2 Stars. This book really wasn’t for me for a lot of reasons that might not bother other readers. The first thing to really irritate me was the mansplaining. A female doctor is already onboard. Instead of treating her as a valued colleague, Crane marches in, assumes she doesn’t know anything about rarer diseases, and completely […]
The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin: Book Review
Vinnie had a fascinating life. She did actually marry Charles Stratton, “General Tom Thumb,” who toured with P.T. Barnum from the age of 5 until his death. Vinnie started her career with the American Museum but after her marriage, she and Charles toured Europe, the US, and eventually the world. That trip would have been almost […]
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok: Book Review
4.5 Stars. This book was so heartbreaking so much of the time. I adored Kimberly. She’s such a good daughter, friend, and student. She’s trying so hard to be everything to everyone. Her life is always hard, but it’s hardest when she first arrives, with no comprehension of American culture and little comprehension of the language […]
The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore: Book Review
I don’t know whether I feel like I just made three new best friends or if I just lost them. This was one of those books where I truly felt like I was part of the characters’ lives, if only for a little while. I didn’t want it to end. Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean Continue Reading…
The Bat by Jo Nesbø: Book Review
Norwegian Inspector Harry Hole is sent to Australia as something of a consultant/observer in the investigation of the murder of a Norwegian woman. Based on this, the first book in the series and my first Harry Hole book, I’m not clear why these are so popular. I can only assume they get better. Maybe it Continue Reading…
The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka: Book Review
Chronicling the lives of Japanese brides coming to America, Buddha in the Attic is deceptively slim. Almost every sentence begins a new story that is only hinted at, yet I saw at least the broad strokes of an entire life in just those few words. There is no main character and the book is told Continue Reading…
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie: Book Review
Two young men, children of parents that the Communist government in China deems enemies of the state, are basically exiled to a remote mountain for “re-education.” Their parents’ “crimes” don’t even warrant the word; they’re basically just too educated for the government’s comfort. The teens find a harsh life waiting for them on the mountain. Continue Reading…
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot: Book Review
HeLa cells (named after the woman they came from, Henrietta Lacks) have been used for about 60 years by scientists all over the world for all kinds of cellular research. Yet very few scientists could tell you the real name of the woman the cells came from, much less anything about her. Yet somehow, Rebecca Continue Reading…
A couple of books I “Did Not Finish”
I will usually finish any book I start, but I am slowly learning that sometimes it’s better to cut my losses and move on. Here are two that I’ve given up on recently. The Phantom of Pemberley by Regina Jeffers Synopsis from GoodReads: Newlyweds Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet knew their first year of married Continue Reading…