The Little Italian Hotel: A Novel
by Phaedra Patrick
Italy (4/4/2023)
I chose this book because I love Italy, especially the villages in Tuscany so I was eager to read something set in that area. However, I did not love the book. Although the characters were quite likeable, the descriptions of the hotel and surrounding areas was inviting, the storyline did not hold my interest. It is definitely a "rom com" story, reminded me of Maeve Binchy plots which can be a fun escape and this was similar, to a point. I found the plotline involving Ginny and her husband and their online profiles annoying. It made them seem childish and their issues were real adult issues.
It was a quick, light read so I would recommend it as a good beach read.
Our Missing Hearts: A Novel
by Celeste Ng
Food for Thought (9/8/2022)
Unsettling was the first word I thought of when I started this book. The premise is not as farfetched as I initially thought and as I read more, what seemed impossible, wasn't.
The author holds up a mirror to our present world with all its division, anger and paranoia. Unfortunately the family at the heart of the story, as well as the entire Chinese community, suffers a great deal.
Bird and his father are forced to live apart from Bird's mother, who is Chinese American, to keep them all safe from the new law of the land - PACT, Preserving American Culture and Traditions. Anyone of Chinese birth or ancestry is considered a danger to PACT. Loyalty is demanded and those who do not agree are disloyal and an enemy. Chinese children are removed from their homes, books are banned and freedom of speech is only acceptable if you agree with PACT. But who is to say what is patriotic and what is not?
As disturbing as the premise is, it is still a story of a family, of love, of faith in humanity and the fallibility of people trying to do the best that they can.
Our Missing Hearts could have had an ending that was tidy but it didn't. Life is messy but there is always hope.
This book will stay with me for a very long time.
