This issue of BookBrowse Highlights includes member reviews of six just published books. In addition you can read our featured review of Longbourn in which Jo Baker takes us to the home of Pride & Prejudice heroine Elizabeth Bennet where we see events from the servants' quarters. The literary world is awash with riffs on Jane Austen's books but few, if any, have received reviews to match Longbourn.
You can also go beyond the book to explore the slow medicine movement; browse previews of notable books publishing soon; and enter to win a copy of Sebastian Faulk's homage to P.G. Wodehouse, Jeeves and the Wedding Bells, which is also receiving exceptional early reviews.
Best regards,
Davina,
BookBrowse Editor
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Readers Recommend
Each month we give away books to US resident members to read and review (or discuss). Members who choose to take part receive a free book (including free shipping) about every three months. Here are their opinions on six recently published books:  Once We Were Brothersby Ronald H. Balson
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin Publication Date: 10/08/2013 Historical Fiction, 400 pages Number of reader reviews: 23 Readers' consensus:  BookBrowse Members Say "Articulate, intelligent, tenacious, loving and lovable, Holocaust survivor Ben accuses Elliot Rosenzweig, a well known Chicagoan leader, of being a former Nazi officer. According to Ben, his family in Poland gave Elliot, then known as Otto, a home. The Solomons raised, fed and education Otto who morphed into a perpetrator of evil, killing many Jews who crossed his path. The wealthy Elliot launches an offensive, denying the accusations." - Leah L. (Lawrence, NY) " Once We Were Brothers will make a great read for book clubs." - Sarah W. (Lufkin, TX) " Once We Were Brothers is a thrilling read throughout, until it's page-turning, tear jerking ending! (Have some Kleenex handy!) I will enjoy presenting this when it comes out, both as gifts and as a book club selection." - Linda G. (Walnut Creek, CA) "This book is so well written. Such a beautiful story of love and caring during such a horrendous tragedy." - Janice C. (Hayward, CA) "I love this book! It is a riveting account of the Nazi occupation of Poland, the horrors that defined that time, and the incredible spirit of survivors. A truly wonderful read!" - Eileen L. (Danvers, MA) Above are 5 of the 23 reviews for this book Read all the Reviews Buy at Amazon
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Readers Recommend
 Jacob's Oath by Martin Fletcher
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Publication Date: 10/08/2013
Historical Fiction, 336 pages
Number of reader reviews: 15
Readers' consensus:
BookBrowse Members Say
"Jacob's Oath is the moving and thought provoking story of two German Jewish Holocaust survivors, one who endured Bergen-Belsen and the other who, although avoiding the camps, experienced her own hell in underground Berlin. Set in Germany in the days immediately preceding and following VE Day, the work is a probing exploration of the relationships and tensions between the two protagonists, between each protagonist and his past and, most poignantly, between a resolute determination to avenge yesterday's horrors juxtaposed with an acceptance of what was and a redirection imbued with tomorrow's promise." - Robert S. (Henderson, NV)
"The historical aspects are compelling and it's an uplifting story in all respects." - Susan P. (Boston, MA)
"There are many moments here in this novel where I had to put the book down and go for a little walk to air out my head. It is an amazing, yet, a very disturbing story. Surely required reading for generations who are interested in WWII and those who are interested in what exactly happened in the now distant past. There are not many left who can tell the human history of WW2 in the first person. We must read and learn about those times so as to help prevent this from ever happening again. This book is a lesson in geography, human prejudice, fear, and above all history." - Gunta K. (Glens Falls, NY)
"Great book group book!" - Linda C. (Carlisle, MA)
Above are 4 of the 15 reviews for this book
Read all the Reviews
Buy at Amazon
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Readers Recommend
 Last Train to Istanbulby Ayse Kulin
Publisher: AmazonCrossing. Paperback Original Publication Date: 10/08/2013 Historical Fiction, 396 pages Number of reader reviews: 19 Readers' consensus: BookBrowse Members Say" Last Train to Istanbul is a story of courage, but not the blockbuster kind Hollywood likes to portray. It is the quiet courage of convictions born of love, patriotism, and compassion. I learned a lot about the people of Turkey and how they took care of all their citizens, regardless of religious affiliation, during WWII." - Priscilla M. (Houston, TX) "I learned a great deal from reading Kulin's book. As with Thomas Keneally's Schindler's List, I came to understand a bit more about morality, valor, and decency during dishonorable and abhorrent times." - Catherine M. (Mankato, MN) "A great book, and an uplifting read about a tragic time in history." - Patricia T. (Fallbrook, CA) "The author did an excellent job of getting us inside the head of male and female characters so we could understand the complexity of their situations and the often painful and dangerous decisions they needed to make." - Nancy H. (Foster City, CA) "All in all, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a well-crafted story with historical significance." - Nancy C. (Newton, KS) Above are 5 of the 19 reviews for this book Read all the Reviews Buy at Amazon
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Readers Recommend
How to Be a Good Wife by Emma Chapman
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 10/15/2013
Novel, 288 pages
Number of reader reviews: 22
Readers' consensus:
BookBrowse Members Say "Chilling and well-paced, the storyline drew me in right away: When the narrator, Marta Bjornstad, starts having flashbacks, it's clear that someone in the Bjornstad household is mentally unstable. Is Marta's husband, Hector, deranged? Or is Marta delusional? This marriage between two morally (and mentally) ambiguous characters was somewhat reminiscent of Gone Girl, though told only from the wife's perspective... Marta's story is intriguing and likely to appeal to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers." - Deanna S. (McHenry, IL) "Emma Chapman writes with the skill of an accomplished, mature and experienced author. The concept is brilliant, the plot tight and the prosecution smooth. She explores many facets of our society with ease and grace... Brilliant. Thanks to the publisher and Bookbrowse for providing my advance reader's copy." - Karen N. (Lafayette, CA) "I love books that tell a deep story and that keep me guessing, but I reserve my highest praise for those which make me feel that story in my gut. I suspect that every person who reads the book will have very different experiences, viewpoints, and opinions which will make this book ideal for book club discussions. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy experiencing works of art which touch the most frightening parts of being human." - Sheryl R. (DeQuincy, LA) "Wow! What a wonderful read this book was! Emma Chapman has delivered a stunning debut." - Claire M. (New York, NY) Above are 4 of the 22 reviews for this book Read all the Reviews Buy at Amazon
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Readers Recommend
 Lost Luggage
by Jordi Punti
Publisher: Marble Arch Press. Paperback Original Publication Date: 10/15/2013 Novels, 448 pages Number of reader reviews: 17 Readers' consensus: BookBrowse Members Say "Jordi Punti's Lost Luggage, translated from the Spanish by Julie Wark, reminds me of those nested Russian dolls; open a layer of the story and inside is another layer, couching another, and so on, until you get to the tale's vibrant, pulsing heart. Lost Luggage is storytelling at its best. On the surface, it is the quest of four brothers--each named some variation on Christopher--for a father they have each barely known. Although he has always been missing from their lives, he has now gone officially missing, and the brothers believe that by piecing together the story of his life from their disparate points of view, the completed puzzle may lead to the discovery of the man. The result is a novel that unfurls slowly, quietly, and gracefully toward that golden moment of denouement. As if we sit with Jordi Punti at a crackling fire, listening to hims spin his tale, we wait for that moment spellbound. We know it is coming, but we know, too, that it will surprise us, a sleight of hand delivered by a master magician." - Naomi B. (Tucson, AZ) "I loved it - reminded me of Shadow of the Wind, Cutting for Stone and Stone's Fall. It's themes of identity, broken families, value and influence of work, friends, and loss wrapped up in the framework of a grand mystery is perfect for book club discussions." - Sherrie R. (Fort Worth, TX) This intriguing story takes the reader through a whirlwind tour of European history, cities and cultures - funny and poignant, dark in spots, and intriguing." - Nancy O. (Hobe Sound, FL). " Lost Luggage was a very different, great book. I will read it again soon." - Adelia S. (Livingston, MT) "The history, culture and fascinating turns through dark alleys, barrooms and interesting apartments as well as travel through tunnels that take you from one culture to another will keep the reader intrigued and wondering where it will take them." - John P. (Timonium, MD) Above are 5 of the 17 reviews for this book Read all the Reviews Buy at Amazon
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Readers Recommend
 Henry and Rachelby Laurel Saville
Publisher: Amazon Publishing. Paperback Original Publication Date: 10/15/2013 Historical Fiction, 284 pages Number of reader reviews: 19 Readers' consensus: BookBrowse Members Say" Henry and Rachel is a good read about family. Told from different generations, who you are and who you think you are might be two different things. The story slowly reveals different perspectives cleverly revealed over time. Family secrets revealed. Imagine being the last member of the family still living and discovering a different family than the one you thought you knew. Childhood perspectives viewed from an adult point of view. Good topic for discussion." - Barbara O. (Maryland Heights, MO) "This is a delightful read! I found myself underlining certain passages and phrases all the way through; Saville has a refreshing store of them! I particularly enjoyed the different points of view. Saville walked very deftly in Henry's sandals, expressing a man's way of thinking about personal issues, the acceptance or non-acceptance of a woman's ideas and ideals." - Annie P. (Murrells Inlet, SC) "Book clubs will find plenty to discuss." - Mary Beth S. (Mequon, WI) "I have enjoyed reading Henry and Rachel. It has a quiet way of drawing you in. It is told from multiple points of view and unfolds in a meandering sort of way. Quite lovely." - Karen S. (Minneapolis, MN) "Seldom do I read a book that I want to mark up and reread parts and passages but Henry and Rachel definitely fits this role. I would say that this book will appeal most to a somewhat older group as I think it takes a lot of living to truly appreciate the challenges, strengths and weaknesses of each character." - Rita H. (Centennial, CO) Above are 5 of the 19 reviews for this book Read all the Reviews Buy at Amazon |
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Featured Review
Hardcover (Oct 2013), 352 pages
Publisher: Knopf
ISBN 9780385351232
BookBrowse Rating:  Critics' Consensus: Review
If Jane Austen had written Longbourn, she might have begun with a variation of Pride and Prejudice's famous first sentence: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a gentlewoman in need of a husband is also in need of a good servant."
Pride and Prejudice has been turned into movies, adapted for the stage, and inspired many volumes of fan fiction and spin-off stories. In my humble opinion, none of these complement and expand on Jane Austen's most famous novel, quite like Jo Baker's Longbourn.
Longbourn is the childhood home of Elizabeth Bennet,
Pride and Prejudice's main character. The Bennets are not wealthy enough to afford full-time maids for the women of the house, so the house servants often have to do double duty. In
Longbourn, we hear from Sarah, the young housemaid, who washes the clothes, assists in the kitchen, and sets Elizabeth's curls if she's in need of a lady's maid. Sarah envies the five Bennet daughters their leisure time and marvels at their carelessness with shoes and clothes. She tires of the long hours of work, and dares to imagine a different life for herself. As if on cue, James, the new manservant, enters the picture with a dashing demeanor and a heart full of secrets. Sarah's interest in him turns to frustration when she determines that he would rather keep to himself than confide in her. Meanwhile, Sarah also makes acquaintance with a Creole manservant named Tol Bingley who fascinates her with his ideas about his employers and plans to own a tobacco business. Mrs. Smith, the housekeeper at the Bennets, and a mother figure to Sarah, worries that the young woman will fall in love with Tol and leave Longbourn before she understands the value of working for a happy family in a safe, contented place.
Along this storyline, Baker recreates the world of the Bennets' Longbourn in vivid detail, and it is from this perspective that the novel truly shines. Readers interested in knowing how people ate, slept, loved, and celebrated during Jane Austen's time will find ample illustration here. Even if Sarah's daily experience is preoccupied by the Bennets' needs, her independent spirit urges her to conceive of a life beyond theirs. In this way, as she evolves from a naive child to a mature woman, the novel is fully hers. It is interesting to note that despite the class differences, Sarah's story is similar to Elizabeth's: love and marriage offer the only real change a woman can expect in her life... continued
Reviewed by Sarah Sacha Dollacker
Above is part of BookBrowse's review of Longbourn.
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Beyond the Book
 At BookBrowse, we go 'beyond the book' to explore interesting aspects relating to each book we feature.
Here is a recent "Beyond the Book" feature for A Man of His Own by Susan Wilson Slow Medicine
In Knocking on Heaven's Door, Katy Butler describes a relatively new movement in modern healthcare termed "slow medicine," and advocates urgently for its principles to be applied in hospitals and specialists' offices across the United States. The slow medicine ethos mimics that of the slow food movement; taking time and applying restraint in care is favored over rushing into multiple and/or extreme medical measures. Slow medicine also favors a holistic, patient-centered approach versus the sometimes piecemeal, symptom-fixing focus of today's medical culture.
 The principles of slow medicine are particularly applicable to geriatric care. Butler references Dennis McCullough's book, My Mother, Your Mother as an excellent source for those interested in improving the quality and compassion involved in end-of-life care. McCullough advocates taking the time to listen to patients, caregivers and families, and to consider quality as well as length of life. His book walks readers through eight stages of late life and death, giving examples of his own experience with his mother's passing as well as advice for addressing the process with a slow medicine approach.
 Finding physicians who are willing to practice slow medicine is not only beneficial to the elderly or those in the final stages of fatal disease, however. Patients of all ages who need care due to confusing symptoms, chronic illness or psychological difficulties are good candidates for this type of care. Victoria Sweet, another successful author of narrative nonfiction, discovered the merits of slow medicine in her two decades working with many different kinds of patients at an almshouse in California. In a 2012 Wall Street Journal blog post, Sweet compares the role of a physician to that of a gardener: someone who nurtures and empowers. Her book well illustrates what doctor and writer Danielle Ofri distinguishes as the "practice of medicine" versus "the delivery of health care." Sweet, of course, acknowledges the need for fast medicine in acute situations, as would Katy Butler, who is careful in Knocking on Heaven's Door to apply these ancient, but counter-culture ideas to appropriate medical situations. ...continued
Above is part of BookBrowse's backstory of Knocking on Heaven's Door. Read the full review, backstory and excerpt by Stacey Brownlie
First image: Rocking chair in Dennis McCollough's Dartmouth Medicine Magazine by artist Suzanne DeJohn Second image: Slow Medicine logo for Italian Slow Medicine organization. The italian translates to sober, respect, right.
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Win
Jeeves and the Wedding Bells
by Sebastian Faulks
Publication Date: Nov 2013
Enter the Giveaway
Buy at Amazon
From the Jacket
Bertie Wooster (a young man about town) and his butler Jeeves (the very model of the modern manservant) - return in their first new novel in nearly forty years: Jeeves and the Wedding Bells by Sebastian Faulks.
P.G. Wodehouse documented the lives of the inimitable Jeeves and Wooster for nearly sixty years, from their first appearance in 1915 ("Extricating Young Gussie") to his final completed novel (Aunts Aren't Gentlemen) in 1974. These two were the finest creations of a novelist widely proclaimed to be the finest comic English writer by critics and fans alike.
Now, forty years later, Bertie and Jeeves return in a hilarious affair of mix-ups and mishaps. With the approval of the Wodehouse estate, acclaimed novelist Sebastian Faulks brings these two back to life for their legion of fans. Bertie, nursing a bit of heartbreak over the recent engagement of one Georgina Meadowes to someone not named Wooster, agrees to "help" his old friend Peregrine "Woody" Beeching, whose own romance is foundering. That this means an outing to Dorset, away from an impending visit from Aunt Agatha, is merely an extra benefit.
Almost immediately, things go awry and the simple plan quickly becomes complicated. Jeeves ends up impersonating one Lord Etringham, while Bertie pretends to be Jeeves' manservant "Wilberforce," - and this all happens under the same roof as the now affianced Ms. Meadowes. From there the plot becomes even more hilarious and convoluted, in a brilliantly conceived, seamlessly written comic work worthy of the master himself.
Reviews:
"Starred Review. Faulks has risen to the challenge splendidly with this 'homage' to Wodehouse. Jeeves and Wooster live again!" - Kirkus
"Starred Review. Let word go forth, from Mayfair to Herald Square, from Piccadilly to Kansas City: Jeeves and Wooster are back and in fine fettle. After sampling this tasty bonbon, Wodehouse fans and new readers will want to go back to the original series." - Library Journal
"The heartwarming denouement, which reveals how the godlike Jeeves has manipulated the action from behind the scenes, humanizes Bertie and Jeeves as Wodehouse never did. In my humble opinion, Faulks has outdone Wodehouse." - Publishers Weekly
5 people will each win a hardcover copy of Jeeves and the Wedding Bells. This giveaway is open to residents of the USA only, unless you are a BookBrowse member, in which case you are eligible to win wherever you might live. Enter the giveaway Past Winners |
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Blog: Sometimes it's important to
Break These Rules
We live in a time when bullying is at the front and center of attention. And it should be. Kids who do not follow social-norm rules are sometimes subject to ridicule, alienation, or even, yes, bullying. How do we protect those brave kids? And, perhaps more importantly, how do we teach all of the kids around them to question those social-norm rules in the first place?
Conversation is key. Questions are imperative. Scrutiny of what we take for granted is vital. But how do we do all of that? Books always have been a great tool for examination of self, other and society as a whole. And books that are explicitly designed to offer half of the conversation, and to ask the reader to engage in the dialogue are even better. Break These Rules edited by Luke Reynolds is a perfect example of such a book.
Teacher, writer and breaker of rules himself...in this guest post Luke explores the realities facing teens, and all of us, today
Continue Reading
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We currently have 11 open book club discussions -
please do join us to discuss any and all!
Next Discussion
Our next new discussion will open in January
Happier at Home
Kiss More, Jump More, Abandon Self-Control, and My Other Experiments in Everyday Life
by Gretchen Rubin
Summary & Reviews
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Featured Reading List: Adult Books From A Child's Perspective
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Author Interviews
Charlie Lovett discusses his debut novel, The Bookman's Tale, and its roots in Shakespeare and the sometimes exclusive world of antiquarian booksellers.
Read the Q&A.
 A. Igoni Barrett talks about the state of English literature in contemporary Nigeria, if he would ever write a book in pidgin English and his approach to crafting the short story. Read the Q&A
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Wordplay
Solve this clue
"A T Glitters I N G"
and be entered
to win the book of your choice
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Answer to
Last Wordplay
T A Other F I T S
There are other fish in the sea
Meaning: Don't be upset about the one you've lost (girlfriend, boyfriend, job etc) - there are plenty others out there.
Background: Sources say that this expression is first recorded around 1573 but usually don't note where. It appears that this 1573 reference is in a letter from English writer Gabriel Harvey to the poet Edmund Spenser, who may have once been Harvey's pupil. Correspondence between the two was collected into a volume in 1884:
The Letter-Book of Gabriel Harvey.
More
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News
Oct 16 2013:
The National Book Award finalists have been announced (with half of the titles coming from the newly formed Penguin Random House. The winners will be announced on November 20. more
Oct 15 2013:
New Zealand author Eleanor Catton has, at the age of 28, become the youngest ever winner of the �50,000 Man Booker Prize for her novel The Luminaries (published in the USA today).
Chair of judges Robert Macfarlane described The Luminaries as a "dazzling work, luminous,...(more)
Oct 10 2013:
For the first two weeks in November, McDonald's in the USA plans to distribute children's books with their happy meals. Five nutrition themed books will be offered with 20 million total copies; all five have been written for McDonalds. This promotion follows a somewhat similar one run in the UK...(more)
Oct 10 2013:
Canadian author Alice Munro has won the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature for 2013. The Swedish Academy explained "She has taken an art form, the short story, which has tended to come a little bit in the shadow behind the novel, and she has cultivated it almost to perfection.'' The prize...(more)
Read these news stories, and many others, in full
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