“Airplane Mode: An Irreverent History of Travel,” by Shahnaz Habib (Catapult, 2023)
Editor’s note: The opinions of the smart, well-read women in my Denver book club mean a lot, and often determine what the rest of us choose to pile onto our bedside tables. So we asked them, and all Denver Post readers, to share these mini-reviews with you. Have any to offer? Email bellis@denverpost.com.
“Airplane Mode: An Irreverent History of Travel,” by Shahnaz Habib (Catapult, 2023)
This is not your typical Rick Steves (or even Paul Theroux) travel book. Rather, Habib dissects what it means to travel in the 21st century, as opposed to, say, what it means to emigrate. Who gets to travel, where and when? Who gets (or does not get) a passport or even a visa? How did “traveling” even become a thing? (Think: the Grand Tours of Europe in the late 19th century and early 20th centuries.) Travel is a form of consumerism, you might even say. But what does it mean to be a traveler in a post-colonial world, in the midst of a climate crisis? Habib addresses these questions and more in this enlightening and entertaining book. — 2 1/2 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver
“The Women,” by Kristin Hannah (St. Martins Press, 2024)
The Women by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin’s Press)
Kristin Hannah is an enormously successful writer of compulsively readable historic fiction. “The Women” — a tribute to the often overlooked women who served in the Vietnam War — is no exception. The story follows idealistic nurse Frankie McGrath through two tours of duty, bolstered by friends Ethel and Barb. Work shifts are long and brutal, yet after-hours allow them to blow off steam with drinking, dancing and romancing.
Part One is gripping as Frankie sheds her naivete and advances her medical skills. Part Two follows her home to an ungrateful, unwelcoming America. Hannah’s storytelling is strong enough to more than balance occasional writing gaffs, but uneven pacing is more of an issue. Part Two seems underdeveloped, despite its length. — 2 1/2 stars (out of 4); Neva Gronert, Parker
“The House on Mango Street,” by Sandra Cisneros (Arte Publico Press, 1984)
Hispanic families, known for their emotional intimacy, reveal their benefits as well as their challenges in this trio of stories. Sandra Cisneros earned national attention for this first book of fiction, which includes insights into her journey to success and shows that “coming of age” is a trip for many young people, regardless of their backgrounds or ethnicities. Her work has been called “sensitive, alert, nuanced,” as the reader tracks Esperanza, a young Latina girl, while she grows up in Chicago, and deals with issues of social class, race, sexuality, identity and gender. A best-seller and winner of a number of literary awards, it educates as it entertains. — 4 stars (out of 4); Bonnie McCune, Denver; bonniemccune.com
“The Prospectors,” by Ariel Djanikian (William Morrow, 2023)
This is the story (on the surface) of a family who struck it rich in the Klondike Gold Rush and then amassed great wealth through shrewd investments. It also explores greed, ambition, family loyalty, family secrets and, ultimately, the moral questions of justice for and restitution owed to displaced native peoples. The individual characters are, for the most part, finely drawn and the historical details of life in the Alaskan frontier are captivating. A fascinatingly good read. — 1 1/2 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver