The Girl with Three Legs by Soraya Mire

The Girl with Three Legs is a true story where the author, Soraya Miré, weaves a dramatic chronicle of the personal challenges she overcame, of how women in Somalia accept physical abuse through generations as if it were the norm, and a testament to the empowerment of women    At age thirteen years old, Mire discovers the horror of the "gift," female genital mutilation (FGM), whereby a young girls' healthy organs are chopped off.

Miré reveals what it means to grow up in a traditional Somali family, where women's basic human rights are violated on a daily basis.  Her life story is one of inspiration and redemption.  4 stars

"The World Without You" by Joshua Henkin

"The World Without You" by Joshua Henkin is a book that explores family dynamics of a family racked by a tragic loss of one of its members.  On the first aniversary of his death, his mother plans a memorial service for him.  All family member converge for the service.  The family dynamics are spot on with sibling rivalry, marital problems for the parents of the son who passed away, and ultimately one who steps forward for the real meaning of the day.  I loved this book.  4 stars.

"The Winemaker" by Noah Gordon

"The Winemaker" by Noah Gordon is a new book that I really enjoyed.  The setting is in the tiny grape-growing village of Santa Eulalia in northern Spain.  The characters are well developed and extremely believable.  The story takes place in the late 1800's.  I've never read much about the history of Spain so this book was very interesting.  It made me want to read more about its political history and the lives of everyday Spanairds.

The main character of the book is Josep Alvarez.  He is a second son of the owner of a grape vineyard.  The grapes were grown for sale to vinegar makers.  Alvarez makes his way to France where he ends up working years on a wine vineyard and learns the real art of making great wine which becomes his passion.  The book continues as he pursues his passion.  This has a nice ending, which I like.  4 stars. 

Vanished in the Dunes - Allan Retzky

"Vanished in the Dunes" by Allan Retzky was, in my opinion, a good read.  I don't normally read thrillers or murder mysteries but this book was so different that I really liked it.  The characters were believable andthe narration good.  The main character, Amos, was in a pathetic situation:  he was under federal investigation (his company set him up as the scapegoat), He and his wife were having marital problems. She was living in the city while Amos was living in the Hamptons.  Amos' wife suspects his is seeing other women, although he isn't.  Then on the bus riding home Amos runs into a beautiful woman who pushes her way into his home.  The twists and turn in the rest of the book are what make this an interesting read.  I would give it 4 stars. 

YELLOW CROCUS by Laila Ibrahim

Yellow Crocus is a very good look at Southern families and their relationship with slavery.  Lisbeth Wainwright, born to white plantation owners but raised by her enslaved black wet nurse, Mattie.   Mattie is forced to leave her own small child to move up to the "big house" to care for Lisbeth.Growing up with Mattie, the child adopts her deep-seated faith in God and the tradition of hunting for yellow crocuses in the early days of spring. Even though Lisbeth has freedoms that Mattie does not have, the color of the girl's skin cannot protect her from the expectations of her mother and society placed on women born to privilege in the South.  Lisbeth struggles to reconcile her love for her caregiver with her parent's expectations.  Lisbeth becomes increasingly aware of the ugly realities of the American slavery system.  Lisbeth realizes she must make a choice between her parents mores and her own mores.  Her choice brings her to a place where she receives an outstanding gift.  4 Stars

HAVEN - The Dramatic Story of 1,000 World War II Refugees and How They Came to America, by Ruth Gruber and Dava Sobel

I absolutely loved this book.  Haven is the true story of Ruth Gruber who brought a boatload of 1000 refugees to the United States during Hitler's Nazi reign of terror in Europe.  Ruth's love and concern for these refugees grew to include all refugees of the Nazis.  She became their mother, their mentor, their savior.  Her compassion and understanding of all people was incredible to see.  Unfortunately America and other countries not under Nazi oppression were not as compassionate as Ruth and her boss.  It hurt my heart to know that after these countries knew what Hitler was doing to the Jews, they still shut their borders and and turned their backs on thousands and thousands of people running and hiding to escape the slaughter.

This book should teach us a lesson about loving our neighbors.  The entire world is our neighbor and turning our back on neighbors in peril is just plain wrong. 4 Stars

Concrete Garden Projects by Camilla Ardvison & Malin Nilsson

Great book with plenty of concrete garden ideas and easy to follow directions.  I love making things out of concrete and this book is a step by step manual that I keep close by.  3 Stars.

LAMB by Bonnie Nadzam

Lamb was a very disturbing book to read.  On the surface it appeared to be a story about a connection between a middle age man and a 12 year old girl.  There was no overt sexual abuse involved.  But under the surface, Lamb was a pedophile.  He stalked and subsequently took a vulnerable 12 girl to groom for his obsession.  Their 7 days on the road discovering exciting places was in fact a slow preparation of Lamb's ultimate plan.  In the end Lamb, for some reason, did not complete his plan.  Instead he returned the girl home.

Lamb knows he changed this girl's life, but he thinks he changed it for the better.  Even though there was no overt sexual abuse, there was implied sexual contact for the girl.  Each time there would be a whisper of sexual contact: Holding her, kissing her, having her sleep in the same bed with him.  Yes, this child's life has changed.  But not for the better.  He has changed who she is and it is a change that will follow her the rest of her life.  Abused children (and she was one) never get over their abuse. Sometimes they get beyond it but never over it.

Bobby Flay's Bar Americain Cookbook

Great cookbook.  Classic Bobby Flay:  makes his recipes seem easy enough for the most basic cook, yet elegant enough to impress everyone at your next dinner party.  

And Then There Was One by Patricia Gussin

This book hooked me from the very first page. Three sisters (triplets) go to the movies with their babysitter and only one of the triplets comes out. The other two have vanished. As the story progresses there seems to be several red herrings thrown in. Then it becomes apparent that these red herrings are there to describe child predators and molesters which is crucial to the plot. Patricia Gussin does an excellent job of making you feel the horror of having your children missing and the prospect that they may be killed or molested (or both). Her description of child predators is completely accurate. A very good read but it will make you watch your children more carefully.  4 stars

The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas by John Boyne

If you haven't read this book or seen this movie then I highly recommend you do.  I read the book several years ago.  It was written for students in the 9 to 16 age level.  It is a story about an eight year old boy named Bruno whose father was high up in the SS division of the German Army during WWII.  Bruno's father moved the family from Berlin to somewhere out in the countryside.  Bruno's father has taken over as Commandant of Auschwitz.  Being an adventurous 8 year old, Bruno discovers a boy living at what Bruno thinks is a farm and whose life and circumstances are very different from his own.  Their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences .  As Bruno struggles to make sense of things going on around him, he is also faced with a truth about himself and his father.

The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas was made into a movie that follows the storyline well.  I recently watched the movie again, this time with my nine year old grandson, Blake.  Needless to say it made a profound impression on him.  It is a story he will never forget.  5 stars

  

The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank, by Ella Feldman

Very interesting perspective. This fictional novel takes the premise that Peter (a member of the other family living in hiding with Anne Frank's family) had somehow escaped the holocaust and made his way to America.  An engrossing book.  If only Peter (and all the rest) had lived. Just think what a different world this would have been. This book, even though it was fiction,  made me think of Peter and Anne for months.  4 stars

The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein

A lovely book to read. You'll love Enzo the dog and his outlook on life. We could all take life lessons from him. If you have a pet, it may make you look a little closer and wonder what they are really thinking about. A good book with a good message.

Same Kind of Different as Me, by Ron Hall

I am very familiar with the Union Gospel Mission featured in this book. They do an incredible job with the hungry and homeless people in Fort Worth, Texas. The think I liked most about this book was that the Halls didn't just talk about the issue of hunger and homelessness, they didn't just write a check and walk away, they actually stepped in and got involved with the mission and the people. By doing so, they established a beautiful relationship with Denver. This book had a very powerful message that we all should get.

The Harlot by Saskia Walker

I don't normally read Romance novels and Harlot reminded me why. Only with Harlot, my level of acceptence was pushed beyond limit. I enjoy romantic or erotic novels but I thought this one was smut. Too much drama and every kind of deviant sex imagineable. Thrown into the pot were gay/lesbian, S and M, rape, beastiality, self gratification, just to name a few. Take the sex out of the book and you have a poorly written book. Put the sex back into the book and you have a poorly written smutty book. Sorry, I just did not like this one.   If you are really into the Romance novel genre you might give it a try, but be prepared for the sex that is not really relative to the story.  It was a turnoff for me.

Oh Mexico! by Lucy Neville

This is a review of a book that is due for publication in August, 2011.  I read and reviewed the galley.

I really enjoyed this book. Oh Mexico! is a memoir by Lucy Neville of her experiences in Mexico City. Going from Australia to Mexico City was a culture shock for Lucy, to say the least. Lucy Neville weaves a wonderful image of Mexico that rings completely true. Her initial reaction to Mexico City is the exact same reaction I had the first time I went to Mexico City. As Lucy tries to assimilate herself into Mexican culture, I found myself visualizing her surroundings as well as her trials and tribulations. Her understanding of Mexican politics is spot on. Her characters are believable and joyful (especially Octavio!). I found Lucy's writing style to be witty, descriptive, and fun to read. Anyone who has ever experienced Mexico (or wanted to experience Mexico) will find this an enjoyable read.  3 stars

The Tigress of Forli, by Elizabeth Lev

The Tigress of Forli is a well researched historical account of Caterina Sforza, her extraordinary life and accomplishments. She was one of the most prominent women in Renaissance Italy. The story encompasses Caterina's life from childhood to her death. Caterina's life was a study of her perserverance, bravery, dedication, and focus. This story includes the history of her family and the part they played in politics in Italy in the late 1400s. Lev's portrayal of Caterina showed her to be a capable opponent in war, a caring mother, and protector of her children
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I know this account of Caterina was well researched but it was difficult for me to get through it. While being an interesting story and character, it read more like a textbook. The facts were laid out well, but I never got a true feeling of the essence of Caterina Sforza. Having said that, I still enjoyed reading about a strong woman in Italian history.  3 stars.

What I Hate, from A to Z, by Roz Chast

I received this book in a giveaway from Bloomsbury Publishing. Right from the beginning Roz Chast starts with a hilarious introduction.  Chast gives a thorough list of things she hates, from A to Z, along with a cartoon for each one.  The cartoons and narrative are funny and at times thought provoking.  I mean have you ever really thought how you feel about Ouija Boards or tunnels?  Roz Chast has.  Over and over I found myself laughing and agreeing with her. This is a fun book.  3 stars.

The Mis-Adventures of Phillip Isaac Penn, by Donna L. Petterson

The Mis-Adventures of Phillip Isaac Penn, known to his family and friends as Pip, is a great book for elementary school boys. I read this to my 5 and 9 year old grandsons. They loved it. It is the story of a boy who seems to stay in trouble but at the end of the day not only does he learn from his mistakes but he is also able to make his case that he didn't really do everything he was accused of doing. The reason I liked this book was each chapter is a day of the week and can be read one chapter at a time or the whole week at once. My 9 year old could handle hearing all 7 chapters in a single sitting but my 5 year old did better with 1 chapter a day. That gave him a chance to really digest the story and think about it. Each day ended on a high note with Pip learning a lesson (my grandsons, also) and feeling good about himself. I love children's books that deliver a good message. This one did a great job of it. I gave it 4 stars.

Surviving the Angel of Death: The Story of a Mengele Twin in Auschwitz by Eva Mozes Kor

This book begins with a peaceful, comfortable Jewish family being taken to Auschwitz during the German invasion of Eastern Europe.  It is written for an audience of 6th to about 9th grade readers.  It is appropiately written for this age group.  Eva Moses Kor tells her story of the horrors inflicted on her and her twin sister, Miriam, at the hands of Dr. Mengele.  Dr. Mengele, better known in Auschwitz as the Angel of Death, preformed deadly experiments on over 3000 sets of twins during World War II.  Kor goes to great lengths to explain difficult issues in a way that this age audience will be able to grasp.  It is a moving story of one small girl who, through her own inner strength, was able to insure that she and her twin sister would survive.


But this story goes beyond the usual lessons  to be learned from the holocaust.  It is about learning how to forgive and what forgivness can do for survivors of any horrific ordeal.  Whenever I read a book about the holocaust it never ceases to amaze me what how we as a civilization can inflict such horror on one another.  And this story, in particular, is about horros inflicted on children.  Of course, we have to remember that this type of behavior was/is not limited to the Nazis.  Look what we did to people of color during hundreds of year of slavery. 

I think this is an important book for children  to read.  It can have a tremendous impact on them.  I took two of my grandchildren to the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam to teach them about the holocaust.  They are different people now from having witnessed first hand the destruction of genocide.  3 years later they still think of Anne Frank and continue to have questions.  Their most often asked question?  "How could this happen?"  I have been able to explain that it is up to them to make sure it doesn't happen again.   I gave this book 4 stars.