August, 2022 

"Mademoiselle Revolution" by Zoe Sivak

As the daughter of a rich white planter and a slave, Sylvie has trouble with her identify and where she belongs.  When Sylvie and her family are forced to leave during the Saint-Domingue uprising, she finds herself in France.  There, she meets Robespierre and his paramour, Cornelie Duplay.

I hate to say this, but this book felt like a cheap harlequin romance novel.  I found Sylvie a bit of a snob and hard to like.  Most of the secondary characters felt stereotypical.  I found it really hard to get into the story.  Overall, not a book I would recommend or reread.

"The Winter Orphans' by Kristin Beck

Rosli is working with the Swiss Red Cross to provide a home to Jewish refugees in France.  When the war threatens the older children, she decides to find a way to smuggle them to safety in Switzerland.  Ella, one of the Jewish refugees worries about her sister Hanni and how to protect her.  Anne-Marie, a Swiss volunteer, partners with Rosli to help her find ways across the border.

  This was a well written and engaging book.  The author did an excellent job balancing the different points of view while progressing the story.  I can't wait to read more from this author!

"Gilded Mountain" by Kate Manning

Sylvie and her family live in a tiny marble mining town dominated by the company.  When Sylvie has the opportunity to work at the newspaper, she jumps at the chance.  During the summer, she has the opportunity to work for the owners of the company.  While there, she realizes that they live a lavish lifestyle, while the miners and their families are left to freeze and starve.  Drawn to the son, Jasper, she is torn between her loyalty to her family, and the company.  When union organizers come to down, Sylvie must finally decide where her loyalties lie.

  This book was very easy to sink into.  The world was beautifully described, I could really see and feel the town and its inhabitants.  I was less interested in Sylvie and Jasper, and much more interested in the union and strikers.  I've read very few books on union organizers and labor rights and found the topic fascinated.  Overall, highly recommended.

"American Royals III: Rivals" by Katharine McGee

This is the third novel in the American Royals series.  Beatrice has taken her place as Queen, but now must prove herself on the world stage.  Sam and Marshall must decide if they are willing to set aside their royal restraints and buck convention.  Daphne and Nina team up against Lady Gabriella, who is determined to take them down.

  This was a fun and exciting read.  All of the characters felt very realistic and multi dimensional.  The story was well paced and flowed well between points of view.  I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

"The Daughter of Auschwitz" by Friedman & Brabant

At the age of six, Tova and her mother were liberated from the Auschwitz concentration camp.  One of the youngest survivors, this book outlines her life before, during, and after WWII.

  Powerfully moving, this was a strong and well written book.  It is hard to believe that such a young child could come through such horrors and thrive.  Alongside her story is the powerful message that the world cannot forget what happened.  Tova is not only a survivor, but a living testament.  Overall, 5 out of 5 stars.

"The War Librarian" by Addison Armstrong

During WWI, Emmaline leaves the Dead Letter Office to serve as a librarian on the front lines.  Stationed at a hospital in France, Emmaline must overcome her fears to serve the bored and wounded soldiers.  There, she encounters an old crush, a man from her past.  In 1976, Kathleen has been chosen as one of the first women to enter the Naval Academy.  There, she experiences hazing, prejudice, and downright hostility from the men who are supposed to be her comrades.

  Although the two stories were related, they were extremely different.  I did not think that Emmaline and Kathleen's stories worked well together.  Each could have been a standalone book, but together they were very discordant.  I did think the naval academy story was a bit stronger, and found myself waiting for those chapters.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

"Surviving the Angel of Death" by Mozes & Buccieri

At the age of 10, Eva and her twin sister Miriam were pulled off the tracks of Auschwitz by Dr. Mengele.  They never saw their parents or siblings again.  Subjected to medical experiments, the twins never know what shots they were being given and for what purpose.  Determined to survive, Eva and Miriam clung to one another.   After liberation, the twins were reunited with distant family and forced to live with the trauma they had experienced.   As an adult, Eva became a proponent of forgiveness, often defending and fighting for her beliefs.

  I read this novel years ago.  It was just as touching and heartbreaking the second time around.  I admire Eva's spirit of forgiveness and her desire to live her best life.  I also understand why forgiving Nazi's could be controversial.  Overall, the novel was well written and engaging.  It does not go into graphic detail, which makes for a good middle grade or young adult novel.  Highly recommended.

"Sophie and the Rising Sun" by Augusta Trobaugh

Sophie, a middle-aged single woman, lives in a small town in Georgia.  Her neighbor, Anne, takes on a Japanese gardener, Mr. Oto.  Slowly, Sophie and Mr. Oto begin to speak, eventually developing a relationship.  When the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, Mr. Oto's life is in danger.

  This book was a bit slow and meandering.  The plot never really seemed to go anywhere.  I didn't really enjoy this book, I felt like I was just plodding through.  There was also no real conclusion, which drives me crazy.  Overall, 2 out of 5 stars.

"Buried Memories: Katie Beers' Story" by Katie Beers with Carolyn Gusoff

At the age of 9, Katie Beers was kidnapped by a family friend, John Esposito.  John locked her in an underground box for 17 days.  Eventually, he confessed to his attorney and later the police.  During the hunt for Katie, it became clear to investigators that her family life was full of abuse and neglect.  After being freed, Katie was placed in foster care, where she finally experienced the love of family.

  While Katie's story was extremely compelling and heartbreaking, the book was not well written.  The book was all over the place, jumping from one even to another.  I really did not need or want the reporter's point of view, it took away from the power of Katie's story.  3 out of 5 stars.