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Reviews by Carole A. (Denver, CO)

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Becoming Madam Secretary
by Stephanie Dray

Strong woman on whose shoulders women and the nation stand (11/14/2023)

As a student of history I always enjoy the historical fiction treatment for people and events created by various authors. Becoming Madame Secretary so enlightening about Frances Perkins and her role in the events that shaped the world as we know it today I call it …more

All You Have to Do Is Call
by Kerri Maher

YES-DO CALL AND DO READ (6/21/2023)

I always watch for a posting announcing a new book by Kerri Maher. It was with excited anticipation I commenced reading All You Have To Do Is Call. I was warned, as I now warn you, this is not in the same vein as an historical/fiction as Maher's The Paris Bookseller. The …more

This Other Eden: A Novel
by Paul Harding

Worthy of a discussion (1/19/2023)

Historical fiction has come to be my favorite genre and so I looked forward to receiving this advance copy. I'm a sit down and keep reading type of reader. Not with this book. It was actually the third time I picked up the book that I was able to get past the first part and …more

The Paris Bookseller
by Kerri Maher

The thing about historical fiction... (11/9/2021)

Historical fiction, Paris, bookstores or books appearing in a title or description are enough to lead me to open the cover and read. The thing about historical fiction is the upward learning curve and the myriad of paths you can follow. THE PARIS BOOKSELLER, is actually set …more

Everybody: A Book about Freedom
by Olivia Laing

EVERYBODY probably not for everyone (5/10/2021)

If you are looking for a quick light read EVERYBODY is not for you. I read it through once and then went back and skimmed it a second time to sort out the layers. There are some that will be omitted here due to space. The subject matter is interesting with …more

The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

The Secrets Held Dear (2/1/2021)

"The Old North bell tolls the hour" begins the book and from there I did not put it down again until the very last "whose name was Belle da Costa Greene", The next day I read it again straight through. Benedict and Murray have created a wonderfully …more rich and well written look at life in the early 1900's and so much beyond.

Belle de Costa Greene was, historically, a very powerful woman and yet has never crossed my radar. The authors described a woman of great intelligence, style and depth one can never know enough about. For all the women I have read about and studied over the years this one should have crossed my radar sooner and yet did not. What a wonder - then or now. I look forward to continued research of Greene. Greene is the product of parents who funnel into her their deep personal though divergent passions all of which allowed her to succeed.

The secrets held dear by the characters in this amazing book are no different than many of the secrets such as race, religious and sexual identity held in the world today. The strains and constraints of holding these secrets dear are highlighted by many of the characters found in this book. The prejudice highlighted by the non-secret holders are the same against race, religion and a sexual identity proving history either keeps repeating itself or humans, as a rule, do not grow.

That being said there is so very much more to The Personal Librarian!  The saga of how the Pierpoint Morgan Library grew from a small private library into the world class public institution of today primarily with the expertise of Greene, the personal librarian, and the money of J.P. Morgan along with his son Jack is fascinating.

The layers and layers of education in the areas of art, early manuscripts, fine art auctions, negotiations, politics, the early civil rights movement, "passing" for white, the suffragette movement, fashion of the day and lifestyles of the rich and famous. Anyone of these areas would have been a fine subject standing alone and yet due to expertise of the authors it is never overwhelming.

Perhaps and needless to say this is a fabulous book! This is a book which should be must for all but in particular for Book Clubs who could have many hours of discussion through the many layers. (less)

Stories from Suffragette City
by M.J. Rose, Fiona Davis

A Timely Read (10/30/2020)

How timely to compile a collection of short stories showcasing the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The women's right to vote has become a given but there was a time in our history it was denied. The stories, well written by thirteen contemporary authors brings to …more

Ordinary Girls: A Memoir
by Jaquira Díaz

More universal than you would think! (9/22/2019)

It usually takes the first sentence or few to draw me into a book. This was not the case with Ordinary Girls and normally would have closed the book and moved on. Since I had committed to read and review I kept going.

Lucky me for being compulsive and keeping promises. Diaz …more

So Much Life Left Over
by Louis de Bernieres

Life Stories are Never New (9/4/2018)

The basic story line is one replayed over and over in terms of those who live through a life altering experience - in this case war. How to go on - where to go - how to live and how to love. De Bernieres offers a different take on friendship and the fall out from war. I …more

The Story of Arthur Truluv: A Novel
by Elizabeth Berg

In a perfect world there would be "truluv"! (6/18/2017)

What a sweet uplifting book and what a wonderful idea! I read the book twice worried that after the first quick read I was reading too much idealism into the book - not the case. Elizabeth Berg has a lovely way of depicting characters that we all feel we have or could know. …more

News of the World
by Paulette Jiles

Many reasons to read NEWS (9/1/2016)

If you are interested in an unfamiliar view into history - this is a book for you. If you are interested in a familiar view into history - this is a book for you. If you are interested in unexpected moral complexities - this is a book for you. If you are looking for a book …more

The Swans of Fifth Avenue
by Melanie Benjamin

The tragedy of the swans (10/20/2015)

Having read THE AVIATOR'S WIFE I looked forward to another offering by Melanie Benjamin. Sorry to say - I was disappointed. Beyond saddened I was left saddened by the tragedy and the shallowness of the lives of the swans and Truman. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind I …more

Fear of Dying
by Erica Jong

Fear of Aging (7/28/2015)

I was scheduled to review this until so many evidently found it not worthy. I kept reading to determine why so many had negative thoughts about this book. Yes, I read "FEAR OF FLYING" in that day and age. Personally I did not dislike "FEAR OF DYING" to the extent others …more

The Book of Strange New Things: A Novel
by Michel Faber

It was a Strange New Thing for me! (8/29/2014)

It was a strange new thing for me to actually read and enjoy science fiction/fantasy novel. My husband is an AVID science fiction devotee and so over the years I have tried on several occasions to read at least one beyond the first chapter. This was a first. Initially - …more

The Fortune Hunter
by Daisy Goodwin

The Eternal Triangle (4/18/2014)

If you love historical fiction based on fact you will enjoy this latest effort by Daisy Goodwin. Loosely based on and around the Empress Elizabeth of Austria better known as Sisi. Sisi, along with a handsome young officer and a naive sheltered young heiress provide an …more

The Venetian Bargain
by Marina Fiorato

A Beach Bargain (12/28/2013)

Fiction based on historical fact is one of my favorite reads. The Venetian Bargain was not a favorite. The Glassblower of Murano, also by Fiorato, was a favorite and so I was excited to be receiving a copy of her latest book. Half way through I was no longer excited. To me, …more

The Spirit Keeper
by K. B. Laugheed

...on the other hand (9/24/2013)

The Spirit Keeper was, for me, an easy book to read. It flowed with the prose and enabled me to read the book in less than a 24-hour period. Usually A book that allows this I can finish and go WOW. This was not the case. On the one hand I enjoyed the read and ON THE OTHER …more

Songs of Willow Frost
by Jamie Ford

Sing A Song for Songs Willow Frost (7/8/2013)

This is a winner! While I liked Ford's previous book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet I LOVED Songs Willow Frost. The Book is a compelling read and as such I could not put it down. I finished it in under 24-hours grabbing snatches of time here and there. The writing …more

Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-Making Race Around the World
by Matthew Goodman

Delightful Days (1/23/2013)

The few days I read this book were delightful! From beginning to end this book was interesting and enthralling. I have already recommended it to both of my book clubs for inclusion next year as well as to many friends. The research that went into the book and the weaving of …more

I Am Forbidden: A Novel
by Anouk Markovits

Interesting Insight (12/20/2012)

I Am Forbidden provided a most interesting insight into Hasidic Judaism and in particular into the Satmar which is the most insulated Hasidic sect. While the story initiates in World War II it neither details nor dwells there - but rather what came after for some survivors. …more

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Reviews by Carole A. (Denver, CO)

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