The Postmistress

Single, 40-year-old Iris James is the postmistress in the small town of Franklin, Massachusetts, during the early years of WWII. She maintains order, doles out mail to the residents, and above all, she follows the rules.

Emma Trask is the wife of the town’s only doctor, Dr. Fitch. When he attempts to atone for a tragic medical event by volunteering to serve at a military hospital in London, Emma’s world is turned upside down. Before leaving for Europe, Dr. Fitch entrusts Iris with a letter for Emma in the event he never returns home. It will be Iris who will bear responsibility for delivering the news of his death to his young, pregnant wife.

In London, plucky radio correspondent Frankie Bard (who works with Edward R. Murrow) brings the heartrending details of the war to the living rooms of her American listeners. As she travels through Europe, she records the stories of countless displaced Jewish families, capturing the human spirit of so many affected by the war. When Frankie leaves Europe and travels to Franklin, the lives of these three female characters become intertwined.

I received this book for Christmas last year and finally got around to reading it. I’m glad I did (and I think you will be, too!). Sarah Blake has penned an impressive, heartstring-tugging debut novel, full of love, tragedy, hope and sadness. Sure, it’s another novel about WWII, but the approach she takes—focusing on the reporting of the news and its effects—makes the subject matter seem fresh. As I finished the book, it made me reflect on all the positive things I have to be grateful for in my life. Certainly worth adding to your list!







Clara and Mr. Tiffany

As someone who has always been fascinated by beautiful stained glass, I was pleased to see that one of my favorite authors, Susan Vreeland, had written a novel sure to mesmerize with the back story of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s breathtaking nature-inspired lamps and other works of art.

The inspiration for Clara and Mr. Tiffany came from a collection of personal letters discovered in 2005 that revealed a young woman named Clara Driscoll was responsible for the design and production of these lamps—which became synonymous with the Tiffany name—as well as other exquisite works of glass that brought Tiffany much fame and fortune during the early 20^th century.

Vreeland expertly brings to life the story of Clara Driscoll, a talented artist who moves to New York City to find work in the design studios of Louis Comfort Tiffany during the birth of modern America. Forced to leave her job when she married (Mr. Tiffany had a strict policy against hiring married women), Clara returns to Tiffany’s as a young widow and takes charge of the newly formed women’s department, as it was widely believed that women had a finer eye for color selection and the attention to detail that Tiffany’s stained glass projects required. A heroine of sorts, Clara is fiercely loyal to her “Tiffany Girls” during a time when the fight for women’s equality is picking up steam. Throw in an intriguing cast of eclectic, artistic characters who reside at Clara’s board house and I think you’ll enjoy Clara’s journey to find a balance between love, her career, and her relationship with Mr. Tiffany.

Looking back on this novel, I think it may be a bit tedious for some readers, given all of the details about the glass manufacturing process (which I loved). But if you enjoy a well-researched, well-written novel, I think Clara and Mr. Tiffany would make an excellent choice as we head into the cooler, leaf-changing days of fall!



One Day





After reading great reviews about David Nicholls’ international bestseller One Day, I decided to give it a whirl while on vacation. Alas, I was more than a bit disappointed. The story meandered along, leaving me thinking, “Where is this going?” with each turn of the page. Sure, I liked the clever premise—each chapter offering a glimpse into the lives of Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley on the same July day of each passing year. But it was utterly predictable from the start. I think I was also distracted by the fact that Anne Hathaway (annoying) and Jim Sturgess (what?) are playing the leads in the movie. Did those responsible for casting even READ this book? If you’ve read it, I’d love to know what you think about the casting choices!

The story goes like this: Emma and Dexter spend a romantic night together in 1988 on the eve of their graduation from college. A close friendship develops, but it’s easy to see that both have deeper feelings for the other. As we keep up with the pair over the next 20 years, we witness the ever sarcastic Emma working at jobs that are completely beneath her and dating hapless men (poor Ian)—all while struggling to become an author. Then there’s Dexter. He’s the hot-mess host of some ridiculous British tabloid-style talk show who fills his days and nights with drugs, booze and beautiful women.

After trudging along for pages and pages (will Dexter and Emma just get together already?!?), tragedy strikes. I admit, I didn’t see this little twist coming. As I finished the final few chapters, I felt the book had somewhat redeemed itself. However, best to borrow this from a friend rather than pay for your own copy if you still insist on reading it!

Vaclav & Lena

I just finished Vaclav & Lena while vacationing in Michigan and it is one of those books I hated to put down. This debut novel by the talented Haley Tanner tells the story of a Russian family living in Brooklyn: 10-year-old Vaclav, his overprotective mother, his father (who drinks his weight in vodka on a daily basis), and Lena, a neighbor who has stolen Vaclav’s heart.

Vaclav and Lena are classmates who spend each afternoon at Vaclav’s home completing their homework assignments, eating dinner, and most importantly, practicing their magic act. Yes, Vaclav’s dream is to be a famous magician (how he admires David Copperfield and Houdini!) and he envisions Lena as the lovely assistant, always by his side.

But Lena’s home life is deplorable. An orphan, she lives with her aunt, an exotic dancer who has no time to care for a child (and doesn’t really want one around). With a profession like this, the reader can only imagine all of the unsavory elements Lena is exposed to. Vaclav’s mother, Rasia, realizes the tragedy of Lena’s situation and does what she can to make sure the girl is provided for and protected. But one afternoon, Rasia makes a shocking discovery, and because of her good intentions, Lena disappears from Vaclav’s life.

With each passing year, Vaclav (who’s still practicing magic) continues to hold out hope that he will be reunited with Lena. Will that reunion ever happen? Pick up a copy of this sweet and heartbreaking novel to find out for yourself. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

 

The Summer We Read Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is, in my opinion, one of the best books ever written. I’ve read it at least half a dozen times and seem to find something new each time I do. I’m also excited about Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming film adaptation, due out next year. Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby? Yes, please!

So, when I read a review of The Summer We Read Gatsby, I decided to pick up a copy. The story centers around half sisters Cassie (who also serves as the story’s narrator) and Pecksland (Peck) Moriarty, who reconnect one summer at the cottage they inherit from their eccentric Aunt Lydia.

This run-down little cottage in the Hamptons, known as Fools House, is a source of contention for the two girls, who give new meaning to the term “polar opposites.” Cassie, an introverted writer, wants to sell the house; Peck, a socialite of sorts, would do anything to keep it in the family. After all, Peck protests, the cottage represents the place where the two girls bonded each summer, even reading Gatsby for the first time.

Unfortunately, Danielle Ganek has created a predictable novel that never really picks up steam. Besides attending parties—including an elaborate Gatsby-themed bash—and learning more about themselves and each other (cliché), the book was void of any real intrigue (a plotline regarding a stolen painting, which may or may not be a Jackson Pollock original, never really develops). I was also really hoping for a stronger connection to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary masterpiece.

So, if you love Gatsby, skip this one and instead try Chris Bohjalian’s The Double Bind. It’s a fascinating tale that will make you feel as if Jay, Daisy, Tom and Jordan were anything but fiction.

Alice I Have Been

Growing up, I was in love with Alice in Wonderland. Nothing made me feel better when I was sick and home from school than watching the Disney classic. The colorful cast of characters, and, of course, Alice herself, made me wish I could chase the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole and embark upon my own magical journey in the oddly fascinating world created by Lewis Carroll.

Melanie Benjamin’s Alice I Have Been introduces us to Alice Liddell Hargreaves, the inspiration for “Alice” of Alice in Wonderland fame. This intriguing novel expertly blends fact and fiction as the life of Alice—from childhood through her twilight years—beautifully unfolds. As the daughter of the dean of Christ Church, Alice and her family befriend Charles Dodgson, a shy young don who teaches mathematics at Oxford. Dodgson grows quite fond of Alice and her sisters Lorina and Edith, often spending “golden” afternoons with the girls (chaperoned, of course) in the park or on the lake, entertaining them with fanciful stories that Alice insists he must write down (which, fortunately, he did, under the pen name Lewis Carroll).

Dodgson is also somewhat of an amateur photographer and with Mrs. Liddell’s approval (with whom Alice has a tenuous relationship), photographs the three girls on several occasions. However, it is during one photographic engagement that Alice, costumed as a young gypsy waif, realizes that something about the seemingly innocent picture-taking session isn’t quite right. I admit, I was a bit disturbed by Dodgson’s obsession with Alice and her level of reciprocation (conscious or otherwise). This event ultimately serves as the catalyst for the dissolution of the friendship between the Liddell family and Dodgson, even though the precise cause for the break in communication is never truly revealed. Nonetheless, the nature of Alice and Dodgson’s relationship, its demise, and all the events in between haunt Alice for the rest of her life. I think, right or wrong, Alice really did love Mr. Dodgson as he may have loved her.

Melanie Benjamin is one of the best authors to come along in a very long time. She has an extraordinary way with words—I couldn’t digest them quickly enough and honestly read every syllable! If you love Alice in Wonderland, I think you’ll be captivated by this novel. I highly recommend adding this to that stack of “must reads” on your bedside table!  

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Major Ernest Pettigrew is a conservative, proper Englishman who possesses a rather strong dislike for individuals who lack a proper sense of decorum. So, imagine his horror when he learns of the untimely death of his younger brother, Bertie, via a telephone call (poor form, indeed!). Of course, it is also at that precise moment that he chooses to answer his door to find the lovely Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the local widowed Pakistani shopkeeper, standing on his front stoop while he’s still clad in his bathrobe (the mortification!).

It is this encounter, however, that is the catalyst for the surprising friendship that forms between the Major and Mrs. Ali, an unlikely pair united by their grief — and fondness for all things Kipling. Unfortunately, the small town of Edgecombe St. Mary isn’t exactly welcoming of their budding relationship. To make matters worse, they hardly have the approval of Major Pettigrew’s dreadful, condescending son or Mrs. Ali’s ultra-religious nephew. Will they ever be able to make things work?

Helen Simonson has created a charming, old-fashioned love story that incorporates a slew of social issues without getting too preachy. I enjoyed the subplot regarding Major Pettigrew’s attempt to reunite two highly collectible Churchill shotguns (family drama!). It certainly makes the reader, along with Major Pettigrew, acknowledge that some items in life are worth saving and others must be let go in order to move forward and be truly happy. I think you’ll enjoy this one!

A Vintage Affair

A Vintage Affair is a mesmerizing tale about Phoebe Swift, a former Sotheby’s auction house buyer turned vintage clothing shop owner. On the surface, this career change isn't drastic; it is, however, a risk both financially and personally, especially as Phoebe initially uses her shop as an escape from the recent death of her dearest childhood friend, Emma, and the dissolution of her engagement to Dan.

In running from her own past, Phoebe ends up running headlong into the past lives of others. Always searching for new inventory for her shop, Phoebe one afternoon calls upon Therese Bell, an elderly woman who wishes to part with some beautiful vintage pieces. Their lives soon become intertwined as the WWII survivor tells Phoebe of her experiences, both joyous and heartbreaking, while wearing the clothing (Ms. Wolff does have quite the knack for making the clothing sound absolutely sumptuous!) during and after the War. She gladly offers the items to Phoebe, with the exception of a blue winter coat.

As the relationship continues to develop, Mrs. Bell relates the small betrayals that had lasting consequences in the French countryside where she grew up. Phoebe immediately notices the similarities to her own life, including the one act of betrayal she has been desperately trying to forget. Can she ever truly move forward or will her past actions forever haunt her?

A wonderful read with amazing descriptions of both the clothing (I was in love with the 50s-style “cupcake” prom dresses Wolff describes; pure confection!) and the historical touches from both women's stories, A Vintage Affair will captivate your senses. A great beach read!

La’s Orchestra Saves the World

As someone who has read a fair amount of Alexander McCall Smith’s novels (my favorites are The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, and I curse HBO for canceling the series—which starred the talented songbird Jill Scott—after only one season), I was glad when my mom passed this charming little book along.

The story is told through the eyes of Lavender Stone—La to her friends—who leaves city life behind and moves to the English countryside following a tragic event in her life. After the outbreak of war, La decides to serve her country in some capacity by joining the Women’s Land Army, and is assigned to help Henry Madder, a kind, elderly farmer, care for his chickens.

Meanwhile, La is introduced to Feliks, a young Polish airman who is unable to continue flying because of a recent injury. Since he has nowhere to go, an acquaintance of La’s suggests that Feliks come to work on Madder’s farm. The two develop a close bond (will they end up together?), working together to plant a vegetable garden and discovering a common interest in music. La, an amateur flute player, is inspired to form an orchestra. Soon villagers and airmen from the nearby Royal Air Force base join the ensemble. The music they share provides more than just entertainment; it provides hope for the entire community.

La's Orchestra Saves the World is a story about sacrifice, courage and the strength of the human spirit. McCall Smith has crafted a true gem with this stand-alone novel, and those who pick up a copy won’t be disappointed.

The Girl Who Chased The Moon

In Sarah Addison Allen’s third novel, the reader is whisked away to Mullaby, North Carolina, where we meet 17-year-old Emily Benedict as she lands on the doorstep of the grandfather she never knew existed until her mother, Dulcie, dies. It is the discovery of her grandfather—quite literally a giant (he’s more than 8-feet-tall)—that prompts Emily to quickly realize that the town her mother left behind is not what it appears to be. Sure, it’s charming and Southern, but it’s brimming with secrets— and magic: The bedroom wallpaper mysteriously changes patterns, nightly trails of light illuminate the sky in the woods behind the house, and the wafting scent of freshly baked cakes does more than entice the townsfolk to purchase something sweet.

It's not long before Emily is befriended by local baker Julia Winterson, a woman with her own dark secrets. It is Julia who helps Emily understand her mother’s troubled past and her abrupt departure from Mullaby all those years ago—information that will prove valuable as Emily’s forbidden friendship with Win Coffey, son of Mullaby’s mayor, continues to blossom.

Sarah Addison Allen has once again written a novel that incorporates just the right amount of mystery, magic and sweetness. And, while this tale may not be my favorite (definitely check out Garden Spells and Sugar Queen), it is certainly the perfect beach read! I'm looking forward to reading her newest novel, The Peach Keeper!

A Red Herring Without Mustard: A Flavia de Luce Novel

When I went to Borders last week, I was excited to see this book — with its bright yellow cover — on the new releases table. Flavia de Luce, the precocious eleven-year-old heroine, is back in Alan Bradley’s third novel, and she doesn’t disappoint. We again find Flavia in the little English hamlet of Bishop’s Lacey, this time investigating (much to Inspector Hewitt’s chagrin) an attack on a Gypsy woman, who only recently revealed an ominous message to Flavia through her crystal ball. And later, when one of the town’s most renowned ne’r-do-wells turns up dead in the de Luce’s Poseidon fountain, is the crime connected to the ancient fortune teller (and possibly a years-ago child abduction)?

Throughout the story, Flavia continues to contend with her two dreadfully vain older sisters, Ophelia and Daphne, a father who can barely tear himself away from his beloved stamp collection, and a gossipy, cockney cook, Mrs. Mullet. Fortunately for Flavia, she is able to escape quite frequently to her secret chemical laboratory in the east wing of Buckshaw, the family’s dilapidated mansion. There, she works to solve these mysteries and plots revenge against her sisters with crazy potions and harebrained schemes.

Canadian author Alan Bradley has created another charming page turner, and I’m already looking forward to the next Flavia adventure. While you don’t need to read the first two books in the series to fully appreciate the characters, I would recommend starting with his debut novel, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.

The Tower, The Zoo, And The Tortoise

I just finished reading The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise, a quirky, somewhat odd book by Julia Stuart. The story revolves around Balthazar Jones, a Beefeater, and his wife Hebe, who live in the Tower of London. As the story progresses, Balthazar is charged with overseeing the reestablishment of a menagerie of exotic animals (including a monkey who bears an uncanny resemblance to Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York) that have been gifted to the Queen by dignitaries from around the globe. Balthazar’s love for the animals and sense of responsibility for their well-being offers an everyday escape from the unbearable sadness caused by the death of his young son, as well as a marriage that continues to deteriorate with each passing day.

Stuart has created some of the most colorful characters I’ve come across in a long time. I especially loved Rev. Septimus Drew and his penchant for penning erotica, as well as Valerie Jennings, Hebe’s kindhearted, full-figured co-worker at London Underground’s Lost Property Office. OK, so the whimsical cover illustration also made this book irresistible. However, the story tends to meander along, often leaving me wondering when things are going to come together. While the premise is clever and original, the story was lacking something I can’t quite put my finger on. Overall grade: B-.

Prayers for Sale

OK, I admit it. I am that girl — the one who selects books based on whether or not I like the cover. And when I spotted Prayers for Sale late last year at Borders, I was drawn to the antique dress floating above a peaceful-looking mountain town. While I had never heard of author Sandra Dallas, the staff reviews really piqued my interest. Little did I know that this historical novel would turn out to be one of the best books I read in 2010.

Set in 1936, Prayers for Sale tells the story of two women — eighty-six-year-old Hennie Comfort, and the newly married seventeen-year-old Nit Spindle — who form an unlikely friendship in the Great Depression-ravaged gold mining town of Middle Swan, Colorado. 

The story begins one late winter afternoon when Hennie, peering out her window, notices Nit curiously studying an old sign outside of Hennie’s home that reads PRAYERS FOR SALE. Hennie is instantly drawn to the young girl and invites her to come in out of the cold. Of course, Hennie wouldn't think of accepting Nit’s money for a prayer; she's never accepted money from anyone. And even though they never really get around to sharing any prayers, they do begin to reveal the stories of the struggles and hardships that have shaped their lives.

Hennie soon invites Nit to join her quilting circle, the Tenmile Quilters, and it is during these quilting sessions that their friendship deepens. Dark secrets are revealed, and I was genuinely surprised by many of the revelations, especially Hennie's.

Ms. Dallas' portrayal of Hennie's kind, nurturing demeanor and Nit's simplicity lends an authentic quality to these characters and their exceptional journey through tragedies and triumphs. An enjoyable, highly recommended read!

The Wednesday Sisters

While recently traveling to and from Scottsdale for a girls’ weekend, I couldn’t have selected a more appropriate book for the journey.  The Wednesday Sisters, Meg Waite Clayton’s second novel, is a captivating tale about the special bond of friendship. The book begins in September 1967 when five very different young women meet in a neighborhood park and discuss their families, dreams and literary aspirations. As the novel progresses, we see these weekly meetings evolve into a writing group where each character — Frankie, Brett, Kath, Linda and Ally — eventually shares passages from stories they’ve written. It is through their writing — and what they discover about themselves along the way — that a beautiful friendship begins to blossom.

Although most of the novel takes place before I was born, Clayton does an excellent job providing the reader with a historical overview that really evokes the flavor of the times. The relatable, endearing characters together experience events that shaped the decade — the assassination of Bobby Kennedy, Apollo 11’s moon landing, the Vietnam War — not to mention countless Miss America pageants. As these events were recounted, I couldn’t help but think about some of the events that have had a profound effect on my own life, and those of my friends.

It’s easy to fall in love with the characters Clayton has so deftly created. Their friendship is certainly to be envied and leaves you longing to spend the afternoon sharing hot cocoa with the cast of kindred spirits in your own life. A true gem!