In this Hospitable Land

by Jr. Lynmar Brock

**** [4/5]

I enjoyed this book, it tells the story of a family of Belgium refugees who survive WWII in southern France. A bit more up-beat than the usual war literature, this book is a slightly different take on the era. The story tells of extreme kindness and a close knit community who take care of the family as the Nazi seek them. Worthy read, but resembles non-fiction in style.

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

**** [4/5]

I read this series of books after hearing the hype around the movie and series from several friends. I did not have any specific expectations other than to hope it was better than twilight. I was shocked by how absorbing these books were. Much closer to a Harry Potter read, excellent exciting story and compelling characters.

Very fun!

One Perfect Day

by Lauraine Snelling

** [2/5]

I read this book after my mother in law mentioned it. The story follows two families struggling with the loss of a teenager and the organ donation made by the victim. The story is very strongly religiously thematic, but dwells far too long on the darkness experienced by the victim's mother rather than on the hopeful aspects of the story. Expect a long slog through the emotional bits.

Heidegger's Glasses: A Novel

by Thaisa Frank

*** [3/5]

This book tells the story of a group of linguists who survived WWII writing letters for the Nazis. The story weaves around several of the occupants of a mine shaft where the letter writers live and spins each individual story through a few weeks of crisis tied to the philosopher Heidegger. The book narrative is well crafted but I found the end unsatisfying.

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin

by Erik Larson

*** 3/5

This is an interesting account of the US ambassador to Germany during the rise of the Third Reich. I read this book because I am interested in this period but in general I am not a fan of the author. Ambassador Dodd experiences a frustrating time in his embassy but his thwarted in his attempts to communicate the coming danger of the Hilter era. He was harshly treated by the state department and made a series of mis-steps that created challenges through the course of his service. The book does a good job of painting a picture of pre-war Berlin and the culture of the time.

The Paris Wife

by Paula McClain

** 2/5

This is the fictional account of the first wife of Ernest Hemingway. I don't know that I realized this when I bought the book, because I am not a huge Hemingway fan. It chronicles his early works like the writing of "The Sun Also Rises" and others. Interesting but more focused on the love life and his relationship with his contemporary writers. The author doesn't flatter him in this portrayal and the wife is the heroine.

Bright's Passage

by Josh Ritter

*** 3/5

This book tells the story of a man on a strange journey. The protagonist "Bright" finds himself fleeing his home with his baby on horseback in the years following the first world war. He has flashbacks to his time in the military and the whole book is colored by his experiences.

This book is a fast read, but I expected to enjoy it more since I really like Josh Ritter's music. Well told and interesting but lacking a bit of depth to the story.

Sophie's Choice

by William Styron

** [2/5]

I am not sure why I never read this before since it is considered a classic by many. The book tells the story of the WWII concentration camp survivor "Sophie" as she settles in New York in the years following the war. Styron portions out tidbits from her concentration camp and war experiences through the course of the story, but does not reveal what Sophies hardest choice would be till the end of the text. He weaves a complex set of relationships between Sophie, the narrator, and others in her life that unravels in unexpected ways.

In general I found this book too dark to be enjoyed but a worthy read for cultural references and interesting writing style.

A Cruel Harvest

by Paul Reid

** [2/5]

This book follows a young Irishman from the time he is kidnapped by African slave traders. He never looses sight of his great love in Ireland and the story tracks her hardships in parallel with his. This book has a fast pace but is not well written. If you just want adventure and a lively story this works but the plot is common at best.

The Homecoming

by Dan Walsh

*** [3/5]

This story follows the life of a young pilot in WWII who lost his wife during the war. His son and his father try to build a life together with a nanny hired to watch the son. This story had no surprises and ended just as one would expect. It is also written in a simplistic style that has little thrall. Not great.

Heir to the Glimmering World

by Cynthia Ozick

** [2/5]

This book chronicles the story of a young girl who takes a job as the typist in a family of German emigrants. The author explores the relationship the girl has with her father and her distant cousin in the backdrop of the 1930s. The story weaves around the life of a famed literary character who finances the existence of the family. This book was dark and seemingly a bit distant. Don't expect much closure, but the plot has one or two unexpected turns.

The Solitude of Prime Numbers

by Paolo Giordano

*** [3/5]

This is a well written book that explores the life of the two main characters in the context of "prime numbers". The mathematical analogy is used to illustrate the loneliness and dispair of two people scarred by early tragedies. The prose is excellent and the character development is great but the story was dissatisfying. Not because it didn't have a happy ending, rather it is simply unfinished feeling with a host of unresolved issues. Don't read it for closure.

Water for Elephants

by Sara Gruen

*** [3/5]

This story explores the life of a young veterinarian student who ends up joining one of the great train circus groups. He quickly becomes involved in the subtle challenges of elephants, performers, and the big top. The story is whimsical and provides a pleasant look into the circus life of the period.

Mercury in Retrograde

by Paula Froelich

** [2/5]

Sometimes I pick books from book lists and I get burned. This is a fast read even for a fifth grader and it won't teach you any new words. It has a pleasant story following the life of three women in New York who happen to live in the same apartment building and it ties directly with the upper crust "society" of the city. Not amazing writing and the story is a bit expected.

Bossy pants

by Tina Fey

**** [4/5]

I thought this book was great. I appreciated Fey's comprehensive and sensible thoughts on women's weight, aging, etc that were delivered in the funny way expected. I was a bit surprised how much of a biography this book really is, but I think we may need a second addition to capture her life-lessons from the next 30 years. This book is what you would expect, if you like Fey's work you will probably find it hilarious.

The German Woman

by Paul Griner

*** [3/5]

This work follows the life of Kate, a British woman who married a German doctor prior to WWI. She survives the war and the embargo of Berlin and then finds herself back in England during WWII. Much of the book is based on the intelligence efforts of the government(s) and how she perceives both countries and the decisions they have made. An extensive thesis on how all parties in war are guilt of horrible in-humanity. Not a cheerful read but interesting.

Rise and Shine

by Anna Quindlen

**** [4/5]

This is an interesting story about the relationship of two sisters with very different career paths. One sister is the host of a popular morning news show and the story follows her life as it takes an abrupt series of turns. The main theme of the book stays on the relationship of the two sisters as they deal with the tumultuous changes in life. Good story, nice characters, but I did feel like the story was strangely based on real people.

Naked

by David Sedaris

*** [3/5]

This is a funny book as you might expect, but it did not have as much new material as I might have hoped. Many of the NPR pieces are included in this book, but some are in more detail. I like his writing style and find it funny, but it can be a bit off-beat and disconcerting as well. Humorous but not a must-read.

City Boy

by Herman Wouk

**** [4/5]

This is a great story about a city boy named Herbie growing up in New York in the 1920's. The story circles around a great coming of age moment as Herbie meets a girl and goes to summer camp. Told in Herbie's voice the book has a trans-formative effect on the reader, you will be cheering for him all the way. Worthy read!

The Stone Carvers

by Jane Urquhart

*** [3/5]

This is the story of a woman who carves wood and the events of her life. The book is built around the events of WWI, so it has a dark theme but it tells a nice story of her adventures. I found the story a bit obvious but it was well told and fairly well paced. Not a strong recommendation, but you could do worse.