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Reviews by Karna B. (Long Beach, CA)

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A Council of Dolls
A Council of Dolls: A Novel
by Mona Susan Power
The magic of dolls (7/14/2023)
While a fictional account of the lives of three Indian girls spanning three generations, this book's strength lies in the research and personal experience shared by the author as she portrays the damage brought by Indian boarding schools. The trauma experienced and the lasting repercussions are softened by the presence of dolls who become a sounding board in dealing with the adversity in their lives. Beautiful prose, profound sentences, and a well-woven story. This is a must read.
Once We Were Home
Once We Were Home
by Jennifer Rosner
A memorable read (11/8/2022)
A hard book to read at times due to the trauma experienced by small children being separated from their parents to keep them safe from the Nazi's. Yet, at the same time it is a book that is hard to put down. Rosner, in her exquisite writing, brings each of the four protagonists alive and in so doing makes you grieve, care for and love each of them. This is a story not to be missed especially given the sentiments of some in this country.
In the Time of Our History
In the Time of Our History
by Susanne Pari
Cultural Demands (9/20/2022)
What a compelling read. Characters so well-developed while providing the reader with political and cultural information related to Iran. Plus, the push and pull that immigrants experience as they try to assimilate was well demonstrated. Two major themes - role of women and clash of culture. Great book.
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
by Andrea Yaryura Clark
Historical fiction at its best (2/18/2022)
This historical fiction follows the life of an Argentinian family during dual periods. Chapters move between the turbulent 1970s, the military dictatorships and the protestor abductions and a more recent period of the 1990s as the Larrea's daughter, Paloma, searches for her true identity. The story is fast-paced yet gives the reader a very vivid picture of the atrocities that took place during the 1970s and the difficulties that children later had in discovering their true identity and mothers had in finding the truth about their missing family members.
Themes of human rights, morality, love, identity makes this well-written novel a compelling read.
The Family Chao
The Family Chao: A Novel
by Lan Samantha Chang
The Family Chao (11/17/2021)
Having read a brief summary of The Brothers Karamazov, The Family Chao appears to be a modern Chinese version of the book. That said, I think Change did a superb job of creating her characters and making them come alive. You feel for each of the protagonists as they each deal with aspects of filial obligation/expectations, family dysfunction, faith, passion and work ethic. And then there is the mystery surrounding a suspicious death and trial which to me was the most compelling part of the book. Chang creates a gripping ending for this well-written and very readable book.
Of Women and Salt
Of Women and Salt
by Gabriela Garcia
Of Women and Salt (12/28/2020)
This debut novel is a must read! From the cigar factories in Cuba to the streets of Miami, Garcia's writing compels the reader to encounter the lived experiences of each of the female protagonists. Immigration and detention, poverty, isolation, drug and/or marital abuse, and mother/daughter relationships are predominant themes. While at times difficult to savor due to the traumas experienced by each of the females portrayed, this timely book should be on everyone's reading list.
Lady Clementine
Lady Clementine
by Marie Benedict
Lady Clementine (11/17/2019)
A thoroughly delightful, informative read both from the historical and personal standpoint. The strength, intelligence, and energy that Lady Clementine possesses is fully realized. Clementine is portrayed as Winston's partner in both love and war. Her involvement in WWII sheds new light as least from my perspective. I was grabbed from the first page and can easily recommend this book.
Red, White, Blue
Red, White, Blue
by Lea Carpenter
Red, White, Blue (7/3/2018)
A compelling read! Well-written, suspenseful, and hard to put down, we explore the world of espionage and a daughter's search for understanding of who her father really was. Anna, the daughter of a CIA case officer, is trying to come to terms with his questionable death caused by an avalanche. In a "chance" meeting with a man who indicates he has known her father and a package later received containing cryptic information about her father, Anna begins to wonder who her father really was. The juxtaposition between Anna's third person narrative and the first person narrative of the CIA agent, propels this story of espionage, love, family and loyalty.
A Place for Us
A Place for Us
by Fatima Farheen Mirza
A Place for Us (3/19/2018)
While I think the characters were extremely well-developed and the topic important given our current political environment, I initially had a problem reading this book. In Part One the premise for the book is developed but it is confusing and one transitions to the actual story. Then the author switches back and forth between the present and the past. The last section of the book however is extremely powerful and for that reason I am glad I read this book.
No One Is Coming to Save Us
No One Is Coming to Save Us
by Stephanie Powell Watts
No One Is Coming to Save Us (4/7/2017)
Using The Great Gatsby as her model for telling the story of black Americans in the mythical rural town of Pinewood, N.C., Watts has created a fascinating tale. Her sense of place is superb and you can almost smell the trees and see the house where Ava, one of the protagonists, lives. The characters come alive too and for me it was Sylvia, Ava's mother and the matriarch of the family, who stands out for her wonderful idiosyncrasies. Certainly a book that deserves to be read.
A Piece of the World
A Piece of the World: A Novel
by Christina Baker Kline
A Piece of the World (12/4/2016)
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and learning about Andrew Wyeth's subject for his painting Christina's World. Kline excels at giving the reader a sense of place and time. Her characters are well-developed. I would definitely recommend this book to my book club.
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
by Kathleen Rooney
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk (10/7/2016)
Interesting premise using a walk on New Years Eve to review one's life. While initially I got bogged down in the minutia of Lillian's life, I came to adore her and relish many of Rooney's sentences. I loved Lillian's reflections on her life as a woman before her time, marriage, motherhood and mental illness. I love her walk and can't wait to take my next walk.
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
by Phaedra Patrick
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper (3/20/2016)
A thoroughly delightful story about a widower who discovers a gold charm bracelet belonging to his deceased wife and decides to uncover the relevance of each charm in his wife's life. At times laugh out loud funny and other times poignant, the author has created a wonderful protagonist. Each charm becomes a story in and of itself as Arthur's discovers a new life. This is a fun and imaginative read.
The Language of Secrets
The Language of Secrets
by Ausma Zehanat Khan
The Language of Secrets (11/3/2015)
It is rare that I am so taken by a book that I place reading it before all else. That is the case for The Language of Secrets - a compelling read. From the first chapter to the last, the pace of Khan's writing is perfect. Her subject matter, a Muslim terrorist plot, and her knowledge of police procedural work, make for an exciting, if not heart pounding, read. Khan's characters are compelling for their intelligence and warmth. I like The Unquiet Dead, but the Language of Secrets excels. Bravo!
The Third Wife
The Third Wife
by Lisa Jewell
The Third Wife (6/22/2015)
A dark, psychological thriller makes this well-written book a page turner. Is this blended family a truly remarkable unit or do the family members harbor grudges against each other to the extent that the newest member of the family commits suicide or is murdered? Adrian Wolfe distraught over his wife's death examines his life and that of his "families" in the hopes of finding the answer.
The Wild Girl
The Wild Girl
by Kate Forsyth
The Wild Girl (4/8/2015)
The Wild Girl is a fascinating tale with well-developed and memorable characters. The plot is filled with intrigue and as a result carries the reader along. Extremely well-written and an enchanting way of learning how the brothers Grimm created their fairy tales. My only complaint is that at times a felt bogged down in some of the side stories of the minor characters.
Her Name Is Rose
Her Name Is Rose
by Christine Breen
Her Name is Rose (2/3/2015)
I tried to like this book but had a hard time identifying with any of the characters who all seemed to be impetuous in their decision-making. Also I felt manipulated throughout - way too many chance occurrences.
The Same Sky
The Same Sky
by Amanda Eyre Ward
The Same Sky (11/19/2014)
Alice and Carla immediately become alive in this well-written, captivating novel about two people from very different backgrounds searching for belonging, love and family. Ward provides us with an opportunity to see the struggles of Carla as she makes her way to the U.S. on the "beast" and Alice as she tries to fulfill her life in the absence of a "family". The Same Sky is a page turner and an excellent read.
Juliet's Nurse
Juliet's Nurse
by Lois Leveen
Juliet's Nurse (7/21/2014)
I was initially intrigued with the first person narrative as Angelica tells the story of nursing/raising Juliet. I also loved the way the story intertwined with bees and beekeeping. However, while Angelica and Tybalt were well-developed characters, I thought the others less so. By the second half of the book, I was no longer captivated and found it difficult to finish although I loved the last chapter. Historical fiction readers and Shakespeare lovers will probably enjoy this book more then I did.
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