I didn't write much this summer, but I did read. Here are quick reviews for the books I read in July:
The Kitchen House
If you loved The Help, try The Kitchen House, a debut novel by Kathleen Grissom about Lavinia, an Irish orphan who comes to live on a tobacco plantation as an indentured servant. Seven-year-old Lavinia is left in the kitchen house with Belle, who along with other slaves who work in the big house, become Lavinia's adopted family. As Lavinia grows, she straddles two worlds, trying to understand why the color of her skin creates conflict with the bonds of her heart. Grissom deftly juggles a coming of age story with the complexities, cruelties, and unexpected kinships of slavery in 1700's America.
If you're looking for a book club selection, this is a great one. There's an interview with the author and great discussion questions at the back.
Year of Wonders
Every time I have explained this book, I get the same response. "Quite the pick me up feel good story, huh?" Well....no. But I loved it!
Year of Wonders is fiction based on an actual "plague village" in England, a village that, when the black plague broke out, quarantined itself to avoid spreading the disease. As the plague ravages the village, it's sometimes hard to tell who is sicker...the ones who suffer and die or the ones who survive, as the quarantine becomes a crucible, stripping away artifice and finally showing people for what they truly are.
The Birth of Love
Intrigued by another reader's review, I tried this book, an award winner in Canada. And I hated it. It's really three short stories, told in three times with three separate sets of characters tied loosely together by the theme of child birth and how it is managed by the medical profession and society in general. The central question of the story is quite interesting....how do advances in medicine and the declining state of the world impact human reproduction over time, through a few hundred years from now? But as I neared the end of the book, I realized....there's no real story here. There was only a loose connection between the three story lines, and no satisfying conclusion. I didn't even find a connection with the characters, which will sometimes redeem an otherwise lackluster read. This one I could have skipped.
If you loved The Help, try The Kitchen House, a debut novel by Kathleen Grissom about Lavinia, an Irish orphan who comes to live on a tobacco plantation as an indentured servant. Seven-year-old Lavinia is left in the kitchen house with Belle, who along with other slaves who work in the big house, become Lavinia's adopted family. As Lavinia grows, she straddles two worlds, trying to understand why the color of her skin creates conflict with the bonds of her heart. Grissom deftly juggles a coming of age story with the complexities, cruelties, and unexpected kinships of slavery in 1700's America.
If you're looking for a book club selection, this is a great one. There's an interview with the author and great discussion questions at the back.
Every time I have explained this book, I get the same response. "Quite the pick me up feel good story, huh?" Well....no. But I loved it!
Year of Wonders is fiction based on an actual "plague village" in England, a village that, when the black plague broke out, quarantined itself to avoid spreading the disease. As the plague ravages the village, it's sometimes hard to tell who is sicker...the ones who suffer and die or the ones who survive, as the quarantine becomes a crucible, stripping away artifice and finally showing people for what they truly are.
Intrigued by another reader's review, I tried this book, an award winner in Canada. And I hated it. It's really three short stories, told in three times with three separate sets of characters tied loosely together by the theme of child birth and how it is managed by the medical profession and society in general. The central question of the story is quite interesting....how do advances in medicine and the declining state of the world impact human reproduction over time, through a few hundred years from now? But as I neared the end of the book, I realized....there's no real story here. There was only a loose connection between the three story lines, and no satisfying conclusion. I didn't even find a connection with the characters, which will sometimes redeem an otherwise lackluster read. This one I could have skipped.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
What are you reading? Link up or share what you're reading in a comment right here.
I did love The Help (going to see it tomorrow!), so I will try The Kitchen House!
ReplyDeleteand… If I had the time to read – other than my Bible – and the stuff I use to study the Bible – and all the blogs that I heart so much – I think I'd give the second book shot. I think that's a story that sounds like it has a lot of redeemable stuff in. in it The first one – not bad – the last one – if it's not good enough for you – it's not good enough for me :-) thank you Kim – now I feel like I'm more well read :-) God bless and keep you and each and every one of yours!
ReplyDeletehi Kim, I just wanted you to know that I've been by to read new stuff – write some new stuff for me :-) that's it. My job here is done :-) Hope all is well. God bless and keep you and all of yours.
ReplyDeleteHey, Craig! I'm writing again....thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think, Amy!
ReplyDelete