The Best Book I Read This Month: The Anomaly by Michael Rutger

The best book I read this month was a sci-fi adventure with an interesting premise. Michael Rutger’s The Anomaly centers on the cast and crew of a YouTube show that investigates unexplained phenomena. In this case, the team retraces the steps of an early 20th century expedition that discovered a mysterious cave in the Grand Canyon.

I don’t completely buy the explanation of events in the story, but I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure—largely because of the characters. Distinct characterizations made it easy to tell the characters apart, and I loved their interactions. While they would deny the characterization, it was clear they were a found family with all the appreciation, affection, needling, and frustration that families experience.

Then there’s the descriptions of the scenery, which were equally impressive: the beauty of the canyon, the claustrophobia of the cave—it all comes through in the prose. So does the action, which keeps the plot moving forward.

I would follow this group of characters on any adventure (and did, in the sequel The Possession). Alas, there are only two books in this “series,” so if I want to spend more time with them, I’ll need to reread one or both books.

The Best Book I Read This Month: The Adventures of Amina Al-Sarafi by Shannon Chakraborty

The best book I read this month was a pirate adventure reminiscent of the legend of Sinbad the Sailor. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty follows a Amina al-Sirafi as she and her crew sail the Indian Ocean trying to right a wrong. It’s a rollicking adventure, and I enjoyed every word.

At the start of the story, al-Sirafi has retired from the pirate life and is literally trying to keep a roof over her head. She lives in a remote area of Oman with her mother and her daughter. Despite her struggles, she is content with the life she has chosen. Then the mother of a former crew member comes to her in crisis: the crew member’s daughter has been kidnapped. Won’t al-Sirafi save her? The mother, who has vast wealth, promises to reward al-Sirafi with a life-changing amount of money if she succeeds. Al-Sirafi has no choice but to accept the challenge.

Amina al-Sirafi gets the band back together, as the saying goes, and they set off to rescue the damsel in distress. Along the way, they encounter abusive local authorities, demons, sea monsters, magic, and a damsel who is not quite as distressed as they were led to believe.

I loved Amina al-Sirafi as a main character and narrator. Her voice captivated me from the beginning, a perfect mix of snark and self-awareness. Her crew and their voyages are a testament to the vibrancy and diversity of the Indian Ocean region during Europe’s Middle Ages (when this story takes place).

I read that this book is part of a trilogy. The ending certainly left open the opportunity for sequels. I hope that it is the first in a series, because I can’t wait to read about al-Sirafi and crew’s next adventures.