Lady Tan's Circle of Women

My Rating: 4.9

15th century China and Tan Yunxian is being raised by her grandparents. Her grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine, the Four Examinations—looking, listening, touching, and asking—something a man can never do with a female patient. From a young age, Yunxian learns about women’s illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and a mutual purpose—despite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwife comes in frequent contact with it—and they vow to be forever friends, sharing in each other’s joys and struggles. 

When Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law forbids her from seeing Meiling and from helping the women and girls in the household. Yunxian is to act like a proper wife—embroider bound-foot slippers, recite poetry, give birth to sons, and stay forever within the walls of the family compound, the Garden of Fragrant Delights.

This book spans many decades and See's research shows in capturing the Chinese culture, foot binding and so many expectations of women. This is a beautiful quiet book with many complex characters. Don't rush the reading but savor and enjoy. Beautiful.

Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

My Rating: 4.8

In post WWII Ireland, and despite being skilled at bookkeeping, Eilis can't find a job. When an Irish priest from Brooklyn offers to sponsor Eilis in America--to live and work in a Brooklyn neighborhood "just like Ireland"--she decides she must go. Leaving her fragile mother and her charismatic sister behind, Eilis finds work in a department store on Fulton Street, This details Eilis having incredibly homesickness, getting to know her boarding house mates,  and when she least expects it, finds love. Tony, a blond Italian from a big family, slowly wins her over with patient charm. 

I normally like a plot driven book but, thanks to Toibin's gorgeous writing, this character driven book drew me in. Most of this takes place inside Eilis' mind so it is strange to realize that Toibin holds his characters at arms-length and, despite feeling so close to them, you realize you don't really know them at all. This novel is much deeper than it appears and will stay with me. I can't wait to read Long Island.

Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes

My Rating: 4.9

Intense, powerful, and compelling, Matterhorn is an epic war novel. Written by a highly decorated Marine veteran over the course of thirty years, Matterhorn is a spellbinding and unforgettable novel that brings to life an entire world—both its horrors and its thrills—and seems destined to become a classic of combat literature.

We listened to this together in the car. I am constantly amazed at what our young men go through to defend our country but, this had me astounded at the stupidity of the politics of the generals, the racial divide and other internal strife within their unit. My heart broke for so many unnecessary tragedies. This was a very graphic novel and yet, at times, it also had us laughing. Amazing author that brought the war to life. 

Vera Wongs Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

My Rating: 4.9

Spunk Vera Wong lives above her tea shop in San Francisco. Vera has one customer, the same customer, every day. No matter as Vera stays busy checking up on her adult son. One morning, Vera comes downstairs and finds a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. Vera doesn’t know what comes over her, but after calling the cops like any good citizen would, she sort of . . . swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into the pocket of her apron. Why? Because Vera is sure she would do a better job than the police possibly could, because nobody sniffs out wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands. Vera knows the killer will be back for the flash drive; all she has to do is watch the increasing number of customers at her shop and figure out which one among them is the killer.

This was such a great book. I HIGHLY recommend that you get it on audio as the fabulous narration added so much to the story. While all of the characters were well done, Vera was such a great character and so full of energy and good intentions. I was laughing and cheering for Vera through the whole book.

The Alienist by Caleb Carr

 

My Rating: 4.5

Newspaper reporter John Schuyler Moore is summoned by his friend Dr. Laszlo Kreizler—a psychologist, or “alienist”—to view the horribly mutilated body of an adolescent boy abandoned on the unfinished Williamsburg Bridge. From there the two embark on a revolutionary effort in criminology: creating a psychological profile of the perpetrator based on the details of his crimes. Their dangerous quest takes them into the tortured past and twisted mind of a murderer who will kill again before their hunt is over.

Wonderful writing, a period of history I knew nothing about and it brings 1896 New York to life. There were some uncomfortable grizzly parts but overall, I found this a page turning thriller that I couldn't put down.

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry

 

My Rating: 4.5

1939, fourteen-year-old Hazel and five-year-old Flora are evacuated to a rural village to escape the horrors of the Second World War. Living with the kind Bridie Aberdeen and her teenage son, Harry, in a charming stone cottage along the River Thames, Hazel fills their days with walks and games to distract her young sister, including one that she creates for her sister and her sister alone—a fairy tale about a magical land, a secret place they can escape to that is all their own. But the unthinkable happens when young Flora suddenly vanishes while playing near the banks of the river. Shattered, Hazel blames herself for her sister’s disappearance, and she carries that guilt into adulthood as a private burden she feels she deserves.

I read this book club and everyone enjoyed it. The children getting sent off to the country is so sad but I loved that Hazel and Flora ended up in a wonderful family with Bridie and Harry, Hazel never gives up on Flora and the guilt she feels is so sad. An enjoyable read that felt 'light' despite the topic.

Babel by R.F. Kuang

 

My Rating: 4.0

Orphaned by cholera in Canton, Robin is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel. The tower and its students are the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver-working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—has made the British unparalleled in power, as the arcane craft serves the Empire's quest for colonization. s his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide . . . Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?

I am so torn over how to rate this. On one hand, the author is BRILLIANT! Unique and creative story lines with wonderful writing. On the otherhand, I felt that this was redundant, preaching and strident in some of the point. It was also VERY dry in that a large portion of this book was told through lectures. I absolutely loved The Poppy Wars and will be reading more in that series but felt that was maybe too ambitious in what Kuang was trying to convey.

Sunday's Child: Book I in the Pea Island Gold Trilogy by Tom Lewis

My Rating: 4.4

On North Carolina's stormy Outer Banks. Sunday is raised on the Pea Island Life-Saving Station by the influence of the Station's heroic all-black crewmen. Under their loving protection, she blossoms into a strong and beautiful young woman with a spirit to match. But Sunday's secluded paradise cannot last. Her calm, simple days by the sea must inevitably give way to the fast-approaching storms of life. Unexpectedly, those darkening skies bring with them an unlikely mix of forbidden love, murder, and revenge along with a Nazi submarine carrying millions of dollars in gold stolen from Hitler's Third Reich. First in a trilogy, Sunday's Child begins the saga of three unique families from across the world, flung fatally together by three of mankind s most basic traits: war, love, and greed.

I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of this book with it's well developed characters and interesting story-line. As other reviewers have mentioned, the last 1/4 felt so far fetched and written with an forced sequel in mind that it was very off putting. As much as I enjoyed this book, I won't be reading any more from this series.

The Guest by Emma Cline

 

My Rating: 3.0

Alex is a very calculating young girl. She is at a dinner party with an older man she has been involved with and makes a mis-calculation - ending her being welcome at his home or on Long Island. When he has her taken to the train to send her back to the city, she decides to stay and meander from one bad decision to another.

This is a difficult book for me to review. On one hand Alex is such a mess and makes such horrible decisions that this was a very uncomfortable read. On the othe rhand, Cline's writing is so beautiful that I couldn't stop reading this. I will try other books by her and hope that the characters aren't such train wrecks.

A Beautiful Rival

 

My Rating: 4.8

Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein and their infamous rivalry that spanned not only decades, but also broken marriages, personal tragedies, and a world that was changing dramatically for women

I really enjoyed this historical fiction and learning more about both Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein - individually as well as their rivalry. They both were amazing women who had incredible lives. Their rivalry was interesting but, it was sad how rather than simply having a good competition it showed their insecurity (especially Elizabeth Arden). A very enjoyable read that I would recommend.

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

My Rating: 4.2

A servant girl escapes from a colonial settlement in the wilderness. She carries nothing with her but her wits, a few possessions, and the spark of god that burns hot within her. What she finds in this terra incognita is beyond the limits of her imagination and will bend her belief in everything that her own civilization has taught her.

This book got RAVE reviews so I am in the minority. For me, the story dragged at times and I felt it should have been edited down. Some mentioned that this book was dark and depressing which I can see when she was questioning God and thinking that bears had souls. Overall, I was fascinated by her ability to survive and her resourcefulness. As always, even if the storyline doesn't enthrall me, Groff's writing is lyrical.

 

Njuta: Enjoy, Delight In: The Swedish Art of Savoring the Moment by Niki Brantmark

 

My Rating:  4.2

Njuta (pronounced “nyutah”), which means “enjoy” or “delight in,” is the Swedish art of savoring the moment. Focused on finding happiness in even the smallest things, njuta can be applied to every area of life: Daily rituals Creating a comfortable home Nature and friluftsliv (open-air life) Meal times and fika (coffee breaks) Adapting to the seasons Celebrations with family and friends From relishing a quiet moment of comfort to enjoying the beauty of nature or even just reveling in the deliciousness of a favorite snack, you too can do like the Swedes and open your eyes to all of life’s pleasures, no matter how simple.

Maybe it is the fact that I have been blessed to live in European countries but I didn't find anything profound in this book. That being said, it was a good reminder to not let work swallow me up and to make the time for those little wonderful breaks that are the things you will remember about your day.

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

My Rating: 4.9

1789 Maine: When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. But when a local physician undermines her conclusion, declaring the death to be an accident, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own. Over the course of one winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha doggedly pursues the truth. Her diary soon lands at the center of the scandal, implicating those she loves, and compelling Martha to decide where her own loyalties lie.

I absolutely LOVED this book. It transported me back in time to this small town in Maine. I got immersed not only in the rape trial, the question of the drowning but also in Martha's life. Her diary entries made the weather, her work and her family come alive.  The writing was beautiful and I will definitely read more by this author.

Dear Child by Romy Hausmann

 

My Rating: 4.7

A woman held captive finally escapes and wakes up in the hospital. She says her name is Lena. Lena, who disappeared without a trace 14 years prior. She fits the profile. She has the distinctive scar. But her family swears that she isn’t their Lena.

I am a huge fan of books translated from other languages. Combine this with a great narrator on the audio version and it is a definite win. I had only some very minor pieces figured out and there were some definite 'reveals' that I had no clue about. Well done! Great thriller/mystery.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

 

My Rating: 4.6

Lara’s three daughters return to the family's orchard in Northern Michigan. While picking cherries, they beg their mother to tell them the story of Peter Duke, a famous actor with whom she shared both a stage and a romance years before at a theater company called Tom Lake. As Lara recalls the past, her daughters examine their own lives and relationship with their mother, and are forced to reconsider the world and everything they thought they knew.

As with all of Patchett's work, this is about people - their lives, the dynamics and the many layers of their lives. It is well told and makes you feel like you know all of the characters intimately.