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Reviews by Judith C. (Lake Oswego, OR)

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Three Days in June: A Novel
by Anne Tyler
Three Days In June (12/18/2024)
Three Days In June is actually more of a slice of life novella. But during the brief three days: the day before, the day of and the day after a small family wedding Anne Tyler's characters come alive. I very much enjoyed my time with the Baines family, especially the maternal grandmother of the bride. As always, Anne Tyler doesn't disappoint. I loved this book and highly recommend it.
Mrs. Plansky's Revenge
by Spencer Quinn
Mrs. Plansky's Revenge (4/15/2023)
Years ago I read the Mrs. Polifax mysteries by Dorothy Gilman--believe there were over a dozen. And I loved them. Mrs. Plansky seems to be following in the earlier series footsteps. Both widowed and charming ladies who seem to find themselves in ever increasing dangerous situations. And both capable of performing bravely in these circumstances. I enjoyed this frothy read but found myself constantly remembering Mrs. Polifax' adventures as well. I have to add that if there is another Mrs. Plansky in the pipeline, I would read it!
The Lost English Girl
by Julia Kelly
The Lost English Girl (2/28/2023)
A thoroughly enjoyable read. Nice to read an historical fiction book about WWII that took place primarily on the Homefront. I was somewhat familiar with the evacuation of children from the big cities to rural areas during the blitz and what that entailed for the children and their parents. This book shows how both the biological and foster parents were impacted, not to mention the marriage of the parents. Liverpool, where the book is set was very much a character in the story. Also, learned a lot about the UK postal service during the war.
In the Time of Our History
by Susanne Pari
In the Time of Our History (9/19/2022)
In a very few words: I loved this book. I couldn't put it down and was sorry it ended. I wanted to spend more time with the Iranian-American Jahani family. I learned much about the family's experience as immigrants and about their customs. I believe it would be a great choice for book clubs.
Jackie & Me
by Louis Bayard
Jackie and Me (6/27/2022)
As a reader of all the biographies on Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis I could find, I was a little skeptical about reading an historical depiction of her friendship with Lem Billings. I needn't have worried. I couldn't put the book down and raced through it. And then was sorry that I had finished it so quickly.

The book is well written and I'm looking forward to reading more of Louis Bayard's books.
Morningside Heights: A Novel
by Joshua Henkin
Morningside Heights (11/9/2021)
I absolutely loved this book, even though the topic is the effect of early onset Alzheimers on a marriage. The characters are well written and easy to identify with. This is one of those hard to put down books that kept me up past my bedtime!
Sisters of the Great War: A Novel
by Suzanne Feldman
Sisters of the Great War (9/26/2021)
I and seem to be on a Great War kick. The last book I reviewed was about a Great War nurse. But this book is totally different. I found it more absorbing and informative,plus it is a real page turner. I felt at times that I was on the front and in the hospital. Both sisters are involved in the war effort, one as a nurse and the other as an ambulance driver. Both sisters had wonderfully interesting story lines. Highly recommended.
Stories from Suffragette City
by M.J. Rose, Fiona Davis
Stories From Suffragette City (11/17/2020)
I really enjoyed this book. I thought I knew a reasonable amount about the Suffragette movement in the US but was totally unaware of the huge march of thousands and thousands of women (and some men) down 5th Avenue in New York City on Oct. 23rd 1915. The stories are vignettes about women and girls who participated in the parade with a few of the stories having threads of connection. Highly recommended for book clubs and for young adults--especially girls who take suffrage for granted. The stories are by lots of well known authors including Chris Bohjalian, Jamie Ford, Paula McLain and Christina Baler Kline. I hated to leave each chapter but was then quickly immersed in the next one!
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