Skloot tells the fascinating and frustrating story of the first human cells (HeLa) ever grown in a lab. They were taken unknowingly from a black woman named Henrietta Lacks. We hear the tales of Henrietta, her cells, her family, and … Continue reading
I loved this novel about the courtship, marriage, and divorce of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley Richardson. I thought the writing was beautiful and unique, paying homage to Hadley, who is often called Hemingway’s “favourite” wife. McLain also … Continue reading
Akkad’s novel tells of the Second American Civil War that begins in 2074, with the North and South once again split – this time about fossil fuel. When her father is killed, Sarat Chestnut is sent to Camp Patience with … Continue reading
I read this last year but unbelievably forgot to write about it. I love war stories and I loved this one because it tells of the Nazi’s vicious siege of Leningrad, which I hadn’t previously read about. And the story … Continue reading
The fact that Orwell conceived of this novel and wrote it after WWII, but that it’s eerily still relevant and predictive (e.g., Fake News) is amazing. The ideas he expresses are visionary and brilliant, even if horribly depressing. But this … Continue reading
Sakamoto tells the heart-wrenching story of how both sides of his family were deeply affected during WWII. Forgiveness is why he was born and can now tell the tale. His maternal grandfather was a Japanese POW; his paternal grandparents were … Continue reading
An affair begins at a baby’s christening party, inevitably re-structuring two families. The lives of four parents and six children become entwined. This novel is about the ties that bind, the longevity of deep affection, the mismatch of romance, and … Continue reading
