Mothers of Sparta: A Memoir in Pieces
by Dawn Davies
Life is Never What You Expect! (10/7/2017)
This is the first book I have read that both wrenches your gut with heartbreak and makes you laugh out loud at the humor at the same time. Dawn Davies reveals her life in graphic detail, all her most intimate thoughts on childbirth, divorce, raising a blended family and a life full of pets. She writes her memoir in loosely connected chapters from various points in her life. Some are hilarious accounts of everyday life events interspersed with tragic and painful events which are unique to Ms. Davies. Just when you think this has been an extraordinarily well-written and entertaining memoir of life's ups and downs, she charges forward with an all revealing ending which brings your heart to a standstill. Davies says she listened to the song "Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid" during her writing. She claims these words to be a warning for the memoirist. However, she left very little unsaid in her story. She is brazenly honest about the most brutal aspects of her life. I highly recommend this book but be forewarned that it will not "let you go" after reading it.
Love and Other Consolation Prizes: A Novel
by Jamie Ford
My Favorite Kind of Read-Love and Other Consolation Prizes (7/17/2017)
This is my favorite kind of read! If you love great characters, a bit of a mystery, family saga, historical settings and all based on factual events then this is a book for you. Jamie Ford has done exceptional research in presenting the story of a mixed race Chinese immigrant who finds himself orphaned on a boat to America, a ward of a prominent woman suffragist and then adopted by a well-known madam of the red light district. Interwoven with the life and culture of Seattle in 1909 and the backdrop of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition along with the more modern day World's Fair in 1962 called the Century 21 Expo, Ford explores the racial and economic discrimination of the times as well. I fell in love with the Young family and their search for true love both romantically and as part of a family. Ford takes us back in time throughout the story as Ernest Young becomes a 12 year old in 1909 and then struggles with rediscovering his past life as his journalist daughter confronts him with retelling his story in 1962 while his wife tries to remember her past in a recovery from syphilis treatment. The effects of syphilis on prostitutes of this time period play a key role in the story's turn of events as well as political graft and the women's suffrage movement. This is a story not to be missed!
Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, a Family's Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them
by Gina Kolata
Facing the Fight of Your Life Against Genetic Destiny (11/23/2016)
This book is an absolutely fascinating story of a family that struggles to discover what is happening to them when they realize that each generation has faced a dreadful neurological disease that defies diagnosis. The symptoms are a combination of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and every specialist diagnoses with Alzheimer's or has no idea. There is nothing they can offer for treatment. Finally the youngest generation, in Amanda Baxley, seeks to discover the truth about her own status and must make life-changing decisions based on the results. Ms. Kolkata also presents the research being done on this and other rare genetic mutations that cause neurological diseases. The book reads like a fast-paced mystery where you are entirely immersed in the family and their search for help. The reader can't help but develop a special empathy for Amanda as she tries to lead her life in a proud and fulfilling way in the hopes that she is providing a future for those who face these diseases.
The Tea Planter's Wife
by Dinah Jefferies
Top Notch Historical Fiction (7/21/2016)
The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies is an excellent example of the best in historical fiction. Ms. Jefferies has carefully researched the tea plantation life in Ceylon from 1925 to 1934 and brings to life the dreams and struggles of the tea plantation owner and workers. The story of how race becomes a central focus for all involved is both touching, romantic and heartbreaking. This book brought to life a little known period in the history of Sri Lanka and the tea industry. I was enthralled with the beauty of the land as described by Ms. Jefferies and enjoyed the depth of the characters whom you come to love and hate. This book includes a bit of mystery with some surprises which are found to be based on historical fact. This is a story for those who love a good historical read where there is much to be learned and loved about the land, its history and the people who may have lived in that time period.
Miss Jane
by Brad Watson
Surprising Treasure of a Read (4/26/2016)
Miss Jane by Brad Watson is a surprising treasure of a read. This was a totally unexpected story with beautiful writing. So much more than a tale of a girl born with a rare deformity, it is the story of the struggle of one family in the 20s and 30s in rural Mississippi. This family had many secrets, with each character fully developed and their relationships to one another explored as only a talented author can impart. Jane's discovery of her oddity and how she deals with her life is the central theme but how her life changes the plans and dreams of everyone around her is told with grace. This is historical fiction at its best. The time and place envelop you as you read. Mr. Watson explores the true meaning of love and is it best realized through emotional satisfaction or physical pleasure?
The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir
by Ruth Wariner
Truth is Stranger Than Fiction (12/9/2015)
Truth is stranger than fiction in the story of Ruth Wariner. You can't help but be caught up in this very emotional account of the life of a young girl growing up as part of a polygamist doomsday cult. The ups and downs of the life of Ruth, her mother and siblings will bring you to both tears and anger.
This lifestyle has been written about in numerous memoirs but told through the innocent eyes of young Ruthie as she begins to become aware of how limiting the lifestyle is and how trapped she finds herself, is a fresh look at the despair of this type of mind control and its effects on a family of innocents. Not only does Ruth face the strong effects of this strange faith but has to endure domestic and sexual abuse as well as dealing with the handicaps of several siblings. She is forced to grow up way too soon and yet finds a way out to become a successful woman and writer.
I highly recommend this poignant and well written account that provides one with an eye opening look at how a good mother can fall prey to this type of mind control disguised as a religious faith and endanger her entire family's health and well-being.
When the Moon Is Low: A Novel
by Nadia Hashimi
An Emotional Tale of an Afghan Refugee Family (8/28/2015)
After reading Nadia Hashimi's first book, The Pearl That Broke Its Shell, I knew I was hooked on this author. Now she has brought us another story from Afghanistan that may be even more emotionally wrenching than her first. This story of an Afghani family suffering through the Taliban takeover provides historical detail through a very personal involvement with two main characters. Fereiba, who tells of her difficult childhood and being forced to make tough decisions as a mother; and her son, Saleem who struggles to become a strong male support for his family even while still an adolescent. Though the specific refugee story is Afghan I feel that the larger theme is the story of all refugee experience. In reading this book I came to realize a better sense of the plight of all refugees coming into a new country and struggling for acceptance. Often their stories are not heard and even as Saleem found when meeting other refugees in his travels, the stories he thought were the same as his proved not to be. He found that the loving support from his family was key to making him one of the luckier ones and helped him to survive against all odds. Hashimi's ability to entrench the reader into her characters' lives is the quality of the story. Those who like Khaled Hosseini's books will find Hashimi's story an excellent addition to the stories of Afghanistan.
Whispering Shadows
by Jan-Philipp Sendker
Jan-Philipp Sendker Provides Another Wonderful Read (1/20/2015)
Jan-Philipp Sendker has done it again. He has written another sure bestseller with Whispering Shadows. His ability to take you deep into the heart of his characters shines through in this novel. This story explores the meaning of love and trust as well as the weight of years of guilt and what it can do to a person. As Paul Leibovitz struggles to overcome his grief and guilt he is forced out of his isolation by his interactions with a lover and a best friend which sets the stage for a story of thrilling suspense on top of the deep character study. The setting of the story in present day Hong Kong and China provides the reader with an enlightened understanding of the political and business atmosphere driving the economy of this area. For those who like a book to provide them with characters that endear and make a lasting impression this book would have definite appeal. With so many themes to explore in this many layered novel this book will provide a lot of discussion for book groups.
A Kim Jong-Il Production: The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnapped Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and a Young Dictator's Rise to Power
by Paul Fischer
A Kim Jong Il Production- Life in North Korea (12/25/2014)
Paul Fischer has exposed life in North Korea as never before seen. This amazing story of the kidnapping of a South Korean movie director and his movie star wife was heart wrenching and exhilarating at the same time. Through their difficult experiences as captives of Kim Jong Il we come to see how North Korea has been living with the iron hand control of its socialist leaders. It is very disturbing to learn the truth of how the citizens have been brainwashed to extreme ignorance and misunderstanding of what exists beyond the country's boundaries. This book will be especially appealing to the public in light of recent news headlines on North Korea's supposed involvement with Sony Pictures. This story could well be the Unbroken of the movie world. There is certainly much to discuss in this book and it should definitely be a recommendation for book clubs.
The Mouse-Proof Kitchen
by Saira Shah
Mouse-Proofing the Kitchen: One of Life's Small Problems (6/30/2013)
Reading this engrossing story put me on a roller coaster of emotions. A young couple, Tobias and Anna, are preparing for the birth of their first child when suddenly their lives turn into a whirlwind of drama, emotion and adventure relayed month by month over the first year of their new daughter's life. Both Tobias and Anna search for a way to 'escape' the emotional burden of caring for their severely disabled but "perfect" daughter. They struggle with a fear of loving her and losing her. The move to France to take on the renovation of a dilapidated estate begins the adventure and the many delightful characters that come into their lives during that year in France add great depth to the story. I found I could not put down the book as I was caught up in their quest for providing care for this child and still finding some way to develop some normalcy in their lives and survive. The touching scenes between parent and child in so many situations will stay with me for a long time. Their final decision is a testament to the power of love which in this case was able to surmount many difficulties. Beware that their kitchen needed a lot more than mouse-proofing.
The House Girl
by Tara Conklin
A Truly Original and Enduring Historical Mystery (12/2/2012)
The House Girl proved thoroughly fascinating and cleverly written in such a way as to so hold my attention that I read the entire book in not much more than 6 hours. The story line of the young lawyer paralleled with Josephine the slave girl both seeking their life's meaning more than 150 years apart was very engaging. These were characters so rich and emotionally satisfying that you truly came to care about what they were going through. Tara Conklin is an author we should be hearing much more about very soon. This will be a book I suggest to all my friends and my book clubs.
Tides of War: A Novel
by Stella Tillyard
Historical Fiction at Its Best (12/3/2011)
Though an avid reader of historical fiction, I have not read much that takes place during this time period of 1812-15 in England and Spain. This novel truly brought the time period to life with careful attention to detail and historical research. The characters were vividly believable and drew you into the emotional side of the historical period. I truly learned a great deal about this time period through an enjoyable read. Due to the amount of detail I would suggest that the reader be a history fan. Some readers looking for a shallow romance with historical background will be disappointed. I will be looking forward to more novels by Stella Tillyard.
The Daughter of Siena: A Novel
by Marina Fiorato
Great Historical Fiction (6/10/2011)
Being an avid reader of historical fiction I was pleased to receive this book for review and was not disappointed. Though at first glance it may appear to be just another historical romance, Ms. Fiorato brings much more depth to the novel. The 18th century life in Siena is vividly recreated with careful attention to historical accuracy and detail. I so enjoy being educated in the history and culture of the time and this book enlightened me immensely. I had no prior knowledge of this time and place and now I am intrigued by the history and hope to learn more from this author. The characters are richly drawn and believable. She skillfully moves through the active plot leading the reader into the world of the Siena of 1723 full of the culture of class distinction and family pride. I highly recommend this as an excellent example of very readable historical fiction and look forward to reading more by this author.
Radio Shangri-La: What I Learned in Bhutan, the Happiest Kingdom on Earth
by Lisa Napoli
Bhutan, the Happiest Place on Earth? (3/6/2011)
Author Lisa Napoli accepts an opportunity to travel to Bhutan, a little known third world country tucked into the Himalayas between India and China. One of the more unusual aspects of this country's governing philosophy is the notion of GNH or Gross National Happiness which means that quality of life is to take precedence over any attempt at financial gain. The most appealing part of this book was the exposure to the lifestyle, dreams and accomplishments of the citizens of this country which has attempted to remain isolated from the damaging influences of the Western world, especially internet and media control. However, over the course of several years covered in the story we come to learn that even tiny Bhutan is undergoing modernization due to the unavoidable exposure to television, internet and media attention. Another aspect of the story which is very unique is the experience of the Bhutanese when they come to the United States and discover unimaginable wealth and material goods, which results in both positive and negative effects. I found this book to be a pleasurable read which provides the reader with a chance to become immersed in the life and culture of real Bhutanese citizens and experience the wonder of an innocent people in a place that can truly be called the last Shangri-La.
Ten Minutes from Home: A Memoir
by Beth Greenfield
Ten Minutes from Home (5/31/2010)
This book stirs your emotions in a way that not many books usually do. I found myself feeling a lot of the pain that Beth and her family were experiencing through the excellent characterization and description of their emotional state. This is a book especially for those who want to try and understand the feelings of loss that people might have following the death of a loved one. Beth clearly describes the difficulties of dealing with not only the loss but the possible guilt of being a survivor and feeling responsible for providing support to other family members and friends suffering from the same loss. I have always felt uncomfortable in talking to someone who has suffered a deep loss and through Beth's book I think I will have a better understanding of how to respond. I would also like to commend Beth Greenfield on being able to put this painful memory into a story that can help not only herself but other people in similar situations see the way to recovery.
