This is Part II of my review of the eight books I read in January 2019. You can read Part I and find the link to the prices and reviews of other readers here: books-read-in-january-2019-part-1.html
| Book #5: 4 out of 5 stars "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah Product details:
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A #1 New York Times bestseller, Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year, and soon to be a major motion picture, this unforgettable novel of love and strength in the face of war has enthralled a generation.
With courage, grace, and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of World War II and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women's war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France―a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime. (description from Amazon.com)
With courage, grace, and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of World War II and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women's war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France―a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime. (description from Amazon.com)
I didn't expect to finish this one so fast (within 2 days). It took me a while to really get into it because of her detailed description of all the characters and the locations. I was also glad that I speak French. The author uses a lot of French words and expressions that someone who doesn't speak French wouldn't understand without a dictionary, for example: Hôtel de Ville doesn't have anything to do with a hotel. It's the French word for townhall. But I can say that this is the first book that made me cry my way through the last 10 or so chapters. I stayed up that second night just to finish it. I'm excited to find out how they will transform this book into a movie. It was scheduled to premiere on January 25, but I haven't found any trailers or even a list of actors. I could see Hayley Atwell play one of the main characters (one of the sisters named Isabelle). Hayley Atwell played Agent Peggy Carter in Captain America.
This novel shows two of the roles people played in WW2: Isabelle, the 'underground girl,' who fights as a member of the Resistance and represents those in France who refused to surrender to the Germans and her sister Vianne, the quite homemaker, who is more or less a bystander in the war and basically in denial of the injustice and suffering the French experienced during the German occupation and represents those in France who were too afraid to act until they were personally extremely affected by the occupation and injustice. The entire time I was wondering if I would be more like Isabelle or more like her sister.
In the Popsugar Reading Challenge, this book was my choice for the "A book becoming a movie in 2019" prompt. This book also fits a prompt in the Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge: "A book with a dual timeline" (this book goes back and forth between the time of the German occupation of France and the present time).
This novel shows two of the roles people played in WW2: Isabelle, the 'underground girl,' who fights as a member of the Resistance and represents those in France who refused to surrender to the Germans and her sister Vianne, the quite homemaker, who is more or less a bystander in the war and basically in denial of the injustice and suffering the French experienced during the German occupation and represents those in France who were too afraid to act until they were personally extremely affected by the occupation and injustice. The entire time I was wondering if I would be more like Isabelle or more like her sister.
In the Popsugar Reading Challenge, this book was my choice for the "A book becoming a movie in 2019" prompt. This book also fits a prompt in the Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge: "A book with a dual timeline" (this book goes back and forth between the time of the German occupation of France and the present time).
| Book #6: 5 out of 5 stars "The Man from St. Petersburg" by Ken Follett Product details:
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His name was Feliks. He came to London to commit a murder that would change history. A master manipulator, he had many weapons at his command, but against him were ranged the whole of the English police, a brilliant and powerful lord, and the young Winston Churchill himself. These odds would have stopped any man in the world—except the man from St. Petersburg.
(description from Amazon.com)
(description from Amazon.com)
This is one of my all-time favorite books. I read it many years ago and fell in love with it. As part of the Popsugar Challenge I had to reread a favorite book. This was a book that immediately came to mind. It’s fiction, but enough real-life characters (e.g., Churchill, Czar Nicolas) and events (e.g., the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo that started WWI) are involved that it has an aura of a historical novel. I love how the story unfolds and the action sequences are fantastic! I'm usually not a fan of historical novels, but this one is a great book!
The novel beautifully describes historical events: from the women in England fighting for the right to vote, the unrealistic view the aristocrats in England had of the life of and the impact of their actions on the working class in their country to the British and Russians trying to come to an agreement just in case England is dragged into a war with Germany. The book also contains two beautiful love stories: the love between a young upper class girl and a working class man that was doomed from the very beginning because of their status in society and the love between parent and a child. Follett's book also includes family secrets and we experience the coming of age of a young upper class girl who is looking for her place in life and purpose.
This book fits the "A reread of a favorite book" prompt in the Popsugar Reading Challenge. In the Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge, I assigned this one to the "A book featuring a historical figure" (Winston Churchill).
The novel beautifully describes historical events: from the women in England fighting for the right to vote, the unrealistic view the aristocrats in England had of the life of and the impact of their actions on the working class in their country to the British and Russians trying to come to an agreement just in case England is dragged into a war with Germany. The book also contains two beautiful love stories: the love between a young upper class girl and a working class man that was doomed from the very beginning because of their status in society and the love between parent and a child. Follett's book also includes family secrets and we experience the coming of age of a young upper class girl who is looking for her place in life and purpose.
This book fits the "A reread of a favorite book" prompt in the Popsugar Reading Challenge. In the Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge, I assigned this one to the "A book featuring a historical figure" (Winston Churchill).
| Book #7: 5 out of 5 stars "The Wicked Will Rise" by Danielle Paige Product details:
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In this New York Times bestselling sequel to Dorothy Must Die, who is good—and who is actually Wicked? The Wicked Will Rise is perfect for fans of richly reimagined fairy tales and classic tales like Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles and Gregory Maguire’s Wicked.
My name is Amy Gumm—and I’m the other girl from Kansas. After a tornado swept through my trailer park, I ended up in Oz. But it wasn’t like the Oz I knew from books and movies. Dorothy had returned, but she was now a ruthless dictator. Glinda could no longer be called the Good Witch. And the Wicked Witches who were left? They’d joined forces as the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, and they wanted to recruit me. My mission? Kill Dorothy. Except my job as assassin didn’t work out as planned. Dorothy is still alive. The Order has vanished. And the home I couldn’t wait to leave behind might be in danger. Somehow, across a twisted and divided land, I have to find the Order, protect the true ruler of Oz, take Dorothy and her henchmen down—and try to figure out what I’m really doing here.
My name is Amy Gumm—and I’m the other girl from Kansas. After a tornado swept through my trailer park, I ended up in Oz. But it wasn’t like the Oz I knew from books and movies. Dorothy had returned, but she was now a ruthless dictator. Glinda could no longer be called the Good Witch. And the Wicked Witches who were left? They’d joined forces as the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, and they wanted to recruit me. My mission? Kill Dorothy. Except my job as assassin didn’t work out as planned. Dorothy is still alive. The Order has vanished. And the home I couldn’t wait to leave behind might be in danger. Somehow, across a twisted and divided land, I have to find the Order, protect the true ruler of Oz, take Dorothy and her henchmen down—and try to figure out what I’m really doing here.
A great sequel to the book "Dorothy Must Die." This is a great read for someone who loves reimagined fairy tales with magic, mystical creatures, and action. It also includes love, kindness, friendship, and loyalty. The sequel takes off right where the previous book ends.That means these books definitely have to be read in order. It took me only two days to read this one (293 pages) and I can't wait to read book 3. Just as I said about "Dorothy Must Die," I believe that you have to read this 4-book series first before you read the prequel series to this series. It's kind of like "Star Wars" where it is more fun and exciting to watch the old 80s movies first before watching the first three movies recorded about 20 years after movies 3-6. Fantastic read with less action than the previous book, but captivating nonetheless!
Also, Amy's love story continues in this sequel. There are a few surprises and twists just as in the first book. The book is classified as a YA book, but it is a fantastic read for adults of all ages.
Danielle Paige has a great way of ending her books with a cliffhanger that makes you want to pick up the next book in the series right away. I had the third book put on hold at my local library right away and it is one of the books I will read in February.
As for the Popsugar Reading Challenge, this book would fit the "retelling of a classic" prompt, but since I want to try to read a different book for each prompt, I decided to add this to the "A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover" prompt.
In the Around the Year in 52 Books challenge, I used the prompt "Two books related to the same topic, genre, or theme" prompt (with this one being book 2 and "Dorothy Must Die" being book 1).
Also, Amy's love story continues in this sequel. There are a few surprises and twists just as in the first book. The book is classified as a YA book, but it is a fantastic read for adults of all ages.
Danielle Paige has a great way of ending her books with a cliffhanger that makes you want to pick up the next book in the series right away. I had the third book put on hold at my local library right away and it is one of the books I will read in February.
As for the Popsugar Reading Challenge, this book would fit the "retelling of a classic" prompt, but since I want to try to read a different book for each prompt, I decided to add this to the "A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover" prompt.
In the Around the Year in 52 Books challenge, I used the prompt "Two books related to the same topic, genre, or theme" prompt (with this one being book 2 and "Dorothy Must Die" being book 1).
| Book #8: 5 out of 5 stars "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens Product details:
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For years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life--until the unthinkable happens. (description from Amazon.com)
What a painfully beautiful heart-warming book!!!! And OMG, Kya, the Marsh Girl, is such an amazing and strong girl/young woman!!! This book is beautifully written. I love how the author switches from the past to the present. It is very insightful and makes this book a very compelling story. With each chapter, you dig deeper into the world of the Marsh Girl. This novel gives you a totally new appreciation for nature. Owens' description of animals, plants, the scenery, what Kya sees, feels, and smells brings the location to life. You feel like you are emerged in the region.
For the Popsugar Reading Challenge, I chose the prompt "A book recommended by a celebrity you admire" (Reese Witherspoon chose this one for her Hello Sunshine Book Club). This book also fits a prompt in the Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge: "A book with a strong sense of place or where the author brings the location/setting to life."
For the Popsugar Reading Challenge, I chose the prompt "A book recommended by a celebrity you admire" (Reese Witherspoon chose this one for her Hello Sunshine Book Club). This book also fits a prompt in the Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge: "A book with a strong sense of place or where the author brings the location/setting to life."
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