Local Books

Brandon Taylor Real Life RIVERHEAD BOOKS I n his debut novel, Real Life, released Feb. 18, Iowa Writers’ Workshop alum Brandon Taylor follows the story of Wallace, a science graduate student in the Midwest who is in search of what he really wants. The book is set over the course of just three days, and it’s filled with betrayals, new romance and self-discovery. Taylor paints his narrative with a palette of themes that include relationships, grief and trauma. At the start, readers see Wallace several weeks after his father died, believing that he is doing fine, not experiencing the expected stages of grief. That feeling seems to stem from the fact that his upbringing was spotted with tragic moments, many with his parents at the center.

Wallace is a recluse and tries to be alone much of the time, but after he is roped into spending time with his estranged fellow grad students, he gets into both high-tension drama and romantic entanglement.

Wallace finds his studies, friends and life in question when he is faced with trying to find what he really desires out of them all. Throughout the novel, Wallace keeps his emotions in check, fearing that if he loses control of them, it could threaten his place as the sole African American in his graduate program. Real Life tells a truly distinct story about a gay black man from Alabama who attempts to escape his trauma by way of academia. With this fresh perspective, the novel finds its strength in showing the way people try to distance themselves both from their past and from others.

Wallace’s journey is colored by drama, betrayals, but most of all, the feeling of wanting to live a “real life.” The theme comes up frequently in the novel, with the grad students often lamenting how much easier things would be if they didn’t have a life in academia and instead worked and lived like “normal people.” The characters’ tense exchanges in Real Life always begin with mundane social interactions, before building to a dynamic, cruel argument. The exploration of cruelty is one of the most remarkable elements of the novel—Wallace describes friendship as an exchange of cruelty between two people. Wallace’s world view is clouded by past trauma, and the novel shows how that causes him to go down a road he never would have otherwise. Real Life is a compelling social drama adeptly complemented by Taylor’s prose. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for his next novel.

—Austin J. Yerington REAL LIFE TELLS A TRULY DISTINCT STORY AB OUT A GAY BLACK MAN FROM ALABA MA WHO ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE HIS TRA UMA BY WAY OF ACADEMIA.

Cory Christiansen, illus. Mackinzie Rekers A Visit to Lost Otter Farm SELF-PUBLISHED

Every year, the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature offers One Book Two Book, a festival for all kids, from the book character meet-and-greets for your toddler (with unbelievably tolerant folks dressed in full-coverage, big-headed costumes) to the Junior High Writing Jam and the Comic Book Confidential Workshop to entice even your surliest newly minted teen.

The centerpiece of One Book Two Book is its student writing competition and celebration. Students in grades 1-8 from the Iowa City–Cedar Rapids area submit one page of written work (any style) in English, French or Spanish. A team from ACT selects two winners per grade—one for skill (clarity, structure) and one for passion (creativity, expressiveness)—who are honored at the Write Out Loud event on Sunday. But One Book Two Book isn’t just for kids who already love writing; it’s to inspire all youth and show them what’s possible. There are storytime events and two sessions of storytelling with the maestro, Darrin Crow. And one of the authors reading this year is North Liberty writer Cory Christiansen, who just released his self-published children’s book A Visit to Lost Otter Farm. Illustrated by Mackinzie Rekers (an Iowa Citian), A Visit to Lost Otter Farm is a charming, personal telling of a family visit to Christiansen’s sister’s home in upper Michigan. It’s a lovely example of how to create a distinct world and draw readers into it. It’s also relatable to young readers, told with a sense of wonder and whimsy.

The real star of the book is the titular otter—not the focus of the text, but gracing many of the spreads through Rekers’ warm, funny, utterly delightful artwork. Wherever the curious creature pops up, Rekers imbues it with a playfulness that shines on the page and elevates the story. The other characters and the landscapes they inhabit are captivating as well.

Some clever turns of phrase ground the narrative (“There are stands of trees with grace and power / And prairies speckled with purple coneflower” is a favorite). But it’s the illustrations that will have you wanting to turn these pages again and again.

—Genevieve Trainor

One Book Two Book

(all events at hotelVetro unless otherwise noted)

Saturday, Feb. 22 Comic Book Confidential Workshop for Grades 5-8, 10 a.m. The Little Engine That Could, 10 a.m. Storyteller Darrin Crow, 10:30 a.m. Storytime with Sidekick Coffee and Books, 11 a.m. A Visit to Lost Otter Farm, 11:30 a.m. Book Character Meet and Greet, 12 p.m. Jr. High Writing Jam!, 12 p.m., The Mill Young Author Autograph Session, 12 p.m. Storytelling with Darrin Crow II, 12:30 p.m. Absolute Science, 1 p.m. Book Character Meet and Greet, 2 p.m. Storytime: This is Frog by Harriett Evans, 2:30 p.m. Storytime with Usborne Books & More, 2:30 p.m. Performances by Nolte Academy, 3 p.m.

in linn county parks WINTER FUN

SLEDDING The area next to Red Cedar Lodge at Squaw Creek Park and a hill by Woodpecker Lodge at Pinicon Ridge Park are popular for sledding during the winter months.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Linn County Conservation trails that are available for cross-country skiing include: Matsell Bridge Natural Area 5 miles Morgan Creek Park 3.8 miles Squaw Creek Park 3.5 miles Wickiup Hill Learning Center 3.3 miles Pinicon Ridge Park 1.5 miles 4” of snow is required for our equipment to be able to groom trails. Tracks are fi rst “rolled” and then “groomed”. Hikers, horses, and dogs are encouraged to stay off the Nordic ski track. ICE FISHING Ice fi shing opportunities are abundant along the Wapsipinicon and Cedar rivers.

WINTER SAFETY TIPS Dress in layers for the weather Wear bright colors Keep hydrated Only venture on ice more than 4” thick

FIND OUT MORE AT LINNCOUNTYPARKS.COM

KITCHEN NOW OPEN UNTIL 1AM THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY

a n i o w a c i t y l a n d m a r k

SUSHI? LET’S ROLL!

Your one-stop for sushi, rice bowls, and ramen...

...plus bubble tea, smoothies, and sake!