I am not a lover of non-fiction. But I appreciated the story as well as a cultural piece in time. Some of the writing was really lovely and poignant. I am not a lover of non-fiction. But I appreciated the story as well as a cultural piece in time. Some of the writing was really lovely and poignant. I did note that the book was separated into 5 chapters and the middle one was over a hundred pages, while the book topped out at 278. That middle chapter is the one I appreciated least and pretty much glazed over. It did not capture me the way the opening and the ending did. I felt like I felt her, and got what I needed from that cultural time in New York and the Chelsea Hotel. Patti Smith is indeed and artist and lover and uniquely herself. ...more
How I absolutely loved and savored this beautiful story! I fell into it so deeply, entranced and entrenched. Fairy tale woven into life, and love, thiHow I absolutely loved and savored this beautiful story! I fell into it so deeply, entranced and entrenched. Fairy tale woven into life, and love, this story transcends everything. It was magical, simply put. It was love. ...more
How I absolutely adored the 4.5 installments of the Empress of Rome Series by Kate Quinn, and this finale was not only not an exception, but it pulledHow I absolutely adored the 4.5 installments of the Empress of Rome Series by Kate Quinn, and this finale was not only not an exception, but it pulled the whole thing together phenomenally well. If you had been involved in this series from the beginning, the way I (and Hannah from PBT) have been, you would see that this last book stacks up to any twisty wonderful thriller in our contemporary fiction today.
I wanted to read this series because last year, Kate Quinn was my author of the year. Having loved all of her works, I wanted to make sure I had read her entire compendium, from the early works on. But I didn't quite finish. I knew I would be into 2024 with her. Plus, I haven't yet read the Phoenix Crown, not the Lion, Serpent, Pearl, Borgia two. But let me tell you about Kate Quinn. From the beginning, what an astonishing writer, and boy can she weave a tale. She can make ancient Rome, and the Emperors, (Ceasars) Empressess, the royal court, the gladiators and legionnaires, the slaves, the wanna be heirs, the competitors, the senators, the warriors, the scholars, the soldiers. This is Rome, and what it means to be in the Emperor's world.
By the time we hit book 5 (#4), we are left with our beloved and intertwined main characters. Empress Sabina and Emperor Hadrian (true characters) Titus and Faustina (also true although Titus is given this name). We are with Vix (fictional character, Barbarian and devoted soldier and centerpiece of the novel.). Antinious (real character) who was the lover of Emperor Hadrian, and the son of Vix, friend to everyone in the book. Annia, (true character who has two mothers and two fathers) and Marcus, the Emperor that succeeds next. There are other side characters. Mirah, Dinah, and Chaya, Vix's (Jewish) wife and daughters, and Mirah's Uncle Simon, leader of the rebels in Judea, who is as caught between Rome and Judea as Vix is. There are also some powerful and yet ultimately irrelevant imperial wanna-be's who threaten through the book to gain power. In each of these books greed is a huge factor, but love, loyalty, commitment, honor, devotion, and righteous action, is always more powerful. Who is a good man, good woman, has been a theme through all the books, but never as pronounced and powerful as this one. Each character has to figure out who they are, and who they want to strive to be, and where their allegiance lies, where there heart lies, and what they are going to do to risk everything for what they believe and who they want to be. Every character must grapple with this at every turn. It more than captured my interest, I was enraptured. The synopsis on the back of the book tells us that ultimately the fate of Rome will lie with Annia, the red-haired spirited "untested" young girl, who while she only shows up in the last book is indeed the heart and soul of the series. She is the whole point, and watching her at every age exemplify the conflicts and the answers to the conflicts of each and all of the characters, well that was a wild and wonderful ride. i won't soon forget Annia, nor will I forget any of them. It makes sense to me that she has two mothers and two fathers, as she is everyone and the next generation of Rome. I simply loved it. What a pleasure and stunning conclusion to the series.
I found an interesting connection in the acknowlegements that thrilled me. Kate Quinn thanked Stephanie Thornton, an author I adore tremendously, but who I only became aware of in the last five years. She is quickly becoming a favorite. Kate thanked her at the time of this novel in 2015, where to be honest, I'm not sure either of their names were all that well known. I feel like Kate Quinn exploded on the scene with the Alice Network, while Stephanie's quiet explosion is happening now. Seeing their connection was thrilling to me, similar to my girl crush on the friendship between Alice Hoffman and Jodi Picoult, which I have commented on before. After loving this book so tremendously, seeing that connection just deepened my joy, and my connection to both authors, perhaps all four. I am now thinking of Marie Benedict and Victoria Chirstopher Murray, and wanting to know how Janie Chang fits in there too. Perhaps I am reminded of my own local book club, as well as the community I have built on Goodreads. Reading and writing together really does shape us and connect us and weave us together. Which is the perfect feeling to end the review, as the book did, which is inevitably how these characters were bound together in ways told and untold, powerful and connective, by fate and by action, and ultimately always, by love....more
I adored every single moment of this to the very last drop and it has stayed with me all day. What a divine book, perfectly crafted. I Laughed the whoI adored every single moment of this to the very last drop and it has stayed with me all day. What a divine book, perfectly crafted. I Laughed the whole way through, huge audible guffaws, I Cried by the end, and I Loved the whole way through. The dialogue was so witty and spot on. Loved the characters, oh Aunt Ada was the absolute best character.
The whole thing was just so perfectly done. Thank you to the Jewish Book Club for making this monthly pick! It was absolutely delightful. 5 stars from me.
It bears mentioning that the title is a double entrendre, as our heroine is trying to figure out, as a young woman in the 1950’s whose choices are limited, how to live and love on her own terms. The book is about her figuring out how to come into her own, and writing is a central piece of her learning to narrate her own story and chart her own course, just like her fabulous aunt. ...more
5 glorious stars for this unbelievably beautifully written tale. You guys know how a book might follow you for a while, everyone telling you, you've g5 glorious stars for this unbelievably beautifully written tale. You guys know how a book might follow you for a while, everyone telling you, you've got to read this next. And somehow I never did. The stars never aligned for me to get to this one. But then, a new friend lent it to me on the day of her son's 14th birthday party, where we had the opportunity to sit and talk about books, (mostly Covenant of Water) and aging parents, and kids, and a little of teaching. And I left that day with three books in the bag of books that lives in my car's backseat, or sometimes trunk when I have boys in the car. Left also with my very happy 13 year old who had greatly enjoyed the day and the BC Game. Then, a goodreads challenge (Steeplechase - Journey) allowed me to know it was finally time. The Gods lined it up for me, and as one knows, you just don't mess with the Gods. They always win. But this week, so did I.
Song of Achilles wraps you up from its opening pages. At its heart, it is is not just the tale of Achilles, and others when it comes to the Trojan War. Lying at its center, is the love story between Achilles and Patroclus, two men who deeply and quietly but somewhat openly, loved each other with a passion that burned bright and eternally. Patroclus is the point of view from which the tale is written.
I admit I spent some time thinking of our current social politics, and how non-heterosexual relationships that parallel Romeo and Juliet and Anthony and Cleopatra have been with us since the beginning of time. I also admit I spent a lot of time thinking about (King) David and Jonathan (the son of King Saul, who should have been heir to the throne) who obviously (to me) shared the same journey as Achilles and Petroclus. Although that is never ever talked about, and I wonder if i will somehow "get in trouble" for stating what has always just been obvious fact to me. But then again, I have been in trouble for other post biblical statements. For instance, it is not always greeted with warmth and welcome when I state that Moses (most noble father of Jewish and Judeo-Christian lore) likely had either oppositional defiant disorder, or far more likely an intermittent impulsive control disorder. After all, in my last and most recent son's torah portion of Korach. Moses is cool and controlled, while Korach looks much more defiant towards God, and towards the established leadership. Which doesn't necessarily make him disordered. It might even make him democratic that he questioned who and why can lead. But I digress. David and Jonathan had this kind of love, and we rarely talk about how long established gay marriages that defined a life and a love have been around and thriving. Since not just the beginning of time, but since the time of the Gods. But the Goddess Thetia, Achilles mother, did not like it. Some things never change.
Patroclus was the exiled son of a King as well, but is treated as a nothing by everyone he meets. Even as a Prince he was treated not with disgust or disdain, but as completely unremarkable or unworthy. Same with his time in Phthia, no one saw him as much of anything at all. He was irrelevant. Only two people "saw" him as the rising sun, and for his glory. Achilles, and Bresius. The woman who also loved him, who he loved and saved. Patroclus was noble and true and right in all of his actions every time. It is he who is known for his righteous actions, and as the moral arc of the tale. I found him so interesting. As someone who as a child killed, even somewhat accidentally or unintentionally, the son of a noble in his land, he works to be someone for whom a life is worthy and responsible. Though he does not name this. He turns to medicine and healing, having two such tutors in a lifetime. He turns towards the safety and honor of others. He is the true star of the book, equal to Achilles, although both in history and the book, few see it.
We have all heard the story of an "Achilles Heel." What is that? The only spot on the body where Achilles was mortal? It is the spot in us that makes us week or vulnerable. In this story, Achille's vulnerable spot was never his deep and abiding love for Patroclus, which made him stronger. It was always his hubris. Which was as strong a defining quality, if not stronger. Although hubris was not so much a quality in his life before the war, not in the least. It became part of his embracing of fate and destiny, so in that way, hubris was equal to his love for Patroclus. They were both a part of him because of they were both part of him embracing his destiny.
Speaking of destiny, some books feel like you were destined to read, enjoy, and never forget them. This one, was one of them. ...more
This book rose to four stars only at its last moments. Its hard to read a book where the characters are young, self-absorbed, lack insight, are reckleThis book rose to four stars only at its last moments. Its hard to read a book where the characters are young, self-absorbed, lack insight, are recklessly impulsive, and lack relational and self awareness. But one knows from the outset, that the character is writing the story from memory, looking back from what we hope is a different and better place. The story, which takes place in the characters' college years and quite young twenties, is a mosh pit of bad decisions, financial and familial and relational strain, and a tangle of complicated relationships and identities between five characters who interrelate in various ways. At the heart of it, is an enmeshed friendship between Rachel and James, well one of the Jameses. Where neither can move forward with growth, and they rely on one another to be what their families and relationships cannot be, and it leaves both of them stuck. The tangles do come to a very complicated and dramatic set of knots, and there we see how both of them, really all of the characters, are forced to grow, or to choose not to grow. Finally, new paths must open. And each has to eventually see what love really is.
I enjoyed the book through most of it, although I wasn't a fan of the behavior of any of the characters, but I started to love it when it got really entangled, and by the end I was actually moved.
This book had been high on my TBR and I got to select it for a challenge, having landed on a space called Ireland. For those whom such things matter, this book which takes place in Cork Ireland, had 114 tags for Ireland. Ireland features prominently in the book, both its economics, attitudes, and books written on Ireland's history and influences, as well as later political stances. If you are ever in need of an Ireland book, this one certainly not just fits the bill, but hails. Glad to be starting the next book.
I rather enjoyed this slow read. The writing was absolutely exquisitely beautiful. I listened to it on audio, and at times I just marveled at the authI rather enjoyed this slow read. The writing was absolutely exquisitely beautiful. I listened to it on audio, and at times I just marveled at the authors ability to describe an action or scene. There was something very beautiful and spiritual about this, particularly at the end, but it was a journey of grief to get there. Very well done, and very very worth it. ...more
This was absolutely beautifully written. It often felt like a dreamscape, where the writing created far more ambiance than detail.
Strasbourg, 1518, wThis was absolutely beautifully written. It often felt like a dreamscape, where the writing created far more ambiance than detail.
Strasbourg, 1518, where the Religious Council of 21 aligns themselves as God, and will punish anyone who steps out of line in their eyes. Their intention is to oppress women and nature, and steal anything that makes money in a time of hunger and starvation.
At the center of of the novel is Lisbet, a beekeeper who loves her bees, and has struggled with recurrent miscarriage. She has lost 12 babies. She has a tree in the woods, (a dance tree) where she has installed a private sanctuary, where she has ribbons to honor the past babies lost.
In the background of the book, is a hungry woman, near death with starvation, who begins to dance, almost trance-like in the city square. Feverishly she cannot stop, and awakens the ire of the Council of 21. Yet, soon, women begin to lose their minds and join her. At one point, at its height, there are over 500 women dancing, out of control of the council and the regular circumstance of hunger and powerlessness. It is madness.
Yet at home, Lisbet learns something of passion, and love, and loss, and of the nature of madness. She is powerless, yet fierce. Her longing for a baby propels her, and she learns about love in all forms. This was a truly beautiful book. Painful and haunting, yet beautiful nonetheless. This one will stay with me a long while. ...more
I just adored this one. It was beautiful, magical, and enchanting!
This book is a great example of one I absolutely would never ever have picked up, anI just adored this one. It was beautiful, magical, and enchanting!
This book is a great example of one I absolutely would never ever have picked up, and I just loved it. But it is the book that fit a challenge, and I am so delighted to have read and enjoyed it.
The premise is about magical children who are classified as dangerous, living on an isolated house above the cerulean sea. A stuffy practical magical child investigator, who is rigid, but with a good heart, is sent to investigate, and falls into their magical world. Naturally, they save each other. It is charming and quite worthy a read. ...more
I thought the book was going to be great! I loved Part One! The Set Up was fabulous! A historical fiction fantasy with a splice of Jewish folklore, trI thought the book was going to be great! I loved Part One! The Set Up was fabulous! A historical fiction fantasy with a splice of Jewish folklore, transfiguration, and prophecy from the stars. And then Blech - it just turned weird. Like I couldn't well follow it anymore. I felt like as the sisters lost their focus and lost their way, so did I. I couldn't get into the rest of the stories that were being woven, and even worse, I felt like I had lost the story that had enraptured me. I feel like this one had great promise. And then kind of fell flat. ...more
I really did enjoy this book in a slow lazy kind of way. I had been so looking forward to it, even without anticipating a clear theme or synopsis. ParI really did enjoy this book in a slow lazy kind of way. I had been so looking forward to it, even without anticipating a clear theme or synopsis. Paris, books, historical fiction, what could be better? I picked it up the day before going on vacation, whereas I had planned to take 7 books for 7 days. When this one delightfully showed up at the library just in time, I said to myself - great! 8 books in 7 days. When I got to my tropical paradise, and proudly displayed my books, my father said, do you have one for me? I said, pick one out, but my guess is this is the one you are going to love! He did choose it, and boy did he love it. I couldn't pull him away from it for three days, and he is anxiously awaiting my review! For one, he loved all the little french phrases in there, and the bits of the culture, as well as the famous authors - the whole experience. I loved that he loved it, and that we were going to share it together. So first I talk with you guys about the experience of the book, and then later today with him, over a metaphorical cup of coffee. I so love to share books with my Dad. He thinks my mother will love it too.
The Paris Bookseller is the true story of Sylvia Beach in the 1920's through 1936, who was an American in Paris, who set up a bookstore (Shakespeare and Co.) for expats and aspiring writers. She became the first publisher for James Joyce's Ulysses. But other prominent figures in the book include Ernest Hemmingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound, Henry Miller, Gertrude Stein, many others, and there were even a few references, although abstractly, to Albert Einstein. It was a remarkable story of what was happening with books and writers and publishing during that time in Paris. But there was another story with what was happening for Sylvia. Sylvia was a gay woman in 1920's Paris, and had a love affair with a French Bookseller who was also an artist and sculpturess of emerging literature at the time. The world Adrienne and Sylvia created as a young lesbian couple in 1920's Paris, was all about being outside of the norms and the emergence of new artistry, and female development and empowerment. That was absolutely the competing and parallel story in the book. Which was about the relationship of Sylvia to James Joyce, but also Sylvia with Adrienne, with herself, her sisters and parents, with Paris, with books, with culture, with the times, you name it. It was very well done, and very flushed out, and really a lovely read. One I would recommend. Not just as an ode to book lovers and readers, but lovers of all kinds. ...more
I know a lot of people are just loving this and I wanted to love it too. For me, it was just a three. Grace did not grab me, though I liked Yuki's radI know a lot of people are just loving this and I wanted to love it too. For me, it was just a three. Grace did not grab me, though I liked Yuki's radio sentiments. Loved the community of quirky folks. It had its moments....more
This was just beautifully written - exquisite in fact! Such a beautiful book to read. Now I know we have all had our fill of WWII, but that portion isThis was just beautifully written - exquisite in fact! Such a beautiful book to read. Now I know we have all had our fill of WWII, but that portion is just the first 30% of the book. What makes this one different, is that it is one of the few books that focuses on the impact of what happens to the refugees when they hit unfamiliar countries and have to completely rebuild their lives in foreign places, dealing with the destruction and scars that have been left behind, after losing everything. A theme in the book is "Find two things that are completely opposite and unrelatedly different. And then find the connections between them. For Orly, our heroine, often those differences are many things and people and even within people. But one of those experiences is Vienna, to La Paz, Bolivia. This book is about many things, not just WWII and its aftermath. But if you don't know anything about Bolivia, and are curious, Exile Music makes you smell, taste, see, and experience it through Orly and her parents' and communities' eyes. I thought this book was extremely special. Loved it. Five Stars....more
This is one of those books that just grabs you and enfolds you into its world. Written from the author of the Night Circus, it has a 5 Mystical Stars!
This is one of those books that just grabs you and enfolds you into its world. Written from the author of the Night Circus, it has a similar feel. That its mystical and ethereal, misty and winding. Nebulous, yet vivid. You don't have a clear idea what's going on. Its filled with stories that are not stories that weave and intertwine in the story. This is a book for readers, for anyone who loves books and hidden libraries, and underground worlds, and those of us who would do anything to protect them, who get enfolded into them. This is a book readers book. Its one I swear you will never forget, and will stay in your metaphorical pocket. I loved everything about it. ...more
Told in four points of view, this is the story of three women surrounding the espionage events of the controversial and illicit publishing of Dr. ZhivTold in four points of view, this is the story of three women surrounding the espionage events of the controversial and illicit publishing of Dr. Zhivago. It was really interesting and engaging. If you like women, historical fiction, spies, writing, and the compelling triangle of intertwining love stories, then you might want to check this one out.
What was different about the creation of this story, and I have only seen it less than a handful of times, was the fourth point of view - which I felt was such an interesting writing technique and crafting of the story. The fourth point of view is written from an anonymous nebulous "we", that is the consciousness of a group of people - in this case, the typists/secretaries at the "Agency." How they saw the events as they unfolded. I found that point of view compelling, and greatly enhanced the story. It also just was an interesting technique I have only seen possibly two other times. The first was they way Buddha in the Attic was written, and the second was a point of view in another novel.
I also think that I am possibly the only person left on the planet who hasn't read or seen Dr. Zhivago. I do think had I read or seen it, or had more familiarity with it, that also would have enhanced my experience. But I enjoyed it. I thought that characters and the plot were interesting, and I like strong women and spies. ...more
Good God, I just finished this book, and I absolutely loved it! Elizabeth Gilbert, author of another one of my favorite books, the Signature of All ThGood God, I just finished this book, and I absolutely loved it! Elizabeth Gilbert, author of another one of my favorite books, the Signature of All Things has done it again. Told the life of an independent intelligent woman, who has had to forge her own path, despite the expectations, circumstances, and caprices around her. This one has so many things to it - but it highlights a particular period of time, where in New York in the early 1940's a young girl who has failed out of Vassar, finds herself in the company of a Times Square Theater company, as an inadvertent seamstress. Now thrown into the company of a Vaudeville turned Broadway set, showgirls, and producers, and clubbing, and artistry, her on the brink of twenty, and the world on the brink of war. She writes the novel, telling the story of her life to an unknown audience, sharing with us how she became who she ultimately did. Its a story of love, of growth, of forgiveness, particularly self-forgiveness. It has redemption in it too, but the redemption is quite personal and internal. Its about how one reconciles who one is, and how one develops and grows in the face of the circumstances one faces. Such interesting characters, with really complex shades, some that are only hinted at. Aside from our narrator, a lot is left guessing. Its a classic really good novel, well crafted, and developed, and a fabulous ride! Its one you don't easily forget. I loved everything about it. ...more
Wow - first of all, I am completely out of my genre's for like the fifth book in a row, and I've just started yet another completely unlikely choice. Wow - first of all, I am completely out of my genre's for like the fifth book in a row, and I've just started yet another completely unlikely choice. And guess what? I've liked them all! But true to form, I have coming up this month, the Winter Palace, the Invisible Bridge, and Where the Light Falls, so don't fear historical fiction has lost my attention.
But Fun Home - a graphic novel (like never would I pick up, except for Flying Couch earlier this year - also a memoir, this one a Holocaust one), that became a musical and won the Tony for best musical of the year! It was picked for me by my psychoanalytic group for a book club read this upcoming Thursday. I am now listening to the music, which I also got out of the library to accompany, once the book is finished.
This novel is about the painful upbringing of Allison Bechtel, its author and illustrator, and about her relationship with her father, which at points were loving, at other points, conflicted, and certainly illuminating. I don't give away spoilers, because that's why we read or go to musical, to experience a story as it unravels. Again, my sole complaint with Hamilton, that one shouldn't have to pre-research a musical to enjoy it. I really enjoyed it, and I am really looking forward to talking about it. Particularly to hear about what this group thinks about the mother and her role, character, and presence in the story. She is curiously absent, although completely there, which I imagine is a reflection of the authors experience. The Dad was often absent, but takes over the books presence. It was a great read, and totally a different experience for me. I have now read two graphic novels, and really enjoyed and was moved from them both.
One last note. Jolene appreciated graphic novels, and this is one of a short list that I have, that is in tribute to her. As are a few more. I look forward to hearing other's thoughts on this - it certainly stays with you once its complete, and I can tell by song three that the music is compelling too....more
I am aware this book got mixed reviews to low reviews. But I just loved it. 4 stars for me.
White Houses is about the relationship between Lorena HickI am aware this book got mixed reviews to low reviews. But I just loved it. 4 stars for me.
White Houses is about the relationship between Lorena Hickok and Eleanor Roosevelt. Its not a well kept secret that they were the best of friends and companions, as well as lesbian lovers. Its kind of amazing to hear about a lesbian relationship that took place in the 1930's, during an active White House governing of the United States, at a difficult time in history. So this book is a look at the times, at FDR and his many ladies, at Eleanor, at the relationship. But mostly - its about what love looks like. I adored the passages about the love that was between them, and how they made that happen over a lifetime. The stories that were told between us. A life lived.
Sometimes when I am reading first person narrative, I have a hard time remembering that this is actually fiction. Especially with real people and real events on the line. I did feel like I was right inside her story as she was telling it. I had to constantly remind myself that Amy Bloom was the author, and not Lorena herself, so profoundly it felt that I was reading Lorena's words, voice, and inner thoughts. I also felt that way with the book Faith by Jennifer Haigh. I could't retain for a second that it was fiction. I kept having to reread the back, the way with this book, that I kept returning to the front cover with the author's name emblazoned. That is how you know an author has swept you up in a compelling narrative. When you forget this is fiction.
And if there is anyone left who doesn't know that love is love - this book paints that so clearly and beautifully. Yes, I just loved it. ...more
I always feel a little gyped when a highly touted book is just meh for me. I didn't particularly enjoy it. There are many things the main character isI always feel a little gyped when a highly touted book is just meh for me. I didn't particularly enjoy it. There are many things the main character is preoccupied with on his travels, one central one seems to be what it means that he is turning 50 in the next few months, if not mere weeks.
Ironically at 49.75, this is incredibly relatable - and yet it isn't. I have spent a year going to 50th birthday parties, mine being the last at the end of the year. Why the weeping? Celebrate the extraordinary friendships, connections, and the wonderousness of life and your being! Live life fully and deeply. Do what you love, be who you are. Don't waste time on books or anything else that fails to move you. Go Big or Go Home! Love yourself - love your life. Celebrate it, embrace it, and live it. This guy - the main character? I've got no time to waste on him and his worries. A whole world of meaning and connection awaits.
So I just joined Facebook this year. Here's what I learned about turning 50. What did my dear longtime friend DSP do on her 50th birthday? My friend who I have known and loved for 49.75 years, since the moment I was born? She dropped her eldest off at Tufts as an incoming Freshman. What about GWP, who I have known for 41 years since we were nine? She went and bought and adopted chickens. Strawberry and Raspberry. Good friends BRJ and JR? Well we are having a bellydancing party and celebration. Can any of us bellydance? No! But that's why were doing it. I have been to celebrations where I have known folks for over 40 years. Each and every one of these women (and men) are dazzling, gorgeous, wonderful people who have loved, achieved, made the world and our lives a better place, and have added spirituality, creativity, love, and integrity into this world. I won't settle for Less. ...more
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