November, 2018

"Finding Dorothy" by Elizabeth Letts

Maud is the widow of Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. When MGM begins creating a movie, she inserts herself into the process, determined to protect Dorothy, and her husband's vision of Oz. Alternating with "present day" the book explores Maud and Frank's relationship and life together.

I really enjoyed this book. Both the present day and past story was fascinating. I particularly enjoyed how the stories wove together. The characters were multi-dimensional and extremely believable. I look forward to reading more from this author.

"After the Fire" by Will Hill         

When the government storms the Lord's Legion compound, only a handful of children survive the deadly fire. Moonbeam, one of the survivors, find herself in a psychiatric facility being questioned by Dr. Hernandez and Agent Carlyle. Moonbeam is scared, overwhelmed, and feeling guilt over the raid and her survival. Slowly, she begins to open up, telling stories of her life before the fire.

     This book was hard to put down. I loved that the author tackled the aftermath of the raid and fire. The psychiatry was fascinating. Moonbeams internal struggles felt completely real. It was hard to believe that she wasn't based on a real survivor's account. Highly recommended.

"The Last Year of the War" by Susan Meissner         

Elise and family are interned along with the Japanese during WWII. Despite having immigrated to the U.S. almost twenty years ago, the family is suspected of being Nazi sympathizer. At the camp, Elise meets Mariko, a Japanese-American teenager. They develop a quick bond and become best friends. Elise and her family are deported to Germany, where she lives for the last year of the war. Elise writes Mariko letters, but they are returned. An elderly Elise, suffering from the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, does a google search and finds that Mariko has moved back to California.

     I thought the early story of Elise was a pretty interesting one. I didn't particularly enjoy the story of elderly Elise. It seemed odd that a woman who lead such a rich life would be so focused on Mariko, when their relationship was such a flitting moment in her life. I will pick up the next book by this author, she is a great story teller.

"Tomorrow" by Merilyn Ruth Liddell

Martha, Jake and Sophie are neighbors in a small, isolated village. Martha is a scientist, looking into a virus that she believes her father engineered. Jake is a cab driver, picking up the odd fare around town. Sophie is a battered woman, trying to protect the baby that she now carries.

     This book was a bit mediocre. The virus and its effects on the world were not fully described. The story could have taken place anywhere really, it didn't have a dystopic feel to it. The characters were a bit stereotypical, especially Sophie and Martha. Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend.

"The Luckiest Guerrilla" by Patricia Murphy Minch         

As a reservist in WWII, Art Murphy volunteered to spend a tour in the Philippines. Believing his wife and children would accompany him on the next boat, Art set's off for adventure and excitement. The war heats up, the Japanese invade, and Art finds himself in the mountains with a small number of soldiers. Determined not to surrender, he becomes one of the Philippine guerrilla's.

     The story of the guerrilla's in the Philippine's was an interesting one. The length of time they were able to survive and harass the Japanese was pretty miraculous. I didn't really feel like I got to know Art or his comrades, the book was more focused on where they were when. Overall, not a book I would re-read, but one I would recommend to history enthusiasts.

"The Suspect" by Fiona Barton         

When Alex and Rosie go missing in Thailand, their families are immediately concerned and worried. Journalist Kate Waters picks up the story and quickly makes a connection with the family. Over a week after the girls are missing, their bodies are found in the remains of a hostel that has burned down. When Kate's son is connected to the girls and the fire, she is taken off the case and is determined to track down her son and prove his innocence.

     I'm not entirely sure what to think of this book. Alex and Rosie had an interesting story, but they came across as caricatures rather than real people. Neither Kate nor the main detective felt real either. At times the story seemed excessively drawn out. I would have liked more from the girls, rather than the story being hyper focused on the aftermath. Despite these criticisms, the story held by interest. Overall 3 out of 5 stars.

"The Dreamers" by Karen Thompson Walker         

In a small college town in Southern California, people begin falling asleep and not waking. As more and more people fall victim to the virus, the town is quarantined. The book follows a number of people as those around them fall asleep.

     This book was extremely detached. None of the characters seemed real. Their emotions seemed muted and dulled. All of this made the book hard to read and boring. Unfortunately, this one was a bust.

"The Water Cure" by Sophie Mackintosh         

Grace, Lia and Sky have been raised away from the world. Their father King, and mother, have convinced them that men are dangerous, the world is toxic, and they must undergo a number of "therapies" to keep themselves healthy and fortified. After King's death, three men wash up on shore. Shortly after their arrival, Mother disappears, leaving the girls alone with the men. Lia finds herself drawn to the men, craving touch and attention.         

This book was a bit slow and surreal. The author never explained how King was able to isolate his family. This book could have taken place in any number of times, making the story seem half-formed. I also don't understand why only Grace and Lia was given a voice. Neither one seemed like an individual, or had a unique voice. Overall, this book was a bust.

"Annelies" by David Gillham         

What if Anne Frank had survived? This book takes that premise and explores her life before hiding, and then her reunion with her father after surviving a concentration camp.

     I think this book has a great premise. However, I did not particularly like how the author executed the story. The author spent a lot of time on pre-diary Anne, and then skipped almost straight to her reunion with her father. There was a handful of chapters about her life in hiding, the concentration camp, and her recovery in the hospital - but there was not enough substance to make these time periods feel realistic. I really wish the author had focused on different time periods, and truly explored what happened, and what could have been. Overall, a bust.