The Invention Of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

My Review:

I believe that some books need to be read at the right time for each reader. This is so true with The Invention of Wings. Two different times it came in for me at the library and for whatever reason, I just didn’t pick it up. I knew it got rave reviews and I loved her earlier books, but I just wasn’t ready to read a book about the atrocities of slavery coupled with everlasting friendship. After it was selected as a book club selection, however, I knew it was the right moment to dig in. Yes, this book is hard to read at times. Slaves were treated unjustly, cruelly and no better than a carpet you walk on; yet this author did a magnificent job at giving us the parallel version of hope from the Grimke sisters, some of our main characters. The symbolism of the blackbird was very interesting as in most books it’s understood that black birds reflect death and doom. I learned that the slaves believed these birds were a sign of escape and freedom, as was the black triangle, which was all new imagery for me. Now, I love historical fiction, but even better is when I finish the book and find out that the majority of the main characters were real people and that many of the anecdotes, trials, pamphlets and meetings were based on real facts. Learning from the author’s wonderfully extensive notes in the back of the book that Sarah Grimke did, in fact, secretly teach her slave Hetty to read, was extremely paramount for me. If it weren’t for the art of reading and writing, this book wouldn’t be, and her story would never have been told.

 

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

My Review:

This is a wonderful, insightful, emotional and plain ol’ good book. Anthony Doerr has successfully brought to life two young characters that are coming to age amidst WW2. Both are fragile, one physically and one wrought with guilt, however there’s no doubt you’ll be cheering them on from the start. This book has very short chapters, curt yet expressive sentences, and still, no word is wasted. It just works perfectly and it made me think the author was perhaps rationing his words to mirror the wartime experience. The relationship between father and daughter was delightful to read about and the underlying story of the “stone” in question kept a good mystery going as an alternate plotline. Light and the lack thereof are reflected throughout this book in many symbolic and obvious ways, which makes the title perfect.

 

The Pieces We Keep by Kristina McMorris

My Review:

Damn a book that keeps me up til 3:30am to finish, but I’m damn glad it did. The book is broken into short chapters that are the voices of two women, separated by 75 years, but connected in miraculous ways. Both stories kept my interest equally and the author writes at a pace that keeps the reader in suspense as the plot unfolds. Part historical fiction, part current day worries of a single, newly widowed mom, this book offers it all: family drama, romance, Nazis, heroes, friendships, war, parenting, history and more. I was anxiously awaiting this author’s next novel after thoroughly enjoying The Bridge Of Scarlet Leaves and once again she has created a satisfying read!

 

The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

My Review:

This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I know it recently won the Indie Next Pick award by Independent Booksellers, but I wasn’t expecting such an interesting and captivating read. Having just gotten back from Paris, where I was immersed in the architecture and history, this book hit a special place for me, as so many of the cafes and street names were familiar. As a reader, it was fascinating to be in the mind of an architect and the main protagonist, Lucien. Although I’m very creative, I see the world so very differently than Lucien does and I credit the author for the brilliance of the secret spots he created. Some of the scenes are emotionally haunting and hard to read, but then again, so is war and so was the German occupation over France. This book was a page-turner and ideal for both men and women. My only criticism was Lucien’s use of more “modern” language, which I believe, wasn’t characteristic of the time period. For a first novel, this was executed, no pun intended, quite well.

 

We Are Called To Rise by Laura McBride

My Review:

Not only was this an incredible book, but also made sweeter as it was a random find at the library. I was totally attracted to the title. It was on the new fiction shelf, so I took it. WOW. This book is about war on so many levels; war within a family, within countries, within the system and within ourselves. The first chapter had me intrigued and laughing and then the book got serious. I was championing Luis, Avis and Bashkim until the end. The title is so definitively perfect for this book because it reminds us; we are called to rise. Always. Having a CASA worker in this book made it all too real and hit home for me as I have friends that are caseworkers for CASA. As people, as a community, as a spouse, mother, friend, employee, sibling or teacher, we are constantly called to rise. The descriptions of war in Afghanistan were often hard to read, but by g-d, so important in understanding what war is like, and why coming home can be so equally joyous and difficult. I look forward to reading more from Laura McBride.

 

Coincidence by J.W. Ironmonger

My Review:

Well, I stayed up until 3:30 am to finish this book so I guess that means I liked it a lot. This book was fascinating and I think it would attract more readers had the cover been different. For those of you who judge a book by its cover or its title, please don’t do it for this book. This book had a romantic edge underneath the more philosophical plot of coincidence, fate, destiny, predetermination and luck. It would be an excellent discussion book so I highly suggest it for book clubs. This book is heavy in characters and settings but the author does a seamless job of weaving all of it together, taking us from the Isle of Man to the university in England to the jungles of Uganda and then back again. Well done!

 

I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

My Review:

Spy thriller, mystery and adventure all wrapped up into one page-turner of a novel. Terry Hayes has started a series that will keep you up at night because you have to find out what happens next. I don’t read a ton of this genre and I picked this one up strictly on recommendation. I’m so glad I did. One of the best things about this book is that you get multiple stories within the story that tangle and weave together. They are stronger than sub-plots as each piece of these murders and counter-terrorism plots are heavily delved into. The main terrorist’s horrific plan to take down the US is quite scary, especially with the Ebola cases littering the US right now. I also loved how much of this book took place around the world. I found myself looking up these locations to see if they were real. Pilgrim, or whatever you call him is a multi-faceted, incredibly likable main character. My daughter just started it and said he’s like Jason Bourne and Sherlock Holmes combined. Mr. Hayes is an accomplished screenwriter and this is his first novel. It does read like a movie in your mind and I’ve been casting the characters since the first page. Low and behold, the rights have already been sold and sealed for what I’m sure will be a blockbuster movie.

 

What The Lady Wants by Renee Rosen

My Review:

This is a riveting, fast paced look at Chicago during the Gilded Age and most specifically the life of Delia Caton, the illicit lover of Marshall Field. I’ve lived in Chicago for over 25 years and never quite realized the gravity and hold Marshall Field had over this city. He was a man to be reckoned with and truly was the Merchant Prince. I now can completely grasp why our city mourned when Macy’s bought out this beloved department store. Renee Rosen deftly wove Delia and Marshall’s story together while sharing the history of Chicago simultaneously. From the Great Fire, to the Haymarket Affair to the World’s Fair and the history of the Loop, we see how Chicago has suffered and rose victoriously…mirroring Delia Caton’s life and love for Marsh. Her name-dropping of people, brands, designers and places, all played a part in letting the reader’s imagination take flight. She also uses the fiction of historical fiction to speculate how this very public affair could happen in the eyes of the elite and more importantly their own family. I highly recommend this book, especially for those who have any type of relationship to Chicago.

 

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

My Review:

Book Clubs will love this short little book with so much to discuss. E. Lockhart is at her best with this story. This is a hard book to review without giving away any spoilers, but it includes love, familial competition, prejudices, friendship, wealth, pretentiousness and a hint of magical realism. I loved the fairy tails the main protagonist Cadence wrote; they were original and appropriate to the storylines. Highly recommend for YA readers as well as all readers.

 

The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg

My Review:

This was an absolutely fabulous book filled with historical accuracy, harrowing scenes and great characters that reads at an incredibly fast pace. This is the first Joel C. Rosenberg book I’ve read (he’s written tons of thrillers) and I’ve come to understand this is his first attempt at Historical Fiction. Well, welcome to the genre Mr. Rosenberg because this was a wonderfully told story about a horrible subject matter, Auschwitz. The two main protagonists, Jacob, a German Jew and Jean-Luc Leclerc, a Christian pastor are both extremely relatable and will have you cheering for them both. Atrocities done in the camps by the officers and guards were damnable yet there was some glimmers of hope from the prisoners in the resistance. Together, with a large amount of trust and luck, they worked to help feed and protect each other and even help plan escapes. There is an equal amount of respect paid to Christianity and Judaism throughout this book so it didn’t come as a huge surprise that the author, even with the last name Rosenberg, is an evangelical Christian. I highly recommend this book to all readers.

Goodnight June by Sarah Jio

My Review:

This book read like my own bedtime story: rich in imagination, a good story line, characters I loved and honors a childhood classic I hold dear to my heart, Goodnight Moon. I’m not sure if was the timing in which I read this book, but it definitely fell onto my plate just when I needed it. It was equally comforting to read both the epistolary segments between Margaret Wise Brown and Ruby as well as the current day struggles of the main protagonist, June. Sarah Jio does a great job weaving the story lines together while keeping the reader in suspense as to the fate of the beloved bookstore. Seriously people…what reader doesn’t love a book about saving a bookstore?The diminished relationships of sisters were ever present in the book and made me want to pick up the phone just to hear my sister’s voice, which I did of course, several times. I loved the hidden letters and I only wish we all had an Aunt Ruby in our lives. Finding your individual course of happiness, good vs. bad parenting, discovering love, learning to forgive, and keeping long held secrets are at the heart of this lovely book.

 

Written In My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon

My Review:

Oh how patiently I’ve waited for the 8^th book in this cliffhanger of a series that’s lasted over 20 years. Finally, with my book in hand, I became a self-proclaimed recluse so that I could finish this book before I left for my summer vacation. The anticipation matched the experience and once again I was left breathless and emotional as to the fates of these characters. For whatever reason, I didn’t connect with Brianna as I had in the previous books and her story left me impatient. I was much more fulfilled reading about Ian and Rachel’s relationship, Mohawk/Highlander and Quaker. Gabaldon did a wonderful job at picking up the pieces for parts of the storyline the reader may have forgotten over the years or for new readers to the series, while simultaneously having it flow perfectly. Once again, her research was spot on, the story telling on pitch with perfect highs and lows, the romance told beautifully without being to graphic and overall created a wonderful piece of historical fiction. The first book in the series is Outlander, which I highly recommend!

 

The Possibilities by Kaui Hart Hemmings

My Review:  

Fabulous book. This author is so skilled at creating believable, relatable, flawed and awesome characters. The dialogue is pitch perfect and I literally watched this book as a movie in my head. Hemmings took a tragic subject and through a look at everyday life and realizing what it is she has left to live for, she endures. I loved her relationship with her best friend. They were painfully honest with one another and for that I applaud the author. Not all friendships are rainbows and sunshine. It’s the real friends that you can be down and dirty with to shake the pain out. The bonds between parent and child were beautifully portrayed in the multi-generational family situation. Hemmings added just enough romance to keep the reader on its toes. Well done and yes, it’s been confirmed it will be a movie. If it’s done anything like The Decedents (Hemmings’ earlier novel and movie adaptation), I’ll be there, with or without my popcorn.

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this quick book and would highly suggest it to people for a great vacation read. The author seamlessly weaves the stories of three very different women together at a wonderful pace. All of them are at different stages in their married life, and again, this author tackles marriage and motherhood as she did in What Alice Forgot. She delves into secrets vs. the truth and the reasons why both can be good and evil simultaneously. All three of the protagonists had qualities that made them easily relatable to the reader. The idea (mentioned in the prologue) about Pandora’s box and the premise of ‘what if’ was an underlying theme of the book. I will continue to read Liane Moriarty’s books as she definitely writes with heart and demonstrates great skill with realistic dialogue.

The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi

My Review:

I’m just a full on sucker for stories where female characters hide their sexuality in order to defend their family or themselves. One of my favorites is The Shield Of Three Lions by Pamela Kaufman. Hashimi’s debut book however, brought a new twist to this scenario as it portrayed characters that went from girl, to boy, to girl again and sometimes in plain site and knowledge of those around them. The book follows two female characters that live over a hundred years apart yet the younger protagonist gains strength from the stories she hears of her distant ancestor. I found these girls fascinating, strong and fearless as they fought for their lives and those of their children, for no other reason than because they are female. I understand women have made huge strides in these Afghan nations, yet after reading this book, it’s a sad reminder of just how far they have yet to go. It troubled me that the older mothers, mother in laws and first wives still caused such trouble and pain to the younger generations below them. Just once, I wanted an elder woman to show sympathy, emotion or some simple support to help another woman in this unjust cycle of abuse. The author writes lyrically and vividly and I look forward to reading more from this talented author. Fans of Khaled Hosseini will enjoy this book.

 

Perla by Carolina De Robertis

My Review:

This book took me on a ride I was not expecting. This author is a poetic wordsmith that wrote about a tragic and violent war and told its history through a love story and magical realism. This book started a little slow but quickly took a turn that kept me involved and desperately trying to figure out how the “visitor” and Perla were connected. Sadly, all I knew of this war in Argentina’s history is what I gleaned through the Broadway show Evita so this book enlightened me quite a bit. Highly recommend this work of literary historical fiction for book clubs.

 

 Honorable Mentions Definitely Worth Reading

 

• My Name is Resolute by Nancy E. Turner
• Sea Creatures by Susanna Daniels
• Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
• Garden Of Letters by Alyson Richman
• Gemini by Carol Cassella
• My Temporary Life by Martin Crosbie
• Missing You by Harlan Coben
• Moon Sisters by Therese Walsh
• The Storied Life of A.J Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

 

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