book review: Retro by Jessica M. Goldstein

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 4/5

Thank you Ballantine for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

Retro is a refreshing spin on time travel that blends a whimsical, Wonka-esque atmosphere with a deeply relatable character study. We follow Ash, who, after losing her job, begins hosting tourists on trips to the past. As she moves between eras, she’s forced to weight her own life and relationships against the snapshots of history and those in the present that seem to have achieved “success.” The conversational, rambling prose makes it easy to inhabit Ash’s headspace, and the 80s and 90s pop culture references are a total delight.

My only critique is that it was slow to build upon the strangeness Ash was noticing with her memory and relationships outside of Retro. Capitalizing on that eeriness closer to the midpoint of the book would have allowed for a stronger crescendo ending. Despite that, the history tidbits and relatable social themes carry it through providing a more than satisfying read. 

This is a perfect pick for anyone seeking a nostalgic, lighthearted coming of age story with a sprinkling of time travel.

book review: The Truth of Time by Bryan Whelan

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  5/5

Don't let the serious cover art fool you, this is a delightfully clever page turner that weaves a smattering of sci-fi with history and a whodunit into a complex wondrous tale. 

The author takes the reader on a jovial roller coaster ride of discovery alongside a fully realized diverse group of characters to a futuristic place, masterfully detailed points in the past, and then back to the future again. The worlds are incredibly layered and the magic is believable. The dialogue is sharp and the twists are so sophisticated they constantly caught me off guard. All told, this book was powerfully rendered, managing to be both fun and intellectually rewarding. 

I hope the author will decide to market this book, or a publisher will take notice and offer to take this book under their wing, because this book has so much potential and needs to reach more readers! I think pretty much anyone would enjoy this book - history buffs, sci-fi lovers, thriller cravers, and the casual reader. Its boundless imagination and fast pace make it a perfect 'crossover' hit for Young Adult readers as well.

Please consider this as your next read...sometimes the books you stumble upon are the best, as was my experience with this one!

finding broadway in a small town: Into The Woods

You don't need to book a flight to New York or drive down to the Twin Cities to experience world-class musical theatre. As it turns out, incredible art is thriving right here in our own backyard.

I attended opening night of Stephen Sondheim's classical musical Into The Woods at the Pequot Lakes High School Theatre, put on by the Greater Lakes Area Performing Arts (GLAPA). To say I was blown away is an understatement — the production was highly entertaining, and the local actors brought an unbelievable amount of talent to the stage!

Growing up, we went to many plays and musicals at Central Lakes College Performing Arts Center in Brainerd each Summer. I had no idea until my mom heard about the Into The Woods musical that I had access to the arts in my small town of Pequot Lakes as well.

If you missed opening night, don't worry! There are still plenty of opportunities to catch this magical fairy-tale mashup. GLAPA has a six-performance run scheduled, giving you ample time to grab tickets:

Evening shows (7 pm): July 17, 18, 24, and 25

Matinee shoes (2pm): July 19 and 26

Location: Pequot Lakes High School Auditorium, 30805 Olson Street, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472