This Strange Eventful History: A Novel
by Claire Messud
3 Generation Family Story (4/9/2024)
Saga begins before WW@ in Algeria. Family journeys to South America, Canada and US. Along the way we learn of their happy and sad times in the face of history. One can relate to older generation trying to influence the younger ones. Author describes emotions of the family at their different ages along the way to the passing of 2 generations.
Will be a great book club read.
Becoming Madam Secretary
by Stephanie Dray
Historical Fiction of the First Female Secretary in Federal Government (11/1/2023)
A fast reading story of Frances Perkins leading up to her appointment by President Franklin D Roosevelt as Secretary of Labor. Prior to the appointment she began in 1910 was an activist for Women and Children wage and hour laws, Tenement owners that owned unsafe apartment buildings, unsanitary Bakeries. She later campaigned for Al Smith Governor of NY and was appointed his Secretary of Labor. At the Federal level she played a major role in implementing Social Security. She was married with one child. The author moves the story along with views of Mrs. Perkins private and professional life.
This book would be suitable for book club.
Wild and Distant Seas: A Novel
by Tara Karr Roberts
Four generations of women seeking their path to their future (10/12/2023)
The author delves into four generations of women, whose journey begins in Nantucket 1849 and travel to South America, Europe and finally back in US. Each generation has their own story and they each have "the power" to know others past. The author paints a picture each women and the time they are living. Book will be good for a Book Club.
This Other Eden: A Novel
by Paul Harding
Historical Fiction Malaga Island Maine mid 1800-1912 (1/19/2023)
I found the book descriptive and lyrically written about the very poor multicultural people living on the Island. It will make for an interesting book club selection for discussion of interracial marriage, unwanted incest relationships, and eugenics.
Scatterlings: A Novel
by Resoketswe Martha Manenzhe
South Africia 1927 (10/19/2022)
I was wanting more about the impact of the Immorality Act of 1927 on the residents of Cape Town. I also found it a bit confusing at the start with the "stories" and rituals of the non white residents. As I read further on this lessened. The author is very descriptive of the area. The story is about one family (father white, mom black and two children) and the impact of the new law.
Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob
by Russell Shorto
True story of Italian immigrants and the Mafia (2/23/2021)
This book is finding your roots on steroids. The author tells of his immigrant great grand fathers journey to the US and how the family became involved in the Mafia in Johnstown PA in the early part of the last century. The author speaks to the conditions that brought the family to US and what they endured once here. Life for them was very difficult.
Stories from Suffragette City
by M.J. Rose, Fiona Davis
Short stories of Suffragette Women (11/3/2020)
Ten writers have written short stories about women of all walks of life on the day of the largest Suffragette parade in NYC. A timely read.
The Woman Before Wallis: A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal
by Bryn Turnbull
"Royal" Historical Fiction (7/13/2020)
I liked the book, easy to read and will be a great Book Club selection. I learned about Thelma Morgan (Gloria Vanderbilt twin sister) who is the woman before Wallis Simpson who later married Prince of Wales after he renounced the Crown.
Lots of scandal involving the Prince of Wales , wealthy titled English and Vanderbilt's. Back story to the major trial of Gloria Vanderbilt trying to obtain full custody of her daughter also named Gloria Vanderbilt.
Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins
by Katarina Bivald
A Feel Good Story (12/2/2019)
I found this book to be in the style of Fannie Flag, so her followers will enjoy this book.
The story is from the point of a young small Oregon town (Pine Away) girl, Henney killed in a truck accident. The town is conservative, has been struck by the mills closing down, people out of work and mixed views about the gay community.
She is now a ghost and wants to be sure her family and friends come together about the gay issue that has torn the town apart and be happy with their choices. The characters are believable, some are quirky but likeable.
The story line dragged a bit in the middle but overall it was a good read. Good for a book club that is open for the LGBT issue that can be polarizing.
D-Day Girls: The Spies Who Armed the Resistance, Sabotaged the Nazis, and Helped Win World War II
by Sarah Rose
Women Resistance WWII True Tales (3/11/2019)
This is a true recounting of British women that went to France and fought in the Resistance, some returned after the war others not so fortunate. Reads like historical fiction. There are footnotes for each chapter that provide a bit more detail. Many sources are noted if one wishes to do additional research . Easy to read, kept my attention.
The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel
by Jeanne Mackin
Coca Chanel vs Elsa Schiaparelli The Early Years (2/25/2019)
A fast paced historical novel in pre WWII Paris telling the tale of 2 iconic woman's high fashion designers and their great dislike of each other. Story is told rom the point of view of a young American widow that interact with both designers. Great for book club.
When We Left Cuba
by Chanel Cleeton
Cuban Exile story circa late 50s (1/4/2019)
A young female Cuban exile has come to Miami area with her family. Her story begins when Castro took over Cuba and the impact it had on her life as well as her family. She presents a Cuban side of The Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis, JFK assassination. She is the lover of a Senator and works for the CIA. A Good read. Good for book club. I liked the readers questions.
At the Wolf's Table
by Rosella Postorino
Survival In WWII Germany (12/24/2018)
Disclosure I received this book as an advanced copy.
Descriptive historical fiction of the food tasters for Hitler and the tasters lives in war torn Germany. A tale of survival. Good for book club.
Meet Me at the Museum
by Anne Youngson
A tale of 2 lonely people (4/9/2018)
This tale is told by letter writing over a 15 month period between an English woman who is married and not happy in the marriage and a Danish widower, both in the autumn of their lives. Both are lonely and looking for something more in life.. The letter writing makes them see things a bit clearer about their past lives and what will be next. I particularly like this quote, "Whenever I pick raspberries, I go as carefully down the row, looking for every ripe fruit. But however careful I am, when I turn around to go back the other way, I find fruit I have not seen. Another life, I thought, might be a second pass down the row of raspberry canes." It is refreshing to read a novel about older adults that have been down the road of life. This be a great book club selection
Stay with Me
by Ayobami Adebayo
Tale of childlessness and deception (8/14/2017)
I liked reading about the Yoruba Nigerian Culture and Political unrest from mid 1980 to mid 2000 as an under story to the main characters lives. The story is told from the perspectives of several family members over a 20 year span. It is interesting to see how the culture is blended in with modern life - ie multiple wives, medicine men etc.
I read the book in 2 days.
The Almost Sisters
by Joshilyn Jackson
Summer Book Club Read (5/12/2017)
Story of sisters in the deep South with a secret in the attic of the family home. many twists and turns. A blend of mystery, romance and history
A Piece of the World: A Novel
by Christina Baker Kline
The Story behind Andrew Wyeth's painting Christina's World (12/6/2016)
The author of this historical fiction, presents the back story of the girl in Andrew Wyeth's famous painting. The author tells of the painter and his interaction with Christina and her family. The book is about the family history starting in the 1900s. A good read of an era gone by of a family highs and lows of life.
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
by Kathleen Rooney
Looking back on the road traveled (9/7/2016)
This book is very loosing based on Margaret Fishback 's life. She was a highly paid women in advertising at RH Macy in the 30s. Lillian Boxfish loves to walk about NYC where she has lived since the 30s. The story takes place now that she is 85 and still walks about NYC. As she passing familiar places to her we have flashbacks to when she was a young women starting her career, as a noted poetry writer, wife mother and divorcee. A wonderfully written book. Great for a book club read.
Les Parisiennes: How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved, and Died Under Nazi Occupation
by Anne Sebba
A look at survival of Paris women WWII (7/8/2016)
I found the book to be easy to read and follow the true stories of the women that lived and died during the occupation. The women did what they needed to do to care and feed themselves and loved ones. Some sided with the Germans and paid the price after the war but they survived a terrible time.
A look into the past that makes one think: What would I do ?
by
Historical Victorian Novel (5/14/2016)
A great summer read. I liked the blend of romance and mystery set in the Victorian era. Great banter back and forth between the main characters Calista and Trent.
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