“Somewhere Past the End” by Alexandria Faulkenbury

This book starts with Alice Greene peering out a window.  As she watches, everyone she knows, including her parents and husband,  is taken into the light and disappears.  Left behind are a handful of cult members. The book then alternates between the present, and Alice’s mother as she falls pregnant and joins the cult.

The book itself was very slow moving.  The present day story could have been cut entirely, or the book could have ended when everyone disappears.  I thought the mother’s journey joining the cult was far more interesting and could have read an entire book about that.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“Twinmaker” by Sean Williams

When a secretive message promises improvement, Clair’s best friend Libby jumps at the opportunity.  However, Libby’s personality drastically changes and she begins experiencing headaches and lethargy.  Clair reaches out to a technology adverse school mate, and is then contacted by a mysterious stranger.

I had a hard time getting into this book.  It felt very slow moving and turned into one big chase scene.  The main character seemed to instantly understand everything without questioning or issue.

“When It Was Our War” by Stella Suberman

Jewish Stella Suberman grew up in Florida right before WWII.  A week after her sweetheart enlists in the air force, they marry, beginning an adventure that takes Stella all across the U.S.  When her husband is finally deployed, Stella is left behind to cope with the fear of losing him.  

This book felt more like a commentary on southern race relations than a WWII book.  I found the constant mention of race distracting.  Yes, the south was very racist during that time.  Stella constantly reflecting backwards took away from what she was actually doing and experiencing.  Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend.

“The Seer” by Raquel Y. Levitt 

Sarah and Katherine are born with the gift of sight.  When Katherine “see’s” her neighbor being abused, she is determined to take action.  Sarah stops her.  The neighbor is found dead the next day.  At the husband's trial, Katherine speaks up about the abuse.  Katherine is dragged away and sent to a mental asylum.  Years later, Sarah moves to St. Louis, determined to find and reunite with Katherine.

The first two-thirds of the book felt extremely pollyanna to me.  Sarah in particular felt very naive and was hard to relate with. The story dragged on and on and seemed to go nowhere.  Overall, not a book I would reread or recommend.

“Where the Desert Meets the Sea” by Werner Sonne

Judith, a survivor of the Dachau concentration camp, arrives in Palestine.  When she learns that her only surviving relative has died, she slits her wrists.  She awakens in the hospital and learns that Hana, a Muslim, has given her blood.  The story continues on, telling both sides of the Israeli Palestine conflict and asking hard questions along the way.

I thought this book presented a nice balance between both sides of the conflict.  The characters were well developed and presented.  It was easy to see how war started, and how it was beyond anyone’s control.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

“Do Not Cry When I Die” by Renee Salt and Kate Thompson 

When the Nazis invaded Poland, 10 year old Renee, her mother Sala, and family  were imprisoned in the ghetto.  Left with nothing but the clothes on their backs, they did their best to survive.  When they were deported to Auschwitz, Renee and Sala were left alone, the rest of their family long gone or gassed on arrival.  Sala, a strong determined woman, is determined to keep her last child alive.

The book is a blend of Renee telling her story and Kate, a journalist, filling in the gaps.  The blend of storytelling works really well.  It was done seamlessly.  My heart broke for Renee and her family and had me thinking of the bond I have with my mother.  Overall, this is a powerful tale of survival.