The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

This excellent book is about the 1936 US Olympic rowing team, and how they got there. They were the crew team from the University of Washington--I loved reading about the Seattle area and picturing it all in my mind.

I was figuratively on the edge of my seat when reading about the races, even when I already knew the outcomes.

Brown also does a great job with historical setting and perspective. Set smack dab in the middle of the depression, it changes how you view the whole thing. I learned things about the depression I never knew before.

This non-fiction book reads like a great novel, which about the best compliment I can give.

Read it! It's well worth it.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

I recently read this for my book club. I really liked it and we had a pretty good discussion on the book.

This is the story of Sarah Grimke and Hetty. Sarah is a young woman raised in Charleston, South Carolina, and Hetty is given to her as a slave when Sarah is eleven years old.

The book chronicles their lives. I hate to tell much more about it, because I don't want to give it away. I will say this much: Sarah Grimke was a real person. I wish I'd known that from the very beginning. The notes at the end tell more about her--they give away the story, so don't read them until the end.  Hetty is a conglomeration of various people.

Kidd does a fine job of moving the story along through the years, and weaving two stories that are connected yet individual very well. I like her writing.

My Name Used to Be Muhammed by Tito Momen

I busted my tail to finish this book for book group, then completely forgot to attend! That's how my life has been lately.

This is the story of a man who was raised as a Muslim. He eventually converted to Christianity (Mormon, as a matter of fact), and was persecuted because of it. It is simply written, and I enjoyed reading about his life.

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Now here's a good book!

This is the story of Agnes Magnusdottir, who is accused of murder. She is sent to live with a local family until she is to be executed for the murder. Sounds depressing, but it's not really.

In these months that she lives with this family, we learn about her life, and their lives as well.  I love how the author brings us to new understanding of various characters as she weaves her story, and how she brings them to new understanding of each other as well.

The book takes place in Iceland, in the 1820's. I found it interesting to learn about what life was like there at that time.

All around a great book. I recommend it.

The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott

Tess Collins is a servant who runs away and tries to get hired on to work on the Titanic. All positions are filled, but she is noticed by a famous dressmaker and is hired on as her maid. No spoiler here--we all know the Titanic went down. Tess and her new boss are rescued, and most of the story takes place in New York City during the few weeks immediately following their rescue. There were public hearings trying to find out what actually happened on the ship and during the rescue period following the sinking.

I liked the book, yet I had mixed feelings about it. I was drawn into it right away, and usually had a hard time putting it down. So the story was engaging. I liked the characters, and felt they were adequately drawn, but I wanted to know them better.

I guess that describes how I felt about the book. I liked it, but wished parts of it delved deeper. The book was 300 pages long. Perhaps to really dive into the story and flesh it out more would have required too much.

The book does make me wonder: what would I have done in that situation? Give up my life for someone else, or do anything possible to survive?

Remembering Isaac by Ben Behunin

I read this book for my book group. It was okay, but it didn't just set me on fire. The author is meeting with our group when we have the discussion, and I'm hopeful that it makes the book seem better.

Isaac was the potter of Niederbipp. He died, and Jake takes over as town potter. The town residents come in and talk to Jake about Isaac and how wonderful he was, and how he changed and improved everyone's lives. And of course how humble he was.

About half way through the book I thought, "Okay, Isaac was a great guy. Now let's move on."

This is the first in a series. I really don't have any desire to read any more of the books.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

I read this for my book group. It is the story of a boy with a severe facial deformity who enters the public school system at middle school age.

The book is told from several of the characters' viewpoints, and I liked how that added depth to each of the characters. One of our local middle schools had every child in the school read the book--they've done this for other books in the past. Wonder is an excellent choice for that.

It was a quick, enjoyable, thought-provoking read. I highly recommend it.

A Spoonful of Sugar a Nanny's Story by Brenda Ashford

I found this book very interesting. It was chosen for one of my book groups, and once again this is why I love being in book groups. I read books I might not ever hear about otherwise.

Brenda Ashford was a British nanny, trained at the Norland College. Norland was known for its high quality, very well trained nannies. This is her story. She began her training in 1939, just before the outbreak of WWII. Brenda was a nanny for over 62 years, for over 100 children.

I liked learning about this piece of life I have never experienced.

Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

I liked the book, although I think I liked her Edenbrooke just a little better.

A clean romance that is predictable (a romance is predictable by definition). It was an easy, quick read.

The Rent Collector by Camron Wright

This is another book that I wouldn't have read if it weren't chosen for my book group.

Turns out I really liked it a lot.

The idea for the book sprouted from a documentary that the author's son did about a family who lives in a garbage dump in Cambodia. That premise alone put me off about the book. But I'm glad I stuck with the book.

It's worth reading.

Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

The advantage of belonging to a book group is that you read books that you may never have discovered on your own. The advantage of being in two book groups doubles the number of those books.

Heart of a Samurai is based on the true story of a Japanese boy (Manjiro) and his fishing mates who are stranded on an island during a storm in the mid-19th century. They are found and rescued by an American whaling ship.

The rest of the book is the story of Manjiro and his life. He goes back to America with the captain of the ship that rescues him. We learn of his life there. It is thought that Manjiro was the first Japanese person to live in the United States. Some of Manjiro's art is included in the book. I don't want to give away any more of the book.

This is a thought-provoking book, examining how it feels to be a stranger in a strange land. It also explores the thought that we can become what we desire, even if it seems impossible.

I recommend it!

2011 winner of the Newbery honor award.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I had forgotten how amazing this book is. We read it in our book group last month. The last time I read it was when Audrey was in 8th grade, about 18 years ago (!!)

The book is delightfully funny and witty, which I think is easy to forget amid the drama of the story that unfolds. Atticus, Jem and Scout Finch and of course Boo Radley leave a stamp on our minds that we can never fully remove. Good thing, because we should all remember the lessons so slyly taught within the covers of this book.

I need to go buy a new copy. My old one is falling apart. I believe I'd better start reading this book more often--if not every year, then every other year.

Here's how I will endorse this book: if you have read it, read it again. If you have never read it then get it immediately and read it. It's a life changer.

Room by Emma Donoghue

I did not want to read this book. I've heard about it for quite a while, but the premise just seemed so depressing. A mother and her son hidden away for years - in fact he was born while his mother was kept in this room (a shed actually).

Well, it was chosen for my book group, and the girl who chose it usually picks books I like. So I tried to begin the book with an open mind. I actually liked the book. It helps that quite a bit of the book actually takes place after their escape.

It was fascinating to think about it. I wonder how I would do under the circumstances. I find myself still reflecting on the book, and I finished it a few weeks ago.

Exodus by Leon Uris

I first read this book a long time ago. Perhaps 25 years ago or more. I loved it.

I just read it again for my book group. I've wanted to read it again for a long time, but it has never jumped to the top of my pile. So I was glad it was chosen for this month. I loved it again.

I loved it in a different way this time. Last time I remember being caught up in the characters lives, and enjoying the history behind the story. This time I enjoyed the characters, but perhaps because I already knew what was going to happen to them I became engrossed in the history.

I have a completely different perspective on the history of Israel now than I did 25 years ago. First, I've paid attention to current events since then (I probably didn't pay much attention to current events 25 years ago). Second, I've been to Israel since I read Exodus the first time. Third, I also know much more about the Second World War at this point in my life. All those factors and more enhanced what I got out of the book.

Exodus is a great way to learn the basics of the formation of Israel as a state. It gives great insights into the thought processes and motivations behind those early years and the Israelis who fought so long and hard to make Israel begin to evolve into what it is today.  Couple this book with Herman Wouk's The Hope and his The Glory and you have a pretty good picture of Israel then and now. Of course I can't say that without also recommending The Winds of War and War and Remembrance by Wouk.

There you have it. A bargain book review. This one (Exodus) is great as are the other books I mentioned. Five reviews in one.

Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

When I was young, we went to Niagara Falls every couple of years (when we went to visit my grandmother). We usually went to the Canadian side because the view of the falls was prettier there. While there, we visited the wax museum. It turns out it is a Louis Tussaud wax museum, not Madame Tussaud. Louis was her great grandson.

So, it was fun for me when this book was chosen for us to read. I found the information in the book fascinating. I had no idea that wax models were made as early as they were. Madame Tussaud lived during the French Revolution and was making wax models  even before then.

Even more interesting for me than the making of wax models was the story of the French Revolution from her point of view. The book is fiction, but most of the characters in the book really lived, and the events really happened. The beginning years of the French Revolution were truly gruesome. Somehow Moran portrays that without the book being graphic or sensational. If you like to learn a little more about history in an entertaining way, this would be a good book to read.

The Winter Sea (reprise)

It was my turn to choose the book to review for my book group this month. We had a fairly intense discussion last month with The Light Between Oceans, so everyone wanted something a little "lighter."

I was happy to oblige with The Winter Sea. I loved it just as much the second time around. I was surprised at how much discussion we had with the book. Everyone really liked it, which is always fun, but I wasn't sure how much of a discussion it would inspire. We talked for quite a while about it.

Seriously. If you haven't read this book yet, you should.

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

This is an excellent book. On many levels. The story sweeps you along, almost not realizing all the themes and life questions embedded within it. Almost.

I've been ruminating about the book for quite a while, seeing one side, then another. Seeing more and more symbolism as I reflect back.

It will make for an excellent discussion in our book group. I'm just itching to talk about some of these things.

The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

Interesting book. I'm still thinking about it every once in a while and wondering what especially appealed to me.

Will Schwalbe's mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This book is sort of her journey through the process of dying--explored and explained via the avenue of books the two of them read together and discussed during the nearly two years of her treatments.

The book is not sad at all. In fact it has the same "temperament" that Mary Anne Schwalbe exhibited during this time in her life. Practical, calm, introspective, thinking about others.

In the book you learn about Mary Anne, but not many details of her actual lifetime. Yet you come out feeling as if you know her. Of course it is written from her son's perspective and although you can tell he thinks the world of her and her accomplishments, none of the book is over the top. Like I said, practical, calm, etc.

I've read several of the books they discussed. Some of them I agreed with how they felt, but most of them I did not. Yet I still felt some connection because we've read the same books. One thought that crossed my mind frequently was that it seems like all they must have done in their lives during this time was read. Or else they are both champion graduates of the Evelyn Wood speed-reading course.

I liked it. Not over the moon about it, but I liked it. I probably wouldn't have read it if it hadn't been chosen for a book group read. But I'm glad I read it.

The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig

Ivan Doig weaves a great story.

Told from the perspective of Paul, a twelve year old boy, we learn of life in rural Montana in the early 1900's. Most of the story takes place in the one room schoolhouse and the family home. I just don't want to give anything away by telling more than that. It is lovely in the telling, and kept me engrossed the whole time.

Well worth the read.

My Name Is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira

I really liked this book. I got right into it and didn't want to put it down.  It is the story of Mary Sutter, a midwife from Albany, New York who goes to the Civil War front in hopes of becoming a surgeon.

The story is well told, and I thought the characters were well portrayed. I'm glad it was chosen for our book group, because I don't know if I would have discovered it otherwise (the beauty of being in a book group).

It's so fun to be getting some good reading in!