February, 2018

"The Radical Element" by Jessica Spotswood         

This is a historical fiction collection of short stories focusing on girls who made "radical" decisions for their time. The radical decision can be something as simple as deciding to pursue higher education or passing as white. I thought the collection was a bit boring. The featured girls were a bit lackluster. Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. 

"The Last Girl" by Nadia Murad         

Nadia lived a quite life in northern Iraq, with other members of the Yazidi community. A little known religion, Yazidi's are an insular community, who generally keeps to themselves and bothers no one. When ISIS enters their village, they separate men, women and children. The men are slaughtered. Young women of Nadia's age are taken away, to become sex slaves. After being forced to convert to Islam, she is traded by several militants to be repeatedly raped and beaten. Left unattended one day, Nadia miraculously escapes. With the help of a Sunni Muslim family, she is smuggled to safety.

     This was a very powerful and moving story. I can't imagine the horrors that Nadia, and other members of the Yazidi community have gone through. I was glad to see a book written from this perspective. It is very brave of Nadia to speak of her experiences, and it is important to bring awareness and to ensure that this does not happen again. Overall, highly recommended.

"My Life Under the Trees" by Mangar & Thompson         

As a child, Abraham and other boys in the region were taken from their home in Sudan and forced to live away from their families. Subjected to manual labor while scrambling to find enough food, Abraham and the other boys suffered years of deprivation. As Abraham learns to survive, he is shuffled from place to place, often fleeing for his life.         

This was a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. It was well written and engaging. I can see middle school or teenage children reading this book and relating to Abraham as a young boy. Overall, highly recommended.

"Train to Nowhere" by Anita Leslie         

During WWII, Anita serves as an ambulance driver throughout several fronts. I had a really hard time getting into this book and taking it seriously. It was more of a social diary - I went here, it was hot. Person x did this. I met person y - over and over again. Unfortunately, this is not a book I would re-read or recommend. 

"Ike and Kay" by James MacManus         

When Kay Summersby is assigned as a driver for General Eisenhower, the two quickly develop a report and eventually an affair. Despite his marriage to Mamie, Ike flaunts their relationship. This book felt very nostalgic. It continually skipped back in time to tell the reader something else about the couple. This took away from the story, rather than adding to it. This book felt slow and rambling and just didn't work. Overall, a bust.

"The Romanov Empress" by C. W. Gortner         

Minnie, a Danish Princess, leaves her family home to marry Alexander, the Romanov heir. This book follows her as she becomes empress, a widow, and throughout the reign and death of her son, Nicholas, the last Roman czar.         

This book was well written and engaging. I've read a number of books about Nicholas and his family, but none about or from the view point of his mother. I thought this book was absolutely fascinating. I look forward to reading more from this author. Overall, highly recommended.

"A Little Piece of Light" by Donna Hylton         

After becoming involved in a kidnapping and murder, Donna is sentenced to 25 years to life. This book drove me absolutely crazy. Donna says she is sorry for what happened, but does not take any ownership for her actions. She was 21 when the kidnap and murder took place, but she tries to play the innocent. She blames everyone else for what happened. Felony murder is not a technicality.