Books: Whenever You're Ready and Unknown New York
Today we are talking about Whenever You're Ready by Rachel Runya Katz. Nia and Jade met when their mutual best friend, Michel introduced them as kids. Three years after Michel's death, Nia receives a letter from her requesting that they embark without her on the Southern Jewish History road trip they had planned to take together. Jade's twin brother Jonah joins them on the trip where unresolved issues are raised and long-hidden feelings between Jade and Nia come to the surface.
The book starts out right in the middle of things with little explanation so it is a bit confusing to figure out what is going on at first. However, afterward, it turns into a mostly nice story about love, friendship, and reconciling the past with the future. Nia and Jade's relationship is extremely slow burning considering how long they've known each other. Plus, the things that keep them apart are mostly the typical annoying misunderstandings that occur in books because people keep things to themselves instead of talking to each other and resolving their issues. When they get together, it is sweet though.
Jonah seems like more of a jerk than a loving caring supportive brother. If he really cared about Jade, he would never say anything so deliberately hurtful like he does near the end of the book no matter how mad and/or jealous he was. There is a line you just do not cross if you really care about someone, and he crosses it. Plus, even though he was the one dating Michel, he seems the least affected by her death. Even if you move on from trauma, it never really leaves you and he barely seems like he was affected by the trauma of her death at all.
The fact that they embark on their trip because their late friend wanted them to makes sense, and does bring them together after a period of estrangement. However, the trip itself doesn't make sense because it seems to be mostly related to tracing some of the trauma suffered by their racial and religious ancestors, including slavery and the death of Leo Frank. It doesn't make sense why they would purposely want to subject themselves to a trip like that you would think it would be as triggering for them as it would probably for many readers of similar backgrounds.
Accordingly, unless you don't mind any extremely slow-burning romance, and you are not bothered by books dealing with grief, racism, and antisemitism, you might want to skip this one.
Today we are recommending Unknown New York by Jesse Richards. Artist, Jesse Richards has led numerous sketching classes throughout New York City. On these travels, Richards has discovered many fascinating places and things in the City. Even if you are quite familiar with New York, you may find new places you've never heard about before and/or learn more about familiar places by reading this book.
The book is quite an easy read as well. It is divided into easily digestible sections with clear names like Humble Parks, Shopping Sprees, Hidden History, and more. Each specific location is covered in a separate entry that is not more than a paragraph or two and is accompanied by one of the author's lovely sketches. There is also a comprehensive section in the back of the book that maps out excursions covering several places discussed in the book in one trip for helpful planning, If you are looking for some fun places to visit in New York City without having to go through the trouble of wading through a thick guide book or even if you just want to read about some interesting places there, and you are not actually planning a visit, you will definitely want to get a copy of this book.
Movies: The Nana Project
Today we are recommending The Nana Project. At first, this film seems like an irreverent mockumentary about nursing homes. However, it turns out there is much more to it than that. It is actually a touching family drama about a couple of estranged brothers who reconcile on a road trip accompanying their grandmother to a chess tournament.
The grandmother is feistily played by Mercedes Ruhl. Other familiar actors appear as fellow nursing home residents including Beth Broderick and Morgan Fairchild. However, there are far too many side characters and not all are equally well-developed.
Although the plot bears some similar elements to many other stories, there are enough unique elements to keep it fresh and interesting. Plus, the ending is extremely heartwarming in an unpredictable way. It feels like a film that would have been based on true events although it was not.
The Nana Project is available for purchase on DVD or Blu Ray as well as for purchase or rental digitally.
And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.
Book images used in this post are our own. All other photos have been sent to us by publicists, artists, and/or PR firms and are used with permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, contact us here, and we will look into the matter
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