50 in 2012: Book Six

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Alternating between modern day Scotland and it’s 18th century counterpart, the story follows author Carrie McClelland’s attempts to complete her latest novel about the lesser known 1708 Jacobite rebellion. Traveling to Slains Castle for research, Carrie starts to immerse herself in her writing; however, the line between her life and that of her book’s heroine becomes poignantly entangled. As the words comes to her, her fingers flow effortlessly, telling the story that her subconscious wants told. Leaving the fog that has allowed her to pen pages faster than ever before, she researches the details that came to her in the form of richly vivid characters, talking to her, telling their story. She discovers that she has included historical details she could not have simply just known.

Yet, it is not Carrie’s story that is the most touching, instead it is that of her heroine, Sophia. I must admit I was leery of this book. It has sat on my shelf for months, the thickness of it’s spine often leading me to chose another book instead, as well as my lack of knowledge regarding the premise of it’s historical basis: the 1708 Jacobite rebellion. It only took me a few chapters to fall in love with this book, and with Sophia. While the alternating chapters and dual timelines proved frustrating at times, I still found myself hopelessly devoted to learning the outcome of both women’s stories. There are a couple misgivings and questionable scenarios that weaken the overall affect of this book; however, the loves and lives and the women are woven together in a way that is not far fetched or implausible.

“It wasn’t by chance. There wasn’t any part of it that happened by chance.”

A memorable, deftly crafted read. SOMEONE read so we can discuss!! I cried FOUR times throughout this book, of the ugly variety. LOVED.

50 in 2012: Book Five

The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Happy marriage. Pregnant wife. Husband’s job calls for a relocation. Rocky move. New home is not what it was hoped to be. Tragic kidnapping. Family feared dead. Husband searches fruitlessly for years to find his lost family. Finally decides to move away. Finally decides to love again. Marries. Only to one day discover that his wife and family did not die…

The makings of a modern day soap opera. However, this story is told in the late 1800’s. Stigmas and one’s social standing can be life altering. Henry Oades has gained the reputation as a hard working, upstanding man in his new hometown of Berkeley, California having moved here to escape the tragedy that nearly broke him in Wellington, New Zealand. He and his wife, Margaret, had just settled into their new countryside home in Wellington. He was out on business when his wife and children were violently kidnapped by incensed Maori tribesmen. In the struggle, a neighbor woman was killed. Her remains un-identifiable in the ashes left after the fire that torched the Oades’ home.

After surviving years of Maori captivity and enslavement, Margaret and the children are freed and immediately set out to find Henry. They return to their Wellington home to discover that he has abandoned New Zealand for America. They also learn that Henry, along with the entire town, thought them long dead. Margaret finds his new address and makes the journey to America. Tired, elated to reconnect with her long lost husband, she soon sees that Henry not only has a new life but also a new wife.

Led by obligation, Henry takes in his wife and children; however, in doing so he sparks a community outrage. It is believed he is living in sin: bigamy, a hangable offense. Together, Henry, Margaret, and Henry’s new wife, Nancy are in a fight for their lives, as well as those of their children. Forced to prove their most unfortunate circumstances, and fight the labels bestowed upon them by unknowing neighbors, the women navigate uncharted ground and begin a friendship that gives them the strength to survive lives wrought with tragedy and seemingly insurmountable challenges.

A memorable tale of undeniable courage, love, and strength. Amazing book.

50 in 2012: Book Four

The Soldier’s Wife by Margaret Leroy

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The story of an amazingly compelling, courageous woman and her efforts to protect her girls during the German occupation of Guernsey. Caring for her elderly mother in law while her husband is away fighting, Vivienne de la Mare fears that the Nazi brutality will permeate her island and rob her of her most prized possessions. Her fears grow stronger as three elder German soldiers take up residence next door to her home. With her home very clearly visible, her movements and daily activities become immediately under watch.

As the intensity of the occupation increases, so does the pressure on Vivienne. Caring for an aging mother in law of a husband she no longer loves. Falling, passionately and deeply, in love with Gunther, one of the neighboring German soldiers. Torn, conflicting emotions: love, deep and true, yet daily confrontations with the brutality of war at the hands of Gunther’s fellow soldiers. Secrets. Daughters watching it all unfold. Decisions: the one you married, the one you love, or the one who needs you the most? Helping one, siding with one, means potentially losing them all. Forever.

The juxtaposition of good and evil, love and war is heart wrenching, impressive, and powerful. Gunther seeks out Vivienne in spite of his allegiance to his country and demands of his position. I found their struggle to put love before the realities of war incredibly poignant as they both jeopardize everything to be together.

The author’s choice to highlight a house full of women during a time of chaos, war, and uncertainty was not lost on me. The supposed strength of the male soldiers is explained as merely doing a job, while the demure and vulnerable women left behind exude strength beyond measure. Magnificent.

50 in 2012: Book Three

Balancing Acts by Zoe Fishman

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I had really high hopes for this book, a book I would have never picked up a year ago. Having recently discovered the true magic of yoga, I immediately fell in love with the synopsis on the back cover.

Charlie worked herself to the bone to succeed at her lucrative, high-paying Wall Street job. She studied instead of partied during her college years. Always. Which is why everyone is shocked to hear she left it all behind for yoga as they huddle at their ten year college reunion. She meets up with three friends she hasn’t talked to much since their dorm days: Sabine, a copy editor for cheesy romance novels who longs to write her own book in the very near future and who spends most of her day trying to fend off her texting, nagging mother. Naomi, a former model struggling to raise her son as a single mother. Bess, consumed by the decisions she must make regarding her long distance relationship at the risk of losing all she has worked for.

Four women, each at a crossroads in her life. Sabine, Bess, and Naomi envy Charlie’s courage to leave her job to pursue her true passion; however, her fearlessness ends when it comes to love. She took on her three old friends as yoga clients in hopes of teaching them to see something greater in themselves and maybe fall in love with yoga along the way. In doing so, Charlie learns from them as well and finds the strength she needs to move on. Finally.

The potential for poignancy and emotion in this novel is extraordinary; however, the author falls short. Much of the drama is merely touched upon. The greatest story lines fade into mere mention which is extremely disappointing.

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50 in 2012: Book Two

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Every single second of Sarah Nickerson’s day is booked. In fact, every second of Sarah Nickerson’s day is overbooked. The consummate multi-takser, Sarah is a full-time working mother of three children living in an affluent suburban neighborhood, logging in 80 hours a week at work, and shuttling her children to and from soccer practice/day care/piano lessons. She prides herself on her ability to manage multiple conversations at once. Harvard educated, Sarah exemplifies the classic overachiever. Until one day, when her inability to focus on one task at a time tragically changes her life.

A simple task: checking her phone for an e-mail, something she’s done a gazillion times. A simple task: driving herself to work, something she’s done a gazillion times. Checking her phone for an incoming e-mail while driving herself to work results in a tragic accident that leaves her with a traumatic brain injury.

With her brain unable to acknowledge anything “left”, Sarah must re-learn how to live without the existence of “left”. Genova skillfully allows the reader inside of Sarah’s struggles to regain control and acceptance of her new life, her new body, her new reality. A story about the importance of moments, decisions, and the before and after of the decisions we make.

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