I wouldn't have met Piti if it hadn't been for a chichigua. To translate chichigua as a kite does not do justice to these beautiful creations of...
Continue »
A novel that could also be titled "Dysfunctional Family #1" ... In Carol Anshaw's "Carry the One" we, the readers explore "what and whom we carry through life and the events that shape us as we mature in age." Book review clubs will find many hours of discussion with themes including complex relationships, i.e., siblings, woman to woman, man to woman, mother to daughter, and beyond. This excellent author has written a beautiful creative family saga incorporating love, loss, addiction and passion.
What could be better than a fictional history blended with an exquisite family saga such as the one I just completed. Maria Duenas' "The Time in Between" is a literary journey which takes the reader along with main character, Sira Quiroga, a young Spanish seamstress, to Morocco, Tangiers, Madrid & beyond...the book involves the Spanish Civil War & captures the atmosphere of the tumultuous 30's & 40's accurately. Like Sira, I, too, love needlework, sewing, fabric & yarn...the vivid colorful descriptions of design were thrilling & came to life in my critical eyes as I read this novel based on betrayal, loss, love, survival in the years preceding and during WWII. Brava!!
Lori L. Tharp's "Substitue Me" which reminded me somewhat of "The Help" could also be entitled "Desperately Seeking A Nanny!" This talented author (so capable of tackling womens issues as she accomplished in her memoir, "Kinky Gazpacho") explores beauty standards, family expectations and sexuality all through the prism of race. Stress galore! How well I remember attempting to balance a young marriage, children, a competitive job with a bit of time leftover for myself & girlfriends -- female book clubs will find plenty of discussable themes in this novel.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(5 of 10 readers found this comment helpful)
"Day After Night" is not an easy read, although the historical fiction novel is well written by the talented author, Anita Diamant. The main characters, Shayndel, Leonie, Tedi & Zorah will crawl into your heart & soul. I was "spooked" by the story long after finishing it, thinking of the challenge that these four courageous friends will have re-building their broken lives after surviving being prisoners. This book is based on the amazing true story of the October 1945 rescue of more than 200 men, women & children from the Atlit internment camp, a prison for "illegal" immigrants run by the British military close to the Mediterranean coast south of Haifa, Israel.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(5 of 12 readers found this comment helpful)
Those of us readers who read and enjoyed Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle know that this talented author can only be called "exceptionally riveting!" Her Half Broke Horses helps us understand where some of the authors gumption and wit came from as we meet main character, Lily Carey Smith. This amazing grandmother whose life story prepares both the author's mother and herself for the harsh unforgiving world they were about to inhabit. A master of storytelling, we cruise along with Lily through some extremely bittersweet events. Ms. Walls writes her novel so vividly in detail that you feel she is talking to you alone.
There were times I felt I honestly could identify with Lily, occasionally I wished I had been an acquaintance in real life. She was such a strong and couragous woman, in an era when women were preferred to be kept as "barefoot and pregnant", she wasn't broken by anyone ... she thrived & survived. This book will certainly be reviewed by my own book club and will be a perfect holiday gift selection for my friends and family. Kudos once again!!
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(9 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.
Don't Miss
Customer Comments
Laurie Blum has commented on (77) products.
Carry the One by Carol Anshaw
Laurie Blum, November 24, 2011
A novel that could also be titled "Dysfunctional Family #1" ... In Carol Anshaw's "Carry the One" we, the readers explore "what and whom we carry through life and the events that shape us as we mature in age." Book review clubs will find many hours of discussion with themes including complex relationships, i.e., siblings, woman to woman, man to woman, mother to daughter, and beyond. This excellent author has written a beautiful creative family saga incorporating love, loss, addiction and passion.The Time in Between by Maria Duenas
Laurie Blum, October 26, 2011
What could be better than a fictional history blended with an exquisite family saga such as the one I just completed. Maria Duenas' "The Time in Between" is a literary journey which takes the reader along with main character, Sira Quiroga, a young Spanish seamstress, to Morocco, Tangiers, Madrid & beyond...the book involves the Spanish Civil War & captures the atmosphere of the tumultuous 30's & 40's accurately. Like Sira, I, too, love needlework, sewing, fabric & yarn...the vivid colorful descriptions of design were thrilling & came to life in my critical eyes as I read this novel based on betrayal, loss, love, survival in the years preceding and during WWII. Brava!!Substitute Me by Lori Tharps
Laurie Blum, October 5, 2010
Lori L. Tharp's "Substitue Me" which reminded me somewhat of "The Help" could also be entitled "Desperately Seeking A Nanny!" This talented author (so capable of tackling womens issues as she accomplished in her memoir, "Kinky Gazpacho") explores beauty standards, family expectations and sexuality all through the prism of race. Stress galore! How well I remember attempting to balance a young marriage, children, a competitive job with a bit of time leftover for myself & girlfriends -- female book clubs will find plenty of discussable themes in this novel.(5 of 10 readers found this comment helpful)
Day After Night by Anita Diamant
Laurie Blum, September 29, 2010
"Day After Night" is not an easy read, although the historical fiction novel is well written by the talented author, Anita Diamant. The main characters, Shayndel, Leonie, Tedi & Zorah will crawl into your heart & soul. I was "spooked" by the story long after finishing it, thinking of the challenge that these four courageous friends will have re-building their broken lives after surviving being prisoners. This book is based on the amazing true story of the October 1945 rescue of more than 200 men, women & children from the Atlit internment camp, a prison for "illegal" immigrants run by the British military close to the Mediterranean coast south of Haifa, Israel.(5 of 12 readers found this comment helpful)
Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel by Jeannette Walls
Laurie Blum, September 26, 2010
Those of us readers who read and enjoyed Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle know that this talented author can only be called "exceptionally riveting!" Her Half Broke Horses helps us understand where some of the authors gumption and wit came from as we meet main character, Lily Carey Smith. This amazing grandmother whose life story prepares both the author's mother and herself for the harsh unforgiving world they were about to inhabit. A master of storytelling, we cruise along with Lily through some extremely bittersweet events. Ms. Walls writes her novel so vividly in detail that you feel she is talking to you alone.There were times I felt I honestly could identify with Lily, occasionally I wished I had been an acquaintance in real life. She was such a strong and couragous woman, in an era when women were preferred to be kept as "barefoot and pregnant", she wasn't broken by anyone ... she thrived & survived. This book will certainly be reviewed by my own book club and will be a perfect holiday gift selection for my friends and family. Kudos once again!!
(9 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
1-5 of 77next