December, 2024 

“The Cure for Women” by Lydia Reeder 

This book outlines the struggle of women to obtain medical education.  Once obtained, they faced ostracism and critique from male doctors, other women, and society at large.  Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to graduate from medical school, spent her career fighting for women.  May Putnam Jacobi, was the first woman to be accepted into the Sorbonne, in Paris.  After obtaining one of the best educations available to men or women, she returned to NY to fight for equality.

This book was well researched and well laid out.  Although it was slow at times, it was an enjoyable read.  Reading about these pioneering women and their accomplishments was inspiring.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

“The Girls of the Glimmer Factory” by Jennifer Coburn 

Hannah is one of the Jewish prisoners at Theresienstadt.  Imprisoned with her grandfather, Hannah works recreating Jewish manuscripts.  Her best friend, imprisoned with her boyfriend, works at the glimmer factory, shaving mica.  Hilde, a Nazi follower, works at the Reich Ministry of Enlightenment and Propaganda.  Tasked with making a film of Theresienstadt, Hilda is astonished to find her childhood friend Hannah locked inside.

I thought it was interesting how the author weaved the story of filming Theresienstadt into the character storylines.  However, I thought the characters themselves were very stereotypical and flat.  I also found most of the characters unlikeable.  Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend.

“One Good Thing” by Georgia Hunter 

Best friends Lili and Esti are struggling to survive in War torn Italy.  As the Nazi’s take over, the friends band together, moving from place to place with Esti’s child.  At each place, they do their best to help orphans, and forge identity cards.  When Esti is wounded, Lili takes her child and flee’s, determined to survive.

This book was fast paced, with well developed characters.  Lili and Esti were both dynamic and interesting.  I thought their efforts to survive and help others were moving and heroic.  I do wish the story had highlighted some other characters, or found a way to expand the story beyond their friendship.  Despite this criticism, 4 out of 5 stars.

“Everything is Poison” by Joy McCullough

At the age of 16, Carnela becomes an apprentice in her mother’s apothecary shop in Rome.  Slowly, she begins learning the secrets, and why some might call them witches.  When a desperate wife comes in asking for a “remedy” for her husband, Carmela learns about Aqua Tofana, a poison.

This was a pretty quick read.  The primary characters were well developed and interesting.  The secondary characters were stereotypical and flat.  The story itself was a bit simplistic and predictable.  I would have liked more depth to the story.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“Hill of Secrets” by Galina Vromen

Christine is forced to relocate with her husband to Los Alamos.  There she meets Gertie, a teenage daughter of a Jewish physicist.  They develop an unlikely friendship amidst the secrets and heat of the desert.  Kurt, Gertie’s father, is slowly becoming disillusioned with the nuclear program, doubting himself and questioning the world.  Jimmy, a young army technician, struggles with his growing feelings for Gertie, and his bunkmate.

Like all the novels I’ve read about Los Alamos, this story was very melancholy.  A deep sadness permeated the characters, making the story move slowly.  The characters were also a bit flat and very predictable.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“Escape from Sobibor” by Richard Rashke

In eastern Poland, the imprisoned Jews in Sobibor revolted, killing SS officers, Ukrainian guards, and escaped into the woods.  While the camp held 600 Jews, 300 made it into the woods, and 50 survived the war.  This novel is the story of their heroic defiance against the Nazi death machine.

This book was absolutely fascinating.  I have read many WWII novels, and new very little about Sobibor.  The heroism was just incredible.  I agree with the author that these stories need to be told, over and over.   Overall, highly recommended.

“No One Will Save Us” by Julie L. Brown

In the Queendom of Kana, Princess Chi encounters a white man.  She quickly learns that the white men have been taking her people and spiriting them to places unknown.  A warrior, Chi gathers a group to “be captured” and find out what is really happening.  She and her people are led to a boat, where they learn the missing people have been sold into  slavery.  They capture the boat and force it to sail to the New World.

I have mixed feelings about this book.  I thought the premise was extremely interesting.  However, all of the characters seemed superficial and poorly developed.  I wanted to like Chi and the female warriors, but they did not seem to have any depth.