July, 2023
"The Girl from the Papers" by Jennifer L. Wright
As a child, Beatrice supported her family by winning beauty pageants. When she starts loosing, her Mother dresses up, and lands herself a rich man. The man is abusive, violent, and highly religious. Beatrice and her sister force their Mom to choose, and she reluctantly chooses her daughters. They move to West Dallas, Texas, where they are enmeshed in poverty. Working at a diner, Beatrice longs to escape. When Jack Turner turns her head, she falls for his fast lifestyle. Together, they begin robbing stores, and then banks.
This book had amazing character development. The characters felt very realistic and dynamic. I felt for Beatrice and the decisions she had to make. The plot line was a bit predictable, but that's because it was based off Bonnie and Clyde. I wish the author had done more to separate the two stories. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.
"Lydia's Journey" by Katherine Covell
Lydia is ten years old when the Armenian genocide begins and soldiers invade her village. They force everyone to march from their homes. Separated from her parents, she marches alongside her pregnant Aunt. After her aunt dies giving birth on the side of the road, Lydia is forced on alone. The continue marching through the desert and into Syria. Finally reunited with her Mom, her happiness is short lived when she is sold into slavery. After years of suffering, she walks into the desert, determined to be free. She is found and taken to an orphanage. The orphanage arranges a marriage to a countryman man in England, Dikran. Kind and loving, they develop a good relationship. As WWII begins, Lydia and her family are bombed, forced into shelters, and must find a way to live through another war.
This was a well written and engaging story. Lydia's character was well developed and easy to love. The story was extremely heartbreaking. What horrors for any people to endure. Overall, I would highly recommend this book.
"Under the Java Moon" by Heather B. Moore
During WWII, Dutch Rita and her family live on the Java Islands. Her father is an engineer for the Dutch Navy. When the Japanese invade, his boat is torpedoed and he is left to drift in the sea. Rita, her little brother, and pregnant mother, are forced into a camp. They live in a house with many other families, little food, and no sanitation. The book alternates points of view between Rita, her Mom Mary, and father George.
Wow, this book was great1!. It was well written and the characters were dynamic. It also provides insight into WWI's affects on Indonesia and Japanese internment camps, which few books cover. The story was well paced, and the different points of view were interesting and added to the story. 5 out of 5 stars.
"Good Night Irene" by Luis Alberto Urrea
Determined to make a change in her life, Irene ups and leaves her fiancée in New York to enlist in the Red Cross. Assigned as one of the Donut Dollies, she is sent to Europe during WWII to boost morale of the front line troops. Pared with Dorothy, the pair travel through some of the hardest hit areas, and into the front lines of France. Along the way they find romance, heartbreak, and unendurable horror.
I was amazed at some of the situations that Irene and Dorothy went through. From being bombed and buried alive, to working a shift in a front line hospital, the two friends went through hell! The book was well paced and engaging. The characters showed real growth and movement throughout the book. Overall, 5 out of 5 stars.
"The Black Angels" by Maria Smilios
At a time when tuberculosis was a long death sentence, New York created Sea View, a sanatorium on Staten Island. During the great depression, a nursing shortage forced hospitals and medical practices to open up the field to black nurses. At Sea View, the wards were filled with the Black Angels - the only nurses who would work in the dangerous sanatorium. This book follows several black nurses and their patients as potential cures were tested and discarded.
I could not put this book down. It was engaging and well written. The nurses and patients described throughout were fully developed and extremely relatable. Each of the nurses was an unsung hero who deserves recognition and accolades. Overall, 5 out of 5 stars.
"All You Have to Do is Call" by Kerri Maher
This book follows the lives of three women, Veronica, Patty, and Margaret. Jane, a female empowerment, underground abortion group is designed to provide women with choice and safe medical treatment. Veronica, the founder of Jane, lives a double life. On one hand, she is the typical suburban housewife who bakes and takes care of her child. On the other, she coordinates and performs illegal underground abortions. Patty, Veronica's best friend, does not know about Jane and is horrified at the thought of abortion. She focuses her time and energy on her children and boosting her lack luster marriage. Margaret is a young college professor who is trying to make a difference in a male dominated profession.
I thought the storyline was a bit lacking in this book. The story was slow to develop and very predictable. The characters felt stereotypical, and not particularly likeable. I was a bit horrified that women with no medical training were performing abortions, and was interested to learn more about Jane itself, however that part of the book was lacking. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.
"The Truth is a Lie" by Sally Lotz
15 year old Sara is a devout Jehovah's Witness, willing to do whatever it takes to enter paradise. When another witness, Rachel, moves into her family home, she confides in Sara that her step-father has sexually assaulted her. Sara, determined to set things right, goes to her mother, and then the elders. Instead of listening to her, Sara is punished. Suddenly she begins doubting her faith and what she has been taught most of her life.
This was an interesting and well paced book. It felt more like it was written for a middle grade audience than an adult audience. I had trouble connecting with Sara at first, but grew to understand her more as the book progressed. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.
