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Book Reviews
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Eleanore Of Avignon
by Elizabeth DeLozier
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This wonderful novel describes a rarely seen time in history. It is the 1300’s, and the plague comes to Avignon. Eleanore’s mother was a locally famous healer, and Eleanore has taken over her healing duties after her mother’s death. Women who healed were considered to be witches, but a famous physician takes Eleanore under his wing. Together they try to heal those afflicted with the plague. Several characters in the book are real historical people, including this physician. Very highly recommended!
Great Big Beautiful Life: Reese's Book Club
by Emily Henry
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The story within the story is what made me give this 5 stars. The mystery involved in Margaret Ives's life really kept me enthralled. There is romance but the love shared within Alice's and Margaret's lives are bigger than any romance. Emily Henry brought home the bigger message that life is about loving, sharing love and how we take care of those we love.
The Martha's Vineyard Beach And Book Club
by Martha Hall Kelly
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I really enjoyed this historical fictional novel with the backdrop of the beach at Martha’s Vineyard. They were all interesting characters and the author’s note is very interesting to see how the author tied it to history and her own life.
The Stolen Life Of Colette Marceau
by Kristin Harmel
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This was another amazing book by Kristin Harmel. It’s a dual timeline set in the time leading up to WWII and WWII itself in Paris and 2018 in Boston. It explores an intriguing theme of moral ambiguities. What if someone is doing what’s considered immoral but for a good cause? In this book, the main character, Collette’s family is descended from the legendary Robin Hood. They have succeeded in following Robin Hood’s mission from stealing from the rich to give to the poor. At the age of 10, Collette learns the family trade of being a jewel thief. It all seems to go well for her and her mother Annabel until a tragic event that shakes the family to the core during WWII. It was a mission to steal some jewelry back for their Jewish friends who were sent away to the death camp. But, it ends up going horribly wrong and has Collette losing her mother and 4 year old sister, Liliane in one instant. Flash forward to 2018 in Boston and at 89, Collette is still a successful jewel thief, still stealing from evil people with wealth, to benefit the disadvantaged or for a mission to fund a Holocaust education center in Boston. What she didn’t expect was one of the bracelets of the dear friends her family lost in the war on that tragic night to turn up again. The same one her sister had on her person all those years ago when she disappeared. This leads to the mystery of where it came from and the story flashes between two timelines to fill in the gaps of what happened all those years ago. Like many of her other books, this was a quick read. In fact, I finished it in a day. It’s a testament to her engaging characters and compelling storytelling that tugs at your heartstrings. I highly recommend this book.
The Fourth Girl
by Wendy Corsi Staub
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Caroline has been missing for over 25 years. Her three best friends know something, but what is it they know? The three remaining women have led different lives. They all keep a promise to return to their hometown 25 years later, on the anniversary of the disappearance of Caroline, a promise they made to Caroline. While they are there, Carolines high school boyfriend from all those years ago, is found dead. A complicated plot, with some great clues along the way, if you recognize them. I had some idea’s, some proven right, some proven wrong. I enjoyed this intriguing mystery.
Incidents Around The House
by Josh Malerman
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I didn’t realize this was the horror genre, not my typical read. Thematically it addresses issues around families and secrets and betrayals, but on the surface, true to its plot, it is a horror story, and a pretty scary one. Eight-year-old Bella has a friend, but she lives inside the closet. She is not invisible but can take many shapes and forms. Bella names her “Other Mother”. She wants Bella to let her into her heart, but Bella continues to resist. “Other Mother” starts out as a good friend, and Bella has no other friends. As Bella’s mom and dad’s relationship seems to be crumbling, “Other Mother” seems to become more aggressive and stronger. What follows is this family’s journey to be free from “Other Mother”. I am not quite sure how it ended, and I have now read the ending three times. I am still thinking about it.
The Stolen Life Of Colette Marceau
by Kristin Harmel
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I have loved every book that I've read by Kristin Harmel and I loved this one too. Set primarily in 1940's Paris, it bounces to 2018. The story line is different than most WWII books. The characters were interesting and likeable. I'd love to see a present day sequel.
The Lies They Told
by Ellen Marie Wiseman
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I cannot wait to hear Ellen talk about this insightful story of Eugenics in the United States. The characters are are lovingly presented. You can feel their fears, pain, and joy. Thank you for bringing the author to East Meadow on Monday. This is a book that I could not put down until I knew the characters were safe.
Where The Rivers Merge
by Mary Alice Monroe
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A beautifully written historical novel by one of my favorite authors. Eliza Rivers, 88 years old, tells the story of her childhood growing up on Mayfield, her family's estate/farm to her grand-niece and granddaughter. She wants them both to understand how important it is to her to conserve the land and hopes they will join her in her fight. It is a very emotional story of family, young love, friendship, and betrayal.
The Emperor of Gladness
by Ocean Vuong
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I'm not saying this book is awful, it actually draws some interesting parallels between Vietnam and the Holocaust. It is with sadness I say that the gladness was sucked right out of me with the repetition and long draw out story
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