December, 2023

"The American Daughters" by Maurice Carlos Ruffin 

Sanite, enslaved to a businessman in the French Quarter, struggles against the bonds of slavery.  When she walks into the Mockingbird Inn she meets Lenore, a free black woman.  The two become friends and Lenore invites her to join a secret society called the Daughters.  The Daughters spy and pass their information on to  the abolitionists and others fighting against the south.

The book had an odd format, which I did not really like.  The beginning was extremely rough, where the story moved back and forth in time without really presenting the characters.  Once the book settled on a younger Ady, it began to draw my interest.  Overall, I think the book seemed haphazard and ill planned.  3 out of 5 stars.

"Sisters of the Soul" by Kristin Fulton

This book spans over 60 years in the life of Elizabeth and Sophie.  As children, Elizabeth grew up as the plantation owner’s daughter while Sophie grew up in the slave cabins.  When they run away from the plantation, they travel across the Oregon Trail to San Francisco.  Elizabeth gives birth to Rose, a child of rape, who she resents and treats poorly.  Sophie does her best by the child, trying to provide the love that Elizabeth cannot.

This really could have been 3 different books focusing on different periods of the characters lives.  Mushing the storylines into 1 book meant that some periods of time were brushed over and short changed.  I really enjoyed the story itself, but wish it had been formatted completely differently.  Further, towards the end, the author used a series of letters to move the plot forward, which I personally dislike.  Due to these criticisms, 3 out of 5 stars.

“American Daughter Gone To War” by Winnie Smith

With a desire to serve, Winnie signed up to be a nurse during the Vietnam War.  This book follows her from training state-side, to Japan, Vietnam, and back home again.  This is one of the best books of this genre that I have read.  The author was not afraid to talk about her feelings, the horrors of war, or the toll that war takes on everyone.  Fast paced, the book was well thought out and written.  Overall, highly recommended.  

"The Underground Library" by Jennifer Ryan 

Set in London during WWII, this book follows the lives of three women.  Juliet has left her small town to become the deputy librarian in Bethnal Green.  Katie, a local woman, is terrified when she learns that she is pregnant.  Sofie, a Jewish refugee, works as a maid for a bitter older man.  As bombs rain down on London, Juliet moves the library into the underground subway system, where a community begins to develop.

This was an interesting and dynamic book with well written characters.  The characters were multidimensional and showed growth throughout the story.  I loved how the women’s lives were intertwined and how they worked together to build community.  Overall, highly recommended!