A horrifying and tragic book.  I had a hard time putting it down.  Sarah and her parents are Jews living in occupied France in 1942.  When they are rounded up by French policemen to be handed over to the Germans, Sarah hides her little brother, promising to return for him.  60 years later, Julia, an American journalist, stumbles onto Sarah’s story.  Desperate to discover Sarah’s fate, Julia dives into her investigation, and finds some old family secrets. 

Sarah’s Key explores a part of the Holocaust with which I was unfamiliar, the round-up of French, Jewish citizens by French policemen at the Vel d’Hiv.  Although the book is at times difficult to read, its message of forgiveness, remembrance and life is a powerful one.

If you can breeze past a few sermons about global warming and polar icecaps melting, this was a great book.  Mara’s town is a tiny shrinking island in the Atlantic.  As far as the people in her town know, their island is the only dry land left on earth.  But as the waters keep rising, they must find a new home.  Mara convinces the islanders to set off in search of a rumored refuge–sky cities built high above the wet earth.

Absolutely fantastic.  One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.  I don’t know how I missed Mowat’s books growing up, but I’m glad I discovered him now.  The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be is the true story of Mutt, Mowat’s own beloved dog.  Although Mutt was technically a dog, he certainly didn’t act like a dog.  Mutt’s exploits are legendary in the small Canadian towns where he lived, and Mowat’s descriptions of them are laugh-out-loud hysterical.  Mowat’s book is more than just a dog story.  He brings to life his boyhood in Canada, the adventures he shared with his father, and his love for and knowledge of nature.  I loved reading this book myself, and can’t wait to share it with my children when they’re older.

Dallas veers from her typical story setting (Midwest plains) and sets this book in Mississippi.  Nora travels from Colorado to Mississippi to claim an inheritance from an aunt she never knew.  As she settles her aunt’s estate, Nora uncovers some secrets in her family tree, and finds peace in her own life as well.

If I didn’t know how outstanding Dallas’ books could be, I would’ve said this one was pretty good.  But I know her books can be so much better.  The two things I enjoy the most about Dallas’ books are the strong friendships that her female characters develop, and the unique and powerful conversations they enjoy together.  New Mercies didn’t have those strong friendships, and the character development felt kind of flat.  I had to struggle to finish this one.

A compilation of short stories, all in standard Berg format.  Most of them were fine, but not outstanding.  One story was fantastic, and I’d definitely read it again: “How to Make an Apple Pie.”  If you’re an Elizabeth Berg fan, it’s worth checking this book out from the library just to read that one story.  If you’re not a fan, then check it out anyways for an example of her best and funniest writing.

Newer Posts »