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The Dreaded DNF: Mini-Reviews

September 14, 2018

dreaded

There is more than one reason for not finishing a book. Sometimes it's a case of 'It's Not You, It's Me'. Other times it's the right book at the wrong time. And then, there are the cases when neither of these apply and it is more basic: life is too short for me to keep reading this book that is working my last nerve. It happens and becomes a dreaded DNF. Here are my two most ... Read More...

6 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Feature, Fiction Tagged: coming-of-age, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, satire, WWII

8 Books I Loved in 2017

December 18, 2017

books

  Every year I (and almost every book blogger I know) put together lists of our favorite books of the year. Almost everyone I know has already put their lists out there, but I have not been able to rally to the task because in the 5+ years I’ve been a blogger it’s never been as difficult as it was this year. Suffice it to say, I did not have ten books from 2017 I loved ... Read More...

13 Comments
Filed Under: Feature Tagged: favorite books, historical fiction, lists, memoir, satire, social issues, WWII

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

December 4, 2017

boy

  Bruno is nine years old and lives with his parents and his annoying sister in Berlin. His father is a very important man in the German army and after his boss, the Fury comes to visit, Bruno and his family have to leave Berlin and move to a new home. Bruno is understandably upset—their home is a marvel of hidden rooms, places to hide and an amazing bannister for sliding ... Read More...

11 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: childhood, historical fiction, literary, Nazis, WWII, young adult

We Were the Lucky Ones

November 20, 2017

lucky

According to Polish law, a person of Jewish heritage belongs not to Poland but to a Jewish nation. Just when I think I have read as much fiction about the Holocaust as I need to, when I’m sure there can’t be another permutation of the horror and struggle for survival, I’m proven wrong. This time it was the gentle nudging of my blogging friend, Sarah at Sarah’s Book Shelves, ... Read More...

4 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: book clubs, debut, family saga, Nazis, Viking, WWII

The Lost Letter by Jillian Cantor

July 5, 2017

lost

  In the present Kate’s father is succumbing to dementia. As his memory flickers on and off, she wants to give his life’s work meaning and so takes his enormous and beloved stamp collection to an appraiser to see if any of the stamps are valuable. In the past, Kristoff is an orphaned artist working as an apprentice for the renowned master stamp engraver, Frederick Faber. ... Read More...

4 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: historical fiction, Riverhead Books, WWII

It’s Monday, June 12th: What Are You Reading?

June 12, 2017

lost

Monday again? There is nothing like a vacation filled with family, momentous occasions (high school graduation, reunion with college friends) to dynamite even the best of reading intentions. What I mean is: I didn't finish Everybody’s Son until last night. Yes, I only read one book last week, which is…bizarre. OK, I binge watched the new season of Orange is the New Black, but ... Read More...

5 Comments
Filed Under: Feature, Reading Tagged: historical fiction, Riverhead Books, WWII

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