Adult Historical Fiction: Review of Into The Night Woods by E. Davis Enloe

      

     Over the next few weeks I'm going to share my thoughts on some adult books, fiction and nonfiction, that I've read in 2026. Note that my reviews are not blanket endorsements. I believe there are books for everyone, and different books are meant for different people. These reviews are observations and musings more than recommendations.

     Into The Night Woods is E. Davis Enloe's debut novel (Regal House Publishing, 2026). 

     Set in the North Carolina Appalachian mountains, Enloe's mastery of details brings the characters and setting to life. 

          "Sheriff Muskey was about the same height as Grange, but scrawny, as if he'd started out tall and fit but had smoked so many cigarettes half his blood had dried up. His leathery face remined me of the crepe paper we used in crafts ay school." (p. 38)

     Although the book is intended for adults, the main characters of the story have just finished sixth grade and are looking forward to their summer vacation in this coming-of-age tale about friendship, trust and the dark side of some people. By page two, it's clear that things have gone awry. While profanity doesn't bother me, I was surprised to see the children using it at the opening of the story, before we had gotten to know anything else about them. And the main character's lack of judgment in stabbing a boy with a pencil on page three also startled me and brought to mind a much rougher, tougher childhood. While I don't recall seeing an actual date in the text, the references to Mantle and Maris' baseball rivalry and Chubby Checkers' The Twist placed the story in the early 1960's. 

     I enjoyed Boyd's relationship with his parents, uncle, and grandpa "Grange." They are a hard-working, loving unit, trying to do the best for each other. Boyd's relationship with his best friend, Roger also felt true to life as did the "free-range" way kids could roam. The difficulty of knowing what the right thing is to do sometimes is captured well. "And there I stood, hoping he would and wouldn't pull the trigger." (p.202). The ending is satisfying, although there is a bit of deus ex machina concerning a cougar.

      The book includes book club questions at the end. Regarding them:

     I believe Boyd and Grange's actions were motivated by morality. Whether they were morally right isn't a simple yes/no answer where life and death moments are involved and the weight of lives are in the balance.

     I'm not sure the book benefits from a few asides about racism and civil rights. Those moments almost felt like a different story that took the focus away from the main conflict. 

     I don't know Appalachian history of the 1960's, so I can't comment on historical accuracy. 

     Women don't play a big role in the story. Boyd's comment on p. 13 about party line phones showed a lack of respect . "Old women," I said, "should not be allowed on the phone during daylight hours." 

  

     My review is based on a copy provided by the publisher. No compensation was given or expected in exchange for my honest review.

Middle Grade Review: The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri

 

With Iran and Israel in the news, the book I review today is particularly timely.

Two years ago I reviewed another book by Daniel Nayeri. Like The Many Assassinations of Samir, Seller of Dreams, this book is also historical fiction and shares an unfamiliar setting. And like the prior title, there are moments of life hanging in the balance, and moments of patience and kindness. The role of mentors and family is another thread in both stories.

My schooling didn't include a lot of the specifics about World War II. Even though my father, and father-in-law were World War II veterans, no one talked about the war. I felt that the topic was off limits--too painful to recall. So I never asked, or researched the time period. Just recently I watched the film Number 24 (watch it if you haven't!) and learned about Norway's occupation and resistance movement. I was similarly unfamiliar with Iran's occupation and role in the conflict.

I recommend that you read this book twice. The opening is a heart-breaking moment for the two siblings who are the main characters, but perhaps because of my lack of knowledge about the area and time period, I didn't immediately connect with the characters even though I too lost a parent at a young age. The political discussion in Chapter Three felt a bit like backstory that while important to the overall arc, wasn't organically important to the character at that moment and I struggled to absorb it all. The plot really picked up for me in Chapter Four. I'm glad I stayed with it, and in the re-read, knowing what I now did, I was able to enjoy Nayeri's beautiful prose and linger with the characters emotions more.

I particularly enjoyed the "worth" of a child discussion in Chapter 8, the introduction to the Farsi alphabet in Chapter 9, and the contemplation of a teacher's and parent's role in Chapter 20. Being brought up in the United States with a western storytelling sensibility, sometimes the deep philosophical thoughts seem to come out of nowhere from a child's point of view but meshed well on the second read. The back cover description describes the book's plot. The beauty of the prose and the overall feelings of stability, instability and humanity were the standouts for me.

I don't want to spoil the plot for readers, but the kindness exhibited by the main characters is a lesson for contemporary residents in Iran and Israel.

I hope you'll get a copy and read it for yourself! The book releases August 26, 2025 from the acclaimed publisher Levine Querido. My review is based on an uncorrected advance proof copy supplied by the publisher. #MiddlegradeMonday

A DAY FOR REMEMBERIN'

 My family observes Memorial Day each year by hanging our flag. My heart is full thinking of the people who risk their lives to ensure the safety of our nation and its people. But--

I never thought about the origin of Memorial Day. My picture book book recommendation is for all of you who are like me. I missed a ton of books published during the pandemic when I was lying low.

A DAY FOR REMEMBERIN'

Author: Leah Henderson

Illustrator: Floyd Cooper

Publisher: Abrams books for Young Readers, 2021

The book opens with a  spread that includes a quote from Frederick Douglass, from his 1871 Decoration Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery and two paragraphs of historical context about the Civil War and Memorial Day. 

The story that drew me in begins on the next page.

"Nine days in a row.

Papa up early and gone again.

I still can't go with him, though. He said, "Eli, school's where you need to be--reading and counting." But I am counting. Right here. Day nine."

This work of historical fiction, imagining what it might have been like to experience the first Memorial Day, took my breath away. The inhumanity and humanity of man displayed in equal measures and unflinching honesty. I was spurred to learn about the historical place referenced, and what I learned stunned me again. I hope everyone enjoys learning this history as much as I did.

Activities:

• Brainstorm how you might remember those who lost their lives in service of our country. Some cemeteries use volunteers to place flags on veterans graves.
• Brainstorm how you might help those currently in service of our country. Have an adult check for legitimate organizations on websites like Military Pen Pals
• Research how other countries honor their veterans (we lived in the UK and were touched by the importance of Veterans Day there)
• Research the origin story for another holiday
• Read other patriotic picture books (Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus (Author), Kadir Nelson (Illustrator) and The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans by Barbara E Walsh, Layne Johnson (illus) are two to start you off.) Do you have a favorite?

I enjoy hearing if you enjoyed this book recommendation. My review is part of Perfect Picture Book Friday created and hosted by author Susanna Leonard Hill. The opinion in the review is wholly my own.