Clik here to view.
Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath
Kristin Lavransdatter: The Wreath is set in Medieval Norway. Although I didn’t know much about life in Norway in the early 14th century, I soon felt fascinated by this period. Undset deftly weaves in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Abraham’s Well
Here was Bridget’s review of Abraham’s Well: I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the story presented by this book. I didn’t tire of it and was able to read it quickly. I appreciated the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Zipporah, Wife of Moses
Think a fluffier Red Tent (I recommend the Red Tent most highly, by the way). Moses’ struggle with his destiny was compelling but the end wrapped up rather abruptly and Aaron and Miriam were portrayed...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Suite Française
With a back story as compelling as this one, the novel could easily be overshadowed but Nemirovsky’s writing and vision holds its own. As World War II unfolded around her, Irene Nemirovsky, a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Women of the Silk
My friend Kimberley was wondering what book I’d recommend for her book club. They don’t want anything too dense or literary and please nothing with a lot of incest, drug use or slices of the bleak side...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Voice in the Wind
I received Voice in the Wind and the other two books of this Francine Rivers triliogy as a gift. That’s the main reason I read the whole book–not because I liked the story or writing style. It’s an...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Moloka’i by Alan Brennert
Yet another piece of historical fiction that has served to educate while entertaining. Brennert provides a little bit of the history of Hawaii, a little bit of the history of leprosy or Hansen’s...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
I didn’t read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See, but I want to now after hearing the Midday Connection discussion of it today. Listen. See if you aren’t drawn in.
View ArticleClik here to view.
Dreams of Joy
In Lisa See’s Dreams of Joy, the sequel to her historical fiction novel, Shanghai Girls, an idealistic Chinese American college student runs off to China in the late 1950s after learning that her aunt...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
“A lovely face is a gift from heaven, but tiny feet can improve social standing.” Lisa See‘s Snow Flower and the Secret Fan tells the story of Lily and her “old same” or lao tang, Snow Flower. Because...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Peony in Love
Lisa See’s novel Peony in Love is rather odd because about a quarter of the way into the story the protagonist dies. I wondered what was going on and how the story would continue and then I learned...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Chicago History Museum, Service Safari
Today I went to the Chicago Historical Museum to do some research for a writing project I’ve started. It’s a historical Chicago Historical Museum Research center What was my goal and was it met? My...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Murder at Rosamund’s Gate
Engrossing and authentic, A Murder at Rosamund’s Gate by Susanna Calkins is set in 17th century England. It’s historical fiction mixed with mystery. Lucy Campion begins as a chambermaid for the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Digging a Hole to Heaven
S. D. Nelson’s children’s book Digging a Hole to Heaven: Coal Miner Boys will teach readers about the hardships of the children who had to work deep in the mines during the 19th century. The...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Fantastic Fiction
I just learned about a phenomenal website for readers who love fiction. It’s Fantastic Fiction and it’s a treasure trove containing an exhaustive amount of content on authors and books of all genres....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Chicago
I enjoyed the audio book of David Mamet’s novel Chicago. Narrator Jim Fragione, captures the Chicago dialect and Mamet’s rhythm. I expected a historical novel about Al Capone or some other well known...
View Article
