The Island of Missing Trees: A Novel
by Elif Shafak
As Told By A Fig Tree… (1/9/2022)
The Island of Missing Trees is undoubtedly one of my lifetime favorites. Cyprus, is an island divided, in turmoil, and people and nature alike are suffering years of unrest, escalating violence and the atrocities of an ethnic war. Cultural clashes, national identity and extremism, forbidden love, family and friendship, loss, survival and renewal as well as the connectedness of nature are themes tied together by a unique and unlikely storyteller who was witness to it all. I loved this beautifully written, lyrical novel. It will stick with me for a long time.
For those who like audiobooks, I strongly suggest the audiobook version of this novel. The narrator is exceptional, further enhancing this amazing read.
Fencing with the King: A Novel
by Diana Abu-Jaber
Family Secrets Unveiled (1/1/2022)
An elegant novel "Fencing With the King" is unlike anything I have read recently. Throughout the book I felt transported to Jordan while watching the story unfold. Intricate and poetic storytelling, not always easy to follow, was fitting to the Hamdan family dynamics as well as the history, the politics, and cultural nuances of this region of the world. And while the story builds slowly, a twist makes the waiting all worthwhile. It was a fascinating read.
The Lincoln Highway: A Novel
by Amor Towles
Another Towles “Must Read” (10/23/2021)
“The Lincoln Highway” is another beautifully written book from Amor Towles. Admittedly, I was initially unsure about the book but about one-third into it I was totally engaged in the four boys’ individual tellings of how the fascinating events of their 10 day journey unfolded. While the book couldn’t be more different
than “A Gentleman in Moscow” in terms of plot, setting, and complexity the two books are similar in that remarkable and endearing characters come alive on the pages, Towles’ deep understanding of human nature and emotions evident in the well-defined personalities and actions of the characters. Also, like “A Gentleman in Moscow,” I found “The Lincoln Highway” uplifting, hopeful, and scattered with humor.
“The Lincoln Highway” will sit among my favorite books on my bookshelf to be read again.
Take My Hand
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Left Me Smarter and Needing to Know More (9/11/2021)
The highest praise I can give "Take My Hand" is that it left me a smarter person for having read it. This book engaged me from the very first page. The book made me think and opened my eyes, leaving me wanting, actually needing, to learn more about the historical backstory —- for me, the hallmarks of an exceptional book. I loved it!
Powerful, thought-provoking, beautifully written. The characters - their emotions, convictions, struggles, and relationships, came alive in the pages of "Take My Hand." The story, built around a candid and troubling look at a case of reproductive injustice in Alabama, flowed easily going back a forth between the 70's and current (2016).
This book, while historical fiction, tackles topics still very relevant to our time. It is "must read" for book clubs willing to have meaningful, and possibly tough, discussions - not only about the book, but about the topics of civil rights, structural racism, and women's reproductive rights.
The Turnout
by Megan Abbott
“The Turnout” a Turn Off (8/27/2021)
I had such high expectations for “The Turnout.” I even pre-ordered it based on the early reviews by the critics and because I was intrigued by the book having ballet as the backdrop. After all, “Every girl wants to be a ballerina” as it says in the book.
Not finishing a book is a rare occurrence for me. I read lots of genres and really like to give books a fair chance. However, in the case of “The Turnout,” I set the book aside after forcing myself to read at least half of it. It was kind of dark and disturbing...not a “thriller.” The storyline didn’t resonate with me at all. The characters were not likable or relatable. Disappointing - this book sounded like it would be a great read.
A Woman of Intelligence
by Karin Tanabe
A 3.5 Star Worthwhile Read (8/20/2021)
It’s NYC in the 1950’s, the early years of the Cold War Era. Communism is a perceived threat. McCarthyism is in full swing. Katharina Edgeworth is living a privileged life as a wife of a doctor and a mother of two healthy spirited boys. An d yet, an educated, worldly, career woman, Rina is being suffocated by the traditional roles and expectations of “wife and mother” dictated by society and others in her life. When her days are at their bleakest, a past relationship with a known Communist brings the FBI into her life. The assignment they ask of her, not only allows her to play a role serving her country, but is also the lifeline Rina needs to find herself.
A 3.5 star read. “A Woman of Intelligence” started off a little slow with the crux of the story not unfolding until at least the midpoint of the book and even then, I was left wanting for more detail about Rina’s role and more intrigue. With that said, the book was an easy read and the premise was interesting enough to hold my attention until the end of the book.
A Peculiar Combination: Electra McDonnell Series #1
by Ashley Weaver
Criminals, Soldiers, Spies…oh my! (7/30/2021)
As fate brings them together, a spirited thief and a straight-laced Major become unlikely allies in war-time England as they join forces to thwart an attempt to deliver critical documents into the Germans’ hands. Intrigue, murder, and a sprinkling of romance, combined with engaging “good guys” and a handful of suspects, are the perfect ingredients for this entertaining WW2 mystery.
The first in a new series —- I am already eagerly anticipating the next Electra McDonnell series!!!
4.5 stars “light” read (easy straightforward read, not overly graphic violence)
The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
A Fascinating Life Story (7/21/2021)
A fascinating story of the life of Belle da Costa Greene (née Belle Marion Greener), J P Morgan’s trusted personal librarian, partner-in-art, and confidant. The book follows Belle as she, a colored woman passing as white, learns to navigate among a male-dominated art world and mingle with high society across continents as an influential representative of J P Morgan (and later his son) and his John Pierpont Morgan Library. While her path brought Belle professional success, influence, acclaim and rewards, it didn’t come without high risks, personal sacrifices, the burden of familial responsibilities and loneliness as told in this compelling novel.
“I wonder sometimes if the sacrifice I made to have this success is worth it.” (Belle in a conversation with her father)
As a side note - this book will be an excellent read for book clubs! There are many potential topics for engaging discussion.
The Widow Queen: The Bold #1
by Elzbieta Cherezinska
A Challenging Read with All the Makings of a Historical Saga (7/5/2021)
One of the more challenging books that I have read in awhile. Not only were there a litany of characters with foreign names and several stories unfolding in parallel while intertwining, but the book captured a time period and a part of the world (10th century Poland and Nordic Countries) with which I am less familiar so lacked a frame of reference. And yet, for all these reasons, I was captivated by the book! The book had all the makings of a fascinating historical saga - complex familial and political relationships and alliances, intrigue, political strategizing and gamesmanship, romance and war.
As a side note, the translation of this book was brilliantly done in that the book flowed seamlessly, telling the story and capturing the essence as if it were written in English. Also, the audiobook version was an excellent, albeit long listen (24 hours). I used it to accompany the hardback - alternating between the two to help aid in my comprehension and the pronunciation of the names and places.
My Broken Language: A Memoir
by Quiara Alegría Hudes
Finding Her “Language” (6/16/2021)
This book had me hooked from the start. A eloquent memoir of Hudes’ navigation between her “English and Spanish halves” as she strives to find her identity and her direction. Her journey begins in the barrio of North Philly surrounded by passionate Boricua Perez women “who danced through a shitstorm of life,” during occasional visits to the homogeneous white suburbia world of her father, and later during her days at Yale. As her story unfolds Quiara finds her own “language,” and direction in words and music. One experiences her family, her culture, the various traditions and emotions in this vividly written book.
