Everything Sirious
If you’re interested in history at all, and in particular Chinese history, the (horrible) treatment of women in the late 1500’s, and a great cast of characters, this is an excellent read. Loosely based on a woman physician in China during that time, I found it fascinating – not only a good story and as mentioned, great characters, but all the intricacies of life at that time. 5 Stars in my opinion!
Not knowing much about this book other than it was recommended on one of the Facebook groups I frequent, it popped up as now available on my library hold list. Well. What a story! I didn’t know the history of Mr. Breitweiser but this is worth a read in my opinion – it’s not super long, about a 4 hour read, and just a fascinating true story. I won’t go into any spoilers though I had to read everything Wikipedia had to say about him of course.
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh my! What a great great book. Couldn’t put it down. Really enjoyed this. Well written and such an interesting topic. And based on a true story, even better. Everything from the characters to the setting and the plot were well described; had the tiniest bit of a questionmark at the ending but certainly not impossible.
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Wonderful job on this mystery from someone I would love to hear in person! Highly recommend this.
What a great story. A story of love, and hope, and character – of ambition and determination and beating all odds. Of helping to save the world.
Well worth a read.
A well, well done book taking place right here in Central Virginia – well written, great characters, good story. Just loved the fact it was set locally as well.
“Inspired by true events, A More Perfect Union is an epic story of love and courage, desperation and determination, and three people whose lives are inescapably entwined…
Henry O’Toole sails to America in 1848 to escape the famine in Ireland, only to face anti-immigrant prejudice. Determined never to starve again, he changes his surname to Taylor and heads south to Virginia, seeking work as a traveling blacksmith on the prosperous plantations.
Torn from her home and sold to Jubilee Plantation, Sarah must navigate its intricate hierarchy. And now an enigmatic blacksmith is promising her not just the world but also her freedom. How could she say no?
Enslaved at Jubilee Plantation, Maple is desperate to return to her husband and daughter. With Sarah’s arrival, she sees her chance to be reunited at last with her family—but at what cost?”
While fiction, this is an exceptional book based on the life of Rosalind Franklin and her scientific research into DNA. It had intrigue, challenges, a tiny bit of romance, but mostly a fantastic tale of a woman’s perseverance in a man’s world and all the challenges she faced and how she met them. Really good, highly recommend this.
Definitely a five star read here – set in Romania in 1989, this is a historical fiction about a teenage boy and his family and how living under Ceausescu’s dictatorship makes him question everything and everyone. Well written and great character development; it’s always an eye opener to read what’s happening elsewhere in the world as many of us in the US focus on minutiae. I have also read Between Shades of Gray and Salt of the Sea by Sepetys and rated both as five stars as well, so give her a try if you haven’t already and if you like historical fiction!
Great author (Diane Chamberlain) who handles a sensitive subject and time frame with grace. The topic is upsetting (prejudice and violence) but it is well done through switchbacks of the present with the past and all centered around a neighborhood and its houses. This is the third five star I have read by Ms. Chamberlain, the others being The Dream Daughter and Necessary Lies. Well done.
One of my newly preferred authors, The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel is a solid coming of age story set during WWII, loosely based on the families of Jews that hid in the Eastern European forests during the Nazi occupation and how they survived the challenges. While it took me a little while to get engrossed in the story, once the premise was established it was a book I couldn’t put down with both a good twist and some good opportunities to reflect on what’s important and who your family is. Five stars for the Forest of Vanishing Stars.
