As a student of history I always enjoy the historical fiction treatment for people and events created by various authors. Becoming Madame Secretary so enlightening about Frances Perkins and her role in the events that shaped the world as we know it today I call it historical fiction with a capital "H". Indeed one must wonder where our nation would be if not for Frances Perkins.

Women who have been and are in public service and also with careers in other fields know the challenges of these positions when coupled with marriage and a family. What Perkins achieved is amazing. We can certainly thank her as one of the women on whose shoulders we stand as she forged new pathways for women.

The counsel and foresight Perkins shared with Roosevelt did, there is little doubt, contribute to many of the positive directions and programs during his administrations. Dray, true to her previous books, has woven an interesting dialogue covering some very important parts of the history of our nation.

A book worth reading for your personal illumination as well as a book destined for book clubs and the many different directions the conversations can flow.

I always watch for a posting announcing a new book by Kerri Maher. It was with excited anticipation I commenced reading All You Have To Do Is Call. I was warned, as I now warn you, this is not in the same vein as an historical/fiction as Maher's The Paris Bookseller. The women in this book and the stories they are a part of are history - just not the type we usually see. All You Have To Do Is Call is well written, timely and a must read for concerned men and women. I applaud Ms Maher for researching and writing this book. This is history but also a book of today and for women today - both timely and relevant.

The Jane Collective, highlighted in the book, was real - a group of concerned and strong women in the 70s who formed a sisterhood to help bring reproductive information, birth control and safe abortions to girls/women. In particular it is important for the women who have been born since abortion became legal to read and understand what life was like before Roe vs. Wade. This is a book that brings to light the lack of reproductive counseling then and as is beginning to happen now, as well as the myriad of reasons girls/women seek abortions. Never did I ever feel this was a book advocating abortion. While you may not agree with the procedure perhaps this book will give you some insight into the necessity of legality and safety.

If you were a naive college student in the 60s and as products as the 50s most were naive pregnancy as the result of rape or sex without proper birth control education created a hazard to your physical or mental health or your future. The actualities that occurred are scary. More than one person bled to death in a dorm room or became sterile due to botched back street abortions. An army of women worked to have this changed and protect the rights of women. Although women's lives began to change in the 70s to be sure many parts did not. Generations have continued to work diligently, as part of a sisterhood or individually, to guarantee the younger generations would be safe. We were wrong. Let us hope Ms Maher has provided a conduit for insight and information.

Historical fiction has come to be my favorite genre and so I looked forward to receiving this advance copy. I'm a sit down and keep reading type of reader. Not with this book. It was actually the third time I picked up the book that I was able to get past the first part and into where the writing flowed and then it was smooth sailing.

Having had the opportunity to be on some of these very small and remote islands off both the eastern and northwestern coasts it was easy to visualize this island with all the good, bad and ugly that comes with the isolation. The poverty is seen in many places and, even nearer to a populated area, is devastating to view and yet people live and love no matter the circumstances.

Harding brings to light what was a dark time in history and I contend it continues in various ways to still be a blight of discrimination whether race, economic status or education. There is a lot of chatter recently about intergenerational trauma and eugenics which is certainly voiced within these pages.

While I did not love this book it certainly is a book to make one stop - take a deep breath - and be aware of not letting history repeat itself. It is a book worthy of a book club read for the discussions that could ensue.

Historical fiction, Paris, bookstores or books appearing in a title or description are enough to lead me to open the cover and read. The thing about historical fiction is the upward learning curve and the myriad of paths you can follow. THE PARIS BOOKSELLER, is actually set in the 20s in the famed Paris bookstore, Shakespeare and Company, that was the center of life for Americans in Paris as well as several of our most beloved authors. The heartbeat of the store, the bookseller, was Sylvia Beach of literary fame. There are many paths one can follow through this book. There are often fresh insights into the authors, publishing and life both in Paris and America that are illuminating and leave you wanting to re-read favorites or pursue those never before read.

A wonderful read for book clubs, those who enjoy history books and all those simply wanting a good read.

If you are looking for a quick light read EVERYBODY is not for you.  I read it through once and then went back and skimmed it a second time to sort out the layers.  There are some that will be omitted here due to space. The subject matter is interesting with multiple layers. It is because of the multiple layers I believe this would be an excellent book for a serious book club. At the very least a book to keep on your side table and to read and digest a bit at a time.
Laing based many of the thoughts she expresses on the work of William Reich, a disciple of Freud. Reichs' major concept was that the body houses both pleasure and pain and as such both can be a powerful force for change.  There are many examples of this theory in Laing's life as well as in the lives of many others ranging from the Marquis de Sade, Simone, Isherwood, Sontag and Malcom X.  She explores the impact of this theory on many issues of the 2nd half of the 20th century such as feminism, civil rights and the freedom to be openly gay. Laing goes even further in taking on the subjects of the exploding racism and misogynistic attitudes of today.  
Yet another layer explores the ways in which the body can heal itself through her own stories and through leaders in the field such as Louise Hay. Laing stresses you can remake your body, your world and the wide world beyond as all is ever changing and nothing is static.  The book can be, indeed, a reminder of the freedom we have within ourselves and the world around us.

"The  Old North bell tolls the hour"  begins the book and from there I did not put it down again until the very last "whose name was Belle da Costa Greene", The next day I read it again straight through.  Benedict and Murray have created a wonderfully rich and well written look at life in the early 1900's and so much beyond.

Belle de Costa Greene was, historically, a very powerful woman and yet has never crossed my radar. The authors described a woman of great intelligence, style and depth one can never know enough about. For all the women I have read about and studied over the years this one should have crossed my radar sooner and yet did not.  What a wonder - then or now. I look forward to continued research of Greene. Greene is the product of parents who funnel into her their deep personal though divergent passions all of which allowed her to succeed.

The secrets held dear by the characters in this amazing book are no different than many of the secrets such as race, religious and sexual identity held in the world today. The strains and constraints of holding these secrets dear are highlighted by many of the characters found in this book. The prejudice highlighted by the non-secret holders are the same against race, religion and a sexual identity proving history either keeps repeating itself or humans, as a rule, do not grow.  

That being said there is so very much more to The Personal Librarian!  The saga of how the Pierpoint Morgan Library grew from a small private library into the world class public institution of today primarily with the expertise of Greene, the personal librarian, and the money of J.P. Morgan along with his son Jack is fascinating. 

The layers and layers of education in the areas of art, early manuscripts, fine art auctions, negotiations, politics, the early civil rights movement, "passing" for white, the suffragette movement, fashion of the day and lifestyles of the rich and famous.  Anyone of these areas would have been a fine subject standing alone and yet due to expertise of the authors it is never overwhelming.  

Perhaps and needless to say this is a fabulous book!  This is a book which should be  must for all but in particular for Book Clubs who could have many hours of discussion through the many layers. 

How timely to compile a collection of short stories showcasing the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The women's right to vote has become a given but there was a time in our history it was denied. The stories, well written by thirteen contemporary authors brings to light the fact it was not always an easy choice for a woman of that day to march in a parade and indeed many women thought it was inappropriate.

The stories in this collection are centered on the same event – the 1915 New York City Suffragette march; however, each story approaches this event from a different and personal angle, The authors have given an intimate view into the journey of each woman and man portrayed.

There are the women who dared, against the conventional patterns of behavior for the time, and the men mostly who were opposing. This short stories collection allows each story to stand by itself and yet weave an invisible thread through the entire collection. Woven into several of the stories is the young girl, Miss Suffragette City whose aunt thought it was important she witness this historical parade. Armed with her aunt's brownie camera she appears in the lives of several of the marchers. Women from all walks of life had very personal reasons for pursuing the right to vote and these reasons are well defined throughout the stories.

While I did read the collection straight through it would also be a grand book to keep by the bedside to read one at time or to clear your palate between full-length books. This collection serves as a history lesson of sorts and as a call to action to remind women to use their collective voices to effect change and that our freedoms were not easily won,.

It usually takes the first sentence or few to draw me into a book. This was not the case with Ordinary Girls and normally would have closed the book and moved on. Since I had committed to read and review I kept going.

Lucky me for being compulsive and keeping promises. Diaz did draw me into her life which, like many lives, contained the good, the bad and the ugly. Her journey to seek out positive support and love and the grit that helped her survive and to overcome multiple road blocks placed in her way should be an inspiration for many.

While centered on the brown and black communities these battles for survival are not isolated in these communities. "Ordinary Girls" is a perfect fit for book clubs of all ages and will provide a lot of materials for discussion down many avenues. It is a book written from the heart of inner strength and belief in one's self.

Coincidentally I was reading the short story "Sweetness" by he late Toni Morrison. Morrison expressed some of the same color distinction battles and minority/disadvantaged struggles. Perhaps Diaz will be the woman strong enough to carry the banner and continue the message.

My recommendation is to skim past the first few lines and read the book alone or with your book club or just share!

The basic story line is one replayed over and over in terms of those who live through a life altering experience - in this case war. How to go on - where to go - how to live and how to love. De Bernieres offers a different take on friendship and the fall out from war. I would correlate much of it with the PTSD the warriors of today experience and how it changes their relationships with everyone. Is there survivors guilt from not having died as were many of the others. De Berniers explores if those who do not experience the same life altering experience can ever relate to how another person has changed. Is friendship enough to pick up that thread? They have to, each in their own way, learn to get on with their day to day life and with each other. It was slow getting into the book but worth pursuing. The book is well written with good character development but I now realize it is a sequel and intend to read the first book and then reread this. I did not; however, like it as well as Corelli's Mandolin.

What a sweet uplifting book and what a wonderful idea! I read the book twice worried that after the first quick read I was reading too much idealism into the book - not the case. Elizabeth Berg has a lovely way of depicting characters that we all feel we have or could know. Think of those alone - widows, widowers, singles, young people not in tune with parents - coming together to create a loving supportive community, This could be a model for many in our world today. Each person and generation, both in and outside this book, has something to offer another. The book is an easy read thru the talented skills of Berg and, like a good book or dessert, is finished too soon. The Story of Arthur Truluv IS a story of love - a most special kind of love and family.

If you are interested in an unfamiliar view into history - this is a book for you. If you are interested in a familiar view into history - this is a book for you. If you are interested in unexpected moral complexities - this is a book for you. If you are looking for a book to suggest to your book club that offers a number of paths for discussion - read this book!

A smoothly written book of fiction, it is certainly rooted in the actuality of the day to day lives of those times. Imagine paying to have a traveling man read you interesting news from the world beyond your frontier town. Look into the complexities of children kidnapped and rescued. While the discussion is about the frontier days would not many of the same issues apply today as children are adopted from other cultures? Is there a time that a "legality" should be circumvented to be the moral path? Many questions arise in the NEWS OF THE WORLD but it is a book worth reading.

Having read THE AVIATOR'S WIFE I looked forward to another offering by Melanie Benjamin. Sorry to say - I was disappointed. Beyond saddened I was left saddened by the tragedy and the shallowness of the lives of the swans and Truman. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind I remember reading about and seeing pictures of all these "beautiful" people. While on the surface these lives and their lifestyle appeared so idyllic I felt Benjamin wrote a story that was, to me, both tragic and offensive. There is no doubt these lives were portrayed truly - it seems sad and offensive to air it all again. For myself, regarding Capote, I prefer to remember his delightful writing and not dwell on the dark side. For those loving the "tattler" magazines THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE is probably a must read. For those who enjoyed a more refined "expose" such as THE AVIATOR'S WIFE take a pass. Dear Ms Benjamin please continue writing BUT please follow the lead of your previous works.

I was scheduled to review this until so many evidently found it not worthy. I kept reading to determine why so many had negative thoughts about this book. Yes, I read "FEAR OF FLYING" in that day and age. Personally I did not dislike "FEAR OF DYING" to the extent others apparently did.. As I read I would share passages or thoughts with those in both book clubs and other "reading" friends. The comments were interesting and perhaps in line with the other Book Browse readers. I felt they all had a fear of aging and the issues that arrive with the process. The book was interesting - not the best ever - but hey ... Erica is out there and writes what she feels. It would be hard to imagine that any of my peers could not find a parallel to their lives. Reading isn't always about "fun" - it is about learning, growing and taking time to truly look at some issues that are apart of everyday life. Let us al hope we have the opportunity to age!

It was a strange new thing for me to actually read and enjoy science fiction/fantasy novel. My husband is an AVID science fiction devotee and so over the years I have tried on several occasions to read at least one beyond the first chapter. This was a first. Initially - first chapter - I thought "oh no", BUT Faber kept me interested and pulled me thru eagerly. I feel as though I will actually read it again and discover more. The concept of space travel and discovery of another civilization which while different from ours had their own civility coupled with the disintegration life on planet earth along with his marriage provided interesting counter plot. While I am more invested in the Old Testament I found the frequent references to the new Testament interesting. Old to New which civilizations or Bibles - there is that common thread of humanity and sameness. Bravo to Faber for a new approach. BTW - my husband is elated I read and enjoyed Science Fiction.

If you love historical fiction based on fact you will enjoy this latest effort by Daisy Goodwin. Loosely based on and around the Empress Elizabeth of Austria better known as Sisi. Sisi, along with a handsome young officer and a naive sheltered young heiress provide an entertaining tale of the eternal triangle. There is delightful description of "the" hunt and life of the upper class in England during this period of time. Like many novels today a good editor could have tightened the prose and probably cut the length by 100 pages. That being said, and with summer being in full swing at the release time of this novel, I would say buy the book - it will provide a pleasant passage of time at the beach or the lake.

Fiction based on historical fact is one of my favorite reads. The Venetian Bargain was not a favorite. The Glassblower of Murano, also by Fiorato, was a favorite and so I was excited to be receiving a copy of her latest book. Half way through I was no longer excited. To me, the writing was sometimes flat as well as noticeably contrived and unbelievable.

As a rule I find fiction based on fact to read as though the events did or could have happened and this was not the case, for me, in this book. The character of Feyra does remind us of how limited women who had education and talent were to ply their skills in days of old. So while Feyra was a strong feminine character the men seemed, as a whole, to be weak and underdeveloped. All this being said I would recommend recommend The Venetian Bargain as a book for travel to take you thru a plane ride or while lounging on the beach. I look forward to future books by Fiorato going back to the standard of The Glassblower of Murano.

All the previous being true it was a pleasant. Read.

The Spirit Keeper was, for me, an easy book to read. It flowed with the prose and enabled me to read the book in less than a 24-hour period. Usually A book that allows this I can finish and go WOW. This was not the case. On the one hand I enjoyed the read and ON THE OTHER HAND I kept trying to sort out how I did feel about the book - so I read the book again. While the main subject has been written by others many times - Indians capture white woman ON THE OTHER HAND there was a mystical component which gave a slightly altered twist. It was another novel about a strong and focused woman ON THE OTHER HAND was this truly the only path she could see her life taking? I am torn between giving this a 3 or a 4 rating and would like to do a 3-1/2 but since that is not an option I did round it up. If the sexual attack and desires could be more subtle or simply alluded to I would think this a good book for a young teen. ON THE OTHER HAND there are 60-second commercials that are as descriptive and certainly T.V. and movies.

This is a winner! While I liked Ford's previous book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet I LOVED Songs Willow Frost. The Book is a compelling read and as such I could not put it down. I finished it in under 24-hours grabbing snatches of time here and there. The writing flowed and carried you seamlessly from one page and transition to the next. Tragedy and the ensuing sadness - yes - but the humanity and the love transcend. Ford provided a believable plot with believable characters. This was a look at life as it was during a difficult period of history. Bravo Ford!

The few days I read this book were delightful! From beginning to end this book was interesting and enthralling. I have already recommended it to both of my book clubs for inclusion next year as well as to many friends. The research that went into the book and the weaving of the research into the story was, in my opinion, brilliant. The vivid descriptions of travel, people and the character of people was interesting well thought out. If nothing else women readers should appreciate how far women have come! This book is going into my list of favorites. Bravo to Matthew Goodman.

I Am Forbidden provided a most interesting insight into Hasidic Judaism and in particular into the Satmar which is the most insulated Hasidic sect. While the story initiates in World War II it neither details nor dwells there - but rather what came after for some survivors. It tells of two girls within the same environment who take different paths until life brings them back together showing the thread of love unbroken. The story gives some insight into how conflicts that arise in our world today for and with those choosing this insulated life thru religion.
The book was a read accomplished in two sittings and flowed well. Markovits is an author with a story to tell and the skills to tell it. Hopefully she will share more of her talents in the future.