Jan Notzon's Blog
September 20, 2025
To Sing Like a Mockingbird
Greer Bellamy
To Sing Like a Mockingbird is one of those books that sneaks up on you. At first glance, it’s a story about juvenile reform and small town politics, but by the end, it becomes a meditation on integrity and the price of sticking to your beliefs.
Justin Kopechne is written with refreshing honesty. He’s not a saint his rigidity often makes him difficult to support, but that’s exactly what makes him compelling. I admired his persistence with the boys at the reformatory, even as I cringed at the way his stubbornness pushed his wife away.
The sheriff’s arc was equally strong, showing how ambition and compromise chip away at good intentions until there’s nothing left but survival. The writing itself is spare and direct, which worked beautifully with the subject matter. This isn’t a book that hands you hope on a silver platter, but it leaves you with respect for the messy fight between conviction and reality.
To Sing Like a Mockingbird is one of those books that sneaks up on you. At first glance, it’s a story about juvenile reform and small town politics, but by the end, it becomes a meditation on integrity and the price of sticking to your beliefs.
Justin Kopechne is written with refreshing honesty. He’s not a saint his rigidity often makes him difficult to support, but that’s exactly what makes him compelling. I admired his persistence with the boys at the reformatory, even as I cringed at the way his stubbornness pushed his wife away.
The sheriff’s arc was equally strong, showing how ambition and compromise chip away at good intentions until there’s nothing left but survival. The writing itself is spare and direct, which worked beautifully with the subject matter. This isn’t a book that hands you hope on a silver platter, but it leaves you with respect for the messy fight between conviction and reality.
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Wyatt Collins
Chapter 1 sets a captivating tone, but Chapter 3 gave our club so much to discuss childhood memories, unspoken family tensions, and Jacob’s humor as a shield. The emotional landscape is carefully crafted, and Grace’s vulnerability creates a delicate tension. By Chapter 5, we were already predicting the emotional arcs and sharing favorite passages.
Chapter 1 sets a captivating tone, but Chapter 3 gave our club so much to discuss childhood memories, unspoken family tensions, and Jacob’s humor as a shield. The emotional landscape is carefully crafted, and Grace’s vulnerability creates a delicate tension. By Chapter 5, we were already predicting the emotional arcs and sharing favorite passages.
September 19, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Ava Monroe
Chapter 2’s funeral prompted one of our most reflective discussions yet. Notzon balances grief, ritual, and humor in a way that feels intimate and genuine.
The early chapters already establish rich characters and a living, breathing world. By Chapter 5, every member felt like they’d stepped into Jacob and Grace’s lives, and we couldn’t wait to see where the story goes next.
Chapter 2’s funeral prompted one of our most reflective discussions yet. Notzon balances grief, ritual, and humor in a way that feels intimate and genuine.
The early chapters already establish rich characters and a living, breathing world. By Chapter 5, every member felt like they’d stepped into Jacob and Grace’s lives, and we couldn’t wait to see where the story goes next.
To Sing Like a Mockingbird
Judson Tolliver
What impressed me most about To Sing Like a Mockingbird is its depth of character. Justin is someone you root for even when he frustrates you, and that complexity kept me hooked. I thought the scenes at the reformatory were some of the most powerful, giving a glimpse of hope in the lives of kids society has already written off.
At the same time, the sheriff’s arc shows the other side of the coin, how ambition can hollow out even those who once meant well. The cartel influence looms in the background, but what really stuck with me were the personal conflicts.
Justin’s strained marriage and clashes with his brother added layers of authenticity. These weren’t side plots; they felt essential to understanding the cost of his choices.
The setting amplified everything the sense of isolation, the pressure of small-town politics, the weight of expectations. This isn’t a book for readers looking for easy resolutions, but for those who want to wrestle with moral gray areas, it’s a powerful read.
What impressed me most about To Sing Like a Mockingbird is its depth of character. Justin is someone you root for even when he frustrates you, and that complexity kept me hooked. I thought the scenes at the reformatory were some of the most powerful, giving a glimpse of hope in the lives of kids society has already written off.
At the same time, the sheriff’s arc shows the other side of the coin, how ambition can hollow out even those who once meant well. The cartel influence looms in the background, but what really stuck with me were the personal conflicts.
Justin’s strained marriage and clashes with his brother added layers of authenticity. These weren’t side plots; they felt essential to understanding the cost of his choices.
The setting amplified everything the sense of isolation, the pressure of small-town politics, the weight of expectations. This isn’t a book for readers looking for easy resolutions, but for those who want to wrestle with moral gray areas, it’s a powerful read.
September 18, 2025
To Sing Like a Mockingbird
Nicole Juan
This novel pulled me in with its realism. Nothing here feels exaggerated the corruption, the family conflicts, the struggles at the reformatory all read like things that could happen in any small town.
Justin Kopechne is idealistic, but not in a way that feels unrealistic. His commitment to reforming young offenders is admirable, yet you can see how it wears on him and those around him. I found his relationship with his wife particularly compelling because it showed how even the noblest pursuits can drive wedges into personal lives.
The sheriff’s storyline was another highlight for me, his choices weren’t cartoonishly evil, but slowly compromised, which made his downfall even more believable.
The prose itself is clean and direct, letting the story speak without unnecessary embellishment. I finished the book with a sense of admiration for its honesty. It doesn’t give you heroes and villains; it gives you flawed people trying to survive in a flawed system. That made it feel authentic.
This novel pulled me in with its realism. Nothing here feels exaggerated the corruption, the family conflicts, the struggles at the reformatory all read like things that could happen in any small town.
Justin Kopechne is idealistic, but not in a way that feels unrealistic. His commitment to reforming young offenders is admirable, yet you can see how it wears on him and those around him. I found his relationship with his wife particularly compelling because it showed how even the noblest pursuits can drive wedges into personal lives.
The sheriff’s storyline was another highlight for me, his choices weren’t cartoonishly evil, but slowly compromised, which made his downfall even more believable.
The prose itself is clean and direct, letting the story speak without unnecessary embellishment. I finished the book with a sense of admiration for its honesty. It doesn’t give you heroes and villains; it gives you flawed people trying to survive in a flawed system. That made it feel authentic.
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Kingston Hansen
5.0 out of 5 stars
This novel was a standout read for our book club. Personally, I was captivated by how the author built tension while also exploring such profound emotional truths. Jake’s struggles and the way his past and present collide made me reflect on how trauma and resilience shape us all.
Our discussions lasted longer than usual because the book gave us so much to unpack, and I loved how it sparked both emotion and thought. The author deserves every bit of praise for creating a story that can move people in such a powerful way
5.0 out of 5 stars
This novel was a standout read for our book club. Personally, I was captivated by how the author built tension while also exploring such profound emotional truths. Jake’s struggles and the way his past and present collide made me reflect on how trauma and resilience shape us all.
Our discussions lasted longer than usual because the book gave us so much to unpack, and I loved how it sparked both emotion and thought. The author deserves every bit of praise for creating a story that can move people in such a powerful way
September 17, 2025
To Sing Like a Mockingbird
Mireille Ravencroft
I think what sets To Sing Like a Mockingbird apart is the way it balances big themes with intimate storytelling. Yes, there’s crime, politics, and cartel influence, but at the heart of it is a man trying to stay true to himself in a world that keeps asking him to compromise.
Justin Kopechne isn’t always likable, but he is believable. His passion for rehabilitating young offenders is admirable, but the way it blinds him to his family’s needs made me feel both empathy and frustration.
The sheriff’s descent into corruption worked well as a foil, showing what happens when someone makes the opposite choice.
I loved how the Texas setting mirrored the themes barren, isolated, unforgiving. It gave the book a heavy, almost oppressive mood, which heightened the tension. This isn’t a quick read or an escapist one, but it’s an important one if you like stories that challenge your thinking about justice, loyalty, and personal cost.
I think what sets To Sing Like a Mockingbird apart is the way it balances big themes with intimate storytelling. Yes, there’s crime, politics, and cartel influence, but at the heart of it is a man trying to stay true to himself in a world that keeps asking him to compromise.
Justin Kopechne isn’t always likable, but he is believable. His passion for rehabilitating young offenders is admirable, but the way it blinds him to his family’s needs made me feel both empathy and frustration.
The sheriff’s descent into corruption worked well as a foil, showing what happens when someone makes the opposite choice.
I loved how the Texas setting mirrored the themes barren, isolated, unforgiving. It gave the book a heavy, almost oppressive mood, which heightened the tension. This isn’t a quick read or an escapist one, but it’s an important one if you like stories that challenge your thinking about justice, loyalty, and personal cost.
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Roman Everett
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2025
And Ye Shall Be As Gods is a multi-layered novel that weaves personal trauma with historical horrors, creating a narrative that is both intimate and universal.
Our book club had such meaningful discussions about the themes of guilt, silence, and redemption, and the author deserves praise for sparking such depth of conversation.
The symbolism of the word “lampenshirm” and its connection to the Holocaust was one of the most haunting elements, serving as a metaphor for hidden sins that demand confrontation.
Stylistically, the prose is both lyrical and unsettling, drawing the reader into the emotional storms of its characters. For readers who appreciate fiction that challenges and lingers, this book stands out as a powerful achievement.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2025
And Ye Shall Be As Gods is a multi-layered novel that weaves personal trauma with historical horrors, creating a narrative that is both intimate and universal.
Our book club had such meaningful discussions about the themes of guilt, silence, and redemption, and the author deserves praise for sparking such depth of conversation.
The symbolism of the word “lampenshirm” and its connection to the Holocaust was one of the most haunting elements, serving as a metaphor for hidden sins that demand confrontation.
Stylistically, the prose is both lyrical and unsettling, drawing the reader into the emotional storms of its characters. For readers who appreciate fiction that challenges and lingers, this book stands out as a powerful achievement.
September 16, 2025
To Sing Like a Mockingbird
Olivia Juan
One of the things I enjoyed most about this novel is its refusal to make morality easy. Justin Kopechne isn’t a classic hero; he’s flawed, often difficult, but fiercely committed to his cause. That complexity made him relatable.
I thought the reformatory scenes were particularly strong because they showed the hope and frustration of trying to turn young lives around. What struck me most, though, was how the outside world intruded into Justin’s work. The cartel influence and the sheriff’s compromises were reminders that even good intentions can get crushed by systemic corruption.
On top of that, the domestic conflicts gave the story a layer of realism. It was hard to read Justin losing connection with his wife, but it rang true how often do we sacrifice personal relationships chasing something bigger? This book doesn’t hand out happy endings, but it does leave you with a deeper appreciation for those who fight for change even when the odds are stacked against them.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this novel is its refusal to make morality easy. Justin Kopechne isn’t a classic hero; he’s flawed, often difficult, but fiercely committed to his cause. That complexity made him relatable.
I thought the reformatory scenes were particularly strong because they showed the hope and frustration of trying to turn young lives around. What struck me most, though, was how the outside world intruded into Justin’s work. The cartel influence and the sheriff’s compromises were reminders that even good intentions can get crushed by systemic corruption.
On top of that, the domestic conflicts gave the story a layer of realism. It was hard to read Justin losing connection with his wife, but it rang true how often do we sacrifice personal relationships chasing something bigger? This book doesn’t hand out happy endings, but it does leave you with a deeper appreciation for those who fight for change even when the odds are stacked against them.
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Jaxon Reid
26 reviews
4 followers
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August 14, 2025
Chapter 2 struck a chord with our club. The funeral scene felt both real and moving, and the layers of emotion grief, humor, tenderness sparked conversation about human resilience. Jacob’s protective nature and Grace’s quiet strength left a lasting impression. By Chapter 5, we were fully immersed in their world.
26 reviews
4 followers
Follow
August 14, 2025
Chapter 2 struck a chord with our club. The funeral scene felt both real and moving, and the layers of emotion grief, humor, tenderness sparked conversation about human resilience. Jacob’s protective nature and Grace’s quiet strength left a lasting impression. By Chapter 5, we were fully immersed in their world.
