May, 2021

"The Testaments" by Margaret Atwood         

Set fifteen years after the Handmaid's Tale, this book follows the stories - Aunt Lydia, Agnes, and Daisy. Aunt Lydia tells the story of how she became an Aunt, and the choices she has made to remain in power. Agnes grew up in Gilead and is being prepped for marriage. However, she decides to join the Aunts rather than marry and have children. Daisy, born in Canada, learns at 16 that her past is a lie.        

 I had a hard time getting into this book. The plot seemed very slow moving, and felt extremely anticlimactic. I was glad to have multiple points of view, but even then, I did not find myself drawn to any particular story. I did not like the vagueness and the lack of details that permeated this book. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

"Nowhere Girl" by Cheryl Diamond        

Born to a family of outlaws, Harbhajan/Cheryl only knows running, hiding, and sticking with her parents and two siblings at all costs. This book follows her life from a 4 year old to a 30 year old. I hate to admit, but I did not enjoy this book. The voice was the same throughout, whether Harbhajan was 4, 12, or 20. Background details were so vague throughout the story that there didn't seem to be any momentum or forward progression. Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend.

"The Personal Librarian" by Benedict & Murray         

Belle, a black girl passing as white, is hired by J. P. Morgan as his personal librarian. Determined to be the best, Belle makes bold acquisitions, rubs shoulders with the rich and powerful, and refuses to take no for an answer. The entire time, she worries about her family, passing, and the rising violence against blacks.          

Based on a true story, Belle was a fascinating character. Her bold decisions, flirty nature, and desire to be the best in a time where both blacks and women were suppressed was extremely admirable. The book was well paced, and highly entertaining. Overall 4 out of 5 stars.

"The Warsaw Orphan" by Kelly Rimmer         

Teenager Elzbieta spends all of her time in her adopted parents apartment, hiding from the control of the Nazi's. When she befriends her neighbor Sara, a nurse and member of the resistance, Elzbieta decides that she must become involved in the resistance. Roman, a Jewish resident of the ghetto, is struggling to keep his family alive. His newborn sister is in particular danger, as his mother struggles to get enough nourishment to feed her.         

The intersection of Roman and Elzbieta's stories was done very well. Both characters were well developed and extremely likeable. My only complaint is that the book needed an epilogue. I really wanted to know what happened to the characters in the long run. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"Radar Girls" by Sara Ackerman         

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Daisy joins the WARDS - Women's Air Raid Defense. Trained in radar and guidance, Daisy plots courses for pilots, and watches the sky for enemy aircraft. Walker, Daisy's neighbor, joins the fight as a pilot, taking risks on the front line to protect Hawaii.          

I found the setting of the book to be particularly interesting. I've read very little set in Hawaii during WWII and found the culture fascinating. I did think the romance was a bit predictable. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"The Nine" by Gwen Strauss         

After escaping from a German labor camp, Helene a group of nine female resistance fighters across the front lines. This book tells the story of each of the nine women, their involvement in the resistance, and their lives during WWII. I thought this was a well research and engaging story. The resistance work and escape was fascinating. My biggest criticism is that I did not want to read about the author's research, I just wanted to hear the story. Because of this criticism, 3 out of 5 stars.

"She Who Became the Sun" by Shelley Parker-Chan         

In famine stricken China, the Zhu family's son is given a great destiny. The daughter is given the destiny of nothing. When the son dies, the daughter assumes his identify and enters a monastery as a boy. When the Zhu daughter finally achieves her goal of becoming a monk, Mongols burn the monastery, leaving her to ponder the fate she has taken as her own.          

This was an extremely well written book. The story was well paced and the characters were dynamic. My only criticism is that the book did not have a real ending. It desperately needs either ran epilogue or a second book. Due to this criticism, 4 out of 5 stars.