Yale Needs Women: How the First Group of Girls Rewrote the Rules of an Ivy League Giant
by Anne Gardiner Perkins
An Enlightening Look at History (7/20/2019)
I was particularly interested in reading this book as I also found myself an unlikely pioneer in college......among the first women attending Washington and Lee University in 1985. We numbered only 100 of 1600 undergrads on campus. I found many similarities, not all of them positive, between my experiences and those of the women of Yale in 1969. This book is well-written and easily engages the reader with the lives of 5 women as well as many other figures at the university at that time. There are some fascinating details, including the shadows of the civil rights movement and the Vietnam war protests, looming among these students battling for equality in their secondary education. I think this book is a must-read for those interested in the evolution of university coeducation as well as women's rights. We must study history, not ignore or destroy it, in order to learn how to better ourselves for the future. This is a great study in the history of American education.
The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel
by Jeanne Mackin
Colorful Lesson in History (2/27/2019)
I enjoyed The Last Collection, a novel weaving together high fashion and politics with a love story thrown in for good measure. While it seemed contrived in a few spots, overall the book had an interesting and very readable take on the rivalry between high fashion designers in the WWII era. I found the fashion and political details more intriguing than the love story but it all came together as a cohesive read. Would be excellent for book club discussion......or a field trip to Paris!
Only Child
by Rhiannon Navin
Only Child (12/24/2017)
This is a fabulous debut novel from Rhiannon Navin. A story with many similarities to the tragedy in Sandy Hook, the novel unfolds from the perspective of six-year old survivor, Zack Taylor. His family struggles with so many emotions, encompassing grief, anger, and disbelief. Hard to read and yet so compelling, the author allows the innocence, and sometimes even humor, of Zack's voice to shine. I would highly recommend this book. Book clubs will have hours of discussion topics. I loved it!
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