may be triggering. This book is not for the faint of heart. It will make you look inside yourself and ask some tough questions of the readers, how you may judge others, and your own capacity for healing and forgiveness. One can only hope that we can and will be as strong as Katie when truly difficult situations arise and that we will have the support she ultimately finds to help guide us through.

Book Review: Finnigan the Lionhearted (Finnigan the Circus Cat #3)

Finnigan the Lionhearted. Mary T. Wagner, Waterhorse Press, December 2020, Electronic and Print, 159 pages.

Review by Casie Gambrel.

Mary T. Wagner’s Finnigan the Lionhearted is a charming tale perfect for children of all ages, even the young at heart.

This book is a marvelous trip down memory lane for anyone who remembers going to the circus as a child—and a most authentic introduction to the magic of the circus for those too young to have ever experienced it. The descriptions are so vivid you can almost hear the Ringmaster’s baritone voice announcing “Ladies and Gentlemen” with such power that it will have you leaning forward and rustling your popcorn box in excitement. Adorable pen illustrations add a visual sprinkle of joy for younger readers.

The storyline features a vast array of unique circus characters forming the most unexpected friendships and delivering meaningful life lessons along the way. The main characters are two curious mouse cousins, Max and Leroy, and their sweet pal Finnigan the Cat. Their adventure begins when the circus rolls into their hometown of Beechville, Wisconsin. They eagerly band together along with Boomer the dog to leave the comfort, safety, and secrecy of their home at the Farnsworth Circus Museum and embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

Their escapades bring them face to face with lions, tigers, and elephants. As the trio finds their way around the tent, they soon discover that things aren’t always what they seem: the most threatening-looking characters turn out to be the kindest, and those that seem to be the weakest rise to the occasion to face their fears and find their courage. As the suspense builds page after page, lessons in acceptance, trust, vulnerability, growth, and perseverance are delivered flawlessly, as if directed by the Ringmaster himself.

Finnigan the Lionhearted is the third book in this series of stories about Finnigan the Cat. It comes as no surprise that author Mary T. Wagner’s story is inspired by her family’s real-life rescue kitten, her home state of Wisconsin, and her younger daughter’s talent as a contemporary circus aerialist.

I highly recommend this book to any parent who’s looking for a delightful story and some good old-fashioned fun along with a few timeless lessons for themselves and their little ones. 

Book review: POWERBALLS: Be careful what you wish for.

POWERBALLS: Be careful what you wish for. Jimmy Clifton, Northport Communications, May 6, 2021, Paperback and eBook, 250 pages.

Review by Florence Osmund.

Author Jimmy Clifton’s Powerballs is a cautionary tale about what can potentially happen to ordinary folks who win big in the lottery and fail to seek out advice on how to avoid the dreaded “lottery curse.”

Husband and wife Henry and Rose Ball struggle to make ends meet and keep their marriage from falling apart. Henry hates his boss and wishes he didn’t have to go to work each day. Rose daydreams of a better life, one with someone more exciting than Henry.

When the Balls win a huge Powerball lottery—the answer to their prayers and solution to all their problems—things change fast. They spend scant time planning what they will do with the money and go on separate spending sprees with no concern for what consequences their actions might bring. It doesn’t take long for their lives to become completely out of control.

The story has a slow beginning (which I am sure was intentional), but once it gains momentum, it is filled with so many twists and turns that it is a challenge to keep track of all the players and myriad subplots. Clifton creates a succession of action-packed scenes in exotic and adventurous settings—locales that set the stage for what happens and affect the characters’ mood and behavior—but still maintain balance with the characters’ complicated emotional lives. The right amount of character introspection creates empathy, which is requisite in writing good character-driven fiction.

The characters in Powerballs are interesting and memorable, immersed in layers of personality and history. The author is masterful at developing the relationships that play such important roles in this story. The relationships that Henry and Rose build during their journey influence their decisions and determine their fates. The essence of the story is how the characters evolve over time and how they reevaluate what they want and need out of life. 

Clifton’s writing style is engaging, with short, compelling chapters that keep readers interested and turning pages. His skillful use of vocabulary and ability to weave a fascinating tale make for a captivating narrative.

Powerballs is about the effect that a sudden influx of money can potentially have on one’s perspective on life, what they value and their mental health. What satisfaction can wealth bring? Will it solve problems or create them? Can money buy happiness? Ask Henry and Rose Ball these questions. They know from experience.

Book Review: From Dog to Wolf

From Dog to Wolf. Delbert Sandlin, MindStir Media, May 5, 2021, Paperback and E-Book, 194 pages.

Review by Denise Roma.

From Dog to Wolf by Lake Forest, IL author Delbert Sandlin is the story of a Native American boy, his tribe, and its history. Through the voice of young teen Daniel, we hear the well-known stories of the U.S. government's theft of land from tribes, the breaking of treaties, and the battle of Wounded Knee.

Sandlin tells of the realities of native people whose land was stolen and then sent out to infertile land to live lives of poverty. His protagonist and other young characters struggle with wanting to leave their reservation while not wanting to abandon their families and traditions. Sandlin offers an interesting historical dive into American Indian life.

A mentor named Horace sends him into the woods on a vision quest to build the confidence and resolve that Daniel needs as a young man. Daniel must survive for days without food and water. He emerges with the knowledge that he can withstand hardship, along with an important vision that his grandmother is able to interpret. This experience prepares Daniel for a role within his tribe where he must fight for his people and, in doing so, gain retribution for them.

This book will appeal to readers in their early teens. They will cheer for Daniel as he overcomes his older brother's bullying and finds his place in the tribe beyond that of a child.

As Daniel becomes part of a political game with the corrupt politicians and president, his speech and manner shift abruptly to that of a college-educated adult acting as negotiator for his tribe. For me as a reader, this character change felt a bit jarring and unrealistic. However, this is young adult fiction where young boys can be heroes, and we wouldn't want it any other way.

When I read a novel, I want to connect with the characters and grow to love them. The characters of Daniel and his immediate family—his grandmother and brother—are drawn well, and I was able to care about and understand them. The relationship between Horace and Daniel is believable and effective. The teacher character spoke in a lengthy and academic way, like a character on a TV show aimed at children or teens, which is appropriate given the audience of this book.

The heart of this book is in the telling of the story of the Native American people, which young adult readers can learn from and enjoy.

Book Review: The Ring

The Ring. Florence Osmund, Self-published, 2021, Paperback and E-Book, 323 pages.

Review by Kelly Fumiko Weiss.

The Ring is a novel written by Florence Osmund. It explores the very complicated relationships of Paige and Jessivel, two strangers who seemingly have nothing in common. The story unfolds as the perspective jumps back and forth between Paige, a very well-off, caring, hardworking person, and Jessivel, a poor, struggling, stubborn person. You wonder how their worlds will ever come together, and the answer is partly through circumstance and partly through sheer determination (mostly on Paige’s part). Through these events, these two women’s lives become intricately and forever tangled.

While the drama of what is happening in their lives propels the story forward, it is Paige’s strength and influence that grounds the story, and it is Jessivel’s personal growth that fulfills it. It is truly rewarding to see these two navigate situations that are completely foreign, life-changing, and altogether difficult for them, and knowing that they ultimately become the better for it. However, I had to ask myself things like, how much more can Paige possibly handle? Is she even human? How does she keep going? Interesting to note, Jessivel has it much worse off. But because Paige is the anchor for so many people—her mother, her other family members, her staff—it seems the weight is on her.

At the end of the book, Kayla, Jessivel’s daughter, asks a question that sums up what this book is about. She asks, “When did you become an adult, Mom?” It’s a great question for a child to ask, but I think it’s also one that adults ask themselves all the time. When does that happen? When does it sink in that you are in charge? And when do you learn that to succeed in life you need other people? In many ways, that’s the journey that most of the characters in this book are on, and thankfully those journeys come to very satisfying conclusions.

Without giving away all the family details of this book, I sense that The Ring is also about all the different ways we can relate to each other. What do those relationships mean? How do they shape us? How do our personal narratives define who we are and how we act? And how do we come to terms with putting those thoughts up to a mirror for who we want to be?

I enjoyed reading The Ring. It was fast-paced, complicated, filled with characters who all had very different vibes and hurdles to overcome. I loved the way the storylines intertwined, and I felt emotionally invested in their journeys. I wouldn’t mind if Osmund wrote another story about this family. Many more characters were referenced than we have yet to meet. I’d love to see how they all fold into the world Paige and Jessivel created for each other.