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Reviews by Barbara B. (Alta Loma, CA)

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The Secrets of Midwives
The Secrets of Midwives
by Sally Hepworth
Are Keeping Secrets Best? (12/30/2014)
The title of this novel caught my attention immediately, as I am an OB nurse. I felt as though Ms. Hepworth was very well informed & medically knew what she was writing. In my experience, it is true that the hospital & staff may look down on Midwives & I wasn't surprised a doctor made a complaint, however , I had to agree with her nursing judgement.

What I liked most about this novel, was that for Neva, secrets weren't going to be a part of her life or her child's.

I also enjoyed the flashbacks of Floss' earlier life. This novel would be a great read for book clubs.
The Hollow Ground
The Hollow Ground: A Novel
by Natalie S. Harnett
The Hollow Ground (3/23/2014)
Although The Hollow Ground dealt with a very difficult subject matter, I found the story very interesting since it was based on real life. Ms Harnett's description of Barrendale placed me among the soot, ash, & smoke. I could just picture the land and what it was like down in he bootlegger's hole. I felt she was right on with her characters and I liked all of them, especially, Gram who carried so much guilt. The subject matter was educational and I think high school students would enjoy this book very much.
Safe with Me
Safe with Me
by Amy Hatvany
Who Is Me? (11/20/2013)
From the first page, this book is a real page turner. I read it non stop on a flight from LA to Chicago. Besides being exciting, it also brings up some serious subjects, such as, grief, organ donation, how an organ recipient feels emotionally after the transplant takes place, domestic violence & abuse , & finally something we can all relate to-friendship. I can understand where some readers may find it difficult to read, but these are things we deal with in our society. For this reason, I feel as though this book would be a wonderful book club selection. There is just so much to discuss. Hannah, Maddie & Olivia need each other to be safe.
The characters seem to be real & likable. I especially liked Noah,a true friend.
Calling Me Home
Calling Me Home
by Julie Kibler
Calling Me Home (12/12/2012)
This book was great!!! I loved going back and forth from Isabelle's story in 1939-1941 to Dorrie's present story. Isabelle was way ahead of her time & the strongest character in this story. I must admit I did have the ending figured out, but it did not stop me from cheering for Miss Isabelle & Dorrie. Their amazing friendship was priceless.
The Language of Flowers
The Language of Flowers: A Novel
by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Bird of Paradise (6/5/2011)
This first novel by Vanessa Diffenbaugh is a Bird of Paradise, magnificent. to me, it is about a young woman's search for love and acceptance, but she has an extremely difficult time realizing that she is worthy and capable, after being raised in the foster care system. She is rebellious when ever she comes near to feeling love and acceptance. Only through the language of the flowers she so dearly loves, is she able to feel love, belonging and acceptance.
I have already told friends that this is a must read.
Outside Wonderland
Outside Wonderland: A Novel
by Lorna Jane Cook
I REALLY Did Try!! (2/9/2011)
I really did try to like this book about 3 adult siblings, who were orphaned when they were young. The parents looking down upon them from Heaven just did not connect to the story line for me. it took me a few chapters to remember who James was.
The siblings made so many bad choices & never seemed to be happy with what they had. I tried to find a connection to their experiencing death at young ages, but I really came up short.
Perhaps, this book will be a good beach read.
Minding Ben
Minding Ben: A Novel
by Victoria Brown
A Multicultural Gem (1/6/2011)
Minding Ben is so much more than another "Nanny Diaries" novel. For me, it read as a serious story about a young woman, from Trinidad, living in America & struggling to find her place.
Grace is very strong & it was easy to forget that she was 16 years old. I loved her determination to make it work.
I really liked her friends & found myself pulling for them. Miriam & Sol seemed to be over the top & I didn't care what happened to them.
I feel as though this book would make a good choice for book clubs, as there are a lot of social issues to discuss.
Solomon's Oak
Solomon's Oak: A Novel
by Jo-Ann Mapson
Solomon's Oak (10/19/2010)
Jo-Ann Mapson fans will not be disappointed in this newest novel, which takes place in Central California.

It is a wonderful story of 3 people, who have lost a dear one and find some peace in their grief through one another. All of the characters & animals are very lovable & I found myself rooting for them along the way.

Through Ms Mapson's writing I could feel Glory's, Joseph's & Juniper's pain. I have recommended this book to so many of my friends & I feel as though it would make a great book club selection, as there is much to discuss.
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives: A Novel
by Lola Shoneyin
Lies & Deception--Not Good Bedfellows (6/16/2010)
As I was initially introduced to the first three wives of Baba Segi, I did not really like them or care about them. Once they each told their story and how they became a wife of Baba Segi, I found some compassion for them, especially Iya Tope, who showed kindness to Bolanle.

The attitude toward Bolanle by the wives was not well developed enough for me and the "secrets" were too predictable.

I think book clubs would have much to discuss with this book with the different emotional themes.
Daughters of the Witching Hill
Daughters of the Witching Hill: A Novel
by Mary Sharratt
For History Lovers (3/10/2010)
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and reading DAUGHTERS OF THE WITCHING HILL did not disappoint. Mary Sharratt's novel takes place in the 17th Century & tells the story of seven women & two men who were tried as witches. It is based on real people & factual events,told by two of the condemned, who have very strong voices.
The characters came alive for me and the use of the language put me in the middle of all that was enfolding.
I would suggest this book for book clubs, as the discussions can take different paths.
The Lotus Eaters
The Lotus Eaters: A Novel
by Tatjana Soli
The Lotus Eaters (1/14/2010)
Reading The Lotus Eaters made me think about the Vietnam War and, as a teenager & young adult during some of that time, how little I had been interested in it, which makes me ashamed today.

I loved the realistic descriptions of the War & how it impacted all who were involved, especially the young girl, Lan. I had a hard time really liking Helen or Darrow, but loved Linh.

Tatjana Soli's descriptions of the land,villages and Saigon put me right there. I could feel the heat and humidity and could smell the different odors, even the fish paste!
I would definitely recommend this book to my book club & others. Discussions could be numerous. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Baking Cakes in Kigali
Baking Cakes in Kigali
by Gaile Parkin
Baking Cakes in Kigali (6/11/2009)
I love to bake and I love to eat cake and I love learning and reading stories about Africa, so I knew Baking Cakes in Kigali had to be a recipe for a great read and I was not disappointed.

All of the characters were delightful and I enjoyed the way Angel, the cake baker, engaged her customers to tell their stories over a cup of tea and a cupcake. The fact that these stories were based on real stories made the book especially interesting. It is hard to read about genocide and poverty, but Parkin's characters overcame their tragedies.

Angel, is middle aged and she dealt with issues many people deal with such as raising grandchildren, the change & even AIDS. I was wishing recipes had been at the end of the book. I was hungry for cake!
A Girl Made of Dust
A Girl Made of Dust
by Nathalie Abi-Ezzi
A Girl Made of Dust (5/15/2009)
A Girl Made of Dust is a captivating book bringing the invasion of Beruit in the 80's to life through the eyes of 8-year-old Ruba. Ruba is a very wise and observant child and seems old in many ways, but is very much a child in others.

I think this book would be great for book clubs, but more importantly for young adult readers as well. I really liked the way war affects all of the generations and the redemption that also can occur.

The characters each had so much to say and were all so likable. This book is really a great read.
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