Books I Have Known and Loved

Searching for Tamsen Donner

2011-12-28T14:40:00.001-10:00

Author's web page: http://www.gabrielleburton.com/books_searching.html

I have conflicting feelings about this book. I really wanted to like it since I am -- like Gabrielle Burton's family -- one of 5 daughters who was raised by an empowering mother. Growing up in California, I have known the story of the cannibalistic Donner Party most of my life. I also like the story for its narrative form. It is an interesting autobiography of Burton's journey to learn more about Tamsen Donner. It is also an interesting look at history (and I applaud her efforts to reclaim Tamsen Donner's story-- a story that is still elusive). This is also the story of the westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century. And along the way Burton comes into contact with other groups who traveled the same trail as the Donner party -- the Mormon Pioneers. But what leaves me conflicted about her brush with Mormon Pioneers is her admiration for them and her rancor towards contemporary Latter-day Saints. As the descendent of many Mormon Pioneers who crossed the prairies of North America and a practicing Latter-day Saint, her animosity towards the LDS Church is offensive. Anyone in the Church knows that women are fully-participating members who do much of the teaching, leading, and testifying. God does not only speak to men as she claims on p. 146 -- He speaks to each and every one of us. All we have to do is ask.

But if you are not LDS or dislike us like Burton does, you may enjoy this book. Like I said, I have mixed feelings about it -- it is like eating a cookie that hasn't been mixed properly and one gets a few bites of baking soda next to the chocolate chips. Overall it was a delightful and delicious experience, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.

Revolution and the Word: The Rise of the Novel in America

2011-11-14T06:55:00.001-10:00

Just read this book by Cathy N. Davidson. Look for a posting soon.

The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta, the Celebrated California Bandit (1853)

2011-07-27T06:08:00.006-10:00

A violent tale of early California, this story will remind many of the Zorro tales that still circulate. This novel was written by John Rollin Ridge, also known as Yellow Bird, the grandson of Major Ridge, the famous Cherokee statesman of New Echota, Georgia. The young John saw his father assassinated by Cherokee after he agreed to leave their homelands and signed treaties with the US Government. His grandfather was also assassinated by the Cherokee for the same reasons. Some scholars have attributed the violence of his story to this early, tragic experience in his life. (If you want to learn more about the Cherokee and the situations that led to the Trail of Tears, watch the excellent documentary series, We Shall Remain by PBS. You can find it here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/.

Whether the story of Joaquin Murieta is "true" or not has not been proven, but it has sparked many retellings among English and Spanish-speaking audiences. If you are a fan of adventure stories, particularly about early California, then you should like this novel. It is full of violence-- nearly everyone Murieta comes in contact with dies (after he robs them). But the basic story is like Robin Hood -- Murieta turns to a life of crime only after Anglo settlers have repeatedly displaced him from his land merely for being a Mexican. At first, he kills, one by one, the men who publicly whipped and humiliated him. “He had contracted a hatred to the whole American race, and was determined to shed their blood, whenever and wherever an opportunity occurred” (Preface 14). Then he begins to enact his revenge in earnest, killing Americans, foreigners, especially Chinese, stealing horses and gold. It was 1850, and “he walked forth into the future a dark, determined criminal, and his proud nobility of soul existed only in memory” (14). Most of his band want revenge on the Americans because of the “disastrous results of the Mexican war” (15). Other victims are the Mexicans and Spanish of Alta California who do not protect or support him.

This is an interesting story because the clashes between distinct cultural groups are still going on today. Perhaps it is too optimistic of me to echo the advice Ridge gives in the concluding pages, but it bears repeating and thinking about: “The story is told. Briefly and without ornament, the life and character of Joaquin Murieta have been sketched. His career was short, for he died in his twenty-second year; but, in the few years which were allowed him, he displayed qualities of mind and heart which marked him as an extraordinary man, and leaving his name impressed upon the early history of this State. He also leaves behind him the important lesson that there is nothing so dangerous in its consequences as injustice to individuals – whether it arise from prejudice of color or from any other source; that a wrong done to one man is a wrong to society and to the world” (158).

Note: I read the edition put out by University of Oklahoma Press, but you can find other versions online at Google books or at your favorite bookstore.

A Lesson in Secrets

2011-06-14T08:33:00.002-10:00

Look for a posting soon.

New Mexico Triptych by Fray Angélico Chávez (1940)

2011-05-25T09:24:00.004-10:00

This book is a hybrid -- beautiful illustrations accompany the narrative, that is written in English, by a Spanish-speaking priest who is descended from the Hispanos who settled New Mexico. Even though this is a “picture book,” it is not really intended for children.

The three stories go as follows: "The Angel's New Wings" is about Nabor, whiskery old man who carves an angel for the nacimiento at the Old Adobe Church. The angel flies away and he has to chase it through the village. Finally, it lands in the church where he has a sacred experience with the pieces all coming to life. A beautiful New Mexico/Catholic telling of the nativity story. The illustrations also very lovely -- red & black colors on buff paper. "The Penitent Thief" is the story of a group of men (thieves and politicians) and two are executed by their colleagues during Holy Week by the mission cross. Both are found the next day a the foot of the Cross -- one on the right and one on the left. The absent one is Jesus, a literal reenactment like done during Holy Week. "Hunchback Madonna" is Mana Seda, "Sister Silk" -- the hunchback who gathers flowers every year for the children & for Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe. She gets lost one day in the mountains and meets Esquipula, a young artist who paints a picture of the Virgin on her shawl. Thanks to Esquipula and the Priest's discussion/decision, she is chosen to put the flowers at the altar. She had never done this since she was not consider beautiful enough because of her hunched back. Many years later she died and flowers bloomed from her grave. Many pilgrims came to visit.

Passing by Nella Larsen (1929)

2011-05-24T07:44:00.001-10:00

(From The Norton Critical Edition). A fast-paced and short novel, this is the story of "passing" for white when one has African American ancestry. In the 1920s this violated many social taboos and was illegal in some places. Set primarily in Harlem, this is a novel of the Harlem Renaissance, written by Nella Larsen, one of the minor authors of the time who is now enjoying the attention she deserves.

The main characters are Irene Redfield (fair-skinned) and "white" Clare Kendry (she has blonde hair) who grew up together on Chicago's South Side. But when Clare's white father dies, she goes to live with her white great aunts and passes into white society. She marries a white man and has a child. But several years later she runs into Irene at a restaurant in Chicago and resumes the friendship, in spite of the dangers. Both women live in New York; Irene in Harlem. If Clare's white husband, John Bellow, were to find out she is “passing,” he would probably kill her. This is evidenced in an ugly scene where he spews racial hatred. This is the main tension of the plot, especially when Irene's reluctance to have the beautiful Clare around leads her to evade Clare. But once Irene's family meet Clare, she begins to socialize with them and attend "black" events in Harlem when her banker husband is out of town. Irene's own marriage is loveless since she refused to immigrate to Brazil at her husband Brian's request. He wanted to live somewhere that did not punish him for being black. Irene wants everything to be "safe" and controlled, which has driven a wide gulf between them. When Clare comes around she begins to fill that gulf, and by the novel's conclusion, Irene realizes her husband and Clare are lovers. She then toys with the idea of revealing to John Bellew that his wife is black. But the next day he sees her in public with a "black" friend and realizes she isn't white. Soon after he breaks in on a party at a friends' house in Harlem, and in the ensuing confusion, Clare jumps out a window from the 6th floor, and dies. It is ruled a "Death by misadventure."

A short novel, the story's climax builds as one feels the tension and danger of Clare's clinging to black folks. She is a risk-taker, whom Irene describes as "catlike" and possessing "a having way." This critical edition adds lots of great context, especially about the Alice Jones Rhinelander case. A fascinating read, it would engender lots of discussion with friends or in a book group. I recommend this for a mature audience who know how to read a text closely. And there is one disturbing scene of verbal racial hatred that is very disturbing (just to warn you).

Wynema, A Child of the Forest by S. Alice Callahan (1891)

2011-05-23T08:55:00.001-10:00

An important novel written by Native American Sophia Alice Callahan, it has been classed with reform literature that inspires change and speaks for the powerless. In this case, she is speaking for women, who did not have equal civil rights, and Native Americans, who had been continually defrauded and decimated by the US government.

The novel is about the experiences of white Southern protagonist Gertrude Weir who goes to teach at a Muscogee mission school. There she meets Wynema, a bright Muscogee girl, whom Gertrude nurtures. They become friends and confidantes. The progress of Wynema's education, the town, and the status of the Natives are all central to the plot. It is also a love story with Gertrude's choosing a Christian man – Gerald Keithly – over a Southern “gentleman” – Maurice Mauran (who is a bigot, misogynist, and racist). The secondary love story is Wynema's courtship and marriage to Gertrude's brother, Robin. The women experience many significant historical events and read about others, such as Wounded Knee and the Starving Times for the Native Americans. A subplot is that of wars between white soldiers and Sioux Indians. Wildfire, a Sioux warrior, illustrates the desperateness of their situation. He says, "If we cannot be free, let us die. What is life to a caged bird, threatened with death on all sides?" (81) Also, "peace is not the watchword of the oppressed" (82). The Sioux women choose to die in battle with their husbands and most are slaughtered by white soldiers. The four survivors come to live among the friends, and the three surviving children are adopted and raised to be strong contributors in their society.

This is a short novel and interesting reading. It is not as entertaining as Cogewea, The Half Blood, but is an enjoyable read. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a few love stories thrown into the mix should enjoy this novel.

Sarah Jane Foster, Teacher of the Freedmen: The Diary and Letters of a Maine Woman in the South After the Civil War

2011-05-21T06:39:00.002-10:00

Sarah Jane Foster, Teacher of the Freedmen: The Diary and Letters of a Maine Woman in the South After the Civil War. Ed. Wayne E. Reilly. Charlottesville: UP of Virginia, 1990.

This text was a delightful surprise. I read it at the recommendation of my dissertation chair for my qualifying doctoral exams. As the title indicates, it is a collection of Foster's letters and diary while she was a school teacher in the Freedmen's Schools during and after the American Civil War. She writes all about the shock and delight of working with the freed people while being persecuted by Southern whites. Foster's voice comes through distinctly in her writing, and Wayne Reilly sets up readers so well for approaching the text, that I found myself drawn into the everyday dramas of her teaching and living in the South. Her account of West Virginia illustrates of how daunting it must have been for a Northern white woman to “go South." There is also an intriguing subplot about her relationship with an African American man, John H. Brown, who was also her teaching assistant. There are many discursive gaps or omissions in the text about their relationship that make this collection especially thought provoking. Her text is interesting because of her belief in equality between races. Her story also intrigued me because it is shows readers the alternate life for a single woman in post-bellum America as an empowered spinster/teacher (not wife/mother).

Here is a website where you can read some of her letters: http://justjefferson.com/22jfost.htm

If you are interested in autobiographical writing, teaching, the South, or Reconstruction, this book is a good choice for you. You will most likely have to do an inter-library loan to get it. But I have seen used copies online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble for less than $5.

Rachel: A Play in Three Acts by Angelina Weld Grimké (1919)

2011-05-20T00:01:00.005-10:00

One of the plays I am reading for my graduate school comprehensive exams, this is a haunting play that still has me thinking. The first full-length anti-Lynching play, Rachel was first performed in 1919 in Washington, D. C. and published in 1920. (I found my copy on Google Books.) It is the story of the after effects of a lynching on the Loving family. The setting is the Loving family apartment, which is loving and happy, in spite of the shadow lynching casts over them. The primary action is Rachel's personal movement from wanting children to a decision to not marry and give birth to children because they will, she believes, suffer a similar fate of her father and half-brother. Mr. Loving and little George were lynched in the South (George was only 7 yrs old) and Mrs. Loving took the remaining two children, Rachel and Tom, to the north afterward. Even though they are in the North, they still feel the effects of racial discrimination. Neither Tom nor Rachel can get jobs, and their friend, Mr. John Strong, who is college-educated, only finds work as a waiter. After she learns about her father and brother's murders, she talks with her mother about the futility of marriage for her. She says at the end of Act 1: “Then, everywhere, everywhere, throughout the South, there are hundreds of dark mothers who live in fear, terrible, suffocating fear, whose rest by night is broken, and whose joy by day in their babies on their hearts is three parts — pain. Oh, I know this is true — for this is the way I should feel, if I were little Jimmy's mother. How horrible ! Why — it would be more merciful — to strangle the little things at birth. And so this nation — this white Christian nation — has deliberately set its curse upon the most beautiful — the most holy thing in life — motherhood ! Why — it — makes — you doubt — God !” (p. 28).

Her brother Tom even feels this futility about parenthood when he tells Strong: “Does it ever strike you — how pathetic and tragic a thing — a little colored child is? […] Today, we colored men and women, everywhere — are up against it. Every year, we are having a harder time of it. In the South, they make it as impossible as they can for us to get an education. We're hemmed in on all sides. Our one safeguard — the ballot — in most states, is taken away already, or is being taken away. Economically, in a few lines, we have a slight show — but at what a cost ! In the North, they make a pretence of liberality : they give us the ballot and a good education, and then — snuff us out. Each year, the problem just to live, gets more difficult to solve. How about these children — if we're fools enough to have any?” (p. 49).

Other instances of racially-motivated violence and discrimination are shared by Jimmy, the neighbor boy, who has come to live with them, and Mrs Lane and her daughter Ethel, who was tortured by children at the white school she attended. Mr. Strong wants Rachel to marry him, but after hearing these experiences -- and reflecting on her own -- she decide to reject him and never have children. She kills the roses he sends her and then tells him afterward: “We are all blighted; we are all accursed — all of us — , everywhere, we whose skins are dark — our lives blasted by the white man's prejudice. […] If it nearly kills me to hear my Jimmy's crying, do you think I could stand it, when my own child, flesh of my flesh, blood of my blood — learned the same reason for weeping? Do you?” (p. 93-94). She tells him she would have “have damned — my soul to all eternity — if I do [become a mother]” (p. 94). This play then shows how not only are the living suffering from the murder of loved ones, but the unborn are suffering, too. The most sacred calling, motherhood, is destroyed by white prejudice. The play ends with the sound of wailing that haunts even a reader.

If you are interested in issues of race and anti-lynching texts, this would be a good choice for you.

Louisa May Alcott's Work: A Story of Experience

2011-05-19T17:12:00.001-10:00

Since I am a big fan of Little Women, Moods, and "Behind a Mask" I suspected I would like this novel, even though it was about working and not necessarily the typical marriage-plot (or so I thought). But I was wrong! This is a great adventure story of a woman's quest for financial independence while searching for a husband who will be a true equal.

Here's my summary and further thoughts: This is the story of Christie Devon who leaves her aunt Betsey and Uncle Enos' home to find her independence through work. She says, "I'll put my pride in my pocket, and go out to service. Housework I like, and can do well, thanks to Aunt Betsey. I never thought it degradation to do it for her, so why should I mind doing it for others if they pay for it?" She has jobs as a domesticate servant, actress, governess, companion, and seamstress. In each position she learns valuable lessons about people, the nature of friendship, speaking and being seen, romantic love, terrible consequences of sins/bad choices, and even learns compassion and forgiveness.

{SPOILER ALERT!} But when she becomes ill and in-debited she contemplates suicide and is saved by Rachel, the fallen woman she meets as a seamstress. Christie then goes to live with Rachel's friend, the washerwoman Mrs. Wilkins, who introduces her to the Reverend Mr. Power, who in turn helps her find God and build a relationship with him. Once she is stronger she goes to live with the Sterlings, and there meets David, a mysterious man who gardens and has a compelling secret (her version of Henry David Thoreau). But once Rachel, aka the missing sister Letty, is back with the family, David is a changed man and courts Christie. The marry in the second year of the American Civil War, just before David goes to war and Christie to be a nurse. Because they are able to see each other during the battles, Christie conceives a child. However, David dies from battle wounds incurred while saving an enslaved woman from capture. He tells Christie on his death bed: "You will do my part, and do it better than I could. Don't mourn, dear heart, but work; and by and by you will be comforted."

Christie assuages her sorrow in motherhood and in work. She gives a speech at a women's meeting, extolling the value of work: “Having found in labor her best teacher, comforter, and friend, she could tell those who listened that, no matter how hard or humble the task at the beginning, if faithfully and bravely performed, it would surely prove a stepping-stone to something better, and with each honest effort they were fitting themselves for the nobler labor, and larger liberty God meant them to enjoy.” And afterward reflects that: "Perhaps this is the task my life has been fitting me for [...] A great and noble one which I should be proud to accept and help accomplish if I can. Others have finished the emancipation work and done it splendidly, even at the cost of all this blood and sorrow. I came too late to do any thing but give my husband and behold the glorious end. This new task seems to offer me the chance of being among the pioneers, to do the hard work, share the persecution, and help lay the foundation of a new emancipation whose happy success I may never see. Yet I had rather be remembered as those brave beginners are, though many of them missed the triumph, than as the late comers will be, who only beat the drums and wave the banners when the victory is won.”

The story also focuses on Christie's quest for a marriage of equals and not one merely for a “living” – she rejects the farmer Joe Butterfield and rich playboy Phillip Fletcher even though marriage to either would mean she would not have to work to support herself. She even refuses PF twice! Alcott presents a companionable marriage between Christie and David, even though they don't live together. In the end, Christie gets her power from the women in her life and throws herself into her work. Alcott says, “With an impulsive gesture Christie stretched her hands to the friends about her, and with one accord they laid theirs on hers, a loving league of sisters, old and young, black and white, rich and poor, each ready to do her part to hasten the coming of the happy end. '"Me too!"' cried little Ruth, and spread her chubby hand above the rest: a hopeful omen, seeming to promise that the coming generation of women will not only receive but deserve their liberty, by learning that the greatest of God's gifts to us is the privilege of sharing His great work.”

So, if you like long novels, ones with religious themes, or enjoy Alcott's Little Women you should enjoy Work.

Cogewea, the Half-Blood: A Depiction of the Great Montana Cattle Range (1927)

2011-05-04T15:34:00.001-10:00

By Mourning Dove (Christine Quintasket)

This novel focuses on a hybrid character, Cogewea McDonnald, who lives on her sister and brother-in-law's cattle ranch in Montana. Cogewea (her name means Chipmunk in the Okanogan language) is the spunky central character on the Horseshoe Bend Ranch (H-B). Educated at the Carlisle Indian School (like Zitkala-Ša) she has the knowledge and language of both Native and white cultures, but chooses her Native American side. She is able to come and go as she pleases on the ranch, riding her horse, helping the cowpunchers (mostly half-breeds like herself), and aiding her older sister with domestic duties. The ranch foreman, James “Jim” LaGrinder, is also a half-breed, who dotes on Cogewea. He affectionately calls her “Sis” and “squaw.” They are great friends, though Jim loves her and wants to marry her. She doesn't take him seriously but he thinks he can win her over until a paleface named Alfred Densmore comes from the East. Called the Tenderfoot, he breaks his arm when the cowhands put him on a wild bronc. Cogewea becomes his nurse and he falls in love with her – or rather he becomes fascinated with her, especially when two of the fun-loving cowpunchers lead him to believe that most of the stock on the ranch is hers. Torn between her two cultures, Cogewea finds herself mesmerized by Densmore.
*SPOILER ALERT* She spurns a marriage offer from Jim and tells him she can only ever love him as a brother. She eventually agrees to elope with Densmore. Even though she several times says she doesn't think she should, she does run away with him (even after her grandmother Stemteemä refuses permission). But once they run away and Cogewea shows Densmore $1,000 she has withdrawn from the bank, Densmore's true colors come out. Furious when he learns she only has another $2,000 in the bank and no stock at all, he robs her of the money, beats her up, and ties her to a tree. He then escapes on the train back to the East (and his white fiancee). Jim finds Cogewea, soon followed by the other cowpunchers, and they agree to give up pursuit of the con man at Cogewea's insistence. The simple passage, “She had lived and died in this one day” (279) shows how Cogewea learns from sad experience that pale faces cannot be trusted. Two snows later, she finally realizes that she loves Jim, and they agree to marry. The novel ends with Densmore in a filthy boardinghouse reading a western paper with an article about Cogewea and her sister Mary's recent inheritance from their father's Alaskan empire and their marriages (Cogewea to Jim and Mary to Frenchy, a Parisian noble).

This is a fast-paced tale that fans of western writers like Louis L'amour novels will enjoy. However, Dove's wrestling with racial prejudice adds depth to this love story that makes it a story that stays with the reader. Would be a great book for a book club, though it is not easy to find copies in print.

The Diary of Mary Jemison, Captured by the Indians Edited by Connie and Peter Roop

2011-04-02T13:07:00.003-10:00

I picked up this picture book at the library the other day since Mary Jemison's biography is one that I will be reading for my comprehensive exams. What really caught my attention was the labeling this book as a "diary" when it was really taken from an interview of Mary Jemison by James E. Seaver (and both Roops admit they don't know if Seaver altered her story any). So, while I was skeptical about the book being a "diary" and "in [her] own words" I still decided to read it while waiting in the doctor's office today.

This is a shortened version of Jemison's longer captivity narrative about her abduction from the Pennsylvania frontiers, the murder of her parents and siblings, and her eventual adoption into the Seneca tribe. Jemison's story is unique in that she was spared while the rest of her family killed. Once she was adopted by the Seneca, and given the name Deh-he-wa-mis (meaning a pretty or beautiful girl), Jemison never goes back to white society. She chooses to stay with the peaceful Seneca, marries, and has children. While the book skims over her later life, it does show her to be contented with her life among the Seneca. The editors also include her positive comments about the goodness of her adopted family and the peaceful life she enjoys.

Overall, this is a good little book and would be an interesting read for children who are just starting to read chapter books. The illustrations are very good and add to the book's appeal. There is also a glossary and words are explained throughout the text. This seems a solid introduction to captivity narratives for younger children, in spite of the authors' biases about the rights of settlers over the rights of Native Americans.

There is a fictionalized account of her story called, Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison By Lois Lenski, which was initially published in 1941 and is a Newbery Honor Book. But, I have not read it since what I am mostly interested in is her personal account.

A Brighter Coming Day: A Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Reader

2010-12-27T08:43:00.003-10:00

This is the definitive collection of Frances E.W. Harper's works, though not inclusive, edited by Frances Smith Foster. Foster organizes the collection chronologically, which also shows Harper's interest in the issues relevant to each decade. The earlier section focuses on letters, poems, essays, and fiction about the immorality of slavery and the costs for both free and enslaved peoples. Poignant Poems in Part 1 (1853-1864) about slavery: “To Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe,” “The Slave Mother,” “Eliza Harris,” “The Slave Auction,” “Eva's Farewell,” “The Slave Mother: A Tale of the Ohio.” Other issues are the Cost of cotton: “Free Labor” and Abolition: “A Mother's Heroism.” The short story “Two Offers” is an argument both for and against marriage. One character marries for love while another chooses not to marry and has a meaningful life serving others. Part Two (1865-1875): Poems about Reconstruction: “An Appeal to the American People,” “Bury Me in a Free Land,” “The Freedom Bell,” “Words for the Hour,” “President Lincoln's Proclamation of Freedom,” “Fifteenth Amendment,” “Retribution,” and of course, the Aunt Chloe poems. The speech, “We Are All Bound Up Together,” is masterful rhetorically because it builds up to scolding white women for their neglect of colored people, women and men. Part three (1876-1892) has many Christian theme pieces, and some moving essays and speeches. “Coloured Women of America” is interesting as a transatlantic piece that was published (after the original delivery) in the Englishwoman's Review. “The Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the Colored Woman” shows how separation between colored and white women was a sign of the bigotry and also the efficiency of the two divisions. This section also contains excerpts from Iola Leroy: “Flames in the School-room,” “Searching for Lost Ones,” and “Northern Experience.” Foster points out that these three chapters illustrate important themes for Harper: “she focuses upon ambitions and abilities of the newly freed slaves to become educated and productive citizens and upon the sexist and racist attitudes that hinder such development” (294). Part Four (1893-1911) has pieces that focus more on Christianity, racial uplift, and the Spanish American war.
Really loved this book!

Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted by Frances E. W. Harper

2010-12-21T08:39:00.001-10:00

A novel in the historical, political, and sentimental tradition; also a slave narrative from bondage to freedom; north, south, and north again; isolation to community and family. The story of the tragic mulatto, Iola Leroy, (with blue eyes) the chapters are also interspersed with sections/meditations on what can be done for racial uplift, suffrage, women's rights, and temperance.
**SPOILER ALERT! ** Published in 1892, the text looks back to the antebellum period when Iola's life was free and easy and she did not know her mother had been a slave who was manumitted by her father before he married her. Iola and her brother were both educated in the North. Then when her father leaves the South to get them, he contracts yellow fever and dies. His evil cousin conspires to put both Iola and her mother in slavery, and Iola's younger sister, Gracie, dies as a result. Eventually Iola is freed when the Union troops invade and she becomes a nurse. A white man, Dr. Gresham, falls in love with her and offers to marry her even knowing her racial heritage. But she knows he cannot really love her over the prejudice of his family. She has various jobs after the war but loses them when people find out she is “not white.” Eventually she finds her uncle, Robert Johnson, who reunites her with her mother and grandmother. Then she meets a fair-skinned negro man, Dr. Latimer; they fall in love, and work for the racial uplift of her people.
This is a great novel, though the portions that are more meditative are a bit tedious. The story itself is fast paced and interesting.

Jacqueline Winspear's The Mapping of Love and Death: A Maisie Dobbs Novel

2010-07-29T08:17:00.007-10:00

The latest in Winspear's series about detective Maisie Dobbs is based on the continued recovery of soldiers' remains in France and Belgium. In her author's note, Winspear says it was a letter in the Santa Barbara Independent that piqued her interest and inspired this latest novel.

For those of us who are interested in history and the terrible and wonderful outcomes of the Great War, this novel is a great pick. I also enjoy this series because Maisie is such a well delineated character that she is a real person to me. If I saw her on the street, I would instantly recognize her.

I also enjoy these stories because Maisie is a career gal who is motivated to make something of herself through her hard work. I won't spoil it for you and tell you that she has a "payoff" in this novel, but she does. And there are some interesting romantic twists. We also see her assistant Billy Beale and his continued struggles with his wife's melancholia. Basically, this is a great story about Maisie's quest to find out the circumstances of the death of an American, Michael Clifton, who was a cartographer in the Great War. The son of a British citizen, he enlisted before America was officially in the war, fully expecting to be home before Christmas.

Some of the themes in the novel are love, death, grief, consequences of actions that go on through the generations, war, changing technology, and women in the workplace. Winspear's novels are also enjoyable because they deal with the complexities of life without resorting to graphic violence, language, or sexually-explicit situations. This novel is a great character-driven plot that kept me turning the pages. (However, her first novel is still my favorite because of her story-within-a-story plot.) 5/5 Stars *****

Chesnutt's Stories, Novels, and Essays

2010-05-19T04:52:00.005-10:00

This collection of stories, novels, and essays is dazzling. When I had to read this for a class I was skeptical, purely because I would rather read women's writing than a man's (sorry Chesnutt -- I hope you can forgive me!). But as I delved into the collection, I was entranced by Chesnutt's storytelling, the voice of the various narrators, and the variety of stories in the collection.

Charles W. Chesnutt, as you can see from his photo, appears to be a white man. In reality he was a "colored" man, or a man of African American and European American descent who self identified with the "colored" side of his ancestry. Many of his stories deal with these issues of "the color line" or how one identifies oneself. He also writes about issues between North and South, the people of both sides, and the interactions in between. Miscenegation and hybridity are also themes that figure in his writing. Since I am married to a man of another culture and skin color, these stories have added relevance for me. And even though his stories were written 100 years ago, they are timely now, in 2010, when our nation continues to struggle with issues surrounding race, skin color, hybridity, and national identity.

Many of his books are available on Google books, and here is a link to his most well known story, "The Wife of His Youth." Enjoy!
http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/gilded/people/text7/chesnutt.pdf

Evelina by Frances Burney

2010-03-26T02:46:00.003-10:00

This is the entertaining story of Evelina, a country girl, who experiences the fast-paced life in London with various mishaps, mis-communications, and mistaken identities. Set in the late 1700s, this novel was a great influence on Jane Austen. So, if you like Austen, you will like Evelina. (And yes, there is a wedding at the end--but I won't say whose!) And if you like mocking the French, it will be especially fun!

The Curse of Caste; or The Slave Bride

2010-03-11T10:14:00.004-10:00

I just finished reading this recovered novel for my American Literature class (though my friend Lynda says it is not a novel since it was published in a magazine and never finished). It is an entertaining read set in 1865 New Orleans, Connecticut, and France. The author, Julia C. Collins, composed the story during the American Civil War, which adds richness to the story.

The center of the tale is the lives of Lina and Claire. Both women have mixed black and white ancestry and must negotiate the cultural norms for the mulatta in the 19th century. There are also elements of mystery and danger that make the plot twist and turn. I would recommend it for book groups and teaching undergraduates.

A few chapters are missing because they could not be located (the issues of the newspaper were missing). This edition has a long introduction, a reader's discussion guide and a few textual notes. However, there are a lot of typos, which is shocking considering it was published by Oxford University Press.

Pierre by Herman Melville

2010-02-28T07:35:00.004-10:00

This is a very odd book. We read it in one of my graduate classes. I can honestly say it is the most strange and disturbing book I have ever read. The storyline is confusing, but the parts I could follow were dark and distasteful. Basically, Pierre falls in love with a beautiful girl, who is blond and lovely. But then his half sister appears and he decides to take her in and protect her. So, instead of telling everyone she is his half sister, they pretend to be married so they can live together without public censure. Well, as the story progresses it is clear through the subtext that they are really living as husband and wife, that they have a sexual relationship. So just when the incest theme seems too much, the blond girl moves in with them as a "friend" and they all live together. At that point I lost interest and have forgotten what happens. It seems that one of the women died or Pierre did. Anyway, I do not recommend this book for anyone -- stay away from Pierre!

Lady Susan by Jane Austen (about 1795)

2010-01-19T11:37:00.009-10:00

This is the first book we are reading in my Jane Austen graduate seminar. While I consider myself a Janeite, I have never actually read this novella before. And this time I did not read it first, but listened to the audiobook. This was a delightful change for me! And what was so fascinating about the story was that there were multiple narrators for the different characters/letter writers. The total time was about 2 & 1/2 hours but it just flew by as I listened to the exploits of bad-girl Lady Susan Vernon.

The basic story is that Lady Susan is without money since her husband's death and is trying to make a good marriage for her daughter as a way to give both of them financial independence. Unfortunately for her daughter Frederica she has chosen a rich imbecile for her--and thus the plot of the story is driven by her attempts to promote the marriage while flirting and coquetting with all the men she comes in contact with.

If you want to read a free copy, go to Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/946 and read it there. Or pick up a copy at your bookseller or public library. If you love naughty heroines or relish Austen's irony, this is a fun and fast read.

Forest Born by Shannon Hale

2010-01-19T11:30:00.004-10:00

This is book four in the stories of Bayern and focuses on Razo's little sister, Rinna. I really like Hale's series because of its focus on strong female protagonists. However, I have to say that her first book, The Goose Girl, is still my favorite.

This book, Forest Born, focuses on Rinna and her coming-of-age story. She discovers that not only does she have a love for the forest, she has a special gift or talent. The story focuses on how she learns to manage that gift and put it in service to the kingdom in helping Ani defeat an old foe and restore order.

If you are a fan of the series, or it is a new one to you, I really recommend this book for all ages. It is especially appropriate for younger teens who are struggling with issues of identity and developing one's voice.

British Novels of the (long) 19th Century

2009-09-19T15:38:00.004-10:00

I am taking a British Novel class this semester and we are reading Victorian novels, with an emphasis on visual and acoustic culture. This class is so much fun! Right now we are reading novels that were published serially (in magazines) and are reading them in pieces. It is torturous because I want to know what is happening with all the characters.

This week we are finishing up Charles Dickens' Bleak House, before that we started Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives & Daughters, Anthony Trollope's Framley Parsonage, and Margaret Oliphant's Miss Marjoribanks. Before that we read Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (I will post on that later). So,if you have not read Bleak House, I highly recommend it. Or at least watch the recent BBC version (about 14 hours but so worth it!) and try to not cry too much.

Shannon Hale's The Actor and the Housewife

2009-07-13T09:42:00.005-10:00

Shannon Hale is one of my favorite authors. Her girl-power young adult novels are fun and inspiring (The Goose Girl, Princess Academy, and others). I really enjoyed her novel for adults, Austenland, and found her graphic novel, Rapunzel's Revenge entertaining as well. So why don't I really like this newest novel? Probably because the setting is not a fantasy one for me: Layton, Utah. And it seems really unlikely that a movie star would be friends with a housewife. Part of my problem I think is that the housewife, Becky Jack, is the perfect wife and mother and seems flat as a real woman. I know some women who live in Layton and other towns around it, and they are not like Becky Jack. They do other things besides just raise their families and nurture their husbands. This is not to dismiss those tasks, which are essential and important, but Becky doesn't seem smart enough to write screenplays that get bought and made into movies. I never got the sense of Becky as an independent person--just who she was in relation to everyone else in the story. This was a bit of a disappointment since so many of Hale's novels feature strong and independent women who are also very much connected to their friends and families.
So, my recommendation is to borrow it from a friend or check it out from the library. This isn't one I will be reading again--I will just pass it on to my sister.

The Bookseller of Kabul by Ǻsne Seierstad

2009-07-01T05:22:00.003-10:00

While this book may seem to be about a bookseller in Kabul, Afghanistan, it is mostly about his family. Issues like female rights, the US war in the Middle East, and education all figure in with the story of this family. There is a lot to admire about Sultan and his attempts to bring literacy and books to Afghanistan. But the sad part of the story is how the women have very little options and live lives completely under the control of the men in their families. This would be a great book for a book group, especially about issues of women's rights and literacy. There is also a reader's guide to facilitate discussions.

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale, illustrated by Nathan Hale

2009-06-11T16:29:00.002-10:00

Shannon Hale is one of my favorite writers and I just ordered this book because she wrote it. I did not even read any reviews or look at the listing very closely on Amazon.com. So I was very surprised when a graphic novel appeared! I have only read a few of these, such as Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi. But I dove into the story anyway--and really enjoyed it!

This is a fun retelling of the fairy tales of Rapunzel and Jack in the Beanstalk as set in a Victorian Western American setting. The drawings are fabulous and the story never takes itself too seriously. This was a fun diversion after reading a heavy novel. I highly recommend it for adults and kids alike.

Then Came Heaven by La Vyrle Spencer

2009-06-11T15:38:00.003-10:00

This light romance is an enjoyable and quick read. Its the story of a young nun who struggles with the restrictions of life in a convent that follows a parallel storyline of a grieving widower who must cope with the loss of his seemingly-perfect wife. And while it is obvious that they fall in love, the way it all unfolds is interesting and sensitively portrayed. Spencer also gives an intimate portrait of the life of a nun, which was something I was unfamiliar with. The setting in a small, mid-western town is also charming and heartwarming. This is the first of her novels that I have read. My friend Lynda shared this book with me and said this is her favorite one. She has a similar style to Rosamunde Pilcher, if you know her style; her best known book is The Shell Seekers.

It's Okay to Take a Nap and Other Reassuring Truths for Mothers Everywhere by Debra Sansing Woods

2009-06-10T15:46:00.001-10:00

My book group is reading this and will meet later this month to discuss it. But since it is so short I read it in about two hours. I was pleasantly surprised with how entertaining and encouraging this book is. Even though I don't have children, I still found a lot of uplifting advice about being easier on myself. Woods' humor had me laughing as I reflected on my own childhood and the experiences of my sisters with raising children. My favorite chapter was the one on housework, "You Are a Queen, Not a Maid." Maybe because it reminded me of my own mother who taught all us how to do housework and be independent, or maybe because she ended with some advice from Phyllis Diller: "'If your house is really a mess and a stranger comes to the door, greet him with, 'Who could have done this? We have no enemies.'" (p. 37). My sister Kirsten said she might try that trick.

These recent episodes of the comic 'Baby Blues' illustrate the fine line between being a queen and being a mom:
http://www.babyblues.com/archive/index.php?formname=getstrip&GoToDay=05/25/2009
http://www.babyblues.com/archive/index.php?formname=getstrip&GoToDay=05/26/09
http://www.babyblues.com/archive/index.php?formname=getstrip&GoToDay=05/27/09

An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear

2009-06-09T15:59:00.001-10:00

This is a series that I have really enjoyed reading (even though I am not an avid mystery reader) because all the novels focus more on people than on the crime committed. The fifth Maisie Dobbs novel, it is also set in England between the World Wars. All the novels are set in chronological order and follow Maisie Dobbs as she grows from below-stairs maid to private investigator.

In this installment, Maisie is asked to investigate some mysterious fires and petty crimes that happen in a rural village during the hop-picking season. The cast of characters are Londoners (like Maisie), locals, and travelers or Roma (gypsies). Themes of revenge, prejudice, forgiveness, and grief are also addressed along with solving the crime. I highly recommend this series, especially if you like plots that feature a strong female protagonist with a historical setting.

“The Yellow Wallpaper” and Other Stories by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

2009-05-06T08:00:00.001-10:00

This collection of short stories by the preeminent feminist writer and New Woman clearly illustrates the tension between the ideals of True Womanhood and the New Woman. Published during her lifetime (1860-1932)these are just a few of the 200 short stories Gilman wrote. The title story, “The Yellow Wallpaper”, is about a young mother who is put into an old house by her physician husband after the birth of her last baby. She is kept quiet, contained, and resting as a True Woman should be according to the ideology of the day. With nothing to do but rest, she becomes obsessed with the wallpaper in her bedroom. Soon she sees her own captive self in the wallpaper and goes completely mad, tearing the wallpaper off the walls and trying to enter into it herself.

In “Three Thanksgivings” Mrs. Morrison cleverly sets up a women's club—indicative of the women's club movement in the late 19th century—that allows her to pay the mortage on her home, thus retaining her independence, and avoiding either a mercenary marriage to the moneylender or going to live with her children.

“The Cottagette” features two New Women who spend a summer at a music camp where they have no housekeeping duties and can devote hours to their art. Lois, the musician, notices the attentions of Ford Matthews her friend Malda, a decorative artist. Lois advises Malda to have a kitchen added to their cottage so that she can impress Ford with her cooking. Reluctantly Malda gives up her hours devoted to her art in order to cook for Ford and make him fall in love with her. Near the end of the summer Ford does propose to Malda, but tells her he does not want her to cook, but to practice her art. With this condition in mind, Malda agrees to marry him since she too wants to be freed from the call of the kitchen.

“Turned” is the story of the seduction of a young housemaid, Gerta Peterson, by her employer Mr. Marroner. When Mrs. Marroner finds out about Gerta's resulting pregnancy, she at first determines to throw out Gerta. But upon reflection she realizes that the fault is her husband's and together Mrs. Marroner and Gerta leave the house and set up housekeeping elsewhere. She goes back to teaching, takes in boarders, and raises the child with Gerta.

“Making a Change” also features a young mother, baby, and older woman. In this story, Julia is a new mother who has given up her music to raise her child, take care of the house and her husband, along with listening to the criticisms of her mother-in-law. The child's bout of colic has the entire family on edge and young Mr. Gordins demands his wife give the care of the baby to his mother. Julia agrees, gives the baby to her mother-in-law, and in her exhausted state, tries to kill herself. Fortunately her mother-in-law rescues her and they make plans where they can all be happier without the domestic drudgery. They hire a cook, Julia gives music lessons again, and Mrs. Gordins begins a daycare. The women are happy, the baby well-cared for, and the husband has good meals ready when he comes home.

The other two stories in the collection, “If I Were a Man” and “Mr. Pebbles' Heart” are written about male protagonists, but feature strong and independent women characters. All these short stories clearly illustrate the transitions in American culture, specifically in the expectations and demands on women's lives. Gilman's message in each story is the importance of female autonomy and provides interesting perspective when looking back at women's lives and comparing them with our own today.

Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre

2009-05-04T10:59:00.005-10:00

This well known novel is the story of Jane Eyre, an orphan who must earn her living as a governess. She finds friendship, love, and liberty in spite of the class restrictions and societal restrictions placed upon her. Set in England during the 1840s, Jane's independent spirit continually rebels against the ideals of True Womanhood (that a woman must be pure, pious, submissive, domestic, and silent--to name a few of the required virtues). It is only when she receives an inheritance and finds some long lost relations that she can accept the love of the dark and brooding Mr. Rochester. Brontë's tale clearly illustrates the restrictive nature of women's lives in the 1840s and yet has relevance for us to day as women still seek for autonomy and fulfillment.

Some reading I have done lately indicates Brontë was inspired to write Jane Eyre based on Jane Austen's Emma. And consequently, when Jane Eyre came to America it inspired many spin-offs, such as The Lamplighter by Maria Susanna Cummins, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, the Elsie Dinsomore books, and the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery. This might be interesting to pair some of these books up together.

Elizabeth Stuart Phelps' The Story of Avis

2009-05-01T10:01:00.000-10:00

Originally published in 1877. This novel features a woman artist, Avis Dobbell, who is determined to make a career as an artist and be free from domestic entanglements of marriage and children. However, she falls for a young professor and they marry. Determined to continue her art, the newlyweds try to form a new type of a marriage. But after the marriage begins she is forced to give up her art to meet the domestic demands of running a household. Their marriage weakens after Philip is discovered flirting with a neighbor. Eventually he goes on a trip and while he is away Avis sells her masterpiece painting, the money which she uses to pay for a second honeymoon. But eventually Philip dies and Avis is freed from his domination and finally able to paint. Unfortunately, once she has her freedom, she has lost her gift for painting. But it is in Avis' daughter, Wait, that we can see the future for women and hope that she will be able to live a life that does not involve sacrifice and killing of one's dream.

Fanny Fern's Ruth Hall: A Domestic Tale of the Present Time

2009-04-30T05:42:00.006-10:00

While this book was written in the 19th century, it has a contemporary feel. It reminds me a lot of Amy Tan's Joy Luck Club or Kathleen Tyau's A Little Too Much is Enough in that the story is told in short vignettes and not in a continuous narrative.

Ruth Hall is the autobiographical novel of Fanny Fern's life and how she coped with becoming a widow with no financial support to becoming a famous writer. The novel is full of dark and tragic moments, with a few happy ones. The best part is when Ruth suceeds when everyone told her that she would fail.

This book is a quick read and suitable for all ages; though older teens and mature readers may find it more interesting than younger readers. And because it is a 19th-century novel, any sexual references will be coded in ways that most readers today won't see (for example, her description of touching the clothes in her closet).

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

2009-04-30T05:26:00.003-10:00

Originally published in 1905, this was Wharton's best selling novel about the society she new so well in New York City. While the main character, Lily Bart, appears to be a dissipated young woman who loves luxury and yet cannot afford what she most likes. Unfortunately for Lily, she is a woman who was raised only to be ornamental and not useful and is a product of rampant consumerism that classified the nouveaux riche of New York society at the fin de siecle. Lily is a "working" girl (from a well known but impoverished family) who must support herself by propping up male egos and serving as a social secretary for her rich women friends. But she falls out of favor due to borrowing money and flirting with married men and we see the drastic consequences of what happens to women who are only raised to be ornamental—Lily must earn her own money and yet has no skills to do so. Eventually she gets sick and dies, but not before she pays off her financial obligations and frees herself from the constraints of her society. A movie was made based on this book starring Gillian Anderson. While the film does follow the book closely, it cuts out an important foil to Lily--Gerty Farrish--and casts handsome men for supporting roles that do not seem to fit Wharton's description.

Moods by Louisa May Alcott

2009-04-07T16:08:00.002-10:00

This is a coming-of-age story about Sylvia, a moody seventeen-year-old, who is wooed by two men and marries one of them. I won't spoil the ending for you, but will tell you that this story satisfies our desire to know what happened after the wedding. There are similarities in characters to Jo and Laurie from Little Women, so you could consider Moods a grown-up version of LW. This book may not be available from your library, but make sure if you buy it that you get the later edition. Louisa May Alcott revised it later in her career and it has a different ending than the first publication.

The Hidden Hand by EDEN Southworth

2009-03-20T16:41:00.005-10:00

If you haven't read this, you must! Originally published in serial format, The Hidden Hand is a complex tale of Capitola, a rambunctious tomboy who has adventures all over post-Civil War Virginia and New York. While other girls her age were behaving themselves, Capitola was out chasing after bandits and saving damsels in distress. It may be difficult to find one in your public library, but there are copies to buy online and it will be well worth it! While the story was published in the 1880s, it does have some scary scenes and scary villains, so it may not be appropriate for younger readers. But adults and teens will definitely love Capitola (who inspired the name of the town in California).

The Hermaphrodite by Julia Ward Howe

2009-02-27T07:49:00.003-10:00

This was a required text for one of my classes--I would never have chosen this for myself. It is a novel about an intersexed person (the preferred term) and was originally written in the 1840s, but never published. It has been recovered from different manuscripts and pieced together into a novel. While the narrative is choppy in some spots because of missing pages, it is an interesting tale of Laurence, who is an intersexed person that is given a male gender identity by his parents so that he can be the male heir to his father's fortune. We see Laurence go to school, finish school, and go out into the world. He is loved by both women and men, but because of his own feelings of self loathing, never really finds love with anyone. This interesting tale explores how people are treated based on their gender, how we perceive gender, and what the costs are to have an indistinct gender. So while this is not a favorite book by any means, it is an interesting one.

What I am reading this week: Our Nig by Harriet E. Wilson

2009-02-16T04:57:00.003-10:00

This week I am reading Our Nig, or, Sketches from the Life of a Free Black by Harriet E. Wilson. I have read it before, but there is always time to re-read a good book. An interesting newspaper article just came out in the Boston Globe about Wilson.

Here is the link: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/02/15/mrs_he_wilson_mogul/

I will get some commentary posted as soon as I finish reading the book.

The Lamplighterby Maria S. Cummins

2009-01-24T17:30:00.002-10:00

I just started this book and it is entertaining so far. Apparently this book was second only to Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin in popularity in the 19th century.

A Little House Christmas: Holiday Stories from the Little House Books

2008-12-25T18:44:00.002-10:00

This cute gift book has Christmas stories from Laura Ingalls Wilder's books Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, and On the Banks of Plum Creek. It also includes the beautiful illustrations of Garth Williams, color tinted for this book.
If you are a fan of these books, you will enjoy reading the story of Mr. Edwards meeting Santa Claus, Laura's first doll, or making molasses candy. It was a fun trip down memory lane for me. You can probably find a used one on Amazon; I found mine on Amazon.com for $1.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling

2008-12-25T18:30:00.003-10:00

This is an entertaining quick read of fairy tales that are traditionally told to young witches and wizards. I liked the content, but the design of the book could have been better. The inside illustrations by Rowling herself are adequate, but not as beautiful as Mary GrandPré's cover art work (similar to the illustrations she has done in the Harry Potter series). Also, the commentary that follows each chapter by Professor Dumbledore is set in a gray shaded text box that is distracting. I think this would be especially difficult for children to read. But overall, I am happy with the content, the stories are clever and entertaining, and I recommend this book for all fans of Rowling's universe.

Secret History or, The Horrors of St. Domingo by Leonora Sansay

2008-10-18T17:06:00.003-10:00

Another read for my graduate seminar this semester, Secret History is about the revolution and slave uprising on Haiti (then known as Saint Domingue). Before reading this book I had never made the historical connection between Haiti and the USA. It was ultimately because of the slaves' successful uprising that Napoleon decided to relinquish French interests in the New World, which led to Jefferson making the Louisiana Purchase. Something else I didn't know was that American merchants traded in and with Saint Domingue, and that American citizens, like Leonora Sansay, lived there.

Something else interesting is that Sansay was the friend/confident/mistress to Aaron Burr, the US Vice-President who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. And Sansay was also suspected of being an agent for Burr who was accused of trying to take over the French-held lands and establishing his own nation.

Besides this interesting back story, Secret History is an epistolary novel based on Sansay's life and story of women like her in this turbulent place and time. While the country is erupting in revolutionary violence, Sansay shows that the sometimes worse violence takes place in the home. If you are interested in reading about historical events from the perspective of women, you will enjoy this reading. Warning, there is some violence described within the book. Also, this book is just recently in print again, so it may be difficult to get a copy.

Wieland by Charles Brockden Brown

2008-10-05T15:32:00.002-10:00

Published in 1798, this novel is one that I am reading in my graduate seminar this semester. It is the story of the Wieland family in the Pennsylvania countryside who have some supernatural events occur (such as spontaneous combustion), along with a family murder. It is based on a true story. There is a strong female protagonist, Clara, who is the main narrator in the story. I can't really recommend this book because it is not at all the genre I read--but if you like gothic novels with supernatural elements and murder, you may like this one. If you are looking for a scary book for Halloween, then this is a good choice. It is freaky weird!

Charlotte Temple by Susanna Rowson

2008-09-15T11:03:00.006-10:00

A cautionary tale of seduction, I just re-read this book for my TCU graduate class on Colonial American literature. Charlotte Temple's tale is a warning to young women about British officers who want to seduce but not marry. The problem is that Charlotte doesn't seem to learn the lesson, and she is so exploited and taken advantage of that I can't help but feel sorry for her. Of course, like any seduction novel of the time period, Charlotte gives birth and then dies, which makes for a sad ending.
I did read this book a few years ago in one of my masters' classes at BYU, but this time around we talked about the book as a nationalistic text. In other words, Charlotte could represent the "seduced" American who needs to watch out for British and French friends who do not have her best interests at heart.
So, if you want a short read about how to avoid seductively cute British soldiers, this is a good pick. And since this book is widely read you can probably find a used copy online or even in the library.

Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls

2008-08-20T14:58:00.004-10:00

I stumbled across this book while looking for something else, and I am happy to share this great find with you. These stories, collected and told by Jane Yolen, are fabulous! They are definitely like the original Grimms' tales in that they are gritty and gory, not sanitized like the Disney princess stories. So if you want stories of clever girls who use their wits and live happily ever after, this is a great book for you. Even though it is written for a younger audience, I still enjoyed the stories. Perhaps these stories are not so great for younger children, but kids about 10 years old should enjoy them and not be too freaked out by the violence. The illustrations by Susan Guevara are great--I just wish there were more of them.

Rising Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

2008-08-19T10:55:00.004-10:00

I read this during the summer, before graduate school started, but just have not posted anything because I didn't want to spoil anyone's surprise. Since most of my friends have read it, I can make a posting now. First of all, this is a great conclusion to the other books. Meyer skillfully weaves all the threads together and answers many questions that I had about Jacob and his relationship in Bella's life.

I loved The Book of A Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

2008-07-27T18:56:00.003-10:00

This was a fun read and since I am a huge Shannon Hale fan I look for any and all of her works. This retelling of a lesser-known Grimms' fairy tale is well imagined and executed. I love the setting of Mongolia and the premise of a less-than-perfect heroine, prince, and princess. The flaws of each character make them come alive and make them more endearing. Also, the narrative and epistolary format of the novel makes this a unique story and shows Hale's skills as a writer. I'm looking forward to her next book, but I have to say that The Goose Girl and Austenland are still my two favorites.

Briar Rose by Jane Yolen

2008-07-27T18:49:00.004-10:00

I have finished reading this retelling of the Grimms' fairy tale now, and it is really interesting. However, it is not a story for children because of its realistic portrayal of the Holocaust, sexuality, and overall violence. You could say that this story fits the original Grimms' tales which were much darker and violent before they were sanitized for Victorian nurserys and before Disney bowdlerized the tales. I like the narrative structure. Yolen reveals Gemma's version of Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty) to us slowly, intertwining it with Becca's quest to discover Gemma's identity. If you like mysteries, fairy tales, and holocaust literature, this book would be a good choice for you.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

2008-05-26T19:06:00.002-10:00

Okay Twilight fans, here is another book by Stephenie Meyer. This one is also grounded in reality, but an alternate reality in which kind and benevolent aliens have taken over our planet and our human bodies to create a kinder and gentler nation. Meyer's premise is an interesting one for those of us who believe in the freedom to choose and to live by the consequences of our choices. And while this book is marketed to an "adult" audience, her book still fits many of her young adult themes about the quest for self, consequences of choices, and tolerance. And just because it is an "adult" novel, don't be afraid to read it--she keeps her characters chaste, though some are violent and perpetrate violence on others. There are also some deaths of characters. Without spoiling the plot, I will tell you that this is a good fit for people who like Star Trek: Next Generation or who like "light" Sci Fi. The beginning of the novel and the end were quite good, but parts in the middle were a bit slow and ponderous for me. Luckily I am a fast reader since it is over 500 pages.

God Wants a Powerful People by Sheri Dew

2008-05-14T06:45:00.003-10:00

If you know Sheri Dew's work, then you know that this is an excellent book. I just read the chapter on the priesthood last night and was very encouraged by her comments and insights about the roles of LDS women and the priesthood. This is especially significant for me since last Sunday we had our Relief Society lesson (#8) on the priesthood. So sisters (and brothers), if you want some encouragement and reminders of your divine potential, I highly recommend this book for Dew's insights, testimony, and clear style.

The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner

2008-04-21T22:29:00.003-10:00

I have finished reading this book of short stories and really enjoyed it. The short story usually gets the short shrift in our contemporary society, but I hope that Weiner's work brings them back. I enjoyed the variety of characters in her stories. Her writing style is superb! I can recommend her book Good in Bed, which is her first novel. This is reading for a mature audience or people who don't mind sex scenes.

More on the Dust Bowl

2008-04-05T14:39:00.000-10:00

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. It was difficult for me to finish this book because of all the depressing images of dust and despair. But I finally did and am glad, because I admire Karen Hesse's main character, Billie Jo. She goes through terrible experiences and is transformed by them. Hesse also uses interesting poetic style that tells the story in a very spare style.
I also enjoyed her speech accepting the Newbery Award. The link is here: http://www.scholastic.com/titles/outofthedust/speech.htm

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

2008-04-02T09:08:00.004-10:00

This New York Times Bestseller grabbed my attention at LAX while I was waiting for 5 hours to get a flight to Dallas. Intrigued by the cover art of a girl in chemise and corset, I thought it looked like an entertaining way to pass the time. After finishing it, I can honestly say this book is pure entertainment (as opposed to be great art or literature).
If you like Victorian times, enjoy tales of female empowerment and the supernatural, then this is a good pick for you. However, if you are stickler for realism and accurate historical details, you may be annoyed by the characters' use of modern vernacular and attempts at re-visioning repressive Victorian social mores at a finishing school. Overall, I enjoyed reading it, but honestly don't think I will read the next two. I don't really care what happens to the characters--they all seemed a bit flat--or how the "mystery" gets solved.
http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/gemmadoyle/index.html

Better Than You Think You Are

2008-03-22T21:44:00.003-10:00

Better Than You Think You Are by Ardeth G. Kapp is a wonderful book. I have always admired Sister Kapp, ever since my days in the Young Women's program. She was the president then and I always felt her love in the talks she gave. And when she came recently to BYUH for a leadership conference, I was able to meet her and get my copy of the book signed. But afterwards I just put the book on the shelf and didn't read it. I thought, "someday soon I will read it." Well, that day was last week and this book really helped me get out of a "blue" phase that I was going through. Since getting engaged I have really been forced to see myself differently and have come face to face with many of my weaknesses and faults. I was getting down on myself and the Adversary was really using those feelings to weaken my spirit. One day I was praying desperately for some help and the thought came into my mind to pick up this book and read it. So I did--and I instantly found the hope and encouragement I needed. Sister Kapp's style is encouraging and friendly, and she relies on personal experiences, scriptures, and teachings of church leaders to teach correct gospel principles. This book has truly blessed my life. And I know it can for you, too. The primary audience is LDS women, but it can benefit men too, especially if they buy a copy for the women in their lives.

Marriage books

2008-03-22T21:24:00.003-10:00

Most of you know I am getting married, which is why I haven't posted anything since Nov. 27. I met Nikola on Dec. 2 and since then my life has been turned upside down! But since we got engaged, I have been reading books on marriage. You know me--I want information and books are one of the best places to get it. So here is a list of what I've been reading.

Purity and Passion: Spiritual Truths about Intimacy That Will Strengthen Your Marriage by Wendy L. Watson (2004). I really liked this book. Her whole premise is that the greater our personal purity, the greater our passion in marriage will be. She uses many examples from the scriptures and her own counseling experiences. Written for an LDS audience and appropriate for people in all phases or stages of marriage.
Between Husband and Wife: Gospel Perspectives on Marital Intimacy by Stephen E. Lamb and Douglas E. Brinley (2000). Good basic information about love and sex for an LDS audience. However, it does not give very much information about the mechanics of lovemaking, which some people will want. Written for an LDS audience.
The Act of Marriage: The Beauty of Sexual Love by Tim and Beverly LaHaye (1978). An informative and practical book about sex written for Christian couples. The edition I have is the 1978 edition, so I am not sure if newer editions are different.
300 Questions LDS Couples Should Ask Before Marriage by Shannon L. Alder (2004). I checked this out from the library. She does have some thought-provoking questions in this "workbook" but I am not sure if it is worth $10.98 to buy it. And she is not a marriage counselor or therapist. For an LDS audience.
Covenant Hearts: Marriage And the Joy of Human Love by Bruce C. Hafen (2005). I just started this one. So far it is really great.

Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright

2007-11-23T12:45:00.000-10:00

Someone gave me this little book and since it is the Christmas season, I thought I would read it. It is a nice little book about making a difference in people's lives through selfless service and kindness. There is also another theme of reconciliation in that is woven through quite nicely. The basic story of Hope Jensen and the gift of a Christmas Jar reminded me of the times as a teenager my friends and I would deliver cookies anonymously to people in our LDS ward. We had so much fun doing it, especially when we would spy on them to see their faces. We received the greater gift--and I believe this is the message Wright is trying to convey, though he never overtly talks of Christian doctrine. Just a little warning, while Wright is a competent writer, his characters seemed a bit flat to me (that is the English teacher speaking). Overall, this is a great little book that has made me think differently about how I treat others and has motivated me to do more to serve others this Christmas season. If you want to learn more about the book, click this link: http://www.christmasjars.com/ There is a very good television interview with Wright and Glenn Beck that tells a very moving story about a Christmas Jar.

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl

2007-11-11T12:20:00.000-10:00

This book by Timothy Egan caught my attention because my grandmother was born and raised in Dalhart, Texas and I have been there with her. Egan's book focuses on several small towns like Dalhart and the "perfect storm" that created the Dust Bowl. This true account of the lives of several people is very moving, especially for me as an American and a child of a Dust Bowl survivor. If you are interested in American history, the New Deal, and stories of people coping with extreme hardships this book would be a good choice for you. There are several used copies available at Amazon.com. National Book Award Winner.
For more info, visit these links:
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/timeline/depwwii/dustbowl/dustbowl.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6576200
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/dustbowl/

Single State of the Union: Single Women Speak Out on Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Happiness

2007-08-29T10:32:00.000-10:00

This is an interesting collection of personal essays written by women in various stages of singlehood. While I can't relate to some of their experiences, I can definitely empathize with what it means to be single in a culture that promotes couplehood. The text does contain some profanity, but it also makes me laugh out loud and cry too. I really enjoyed reading it.

Finished Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows in 2 days!

2007-07-22T20:03:00.000-10:00

I won't spoil it for you, but will just say it is a great conclusion. Sad that it is over, but satisfied as well. Now I can concentrate on my next read.

Austenland by Shannon Hale

2007-07-12T18:09:00.001-10:00

This is a fun and quick read for the Janeite. Hale's allusions to Austen's novels while creating a story to parallel Pride & Prejudice is truly delightful. What I especially like about her heroine, Jane Hayes, is that she is very ordinary but totally obsessed with Mr. Darcy, like many women I know. Okay, just like myself. In that respect, I guess I like JH because she is like me, but I also like her because she is not especially beautiful, or smart, or witty. And yet she can carry the story well. I laughed at her faux pas as she journeys to England and tries to cope with Regency life. I cried as she got rejected. But most of all, I let myself be carried away in the romance of it all. The most diverting book I have thus far this summer.

Visit her website to read an excerpt: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/books_austen.html

More on vampires

2007-07-04T13:04:00.000-10:00

Robin McKinley is one of my favorite writers, yet I resisted reading Sunshine for a long time because it is about vampires. But since I seem to be on the path of dark fantasy right now, I thought I would read it. And of course I liked it, as I like and admire all McKinley's writing (The Blue Sword is my favorite novel). This novel is definitely a novel for adults in content, language, and theme. It is not a young adult's as most of her work seems to be. Her works like TBS or Deerskin are bildungsroman novels and teach their readers to negotiate that tricky phase from child to adult. However, the character Sunshine, (aka Rae Seddon aka Raven Blaise) is a woman who is coming to grips with her identity, especially her genetic identity from her unknown birth father. Like McKinley's other novels, there is more to Sunshine than meets the eye and she has magical helpers who guide her on the path to self realization and fulfillment. So, if you like quests, vampires, magical realism, and earthy/erotic stories, then you'll enjoy Sunshine. www.robinmckinley.com/Excerpts/Sunshine-Part1.html

Vampire teen fiction--revised post

2007-07-02T17:00:00.001-10:00

I have never been a big fan of vampire stories, but when a friend recommended Twilight by Stephenie Meyer I gave in and read it. Then I was hooked! At first it seems like a typical teenage romance story, but there is an interesting twist--vampires live in town. The heroine, Isabella Swan, struggles fitting in her new town, while puzzling over why so many of the boys in her high school are suddenly interested in her. But when her new lab partner, Edward Cullen, shows his evident distaste for her she is suddenly suspicious and their unorthodox relationship begins. The story continues in the sequels, New Moon and Eclipse. Relationships get more developed between Bella and Jacob, and the vampire coven lead by Victoria come after Bella. A mafia-type family of vampires called the Volturi are introduced. And everything heats up to a critical point at the end of book 3. There are a few threads of the story that have not been developed to my satisfaction. For instance, why does Bella have an ability to shield her mind from vampire supernatural powers? And why is she so insecure about Edward's love for her? Also, can her dad really be as clueless as he seems to be? I guess we will have to wait for the next book to find out. More details at stepheniemeyer.com

Sabriel by Garth Nix

2007-06-26T09:05:00.000-10:00

My friend Valerie introduced me to this book. At first it was too dark for me, but after the first few chapters I was hooked and had to know what happened to Sabriel, a necromancer. She journeys through the Old Kingdom looking for her father, hoping to bring him back from Death. Along the way she dodges dead and nearly dead creatures and finds help in unexpected places. Since Sabriel has just finished school, she is about 17 and the story follows a typical bildungsroman plot of going from innocence to experience, discovering the self in the quest for the father. And while the story is about dark magic, it was interesting and entertaining. I anticipate reading the rest of the series. Here is the link to the author's website if you want to learn more: http://www.garthnix.co.uk/ Anyone who loves high fantasy like The Lord of the Rings or The Blue Sword will enjoy this book.

If you love Pride & Prejudice, you'll love North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell

2007-06-18T23:40:00.000-10:00

I just read Elizabeth Gaskell's North & South for my book club and I loved it! The main character Margaret Hale transforms from a poor but well-educated woman into a rich heiress and learns to love the tempestuous John Thornton the un-educated self-made man. The story takes place in 1850s England during the manufacturing boom in the textile industry. While it is a great story like Pride & Prejudice, it is also an interesting social commentary on class, gender, and societal expectations. I love Margaret Hale because she is a "girl who does things" (Robin McKinley's idea)--she reads, takes long walks, and helps the poor. And John Thornton's similarities to Austen's Mr. Darcy and Bronte's Mr. Rochester make him a very intriguing man. The book is great and so is the 2004 BBC film. I highly recommend both!

The Children of Húrin by J. R. R. Tolkien

2007-06-04T08:48:00.001-10:00

I am a real fan of Tolkien, but didn't like this much. A more fitting title would be The Children of Húrin. There is nothing really admirable in either character, Túrin or Niënor. They are both victims of evil in their world. I guess their biggest problem is that they are human and not hobbits. It seems to be that Tolkien takes a dim view of the strength of men and the children of Hurin are prime examples of this. The story itself was often hard to follow because many characters are referred to and not well developed. Also, having not read the Silmarillion probably put me at a disadvantage. I expected this to be a balanced story about the children, but it really is all about Túrin and very little about Niënor. She is merely the stereotypical passive and mindless female. Not at all like Eowyn in The Lord of the Rings. However, on a more positive note, the illustrations by Alan Lee are beautiful and the book itself is a lovely example of quality book craft.

Newest books read

2007-05-31T15:38:00.001-10:00

Here are a few titles I recommend:
North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell; Night by Elie Weisel, which would be great paired with Elizabeth Ehrlich's Miriam's Kitchen: A Memoir; Juliet Marillier's Wildwood Dancing; Joseph Campbell's Pathways to Bliss; Kathleen Tyau's A Little Too Much is Enough; and Carolyn Heilbrun's Writing a Woman's Life. I'll get something about each book posted soon!

New film about Jane Austen's life

2007-05-07T11:17:00.000-10:00

The film "Becoming Jane" is showing in the UK now, but we won't get it here in the USA until August 3rd. Here's the link for the British website.

http://www.bvimovies.com/uk/becoming_jane/

Catering to Nobody by Diane Mott Davidson

2007-03-20T13:49:00.000-10:00

A local school teacher commits suicide. But after catering the wake, Goldy Bear, the local caterer believes the school teacher was murdered. Goldy is under suspicion too when someone at the wake gets poisoned and her catering license is revoked. So she sets out to find who the poisoner is and then gets on the trail of murderer. Soon she starts to uncover shocking details about her ex-husband, John Richard Korman, and his father, Fritz Korman. Both run the town’s OB/GYN practice. Goldy is also struggling to raise her son while keep up friendly negotiations with her abusive ex-husband. Her son, Arch, gets involved with Dungeons and Dragons and other role-playing games and Goldy finds a link between her son Arch and the deceased school teacher Laura Smiley. And then connections are made between Laura and Goldy’s housemate, Patty Sue, a patient of Fritz. While Goldy is figuring out all the connections between the people of her town, she starts dating the police investigator, Tom Schulz. Eventually, Goldy finds the clues that lead her and the local beekeeper, Pomery Locraft, to solve the crime.

While this story fits the murder-mystery genre and is not “great literature” it does show how women can heal from abuse and hurt through the creative acts of cooking and feeding people. Davidson also includes recipes throughout her text to enhance the story’s action.

Favorite Novels about Food

2007-03-15T09:10:00.000-10:00

Bread Alone by Judith Ryan Hendricks and its sequel, The Baker's Apprentice. These stories are about Wynter Morrison and how food helps her heal from the loss of relationships. It includes lots of recipes blended into the prose. Some characters are not totally realized, but it is an entertaining read. There are some scenes of explicit sex, so to compare it to today's movie rating system it would be PG-13.

Louis L'Amour

2006-12-13T13:56:00.000-10:00

I just finished The Frontier Stories, Volume One of The Collected Short Stories of Louis L'Amour. As many of you know, I enjoy reading westerns. And while many of these short stories are familiar, it was fun to revisit them. The stories I really enjoyed were "The Moon of the Trees Broken by Snow" and "The Courting of Griselda." The first because it is told from the point-of-view of a native American and also because it is about the Nativity. I like the second because it is about Tell Sackett, who is one of my favorite characters in L'Amour's novels.

Earlier this month I re-read Ride the River about Echo Sackett. It is still a favorite because of Echo's "voice" and her ability to outsmart a bunch of criminals.

Great Girl-Power Tales

2006-11-16T16:00:00.000-10:00

The Serpent Slayer: And Other Stories of Strong Women by Katrin Tchana and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. This is a beautifully illustrated picture book with fairy tales of strong women from multiple nations. Great for all ages.
The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley. If you love Tolkien, you'll love this story. And McKinley's stories all feature strong women.

Modern-day Parables

2006-11-16T15:54:00.000-10:00

Here's a list of some parables or parable like moral stories I've read:

The Mourning Dove by Larry Barkdull
The Tale of Despereaux and The Tiger Rising both by Kate Di Camillo

The King's Equal by Katherine Paterson

2006-11-06T11:04:00.000-10:00

Originally a picture book, this is a very short chapter book of only 56 pages, with illustrations and very large type. It really intended for young children, but I loved how Paterson takes the Fairy Tale formula and twists it into a girl-power story. The illustrations by Curtis Woodbridge are very nice too. This book is hard to find--I had to get a used copy, but it is a great addition to my library. We need more fairy tales with powerful girls who cause things to happen rather than to be acted upon. ISBN 0064420906

Bras & Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski

2006-11-06T11:03:00.000-10:00

While the story of Rachel as the outsider at her high school is a familiar one, Mlynowski’s narrative voice really makes this story sparkle. The added twist is that Rachel’s sister Miri is a newly-blossomed witch, apparently just like their mother (who kept the secret hidden). And Rachel, being the typical high school girl that she is, wants Miri to use her powers to promote her to the school’s “A List” of popular kids. However, Miri has better plans to reunite their divorced parents. What ensues is a hilarious story of a teenager running amuck and her ‘tween sister trying to keep up. This is the first in a trilogy and I plan to read all the books. It is a fun, light read, and while aimed at young adults, anyone who was an outsider in high school will enjoy this story. Or pretty much anyone who likes funny stories of teenage dramas.

My only criticism is the author’s setting the story in New York and Long Island—I get so tired of that setting. Why can’t we have more funny stories that take place in other places? Do New Yorkers think they have the monopoly on funny experiences? Perhaps I should just write my own story and prove them wrong.

Enjoy!

Messenger of Truth: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear

2006-10-09T11:41:00.000-10:00

This is the latest in the series about Maisie Dobbs, a thoroughly likable character. Usually I do not read murder mysteries, but I have really enjoyed this series because of its great character development, setting, and form. Many murder mysteries these days seem to focus on the gruesomeness of the crime, which is such a turn off! However, Winspear does not dwell on the crime; in Messenger of Truth we are taken into the characters’ lives, especially Maisie’s and her assistant Billy’s, and it is there that we learn about what motivates people, especially in England’s dark days leading away from the Great War and toward the second. Winspear’s gift at creating setting with her minute attention to detail makes this mystery seem to fit in the historical fiction genre. In her other novels, Winspear has used flashbacks extensively. While she does not in this novel, the past still continues to pay an important part in Maisie’s present. And seeing the story right along with Maisie is interesting, but unfortunately we never get to see inside her head! Waiting for the novel’s denouement is agony but well worth it. So, while this novel is gritty and realistic, it is not vulgar or offensive.

A Little Too Much is Enough by Kathleen Tyau

2006-10-09T11:40:00.000-10:00

This is a great story about a family on Oahu during World War II through the 1960s. Told as a series of vignettes, there are multiple narrators in the local-Hawaiian style language with a bit of pidgin thrown in. While this book doesn't include recipes, it does have lots of great descriptions about food, especially local style food. I used this for my English Composition class and they loved it.

Fat Girl's Guide to Life by Wendy Shanker

2006-09-28T09:00:00.000-10:00

I finished The Fat Girl's Guide to Life by Wendy Shanker last week. This was one of the most amusing books I have read in a long time. Shanker is a stand-up comic turned writer and consequently the book has a very narrative feel to it. She shares much of her experiences being a FAT GIRL, which are often humorous and equally painful. (We know how that is, don't we?)However, I was impressed with the amount of documented facts she includes in her book, especially about the medical industries measurement tools for "obesity." According to Shanker, if we follow these guidelines, athletes like Michael Jordan would be considered obese! (There is no hope for the rest of us then!)
This is a fun read for FAT GIRLS and feminists alike. I should warn that there is profanity and some other explicit comments about sexual intimacy that may make some people uncomfortable. This book is definitely for "mature" readers—those who can handle the unvarnished “truth” as Shanker sees it. For me, I loved it because it made me laugh, it made me feel better about myself, but most of all, it made me think about my own perceptions of myself and how I can negotiate our weight-obsessed Western culture.

Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith

2006-09-13T14:35:00.000-10:00

I know that I'm really behind in reading this series! Sorry if some of you have already read it. This book, like its predecessor, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, is easy reading. But don't let the "lightness" fool you! The issues discussed, such as adoption, violence, murder, love, and forgiveness, are "heavy" issues. Also, the characters are well developed and interesting, especially Mma Ramotswe. Her relationship with Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni continues to develop towards marriage, in a very interesting way. I also love the descriptions of the landscape--I can almost feel the heat from the African sun and taste the bush tea. I read this in a few days, in moments snatched from working, and it was a lot of fun!

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

2006-09-06T07:33:00.000-10:00

This was a good read and is very different from Albom's other book, Tuesdays with Morrie. The main character in The Five is Eddie--a total curmudgeon. His continued development after his death is an interesting premise. Albom's storytelling method is unique too. He sets up the distant past, present, and recent past in different storylines and weaves them together in a way that is confusing at first, but makes a great story in the end.