I finished my reading goal of 52 books a year in 2016. Reading time is precious, and no one wants to waste it on a book you have to fight your way through. I was moved by each of these works. I savored the feelings the pages brought to life, or what I pondered as I read. May your reading be worthwhile and fill you will joy and wonder in the New Year.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi– Homegoing is a powerhouse of a novel. It spans hundreds of years of history. It begins in Africa as slaves are shipped from the Cape Coast, to life on southern plantations, and ending in poor Harlem. I thought about all the ways we are enslaved, through our own thoughts, emotions, through addictions, bitterness or anger. Even after the characters were freed, they were enslaved by these things until they worked those shackles off as well. This is a work of impressive fiction.

To Purchase on Amazon, click here: Homegoing: A novel

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton– I love to imagine life in old Seattle at the turn of the century.  This book let me wander through a barely settled rainy Seattle, with strong and beautiful characters. I love a good tragedy, I long for books that captures the longing of the human heart. I also love odd, and this story was wonderfully quirky as well. If you only like happy books, stay away. If you love rich writing, exquisitely woven settings, with twists and a little sadness, you will savor Ava Lavender and her beautiful sorrows.

To Purchase this book on Amazon, click here: The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender

Fish in a Tree by Linda Mullaly Hunt– I have taught for many years, and my heart has always been for the children for whom learning does not come easy. The main character has dyslexia, and has carefully hidden her inability to read.  I believe when one person understands our struggle, it makes it a little easier to carry. I loved this book, because it provides a voice of understanding for those who struggle to learn.

To Purchase this book on Amazon, click here: Fish in a Tree

Up to This Pointe by Jennifer Longo– When a ballerina in San Francisco has her life plan derailed, she does what most would never do, goes to Antarctica. I loved the dual settings of this book. The love story was believable, but not sappy, contrived or predictable. It combined science, history, and a fun story. Light hearted, and well written, I enjoyed the journey. A little bit, Where’d you go Bernadette without the zany breakdown.

To Purchase this book on Amazon, click here: Up to This Pointe

The Reader’s of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald- I live to find books about book lovers. Two bookstore owners from opposite sides of the world (Sweden and Iowa) become book sharing pen pals, and meet in Iowa one summer. When a swedish book worm lands in a small Iowa town, no one knows what to do with her. They finally find common ground with, you guessed it, books. I was sad when this sweet and charming book was over. This is the happiest little tale of friendship, and I devoured every word.

To Purchase this book on Amazon, click here: The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend

Hello Reader Friends!

January we will be reading The Magnolia Story about Joanna and Chip Gaines. Click here to download or purchase from Amazon!

The Magnolia Story

This epic novel begins with two half-sisters, connected by the bloodline of their father. Daughters born into the Ashanti tribe in Ghana, Africa  They grow up, and their family tree is split down the middle. One sister is married to a slave trader, and taken to the Cape Coast Castle, living upstairs as a prize wife. The other sister ends up in the castle basement, waiting to be sold as a slave and shipped to America. The book follows the lineage born from these two women’s lives across miles of land and sea. The sweeping journey rambles through American history under Jim Crow laws, to the great migration of free blacks, to Harlem during the Jazz era. The story tells such hard and gut wrenching history, yet it is necessary to know and not forget how people fought for freedom. The rich writing and vivid characters wrap you in the story, but the history is accurate and fascinating. The last page leaves you with questions to research and wonder about after it is finished. The lives in Homegoing are sad, but there are glimpses of happiness and joy gleaned from finding true love, and forgiving the past. I would consider this a must read of 2016.

To Purchase this book on Amazon, click here:

Homegoing: A novel

The Gilded Years by Karin Tanabe 

In 1897 a brave woman stepped onto Vassar College Campus. She was a black woman, her heritage hidden by white ancestry on both sides of her family tree, so courage was her only option. Anita Hemmings passed as white and entered the all-women’s college.  At a time when New York was being built by Vanderbilt and Carnegie wealth; Anita entered society poor, from a black family.

Anita and her friends lived a dreamy existence. Weekends were spent at formal dances in lace dresses, ice skating, and riding in carriages through the city. Anita was a strong student, and a gifted linguist. She excelled at Vassar academically, particularly in Greek and Latin. Her drab clothing made her feel like an outsider. She was perceived as poor, but fit in by carefully hiding her race. Until she was assigned a room with Lottie Taylor. Lottie was the wealthiest girl on campus, and a true believer in the separation of races. Anita’s safe existence becomes threatened when her friendship with Lottie blossoms. Set in an era of incredible romance and simplicity, but also of harsh prejudice. It will prove that separate was never equal, and the end of slavery was just the beginning of a long road of racial reconciliation. If you are a reader of Historical Fiction, put this on your list.

To Order This Book on Amazon, click here: The Gilded Years: A Novel

Here is a photo of  Anita Hemmings during her college years:

This October, our Seattle Ladies Book club is reading In the Woods by Tana French. I have heard it is a little scary. Perfect for rainy nights. Read it with us, let me know what you think.

Click on the link to order from Amazon: In the Woods