VICTORIA by Daisy Goodwin

VICTORIA  by Daisy Goodwin

This book covers only Victoria’s early life and first few years of her long reign.  Goodwin is a writer of historical fiction that borders on “women’s fiction.” She has a tendency to emphasis the more salacious and gossip laden events in the life of the person written about.  That said the book is interesting and well researched.  The life of a young girl manipulated by those around her and surrounded by great wealth and all its accouterments is discussed in great detail. Victoria is saved by the one scrupulous man in her life: Lord Melbourne, her first prime minister.  Early Victorian English society, and the lives of the not-so-privileged, is covered well.   

(The book gives much more detail than the TV series and gives a more accurate portrayal of Victorian England. )

4 of 5 stars

THE MARK OF THE KING by Jocelyn Green

THE MARK OF THE KING  by Jocelyn Green

The premise could have been turned into a great story. This isn’t it.  The writing is pedestrian, the plot turns are spur of the moment and contrived, the “Christian” part seems added on to sell books to the publishers audience.  Skip this one.

1 of 5 stars

SAVE THE DATE by Mary Kay Andrews

SAVE THE DATE  by Mary Kay Andrews

One of the best writers in the “women’s romantic fiction” has written another winner. Floral designer Cara has a morning full of disasters including a supposed dognapping, and then discovers an archrival is opening a competing store in her small town.  Interesting characters, a quickly moving and believable plot keep the action rollicking on.  You will guess the ending long before you get there, but you will enjoy the book anyway.

4 of 5 stars

TRUELUCK SUMMER by Susan Gabriel

TRUELOCK SUMMER   by Susan Gabriel

A white girl, a black boy and a grandmother combine to remove the Confederate flag from the South Carolina statehouse in 1964.  Well described characters, a haunting sense of time and place, and a writer able to convey a sense of humor make this coming of age novel a joy to read for both adults and middle to upper graders. The nuances of a bi-racial friendship are fully described as are the overt and concealed racist actions of the Southern adults.  The statehouse escapade is told in rich and believable detail. 

4 of 5 stars

THE GERMAN GIRL by Armando Lucas Correa

THE GERMAN GIRL  by Armando Lucas Correa

The  liner ST. LOUIS left Germany with 900 German Jews bound for Cuba in 1939. Most had left behind their fortune, their property and the heritage of many years. They carried with them signed documents allowing them to stay in Cuba until their visa numbers allowed them to move on to the US, Canada or Mexico.  The ship was not allowed to dock in Havana.

THE GERMAN GIRL follows Hannah, a young girl aboard the St. Louis, from her sheltered life in Germany until her death many years later.  Finely crafted characters people this tale of love and loss through the war, the Revolution in Cuba and the fall of the Twin Towers.  Hannah and her great niece, Anna, carry the plot to its not-quite-satisfying conclusion. Conclusion aside, this is a lovely book that sheds light on a mostly forgotten piece of World War II history and the perfidy of Cuba, the US president and the other leaders of “enlightened” nations.

Book groups will find much to discuss, especially with the anti-immigration mood of current politics.

4 of 5 stars

A MAN CALLED OVE by Fredrik Backman

To say Ove was set in his ways would be a gross understatement. But Ove’s wife loved him and he loved her. Life was good until tragedy struck – twice. Now Ove is alone and wishes to kill himself, but life intervenes in the guise of neighbors, friends, enemies and Ove himself.

Strong characters, a sure sense of time and place and a plot that meanders to a well thought out conclusion combine to make a tale well worth reading.  Book groups will find plenty to talk about – lonely people, compromise of principle, suicide, anger, family, friendship, neighborliness, and Ove’s signature statement – “What is right is right” always – maybe.

5 of 5 stars

THE BEST GRAIN FREE FAMILY MEALS ON THE PLANET by Laura Fuentes

Good family recipes. Beautiful pictures on nearly every page that accurately reflect the recipe (at least as I made them). The ingredients are easy to find in a well-stocked supermarket. There is a good variety of simple and more complicated recipes. The recipes have good “kid appeal.”  Several good recipes for lunch bags for both kids and adults.

4 of 5 stars