August, 2024 

“The Seamstress of Auschwitz” by CK McAdam

Sara and her sisters are transferred from their loving home to the hell of Auschwitz-Birkenau.  From a family of tailors and seamstresses, the girls use their talents to find work in the sewing shop.  

I hate to say this about any holocaust story, but I found this book a bit lacking.  I didn’t feel like I knew the sisters.  The book could have used a lot more character development.  Perhaps the author could have used alternating points of view, or some other technique to bring the sisters to life.  Overall, not a book I would reread or recommend.

“Forty Autumns” by Nina Wilner

When the border between East and West Germany was being closed, Hanna made the decision to leave her family and sneak across the border.  Left under Communist rule, her family was forced to denounce her.  In the West, Hanna was able to thrive and pursue her own goals and dreams.  In the East, her family was denied opportunities and under suspicion because they had a “traitor” in the family.  

This book did an amazing job showing the dichotomy between east and west Germany during the period of Communist Rule.  I don’t know that I’ve read a book that incorporates both sides of the Wall - I found that particularly fascinating.  The book was well written and well paced.  I thought it was smart to include multiple generations and to show how the generations were affected.  However, I felt that the author brushed over her experiences in Germany.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

“The Secret Life of Violet Grant” by Beatriz Williams

In the 1960’s, socialite Vivian moves out of her family’s Fifth Avenue apartment to fulfill her dreams of working at a magazine.  When a suitcase left behind during WWII is delivered to her house, she is stunned to discover that it belongs to her aunt Violet.  The book alternates with Violet’s timeframe.  Violet moves away from her family to study physics in Europe.  There she falls in love with her professor and moves with him to Germany.

I had a hard time getting into this book.  I found Vivian to be a completely unlikable character.  She felt extremely stereotypical and predictable.  Violet’s story was a bit more interesting, but it was a bit lackluster.  Overall, a bust.

“The Pharisee’s Wife” by Janette Oke

After seeing Mary in the market, Pharisee Enos is determined to have her as his bride.  He negotiates with her father and she is given to him.  Before becoming his wife, she undergoes training on etiquette, social norms, and customs of the upper classes.  When she is brought before Enos, she is frightened and barely speaks a word.  Enos quickly loses interest in her as his money dwindles.  Outside of their small circle, rumors begin about Jesus, an alleged prophet with the ability to heal.  Enos is sent on a mission to discredit Jesus leaving his wife behind for long periods of time.

While this was an interesting story, I felt that it became way too preachy at the end.  I don’t mind reading Christian fiction, particularly when it is presented as a historical novel.  However, I like to draw my own conclusions and do not like it when the story becomes too pushy about pushing an agenda.  While I’m sure many will enjoy this novel, ultimately it was not for me.

“The Island by Victoria Hislop

In the modern day, Alexis plans a trip to her mother’s home island in Greece.  While there, she befriends her mother’s neighbor Fotini, who gradually unveils the story of both the island and Alexis’ family.  The story she tells is of Eleni, Alexi’s great-grandmother, and the matriarch of the family.  Leprosy, ostracization, war, and love are intertwined throughout this story.

I do not want to give anything away about the story.  The book itself was very well written and well paced.  I enjoyed each generation of characters and modern day Alexis.  Overall, highly recommended.

“Breath of Venus” by Jasmine Santala

Beatrice has spent her entire life within the walls of her mother’s home.  Told that her lungs were weak and that breathing the air would kill her, Beatrice has been hidden away.  When her mother, the president, is killed, Beatrice's life is thrown into chaos.

I had a hard time with this book, it felt like a bad translation.  The characters were a bit stereotypical and the plot itself was a bit absurd.  Overall, this is not a book I would reread or recommend.

“If You Tell:  A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood” by Gregg Olsen

Sisters Nikki, Sami, and Tori lay out the story of their abusive childhood and the incidents that lead their parents to commit multiple murders.  

Wow!  I was awed at the sisters and their ability to survive horrible circumstances.  Their mother Shelly was just unbelievable.  Her ability to draw in others and get them to do her bidding was incredible.  I’m very glad the sisters survived to tell their story.  The book itself was well written and well paced.  It did not gloss over the horrible events or diminish what happened.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

“The Women in the Castle” by Jessica Shattuck

At the beginning of WWII, Marianne, her husband and a group of German nobility meet to discuss Hitler.  During WWII, the men enact and fail in an assassination attempt. This book outlines the aftermath, as the children and widows are left to pick up the pieces.  Marianne does her best to bring these women and children together, supporting several in her husband’s ancestral castle.  

This book did not resonate with me.  I thought it was slow moving and a bit disjointed.  Some of the storyline was confusing, just because of the order in which it was presented.  The women seemed a bit one dimensional, I would have liked to have seen more personality.  Overall, a bust.

“The Ballerina of Auschwitz” by Edith Eva Eger

On the brink of adulthood, Edie, a talented dancer, falls in love.  When they are separated by the Nazi’s, Eric tells her “I’ll never forget your eyes.”  When she is sent to Auschwitz, his words give her hope and keep her dreaming of the future.  Together with her sister Magda, the pair do everything they can to survive Auschwitz, death marches, and the final days of WWII.

This was a well written and engaging book.  The epilogue was particularly moving and powerful.  The story itself was emotional and heartbreaking.  Overall, 5 out of 5 stars!

“Right Hand of the Resistance” by Paul Michael Peters

This book is a collection of intertwined stories set in a dystopic world.  It begins with Dona Avila crossing the Barrier in a horrific journey atop a train car.  Once she crosses the border, she works at a variety of farms. Each time moving closer and closer to Francisco Jesus De La Vega - a legendary rebel leader.  However, nothing is what it seems, as each story uncovers a hidden motive and agenda.

This story had an intriguing format which worked well with the world.  I found the book hard to put down.  The story left me wanting more - more of this world, more of the characters, just more.  Overall, 5 out of 5 stars.

“The Sound of a Thousand Stars” by Rachel Robbins

Alice Katz, a physicist, is invited to work on the Manhattan project in the New Mexican desert.  Caleb is a young scientist who jumped at the chance to earn money for his struggling family.   Secrecy is strictly maintained at Los Alamos, where scientists use code words and hide the larger pictures from both the public and each other.  

I didn’t really love this story.  The love story between Alice and Caleb was too much push and pull.  I don’t think they really liked each other, at least evidenced by their words and actions.  SEcondary characters were not really fleshed out, they felt stereotypical and uninteresting.  More character development would have gone a long way.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.