Top Book Picks

“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.

“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!

“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.

“I Am Livia” by Phyllis T. Smith

Livia Drussila, the daughter of a Roman senator, finds herself on the wrong side of history.  Her father is opposed to Julius Caesar, and marries her to a military officer.   She gives birth to a child amidst war, and sieges.  She flees into the countryside, finds herself at the mercy of others, and fights for her life.  A chance meeting with Octavianus, the future Caesar Augustus, leaves them both intrigued.  Can her fortune change?  Can she change allegiance?  This is a novel of her early life.

This book was well written, engaging, and fast paced.  I found myself reading late into the night.  The characters were well developed and flushed out.  I really felt like I knew Livia and the other characters in the novel.  I look forward to reading more from this author!

“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.

“The Queen’s Weapons” by Anne Bishop

This is the 11th book set in the Black Jewel’s Universe.  This novel is set in the events after The Queen’s Bargain.  Daemonar has begun to assume the role of warlord prince, protecting his younger sister, and trying to leach his cousin’s adventurous ideas.  When his sister is emotionally hurt from someone she once called friend, Daemonar begins his tutelage under Witch.  Joining his sister and cousin at school, Daemonar slowly becomes aware of a taint in the blood, one developing among the younger witches, those who see witch as merely a myth and legend.

I enjoyed this novel immensely.  It was extremely gratifying to read about the younger characters as they slowly came into their own.  Admittedly, some of their choices were heartbreaking.  Overall, highly recommended.

Black Jewels Trilogy (Book 1-3) by Anne Bishop

This review spans the first three books in the Black Jewels Series - Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadow, and Queen of the Darkness.

Saeten SaDiablo, Daemon SaDiablo, and Lucivar Yaslana have spent a lifetime waiting for the living myth, dreams made flesh - a queen that they could be proud to serve.  The book opens with a Black Widow witch prophesying the Queen’s arrival.  700 years later, Jaenelle Angelline enters their lives.   Jaenelle’s birth family are blind to who she is, believing that she is an emotionally damaged and eccentric child.  The consequences of her family’s choices are devastating, and long reaching.

I read these books when they first came out in the late 90’s.  I was captivated then, just as I am now.  The male characters are some of the most dark and erotic I have ever read.  The feral energy and strain to contain it adds a dimension of tension to the plot.  Anne Bishop is an amazing world builder and storyteller.   I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series 

“The Great Escape” by Saket Soni

After Hurricane Katrina destroyed the gulf coast, enterprising companies brought over Indians to work as welders, pipe fitters, and to  rebuild the fleets.  Brought here under the promise of a visa, these men paid thousands of dollars believing they would have a future in America.  Trapped in unlivable camps, they were forced to endure bad food, unsanitary conditions, and cramped living quarters.  Unable to leave due to the debts owed, one of the men reached out to Saket Soni, a labor organizer.  

This was quite a story.  It is hard to imagine that attorneys and companies thought they could get away with modern day human slavery - and they almost did.  I think Mr. Soni and the Indian workers are heroes for fighting back against corruption and oppression.  This book was extremely well written, keeping me on the edge of my  seat.  Overall, highly recommended.

“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!

“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.

“Mother of Rome” by Lauren J. A.Bear 

When Rhea’s uncle seizes the throne, he sends Rhea to the vestal virgins.  Determined to live her life, she has an affair with Mars, breaking all of her vows.  When she falls pregnant, she is sentenced to die.  On death’s door, she makes a deal with the gods, one that changes her into a wolf.  As a wolf, she looks over her twins, Romulus and Remus, until they can grow and survive.

This was a fascinating book.  I enjoyed reading about the birth of Rome and the people involved in its lore.  Rhea was extremely well developed and well rounded.   The book was nicely paced, and did a great job weaving in the Roman Gods with everyday life.  I look forward to reading more from this author!

“The Lotus Shoes” by Jane Yang

After the death of Little Flower’s father, her mother sells her as a maid to the Fong family. Here she serves Linjing, a spoiled daughter. When the family decides that Linjing will not bind her feet, they force Little Flower to unbind hers.  Leaving her with deformed feet Little Flower must make the best of a bad situation.  Her skill at embroidery quickly shines.  Jealous, Linjing does everything she can to make Little Flower’s life miserable.  On the cusp of marriage, a secret comes out about Linjing’s parentage, causing her to be disowned.  Linjing and Little Flower are taken to a celibate sisterhood, where they are expected to perform manual labor.

This book was just heartbreaking.  Little Flower was such a well-developed character, I felt her pain and she did her best to overcome it.  Linjing was definitely the protagonist, and it was hard to understand the relationship between the two women.  I thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling and writing skills of the author.  Overall, highly recommended.

“Eleanore of Avignon” by Elizabeth DeLozier

Eleanore is a midwife and herbalist.  When she meets the personal physician of the Pope, she persuades him to take her on as an apprentice.  As the black death rolls through Italy, pregnant Queen Joanna is in need of a personal physician.

I could not put this book down.  It was a fascinating read. The characters and plot kept me interested and reading long into the night.  I look forward to reading more from this author.  Highly recommended!

“The Bloodletter’s Daughter” by Linda Lafferty

Bath maid Marketa longs for more.  Her father, the local bloodletter, has allowed her to work beside him.  However, she knows that society would never allow her to practice medicine.  In the Hapsburg court, Don Julius is a man of insanity and excess.  When his father banishes him to a remote castle, he is placed under the care of a priest, doctors, and the local bloodletter.   Fascinated with a coded book, Don Julius spies Marketa out of his window and believes she is the answer to its mysteries.  

This book was intriguing.  The storytelling instantly caught my attention and left me reading long into the night.  This author is truly a master of words and has a gift.  The characters were well developed and multi-dimensional.  The plot moved at a fast pace, holding my interest.  Overall, highly recommended.

“The Village Healer’s Book of Cures” by Jennifer Sherman Roberts

Mary is a herbalist, a healer, a wise woman.  When witchfinder Matthew Hopkins arrives in her village, she begins to fear for her safety.  When a local man is found poisoned, his body carved with symbols, the village begins to panic.  Mary teams up with an alchemist to find a solution and save her life.

This book was hard to put down.  The characters were dynamic and interesting.  The storyline moved quickly as mysteries unraveled.  I liked the interplay between witchcraft and alchemy, this isn’t something I’ve read before.  Overall, highly recommended.