"Educated," by Tara Westover

"Educated," by Tara Westover

Tara Westover was seventeen when she first set foot in a classroom. Instead of traditional lessons, she grew up learning how to stew herbs into medicine, scavenging in the family scrap yard and helping her family prepare for the apocalypse. She had no birth certificate and no medical records and had never been enrolled in school.

Westover’s mother proved a marvel at concocting folk remedies for many ailments. As Tara developed her own coping mechanisms, little by little, she started to realize that what her family was offering didn’t have to be her only education. Her first day of university was her first day in school—ever—and she would eventually win an esteemed fellowship from Cambridge and graduate with a PhD in intellectual history and political thought.

I had seen this book advertised and read all the hype regarding this, so thought I would like to read it.  I found Part 1 of the book hard going.  It seemed to drag along and not go anywhere fast.  However Part's 2 & 3 made up for it and I found it a book I didn't want to put down as I had to know what was going to happen next.

What happened in the author's life and what she found "normal," beggars belief.  The way her dad controlled the family made no sense at all too me.  However he was such an extremist that there was no way he was ever going to change. The accidents that happened in the family and how they coped/dealt with them made me shake my head.

How the author managed to do what she did with her life is a miracle in itself.  You want to blame religion for this way of life but that wasn't the problem here.  It had a hand in it, but there were many other factors to blame.  It reminded me of a cult environment in the way they functioned.

Stars out of 5 : 4 I sat here shaking my head many times throughout this book while reading it.  When you are brainwashed from a very young age, you just don't know anything different.  So having three of the siblings go onto higher education from this family is an achievement in itself.  This book was an eye opener and it's one to read; if only to realize how lucky we are.

This is my own review; I borrowed the book from my local library.

"We Hope for Better Things," by Erin Bartels

"We Hope for Better Things," by Erin Bartels

When journalist Elizabeth Balsam is asked to deliver a box of old photos to a relative she didn't know she had, the strange request seems like it isn't worth her time. But as she explores her great-aunt's farmhouse with its locked doors and hidden graves, she soon discovers just how dramatically some of the most newsworthy events of the previous two centuries shaped her own family. As she searches for answers to the riddles around her, the remarkable stories of two women who lived in this very house emerge as testaments to love, resilience, and courage in the face of war, racism, and misunderstanding.

Take an emotional journey through time--from the volatile streets of 1960s Detroit to Michigan's Underground Railroad during the Civil War--to uncover the past, confront the seeds of hatred, and discover where love goes to hide.

This book was so, so good.  It is three people's stories all intertwined into one and while that sounds complicated, the way it is written makes it a lovely read.  All three stories involve some sort of racism, hardship and all three stories involve love one way or another.  

I am normally not a fan of stories bouncing from one period or another but the author made this work.  It is her debut novel and what a good one it was.  The details that she incorporated made the book come alive, especially all the historical ones.  Some of the details made you wonder where she had found out about that and how creative she was to add that detail.  One that stands out too me was the window panes in the attic; look out for that.

Stars out of 5 : 5 I couldn't put it down.  I had to know what happened next.  I found that the strength each of the three women had from the different generations made the story.  Well worth reading.  I look forward to reading her next book The Words Between Us, which is published in September of 2019.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Between Two Shores," by Jocelyn Green

"Between Two Shores," by Jocelyn Green

The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval would rather remain neutral in a world tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the Seven Years' War against her wishes when her British ex-fiancé, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel claims he has information that could help end the war, and he asks Catherine to help him escape.

Peace appeals to Catherine, even if helping the man who broke her heart does not. But New France is starving, and she and her loved ones may not survive another winter of conflict-induced famine. When the dangers of war arrive on her doorstep, Catherine and Samuel flee by river toward the epicenter of the battle between England and France. She and Samuel may impact history, but she fears the ultimate cost will be higher than she can bear.

This is a fictional story based around the Seven Years War in 1759 between France and England in Canada.  The historical detail in this book is so interesting.  One of the things I came away with, is what a hard life the people had during this period.  I loved how much detail she put in the book about everyday life; for example how they used sand in the river to help scrub the dirt off their skin.  It's those little things that made the book even more interesting.

I also liked how Jocelyn ended the book.  It wasn't predictable which I liked.  I did find the book a little slow to start with but once you got through the first couple of chapters and you had learned who was who it got better and better.

Stars out of 5 : 3.5  If you enjoy historical Canadian history with a lot of action, you will enjoy this book.  I am just glad I didn't have to live their lives in the 1700's.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"A Desperate Hope," by Elizabeth Camden

"A Desperate Hope," by Elizabeth Camden

Eloise Drake's prim demeanor hides the turbulent past she believes is finally behind her. A mathematical genius, she's now a successful accountant for the largest engineering project in 1908 New York. But to her dismay, her new position puts her back in the path of the man responsible for her deepest heartbreak.

Alex Duval is the mayor of a town about to be wiped off the map. The state plans to flood the entire valley where his town sits in order to build a new reservoir, and Alex is stunned to discover the woman he once loved on the team charged with the demolition. With his world crumbling around him, Alex devises a risky plan to save his town--but he needs Eloise's help to succeed.

Alex is determined to win back the woman he thought he'd lost forever, but even their combined ingenuity may not be enough to overcome the odds against them.

This book is a fictional story based around a true event.  The historical details added to this book is as good as in the authors other books.  She is a stickler for facts and I appreciate that.  Add in a bit of who-dun-it to the story and it makes the story fast paced and a book that keeps you interested.

The main characters Alex and Eloise are so easy to relate too that, that too makes this book well worth reading.

Stars out of 5 : 4  This story was interesting and well written.  It made me think about the Haweswater Reservoir in the Lake District, near from where we came from in Britain.  In the summer of 2018 it was that hot that the water level went way down and you could see a lot of the village that had to be evacuated to make way for the reservoir.  You can read more about it here.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding," by Jennifer Robson

"The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding," by Jennifer Robson

London, 1947: Besieged by the harshest winter in living memory, burdened by onerous shortages and rationing, the people of postwar Britain are enduring lives of quiet desperation despite their nation’s recent victory. Among them are Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, embroiderers at the famed Mayfair fashion house of Norman Hartnell. Together they forge an unlikely friendship, but their nascent hopes for a brighter future are tested when they are chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime honor: taking part in the creation of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown.

Toronto, 2016: More than half a century later, Heather Mackenzie seeks to unravel the mystery of a set of embroidered flowers, a legacy from her late grandmother. How did her beloved Nan, a woman who never spoke of her old life in Britain, come to possess the priceless embroideries that so closely resemble the motifs on the stunning gown worn by Queen Elizabeth II at her wedding almost seventy years before? And what was her Nan’s connection to the celebrated textile artist and holocaust survivor Miriam Dassin? 

Warning: Only plan on reading this book if you have a few hours to spare; as you won't want to put it down😄 

This is a fantastic book and so interesting.  I actually thought it was a true story; but it's a fictional book but the events are true; as in yes it's about Queen Elizabeth II wedding and yes she had her wedding gown designed by Norman Hartnell and the embroiderers from the fashion house did breathtaking work on her gown, but the characters Ann, Miriam and Heather are fictional. 

The details though in this book are fantastic and the way she describes all the rationing and even the weather during 1946 - 1948 is fascinating.  Please make sure you read the "about the author, and about the book" section after you have read the book, as there is an interesting interview among there with Betty Foster, who did actually work on the wedding dress.

Stars out of 5 : 5 I LOVED this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes anything British, the royal family, the 1940's and even mysteries, as there was one to solve.  

This is my own review; I borrowed the book from my local library.

"Finding Gobi," by Dion Leonard

"Finding Gobi," by Dion Leonard

Finding Gobi is the miraculous tale of Dion Leonard, a seasoned ultramarathon runner who crosses paths with a stray dog while competing in a 155-mile race through the Gobi Desert in China. The lovable pup, who would later earn the name Gobi, proved that what she lacked in size, she more than made up for in heart, as she went step for step with Dion over the Tian Shan Mountains, across massive sand dunes, through yurt villages and the black sands of the Gobi Desert, keeping pace with him for 77 miles.

As Dion witnessed the incredible determination and heart of this small animal, he found his own heart undergoing a change as well.  Whereas in the past these races were all about winning and being the best, his goal now was to make sure he and Gobi’s friendship continued well after the finish line.  He found himself letting Gobi sleep in his tent at night, giving her food and water out of his own limited supply, and carrying her across numerous rivers, even when he knew it would mean putting him behind in the race, or worse, prevent him from finishing at all. 

Although Dion did not cross the finish line first, he felt he had won something even greater – a new outlook on life and a new friend that he planned on bringing home as soon as arrangements were made.  However, before he could take her home, Gobi went missing in the sprawling Chinese city where she was being kept. Dion, with the help of strangers and a viral outpouring of assistance on the internet, set out to track her down, and reunite forever with the amazing animal that changed his life and proved to him and the world that miracles are possible.

This book is the choice for the April meeting of the book club I have joined.  The one thing about being in a book club is your exposed to books you may not normally read.  This book is a perfect example of this.  I wouldn't have picked this book up; for no particular reason, just not my sort of book.

However after reading it I did enjoy it.  If you like a feel good book this is for you.  It includes a lovely story about a dog and human, and how an inseparable bond can form.  I learned a lot about a sport I knew nothing about; ultramarathon's.  Who knew there was such a thing?  I learned a bit about China and how even a dog can whip up so many different emotions in a country.  

If I were honest though, despite being a dog lover, I found the whole sport of Ultramarathon more interesting for some reason.  However, Gobi is a cute looking dog!!

Stars out of 5 : 4 Not a bad book.  Pretty easy to read and a feel good story.  Well worth the read.

This is my own review; I borrowed the book from my local library.

"The Chilbury Ladies' Choir," by Jennifer Ryan

"The Chilbury Ladies' Choir," by Jennifer Ryan

As England becomes enmeshed in the early days of World War II and the men are away fighting, the women of Chilbury village forge an uncommon bond. They defy the Vicar’s stuffy edict to close the choir and instead “carry on singing,” resurrecting themselves as the Chilbury Ladies’ Choir. We come to know the home-front struggles of five unforgettable choir members: a timid widow devastated when her only son goes to fight; the older daughter of a local scion drawn to a mysterious artist; her younger sister pining over an impossible crush; a Jewish refugee from Czechoslovakia hiding a family secret; and a conniving midwife plotting to outrun her seedy past.
 
An enchanting ensemble story that shuttles from village intrigue to romance to the heartbreaking matters of life and death, Jennifer Ryan’s debut novel thrillingly illuminates the true strength of the women on the home front in a village of indomitable spirit.

This book was the book club book that was reviewed at the March meeting.  It sounded interesting to me, so I requested it and read it.  What a lovely book.  Each "chapter" is either a letter to someone or an entry in one of the characters journals.  Despite there being a number of characters, its very easy to follow along with the story that way.

The way the characters evolve throughout the book, makes this a great read.  Also prior to the war the women totally relied on the men for the most part.  Now that all the men have gone to war, their attitudes have to change whether they like it or not and that can cause quite a few issues for them.

This book has plenty of twists and turns in it.  Some you will predict that will happen, other's will surprise you.  Set in a small village in Kent not far from Dover, you will see how the war touched these women (and men.)

Stars out of 5:5 A solid five at that.  A wonderful book to read especially if you like all things British!

This is my own review; I borrowed the book from my local library.

"Broken Bone China," by Laura Childs

"Broken Bone China," by Laura Childs

It is Sunday afternoon, and Theodosia and Drayton are catering a formal tea at a hot-air balloon rally. The view aloft is not only stunning, they are also surrounded by a dozen other colorful hot-air balloons. But as the sky turns gray and the clouds start to boil up, a strange object zooms out of nowhere. It is a drone, and it appears to be buzzing around the balloons, checking them out. 

As Theodosia and Drayton watch, the drone, hovering like some angry, mechanized insect, deliberately crashes into the balloon next to them. An enormous, fiery explosion erupts, and everyone watches in horror as the balloon plummets to the earth, killing all three of its passengers.

Sirens scream, first responders arrive, and Theodosia is interviewed by the police. During the interview she learns that one of the downed occupants was Don Kingsley, the CEO of a local software company, SyncSoft. Not only do the police suspect Kingsley as the primary target, they learn that he possessed a rare Revolutionary War Union Jack flag that several people were rabidly bidding on.

Intrigued, Theodosia begins her own investigation. Was it the CEO's soon-to-be ex-wife, who is restoring an enormous mansion at no expense? The CEO's personal assistant, who also functioned as curator of his prized collection of Americana? Two rival antiques' dealers known for dirty dealing? Or was the killer the fiancée of one of Theodosia's dear friends, who turns out to be an employee—and whistle-blower—at SyncSoft?

This is the latest book from Laura Childs, "Tea Shop Mystery" books series.  I have read all of them and love them all.  You will fall in love with all the characters and it is set in Charleston, South Carolina, a place I love.  The descriptions of Charleston makes you want to visit and search out the places that is mentioned in the book.

I rarely figure out the "who-dun-it" part of the book which is a good thing.  All the different teas that are mentioned, along with the food items described make your mouth water.  As a bonus there are always plenty of recipes and tea time tips in the back of the book.

Stars out of 5:5 I love Laura's books.  I always find her books entertaining and a worthwhile read.  Laura also has a couple of other series the New Orleans Scrapbooking Mysteries and the Cackleberry Club Mysteries that I want to read.   Can't wait for the next in the Tea Shop Mysteries; "Lavender Blue Murder.

This is my own review; I borrowed the book from my local library.

"The Red Address Book," by Sofia Lundberg

"The Red Address Book," by Sofia Lundberg

Meet Doris, a 96-year-old woman living alone in her Stockholm apartment. She has few visitors, but her weekly Skype calls with Jenny—her American grandniece, and her only relative—give her great joy and remind her of her own youth.

When Doris was a girl, she was given an address book by her father, and ever since she has carefully documented everyone she met and loved throughout the years. Looking through the little book now, Doris sees the many crossed-out names of people long gone and is struck by the urge to put pen to paper. In writing down the stories of her colorful past—working as a maid in Sweden, modelling in Paris during the 30s, fleeing to Manhattan at the dawn of the Second World War—can she help Jenny, haunted by a difficult childhood, unlock the secrets of their family and finally look to the future? And whatever became of Allan, the love of Doris’s life?

Oh my goodness what a book.  If you are getting a little older; 40+ this book is a must read, as you can and will relate to many things in this book.  It's no surprise as to where this book is leading you too; but the journey there, is told in such a way you are there with Doris every step of the way.

I too have a red address book and I too have people's names crossed out, due to being dead.  The same way my Christmas Card list gets a little shorter every year.  We all grow old.  I loved the element in the book that despite Doris being 96 years of age, she was very comfortable using her computer and other modern technology.

Stars out of 5 : 5 I had a good cry over the last couple of chapters, as I think you will realize what will happen as you read the book.  However there are a couple of lovely surprises tucked in with this story that will make you smile and feel good about what will happen.  Well worth the read and I think I will put forward this book for selection to read at the book club I have joined.

This is my own review; I borrowed the book from my local library.

"Josephine Baker's Last Dance," by Sherry Jones

"Josephine Baker's Last Dance," by Sherry Jones

Discover the fascinating and singular life story of Josephine Baker—actress, singer, dancer, Civil Rights activist, member of the French Resistance during WWII, and a woman dedicated to erasing prejudice and creating a more equitable world—in Josephine Baker’s Last Dance.

In this illuminating biographical novel, Sherry Jones brings to life Josephine's early years in servitude and poverty in America, her rise to fame as a showgirl in her famous banana skirt, her activism against discrimination, and her many loves and losses. From 1920s Paris to 1960s Washington, to her final, triumphant performance, one of the most extraordinary lives of the twentieth century comes to stunning life on the page.

With intimate prose and comprehensive research, Sherry Jones brings this remarkable and compelling public figure into focus for the first time in a joyous celebration of a life lived in technicolor, a powerful woman who continues to inspire today.

Although I knew that Josephine Baker was a dancer, and a famous one at that.  I didn't know she was a Civil Rights activist and a member of the French Resistance during World War Two.  This book highlights so many different facets to Josephine's life that it was a true discovery learning the many different sides of her.

However the overall feeling after reading this book; was that all Josephine wanted was to be loved, have a loving husband and a bunch of children.  I am sure she would have given up the fame and fortune to have had all that.

She struck me as a very lonely lady despite being surrounded by all the famous people of the time.  Even having all the material things with the fame, didn't quite give her everything she wanted.  I actually felt sorry for her.  One thing though I did admire was her bravery dealing with the Nazi's and trying to overcome racial prejudice in her home country of the USA.  Her rough and tumble childhood forced her to grow up fast and made me think how good of a childhood I had, had.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5  I don't read many biographies, but after reading this I think I will make an effort to read more.  The only thing with biographies, is you never know how much of the book is "romanticized" to make the book more sale-able?  Well worth the read though and I would recommend borrowing it from your local library.

This is my own review; I borrowed the book from my local library.