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Monthly Archives: August 2025

The Art Spy: the Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland by Michelle Young

29 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in Biography, History, Non-fiction

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art museum curators, art treasures in war, biography, France, German occupation 1940-1945, history, Jewish Holocaust (1939-1945), Modernism, Musée du jeu de paume (France), underground movements, women spies, World War 1939-1945

I’ve read many books about France during World War II, but this story was new to me. “The Art Spy” follows Rose Valland, a real woman working in Paris art museums when the Nazis invaded. Along with others, she took great risks to subvert the Nazis and save as much art as she could. This is a really interesting work of nonfiction.

“Journalist Young recaps the exploits of French Resistance hero Rose Valland in this thrilling saga… Readers will relish this riveting tale of a clever war hero playing the long game against bumbling fascists.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“The story of Valland’s courage and dedication to art and justice is compelling and inspiring… Ideal for fans of espionage and strong narrative nonfiction that reads like a compelling novel.” — Library Journal (starred review)

“Young recounts Valland’s brilliance, courage, and sangfroid in enthralling detail as she chronicles her daring work to save the museum’s treasures and her shrewd spying for the Resistance… like Valland’s zealous rescue of stolen masterpieces, Young vibrantly restores a hidden treasure to the pantheon of WWII heroes.” — Booklist (starred review)

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Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel

22 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in 20th century, Fiction, Historical Fiction, romance

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historical fiction, history 20th century, man-women relationships, nightclubs, pianists, refugees, romance, Shanghai (China), war fiction

Highlighted by 797 Kindle readers:  “There is a kind of love that strikes like a thunderbolt; it blinds you, yet opens your eyes to see the world anew. Within its light, a pathway was illuminated.” This is a must-read for historical fiction lovers.

“Set against a panorama so vivid you can almost hear the jazz in Aiyi Shao’s nightclub, Weina Dai Randel brings to life fascinating WWII history new to me and, I imagine, countless other readers. The story of a well-born entrepreneur and the German-Jewish refugee she loves will stay with you long after The Last Rose of Shanghai ends.” —Sally Koslow, author of Another Side of Paradise

“Set in Japanese-occupied Shanghai, this is an unforgettable, page-turning tale of an impossible affair between lovers from two cultures. Randel casts an unflinching eye at the horrors of wartime Shanghai, where refugees starve while the wealthy and privileged continue to drink and dance, and where daily threats of danger and death only serve to fan forbidden passions to a blazing climax.” —Janie Chang, bestselling author of Dragon Springs Road and The Library of Legends

“In a novel that spans time, space, and culture, The Last Rose of Shanghai is a riveting story of love, heartbreak, and redemption. The smoky night clubs, jazz bars, luxury hotels, family compounds, and refugee settlements of Japanese-occupied Shanghai provide a fascinating background to the lives of those caught in the crossfires of war. Weina Dai Randel is a skilled artist, giving the reader well drawn characters of great depth, complexity, and heart. In the WWII genre, within the genre of historical fiction, The Last Rose of Shanghai stands out for its boldness and originality.” —Erika Robuck, bestselling author of The Invisible Woman

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Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

15 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in Fiction

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acrtresses, authors, friendship, Identity (Philosophical concept), Secrecy

Cate Kay is a pseudonym for the author of a global bestseller being adapted into a movie at the beginning of this novel. As the book progresses, we learn more about the real woman behind the name and the childhood friendship that shapes her life. Full of interesting characters, this story is told through multiple perspectives and I highly recommend the audiobook.

“An electrifying story of a bestselling author’s secrets. Fagan fascinates with her enigmatic and shape-shifting protagonist, and the tightly woven plot will keep readers on the edge of their seats. It’s a blast.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“An emotionally driven thriller that explores friendship, love, and the pitfalls of fame. I couldn’t stop reading this twisty, big-hearted novel. The Three Lives of Cate Kay is simply unputdownable! Kate Fagan is a masterful storyteller.” —Emiko Jean, New York Times bestselling author of The Return of Ellie Black

“An addictive page-turner infused with humor and heart, The Three Lives of Cate Kay balances the dishy allure of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with the empathy of Slow Dance. A joy to read from first page to last.” —Melissa Albert, New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood

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Heartwood : a Novel by Amity Gaige

08 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in action, adventure, detective, Fiction, mystery, nature, suspense, thriller, United States

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Appalachian Trail, bird watchers, detective and mystery, game wardens, Maine, missing persons, mothers and daughters, search and rescue operations, suspense, thriller, wilderness survival, women hikers

“A literary thriller of the highest order” (Elin Hilderbrand, New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Couple), Heartwood takes you on a gripping journey as a search and rescue team race against time after an experienced hiker mysteriously disappears on the Appalachian Trail in Maine. (Amazon)

“A crackling adventure story, a meditation on the fraught human connection to nature, and a subtle examination of the rocky relationships between mothers and daughters that shape the lives of its women characters, the novel tightens its grip as it moves toward uncovering its central mysteries.”—BOOKLIST, Starred Review

“The best thriller of 2025.” —The Boston Globe 

“Heartwood by Amity Gaige shines as a gritty, evocative and heart-stopping wilderness thriller. Yet this journey into the harshness of nature and the horror of being lost, is also a beautifully crafted eulogy to human survival and an ode to the power of the spirit as it echoes between the generations. An unforgettable treat from first page to last.”—JANICE HALLETT, bestselling author of The Twyford Code

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