July, 2018

"The Masterpiece" by Fiona Davis         

In the 1920's, Grand Central Station housed an art school. Clara, the only female teacher at the school, began to achieve fame and notoriety, until the Great Depression derailed the art world. Fifty years later, Virginia, recovering from a divorce, takes a job at the dilapidated, run-down Grand Central Station. By accident, she discovers the art school, and is enraptured by a painting she founds.< When the painting she finds is linked to one up for auction, painted by the mysterious Clyde, Virginia tries to track down the author of her painting.         

This was a quick, easy read. The back and forth between the characters and timelines worked really well and came together nicely. Overall, well written.  I look forward to reading more from this author.

"The Red Ribbon" by Lucy Adlington         

Walking home from school, Ella was arrested by the Nazi's and sent to Birchwood, a concentration camp. Lying about her age, she becomes one of the seamstresses, creating fabulous dresses for the wives of Nazi leadership and female SS officers. Ella becomes friends with Rose, another worker in the sewing workshop. Together, they do everything they can to survive.         

This was a well written and engaging young adult novel. I didn't particularly like how the author renamed things - i.e. Birchwood for Auschwitz-Birkenau, Department Store for Canada. It took away from the authenticity of the book. Despite this criticism, I would recommend this book and read more from this author.

"I Am Still Alive" by Kate Alice Marshall         

After losing her mother in a car accident, and trying to recover from her own horrible injuries, Jess is sent to Alaska to live with her father off the grid. When he is murdered and the cabin burned to the ground, Jess barely escapes. The reality of her situation quickly hits, and she realizes everything she has to do to survive.        

 This was a really great book. The Before and After that the author used worked well to build up the story line. I thought Jess was a very interesting character, one I found myself able to relate and connect with. Overall, 5 stars!

"Josephine Baker's Last Dance" by Sherry Jones         

Born into poverty, Josephine was a wild and rambunctious girl. To tame her, her parents sent her off to work in the homes of the wealthy as a maid. Time and time again she returned home, desperate for her parents love. Trying to find a place in the world, she began dancing comedic roles. Her talent quickly landed her a job and she found herself working in Paris. Looking for better opportunities, Josephine took the role of the "savage dancer," becoming the first topless black dancer in Paris. Her fame spiraled from there. Throughout the book, Josephine continually found, and then lost, love, something she craved more than anything.         

Although this was an interesting book, the author continually skipped huge periods of time, and then told about them in a paragraph or two. There was a time that she was in America and she decided to leave her man, the Count. Suddenly, it was two years later. Briefly the author mentioned that she had married and converted to Judaism. Why did the author skip over that time? Also, there was a brief mention of adopting children, and then nothing. What about the time she spent adopting and raising children? The book was well written, however, it skipped over too many important events.  Wikipedia gave me more information on some periods of her life than this book did. Overall, a bust.

"Princess: The Early Life of Queen Elizabeth II" by Jane Dismore         

This book outlines the early years of Princess Elizabeth, her marriage to Prince Philip and the death of her father.         

Wow this book was boring. It was a bunch of name dropping, dress descriptions, and generally bland details. It was detached, dry, and offered very few intimate details of Elizabeth's life.< It focused more on her relatives than her. It felt like the author had never met Elizabeth, but relied on newspapers, books, and accounts of people who were quasi-related to Elizabeth. Overall, a bust.

"The Make-Ahead Sauce Solution" by Elisabeth Bailey         

This cook book offers a large variety of sauce recipes. The sauces can be made in large batches, frozen and used over time. The only thing missing was a section on canning the sauces. Overall, well worth purchasing. 

"The Button War" by Avi         

Patryk and his friends live in a small Polish village occupied by the Russians. The Germans drop a bomb on the village, and then invade. Patryk and his friends have a dare, and the winner is the one who steals the best button from the soldiers. Determined not to let Jurek win, Patryk continues playing the game, despite the destruction and death that is occurring around them.         

I thought this book left a lot to be desired. Patryk and his friends seemed more like eight year olds than the twelve years olds they were supposed to be. There was no real ending or conclusion to the book. An epilogue or something was sorely needed. Overall, a bust.

"The Silence of the Girls" by Pat Barker

Briseis, a princess, is given to Achilles as a war prize when her city is overrun and destroyed. Treated as an object, Briseis must quickly adjust to her new life among the Greek army. When Achilles and Agamemnon argue, Agamemnon demands Briseis as his own.  Achilles relents, but decides no longer to fight against the Trojans.         

This book was hard to put down. Briseis was such a realistic and interesting character. Secondary characters were also well created, and lacked the stereotypical feel that most historical fiction has. I look forward to reading more from this author.

"The Winter Soldier" by Daniel Mason         

Lucius, is a young medical student when WWI erupts. Hoping to gain more experience, he enlists and is sent to a field hospital in a remote valley. The previous doctor and nurses have left, save one, Sister Margarete. Quickly realizing that he has no idea what he is doing, he relies on Sister Margarete to teach him the fundamentals of battlefield surgery. Together, the two run the field hospital. When a soldier is brought in with shell shock, Lucius is fascinated by the disease and does his best to cure him. Lucius keeps the soldier long past the time he should, resulting in devastating consequences.

  This was a pretty good book. Lucius was a realistic and likeable character. His relationship with Sister Margarete, the patients, and medicine was interesting to watch. I would definitely read another book from this author. Overall, well worth picking up.