The Whyte Python World Tour: A Novel
by Travis Kennedy
Tour of Persuasion (4/15/2025)
I haven't decided exactly what demographic this story is aimed for, but sharing that I'm NO spring chick, the people with whom I discussed this story line with found it quite believable. It led to discussions of Elvis, Madonna and Brittney Spears and how we watched music influence teens during those eras. There are several newer instances in which traveling pop singers have created large disturbances. The author starts a bit slow but ramps up interest quickly once political issues arise. I believe the story could be enjoyed by young adults and older readers.
Half a Cup of Sand and Sky
by Nadine Bjursten
Love & Commitment (3/26/2024)
I am reviewing the book, but I am also recommending it for my book club. Although described as a love story—and love is entwined –the strength of the story is commitment. The commitment may be to another person, to a cause with deep belief, to one’s ethics and/or morals or to doing what one thinks is right. Amineh and Farzad struggle with these issues.
The characters are believable with concerns that can be easily shared. Although Amineh lives in various countries, some of which demand strict obedience to stringent rules, the strengths of the characters and storyline dwell on the people and not the politics. As a reader I am aware of gender problems but not overridden with them. Amineh's husband, Farzad, brings the personal safety of political beliefs into their home. Family and friends are interesting additions and help Amineh find and become the woman she would like to be.
The author’s style enhances the novel; easy to follow and to read. My favorite passage is the second full paragraph on page 108. The description of how Mahasti made others feel would be a perfect personal attribute.
Bad Animals: A Novel
by Sarah Braunstein
Bad Animal (1/16/2024)
Mauve, the main character, appears to be a semi-psychotic woman perhaps going through a mid-life crisis. Working as a librarian, Mauve is drawn into a sexual situation regarding teens actions in the library. Her life centers on her co-workers and establishing programs for the teens. With the loss of her job and apparently her sense of self, the author leads through Mauve's marriage, her dependency with her friend's partner, her relationship with a famous author and his wife, relationships with her daughter, her brother and several therapy providers.
Unfortunately, Mauve doesn't seem too likable. She might not be too forthcoming and she appears a bit flighty. The story is well written but this is not a book which would develop a lot of discussion or merit rereading in my opinion.
Wild and Distant Seas: A Novel
by Tara Karr Roberts
Women and Whales (11/10/2023)
Roberts' story is extremely enhanced with her relating the female whales and the driven women of her novel. The historic island setting is a perfect start for the first brave, hard-working woman. The premise seems to be women who love men who love the adventure and lure of the sea. Included are infidelities, true love, searching for new beginnings as well as searching for lost family members.
All characters are well developed and their actions are believable. Overall, this is not a fast read but a rewarding one.
This Is Salvaged: Stories
by Vauhini Vara
Define Salvage (8/22/2023)
This is a thought-provoking series of stories and most difficult to review. The jacket mentioned so many questionable characters that I was interested to see how they could be combined. They aren't. The first story seemed to be the first chapter of a novel that the author might later finish. After that most of the others were so depressing that I thought perhaps I did not properly define salvage; thinking it meant something that could be saved for a useful purpose. Then I thought perhaps my misunderstanding was a religious tenet--something to do with hope--if not of life eternal, at least being a better person. In most cases these stories presented neither. My overall take was that I had to realize that people I know are in these type of situations and I should be more aware.
Hotel Cuba: A Novel
by Aaron Hamburger
Immigration Story (4/5/2023)
Hotel Cuba is the saga of two Russian sisters leaving their homeland to try to get to America in 1922. Hamburger relates the trials and struggles and disappointments incurred as the women, Pearl and Frieda, must settle for Cuba as a destination.
Pearl, in her late 20's, is a mother figure to Frieda, an 18 year old. They have an older sister, Basha, that has already made it to New York and with whom they hope to reunite. Without too much description, Pearl appears to be a rather dumpy, overweight pessimist. Frieda however seems like a pretty, fun-loving airhead looking forward to meeting up with her fiancé-to-be who has already made it to America.
The first part of the novel describes the boat trip with much of the same type of trials experienced in most immigrant stories. Unfortunately neither of the sisters are very likable. They end up working in a hat shop in which, as expected, Pearl works hard and develops a talent for design while Frieda does little but try to get out of Cuba to America. As the story evolves Frieda manages to successfully get smuggled out while Pearl gets to Key West only to be deported back to Cuba. This is where the book gets interesting. Pearl begins to meet a variety of unusual people that liven the plot. The Rabbi, Alexander, Martin and The Queen of England add excitement and color to an otherwise predictable story.
Pearl becomes someone more likable and adventuresome as she meets Alexander, follows the Rabbi's advice, and runs into Senora Martin and The Queen. Being more successful with the second attempt to leave Cuba, Pearl reunites with Frieda and Basha only to discover more hard times and work. However Pearl has developed enough self-confidence and ability to communicate to go into interesting, predictable professional and romantic relationships.
I would most likely not have finished this book if I had not agreed to review it. My concern is that other readers will do that and miss everything from Chapter 9 or 11 on where I felt that the characters became interesting.
The Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill
by Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch
Interesting History--or History for Mystery Readers (12/8/2022)
Having read the Lincoln conspiracy, I was very excited to be chosen to review the Nazi conspiracy. Meltzer and Mensch reveal historical situations in such a manner that one feels as though they're reading a novel. Their writing style allows the reader to appreciate the atrocities and the planning that occurs with these major events. They also explain the global impacts that these situations have at the time they are occurring. it would be exceptional if this mode of understanding could be utilized when teaching history at the high school level.
The entry of this book is particularly current due to what's going on in The world right now. It not only allows for an understanding of the current Ukraine issue but of those that were imposed on various countries in the past. Obviously the storyline revolves around a plot to kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill. The authors give you insight into these characters as well as the subordinates that helped them make decisions.
At first I thought the changes of date might confuse me but it really helped with developing and understanding of all the situations going on at the same time. I also appreciated the ending chapters that discussed the reality or non reality of the whole situation. I would definitely recommend this book for people who think they don't like history or nonfiction. I hope the authors continue to research projects.
Clock Dance: A Novel
by Anne Tyler
Clock Dance (7/5/2018)
Readers often need to feel connected to the protagonists in novels. Although the cover piece noted that this novel would be covering significant events within a 10 or 20 year span, I didn't feel involved enough with Willa to realize that the discussed events were significant. Willa felt more like a woman that I might have politely met at a shower or birthday party with whom I would not be concerned about meeting ever again. This lasted through Part I of the book.
By the time Willa made a real decision accompanied with real action, although a bit out of character, the new people introduced were much more interesting. The newer characters had much more depth and were easier to visualize. I was also surprised by how much Willa's sons disliked Peter. I didn't believe that the previous storyline had prepared the reader for that development. There didn't seem to be enough build up to Willa's personality change to substantiate the novel's ending. It appeared that Taylor was tired of writing.
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