24 Wednesday Feb 2016
Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction, History
Author Pearl Buck drew from her own experiences growing up in China to write this novel, a family saga set in the rural countryside in the years just before the political and social upheavals of the 20th century. The book portrays the life of Wang Lung, a poor subsistence farmer who prevails over setbacks both man-made and natural to eventual prosperity. An atmospheric, reflective novel with strong characterization makes for an enjoyable tale. The book won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938.
17 Wednesday Feb 2016
Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction
Tags
Camille Pissarro (1830-1903), Jewish family, love stories, man-women relationships, scandals, St. Thomas, widows
I loved this story of a strong woman and her family, friendships, and faith. It’s beautifully written. If you enjoy historical fiction, it’s not to be missed.
“Lilting prose, beautifully meted out folklore and historical references, and Hoffman’s deep conviction in her characters (especially those “willing to do anything for love”) make reading this “contes du temps passé” a total pleasure.”—Kirkus, starred review
11 Thursday Feb 2016
Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction
A pure delight to read. The author depicts a young Irish woman, Eilis Lacey, who leaves a small town in Ireland in the 1950’s to live in Brooklyn and then unexpectedly returns to Ireland. Eilis has to deal with the consequences of love lost and found. What choice should she make?
Brooklyn “is one those magically quiet novels that sneak up on readers and capture their imaginations.” USA TODAY
“[A] masterly tale… There is not a sentence or a thought out of place.” — Irish Times
“Toibin’s prose is as elegant in its simplicity as it is complex in the emotions it evokes.” — The New York Times Magazine
Find this book large print audio cd’s playaway
01 Monday Feb 2016
Posted in Fiction
I don’t read a lot of crime fiction, so I’m not sure why I picked this up, but I’m glad that I did. It was definitely creepy and a page turner, told from the point of view of a police officer, a murderer, and a helpline volunteer at a confidential call-in support center. Don’t read it before bedtime!
“Not for the faint of heart or stomach, but for the rest of you, The Murder Code heralds the American debut of a major new voice in crime fiction.”–BookPage
“He writes like the very best American thriller writers. Cancel all other engagements for the day.”–The Guardian
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