HELLO ALL!
We met last month at Maryann Steven's home and shared some wonderful books with each other plus had some great banana nut bread made by Maryann. Here are the books that were reported on:
MARYANN STEVENS
Paper Moon by Shaina Steinberg 2
️convoluted, unsupportable plot, weak dialogue, unemotional narrator.
The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny. 4️ A murdered body is found in the bistro. The man is unknown. He looks like a vagabond but an autopsy reveals good health & hygiene, that the man brushed & flossed was evident. A previously unknown cabin is found found deep in the woods; it is filled with mostly European antiques & first edition books. But who is this man and who hit him from behind & left with the cabin door still open?
The Guardians By John Grisham 4.5️ Guardian Ministries, an ill-funded NGO employs 4 people & has gotten 8 people out of prison, most on death row, for wrongful convictions-they spent time in jail for crimes they did not commit. The subject of this novel has been in prison for 23 years. While researching for a different novel, Grisham stumbled upon the old files of Centurion Ministries, the life work of James McCluskey, who for 40 years helped incarcerated persons, 63 of them, prove their innocence. Grisham used this work as a background for his book. I’m so glad the story was based on truth.
The Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny. 4 ️ Armand must get back the drugs he let slip through. Tense.
Community Board by Tara Conklin 4️ great story telling. Darcy Clipper returns home when her life falls apart. A coming of age story- even though she’s 29 years old. coming together as a community solves problems & can change lives.
The Great Influenza by John M Parry 6 HR YA. (19 hour adult version)
History of the 1918 Epidemic: preparation, public policies, including providing truth from government which in 1918 was not provided as a matter of policy. The likelihood of pandemics is increasing. Even without access to vaccines, NPIs work to reduce rate of infection. In order of importance: Social distancing. Masking. Ventilation. Hand washing.
#1 Tell the truth. Trust is important
#2 NPIs work. Public will only act if there is trust in government media.
#3World messaging must be independent of political governments like WHO.
#4USA had good planning& préparation but lacked trust in leadership but media announcements did not share the truth.
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose. 4 Follow up to the Maid. Really good. Molly, the probably autistic head maid, remembers details with such precision, she links clues over time into incredible crime solving patterns.
Agatha Raisin Spoonful of Poison
Agatha Raisin Kissing Christmas Goodbye
KARLA COX
All But My Life by Gerda Weismann Klein
A personal, tender first-hand telling of the Holocaust and the agonizing buildup to that horrific period, as well as the brutal reality and the miraculous survival of a few; and finally the assurance that a meaningful life can be recovered, even after the horrors Hitler created.
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
I’m glad I listened to this story, on Marlene’s recommendation, having read it many years ago.
There’s so much wisdom and gentle comprehension of God and His love in this story told through a teenage Kentucky boy’s eyes. And behind the gentle reminders that the world is changing and some change is really good, is the universal lesson that love is not limited to the perceptions of us foolish mortals; and it really does conquer all.
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
Beautiful, informative, thought-provoking, inspiring. I loved this book. It focuses on what Tim spent his career building - autonomy and independence for the frail elderly. So well-written, I had a hard time stopping to do what was necessary without a book playing in my ears! I will probably buy a copy to keep and to share. SO worthwhile. I honestly think everyone should read it!
If the Creek Don’t Rise by Leah Weiss
A most unusual book. It brought to mind so many others I have read about Appalachia. But this wasn’t moving; it was a hard-hitting, seemingly loose ends story that held elements of mystery, horror, and vengeance. I enjoyed it and I’m glad I listened to it, so I got the flavor of the characters and the area. But it falls below the other Appalachia stories I’ve learned from and enjoyed.
Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam by MC Beaton
Is there any need to say much about an Agatha Raisin book? She’s snarky, nasty, grumpy - and smart, entertaining and fun.
This story takes her to Norfolk, where the country and traditions are old enough to include acceptance of the notion of fairies. But there’s also murder, and a confusing love story tangled up with friendship.
Not as good as the quiche of death, but still the light entertainment for which I was looking.
Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
“…There are no secrets to a charmed life; there is just the simple truth that you must forgive yourself for only being able to make your own choices, and no one else’s.” Here lies the reason for the title of this astounding story, and the message that the main charcter wants understood. But there is so much to this story that to summarize it is to insult it. So I won’t. I will simply encourage you to trust this brilliant writer and read (or listen to the reader’s lovely and appropriate British accent) a story that spans decades, tears lives apart, and brings broken hearts and damaged lives into sweet, unbelievable union.
It’s so difficult for me to rate or rank books. But this one may be in my all-time top 25 or 30. I’m not sure I could give any better recommendation than that.
A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner
This story, also based in the present and a warring past, featured a family in an old Virginia mansion, whose supposed ghosts and suffering had confused and damaged several generations of its women. The answers began to surface and heal when the most damaged came home to Holly Oak. Another tender story for this month of tender stories. Definitely worthwhile.
A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke
What a unique and wonderful story! It is summed up somewhat in this quote from a character, a man she loved: “[A spider ] had lived there all summer, and I had never stopped to say hello. I wondered, do we all live our lives like this? On the surface of things? But not you. “
The story is about appreciating life’s experiences, even when they’re awful; about truly SEEING, not just wandering through the world’s wonders; about choosing to make a difference; about what knowledge is for. It’s beautiful. It’s strange. It’s important. Everyone would benefit from it; some will drink deeply from it.
From one review: “Imagine The Life of Pi, The Alchemist, and The Midnight Library rolled into one fantastical fable.”
Under the Cover of Mercy by Rebecca Connolly
Another tenderly told tale of a terrible time - though this account involves the events of WW1. Edith Cavell, a real British nurse and matron of a Brussels Belgium healing and teaching facility, becomes quietly engaged in the rescue of wounded soldiers, including helping to transport them to safety from German punishment. The events are told mildly in this story, the way one sister might tell another. After reading so much about WWII, this was worthwhile look into the conditions and challenges of the First World War.
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
“Life is a catch-22. That’s why God invented female friendships.”
“Whose job is it to look out for our own happiness? Us, or the people who love us?”
And finally, “Being surprised by life isn’t losing; it’s living… The only way to get it wrong is to refuse to play.”
This a complicated love story. A many loves story, and one woman’s desire for one perfect love, so she could have a perfect life. But we all know neither exist. So this the story of how a woman and some others do their best with what they have. Listening to this was better than watching a movie!
BETH HEDENGREN
More Elly Griffiths
The Woman in blue
The Chalk Pit
The Dark Angel
The Stone Circle
The Lantern Men
The Night Hawks
Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley
Lucy Worsley hosts a BBC history program. She’s young and attractive and does things like dress up in Elizabethan costumes while narrating the history in an almost melodramatic tone. But it turns out she is also a very good historian. This may be my favorite Jane Austen biography, and I’ve read several. I like the way Worsley researches houses and towns in which Austen lived to provide insights on her life. Her evidence is compelling.
Postwar by Tony Judt
Still plugging away. Interesting history of post WWII Europe, but very long. I like learning about how Europe became what it is. The part about East European countries and their relationship to the Soviet Unition is very interesting.
Generations: The Real differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America’s Future by Jean M. Twenge
Interesting historical analysis of the way people in each generation are influenced by their context in history.
ADHD is Awesome by Penn and Kim Holderness
Penn Holderness is a successful You-tuber and a comedian. He also has adult ADHD. This book is thoroughly researched in science, and also comfortingly personal, filled with his experience with ADHD. The thesis is ADHD makes many necessary life skills difficult, but it also allows for great bursts of creativity and hyper focus. Good to see this condition framed as a positive!
Sacred Struggle by Melissa Wei-Tsing Inouye
Beautiful essays on living life in the Church by a talented scholar of Church history. Her insights are especially poignant because she died of cancer recently, just a young woman of 44.
Both Things Are True by Kate Holbrook
Kate is also a scholar of Church history—both women were employed by the Church history department. These essays were compiled after Kate died of cancer, about a year ago. Again, these essays and touching and insightful.
However, I enjoyed hearing each of the women speak in their own voices even better than reading their work. Look on YouTube to find speeches given by each of them. They are engaging and powerful.
GERI CHRISTENSEN
The First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
This book is fast-paced and has everything you could want in a thriller: secret identities, a mysterious boss and a cat and mouse game that keeps you guessing the whole way through. The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she's given a name and location by her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job. Evie isn't privy to Mr. Smith's real identity, but she knows this job isn't like the others. Ryan has gotten under her skin, but Evie can't make any mistakes and the tension starts to build from there. A great read. I give it 4 1/2 stars.
THE WHITE WOMAN by Jacqueline Winspear
A reluctant ex-spy with demons of her own, Elinor finds herself facing down one of the most dangerous organized crime gangs in London, ultimately exposing corruption from Scotland Yard to the highest levels of government.
This is a great read and something very different from this author who usually writes the Maisie Dobbs series. I enjoyed it a lot and highly recommend it. 4 stars.
MARLENE MATHESON
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