The Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiseman -- I've now read all
three books that my library has from this author, and I like her. This
book is somewhat the story of her own family. Her mom grew up in Nazi
Germany, and the author depicted what an ordinary German family had to
go through. Not everyone supported Hitler, but they suffered
regardless. I hate to think of people being drafted to serve that
monster! It gives a look inside Christine's family as they struggle
through the war as Germans who do not support Hitler, but still must
serve in the army and struggle to survive.
The Lady and the Unicorn
by Tracy Chevalier -- a very clever story behind these tapestries! At
first I wasn't so sure about this Nicolas des Innocents, but I grew to
enjoy this story. I liked reading chapters by so many of the characters.
Brass Ring
by Diane Chamberlain -- After Claire tries to talk a suicidal lady from
jumping off a bridge, she starts having flashbacks that bring her pain.
Meanwhile across the country in Seattle, her estranged sister Vanessa -
whom she hasn't seen since their father took Vanessa with him when
their parents divorced thirty years prior - struggles with her own
demons. A rather interesting book. I believe I have now read all the
books by this author that my local libraries offer.
The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet
by Colleen McCullough -- Rather odd, rather interesting at times...an
amusing ending. This is the story of the Bennet sisters about 20 years
after Darcy and Elizabeth married. Mrs. Bennet finally dies and Mary is
free from taking care of her mom.
Laura Ingalls is Ruining My Life
by Shelley Tougas -- an easy read about a 12 year old girl who moves to
Walnut Grove, MN, where her single mom tries her hand at getting
inspiration from Laura to write about a girl on the prairie. Charlotte
takes us through her time of trying to fit in at school. Pretty cute.
Secret Daughter
by Shilpi Somaya Gowda -- After the loss of her first child due to the
fact she was a girl, Kavita vows this will not happen again. When she
gives birth to another daughter, she tricks her husband and takes the
infant to an orphanage many miles away. Back in the US, a couple
struggle with infertility and look into adoption. This story speaks of
life in both India and California; a pretty interesting look at one
couple's struggle and one adopted daughter's outlook on life.
Crocodile on the Sandbank
by Elizabeth Peters -- a friend sent this to me for my birthday; it's
an Amelia Peabody mystery which kept me entertained while at the beach
and while Zach was playing nearby at the splash park yesterday (6/11)
and hopscotch park today. I finished it there.
Through the Heart
by Kate Morgenroth -- this story is told with alternating voices of
Nora, a thirty-something back home in Kansas, living with her ailing
mother, and Timothy, the rich, progressive New Yorker (utterly a shallow
jerk in my opinion - at least for much of the story.) I chose this
book because it looked short and easy to read, and it was. And for the
most part, I enjoyed it even if I didn't like Timothy much at all.
Child of the South
by Joanna Catherine Scott -- Eugenia returns home to Wilmington after
the Civil War; she tries to find out more about her true mother. Was it
her father's wife - or a slave they called Tilde? This story also talks
about black people influencing the North Carolina constitution and
being elected into the government.
The Sea Before Us
by Sarah Sundin -- The first in the Sunrise at Normandy series; this is
the story of the "Wren" Second Officer Dorothy Fairfax, and a Texan
named Wyatt Paxton who meet in London. Both make plans for the Navy's
strategy off the coast of Normandy.
Instruments of Darkness by
Imogen Robertson -- I enjoyed this book about a Mrs. Harriet Westerman
in Sussex, and her rather reclusive neighbor, the local anatomist named
Gabriel Crowther and how they joined forces to solve murder mysteries! I
see a couple more books featuring these two so I will check them out of
the library soon.
The Promise Girls
by Marie Bostwick -- I decided to take a break from her series and try
this stand-alone book. The Promise sisters -- Joanie, Meg, and Avery --
were famous in their younger years as their mom exploited their story
(some of the first babies conceived via IVF); years later they deal with
the aftermath of the fact that they didn't end up as the gifted artist,
writer, and pianist as their mother Minerva had envisioned. A pretty
good book.
They Did it with Love
by Kate Morgenroth -- When her husband Dean asks her to consider moving
to Greenwich from NYC, Sofie surprises him by agreeing right away. In
the "country" Sofie is invited to join Priscilla's book group - a group
that read mysteries! When one lady in the group is found hanging, Sofie
puts her detective skills to work trying to figure out if the victim's
husband is to be blamed. I enjoyed this book!
Anatomy of Murder
by Imogen Robertson -- another Westerman-Crowther murder mystery. This
time they are in London where Mrs. Westerman's sailor husband is
recovering from a terrible blow to his head while serving his country.
Harriet and Gabriel are asked to look into the murder of a guy from the
theater who may be part of a spy ring. (This takes place when the
rebels across the Atlantic are fighting for independence from England.)
