SEPTEMBER 2024

     HELLO ALL!

I apologize for taking so long to get the blog written for last month.  We met at the home of Karla Cox and enjoyed being out in her lovely back yard and enjoying a perfect summer evening.  Here are the books that were discussed:

KARLA COX

It Had to Be You  by Mary Higgins Clark, along with Alafair Burke

A classic whodunnit murder mystery from a classic author. Set in the wealthy community of Bay Harbor MA, the murder of the parents of ‘the perfect family’ happens in the first chapter; the reveal happens in the second to last chapter; but the red herrings swim through every chapter! This story is one of a series by this duo of crime novelists. An interesting writing combo, and an interesting story with a pace that definitely stepped up in the last third of the book. 

CS Lewis by Janet & Geoff Benge

An interesting and meaningful bio about the man we think of as a Latter-Day Saint in beliefs if not in actuality.  

“In an era marked by two world wars, CS Lewis [known as Jack by his family and friends] attacked tough questions about life and faith headfirst.” 

Through numerous life difficulties, Lewis became a literature professor and wrote over 30 books, ranging from fantasy, science fiction and myth exploration to theology and Christianity. An engaging fact-based story about a truly great man. 

Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate

Lisa Wingate never disappoints; and her research for her accurate, historical novels is impeccable. Another historical situation I knew very well little about comes to life in this incredible story. 

Set in the wild hill country of Oklahoma, and staged in two different time periods (1909 and 1990s), this story is a reminder of some surprising contrasts: men seeking power with no limits, women and children’s rights, children fending for themselves, failed and faulty government controls; and throughout the story, mistreatment and injustices toward the vulnerable. The Winding Stair is the landmark newly created national park where Valerie Boren-Odell works; it’s also the area where Olive Augusta Radley hides to escape her cruel, heinously disgusting stepfather. 

The key historical but forgotten-by-history character is Kate Bernard: a tiny but fiery woman who won a seat in the national legislature before women could even vote. Her crusade for the hapless, homeless children that resulted from men’s power-lust and greed, should never have been forgotten. This book helps bring her heroism to life and into the light. 

A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner

My heroine author came through for me again, and the timing was remarkable. This is a story about the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in September 1911, and Septmber 11, 2001. I read it the week before this year’s 9/11.  Key locations were Manhattan and Ellis Island. And it’s also about coping with PTSD, which two women experienced as witnesses and victims - survivors who blamed themselves and whose inward guilt emotionally crippled them, until they each learn that the weight of the world is made bearable by the love we give away. And Heaven’s love brings us back from the brink of despair. 

Haunting. Healing. Tragic. And beautiful. 

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry 

It’s funny how my books sometimes seem a little connected. I shared about Shelterwood, and this book tells of Whisperwood. This is also another WWII novel, but from a totally different angle - through the lives of two imaginative girls billeted during the bombing of London, just as CS Lewis’ famous Narnia characters experience. 

And it’s also told from two time periods: primarily 1939-40, and 1960. 

It’s a remarkable story of love, tragedy, confusion, and ultimate joy. And the author came to write it through her love of myths and her understanding of the value of stories. I trust I don’t need to share more - that if you choose to read it, you’ll love it. I really enjoyed the British narrator, since the main characters are British. 

From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home by Tembi Locke

This happy/sad, remarkable story is the true account, in her own words, of a Black American woman and her Sicilian husband Sato. The joy of finding forever love, the pain of loss and longing, and the rebuilding of a life are all told and transmitted with the love story of Sicily and Italian food. It is a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick and a NYT bestseller; but I loved it because it is such a personal telling of a full life, lived out in 20 short years. Ms Locke, though an actress by trade, is a master storyteller, making my mouth water as she described the unique and powerful flavors of food grown and prepared with love for the earth from which it sprang. A great book to enjoy listening to, since she speaks excellent Italian and connects the two worlds in her voice. 

ADHD is Awesome! By Penn & Kim Holderness

Thank you for recommending this book, Beth! 

I think we’re all familiar with Penn and Kim Holderness. But are we all familiar with ADHD? This book convinced me that we should be! For my family, it’s vital, since there are several members who experience it, diagnosed or not. And I love the new name for this life challenge presented by Dr Edward Hallowel, MD in the Forward: 

VAST- Variable Attention Stimulus Trait. It’s much more accurately descriptive, and removes the “disorder” stigma, thereby liberating those who experience it to thrive. Still, medical wheels turn so very slowly, so for now, let’s just give grace and appreciation to those whose brains are wired differently— to the neurodivergent. They make a difference in many positive and yes, awesome ways! 

PS. I recommend this book to everyone, because everyone can apply these principles to someone somewhere. 

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

The sequel to Divine Rivals that I read last January, it’s a young adult fantasy love story, set in a war ravaged country, unnamed and undated (but similar to England post WWII). It’s about Roman Kitt and Iris Winnow, two people caught in the grip of Greek or Roman-like gods, with human faults and selfish tendencies. It doesn’t take long to realize one, who lives in the Underworld, represents evil, the other, who lives above, represents an empowered mortality. Interesting and entertaining, not powerful or life-changing. I enjoyed the duo - even though I had to wait months to read this sequel. 

Divergent Mind  by Jenara Nerenberg 

I honestly had no idea this book was another tome on neurodivergence (though the title should have told me). I didn’t read the subtitle and thought it was a novel.  But pairing this with the Holderness’ book (ADHD is Awesome) in the same reading cycle has made me feel educated, at least, and prepared at best to have meaningful conversations about the topic. It is actually well researched, broad reaching and well done. An excellent choice for learning more about all mental sensitivities; something most of us humans need to do. 

BETH HEDENGREN

The Toll by Neal Shusterman. #3 in the Scythe series. A good conclusion. The world goes to heck when a megalomaniac (Goddard) takes control of the Scythes, and the Thunderhead can’t stop him. But a small group of heroes fight, with the Thunderhead helping as possible. Rowan and Citra are revived. Citra becomes the voice of the resistance, revealing ages old betrayals within the Scythes. Grayson Tolliver becomes the voice of the Thunderhead, working with it to subvert the plans of Goddard. Good Scythe Faraday goes off to discover a lost island that holds the secrets of the founding Scythes, secrets that will lead to a satisfying resolution to the trilogy .

 

Now You See them by Elly Griffiths. #5 in the Magic Men series. 

 

The Midnight Hour by Elly Griffiths, #6 in the Magic Men series. Emma, now married to Edgar (now Superintendent of police) is chafing at being a housewife (She says who knew that being Edgar’s wife would mean she was also the house’s wife.) She has formed a detective agency with her friend, intrepid journalist Samantha. They are hired by an aging music hall star to investigate the murder of her impresario husband. Though at first the fledgling detectives are at odds with the official police investigation, eventually they work together and solve the case. 

 

Royal Audience by David Charter. Traces Queen Elizabeth’s association with 13 American presidents, from Truman to Biden. A good overview of the “special relationship” between Great Britain and the US over the years. Also, some fun details on etiquette, royal dress, and state dinner menus. 

SUE DE MARTINI

The Audacity of Sarah Grayson by Joani Elliott. "Sara Grayson is a thirty-two-year-old greeting card writer about to land the toughest assignment of her life. Three weeks after the death of her mother--a world-famous suspense novelist--Sara learns that her mother's dying wish is for her to write the final book in her bestselling series." A fun and fluffy read. 3*

18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics by Bruce Goldfarb. "In 18 Tiny Deaths, readers are transported to a time when forensic science was in its infancy, and a woman named Frances Glessner Lee emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Through meticulous recreations of crime scenes, Lee revolutionized the way investigators approached criminal investigations, forever changing the face of modern forensics." I found this book very interesting but it took me a while to work through it. One thing I failed to mention. The small models of actual death scenes were exact in their detail down to having tiny buttons made that matched exactly the buttons on the victim's coat for example. Some of the dioramas would have cost up to $10,000 to create today. 4*

MARYANN STEVENS

Paper Moon by Shaina Steinberg 2️convoluted, 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

JO ANN ABEGGLEN

1. The Housemaid is Watching by Freida McFadden. This is a good read. Best to read The Housemaid first so you understand the characters.

 2. Being Mortal. By Atul Gawande. I loved this book. It is an honest discussion about growing old and how society views aging.

3. Checklist. By Atul Gawande This is a fascinating discussion about how a checklist has made a difference across multiple professions. I really enjoyed it.

GERI CHRISTENSEN

THE ZIG ZAG GIRL by Elly Griffith

THE POST SCRIPT MURDERS by Elly Griffith

THE STRANGER DIARIES by Elly Griffith

All three of these books were good mysteries, although some were better than others.  My favorite was the last one, THE STRANGER DIARIES.  She is a good writer and keeps you interested up to the last page.

THE WHISTLE BLOWER AND THE LAST ACT by Brad Parks

These two books were fascinating, based on a true story about a young an working in a bank who notices a discrepancy and reports it to his boss. Then he ends up wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.  It was an excellent read and highly recommended.  4 stars.