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Reviews by Wendy F. (Kalamazoo, MI)

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The Waters: A Novel
by Bonnie Jo Campbell

The Waters (12/15/2023)

The Waters is full of rich characters and secrets. We meet a family of women healers who need their own healing. While we watch Dorothy, Donkey, grow up and learn so much about her family and life itself, the mysteries of the Waters unfold. Many times I felt like I was reading about a swampy area of Louisiana rather than the setting of Michigan. This book is a bit of a roller coaster, both in the story and the writing. It is a slow start and worth the time spent getting through that to enjoy the adventure of this strange and loving family.

All You Have to Do Is Call
by Kerri Maher

A cautionary tale (6/18/2023)

This is a beautiful story of the brave women who risked everything to protect a woman's right to choose before Roe v. Wade was passed. I spent most of my life not having to worry about my choices should I be faced with an unwanted pregnancy. This is the land before that which unfortunately we are heading to again.

The characters stand up to the law, their families and their friends in order to provide safe abortions when they were illegal. Thank God there were people like this who pushed back to protect women.

This cautionary tale is one that is needed in our current society.

Paper Names: A Novel
by Susie Luo

Paper Names (3/20/2023)

A touching story of an immigrant family in search of the "American Dream". At each step they face racism, otherism, and difficulty. Characters are well developed and you see the strengths and weaknesses that they each encounter along the way. Parents who are just trying to make a better life for their child sacrifice career and their own lives. The mistakes they make to give Tammy success in this new country are heartbreaking. A truly beautiful story.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley

Nice little escape (10/25/2022)

A cute caper with a young woman and her mysterious charge. Who knew that Louise would prove to be such a handful? It was fun to watch the relationship grow.

River Sing Me Home
by Eleanor Shearer

A story that must be told (9/24/2022)

River Sing Me Home is a triumph of tragedy and hope. Joining Rachel's journey to find the family that she lost over many years of slavery was sometimes difficult but always with a glimmer of anticipation that she would be reunited with her loved ones. Eleanor Shearer's lyrical prose and story that is in need of being told to everyone touched my heart. We cannot allow this type of history to be repeated. Thank you Eleanor for keeping the hope alive that a better world is within our grasp.

Take My Hand
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Heartwrenching (9/21/2021)

Take my hand is a heartwrenching and beautiful story of horrible medical experiments being performed on your black girls. Civil is a kind and caring nurse who discovers this atrocity and fights to shine a light on these acts. It's so sad to know that though this was based in 1970, our healthcare system still is full of bias and racism.

New York, My Village: A Novel
by Uwem Akpan

Disappointed (9/6/2021)

I started out really enjoying this book and the odd adventures of Ekong but about midway through the book I was struggling.

Morningside Heights: A Novel
by Joshua Henkin

Great read (4/6/2021)

Really enjoyed this story of a blended family and the unfortunate things they suffer through over the years. The characters are developed quite well and it reads beautifully. Pru is faced with a difficult diagnosis for Spence and this novel shows how she deals with it with and without her daughter and Spence's son. These people are so real and the situation is heart wrenching. The relationship that Pru forms with Spence's caretaker Ginny is also a vital part of the story.

The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

The Personal Librarian (2/16/2021)

What a lovely story of hidden history! I loved learning about Belle and the writing was excellent. I have read many of Marie Benedict's novels and enjoyed them all. This time she teamed up with Victoria Christopher Murray to tell the story of Belle de Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan's personal librarian, who is an African American woman presenting as white. The constant trepidation that she feels being concerned that she will be found out and how she was able to make herself so successful in the art world make a tempting tale.

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

Needed something more (11/2/2020)

Some of the stories were good however some dragged. I liked the concept but it fell short for me. I felt it could have covered more about the planning of the march.

And They Called It Camelot: A Novel of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
by Stephanie Marie Thornton

America's Queen (12/25/2019)

Loved this book. Stephanie Marie Thornton is able to look into the souls of her characters to truly convey their hearts. We all know the story of Jacqueline Kennedy but this one brings her closer to us. Her strength and grace are incomparable. It helped a country and a world to get through horrible tragedies. But in this book we witness her vulnerability and devotion to her children throughout her struggles.

Lady Clementine
by Marie Benedict

Bravo to Clemmie!! (12/1/2019)

I knew very little about Clementine Churchill before reading this book. Now I just want to learn more. She was a formidable woman who truly was the strength behind one of the most powerful men in the world at the time. It hearkens back to the relationship between Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt. This book is well written, and I lost myself in its beautiful prose. Looking forward to reading more by Marie Benedict. She is a superb historical writer.

Never Have I Ever
by Joshilyn Jackson

Suspenseful read (4/20/2019)

Joshilyn Jackson's Never Have I Ever is a great read. The suspenseful story of what happens when a new neighbor presents herself and seems to know everyone's secrets. But Roux has some secrets of her own. I really enjoyed the way that each character's mysteries were revealed throughout the book and also the way that their lives intertwined. Amy Whey seems to be the pillar of the community but then we learn her story.

American Princess: A Novel of First Daughter Alice Roosevelt
by Stephanie Marie Thornton

Loved it! (11/24/2018)

I loved this book! Reading the accounts of the historical Alice Roosevelt Longworth was truly a pleasure. Alice had a complicated relationship with her father Theodore which is reminiscent of many of us. Scandals abound in a time where these things were kept under wraps. This colorful character was a true patriot although I was disappointed to learn that she was not sold on women's suffrage. It was also interesting to hear about the falling out with the other Roosevelts, Franklin and Eleanor. Ms. Thornton's writing was a delight.

The Kennedy Debutante
by Kerri Maher

Actually a 3.5 (7/3/2018)

While I enjoyed reading the story of Kick Kennedy and her whirlwind times and romance, I wish the author would have given us a little more depth and history. I have read a lot of Kennedy history but had not really seen much about Kick. It was good to hear her story.

Vox
by Christina Dalcher

Vox - WOW! (6/3/2018)

With shades of Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's tale lingering around the verbiage, Vox is an easier read than Atwood's tome. But many of the same themes are threaded throughout this book. With our current administration and Congress attempting to take away women's rights on a regular basis, this story is almost too close to being truth and it is frightening. All females are limited to 100 words a day and if they surpass this restriction they are jolted with an electronic charge. Even little babies are given these horrible torture bracelets. As we see Jean face these difficult constraints while trying to raise her family with her husband Patrick, it is hard to imagine how I would deal with a similar situation. Very pertinent to our country. May we all work to defeat such horrific injustices.

Only Child
by Rhiannon Navin

Only Child (1/24/2018)

Only Child is the story of an all-too-common event - a school shooting - as told from the perspective of a six-year-old student. Zach brings us through the moment that the shooter enters the school on through the mixture of emotions that a young child goes through when suffering such a tragedy. He tells us his struggles as well as those of the adults around him. His perceptions are keen, difficult but necessary to read. It makes me more aware that I need to be more cautious with my words around the very young. Gun violence has become the norm in our society. Reading this makes me more determined to continue working to stop the gun culture we have here in the US.

Other People's Houses
by Abbi Waxman

Other People's Houses (12/21/2017)

I loved this book. Right book at the right time. One couple's marital issues affect the whole neighborhood in one way or another. This is a story of friendship, marriage, and community. The writing reminded me of Liane Moriarty. We all know people who resemble the characters in this book. I will definitely be looking into other books by Abbi Waxman.

Next Year in Havana
by Chanel Cleeton

Next Year in Havana (10/29/2017)

Absolutely loved this book. Chanel Cleeton helps us experience the rich heritage of Elisa Perez and her family. Elisa's granddaughter, Marisol Ferrera, discovers family secrets on her trip to Cuba to scatter her grandmother's ashes. Her journey is 'always a double edged sword, Keeping her close to me, but it also makes me feel her presence more acutely.' As Marisol finds out more about her family's history, she also finds her family's homeland draws her in despite the dangerous regime that is still in place. The difficult past continues to affect those who were born in the country as well as their descendants. 'What does it say about a place that people will risk certain death to leave it?' Marisol posits. But Cubans 'exist in a constant state of hope.' Ms. Cleeton's language is full of grace and beauty. Although there are parallel love stories, this is definitely not a 'romance novel' and the cover is a bit deceiving. It is a great historical tome that gives us a glimpse into loyalty and betrayal both. Beautifully written.

Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After
by Heather Harpham

Happiness (6/28/2017)

I fell in love with this family at the first page. Reading about the love story and struggles of Heather and Brian was enthralling. One line that truly caught me was "Memory is fluid and shape-shifts to our desires." How true.

A story of love, tragedy, loyalty...FAMILY. I enjoyed her prose and insight.

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Reviews by Wendy F. (Kalamazoo, MI)

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