Book Review: The Exiles

The audiobook of The Exiles jumped out at me from the shelves at the library. I have a graduate degree in Victorian British history. Thus, the transport of criminals to Australia during that period interests me. Christina Baker Kline weaves a compelling story about women caught in poverty and exiled. This story made my drive time (trips to transport Sean from Purdue) a real treat.

In early nineteenth-century London, Evangeline's governess life is about to evaporate. The employer's son seduces her and gives her an heirloom ring as a promise when he departs on holiday. Accused of stealing the ring, she is imprisoned and sent to a penal colony in Australia. On the convict ship, she befriends a midwife named Hazel.

The progress of Evangeline and Hazel is juxtaposed against the story of Mathinna, an Aboriginal girl exiled from her people and taken as a curiousity by the new governor's wife. Unfairly treated and too poor to stand up for themselves, Evangeline, Hazel, and Mathinna, endure humiliations and deprivations. Yet, they band together to make their way in the world.

There is a definite deliniation between the wealthy and the poor. Sadly, this presentation of colonization is undoubtedly accurate. What a hardship to think of being sent an ocean away for a crime you didn't commit! Even Hazel, who stole a silver spoon, is not treated with the respect she deserves for her vast knowledge of natural remedies. These are tragic characters living in harsh conditions. Yet, there is hope and camaraderie, even in the gloomy Van Diemen's Land. Kline does a fine job of crafting characters and plot. I was glad of those longer trips that allowed deeper listening. It was fascinating to consider Australia in the time of England's convict transporation. I noted from the back cover that it has been optioned for television. If it is accessible, I will happily watch.

Book Review: The Lawyer and the Laundress

When I finished my last audiobook on Hoopla, I skimmed through the recommendations. The Lawyer and the Laundress had an interesting cover and promised a clean read. Lately, I've tried several popular titles and, quite far in, abandoned them. I abandoned Taylor Reid Jenkins' Atmosphere (despite the good writing and compelling investment in the story) when, halfway through, the main character visits a strip club and is titillated by the experience. Census, by Jesse Ball, was stilted. It also failed to be engaging or clean. Interested in Claire Foy's movie H is for Hawk, I attempted to read that book prior to seeing the film. It was quickly abandoned and I'm glad I didn't go to see the movie with my husband, despite my love of Claire Foy's performances. Finally, I just abandoned The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. It gets discouraging.

The Lawyer and the Laundress takes place in 1837 Canada, during a time of political unrest. A widowed lawyer, James Kinney, is struggling to raise his feisty daughter Evie. She is miserable at her lessons under a strict and ineffective teacher. As such, she seeks the friendship of the laundress, Sara O'Connor. Sara is no ordinary laundress, as she knows French and effectively teaches Evie. James eventually seeks Sara to serve as Evie's governess. As romance blossoms between the two of them, political unrest threatens their lives.

I just learned this is a Carol Award Finalist. For a debut novel, it was well-written and engaging. The characters are compelling. Evie is delightful. The plot moves at a reasonable pace with plenty of conflicts. Most of all, I appreciated the tasteful treatment of the romantic tension simmering between Sara and James. Christine Hill Suntz manages to write it with sizzle, without smut. Why can't all authors stick to that?  

Book Review: Strangers in Time

Surprisingly, I've never read a David Baldacci novel before. The name is familiar and popular, but this was my first foray, with Strangers in Time. Isn't this cover beautiful? I snagged the audio book version from my library and was really enjoying listening to the narration. Sadly, it came due (large hold list) and I was able to finish reading the book in large print, hardback form (less demand). I'm wishing I'd been able to hear the whole novel.

Charlie Matters is a 14-year-old who knows his way around London. He knows his way around rules, as well. When he robs The Book Keep bookshop, his conscience gets the better of him and returns the money and the book. Ignatius Oliver, the owner, insists on giving him the book. Charlie is tempted to sell the book. It could bring him 5 pounds and that might go a long way to helping Charlie and his grandmother keep up with bills.

Molly Wakefield is returning to her posh London home, after a spell away in the country for safety. She expects to find her mother and father at home, but is greeted by only her nanny. She hires Charlie to help her look for her father, but they have no success. Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius weather the storms of war together and look out for each other. They each carry heavy personal burdens, but bearing it together lightens the load.

The narration sucked me into the story. Yet, I had a harder time staying riveted when reading on my own. The book has likeable characters and brings wartime London to life. It is quite like many other WWII novels, but the writing is clean and good. I would be willing try another by this author, but perhaps not another war novel.

Book Review: The English Masterpiece

This was February's read for the Christian Fiction Reading Challenge I joined. At one time, I picked up Katherine Reay's Dear Mr. Knightley. It wasn't the right timing for me, and I set it aside. This time, however, I was enthralled by Reay's well-woven story of an alleged forgery. I listened to The English Masterpiece on Hoopla and loved the distinct, alternating narration of the two main characters, Lily and Diana. It made my morning exercise and chores slip by unnoticed.

When I lived in London, I visited the Tate Gallery (purchased a lovely card game of painting sets). How fun to return to that setting, albeit in an earlier timeframe! Lily eagerly anticipates the 1973 opening of a Picasso exhibit she helped prepare. Her boss, the art curator, Diana Gilden, hopes to advance in her job as a result of their work. Instead, with one uncontrolled whisper of "forgery," Lily has put everything in jeopardy. Lily's own asperations of showing a painting in an upcoming Emerging Artists Exhibition may be foiled, as well. But, as we all sadly learn, once words slip out, you cannot undo them.

What follows is a carefully plotted chase to determine the truth behind the painting and its provenance. The insurance company calls up an American detective, Conor Walsh. When he finds a student studio full of Lily's copies of the masters, suspicion shifts to Lily. Walsh and Lily feel pulled toward each other, but the mystery remains the focus. She is closed off to others, but will she open up to Conor?

I loved the pacing, and the characters were well-drawn. Lily's back-story was interesting. I was thrilled to explore the world of early-70s London. The writing was such that I forgot there was a puppet-master pulling the strings. My mind was gripped with the unfolding mystery. I'm so glad I read this book, and I cannot wait to seek another Katherine Reay novel.

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My favorite passage of all came toward the end of the book, when Lily is ruminating on the assessment of talent. Her words, about painting, could equally apply to writing. "Next week, I'll find out how far I'm willing to stretch, how vulnerable I can make myself, and how much of myself I'm willing to splay onto a canvas. Whether the art world chooses to laud my efforts or eviscerate them is beyond my control... As Picasso taught me, the act of painting is the vivisection of one's soul, splayed out before the world in a two dimensional format. And in art, as in life, success lies in holding nothing back. The world can hate it, but I can still have a marvelous time." 

Mid-month Mention: Another Scavenger Hunt

Lately, I've been encountering new Christian authors through promotional activities. Last month I shared an opportunity for a Christian author scavenger hunt including almost 30 authors. I subscribed to a handful of author newsletters, including one for Jaime Jo Wright. Wright has joined another new-to-me author to create their own small scavenger hunt as introduction to their newest books.

Jaime Jo Wright's newest release is The Bookshop of 99 Doors. It is a Christian dual-timeline mystery set in a Pennsylvania mansion with Civil War secrets. Like Wright's other books, it is atmospheric and suspenseful. Melanie Dobson's The Lost Story of Via Belle is also a dual-timeline historical mystery. It, too, takes place in Pennsylvania. A present-day screenwriter investigates the 1940s disappearance of a romance novelist. I am eager to read both of these novels and then pass on recommendations to my cousin, Karin, who lives in Pennsylvania.

If you want to participate in this smaller scavenger hunt visit this Storydoors website. You will find two portals into photos associated with the novels. Each book showcases four rooms to explore. Some of the images, when clicked on, will send you to informational sites tied to these stories. In each room, there is a hidden clue to copy down. Once you find the 8 hidden clues, you can enter the completed sentences to enter the giveaway (15 Christian fiction titles), which ends on April 29, 2026. There is also an invitation to join a Zoom call with the authors, held on April 30th, to learn more about these stories. The winner will be announced during that Zoom call.

I joined in the fun. A few of the sites held information about author Grace Livingston Hill. My paternal grandmother had numerous Grace Livingston Hill books on her shelves in her upstairs rooms (where my sister and I stayed during visits). I can remember passing time in those novels, although I did not recognize any titles I may have read, since it was years ago (almost half a century). Even if I don't win the scavenger hunt, it was interesting to visit these sites and learn more about these books.

Book Review: The Life She Forgot

Almost a year ago, I discovered and joined a Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt. It was not only fun, but also introduced me to a host of new-to-me authors. I signed on for several author newsletters and that is how I first came to know about Joanna Davidson Politano's books. I borrowed The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House from my library. Sadly, my stack of current reads kept me from it and other readers in the hold line were eager for their turn. When she mentioned a launch team for The Life She Forgot in her newsletter, I jumped at the chance.

The Life She Forgot is an Edwardian dual-timeline historical mystery set on the Cornish coast. It is the first book in Politano's House on the Edge of the Cliff series. You can pre-order the Kindle version and it will be auto-delivered on April 21, 2026.

It is 1913 and Merryn cannot remember who she is or where she is from. Three years ago, Lady St. Laurent took her in, grateful that Merryn saved her 7-year-old grandson Cecil from being hit by a car (the act that brought on her amnesia). At Lady St. Laurent's death, her will stipulates that Merryn will receive a small fortune and guardianship of the boy. However, Lady St. Laurent's daughter Sabine will receive the house. Sabine feels cheated and is determined to have Merryn declared unfit and sent to an asylum.

Merryn's only hope seems to be in proposing marriage to the young man she met at the park three weeks ago, A.J. Winthrop. She doesn't know herself, let alone anything about this young man, but she is desperate to retrieve her memory and prove her ability to care for Cecil. Can she trust A.J.? Will he help her restore her memories? Then, memories of another man and another wedding begin to surface. She hopes a trip to Cornwall will bring clarity, but she is being followed and time is running out.

In 1947, William Thatcher is plagued by memories of the war. He leaves his wife behind (thinking it is in her best interest) when he inherits Dunn Cottage on the Cornish coast. He doesn't even know Anwen Dunn. Why would she leave him the cottage? He is drawn to a painting of a woman and determined to find out the story and value of the portrait. Can he prove its provenance and secure enough funds to send back to his wife? Why does he think she'd be better off without him?

Although there are several storylines and characters to keep track of, the two timelines interweave, even to the point of sharing ending and beginning lines in chapters. I enjoyed so many things about this novel. On the one hand, memories can plague a person. On the other hand, losing memory is like losing the essence of yourself. Multiple questions lure the reader and ramp up the plot repeatedly. Merryn is in a race against time to retrieve her memory so she can save herself and Cecil.

This book considers identity, parenting, greed, and marriage. Both William and Merryn have made mistakes in the past that haunt them in the present. Both struggle with their marriages. I loved the line, "Marriage is the Russian Roulette of humanity--deposit yourself firmly in the arms of another and hope they deign to catch you every day of your life." We all enter marriages unaware of what the future holds. Sometimes we wound one another. Sometimes we save one another. If you're looking for a Christian historical novel full of intrigue in a beautiful coastal setting, The Life She Forgot, will woo you and win you.

Book Review: Every Hour Until Then

Every Hour Until Then had a lengthy hold list at my library. How amusing that it came available just after I read about Michael J. Fox's forays into time travel. This is my first Gabrielle Meyer book. I've been noting recommendations. It takes a clever author to weave a time-travel book well.

Every Hour Until Then is billed as an inspirational Victorian and WWII-era time-travel romance. I wasn't aware it is the fifth in her Timeless series. I decided to plunge ahead anyway because I've always been interested in Victorian England. Meyer poses a fascinating premise. Characters in her time-travel series live in two separate eras (alternating between the two with each sleep) and must finally decide which path they wish to remain in permanently. For this novel, Kathryn uses what she learns in 1938 London to foil Jack the Ripper's deadly intentions for her 1888 sister, Mary Jane.

I'm intrigued by the idea that the Ripper was undetected because he was protected by the brotherhood of Freemasons. This sounds like a plausible theory. While the book didn't suck me in as much as I'd hoped, the two time periods were interesting when paired together. In 1888, Kathryn is the daughter of an eminent doctor with Freemason ties. In 1938, she is in London on assignment to help put together a display on Jack the Ripper's reign of terror. The rules of time travel in the novel add danger to Kathryn's desires to intervene to save her sister from becoming the fifth and final victim.

I'm not sure I will backtrack and begin at the start of this series. I'm quite interested in Victorian London, but not as interested in other time periods and places. The time-travel element sometimes felt clunky. Plus, the inspirational elements were stroked more than seemed necessary. Still, it is currently ranked 18 in Christian Historical Fiction books. It was an interesting story, if you're a big fan of time-travel novels. Moreover, the subject of the Ripper might make for lively discussion in a book club setting.

Book Review: The Little Liar

In tallying up my Mitch Albom reads, it appears I've read six of his books. My last Albom book, The Stranger in the Lifeboat, was not my favorite. Indeed, I'd say over time, my opinion of his books has shifted. Am I maturing? Perhaps my taste in books is shifting? Critics have said he is overly sentimental and preachy. I get that. Yet, I've usually found something of value in his books.

The Little Liar is slightly reminiscent of Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief. Both stories take place in World War II and use unique narrators. Zusak's outstanding book uses Death to tell about a girl who saves books. Albom uses Truth to tell about a boy who is tricked into telling a lie that endangers his family. While Zusak's book is far stronger, I did enjoy watching the paths of four different characters intersect in Albom's book. 

Indeed, I marvelled at his writing skills. I felt invested in these characters. They were well drawn and full of humanity. What's more, Albom was able to weave each portion of the story to the point of a powerful merging in the final act (this felt reminiscent of the climax in Anthony Doerr's WWII tale, All the Light We Cannot See). I did enjoy this book. Still, if you're seeking WWII and haven't read The Book Thief or All the Light We Cannot See, start with those first. 

[My earlier links are to reviews of physical reading of these two books, but here are my reviews of re-reads, using audio versions, for The Book Thief and All the Light We Cannot See.]

Book Review: Shelterwood

I enjoyed Lisa Wingate's Before We Were Yours. So, I was thrilled to learn my library had another book I've heard about, written by Wingate, Shelterwood. You can tell this author leans into research. She clearly spent a great deal of time investigating the true aspects of this story. Then, she fleshes it out with a fictional story. Like in Before We Were Yours, this is a dual timeline story.

In Oklahoma, 1909, eleven-year-old Olive Augusta Radley is sure her stepfather means to harm her. She takes the six-year-old Choctaw girl, living with them, and runs away. They use their wits to evade capture several times, always on the run from people who wish to exploit them. In Oklahoma, 1990, Valerie Boren Odell is settling in to her new job as a ranger at Horssethief Trail National Park. She is a single mother with a heart for children. Thus, she is drawn into the mysterious disappearance of a teenager, alongside the discovery of the bones of three children buried in a cave.

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the previous book, but that is probably entirely due to a current reading slump. It may have also been harder to stay focused on this long, rambling story because I was only snatching a few minutes listening time here or there in car trips. I will say, the book made me want to write a historical fiction novel (if only I could dig up some interesting tid-bit of history that has been unexplored). It is criminal what happened to young children and orphans when their land was stolen from under them. They were powerless to fight the theiving adults and often ended up living homeless in the woods, like Olive. If you are from Oklahoma or are interested in the plight of young Indian children, this book is sure to interest you.

Book Review: A Carol for Mrs. Dickens

Rebecca Connolly's A Carol for Mrs. Dickens provides a female protagonist for an additional consideration of Charles Dickens' famous novel, A Christmas Carol. This was an enjoyable, faith-filled jaunt into Victorian times featuring the Dickens family. It reflects several true historical aspects of this well-known family. In 1851, Catherine published a cookbook under a pen name. She and Charles also lost their 7-month-old daughter, Dora, in that year and Catherine struggled with this death. Charles often read from his own carol or from his family book, The Life of Our Lord, when celebrating the holidays. 

Historical details render a very human, conflicted image of this author (once my favorite author). On the one hand, he seemed determined to raise his children with an awareness of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, rumors say he was unfaithful to his wife. We cannot know if those rumors were true. Yet, he separated from Catherine in 1858, creating some division with other authors, including Thackeray and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. He even ignored her death with some sort of comment about where there once was writing, it was then blank. Poor Catherine! It must have been hard to be a spouse to a charismatic man much esteemed in the public eye.

Connolly's carol focuses on Catherine in her despair after losing her daughter. Catherine seeks a renewed vision of the true meaning of Christmas, not the one painted in her husband's well-received Christmas Carol. Through a series of three trips to forgotten memories, she finds her Christmas joy restored. These visions emphasize her husband's generosity and the joy of childhood wonder, the joy of new love relationships (especially hers with the younger Charles), and the joy of giving to those in need. Catherine grows and changes throughout the telling, as she leads the reader to prize the holiday and the various joys of the season.

Book Review: The Things We Cherished

My last Pam Jenoff book, The Lost Girls of Paris, left me ambivalent. Still, I needed an audiobook for longer car trips, and the back cover of The Things We Cherished promised "true love under the worst of circumstances." I had a slight problem at the beginning, following the trail of a few different timelines. There is talk of a clockmaker, then talk of the clock being taken by some boys out of a home, then a modern-day lawyer, then a German accused of war crimes. I caught on and settled in after the first CD, but the initial confusion was frustrating. Perhaps I would have fared better with a book in hand instead of listening.

Charlotte Gold is a lawyer defending juvenile criminals. Her ex-boyfriend, Brian Harrington, asks her to drop her cases and work on an important case that may establish him in his legal firm. When she arrives in Germany to research, Brian's no-show status forces her to work with his brother, Jack. Honestly, the passion between them is so tentative that I cannot understand how they would end up in bed, yet they did. Yes, content caution for those who prefer clean books.

The court case weaves across several countries as they follow the trail of the anniversary clock (a key piece in the solution, supposedly). I was seriously let down by the ending. It felt like a firework that was merely snuffed out before it ever achieved any power. The plot and the relationship fizzled to nothing. It simply wasn't my favorite book. I don't want the time back, per se, but I wish I had invested in one with a better conclusion and more redemption and resolution. 

Content caution: 📒 

Book Review: The Book of Last Letters

In Kerry Barrett's The Book of Last Letters, Stevie is an artist working at a nursing home that once housed a hospital during WWII's Blitz. She applies for a grant to paint a mural after learning about a book containing letters from soldiers and patients to family members. The story unfolds in dual timelines. Stevie, in the present day, is piecing together the history of the letter book (a book that contains difficult messages, including one that leads to the story's climax). Elsie Watkins, a nurse during World War II, is responding to the urgent need for communication with distant family members. Both Stevie and Elsie try to do the right thing, but sometimes face daunting obstacles.

I hadn't realized this novel was based on true events. The characters were believable and endearing. I enjoyed reading this tale that emphasizes not leaving things unsaid. Life is short (sometimes shorter than expected). We often carry regrets and heartfelt expressions of love to the grave. Although I'm somewhat weary of WWII tales, this book's message is worth exploring.

Book Review: Becoming Mrs. Lewis

Once again, the titles of my current reading seem to parallel. After meeting Patti Callahan Henry at her author talk in Franklin, Indiana, I was eager to pick up this historical fiction based on the life of Joy Davidman, C. S. Lewis' wife. When I worked at the Marion E. Wade Collection at Wheaton College, my time was focused on transcribing the letters of C. S. Lewis. I didn't really stop to think about Joy Davidman. Even when I met her son, Douglas Gresham (researching his book, Lenten Lands), I didn't consider Joy. Then Dr. Lyle Dorsett, my supervisor, wrote his book, And God Came In. I received this book, with Lyle's signature, as a Christmas gift in 1984.

I had such a great time briefly discussing Patti's research at the Wade (now called the Wade Center). How fun to think she may have opened a binder and read words I transcribed! Or perhaps she actually saw my own handwritten scrawl. There were times I could not decipher C. S. Lewis's words. Both he and his brother, Warnie, were born with a congenital defect of a missing joint in their thumb. I would type up a passage and leave a blank space where I couldn't decipher the words. Then later, sometimes with the help of other eyes, I would go back in and print the missing words. It was my favorite job ever, since I often would happen upon great insights in the correspondence I transcribed.

This book held a similar message to the one I gleaned from Ellen Vaughn's biography of Elizabeth Elliot. I think many people hear the name C. S. Lewis and imagine a saint on a pedestal. Neither Elizabeth nor "Jack" (as he was known) were saints. They were ordinary individuals with faults and quirks and a rare gift for sharing insights through their writing. In Becoming Mrs. Lewis, we learn how he acquired his nickname. We learn how and why he held Joy Davidman at a distance, despite a growing love building between them. 

Joy, too, held a brilliance of writing ability. Jack described her work as "flaming." He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. She started as a friend, someone with whom he could say, "What, you too?" I loved the descriptions of their playful, literary banter. Joy was an amazing woman. She knew several languages, had a photographic memory, could discourse on a variety of subjects, and was quite frank. Yet, as with Jack, she was not perfect. The book highlights how her passion for writing led to great difficulty settling into a "housewife" role. She suffered because of her poor choice in marrying another woman's husband, who turned out to be an alcoholic with a violent temper.

As a reader, you can see the train heading for a derailment. Why did Joy leave her wayward husband with her attractive, driven cousin to care for her sons while she took a trip to England for her health? Given her husband's abuse (and especially his demeaning comments against her writing), is it any wonder that she was drawn to a man like C. S. Lewis? And, given Lewis' background, it is easier to understand why he took so long to assert his love for Joy. This aspect gives the book tremendous pull, as the reader waits, with bated breath, for the two to come together.

I think my favorite endorsement for Patti's book is this blurb by the New York Journal of Books: "Patti Callahan took a character on the periphery, one who has historically taken a back seat to her male counterpart, and given her a fierce, passionate voice. For those fans of Lewis curious about the woman who inspired A Grief Observed, this book offers a convincing, fascinating glimpse into the private lives of two very remarkable individuals." Joy had a fierce, passionate voice in a time and era when women's voices went unheard. Her vehement determination to protect her sons was admirable. I'm grateful to Lewis for shepherding them after Joy's death. I'm also glad to have met Douglas while working at the Wade Collection. How sad to hear from Patti that Douglas is now dealing with dementia! How sad to have to tell her that Lyle (a beloved father figure for me) is also struggling with dementia. God carries us each through trials and triumphs. He uses the good and the bad in our lives for His glory. Praise God! 

Book Review: The Paper Bracelet

I adore Maeve Binchy books. Rachael English's novel, The Paper Bracelet, is recommended for fans of Maeve Binchy. Thus, I purchased the E-book to read during my spring break trip. I wouldn't say I was as sucked in as a Binchy book. Yet, it was an intriguing story. This book made me think of two friends. One is a college pal (adopted at birth). Another is a former student of mine who had a baby at 13, after a friend of her family raped her. Neither of these cases played out in a despicable group home for unwed mothers. Still, rubbing shoulders with their stories burned deep empathy for young women who become pregnant outside of the safe confines of marriage. Society has not treated such women with the compassion and dignity they deserve.

Indeed, it was hard to read of the conditions many young unwed mothers faced. Their families sent them away to erase the mark of embarrassment. These homes often forced them to go by aliases (dehumanizing) and expected them to do manual labor to earn their keep. But the hardest facet of their experience came after they had given birth. I cannot imagine how young girls survived. What a unique torture to carry a child within you, endure scorn, stigma, and ridicule, and then suffer the greatest hardship, the stealing of that child! They imprisoned and chastised these young girls. They stripped them of the greatest bond a woman can know. Oh, the ache! The injustice!

When Katie's husband dies, she sets out on a new adventure. She unearths a box of baby identity bracelets she has kept for years. Working in a home for unwed mothers was difficult, but maybe Katie can give back now. She hopes to reunite mothers with their stolen children, sent to be raised by more respectable couples. She posts a notice on an adoption board and, with the help of her niece Beth, seeks answers that are often hard to find.

This book taps a gamut of emotions lurking in this societal scar. So many perspectives cry out to be heard. Mothers lost the babies with whom they had bonded. The children lost a sense of identity, always wondering over the whereabouts of their birth parents. To walk a mile in these shoes is painful.

I struggled to keep the characters straight because the many mothers and children went by different names. This is an aspect rooted in historical practice, so I cannot fault the author. Indeed, at the end of the book, the author expresses her battle with fleshing out the characters when her journalistic tendencies wanted to pour forth all the information she was gleaning through research. I would have welcomed more information. It is a fascinated and troubling story from history. We live in a broken world, and our responses to brokenness fail to heal. Either of my friends could have lived out this story. I thank the Lord they didn't.

Book Review: The Story She Left Behind - Highly Recommend

Seeing the buzz, I put my name on the hold list for Patti Callahan Henry's book, The Story She Left Behind. Although I've heard of this author, I had never read one of her books. My impetus to read quickened when I learned she was speaking at a library event south of Indianapolis. I snagged a ticket to the event and plunged in, reading the book in 3 days. What a great book! It deserves its recognition as an instant New York Times Bestseller. What a fantastic opportunity! I loved the reading and the author talk.

When she was eight, Clara Harrington's author mother disappeared. Now, twenty-five years later, her divorce propels her to return to live in her childhood home with her dad and her eight-year-old daughter, Wynnie. The mother hunger lingers. Then, she receives a phone call from a stranger named Charlie in England who claims to have found her mother's papers in his deceased father's study. Clara and Wynnie cross the ocean and arrive just as London is shrouded in the fog of the Great Smog. They flee London with Charlie, heading for his home in the Lake District. Can they, together, solve the mystery of her mother's disappearance? Will they learn why Charlie's father had the papers?

It is always a privilege to hear firsthand tidbits about an author's journey. Plus, it enhances the reading. For example, I was surprised to learn that this story is actually based on a true literary mystery. It weaves together small details from one author's disappearance with tidbits from the life of Beatrix Potter. If you read the novel, do not neglect the author's note at the end. It explains which parts are drawn from history and which parts are improvised to complete the story. This was an easy read and the pages fell away. I immediately recommended it to a friend with a special love of Beatrix Potter. When I told Jen about the book, she was already familiar with Potter's personally-created language. This was all new to me.

I loved hearing about Patti Callahan Henry's journey into the rabbit trails of her research. While reading The Story She Left Behind, I felt Wynnie's character seemed precocious beyond belief. Then, I attended the talk, and learned that the author whose disappearance led to Henry's novel was indeed that precocious as a child. The book emphasizes the importance of words and language. It addresses the difficulties we sometimes have when we cannot find the words to communicate what we wish to say.

The talk also whet my appetite to read more by this author. After talking about her book, Becoming Mrs. Lewis, I decided to stick around, even though I had no book to sign. When my turn came, I eagerly asked if she had done research at the Marion E. Wade Center (where I worked, in my college years, transcribing C. S. Lewis' personal correspondence). She had! We talked briefly about Dr. Lyle Dorsett and his wife, Mary. She kindly took a photo with me before I dashed off to keep the line moving. Oh, how her wrists must have hurt by the end of the evening! I noticed many people in line carrying multiple copies of her books, all seeking a signature. I'm thrilled to have personally encountered this author and her book.

Wishing you had the privilege of attending one of Patti Callahan Henry's book talks? The author wrote an interesting article, on creating personal languages, for the Readers Digest web magazine. On her author website, you can read a blog post on live video interviews which aired on her Facebook page in February and March. Plus, her book was highlighted on the Friends and Fiction podcast. This is a podcast that she created, together with 3 other bestselling authors, to highlight and discuss books. Don't have an hour to get engrossed in this story? Well, here's a ten-minute interview with the author:

Book Review: Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

Appropriately enough, this is an ambling tale. Lillian takes a walk in New York City on New Year's Eve of 1984. We, as readers, come alongside her and listen in on her ruminations as she recalls her life over the years. It was also appropriate that I read this book between New Year's Eve and January 3rd. I'm a fan of walking and of authors who seek inspiration through walking (Dickens, among others). At one time, I walked city streets myself. I lived in Chicago during my teen years. During one college summer break, I lived in New Jersey and walked the streets of New York City. Indeed, one Saturday morning, unwilling to pay the subway fare, I walked across Harlem to get to the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage. Thus, I appreciated this tale of an elderly woman's walk on the edge of a new year. It was full of interesting tid-bits of historical facts.

Lillian Boxfish is an 85-year-old woman who will not let others spook her out of her favorite activity, walking the streets of New York City. Despite recent criminal accounts, Lillian is feisty and unafraid. The story develops in a stream-of-consciousness manner as Lillian walks or ambles through the city with several destinations in mind. She is heading for a small party but makes many stops along the way (walking 10.4 miles in total). For the reader, it feels as if you are walking with her and reliving her past through her witty banter and sharp eyes. She has spunk, verve, and stories galore. By the final pages, I felt quite sad for her, but pleased she triumphs in the end.

I rarely encounter unfamiliar words. Although I have seen some of these words before, my exposure didn't explain the words. So, I looked them up to learn how to use the words myself. Here were the nine I learned: inchoate, pulchritudinous, oleaginous, poniard, idee fixe, aldehydic, mulligan, Stendahl syndrome, and anhedonia. Of course, when I mentioned them to my husband, he rattled off the dictionary definitions.

I adored the author's note at the end of the book. Kathleen Rooney explained her research into the life of Margaret Fishback, the inspiration for Lillian's character. Fishback was a poet and advertising copywriter with great acclaim. Since I once worked in an archive, I was thrilled to read the author's notes about acquiring Fishback's papers and handling the facts of Fishback's life and works. Rooney clarifies that this is a work of historical fiction and not biography. Basically, she merged her own love of city-walking with Fishback's story and enhanced her character with an entertainingly acidic voice. Lillian is a character you will never forget. I loved Harold Fry's walking tale. It made me want to follow his steps through England. I could see myself trekking through New York following Lillian Boxfish's trail. Who knows, maybe they've already created just such a walking tour!

Book Review: The First State of Being

I adored Erin Entrada Kelly's Newbery Honor Book, We Dream of Space. As usual, I feel I must apologize when I don't relish a book. I'm guessing I might have had a different response to this Newbery winning Kelly book, The First State of Being, if I had read it years ago. Maybe, I'm just in too deep a funk to rally. The story held my interest, but didn't wow like the other one.

Set at the turn of the century, the story follows Michael Rosario as he prepares for the uncertainties of Y2K in 1999. His encounter with a boy named Ridge, from the future, leaves him hoping for answers to ease his fears. Alas, Ridge cannot offer any consolation. The only real tid-bit Michael gleans is a prediction of an earthquake across the world. He has plenty of challenges apart from his Y2K woes and Ridge's appearance may bring even more.

The title focuses on Ridge's advice to focus on "the first state of being," or the present. It is easy to allow fears over the future to overwhelm and capsize our equilibrium (I'm guilty). Through the story of Ridge's intersection into Michael's world, young people gain a powerful message of strength and resilience in the face of the uncertainties of life. Kelly writes well, and the story is worthwhile. For readers aged 8-12, it appeals to those interested in time travel or science fiction. 

Book Review: Band of Sisters

Sometimes a dash into the library nets a fortuitous find. Band of Sisters offers an engaging historical fiction account of true events during WWI. Women alumnae from Smith College head to France to assist villagers and meet needs. As personalities blend and clash, the troop becomes a "band of sisters." Moreover, they miraculously remain intact, despite harrowing work near the front of the fighting.

Billed as "a skillful blend of Call the Midwife and The Alice Network," Band of Sisters follows 18 Smith graduates who seek to help bombed out French villagers. They arrive with good intentions, but face almost constant obstacles. They must put their trucks together by hand, their supplies go astray, and they mistakenly purchase roosters instead of hens. The men working at the front resent their presence. They must live in damp, harsh conditions. Add in natural clashes of personalities and a leadership coup, and you have a motley crew. Yet, they do indeed become a family unit and work together in this threatening terrain to bring good and engender hope.

My favorite part, of course, was the author's note at the end. I loved listening to the author's description of stumbling upon this fascinating historical story and sorting through the primary sources (letters sent home). Lauren Willig demonstrates great skill as she weaves a story of various personalities and perils. I often feel like I'm just not up for yet another war book, but this time around, I was grateful it was front and center on the shelves during my quick run into the library. This was a historical fiction gem!

Book Review: The Frozen River

Ariel Lawhon is a new author for me. Many have mentioned this book, The Frozen River, on the Historical Fiction Lovers Facebook feed. I'm not interested in this time and setting: Maine in 1789. Give me a Victorian novel and I'm always game, but early American tales don't entice me. Yet, Lawhon's writing is impressive. The story comes alive in the reader's mind.

Martha Ballard is a midwife in Hallowell, Maine. One of the few women skilled in reading and writing, she keeps a diary of her days and her deliveries. Thus, she has evidence to bring forth when two influential men are charged with rape. Hallowell is full of secrets and scandals. Some feel no gratitude for Martha's careful documentation and will seek to thwart her efforts toward justice.

I think my favorite part about this whole book was the author's note at the end. She shares her simple find of a small devotional blurb about Martha Ballard. This led her into extensive research and a story worth telling. Lawhon explains how truth, paired with supposition about how things may have played out, teased out an intense and gratifying tale. I only struggled because my listening to this audio book was disrupted by many days spent away from the story line during our trip to Dallas for my oldest son's wedding.

Book Review: The Air Raid Book Club

I thank my library and Hoopla for providing me with endless options of audio books to listen to while I walk on my treadmill. The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons offered another dip into WWII and the lives of British and German characters. This book adheres to current societal agendas that view God's dictates for what is good for man as too limiting and restrictive. Yet, I could enjoy this tale for the redeeming qualities of love and self-sacrifice. Indeed, I admire the main character, Gertie, for her willingness to take in a German Jewish child and I affirm the life-changing rewards we receive when we place the needs of another above our own. So, despite unwholesome content (always comes when fully invested in the book, i.e., later), I still enjoyed the story and found something to gain from this tale.

Life isn't the same for bookstore owner Gertie Bingham ever since her husband Harry died. Her enthusiasm for what brought her joy has dampened. Then, war breaks out and she answers the call to provide a home for a German Jewish child. Hedy is a typical sensitive teenage girl. Gertie must rise to the role of parent, an unfamiliar role that brings untold joy. The Blitz threatens their lives, but solidifies their love for one another. This was a fresh story of the way books and community soften the harsh realities of life and provide an anchor in a storm. I may still give Annie Lyons' other popular title, The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett, a go.

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