Girl Waits with Gun
by Amy Stewart
I wanted to love this, but... (7/12/2015)
This book started with such promise. Amy Stewart is a very good writer. Her descriptions are wonderful and her characters are strong. It wasn't until the end that I realized that the story was based on real people, and I think that may be the problem. I could easily see 50-100 pages being edited out of this book and it being a much stronger work. It felt like the same thing kept happening over and over and it became tiresome. I'm all for historical accuracy, but if you're already taking artistic license by mixing fictional characters and real people (as she admits she did), than perhaps you can streamline the facts to make for a story that is more interesting to read.
Circling the Sun: A Novel
by Paula McLain
Circling Sun Flies High (6/2/2015)
I have yet to read Paula McLain's runaway hit "The Paris Wife", so her writing was new to me. She is exceptionally talented. Her vivid style draws you right in. You know a writer is good when you can see the colors and smell the air of a place as you read. I was unfamiliar with Beryl Markham. What a remarkable woman. If you enjoy fictional depictions of real people, this story will keep you engrossed to the end. Now I'm going to have to re-watch "Out of Africa". Book clubs would find plenty to talk about with this one. Highly recommended.
The Sweetheart Deal
by Polly Dugan
Almost a 5 (3/3/2015)
I started crying early on with this book. I felt for all the characters and the literary device of bouncing around from one character's point of view to another made each of them come to life. The short chapters made it easy to put down and pick up and helped me savor the story. I was with them up until the "conflict" that was introduced towards the end of the book. It didn't feel realistic to me and that's why it was downgraded from a five star to a four. The book felt like to ended too soon and I'll miss these characters!
The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell
by William Klaber
We've come a long way, baby...or have we? (1/1/2015)
As a former history major, I found this book fascinating. Approaching this true story from a fictional perspective, really made it come to life for me. Anyone with an interest in LGBT history will enjoy this book. This story is proof that the battle to be accepted and respected started long before the Stonewall Riots. We owe it to Lucy/Joseph to bear witness and remember. I could see how this book could be of great interest to book clubs. It raises questions and challenges beliefs.It is relevant to a 21st century audience, many of whom unfortunately still struggle with Women's Rights, LGBT Rights and marriage equality.
Ruth's Journey: The Authorized Novel of Mammy from Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind
by Donald McCaig
But would Margaret Mitchell approve? (10/5/2014)
On the cover of "Ruth's Journey" it proudly states that it was authorized by the Margaret Mitchell estate. They should be ashamed of themselves. This is clearly a commercial ploy. Like others, I was excited to receive this book. Mammy is one of the most iconic characters in literature and film. Ruth (aka Mammy) doesn't even become central to the story for over 100 pages. The device of using what can only be considered "vernacular" speech patterns is confusing and borderline offensive. And the other characters you know and love don't appear until more than halfway through the book. If you are looking for the beloved story of "Gone With the Wind" from Mammy's perspective, you won't find it here.
Mating for Life
by Marissa Stapley
What a lovely story (3/26/2014)
As an only child who lost her mother fairly early in life, I found this story of mothers, daughters and sisters, delightful and insightful. Stapley's literary style is bright and breezy and the character's she creates for us are diverse and well rounded. My only complaint was sometimes when a chapter began I had to go back and remind myself of who the woman was being featured. If life had allowed me to read it straight through, that probably wouldn't have happened. All in all, this book left me with a longing for my mother and regret that I grew up without sisters.
Precious Thing
by Colette McBeth
Rough start, but smooth finish (2/13/2014)
I had a hard time getting into this book. The literary device of writing the story as if it is a letter to somebody took me while to get used to. However, what starts as a pedestrian missing person story eventually turns into an intriguing psychological thriller with a twisty conclusion.
