September, 2019

"Beatrice On Her Own" by Rosemary Zibart         

Fleeing the war, Beatrice, a young England girl, is living with Clem, a nurse in Santa Fe. When Pearl Harbor is attacked, Clem makes arrangements to travel to across the country to train other nurses. Beatrice, moves in with her best friend. Nearby, a Japanese Internment Camp is being built.         

Although I found this book to be slow moving, I believe it will be very appealing to pre-teen or middle school age girls. Beatrice was a dynamic character, one I believe many will relate to. Although the book is fiction, I believe it can be an educational tool, to show what life was like during WWII, and to address the internment camps in the U.S. Overall, well worth picking up.

"Cilka's Journey" by Heather Morris         

After being liberated from Auschwitz-Birkenau, Cilka is charged as a collaborator and sent to Siberia for hard labor. Once in the Siberian prison camp, Cilka befriends a female doctor, and finds work inside the hospital wing.         

I had a hard time with this book. It felt like a sequel, where half of the information was missing. Although Cilka's time in Auschwitz was gradually revealed, it would have been more powerful if it had been told straight out at the beginning. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

"Yale Needs Women" by Anne Gardiner Perkins         

In 1970, Yale admitted its first class of women. Not because it wanted to, not because women were smart and intelligent and deserved the best, but because it wanted to continue to draw in men. The women were spread out among multiple colleges and isolated from one another. Their safety, their comfort, were given little thought. Their fellow students, treated them as oddities and curiosities.         

This book followed a handful of the women first admitted into Yale. It didn't focus on anyone long enough to give them real personality, or to forge a real connection with the reader. I have to admit, this book was extremely dry and slow moving. I had to force myself to keep reading, rather than putting it down and starting a new book. Overall, a bit of a disappointment.

"One More River to Cross" by Jane Kirkpatrick         

The Stevens-Murphy company aims to be the first wagons to cross into California via the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The part decides to split up, several going overland via Lake Tahoe, another party abandoning the wagons to travel across the mountains, and a third staying with the wagons. When the party traveling across the mountains realizes that they won't make it, most of them shelter in a makeshift cabin while a handful push across the mountain.         

The book focused on the women's stories, showing how they banded together to survive the deadly winter. The women were well developed and interesting characters. I enjoyed reading from their point of view. At times the pace of the book felt very slow, however, the women's stories kept me reading. Overall 3 out of 5 stars.

"The Girl Behind the Red Rope" by Dekker & Dekker         

Grace and the rest of her religious community have been living isolated since a vision they all had ten years ago. In their vision, they saw the Furies, taking over the world and killing everyone. The community lives with the philosophy that fear will keep them safe. When Grace's brother is caught living the bounds of their community, Grace and her brother are both sent out to explore the world. The first night, Grace's brother is attacked by a fury, and a woman comes to Grace promising to protect her.         

Although the book had an interesting premise, I don't think it was well executed. Grace came across as completely whishy washy. She felt like a weak secondary character, rather than the main character. I also thought that the philosophy needed some work. Sure, love is light, fear is dark. But the idea that light banishes dark, therefore love banishes fear, didn't really work for me. Overall, 2 out of 5 stars.

"A Long Petal of the Sea" by Isabel Allende         

The book open in Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Victor, an army medic, marries his deceased brothers love Roser, to protect her and her unborn baby. With thousands of other refugees they set sail on the SS Winnipeg destined for Chile. The two settle in Chile and make a life together with Roser's son. When the approach of the Chilean civil war, they both feel as if they are back in Spain.         

This book was an odd one. It covers the span of Victor and Roser's adult life with some time periods well covered and others glossed over. The time transitions were jerky and off putting. The details about their day-to-day life was just missing, which made me feel like I didn't know any of the characters. Along with this, the book had a very nostalgic feel to it. I'm not really sure how to rate this one, so I'll give it 3 out of 5 stars.

"Darling Rose Gold" by Stephanie Wrobel         

As a child, Rose Gold's mother Patty intentionally made her sick. She sheltered Rose Gold at home, away from school, away from the internet, and away from anyone who might question what was going on. When Rose Gold realized what was going on, she turned to a neighbor. The police were called, and her mother was arrested. 5 years later, her mother is getting out of prison, and Rose Gold has a plan of her own.         

This was a well written and engaging book. I found it hard to put down. The author expertly blended the past and present, revealing tidbits along the way. I would love to read more from this author. Overall, highly recommended.

"Today We Go Home" by Kelli Estes        

In the present, Larkin has returned from Afghanistan after being medically discharged. Her best friend Sarah was killed overseas, in an accident that Larkin blames on herself. Larkin is trying to figure out how to live day-to-day away from war and without her best friend. In the past, Emily Wilson watches as her father and brother leave to fight for the Union during the civil war. Her father is killed in battle, and Emily receives notice that her brother is deathly ill in a military hospital. After the death of her battle, Emily cuts her hair and dresses like a man. Together with her remaining brother, they join up.

     Although I found both stories interesting and enjoyable, they did not really work well together. Both would have been better as standalone stories. I often found that when I was reading about Larking, I was wondering about Emily, and vice a versa. Despite this criticism, I enjoyed the stories and would read more from this author. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"A Hundred Suns" by Karin Tanabe         

In the 1930's, Jessie and her husband Victor, travel from Paris to Indochina. Victor, a Michelin, has been sent to oversee their rubber plantations. Jessie meets Marcelle, a woman who instantly befriends Jessie. Behind the scenes, Marcelle is working to oust the Michelin's, and transform the nation to communism.         

The book was an interesting and intriguing read. Both the setting and the characters were exotic and fascinating. Jessie's back story was unraveled in pieces, providing depth to her character as the book progressed. I highly enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more from this author.

"Safe Harbour" by Christina Kilbourne  

At 14 years old Harbour's father sent her north to Canada to live while he sailed their boat (and home) up to her. Camping in a ravine, Harbour optimistically awaits the day he is supposed to arrive. When the day comes and passes, she begins to panic, not sure what she will do without out. Lise, an older homeless teen, befriends Harbour, showing her all of the good places to get a meal, or merely to be when it is cold. As the days tick away, it becomes more and more obvious that something has happened to Harbour's dad and that she needs to make a new plan.         

This book was a bit slow moving. Just as Harbour was waiting on her Dad, the reader was left waiting for Harbour to come to the truth about her situation. This was very tedious at times. Although Harbour and Lise were realistic characters, I didn't really find the plot all that believable. Overall, this book just wasn't for me.

"Jane Anonymous" by Laurie Stolarz

Abducted from her workplace, Jane spent seven long months in captivity. Her captor passed her food, and clean laundry through a cat door. Jane could hear other captives screaming and pleading. One night, Mason came to the duct in her room. His visits brought her comfort and kept her sane. Alternating with the present, Jane outlines her parents attempts to make her normal, and the confusion she feels on the outside.         

I could not put this book down. It was absolutely fascinating. I'm glad that the author included two different time-lines, it worked well with the story. Jane was an extremely realistic and sympathetic character. Overall, highly recommended.

"Mighty Justice: My Live in Civil Rights" by Dovey Johnson Roundtree         

This book recounts the life of Dovey Johnson Roundtree, a civil rights activist. I had a hard time getting into this book. Although Roundtree led a fascinating life, this book felt more like someone reflecting back, rather than telling a story. I think Roundtree's story is an important one to tell, however this book just didn't do her justice. Overall, a bust.