A Year With Charlie Fine by Christopher Mahon

Following the everyday wanders and wonders of an insightful and endearing public high school teacher, A Year With Charlie Fine by Christopher Mahon is a standout collection of observational wisdom and colloquial humor from the double-edged paradise of Los Angeles.

Whether musing on the foundations of friendship in our modern marketplace of life, the unifying power of music, the surprising nature of spiritual journeys, or the artistic soul of America, the tone is earnest and curious, making Charlie a charming focal point. “The Way The River Runs,” in which Charlie is transported to the artistic wilderness of an actual painting, veers into magical realism, but most other stories toe the line of traditional fiction. “Mortal Matters” is a compelling piece that gives voice to awkward truths about our passions, while “Children of the Light” crackles with relatability as it addresses contemporary value crises with thoughtful compassion.

Throughout, there is a whimsical innocence to the collection’s philosophy, but also hard-hitting honesty that never veers into sentimentality. The language is conversational and cleverly polished, coming off like warmhearted tales being recounted by a close friend, but there is also the sage wisdom of a teacher imbued in the prose, distilling powerful lessons and wisdom from delightfully banal moments.

A deeply affecting collection, particularly if you’re an exhausted educator or anyone with an ongoing concern for the future, this is poignant and essential reading from start to finish.