May, 2022

"Otherland: Mountain of black Glass,"  and "Otherland: Sea of Silver Light" by Tad Williams  (audio books)

"Mountain of Black Glass" and "Sea of Silver Light" are books 3 and 4 of the Otherland series.  I have read these books numerous times, this time I listened to the audio books.  Please visit my previous review under June, 2016 for details on the series itself.  The reader did a good job with storytelling, emotions, and voices for the characters.  There was a continuity between the books, which helped the story flow.  The accents were a bit off, but after a while this did not bother me.  Overall, well worth reading or listening too!

"The Teacher of Warsaw" by Mario Escobar

        Janusz Korczak spent his entire life looking after children and giving them the best opportunities possible.  As an orphanage director in Warsaw, when the Nazi's invaded, he selflessly continued to look after his children..  Despite lack of resources and the continuous threat of death he stayed by the children until the end.

        I admire Janusz and consider him a hero.  However, I did not enjoy this book.  It rambled all over the place and spent more time on philosophy rather than what was going on in the ghetto.  Despite its subject matter, this is not a book I would reread or recommend.

"An Island" by Karen Jennings

For over twenty years Samuel has worked and lived on the island as a lighthouse keeper.  Every two weeks supplies are delivered, and slowly he has shaped and tamed the island.  When a body washes ashore, he is astonished to discover that the man is still alive.  The stranger is a young, strong man, who does not speak Samuel's language.  Samuel quickly becomes paranoid, unsure who this man is, and what his intentions are.

  My description does not really give the book justice.  Throughout the story we learn about Samuel's past, and how he was imprisoned for revolutionary activities.  Ideas of futility, suffering, and cycles of life are brought up as Samuel reflects on his life and the stranger.  Overall, this was a fascinating book.  I had a hard time putting it down and read long into the night.  5 out of 5 stars.

"A Rose for the Resistance" by Angela K Couch

Rosalie, a young French woman, is trying to keep her family together during German occupation.  Her father is in a German prisoner of war camp, her mother is distant and cold, and her younger brother is working for the resistance.  Franz, a German soldier stationed in France, finds himself conflicted by the war, and no longer believes in the cause.  When Franz finds a wounded English pilot, he takes him to Rosalie to be hidden and cared for.  Suspicious of Franz, Rosalie is unsure and uncertain.

  This was a gripping novel.  The characters were well rounded and dynamic.  The plot unfolded nicely and did not feel rushed or incomplete.  I would love to read a sequel and see where the characters end up.  Overall, highly recommended.