Harlem Rhapsody
by Victoria Christopher Murray
Harlem Renaissance (9/29/2024)
Firstly, thanks to Book Browse and Net Galley for this ARC! I enjoyed Victoria Christoper Murray and Marie Benedict's "The Personal Librarian" and looked forward to Ms. Murray's book, which she had mentioned briefly in an earlier interview with Marie Benedict. I admit to not knowing anything about Jessie Redmon Fauset or the Harlem Renaissance for that matter, so thank you for this enlightening and interesting read. I loved it and learned so much about the time period, the characters' and especially Jessie Fauset's influence on writer's that were so important to the Harlem Renaissance. Ms. Murray's research is impeccable and her notes at the end of the book were so interesting. This book should be highly recommended to Book Clubs and read by all women who are still, after all these years, struggling with all -isms in the workplace and in society. The book has opened up so many avenues for more reading for me - I especially want to read more about W.E.B Dubois, who was so influential at that time, but seemed to me to be a bit of a jerk. Thank you Victoria for this book!!
And They Called It Camelot: A Novel of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
by Stephanie Marie Thornton
Another glimpse of Camelot (12/20/2019)
I really liked this book especially the first person narrative and the obvious extensive research done by the author. I still remember exactly where I was when I first heard President Kennedy was assassinated and the days following. It was sad to remember and I have generally tried to avoid books about it, but was intrigued at the author's approach - a lot for discussion. I would have given it a 5 except that at times the prose just didn't fit with my view of JKO.
The Volunteer: One Man, an Underground Army, and the Secret Mission to Destroy Auschwitz
by Jack Fairweather
Witold Pilecki, an unknown hero (5/12/2019)
Mr. Fairweather has produced an awesome book about a little known Polish hero who endured the horrors of Auschwitz - how and why he comes to be there and what happens to him after WWII is both compelling and disturbing. This book should be required reading for both high school and college students if only for what it means to be a patriot and the extent to which one can/will go for their country. There is so much to discuss and the author presents the story in such an easy to read (well, sometimes not so easy) that it is hard to believe it is non-fiction. This would also make be a great book club selection. I have read many WWII books both fiction and non-fiction and this is one of the best. Kudos to Mr. Fairweather.
The Well
by Catherine Chanter
I really tried with this book..... (2/25/2015)
I am not sure why, but I just didn't like this book at all. The author's prose is exceptional, but I didn't like any of the characters, with the exception of Lucien. And I was so impatient with the pace....maybe I was just not in the mood for this type of story. I do think, however, it would be a good book club selection in that there would be a lot to discuss. Sorry, but this one just wasn't my cup of tea.
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