Rico's Reviews

In his newest novel, the author of two of my favorite books of the past decade (Leaving the Atocha Station and 10:04) tells the story of a “lefty household” in Topeka, Kansas, in the 1990s. The parents are psychologists transplanted from the big city, their son a gifted high school debater. It is about the end of the 20th century and the breakdown of our political discourse, but it’s also about language. Lerner is a poet—literally; he’s published three books of poetry—and every page here brims with fresh turns of phrase, startling images, and precisely rendered emotional moments. - Rico

Ghosh is old-school, a throwback to the 19th century, when novelists wrote sweeping sagas that captured the essence of entire nations and cultures. Here he tells the story Deen Datta, a rare-book dealer who, after hearing a tale of a lost shrine that pays homage to both a Hindi snake goddess named Manasa Devi and a Muslim saint named Ilyas, sets out on a journey that will change his life. The book is about a world on the brink, about loss and displacement, and also about hope. It’s a deeply satisfying read. -  Rico

The most recent anthology of cutting-edge literature from long-time Granta editor John Freeman is all about the glorious (and troubled) place we call home. Matching the Golden State’s diversity of landscape and demographics, the collection offers new work from 30 authors, including William Vollmann (covering the Carr Fire), Rabih Alameddine (remembering San Francisco during the AIDS crisis), Tommy Orange (conjuring a potentially suicidal would-be bank robber), and Santa Cruz’s own Karen Tei Yamashita (sharing the correspondence of a Japanese American man visiting Hiroshima shortly after the bombing). In piece after piece, the writing is poignant, compelling, and thought provoking. - Rico

Though less known in the United States, Magnusson has contributed to National Geographic and is an award-winning photographer in Sweden. In his latest book, he uses his prodigious skills (and a huge amount of patience) to capture absolutely stunning images of birds both rare and common. The photos are so perfectly crisp, so intimate, that you get a sense of each bird’s personality and mood. With over 200 terrific images and thoughtful commentary from naturalists Mats and Asa Ottosson, this is the perfect gift for the bird lover in your life. - RIco

Though Prince has shed his mortal coil, I am utterly convinced he will never die. I’ve been a huge fan since the ’80s, when his unique voice, ridiculously witty lyrics, and irresistible dance grooves started taking over the airwaves. In addition to being a great songwriter, producer, singer, performer, dancer…the list goes on…he was also one of the best rock guitarists of all time. If you’re in doubt about this, listen again to “Let’s Go Crazy.” In any case, here, astonishingly, is the scrapbook/lyric sheet/photo collage/memoir-ish book he was working on when he transitioned to his next level of artistic brilliance. Like everything he ever created, it is utterly amazing. - Rico

In 1769, Gaspar de Portolá led a band of 64 Spanish explorers overland from San Diego north to what we now call the San Francisco Bay. Two hundred and fifty years later, Neely—who grew up in Portola (without the accent) Valley—set out to retrace the route, also on foot, in search of a deeper understanding of the Golden State’s history. Using passages from diaries kept during the original journey for comparison and contrast, he explores the biggest issues facing California today—water, agriculture, oil, gas, immigration, and development—while walking through a panorama that’s both beautiful and conflicted. - Rico

When the narrator’s friend, another writer, dies suddenly, she inherits his Great Dane. Among many problems, she lives in a tiny New York apartment—that doesn’t allow pets. What follows is a brilliant and moving meditation on friendship, love (both Platonic and romantic), art and grief. I found this a profound and beautiful reading experience. - Rico

An homage to Don Quixote, the novel tells the story of a television-obsessed South Asian man who sets out on a journey to win the heart of an actress he’s never met. Along for the ride is his imaginary son, Sancho. The book is also the story of Sam DuChamp, a mediocre and mostly failed author of spy thrillers—and the creator of Quichotte. Though one of the main characters is real, and a couple of the others are fictional, they are all fully realized, deeply human and absolutely compelling. As usual, Rushdie’s writing dazzles with intelligence, humor, breakneck pacing and brilliant turns of phrase. This is easily my favorite novel of the year. - Rico

A novel in the form of recommendation letters? Sounds like a literary stunt but Schumacher absolutely nails it. While maintaining the book’s formal conceit, she perfectly blends satire and genuine human emotion, offering a hilarious commentary on modern academia through one professor’s tired pen and fading sanity. I unreservedly recommend (!) this book. - Rico

This novel is, in a word, devastating. It opens as Romy Hall is on the way to prison to serve a life sentence for murder. As much the story of Hall’s life in prison, it’s the story of her past--her childhood on the streets of San Francisco, her experiences as an exotic dancer, and the circumstances surrounding her crime. I can’t recommend this one enough. - Rico