Shocking Paris: Soutine, Chagall and the Outsiders of Montparnasse
by Stanley Meisler
Engaging as well as educational (12/30/2014)
This is a very enjoyable and informative read. It combines the history of the period and the personal lives of the artists. A lot has been written about 1918 to 1945, but each group of people has their own perspective of how they were affected by the events in history. This book covers artists we are familiar with as well as little known artists. If you do not want to read a biography of each individual artist, this is an excellent book to read about a group of artists. It shows how their careers were shaped by the times they lived through.
The Aviator's Wife
by Melanie Benjamin
The Aviator's Wife (12/6/2012)
Wonderful book! One of the best books I have read. I can't say enough about the author's writing. She is amazing; I plan to read her other books now. Everyone knows the basic story of Charles and Anne, but this gives the details and the emotional life they lived. The book flows making it an easy read; you feel you are in the book feeling Anne's love, excitement, despair, heartache, strength and awakening. Anne was enthralled and controlled by Charles. She discovers her talents and strengths as she realizes Charles flaws. She was an amazing woman. I am recommending this book to every woman I know, especially in my age group (68). I was raised to be a wife and mother and put aside any career for myself. We were late bloomers because we put our husband and children first - but we eventually came to know and appreciate ourselves. The next generation should read this to be aware of what their mothers did for them.
An Unmarked Grave: A Bess Crawford Mystery
by Charles Todd
An enjoyable period mystery (4/14/2012)
The author vividly describes the battlefront aid stations in France during WW I. While nursing soldiers, Bess tries to find a killer, without turning into one of his victims. Bess is a gutsy, moral,caring heroine. Interesting characters fill this book, and will create a strong series following. For those who enjoy English mysteries, this is a good read.
Bury Your Dead: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, #6
by Louise Penny
Bury Your Dead (9/4/2010)
A wonderful literary read--the mysteries were well paced and solved. I pictured myself walking the streets of Old Quebec. Really enjoyed learning about the Francophones versus the Anglos and Champlain's story. Wonderful characters with flaws, guilt and regret like every human.
Heresy
by S.J. Parris
An Intelligent Mystery (12/6/2009)
What a novel setting for a murder mystery; Oxford, England, in the 1500's. This is a fun read. Heresy is well written in modern day English (not Old World English). There is love, danger, politics, religion, and interesting characters of all ages.
Even though the setting is during the Inquisition, the political and religious issues are relevant today. The author does an excellent job of describing the sparse and uncomfortable living conditions of this era. Their discourse is intelligent and fraught with double meanings. I will watch for more books from this author.
Heavenly Pleasures: A Corinna Chapman Mystery
by Kerry Greenwood
Heavenly Pleasures (4/17/2008)
Heavenly Pleasures is a good summer read. It is one of a series, "A Corinna Chapman Mystery" written by Kerry Greenwood. Corinna runs a bakery called Earthly Delights on the corner of Flinders Lane and Calico Alley in the city of Melbourne. She lives above the bakery in a Roman apartment house with mosaics and Roman names for all the apartments.
The other tenants in the building and shopkeepers on the street are delightful characters of all ages; e.g. a retired professor, two "goth" girls, a witch (who does fortunes), a woman of wealth and refinement, a computer genius and a multitude of felines with their own personalities. Daniel, a detective, is Corinna's lover and is hired by the sisters who own the chocolate shop "Heavenly Pleasures" to find the person injecting chili sauce and soy sauce in their candy.
If you like quirky, funny characters who help each other in times of need, you will enjoy this book. Fans of Alexander McCall Smith should try this series.
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