Dear Miss Kopp is unlike any book in the series. First it is entirely fictions since it is not known what the Kopp sisters did during the US involvemeDear Miss Kopp is unlike any book in the series. First it is entirely fictions since it is not known what the Kopp sisters did during the US involvement in WWI. Second this book is entirely written in letter format. You have each sister in different locations doing different things so the story is told through letters between the three of them as well as between some other characters. After the last book Constance was going to DC to find a job to help the war effort. Well she succeeded and is working to hunt down German sympathizers. Norma took up the work with the army to create a carrier pigeon program. All while Fleurette entertained the troops with May Ward. I really enjoyed the format and the three different story-lines were nice to have. It really gave voice to all of the characters and moved each of the sisters' stories forward. Stewart did a great job of making a completely fictional story for the Kopp sisters....more
Robert E. Lee and Me is the story of a southern Army Officer who has discovered the truth about the Civil War that he did not know growing up. SeiduleRobert E. Lee and Me is the story of a southern Army Officer who has discovered the truth about the Civil War that he did not know growing up. Seidule was born in Alexandria, VA, lived in Monroe, AL (the place of the last lynching), and went to college at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA so he could become a southern gentleman. Growing up Robert E Lee was his hero. Seidule grew up believing the Lost Cause myth and the Lee was the best General in US history only losing when he was vastly out manned and out gunned. After decades of this belief Seidule was stationed to teach military history at West Point. While there he started to question why West Point had so many monuments to Lee on campus. This question led Seidule down a path that would reveal a history he did not know about the places he grew up and that shaped him as well as the history of all confederate monuments. He will be the first to tell you that after learning this information he because kind of a zealot in regards to removing these items and keeping more from being created but it was not until 2017 that he actually told his own personal history in the hopes that it would help people understand. This is a story of not just the horrible racial history of the places he has lived or the naming of Army Forts and building of monuments but also the path of self education on Seidule's part to learn and truly believe that the Lost Cause is in fact a myth and that the South & Lee went to war over slavery and not states rights. Towards the end of the book Seidule talks about why Lee had no choice but to fight for the south but in fact made a choice that was vastly different from other military officers of southern decent. I think right now in this country this is an important message for all to hear. So often it is easy to dismiss the message when the messenger is not like us but here is a white, southern man who grew up in the 60s & 70s believing everything that the post-war south wanted them to believe. It is a powerful message that we can all change and grow as individuals and that sometimes if the facts will not persuade someone then maybe the backstory of the messenger will....more
Twelve years ago a storm took the lives of three people in a seaside community. One was a father, another a brother, and lastly a girl disappeared. EvTwelve years ago a storm took the lives of three people in a seaside community. One was a father, another a brother, and lastly a girl disappeared. Everyone thinks they know what happened that day but it might not be so. Now one night towards the end of season a woman is found dead on the beach. Could this be connected to the tragedy years ago or is the community just trying to find connections that are not there.
The Survivors is a story about how tragic events effect individuals, families, communities, and out understanding of ourselves. I very much enjoyed this novel like the others written by Jane Harper....more
We have all seen photos from World War II but very few actually capture the atrocities mid act. After the fall of the USSR documents came to light regWe have all seen photos from World War II but very few actually capture the atrocities mid act. After the fall of the USSR documents came to light regarding what the Nazis did. One of these was a photo of the shooting of a mother during a mass execution in Ukraine in October 1941. Wendy Lower goes on a search to find out who the woman was and who the Ukrainian and Nazi men were that committed this crime. Lower focused on where this shooting took place and who took the photo. She also talks about the investigations that the Nazi's did into the photo, the post war German's did into the Nazis, and the Communists Ukrainians did into the local police from the town.
It was an interesting story but just like most things from that time it is so difficult to truly find the answers you want. While I found some of the outcomes disappointing (although not unexpected) I enjoyed learning the history of post war investigations especially by the Soviets. So often we think of Nuremberg trials but the Soviets had their own reasons for looking into events like this....more
Girls with Bright Futures is the story of three mothers of girls at a prestigious school in Seattle. It iThis book made me so happy to not have kids.
Girls with Bright Futures is the story of three mothers of girls at a prestigious school in Seattle. It is college selection season and their daughters are all applying to Stanford for early admission. One day they are told that Stanford will only accept one more applicant from their school. So how far will these women go to get their daughter into Stanford?
This book has it all. spoiled people, people who persevere, people to grow and learn. Along with danger, revelations, forgiveness, and redemption. Dobmeier & Katzman have created some great characters who fall into all of the various categories you could need for this story. One of the best moments comes about 2/3s to 3/4s of the way through the story where one of the girls has more balls than any of the other characters and truly says what anyone in that situation wishes they could say.
Of One Blood by Pauline Hopkins is a novel from the first decade of the twentieth century set in post Civil War Boston. The story centers around ReuelOf One Blood by Pauline Hopkins is a novel from the first decade of the twentieth century set in post Civil War Boston. The story centers around Reuel Briggs, a medical student, and his friends, Livingston and Vance. The house next door to the Vance's has a Halloween legend. Years before there were some family murders and the ghost of a woman remains and sometimes appears on Halloween. The friends decide to test this out and Briggs sees her, but he has seen her before. Briggs ends up on a trip to Ethiopia to find ancient treasures. But the trip maybe more dangerous than originally thought.
This story is a great blend of historical fiction, mysticism, and fantasy. The other great element is that it is story from a female writer of the Harlem Renaissance. Because of this the story and structure are very different from what you would read today. This might cause modern readers to have initial reactions to the writing but move past that and enjoy the story of these characters....more
The Girl from the Mountains is the story of Magda, a Czech girl who goes to town after her family is moved out of their home so a good German family cThe Girl from the Mountains is the story of Magda, a Czech girl who goes to town after her family is moved out of their home so a good German family can move in part way through WWII. She is directed towards a house just outside of town where she might find shelter. There she finds a Jewish family who has been allowed to remain since the husband is a famous oncologist. Magda grows close to the family and when they are taken away she joins the resistance. What is nice about this WWII book is that it takes place somewhere different, so many are set in France that they all start to seem the same. Magda is also a very realistic character and it is great to follow her through all of her mistakes (of which she has many) and triumphs (of which seem to be luck)....more
Freiheit is a graphic novel of the story of the White Rose. In 1943, a group of young men and women in Munich put out a set of six leaflets denouncingFreiheit is a graphic novel of the story of the White Rose. In 1943, a group of young men and women in Munich put out a set of six leaflets denouncing Hitler. Freiheit tells their story. I love the graphic novel format and have read at least one other novel about this group that this really intrigued me. However I feel like it fell short and part of that might be the medium that it is told in. Since it is in short graphic novel format it does not go very in depth about what happened and a lot of scenes only last a couple of pages making it feel almost like we are being cut off thought. This is the book you read in order to wet your toes in the story of the White Rose and then go more in depth with other books. I will say the thing I loved the most was that at the end they include all six leaflets giving the read a chance to read what the group had to say. If you are new to this group or have a teenager that like history and graphic novels....more
Lana's War is a WWII resistance novel set in the French Riviera. Abriel starts this novel with a great hook that keeps you moving forward. Now I don'tLana's War is a WWII resistance novel set in the French Riviera. Abriel starts this novel with a great hook that keeps you moving forward. Now I don't want to give it away but what happens in the first chapter leads to Lana, the daughter of a White Russian Countess (obviously not the cocktail), ending up in Nice where the rich in France have flocked due to the more open policies of the Italians and Vichy French. But now the Germans have taken over and things are getting more restrictive and the Jews are being taken away. All of this is thanks to Alois Brunner. Brunner is a notorious Nazi who was in charge to purging Jews from France and for a time ran Drancy outside of Paris. Lana is in Nice to help the Jews get away before Brunner can have them shipped to concentration camps. While she has a contact in Nice that she will assist who else can she trust and can she get close to the Nazi officers without putting herself and others in danger. Lana's War has a great cast of characters and is an engaging read. It is one of those that once you start the book you will finish it in short order. There are so many WWII resistance novels out there right now that it becomes hard to choose which ones to read but if you are looking for a quick read that is historical fiction grab this one....more
Valentino Will Die is the second novel in a series by Donis Casey. The book centers around the death of Rudolph Valentino in 1926. Casey's take is thaValentino Will Die is the second novel in a series by Donis Casey. The book centers around the death of Rudolph Valentino in 1926. Casey's take is that Valentino was poisoned and did not die solely from a perforated ulcer. Shortly before his death he tells his friend Bianca LaBelle that he thinks someone is trying to kill him and after he ends up in the hospital he asks her to find out who is doing this. Bianca enlists the help of a private investigator, Douglas Fairbanks, and Jimmy Quirk to find out pieces of what happened. This take on Valentino's death brings together real-life Hollywood elite, mobsters, tycoons, and Casey's fictional world. I have not read the first book in the series and while I did not need to have read it some of the fictional relationships and back story might have made it a fuller experience. I definitely enjoyed the book and will look for the third one (I may even go back and read the first one)....more
The House on Vesper Sands is a Victorian fantasy, mystery. The story starts with a seamstress killing herself at her employers home. But it isn't justThe House on Vesper Sands is a Victorian fantasy, mystery. The story starts with a seamstress killing herself at her employers home. But it isn't just any old suicide, this seamstress destroys the final three vials that her employer is hiding. The story then continues with the introduction of Gideon Bliss as he searches for his uncles lodgings but his clergy member uncle is nowhere to be found. Bliss then pretends to be a constable in order to get close to Inspector Cutter, who lives at the same boarding house. They are given this suicide as a case but they are not the only ones looking into it. Journalist Octavia Hillingdon is also on the case. What are these vials for and what happened to the contents of the other nine vials? This was an interesting story but it was just okay. It is a story of the haves and have nots and how those of privilege get away with things. I feel like the fantasy element fell short in this story and was kind of a let down in the end....more
The Meat-Free Kitchen feels like a fun vegan recipe blog. There are a wide range of recipes with very different flavor profiles. Like on one page you The Meat-Free Kitchen feels like a fun vegan recipe blog. There are a wide range of recipes with very different flavor profiles. Like on one page you have a Blackberry Millet Breakfast Bowl, very traditional-esque, followed immediately by Slow Cooker Miso Oat and Egg Bowl, which is hands down the first recipe I want to make. The book covers breakfast, soup, salad, sandwiches, casseroles, pasta, bowls, sides, along with the sauces and required vegan techniques. But there is an entire chapter of 18 different burgers. Meatless burger are great because you can put the flavorings directly into the patty. This cookbook feels different and innovative with the recipes....more
If you love classic British food and a vegan (or want to eat vegan) then this is the cookbook for you. You can have your English Breakfast, Bangers anIf you love classic British food and a vegan (or want to eat vegan) then this is the cookbook for you. You can have your English Breakfast, Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips, or Yorkshire pudding without any animal products. Just about every quintessential recipe is in here including those that an American would get at a British style pub. I am excited to try the Tofu and Chips as well as the Yorkshire Pudding. About half of the book is desserts with everything from Sticky Toffee Pudding to Victoria Sponge and Bread Pudding. While I had hoped for more pictures there always seemed to be a picture of the dished I really needed since I was not sure what they were. Also some ingredients are called different things in England so there is a handy list at the front of the book along with a vegan substitutes chart. I can't wait to try these. Now only if there was a vegan British pub near me so I didn't have to cook....more
When tragedy strikes Anna Hart's life she finds herself in the only place growing up that she considers home. Shortly after arriving this missing persWhen tragedy strikes Anna Hart's life she finds herself in the only place growing up that she considers home. Shortly after arriving this missing persons detective gets dragged into a local case. What Anna needs to determine is if this case is linked to other recent cases in the central California area or does solving this one help solve one from twenty years earlier.
When the Stars Go Dark is centered on a highly flawed woman who has lived a life filled with tragedy but slowly starts to find her way out of the darkness that is surrounding her. While this is a story of fiction McLain does bring in a true child abduction case that at one point they think might be linked to their fictional case. This reminds us that sometimes life can be worse than fiction. It was also great to have a story set 30+ years ago so you don't just have people relying on technology but instead driving places and administering polygraph tests. I highly recommend this one to any reader....more
Her Turn is the story of 40 something Addie from New York who after 10 years of writing is publishing her first novel. Up to this point Addie's life hHer Turn is the story of 40 something Addie from New York who after 10 years of writing is publishing her first novel. Up to this point Addie's life has not been picturesque. Her father left when she was 10 after the birth of her brother who has Down's Syndrome. Her mother was incapable of caring for either of them so Addie raised her brother. Then when her mother passed Addie was left with an inheritance that her cousin and his wife thought they should have some of. So multiple times a year one of them would call or stop by and ask for hand out. Well now Addie's book is getting rave reviews and her family thinks they deserve more. But Addie does have some good people on her side. She has her good friend Nina who is acting as her agent and her new publicist, Jameson. Now Addie is not like anyone the Jameson has ever worked with nor is he truly ready for her. Jameson is used to the women who are more concerned about their look and image than being a good person. While they might not want it or expect it, Addie & Jameson just might be what the other needs. This is one of those novels that I would call a beach read or a palate cleanser. It reads really quick (like in a day or two) and is nothing really heavy. This is good if you want to ready but not think or you need something light between your book reads. While idealistic it was enjoyable enough to read. Don't think this is anything more than what I have just said....more
Anti-Inflammatory diets are all the rage and their goal is to lower inflammation within the body via one's diet. This type of diet can be helpful for Anti-Inflammatory diets are all the rage and their goal is to lower inflammation within the body via one's diet. This type of diet can be helpful for many aliments. This cookbook focus on the use of this type of diet for the whole family. The authors spend the first third of the book going through what this is, the things to avoid and the things to add, as well as making this an entire family way of eating. One of the items I found helpful is the food pyramid on page 37ish. First pictures are very helpful but especially in this case since an anti-inflammatory food pyramid is a little different than the US government one. This diet really focuses on fruits & vegetables followed by herbs and spices. We so often forget how important spices are for our body and not just as a flavoring on our food. The other big difference with this pyramid it that it breaks out plant based sources of protein (i.e. tofu, beans, legumes) from the other sources of protein and carbs categories. It is important to do this because animal products should be minimized as part of this diet. After about 90 pages you get to the recipe section of the book. The nice thing that these authors have done is they put their spice blends and sauces as the first chapter. These items are used throughout the recipe bank so it is helpful to have seen them before looking at all the other items. So often these types of things are relegated to an appendix section meaning I see a recipe earlier on that I might like but I won't know until later if that sub recipe in it is something I can eat. Like I said earlier spices are an entire category in the anti-inflammatory food pyramid so it is nice that they take center stage. Some of the big spices in this diet are turmeric, cumin, and ginger. These spices might not be ones that the average American has in their cabinet but they should be. Besides adding that great color or hidden pop to your food, or spice to your Asian delicacies they are great for your body. Now since this is a family geared cookbook the recipes should be kid friendly. I think some of them hit the bill. We have scrambled eggs and muffins as well as chicken tenders and pizza. Now these are a little different than the standard recipes. Instead of oily breading on formed ground chicken these are piece of chicken breaded in a nut mixed from the first chapter. And the pizza will be different to. These are vegetable pita pizzas. Now that doesn't sounds too kid friendly but think of it this way, pitas aren't very big so each person gets their own and can put what they want on it. I think after a while of eating items like these your kids will actually learn to crave the fresh foods since the salt, fat, and sugar intakes have been lowered and the cravings for them have lessened. Now that is not to say that these item are not in here, they are, they are just different. The recipes focus on healthy fats, sugars from natural sources like maple syrup and fruit. There is an entire dessert chapter that I think everyone will love. The other unique thing about this book is that almost all recipes have a baby food blurb. This will tell you how you can turn this into food for your littlest ones or it might say that this one is not recommended. The nice things is it gives guidance....more
The Lost Manuscript is the story of a woman named Anne-Lise who finds an unpublished book in a hotel desk drawer. After reading it she sent the book tThe Lost Manuscript is the story of a woman named Anne-Lise who finds an unpublished book in a hotel desk drawer. After reading it she sent the book to the address on the envelope. It turns out that the address belongs to someone who knows the writer (Sylvestre) and that this manuscript has been lost for thirty years. Over the next several months Anne-Lise traces the journey this manuscript went through to find out how it was originally lost. What she finds is a series of people who were profoundly effected by the love story a young man wrote including the person who decided to finish the story that Sylvestre never had the chance to finish. This is a lovely story about the power of a story and some good strangers. Bonidan tells the story through a series of letters between all of the readers. I think this is the perfect way to tell this story because it is all about finding the next link and how each of the characters has and still is being effected by the manuscript. The individual letters are really short so the pace of the story if fast and keeps you reading. If you love literary fiction then you might enjoy this one....more
So I have never read anything by T.S. Eliot nor do I know anything about him so maybe this was not the book for me. Now I am assuming that some knowleSo I have never read anything by T.S. Eliot nor do I know anything about him so maybe this was not the book for me. Now I am assuming that some knowledge of his poems would assist with understanding some of the fictional/supernatural characters in the story. (If not then the structure just did not work for me.) Which makes me feel like I cannot truly evaluate this book. One of the issues with telling fictionalized stories of real, famous people's lives is that the reader spends so much time wondering how much is true. This book is definitely one of those types of books. Here is the basic premise of the book. The Wasteland is a fictionalized telling of Eliot's entry into fame and acceptance by English poetry society. Eliot meet a man at the bank that he works at and despite his subconscious trying to keep him away, Eliot begins a relationship with this man. Now this is not accepted so Eliot marries the waitress at a coffee house but it is not a happy one. If you like fantastical elements or really know about T.S. Eliot then maybe you might enjoy this book but I feel like it would have worked better if it was not specifically about Eliot but instead just a truly fictional story....more
Imagine having an open house where 13 people enter but only 12 come out. What happened to this other person? Now imagine that strange things start hapImagine having an open house where 13 people enter but only 12 come out. What happened to this other person? Now imagine that strange things start happening like objects disappear and then reappear. Is this person still in the house? This is what has happened to Amber. Why is this person doing this and what can Amber do.
I love the premise of the book but have some criticisms with the execution. Open House was not a long read but the action of the book seemed to not move very quickly. But this feels in line with the frustration and concern that Amber goes through. The one thing I will say is that this is the first book where the ending really surprised me. After years of reading mysteries and thrillers I have become very good at figuring everything out before the end but the last few chapters were a huge surprise. While I might not have fully enjoyed the ending I loved that I did not see it coming. This is a good, solid book that if someone asked I would tell them to give it a try....more
Cloud Cuckoo Land is the long awaited followup novel from Doerr. Cloud Cuckoo Land is an epic novel spanning three story lines over hundreds of years Cloud Cuckoo Land is the long awaited followup novel from Doerr. Cloud Cuckoo Land is an epic novel spanning three story lines over hundreds of years and vastly different places. But there is one common thread that runs through the stories, a Greek story called Cloud Cuckoo Land. You have Anna in 15th century Constantinople who discovers the story in an old, falling down monastery and preserves what she can. Then in the late 1990's/early 2000's the novel is discovered in Italy and an old man, Zeno, in small town Idaho translates it from electronic images of the highly damaged book. Finally, in the not too distant future Konstance discovers it in old images of earth as she travels toward planet b. This novel centers around people who spend time preserving this story and how it affects them and their future.
It was an interesting book that took sometime to get into and of course with five main characters there are story lines that each reader will prefer. I would recommend reading it if you are already interested but it is not one that I would go out and recommend to someone....more
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