Jane and Dan at the End of the World
by Colleen Oakley
Need to Escape? (12/23/2024)
While a quick read, this book entertains. It has humor and nod-your-head moments that sound like me (or my friend's marriage.) It is fiction, so if you expect reality in every plot detail this book might not be for you. If you're looking for an escape from routine and heavy reads, pick it up. It could provide an interesting book club discussion when a lighter read is needed in the summer. Fiction imitating life, relationships, parenting, and anniversary dinners could be discussion topics. Overall, an enjoyable book.
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
by Andrea Yaryura Clark
Family Secrets (3/14/2022)
In a dual storyline, Andrea Yaryura Clark tells a story of family and secrets amidst the brutal backdrop of Argentina in the 1970s. As a reader who loves historical fiction, this novel takes place during a period which I knew little about. Clark successfully shares Argentinian history but in the development of the story and not a history lesson stuck in the narrative. Paloma, the daughter of Santiago and Lila Larrea, raised in the United States returns to Argentina with her parents for her father's political appointment. As Paloma searches for answers about her parent's past, Clark beautifully tells the horrific events of Argentina's Dirty War. Book groups will have much to discuss regarding Argentina's history and current events in the world, as well as family relationships. What makes a family, what secrets should be kept, and what should be told. Is there ever a right time to share events of your life with your children. On a Night of a Thousand Stars is a story to be read and discussed!
The Woman Before Wallis: A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal
by Bryn Turnbull
Historical Fiction at its best (7/7/2020)
Having read a lot of historical fiction over the years, I was excited about The Woman Before Wallis as it is a less written about time in history. It did not disappoint! If you have watched The Crown or are familiar with English royalty or the Vanderbilts of Newport, RI, you will enjoy Thelma Morgan's experiences between 1925 and 1934. If you aren't familiar with anyone of those, start reading and enjoy the book.
Book groups will find much to discuss between the extraordinary lavish lifestyles, parenting styles of the wealthy, and differences in English and American expectations. Bryn Turnball's first novel is a great read. I look forward to her next one!
The Prisoner's Wife
by Maggie Brookes
Inspired by actual events, but not inspiring (3/15/2020)
World War II historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the most difficult of circumstances. It can inspire us and educate us in with details of little known events. The Prisoner's Wife is inspired by actual events. The story does educate us about circumstances in Lamsdorf POW camp in Poland, a quarry in occupied Czechoslovakia, and the Long March west. Unfortunately, I did not particularly enjoy most of the main characters. There were portions of their story that I just did not care about. Sadly, the story fell flat for me which was surprising to me. If you love WWII historical fiction, give it a try. However if it doesn't grab your attention in the first 100 pages, put it down for something else.
I Want You to Know We're Still Here: A Post-Holocaust Memoir
by Esther Safran Foer
"History is public. Memory is personal." (11/21/2019)
World War II literature is one of my favorites. I've read many books, fiction and nonfiction, about the Holocaust, however I've never read anything like "I Want You To Know We're Still Here". What a powerful, thought provoking memoir. Esther Safran Foer shares her journey to discover more about her mother and father's experience during the Holocaust and the years just after. Like many whose experiences were too difficult to talk about, her parents didn't speak about the past. "History is public. Memory is personal." "Life was all about moving forward." Both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, her memoir will resonant with many readers about secrets in their own family, and the need to be remembered by descendants. There is much for book clubs to discuss. It is a short book, but will stay with you long after you finish reading.
The Secrets We Kept: A novel
by Lara Prescott
Original, Captivating Historical Fiction - Secretaries & Spies in the Cold War (7/14/2019)
Very interesting historical fiction novel set during the Cold War about the writing, publication, and distribution of Dr. Zhivago by Boris Pasternak. Few novels are set in this time period and Prescott's detailed research provides for a rich narrative told through the eyes of three women in dual timelines. Book clubs will find much to discuss about the cold war, friendships, secrets, risk, and loyalty. A great book for those who enjoy historical fiction looking for something new and fresh.
Love and Other Consolation Prizes: A Novel
by Jamie Ford
"People ....can affect our gravity" (8/15/2017)
Engrossing story set in a little known era in Seattle 1910's and also in the 1960s. Historical fiction lovers will enjoy this novel.
Themes to discuss include what makes a family, human trafficking, who we choose to love and why we make those choices.
Don't miss the author's note at the end of the novel. My favorite line is "There are people in our lives who we love, and lose, and forever long for. They orbit our hearts like Halley's Comet, crossing into our universe only once, or if we're lucky, twice in a lifetime. And when they do, they affect our gravity."
