The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Excellent Historical Fiction. Loved it! (3/6/2021)
History comes alive in this book. I have read Marie Benedict before. She is very good at bringing historical women to life. I am not familiar with her co author but the book is excellent. The book is excellent for book clubs and people interested in African American and civil rights issues. I felt so bad for Belle - I feel like she gave up a personal life and happiness for her professional advancement. She did not have good work life balance. I believe it was unfair that she could not have both. She could not have both because she was a African American woman. I thought Bernard was a cowardly man who was unworthy of her. My heart broke for her when she had the abortion with no support from him. He was unworthy of her love and trust. Her mother tried to give her a good life but in the process expected too much of her and separated her from her father. Her professional life soared to the heights but her personal life was often in a valley.
The Fortunate Ones
by Ed Tarkington
The haves and the have nots (11/5/2020)
I really enjoyed this book. I think it would be great for book clubs. The politics reminded me of political families like the Kennedys. In some ways it shows you that riches and power don't make a person fortunate. The haves were not happier then the have nots. I think it also shows that politicians almost have to become somewhat corrupt in order to be elected. I wish Charlie would have gone into his grandparents house and talked to them. He could have brought his mom and her parents back together again. In some ways the story was rushed. There should have been more character development. There should have been more on the divorce of Jim and his remarriage to Charlies mom.There should have been more on Bonnie's parents.
The Woman Before Wallis: A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal
by Bryn Turnbull
Disappointed with Ending (8/6/2020)
The book was good historical fiction but I was disappointed with the ending. I was torn between giving it a 3 or a 4. I wish 3 1/2 was a option. The book made me realize that money does not buy happiness. I don't think any of the characters were truly happy. It made me sad to see how neglected the children all were. I think the servants were mainly raising the children. I think book clubs would enjoy discussing this book. I think royalty fans and historical fiction fans would enjoy this book.
And They Called It Camelot: A Novel of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
by Stephanie Marie Thornton
Excellent Historical Fiction. Loved it! (1/11/2020)
I have always loved reading about JFK and about Jackie. This book is excellent for fans of either JFK or Jackie. You feel like you are living Jackie life with her through her eyes. Her experiences were thrilling and heart breaking. This book brings history to life. I loved this book. I would recommend it to book clubs including the ones I belong to. It is a longer book but I read it quickly. I could not put it down. I know it is fiction but I think the author researched Jackie well. It stayed close to nonfiction sources that I have read about the Kennedys.
The Kinship of Secrets
by Eugenia Kim
Couldn't put it down (10/5/2018)
I read the book in two days. I had trouble putting it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. This book would appeal to many different groups: Korean-Americans, people who enjoy historical fiction, young people, older people who lived through the Korean war and book clubs. I enjoyed the book and it expanded my limited knowledge of the Korean war. I felt the book gained credibility from the author's note at the end of the book when she mentioned her family went through a similar situation. It was also good to read her Korean history. It helped me understand Korea and their history better.
Some possible book club questions: Do you think family secrets add to a family's strength or make it weaker? Does it depend on the secret? Is keeping Miran's adoption secret really better for her? How do you think she will react if she ever finds out? Which sister had the better upbringing and childhood?
The Family Tabor
by Cherise Wolas
Disappointed in ending (5/19/2018)
I agree with others that this author is talented with words but I couldn't get into her first book enough to finish it. I took a long time to finish this book. I didn't really get into it until Harry disappeared. I wanted to find out how it ended after that. The ending felt unfinished to me. I had unanswered questions. Maybe I'm not good with literary fiction. This book would be better for a book club to discuss or for those that enjoy literary fiction.I did find the details of the Jewish faith interesting. It would be a good book for those who are interested in the Jewish faith.
Stay with Me
by Ayobami Adebayo
Couldn't put it down (8/29/2017)
I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read. I couldn't put it down. I had to know what would happen next. The characters were very well developed. I cared what happened to them. It was a mystery too. I didn't figure out the reason for their infertility until the character found out. Everything was very realistic. I think this would be a great book for book clubs to discuss. While I was reading the book I could imagine discussing this with my book club.
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
by Kathleen Rooney
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk (9/21/2016)
I enjoyed it. It is a blend of my two favorite genres-historical fiction and memoir. I also enjoyed reading about New York City. I am a small town person. I have never been to New York City. I have always been fascinated by it but also scared of it. I thought Lillian was very brave to walk in New York city alone at night. I also thought she was brave when she ran into her 3 would be muggers. I think book clubs, older career women and people who love New York city would enjoy this book.
North of Crazy: A Memoir
by Neltje
North of Crazy (6/27/2016)
This was a very well written autobiography. Her life was more interesting and I read it quicker after she started her life in Wyoming. That said, you needed the first part of her life to understand the life she made for herself. She is the ultimate survivor. I thought she was at her best in Wyoming. She has a profound connection with art and nature. I feel that they were therapy for her. I felt bad that she was not able to reconnect with her brother Nelson. This is a very good memoir. It would be good for book clubs and for feminists. She brings up many issues that deal with inequalities in the way women and men are treated. This book would also be of interest to older women.
Fallen Land
by Taylor Brown
Great book! (11/25/2015)
A great historical novel about 2 young people and a very loyal horse in the closing days of the civil war. I learned about the horrors of war and a very sad time in our history. I also felt like I was along for the ride with Callum, Ava, and Reivers, their loyal brave horse. I loved and rooted for all 3 of them. This story will stay with me for awhile. Its a great first novel and I look forward to reading more by this author! Great historical fiction, beautiful description of fallen beauty in a war torn landscape. A young couple growing up before their time due to the times they are going through. I thought the characters were very well developed. I cried once during this book. I won't give away any plot spoilers but if you read the book it was around page 261 or 262. I recommend this book for book clubs, historical fiction fans, and all readers who like a well written novel.
Frank & Ava: In Love and War
by John Brady
A fascinating look at old Hollywood (8/14/2015)
I couldn't put it down. It was a quick read for me. I enjoyed learning more about 2 stars I didn't know much about. I also got a glimpse of other stars lives like Bogart and Bacall. I thought it was sad that Frank loved Ava so much but they couldn't make it work. I think the book would appeal to Frank Sinatra and /or Ava Gardner fans. It would also appeal to fans of old movies and old Hollywood.
Maybe in Another Life
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Couldn't put it down! (5/31/2015)
I loved this book! I want to read the rest of this authors books! It reminded me of another book I read Time of my Life by Allison Winn Scotch Which I also liked. This one was even better. This book would be good for book clubs and for anyone who ever thought about the effect their choices have on their life. Just one choice whether to stay with Ethan or go home with her friend took Hannah's life in two different directions. Some things stayed the same in both story lines which shows good character development. I cared about and liked most of the characters except Mark and Michael. I loved the friendship between Hannah and Gabby.
A Passion for Paris: Romanticism and Romance in the City of Light
by David Downie
Happy to be done! (4/28/2015)
I love Paris and I have always wanted to travel to France. I also enjoy history.I thought I would like this book but I found it difficult to finish. It was boring to me and made me sleepy. I only liked small parts of the book. The parts that were more about Paris and less about all the artists, writers, and people of the romantic age. This would be a good book for people who are interested in reading about Victor Hugo, George Sand, Chopin, and their contemporaries in great detail. It might also be a good book for people who suffer from insomnia.
The Sweetheart Deal
by Polly Dugan
The Sweetheart Deal (3/6/2015)
I enjoyed the book. I liked the story being told from multiple points of view. I think the book would be good for book clubs or people who have lost a loved one. I would have liked more at the end about Audrey and Garrett. I also thought it did a good job capturing male friendship which isn't written about very often. The book started off kind of slow for me. I also thought she could have went deeper into the emotional experience of the characters.
A Fireproof Home for the Bride
by Amy Scheibe
Slow start to story (1/4/2015)
It was very difficult to get interested in this book. It didn't get really interesting until the last 100 pages. If the first two thirds of the book had been as good as the last third of the book I would have given it 4 stars. It captures the time 1950s and place mid west very well. It does a good job of presenting sexism and the expected roles women were supposed to play in the 1950s. It is a coming of age story as the main character grows up in a difficult family with many secrets. There is also a larger story that involves racism, the Klan and her family. I think it would be good for book clubs if they were persistent enough to read the whole book.
Song of the Spirits: In the Land of the Long White Cloud saga
by Sarah Lark
Couldn't put it down (8/13/2013)
I thought it would take me a long time to read such a long book but it only took 3 days! I couldn't put it down, I wanted to know what would happen next. I worried about some characters, was angry at some characters, rooted for some of them etc. I liked Elaine while also feeling sorry for her and rooting for her. I disliked Kura for her spoiled self centered entitlement. I recommend this book to just about anyone. Its a family saga, a romance, and historical fiction. I am not sure whether book clubs would like it because it is so long. Its also part of a series but even though I never read book one it was fine to start with book 2. There are hints about what probably happened in book one. This book made me want to read the rest of the series.
The Mouse-Proof Kitchen
by Saira Shah
The Mouse-Proof Kitchen (6/11/2013)
The book starts off slow but after I was almost half way through the book, I couldn't put it down. The characters are flawed but very human, very real and none of them are all good or all bad which is very true to life. This book would be good for book clubs because I think there are many discussion points. I think it would be good for those who have a disabled child or for friends and family of disabled children. It's a good reminder that life isn't perfect but it can be good anyway. I would recommend the book to just about everyone. The book surprised me because I thought I knew how things would turn out but I was wrong. I was happy I was wrong in my predictions of how things would turn out.
The Imposter Bride
by Nancy Richler
Enjoyed the book. (12/8/2012)
The mystery of Lily/Yanna caught me in the first chapter and held my interest. It reminded me of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier in that the main focus of the book is a character who isn't there most of the time. It also reminded me of The forgotten Garden because of the mystery and going back and forth in time from past to present. The characters were very well developed. I did think Richler dropped the ball at the end of the book. I'm not sure what she should have done differently but I was left wanting more to wrap things up. The ending felt rushed to me and was the main reason I didn't give the book a 5.
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