Deacon King Kong is a funny, tragic, sweet, ugly, pulls no punches but finds good in the world around every corner book. It is McBride's meticulous attention to the humanity, humor, danger, ambivalence and values (good and bad) of every single character that fills Deacon King Kong with heart and humor. Because, while its subjects … Continue reading Deacon King Kong – James McBride (audible)
Tag: #historicalfiction
City of Shadows (Counterfeit Lady No. 5) – Victoria Thompson
I'm such a fan of Victoria Thompson's writing in general and the Counterfeit Lady series does not disappoint. For one thing, Thompson's research is excellent and she brings the periods she writes about alive. Lizzie, our "former" con artist is now married to Gideon Bates. She met his mother quite by accident when Mrs. Bates … Continue reading City of Shadows (Counterfeit Lady No. 5) – Victoria Thompson
Our American Friend – Anna Pitoniak
I am totally ambivalent about choices made in this well written cold war Russia versus the United States novel, that then looks at the question of present day Russia cozying up to a Billionaire U.S. President with no morals, married to a (Russian) emigre. Sophie Morse is a young journalist, married to Ben, a lawyer. … Continue reading Our American Friend – Anna Pitoniak
Shadows of Pecan Hollow – Caroline Frost
This is an important book. This is a major debut novel. You will want to read it. And I am trying to write a review sufficient to explain why that is the case, but without spoilers. It is 1976. A thirteen year old girl ditches her hippie foster parents-- the latest foster parents among many. … Continue reading Shadows of Pecan Hollow – Caroline Frost
Harlem Shuffle and Crook Manifesto – Colson Whitehead – Audio Version
Harlem Shuffle is a three-part book about a furniture store owner at 125th Street and Morningside in New York City in 1959, 1961, 1964. Harlem itself is a character in this novel, its hierarchy, its ordinary families, its upper crust and those trying to change their lives or to preserve the status quo. I sat … Continue reading Harlem Shuffle and Crook Manifesto – Colson Whitehead – Audio Version
A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons- Kate Khavari
In this delightful debut, A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons introduces us to Saffron Everleigh, the only female working in the University College London Biology Department. She is the assistant to Professor Maxwell, a botanist. He is an old family friend, who assigns Saffron substantive work and mentors her, an unusual experience for many … Continue reading A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons- Kate Khavari
The Last House on the Street – Diane Chamberlain
How does Ellie, a twenty year old pharmacy student at University of North Carolina, born and raised the daughter of a pharmacist in Round Hill evolve into a freedom fighter, voter registration worker, civil rights activist in 1965? What does this mean to everything she ever took for granted in life? A personal note: I … Continue reading The Last House on the Street – Diane Chamberlain
The Great Mistake – Jonathan Lee
Andrew Haswell Green (1820-1903) is the protagonist of this fascinating historical fiction novel. He was christened the father of New York City for a considerable array of accomplishments including early work to encourage and support the creation of the amazing space that became Central Park and later heading the Central Park Commission with many problem … Continue reading The Great Mistake – Jonathan Lee
Stork Bite – L. K. Simonds
In 1913, David Walker lived with his Gramps, his Mama, his Papa and his Catahoula Hound, Huck, "obedient only to David." in one moment along the Pigs trail, while David is duck hunting with his grandpa's wartime Sharps .22 rifle, his life changes dramatically. He kills a white man, and the fact it is in … Continue reading Stork Bite – L. K. Simonds
The Girls from Alexandria -Carol Cooper
Nadia and Simone live with their parents in Alexandria Egypt, spending their days at the beach and avoiding too much interaction with their obnoxious cousin Victor. Cooper weaves a dreamlike picture of their family and the extended community of "outsiders" who emigrated from Syria over 100 years ago. Their family is Greek Orthodox in a … Continue reading The Girls from Alexandria -Carol Cooper
They Called me Bookworm 