An American Influencer: Susan B. Anthony by Kanefield

Susan B Anthony is someone who often comes to mind when considering iconic American women. Her influence has become widespread over time.

Susan Anthony is the only woman featured in a series of four books on prominent Americans written by this author. This places her in company with Alexander Hamilton, Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson. In my opinion, she can hold her own.

The reader learns about the early influences on Susan Anthony who was an observer of all around her. As she grew up, Susan saw that the rights of women were not valued or protected. Over the course of her life, she fought for change for women as detailed in this biography.

This is an excellent entry in a series that should appeal to middle grade students. Adults who read this book will also feel better informed. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this fine read.

#MakingOfAmericaSeries #NetGalley

“?A fine biography, both enlightening and entertaining, on a critical topic.”

(Kirkus Reviews)
“An excellent introduction to a woman that should be remembered for her tireless work to get women the right to vote and live as they chose.”

(School Library Connection)

“Susan B. Anthony, who fought tirelessly for women to have the right to vote, is profiled in this very readable entry in the Making of America series.”

(Booklist)

Who can you believe or trust? The Suspect by Fiona Barton

The SuspectI recently posted a NYT Book Review’s review of this title.  In many ways, I agreed with it.

I had read The Child, this author’s second novel. and very much enjoyed it.  See my review of that one below.  I began this book with high expectations that were not quite realized.  Nonetheless, I found that I was constantly turning the pages of the short chapters until I got to the end.

The central story is about Rosie and Alex who travel to Thailand for their gap year.  The two are very different with Alex having a stronger moral compass.  Rosie wants to party while Alex wants to see and experience the country.  What happens to them and why forms the central mystery/suspense of the book. No spoilers here. Around them, there are other characters in Thailand and Rosie and Alex’s families at home in England.  The reader also spends time with a detective and reporter who were also in this author’s earlier novels.  Their relationships and backstories figure prominently in the narrative.  There is an overlap in that Kate is reporting but her son is also traveling in Thailand and a part of the story’s events.

This novel deals with tragedy and the impact of a difficult upbringing. I won’t say about whom or whose so as not to spoil the suspense.  Yet, despite this, I found that I did not care about the characters or story as much as I had hoped to.

I give this one a solid three stars.  If you read it, I would love to know what you think.

 

Praise for The Suspect

“A nail-biting tale of missing teens and the parents who worry for them. Fiona Barton’s first two novels, The Widow and The Child, were international bestsellers.…The Suspect deserves equal success. It’s…expertly written….Barton’s characterizations are exceptional.”—The Washington Post

“In The Suspect, Fiona Barton mixes universal truths with a thrilling tale.”—USA Today (3½ out of 4 stars)

I have not read Fiona Barton’s first book, “The Widow,” although I probably will now. Her sophomore effort, “The Child,” is intriguing and suspenseful Who is the baby found on the building site? How are the characters and their stories connected? What does it mean to be a parent? To grieve? To confront and accept one’s past? “The Child” is about all of this while being a page turner. I did guess the answer to the central mystery but this did not in any way lessen my enjoyment of this novel. I feel confident that Fiona Barton’s next book will be, “third time the charm.” Recommended for suspense fans.  Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to review this novel.

An e-book bargain for today

This one is for fans of Jane Austen.  It is told from the point of view, of the servants in the Bennett household.

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. The servants of the Bennett estate manage their own set of dramas in this vivid re-imagining of Pride and Prejudice. While the marriage prospects of the Bennett girls preoccupy the family upstairs, downstairs the housekeeper Mrs. Hill has her hands full managing the staff that keeps Longbourn running smoothly: the young housemaids, Sarah and Polly; the butler, Mr. Hill; and the mysterious new footman, James Smith, who bears a secret connection to Longbourn. At the heart of the novel is a budding romance between James and orphan-turned-housemaid Sarah, whose dutiful service belies a ferocious need for notice, an insistence that she fully be taken into account. When an expected turn of events separates the young lovers, Sarah must contend with James&’s complicated past and the never-ending demands of the Bennetts. Baker (The Mermaid&’s Child) offers deeper insight into Austen&’s minor characters, painting Mr. Collins in a more sympathetic light while making the fiendish Mr. Wickham even more sinister. The Militia, which only offered opportunities for flirtations in the original, here serves as a reminder of the horrors of the Napoleonic Wars. Baker takes many surprising risks in developing the relationships between the servants and the Bennetts, but the end result steers clear of gimmick and flourishes as a respectful and moving retelling. A must-read for fans of Austen, this literary tribute also stands on its own as a captivating love story. First printing of 150,000. Agent: Clare Alexander, Aitken Alexander Associates. (Oct.)

Longbourn

E-book bargains

Ones to look for today:

The Red Address BookBlue Lightning: A Thriller (Shetland Book 4)Miss You: A NovelSullivan's Island (Lowcountry Tales Book 1)The Red Address Book is a recently published novel that is in my TBR pile.

“Written with love, told with joy. Very easy to enjoy.”
—Fredrik Backman, author of A Man Called Ove

“In a reader’s lifetime, there are a few books that will be companions forever. For me, The Red Address Book is one of them. It will comfort you, and remind you of all the moments when you grabbed life with both hands. It is also an homage to the wisdom of women who have lived longer than most of us. One is never too old to learn that love is the only meaning of life—let’s listen to these women.”
—Nina George, author of The Little Paris Bookshop

“A charming, fragile romance.”—Kirkus Reviews

Blue Lightning is an entry in Ann Cleeves’s Jimmy Perez series set on Shetland.  This is one of my favorite mystery series.  I recommend that you read every one.  Jimmy is a well developed character and I always enjoy spending time with him.

Miss You is another in my endless TBR pile.

“If ever a couple was ‘meant to be’ it’s Tess and Gus. This is such a witty, poignant and uplifting story of two lives criss-crossing over the years, with near-miss after near-miss…I couldn’t put it down” (Sophie Kinsella, bestselling author of the Shopaholic series)

“Brilliantly constructed, with wonderful characters you’ll be cheering on, this romantic story is full of poignant moments, has a huge heart and a massive feel-good factor. Engrossing and entertaining.” (Sunday Mirror)

“Debut novelist Eberlen develops two wonderfully distinct storylines, but her characters are carefully connected by proximity and circumstance. . . . Eberlen’s characters are so real and deserving of love-thankfully it’s safe to root for them both, and root for them you will.” (Kirkus )

“Eberlen…excels in creating realistic characters whom readers will adore-including Tess’ unusual sister, Hope; Tess’ sassy best friend, Dolly; and Gus’ impulsive college pal, Nash. Eberlen also shines at keeping the story moving through 16 years of friendship, purpose, and love. Swoon-worthy.” (Booklist (starred review))

“Eberlen’s marvelous debut novel captivates and immerses…. This worthy, wonderful, and witty read is a must-have for all romantics who believe in hope.” (Library Journal)

Sullivan’s Island was the first book that I read by Dorothea Benton Frank.  She writes absorbing women’s fiction.

From Publishers Weekly

Frank’s debut novel is a story of redemption set in South Carolina’s steamy low country. Susan Hamilton Hayes’s comfortable Charleston existence is shattered when she finds her husband in bed with another woman. Faced with a failed marriage, a confused teenage daughter and a mediocre job, she sets about the business of healing. Slowly, supported by visits to her sister in their childhood home on sleepy Sullivan’s Island, Susan becomes a successful newspaper columnist, regains her confidence as a woman (despite a hilariously deflating date) and finally explores the death of her complex, abusive father decades before. Chapters alternate between the present and 1963, the year her father died, as Susan faces both the strength and the damaging effects of her family legacy. The ending – complete with a perfect suitor reemerging from Susan’s youth – is almost too picture perfect to ring true but both the setting and the characters are blazingly authentic. Frank evokes the eccentric Hamilton family and their feisty Gullah housekeeper with originality and conviction; Susan herself – smart, sarcastic, funny and endearingly flawed – makes a lively and memorable narrator. Thanks to these scrappily compelling portraits, this is a rich read. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Another in a series: Little Hoo has the Flu

This is a simple story book for young listeners. They will see how well a mother owl takes care of her baby when he becomes ill. The routines of a sick room are simply explained. The reader also sees Little Hoo’s friends arrive. They can’t play with Little Hoo but come back with a get well surprise for him. Children will be reassured to know that when ill, they can feel better soon.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley. The opinions are my own.

#LittleHooHasTheFlu #NetGalley

A fantastic (true) voyage: The Voyage of Discovery

This is quite a clever book in my opinion.  The illustrations are engaging, the text is informative and in the book (unlike in my e-galley), there are flaps to lift; I don’t know about you but I always found flap lifting to be fun when I read with my children.

In this book, children are invited to find a missing movie reel.  Along the way, they are presented with an appealing history of communication.  There are small boxes on each two page spread that are filled with interesting facts.  Children can learn about everything from the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, to telegraphs, to the discovery of graphite, to the printing press, telephones and of course, the movies.  All are presented in a way that makes learning easy and fun.

I highly recommend this one to both kids and adults.  You will all be entertained.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this enjoyable book. The opinions are entirely my own.

#AllAboardTheVoyageOfDiscovery #NetGalley

Here are some examples of the illustrations from the book.

voyage, game, book, learnParis, France, voyagevoyage, interactive, atlantic