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HERE ARE THE BOOKS THAT WERE REPORTED ON AT OUR LAST GATHERING.
Karla Cox
-The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
I was determined to read it all… Ayn Rand IS a gifted writer, and I’m sure I would find things to like about her if I met her; I definitely found elements to like (tho not love) in this story.
But our core beliefs are so different that it’s hard to really appreciate her or the way she writes about each character; and I DON’T appreciate what she does to impressionable minds!
-The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman
An unusual view of Hitler’s war against Poland, through the perspective of the Warsaw Zoo. The zookeeper, though vital to the story, is secondary to his wife, who brings countless people through the darkness of Germany’s assault and destruction of Jews and Europe.
It’s well-researched and almost has a documentary feel at times. The most surprising feature is the extensive details about the animals…
-The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
A favorite niece had this on her 10 Favorites list a while ago, so I put it on my list, and finally got to it. (It’s usually been unavailable.) It’s a joyous telling of damaged relationships healed, and new relationships born, in a magical villa in Italy. Two women, over the simple fact that they read the same advertisement for a month-long holiday in Italy, plan the trip, invite others to join them, and partake of “Heaven”. Everyone, after Jane Austen-style struggles, lives happily after. (Who knows about ever? It’s enough that they all find happiness!
Lowcountry Boondoggle by Susan M. Boyer
Number 9 of the Liz Talbot mystery series. A death from anti-freeze and a blown-up house. High risk and high laughter. Always entertaining.
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
Just started JoAnn’s book; I’m excited to continue it.
A Very Typical Family by Sierra Godfrey
Recommended as a National Online Book Club pick, so I thought I would try it… So far, interesting, painful and poignant.
Maryann Stevens
The Plantagenets by Dan Jones 4
️ Nonfiction 21 hours narrative is easy to follow. Describes English Royal history from William the Conqueror 1066 AD to the last Plantagenet Richard II who was forced from power in 1400AD by Henry of the House of Lancaster.
Going Zero by Antony McCarten 4.5 ️ conspiracy & data collection thriller. This is our reality. Can we trust either Big Tech or our government with unbridled access to ALL our personal data? I think not & yet we are powerless before them. Sobering.
Under the Cover of Mercy by Rebecca Connelly 4️ might well be called the eulogy of or application for sainthood of Edith Cavell. Very good story based on the true events of a WWI British nurse in Belgium.
Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam by MC Beaton 3.5 ️ Agatha as always trying to get over her infatuation with James actually moves to a new town where she gets involved in the new mystery.
And Then There We’re None by Agatha Christie 4 ️ great narrator. 10 people are lured to an unoccupied house on an island off the coast of England, where, following the course of the nursery rhyme 10 Little soldiers, each one meets his or her demise. There being no other persons on the barren stony Island, who could’ve committed this crime?
The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler Author reviewed research comparing various styles of teaching reading, one which seems to remove the focus on building a strong knowledge foundation base for the future. I didn’t finish.
BETH HEDENGREN
The Late Scholar by Jill Paton Walsh (based on Dorothy Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries) Another fun read.
The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher. See my thoughts in my blog here. https://
The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamilo. Very sweet and beautiful middle grade fantasy.
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamilo. Darling first person story of a girl and her dog. Southern setting. Middle grade. Highly recommended.
Low Country Book Club; Lowcountry Boneyard, Low Country Bordello. Three books, all by Susan M. Boyer. Fun cozy mysteries in Charleston setting. Great characters, setting, and food!
GERI CHRISTENSEN
Every Breath You Take by Mary Higgins Clark
A pretty good story and mystery but it seemed to take longer than needed to finally figure it all out.
It was a good read, though. *** Stars.
The Elusive Mrs. Polifax by Dorothy Gilman
This is one of the earlier Mrs. Polifax books but just as delightful after three of four readings. She goes to Bulgaria to deliver 5 passports to some of the Underground people there, but gets entangled in a young American's life who was put in prison and needs to be rescued. It was a fun read.
**** stars.
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