Old Ham

I’m not sure I’ve met a more unhinged middle-aged, crochets-hats-for-cats, hoarder and emotionally abandoned character than Junie Oldham. Teased mercilessly in school about her last name (Bacon, Old Ham, Hammy), she nonetheless believes that she has a chance with dreamy Blake Patton, her crush. Despite he and his friends’ cruelty, she maintains hope, and years later, he shows up at an AA meeting and Junie’s fantastical hopes and revenge wheel go into high gear. Posing as a tutor for Blake’s daughter, Junie’s ruse goes undetected until a fateful dinner party brings her face to face with another high-school abuser. Then Glass really takes readers for a ride, as one opportunity after another presents Junie with chances to expose Blake as the villain he is and herself as the victim that few recognize. Completely mad or genius or both, Junie is a character with purpose that I will not forget—and with the book’s open ending, I can only hope her hunt for vengeance is satisfied.—Dodie Ownes