American Dream Come True by Tony Bertoldi

AMERICAN DREAM COME TRUE by Tony Bertoldi, published by ForbesBooks, profiles “Why Affordable Housing Is Good Policy, Good Business, and Good for America.” Bertoldi has decades of experience in the industry and currently serves as Co president at CREA, LLC, a national LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) syndication company. His passion for this topic clearly comes through and although it is a relatively dry subject, he does a good job of explaining the situation and proposing future action which he argues “benefits everyone in American society.” It is interesting to read AMERICAN DREAM COME TRUE alongside articles like Lucy Tompkin’s piece in today’s New York Times about Community First! Village, a housing option for formerly homeless people in Austin, Texas.  Basic facts about affordable housing are also found in the Pew Research report from September, 2022 and in a lengthy report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies from Harvard University. As he addresses this complex and controversial topic, Bertoldi quotes both Pew and Harvard and includes detailed references at the end of each chapter in this well-researched text.

The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende

THE WIND KNOWS MY NAME has a stunning cover and is the latest work of historical fiction by Isabel Allende, an award winning author long fascinated by questions related to the immigrant experience (The Japanese Lover; In the Midst of Winter). Here, Allende relates the story of Samuel, a young Jew from Vienna and part of the Kindertransport; of Leticia, whose family was killed at the 1981 El Mozote massacre; and of Anita, a young, partially blind girl from El Salvador who was separated from her mother in 2019 by the US border police. Allende definitely evokes empathy for these characters. Each story is harrowing in its own way, but this very emotional novel ultimately ends on a hopeful note as they coalesce into a family unit of sorts. THE WIND KNOWS MY NAME received a starred review from Library Journal and Publishers Weekly.

Oath and Honor by Liz Cheney

OATH AND HONOR by Liz Cheney is a text which every American should read. This memoir (and a warning, as it is subtitled) sold out on its release day in early December and has been topping sales charts since then. Cheney, a former Congesswoman from Wyoming and previously part of the Republican Party’s leadership, lays out events leading up to the January 6th 2021 insurrection and the subsequent House investigation for which she was Vice Chair. Her perspective is detailed and unique due to the many contacts which she and her family have in the political and legal sphere. The events which she recounts are disturbing, particularly the unprincipled stance from so many of her colleagues. Throughout the remainder of this election season, we will all have an opportunity to educate ourselves, to reflect on true American and Constitutional values, and ultimately to make informed decisions in the upcoming primaries and general elections. Read and decide for yourself; here is an interview with Cheney about OATH AND HONOR from the PBS NewsHour:

If you would like to hear and see more of her book talk and reading at Politics and Prose in DC, click here or read a review from The Washington Post. More perspective is available in RENEGADE by Adam Kinzinger from Illinois.

1000 Words by Attenberg and The Perfect Story by Eber

1000 WORDS by Jami Attenberg (Saint Mazie) is the result of an effort by Attenberg and fellow writer Anne Gisleson to motivate themselves. She says that one thousand words (about four type-written pages) is a workable daily goal for her, but that each reader should decide individually on a goal. The text continues by offering ideas on where to write, how to begin, and later reading your work out loud, emphasizing that while writing can be isolating, one is not alone in this creative work. She categorizes a creative life cycle as having phases: internal and developmental; preparatory; committed; and a reflective pause. In addition to the essays from Attenberg, there are inspiring contributions from writers like Min Jin Lee, Roxanne Gay, Laila Lalami, and Courtney Sullivan. This collection is subtitled “A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round” and will likely have the most appeal for those who are actively trying to write longer works. Aspiring writers can also subscribe to Attenberg’s Craft Talk Newsletter. She notes, “You can create a sense of isolation in your mind. You can tap into that hunger and desire to make something new. It's all sitting right there. A pen, some paper, and your brain.” Described in numerous reviews as motivating, comforting, and/or encouraging, 1000 WORDS received a starred review from Booklist.

 

THE PERFECT STORY by Karen Eber is another excellent work which describes “How to Tell Stories that Inform, Influence, and Inspire.” Eber begins by stating the storytelling is “an art that is grounded in science” and she outlines several facets of stories: connection builders, change agents, memorable, reinforcing values, and interactive. All of her chapters (e.g., Storytelling with Data) have a summary and a storytelling interview to accompany them. This text is filled with vignettes which aptly illustrate the power of storytelling and checklists to help with creation and implementation. To learn more, see her TedTalk which has over two million views:

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

FIRST LIE WINS by Ashley Elston is a twisty mystery involving fake identities and so very many secrets. This soon-to-be-released title made me think of Laura Dave’s The Last Thing He Told Me. Something is clearly “off” but readers are not sure what that is or whom to trust. In FIRST LIE WINS, the main character is Evie Porter (born Lucca Marino) and she is living in Louisiana with her current “mark,” Ryan Sumner. Evie’s boss, Mr. Smith, employs her and others to steal items like paintings or corporate records. He creates those alternative identities and the author weaves in several past stories of “cons” which Evie has completed. This time, though, it appears that she may be in real danger. Readers will enjoy the fast-pace of this puzzling thriller and very likely end up rooting for Evie/Lucca whom Booklist describes as “a delightfully morally ambiguous antiheroine.”
A LibraryReads selection for January 2024.