February, 2025 

“Realm of Ice and Sky” by Buddy Levy

Arctic exploration entered a new phase with the invention of the airplane and airship.  Walter Wellman, Roald Amundsen, and Umberto Nobile, were three of these early pioneers.  Wellman, an American newsman, made the first attempts at the pole.  Roald Amundsen, the first to the South Pole, picked up where Wellman left off.  Among his crew was Italian Umberto Nobile.  After crossing the North Pole and flying on to Alaska, Amundsen and Nobile had a falling out.  Two years later, Nobile returned to the arctic.  His journey ended in a crash, injury, and international rescue attempts.

This book really brought history to life.  The characters were dynamic, well written, and extremely relatable.  The story was well paced, engaging and hard to put down.  I look forward to reading more from this author.  He is a true storyteller!

“The Art of Peeling an Orange” by Victoria Avilan

Jilted on the eve of her wedding, Carly is furious at Anna Garibaldi, the other woman.  When her former fiancee dies in a car accident, Carly attends the funeral.  She lashes out at Anna, a seemingly perfect Hollywood beauty.  That night, Carly paints the Blue Madonna, a portrait of Anna.  In her anger, she sends the portrait of Anna and requests a meeting.  When she enters the mansion, her world is turned upside down, again.

I hate to admit, but this book was not really for me.  I thought the story was odd, and did not enjoy the paranormal elements.  I think many will enjoy this story.  The novel was well written.  I just had a hard time liking and relating to the characters.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“What the Wind Knows” by Amy Harmon

After the death of her grandfather, Anne returns to his homeland in Ireland to scatter his ashes.  On the lake, she is surrounded by fog, and then gunshots erupt.  She is hit, tumbles into the water, and is rescued.  Waking up, she finds herself in 1921 under the care of Dr. Thomas Smith.   Dr. Smith is the guardian of a young boy, her grandfather.  Amazed, and uncertain, everyone claims that Anne is the child’s mother, the mother who disappeared during the Easter uprising.

I did not realize that this was a time traveling novel when I picked up the book.  I generally avoid these types of books however, it really worked.  The storyline was so well written, and well paced.  I fell in love with the characters, and found myself rooting for Anne and Thomas.  Overall, 5 out of 5 stars.

“Toward the Midnight Sun” by Eoin Dempsey

Engaged by her family to a man she met once, Anna Denton is sent along the Yukon towards the wilds of Alaska.  Her future husband, a gold baron, has sent two unreliable men as her escorts.  On the initial ship to the north, she meets Will and Silas, two brothers seeking their fortunes in the gold mines.  Ditched by her escorts, Anna continues the journey with Will and Silas, over the treacherous mountains to Dawson City.

This was a well interesting and engaging story.  It moved at a fast pace, keeping me reading long into the night.  The characters were well formed and dynamic.  Anna and the brothers felt like real people.  I’ve read very little about the gold rush, and the people who traveled thousands of miles across treacherous terrain.  This was a fascinating book.  Overall, highly recommended.

“My Name is Emilia del Valle” by Isabel Allende 

Emilia, the daughter of an Irish nun and Chilean aristocrat, is raised by her mother and stepfather in San Francisco.  A creative thinker, Emilia begins publishing dime store novels under a male name.  When pulp novels no longer intrigue her, she convinces The Daily Examiner to hire her as a journalist.  There she is paired with Eric Whelan.  When civil war erupts in Chile, she talks her paper into sending her in country.  There, she finally meets her father’s family.

This was an intriguing and fast paced novel.  The characters were realistic and well developed.  I loved learning about Chile, and enjoyed that the author had Emilia and Eric covering different sides of the war.  I’m not going to give anything away, but I was a bit perplexed by the ending.  It just seemed different from the rest of the story.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

“The Paris Express” by Emma Donoghue

This novel focuses on the 1895 Paris Express train through the countryside.  In the train, an eclectic and varied set of characters met for a brief day.  Among them, a revolutionary with a bomb.  As the train hurls across the countryside the author introduces us to the passengers, bringing them to life.  The entire time, the reader knows a crash is imminent.

This book was very well written.  Although only brief snippets of the characters' lives were provided, it was enough to portray an intimate snapship of their lives.  Their interactions were fun to watch, as they spanned all classes of people.  The sense of doom overlaid the book, creating suspense.  Overall 4 out of 5 stars.

"This Terrible Beauty” by Katrin Schumann

This story alternates timelines for Bettina Heilstrom.  After WWII, Bettina’s husband Werner, joins the secret police.   20 years later, Bettina is working as a photographer in Chicago.  When she wins a prestigious award, she is surprised by a visit from her former brother-in-law.

I had a hard time getting into this book.  The back and forth storyline did not really work.  I would have preferred a linear story.  I didn’t think Bettina was a very likeable character.  I found it hard to sympathize with her.  Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend.

“The Teacher of Auschwitz” by Wendy Holden

During the horror of WWII, Fredy Hirsch did everything in his power to protect and advocate for the youth of Theresienstadt and Auschwitz.  During his early life, he discovered a love for athletics.  As a teenager, he began working with the youth promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.  As part of the Jewish Council, he was sent to Theresienstadt early, to set up a program for youth.  There he risked his life for his children.  After several years, Freddy was sent to the Family Camp in Auschwitz.  There, he set up a special barracks for young children.  He imposed rules and order amidst unthinkable horror.

This was an amazing and powerful story.  Fredy Hirsch is a hero and role model.  He really came to life in this story.  He was both realistic and lovable.  The story alternated between Theresienstadt and his early life.  I wish the novel had been presented in a linear fashion, the back and forth was not needed.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

“Without a Country” by Ayse Kulin

When Hitler begins imposing restrictions on Jews, Gerhard and Elsa flee.  Using connections, Gerhard finds university and hospital appointments for many of the other scientists forced to flee.  In Turkey, the book follows the next 3 generations.  Each generation struggles with identity, and defining who they are.

I wish the book had focused on one or two generations, and then continued with sequels.  With 4 generations covered, it was hard to get to know the characters and get a real feel for their lives.  There was just too much passage of time throughout the novel.  It was fascinating to read about Turkey, and how it changed over the years.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.