THE HELLO GIRLS

Title: THE HELLO GIRLS

Author: Elizabeth Cobbs

Genre: nonfiction

Summary: Story of how America's first women soldiers helped win WWI, earned the vote & fought the army for veteran's recognition. In 1918, the U. S. Army Signal Corps sent 223 women to France. They operated telephone switchboards which provided the only communication between troops under fire and commanders.

Rating: Very good

Why I Like It: A little slow at first, but well worth reading. A lot of interesting background info that I wasn't aware of or had forgotten. Also, amazing to think that 100 years ago at this time Grandpa Dunipace was serving in this situation in France.

Reviewer: Kathy

"All But My Life: A Memoir"

Title:  All But My Life: A Memoir

Author: Gerda Weissmann Klein

Genre:  Memoir

Summary: (from Amazon) All But My Life is the unforgettable story of Gerda Weissmann Klein's six-year ordeal as a victim of Nazi cruelty. From her comfortable home in Bielitz (present-day Bielsko) in Poland to her miraculous survival and her liberation by American troops--including the man who was to become her husband--in Volary, Czechoslovakia, in 1945, Gerda takes the reader on a terrifying journey.

Rating: Excellent

Why I Like It:  I wasn’t familiar with this much detail information of the Holocaust.  So, it was very interesting, inspiring, informative, sad, heart wrenching, etc.  It made me realize more that we certainly have very little to complain about & so much to be thankful for!

This autobiographical account of the Holocaust, All but My Life (1957), was adapted for the 1995 short film, One Survivor Remembers, which received an Academy Award and an Emmy Award, and was selected for the National Film Registry. I watched it on YouTube.  Also very good!!

Other:  listened to it on audio

Reviewer:  Patsy

News Of The World

Title: News Of The World

Author: Paulette Jiles

Genre: Fiction

 Summary: "In the aftermath of the American Civil War, an aging itinerant news reader agrees to transport a young captive of the Kiowa back to her people in this morally complex, multi-layered novel of historical fiction from the author of Enemy Women that explores the boundaries of family, responsibility, honor, and trust." From Goodreads

Rating: Good

Why I Like It:   For a "road trip" book in the 1870's in Texas, this book has an elegance of writing to it. The main character, Captain Kidd, is a noble man, while still being realistic and not perfect. I enjoyed the adventures, learned interesting history and I was moved by kindness and care for other people. One of my favorite reads of 2017.

Reviewer: Brigette

Glory Over Everything: Beyond the Kitchen House

Title:  Glory Over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House

Author:  Kathleen Grissom

Genre: historical fiction

Summary: From Amazon:  A heart racing story about a man’s treacherous journey through the twists and turns of the Underground Railroad on a mission to save the boy he swore to protect. “Kathleen Grissom is a first-rate storyteller…she observes with an unwavering but kind eye, and she bestows upon the reader, amid terrible secrets and sin, a gift of mercy: the belief that hope can triumph over hell” (Richmond Times Dispatch). Glory Over Everything is an emotionally rewarding and epic novel “filled with romance, villains, violence, courage, compassion…and suspense.” (Florida Courier).

Rating: Very good!

Why I Like It:  Sequel to The Kitchen House.  More interesting historical information.

Other: Same as The Kitchen House…….Audio was a very entertaining way to “read” this book.  Absolutely wonderful narration! Gave more depth to the characters.

Reviewer:  Patsy

The Kitchen House

Title:  The Kitchen House

Author:  Kathleen Grissom

Genre: historical fiction

Summary:  From Amazon -  In this gripping novel, a dark secret threatens to expose the best and worst in everyone tied to the estate at a thriving plantation in Virginia in the decades before the Civil War.
    Orphaned during her passage from Ireland, young, white Lavinia arrives on the steps of the kitchen house and is placed, as an indentured servant, under the care of Belle, the master’s illegitimate slave daughter. Lavinia learns to cook, clean, and serve food, while guided by the quiet strength and love of her new family.

    In time, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, caring for the master’s opium-addicted wife and befriending his dangerous yet protective son. She attempts to straddle the worlds of the kitchen and big house, but her skin color will forever set her apart from Belle and the other slaves.
    Through the unique eyes of Lavinia and Belle, this novel unfolds in a heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful story of class, race, dignity, deep-buried secrets, and familial bonds.

Rating: Very good!

Why I Like It:  Entertaining, lots of interesting historical information, kept your attention, sad in parts

Other: Audio was a very entertaining way to “read” this book.  Absolutely wonderful narration! Gave more depth to the characters.

Reviewer:  Patsy

My Mrs. Brown

Title: My Mrs. Brown 

Author: William Norwich

Genre: Fiction

 Summary: "From William Norwich, the well-known fashion writer and editor, an unforgettable novel about a woman with a secret who travels to New York City on a determined quest to buy a special dress that represents everything she wants to say about that secret…and herself." From Goodreads

Rating: Great!

Why I Like It:  This book has really stuck with me. Mrs. Brown meets an assortment of friends on her journey to save money and buy a special dress. I love books that have a variety of cast of characters. And I love a main character as Mrs. Brown who is hard working and kind. This book was written by someone who works in the fashion industry. I think he brings a certain depth of thought to the meaning of function of clothes that is really interesting. It is a short book and easy to read.

Reviewer: Brigette

A LONG WAY HOME

Title: A LONG WAY HOME  

Author: Saroo Brierley  

Genre: nonfiction 

 Summary: As a five-year-old in India, the author got lost on a train. Twenty-five years later, from Australia, he found his way back. This is what happened in between. 

Rating: Very good  

Why I Like It: Amazing story. Also get a look at a whole different culture and way of life.  

Reviewer: Kathy