In the throes of a world paused and twisted by the pandemic, Charles Finch offers us a lantern in the dark with his book, "What Just Happened." Through the lens of his own experiences, Finch navigates the surreal landscape of 2020—a year marked by isolation, societal upheaval, and an unyielding sense of uncertainty. With each page, Finch invites readers into his daily reflections, from the quiet moments of evening walks in Los Angeles to the fervent virtual connections that bind friends flung across the distances. His narrative, infused with both warmth and wit, transforms the personal into the universal, making sense of a time when the world seemed to defy understanding. Beyond a mere diary of events, "What Just Happened" emerges as a compelling mosaic of cultural commentary, intertwining the profound with the mundane. Finch’s keen observations on the pandemic, the Black Lives Matter protests, the tumultuous U.S. presidential election, and the everyday distractions that offer solace and escape—be it through music, literature, or the odd comfort of reality TV—craft a narrative that is as insightful as it is humorous. With a voice that echoes the introspective depth of Woolf and the critical acuity of Orwell, Finch not only captures the essence of a year like no other but also offers a testament to the resilience of the human spirit amidst chaos. This book is not just a recounting of historical events; it is a journey through the eye of the storm, offering a beacon of hope and reflection for anyone seeking to understand the whirlwind that was 2020.