Telephone

Had I known what Telephone was about I never would have saved it for last. I read the entire TOB shortlist for 2021 and threw Telephone at the bottom because I had to buy it (so I didn't have to worry about a due date) and it was the shortest book. Easy-peasy, right?

except, except, except....this book is about a dying kid. It's also about academics (tops in my “no thanks!” list). It's also got a pretentious vibe because there are multiple versions? I have no idea which one I have. I don't care.
It took me three weeks to read this 224 page book because I did NOT want to watch Sarah die. Why were all of the women throwing themselves at Zach? His daughter is dying. Is this what is going to happen? I have to watch this idiot sleep with a coworker or a student because he is grieving. What bullshit!

I took the sentences of this book down like nasty medicine. It was, if it was lucky, going to be a two star read. I was already plotting what I would read to wipe this from my mind.
And then, we get to New Mexico and it becomes an entirely different book. Then, I couldn't put it down. I actually laughed, and grew to love Zach's invented ploy of hunting for oil in order to stage a giant rescue. I loved the poets.
The ending just...ends. Boo! But I went ahead of taking the liberty of giving everyone on the bus a happy ending.
So there we go, Telephone done. I bet I'll be thinking about parts of this book for a loooong time.