Menachem Kaiser was raised in a close-knit Orthodox Jewish American-Canadian family. His grandfather, a holocaust survivor from Poland died before he was born. Kaiser is named for him. When, in the course of a routine visit to Poland, he has occasion to visit Sosnowiec, his grandfather’s hometown, he secures an address from his father of … Continue reading Plunder: A Memoir of Family Property and Nazi Treasure – Menachem Kaiser
Author: Emily Leader
I have been an avid reader since Dick and Jane met Sally. At age 7, I read my parents' first edition of "To Kill a Mockingbird." I am a retired lawyer and so read almost only fiction for pleasure. I'm adding in nonfiction these days, largely on social justice matters but also history, biography, and weird topics that catch my imagination. I used to read only serially, one book at a time. Presently, I read paperbacks, hardcovers, listen to audible, listen to CDs and read online through Net Galley. Covid-19 has caused me to read a lot so I have re-upped my Goodreads challenge for 2021 and am starting to review at least my favorite finds annd, perhaps, some stinkers.
The Dictionary of Lost Words — Pip Williams
This is about as perfectly written a piece of historical fiction as I've ever read. It is the story of Esme from ages six to twenty-five and no--- you don't have to be a history buff, an Oxford English Dictionary nerd, a turn of the century social history expert, a fan of women's suffrage lore, … Continue reading The Dictionary of Lost Words — Pip Williams
Henry – Remembrance
I first met Henry for less than a minute in 1974. I was participating in the Harrisburg Urban Semester, interning at the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office and living with my sister Libby, who worked at the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Her car was in the shop and I picked her up at work. I went inside … Continue reading Henry – Remembrance
It was third grade. Cursive writing. Hullabaloo and go go boots. Little kid crushes. Mrs. Powers.
Youngest in the class and weird. She inadvertently placed me near the classroom library and I read those books, early chapter books, constantly. A little below my level since I'd just finished "To Kill a Mockingbird" the previous summer, but I'd have read Dick and Jane books to avoid her acerbic, boring, unloving presence before … Continue reading It was third grade. Cursive writing. Hullabaloo and go go boots. Little kid crushes. Mrs. Powers.
