Book Review: Seabiscuit: An American Legend, by Laura Hillenbrand

After reading Unbroken several years ago, I realized I had Seabiscuit, also by Hillenbrand, and decided I should read it. I'm glad I finally did.

I'm not even a horse racing fan, but I really enjoy the way Hillenbrand tells a story. She has a way of building the tension and excitement that is unique.

We are introduced to the original owners of Seabiscuit and then told how he ended up with the Howards, who eventually were successful. We are introduced to the trainer (Smith), and the jockey (Pollard). And then we follow them through the training, and race by race, through the ups and downs of Seabiscuit's inconceivable career. 

We are also introduced to the atmosphere of early horse racing, where jockeys took their lives in their hands every time they went out. Not to mention the starvation in order to make weight. Pollard suffered several life-threatening injuries, which each time used up all of his savings and then some. During some of this time, Seabiscuit had a different jockey, Woolf, who was also famous. It was a brutal, dangerous life.

Seabiscuit's rise to fame took place during the Depression when the public needed some distraction. And boy was he a distraction. People would come from all over to watch him race and the race tracks were overflowing. If you weren't watching him, you were listening to the races on the radio.

Some sections were perhaps a bit too detailed for me, but most of the time, I couldn't put Seabiscuit down. Like I said, it's the way she tells the story. So if you are a fan of Hillenbrand, even if you aren't a horse fan, you should consider this book. Even without the horses, it's a fascinating look at a unique aspect of the Depression.

Published by Random House, 2001 
Copy obtained from my library (not sure where I got it)
347 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Discussion: The Crown: The Official Companion Volume 1, by Robert Lacey

I'm calling this post a discussion because I did not read the entire The Crown: The Official Companion Volume 1. Not that it isn't a good book, it just wasn't what I expected.

I'm a huge fan of The Crown Netflix series, and when I saw a book that was going to tell me all the secrets about the series -- where it was inaccurate and what it left out, I was excited.

However, The Crown: The Official Companion Volume 1 was far more detailed and repetitive than I had hoped. It tells the entire story that was being conveyed, adding more details for sure. I didn't want to read the entire story again...I just wanted a tell-all that indicated "this is what really happened" or "this is what we didn't show."

Also, I found the organization of the book to be ungainly. Right in the middle of a story (each chapter covers an episode), there would be a vignette (or several) about one of the characters or events that would take up one, or sometimes many more, pages. And it would include some of the events already described in the general chapter, albeit from a different perspective. I found the interruptions jarring and couldn't figure out how to smoothly fit them into my reading.

There are a lot of photos from the series as well as genuine historical pictures. Some of them of the same event, which for me was the best part of the book.

I ended up skimming most of the book, and therefore will not be counting this one on my list of books and pages read. I also won't be giving a rating, since I really didn't read the whole thing. Judge for yourself...you may want to just skim this for the pictures if you are a fan. If you are diehard and need to know everything about The Crown, you may be interested in the entire text.

The book for season two has been published, but I probably won't bother.

Published by Crown Archetype, 2017
Copy obtained from the library
336 pages

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Book Review: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

I thought a review of Anna Karenina would be appropriate on the last day of the year, since it took me about six months to read it.  I used my Serial Reader app on my iPad.  I love this app, and I think it's the only way I will read some of these long classics that have been on my list.  The Serial Reader app gives you a short segment of the book each day.  I did end up reading ahead to finish by the end of the year. It costs $2.99 to be able to read ahead, otherwise, the app is free.

Now for the book.  I'm not including a summary, you may click on the Wikipedia link if you need one. I really didn't enjoy Anna Karenina very much.  Here are some of the reasons why:

1.  There are too many characters, and they each have two or three names.  I had trouble keeping track.

2. Related to that, there are so many different (unimportant) tangents.  If you are interested in Russian politics in the 1800s, this is your book. If we could have just had Anna's story and Kitty's story, I would have enjoyed it more. I know this is often described as "the best book ever written," but I guess I'm not cultured enough to see it.

3.  Something is lost in the translation.  The turns of phrase and weird affectations were too much for me.  I really got tired of their dialog starting with "Well, and." Maybe that makes sense in Russian, but it's just bizarre in English. I was also annoyed at the many passages in French, that were not translated or explained.

4.  The third-person point of view kept me very detached from the story.  I normally don't have trouble with POVs, but in Anna Karenina, it affected my feelings towards the characters and the book in general.

5.  I hated Anna.  I guess I didn't have much sympathy for her slow descent into madness.  She was just annoying, then all of a sudden, she's crazy.  It happened too fast and therefore I didn't feel for her as I think Tolstoy wanted me to. Or maybe you are supposed to hate her.  I never know how I'm supposed to feel when I read classic novels.

I feel accomplished that I actually read Anna Karenina. It is a story of Russian history, and I did learn quite a bit. I'm ready to watch the movie to see how it compares.  I don't think it could be worse! I've chosen Les Misérables for my next Serial Read.  You probably will see a review for that next New Year's Eve!

Published from 1873 to 1877 as a serial. First published in book form in 1878.
Copy obtained from Serial Reader
1000 pages

Rating: 2/5

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Audio Book Review: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd @suemonkkidd

Wow! I saved the best for last this year.  The Invention of Wings is perfection.  At least for me.  I'm sure I would have loved it in print for, but the audio version just took my breath away.  Usually, at this time of year, I quit listening to books and switch to Christmas music, but I was unable to concentrate on music because all I could think about was this book!

The Invention of Wing is a duel narration by Sarah, an eleven-year-old girl, and the slave she has been given for her birthday, Handful (aka, Hetty), who is about the same age.  We begin in the early 1800s.  Sarah is not your typical eleven-year-old.  She's very intelligent, reads her father's books from his library, aspires to be a lawyer like her father, and most importantly, is against slavery.

Throughout her life, her hopes and dreams are continually crushed, but she never gets past her negative feelings about slavery.  The book covers over 40 years and follows Sarah as she moves north and she and her sister, Angelina, become infamous abolitionists, and also some of the first feminists.

Handful gives her perspective through the eyes of a slave.  She and Sarah become friends and Sarah teachers her to read, an act for which they are both severely punished.  Handful's mother, Charlotte, is also a vivid character.  She's the plantation's seamstress, but also secretly makes quilts which enrich the historical accuracy of the story. Handful goes through much hardship, as you would expect, but continues to have a beautiful spirit which shines through.

Sarah's voice is one of my favorite things about The Invention of Wings. The way she speaks is intelligent and witty.  I became mesmerized as she tells her story. While The Invention of Wings is a story about slavery, it's really about the lives of these characters, and not just these two.  All of the characters come alive.

Sarah and Angelina are historical figures as are several other characters.  Sue Monk Kidd gives extensive author's notes at the end to explain her research and what is fictional. I can't explain why this book is so special to me.  The historical setting and the characters' voices are exceptional.  I just want everyone to read it.

As I said, the audio version is also one of the best I've listened to.  The narrators (Jenna Lamia and Adepero Oduye) just make you believe they ARE the characters.

This is, for sure, my #1 book of 2016.

Published by Thorndike Press, 2014
Audiobook obtained from the library
661 pages

Rating: 5/5

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Book Review: The Plot to Kill Hitler by Patricia McCormick

The Plot to Kill Hitler by Patricia McCormick is a nonfiction account of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was part of a group of men, reaching to the top of Hitler's ranks, that were determined that the only way to save their country was to kill Hitler.

Bonhoeffer was one of eight children who, save for the one that died in World War I, were all part of the conspiracy to kill Hitler. Or, in the case of the girls, their husbands were involved.  Dietrich was an unlikely candidate, given he was a very devout pastor and committed to nonviolence.

As we know, all of their attempts (and there were several) were unsuccessful, and the lives of most of these men ended with horrible deaths because of their involvement.

What is most interesting about the story is the portrayal of the time leading up to the war.  McCormick does a great job of explaining how a man like Hitler was able to gain such absolute power.  He not only took over the government, but was able to get most of the clergy to let him take over the church!  During the time before the war, he slowly eeked away at personal freedoms, not only targeting the Jews, but every citizen of Germany. Hitler did a great job of keeping the inner workings of his government from the rest of the world.

The actual attempts on Hitler's life were sort of anticlimactic after the captivating build up of the tension, both at a national level and a personal level for Bonhoeffer.

We have purchased a class set of The Plot to Kill Hitler for our WWII Literature class.  The teacher found it to be such a great introduction to the war that she can use it and save significant time in class.

The Plot to Kill Hitler is easy to read.  The chapters are very short, and the book is short. Part of the formatting uses boxes of additional explanations about something mentioned in the text.  There are numerous pictures that add to the story. Even though it is accessible to grade school students, The Plot to Kill Hitler is a fascinating account that will appeal to anyone who is interested in history.

Published by Balzer + Bray, September 13, 2016
Copy obtained from the library (eARC also obtained from Edelweiss)
153 pages

Rating: 5/5

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Book Review: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys @RutaSepetys

Sepetys is just a phenomenal storyteller. Salt to the Sea is a fictional account of a WWII event: the sinking of The Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945 as everyone is trying to evacuate East Prussia.

We follow a small group of characters as they make their way across the land and the water trying to reach the ships that will take them to safety. They are cold, hungry, frightened, and some are injured. Most of them have secrets which could get them killed.

The narration switches between four different people. Three are members of this group, and one is a soldier that has been assigned to The Wilhelm Gustloff. Their paths will cross.

As we follow these people through their journey, we learn bits and pieces about their pasts and how they ended up in this predicament. Not all the stories will turn out to be true, but by the end of Salt to the Sea it will all become clear. This technique definitely keeps the pages turning.

It did take me a while to keep the narrators clear. I would have to page back to remind myself which one was talking. This is a personal thing of mine -- I always read too fast and miss some details until I make myself slow down. Not all of the narrators are likable. I found Alfred, the soldier, to be the most compelling (not likeable!) Most of his narration is in the form of letters he imagines writing to a neighbor girl who he is in love with. He's a Nazi and believes in everything Hitler stands for. I think he's also a psychopath. Salt to the Sea wouldn't be the same story without his perspective. The contrast to the other characters is chilling and makes their plight all the more harrowing.

I can't wait to recommend Salt to the Sea. Sepetys has included sources for those who want to know more about this event. I think WWII fans will be riveted. Sepetys will be on my "must buy" list forever. I'm so glad she makes the effort to research and write about these events that have faded into historical oblivion.

Published by Philomel, February 2, 2016
eARC obtained from NetGalley
400 pages

Rating: 5/5

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Book Review: Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little @KimberleyGLittl

Wow. I just loved Forbidden. It is just my kind of book.

Forbidden takes place in 1759 BC in the desserts of Mesopotamia. Jayden's tribe are nomadic, moving as the rain moves and barely subsisting. There is a lot going on in Jayden's life, so I'm resorting to bullets:

• She's betrothed to the future leader of the tribe. Not only does she not love him, she doesn't even like him. She think's he's a louse (and he is.)
• She suffers a great loss at the beginning of the book that changes her life.
• Her tribe worships the God of Abraham, but her sister longs to worship the goddess in the temple in the city. (But don't worry. Forbidden is in no way a religious or preachy book.)
• She's desperate to be reunited with a missing family member, who she feels responsible for.
• She meets a dark, handsome, rich stranger from an unknown foreign land. The attraction is mutual and undeniable. He wants to take her away and surround her with riches. But she can't get out of her betrothal.
• Dancing is a very important part of the women's lives. They dance to pray, worship, and to entertain their husbands.
• Her father, while doing his best, is becoming poorer and more destitute with each passing season. He has lost many of their camels, which are necessary and a symbol of wealth.
• Her grandmother is priceless.

So you can kind of see where this is going. Jayden is a resolute character who deals with each situation in the best way she can. You just know she will always land on her feet. She is the only important character in the book, leaving side characters more undefined. This story is all about Jayden. And that's not a complaint. She's awesome.

One of the marks of a good book for me is if I continue to think about the characters after I'm done reading. As if they are alive and I'm wondering what they are up to. Ms. Little, how am I supposed to wait for the next book? The situation you left Jayden in will haunt me until I get to read of her further adventures. So, WHEN IS THE NEXT BOOK GOING TO BE HERE?

I loved Cleopatra's Moon and The Dovekeepers so it is no surprise that Forbidden gets added to my list of favorite books about ancient history. If you like this type of book, make sure you add Forbidden to your list.

Published by HarperCollins, November 4, 2014
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
400 pages

Rating: 5/5

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