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There will be some readers who will consider this book historical fiction. Other readers, like me, who lived through this tumultuous time, will consider this book as a reminder of what life was like during the late 1960s. The country was divided like never before - there were many people who felt that the war was justified and that people who spoke against it were traitors to America. There were others who felt that the government was sending soldiers to be slaughtered in a totally useless war. In The Fourteenth of September, Rita Dragonette does a fantastic job of presenting both sides of the conflict.
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September 29, 2018
The Fourteenth of September by Rita Dragonette ~ a Review
by Susan Roberts
There will be some readers who will consider this book historical fiction. Other readers, like me, who lived through this tumultuous time, will consider this book as a reminder of what life was like during the late 1960s. The country was divided like never before - there were many people who felt that the war was justified and that people who spoke against it were traitors to America. There were others who felt that the government was sending soldiers to be slaughtered in a totally useless war. In The Fourteenth of September, Rita Dragonette does a fantastic job of presenting both sides of the conflict.
There will be some readers who will consider this book historical fiction. Other readers, like me, who lived through this tumultuous time, will consider this book as a reminder of what life was like during the late 1960s. The country was divided like never before - there were many people who felt that the war was justified and that people who spoke against it were traitors to America. There were others who felt that the government was sending soldiers to be slaughtered in a totally useless war. In The Fourteenth of September, Rita Dragonette does a fantastic job of presenting both sides of the conflict.
September 28, 2018
Ginseng Tango by Cheryl Pallant ~ a Review
by MK French
How it begins...
Two western colleagues and the department chair pick me up from the airport and drive me to my university apartment. The space, much smaller than my house in Richmond, is three pyeong large, a dorm-like 350 or square feet, with kitchen area, desk, wardrobe, bed, and night stand. The floor is heated Korean style, an ondol, something to look forward to when the weather cools or I need to dry clothes. The bathroom converts into a shower with the press of a button, a nozzle hanging from the wall near the sink. Through the sliding glass doors near my bed is a view of an angled, red tiled roof and an easily climbable railing for getting to a large flat roof which I anticipate using to extend my small deck.
How it begins...
Two western colleagues and the department chair pick me up from the airport and drive me to my university apartment. The space, much smaller than my house in Richmond, is three pyeong large, a dorm-like 350 or square feet, with kitchen area, desk, wardrobe, bed, and night stand. The floor is heated Korean style, an ondol, something to look forward to when the weather cools or I need to dry clothes. The bathroom converts into a shower with the press of a button, a nozzle hanging from the wall near the sink. Through the sliding glass doors near my bed is a view of an angled, red tiled roof and an easily climbable railing for getting to a large flat roof which I anticipate using to extend my small deck.
September 27, 2018
Bookish TV Shows to Watch this Fall
by Donna Huber
With so many books coming out each week and all the ones that came out before we could read, there is no way to read everything. When done well, a movie or television series can be the next best thing. I probably wouldn't have ever read Harry Potter if it hadn't been for the movies. I typically prefer television series to movies because they can delve more into the characters.
Earlier this month, I discussed the new Amazon showJack Ryan and now that fall season has officially kicked off, I have several bookish television shows to highlight for you.
With so many books coming out each week and all the ones that came out before we could read, there is no way to read everything. When done well, a movie or television series can be the next best thing. I probably wouldn't have ever read Harry Potter if it hadn't been for the movies. I typically prefer television series to movies because they can delve more into the characters.
Earlier this month, I discussed the new Amazon showJack Ryan and now that fall season has officially kicked off, I have several bookish television shows to highlight for you.
September 26, 2018
Lies by T.M. Logan ~ a Review
by Susan Roberts
'What if you have the Perfect life, the Perfect Wife and the perfect child - then, in one shattering moment, you discover nothing is at it seems? What if your whole life was based on lies?'
'What if you have the Perfect life, the Perfect Wife and the perfect child - then, in one shattering moment, you discover nothing is at it seems? What if your whole life was based on lies?'
September 25, 2018
An Unexpected Adventure by Kandi J Wyatt ~ a #KidLit Review
by MK French
How it begins...
PSST, Harley." Cherise's voice, although quiet for her, was loud enough to get us into trouble with Miss Smith. "Harley!"
How it begins...
PSST, Harley." Cherise's voice, although quiet for her, was loud enough to get us into trouble with Miss Smith. "Harley!"
September 24, 2018
Monthly Wrap-up: September 2018 #MondayBlogs
by Donna Huber
It has been another busy month at Girl Who Reads. Thankfully work has fallen into a routine again so it is more manageable. I'm loving my spin class, but it wears me out. Instead of more energy, I seem to have to take a nap every day. I hope that my body will adjust soon to the increased activity. I've picked up a couple of new TV shows this month, both on PBS - The Miniaturist and The Great American Read. I didn't read The Miniaturist as it isn't my kind of book, and though I'm enjoying the show I still don't think I would read the book. I enjoy hearing about a wide range of books and getting some literary history during The Great American Read. Fall television kicks off this week, so we'll see how much reading I get done the next couple of months. I only have to read 8 more books to meet my Goodreads Challenge of 100 books.
Here's what's happened around Girl Who Reads this month: (the links will take you to the posts)
Reviewed The Space Between and Whisper Me This, The Secret of the Irish Castle by Santa Montefiore, Tear Me Apart by JT Ellison, Warm Transfer and Thread for Pearls, The Boy at the Keyhole by Stephen Giles, When the Lights Go Out by Mary Kubica, Lies by T. M. Logan, and The Fourteen of September by Rita Dragonette.
Discussed the new television show, Jack Ryan and more bookish TV shows to watch this fall.
It has been another busy month at Girl Who Reads. Thankfully work has fallen into a routine again so it is more manageable. I'm loving my spin class, but it wears me out. Instead of more energy, I seem to have to take a nap every day. I hope that my body will adjust soon to the increased activity. I've picked up a couple of new TV shows this month, both on PBS - The Miniaturist and The Great American Read. I didn't read The Miniaturist as it isn't my kind of book, and though I'm enjoying the show I still don't think I would read the book. I enjoy hearing about a wide range of books and getting some literary history during The Great American Read. Fall television kicks off this week, so we'll see how much reading I get done the next couple of months. I only have to read 8 more books to meet my Goodreads Challenge of 100 books.
Here's what's happened around Girl Who Reads this month: (the links will take you to the posts)
Susan Roberts
Discussed The Stand by Stephen King and The Color Purple by Alice Walker from The Great American Read list.Reviewed The Space Between and Whisper Me This, The Secret of the Irish Castle by Santa Montefiore, Tear Me Apart by JT Ellison, Warm Transfer and Thread for Pearls, The Boy at the Keyhole by Stephen Giles, When the Lights Go Out by Mary Kubica, Lies by T. M. Logan, and The Fourteen of September by Rita Dragonette.
MK French
Reviewed Drawn to the Marquess by Bronwen Evans, The Girl in the Locked Room by Mary Downing, The Book of Hidden Things by Francesco Dimitri, The Forbidden Door by Dean Koontz, Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham, My Own Devices by Dessa, Trust Me by Earl Javorsky, The One Unspoken by Sarah Bryant, An Unexpected Adventure by Kandi Wyatt, Ginseng Tango by Cheryl Pallent, and The Christmas Wishing Tree by Emily March (with giveaway).CM North
Discussed writing opening paragraphs to keep readers reading in Shocking Introductions: Crafting the Perfect Start to a Story.Alison Deluca
Discussed Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover.Donna Huber
Reviewed The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal and Clutch by Lisa Becker, both of which I read last month.Discussed the new television show, Jack Ryan and more bookish TV shows to watch this fall.
September 23, 2018
The One Unspoken by Sarah Bryant ~ A Review
by MK French
Sidonie Verdier was born in the middle of a storm and is raised by Adelis, the midwife and former slave that birthed her. Her father had run off while her mother was still pregnant, and her mother died soon after the childbirth. Sidonie and Adelis were close, especially as it became clear that they both were able to see and communicate with ghosts. When her father returns to make a Creole debutante out of her, Sidonie's only escapes are her music and occasionally talking with her neighbor, Gabriel St. Martin, the only son of a free black plantation owner.
Antebellum New Orleans and Louisiana make up the setting of the novel, including its gorgeous architecture, socially rigid structures based on class and race, as well as the heartbreak and cruelties of slavery and the state of marriage in the day. Sidonie, not brought up with those perspectives, is as horrified by those stories and injustices as we are while reading about it. Gabriel is at least a free man of color, so his lot is much better than the slaves' are. Even so, the microaggressions and the laws are against the free people of color, so those with money and talent have to go to Europe for further training.
There are hints at a larger kind of mystery, as multiple people know Adelis and her gift. Sidonie's mother had it as well, as there are complicated ties between Sidonie's family and the St. Martin family. It's eventually revealed, and the ties between them have tightened further as Sidonie's and Gabriel's relationship deepened and changed over time. The story is beautiful and beautifully tragic, as any interracial love would be in that period. Both are very likable characters, even with mistakes or unkind words that they say.
The plot really draws me in, and I lost track of time while reading the book because I was so immersed in it. This is a fantastic and gripping novel.
Buy The One Unspoken at Amazon
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| April 2018; Curiosity Quills; ebook, print ( pages); historical, fantasy |
Antebellum New Orleans and Louisiana make up the setting of the novel, including its gorgeous architecture, socially rigid structures based on class and race, as well as the heartbreak and cruelties of slavery and the state of marriage in the day. Sidonie, not brought up with those perspectives, is as horrified by those stories and injustices as we are while reading about it. Gabriel is at least a free man of color, so his lot is much better than the slaves' are. Even so, the microaggressions and the laws are against the free people of color, so those with money and talent have to go to Europe for further training.
There are hints at a larger kind of mystery, as multiple people know Adelis and her gift. Sidonie's mother had it as well, as there are complicated ties between Sidonie's family and the St. Martin family. It's eventually revealed, and the ties between them have tightened further as Sidonie's and Gabriel's relationship deepened and changed over time. The story is beautiful and beautifully tragic, as any interracial love would be in that period. Both are very likable characters, even with mistakes or unkind words that they say.
The plot really draws me in, and I lost track of time while reading the book because I was so immersed in it. This is a fantastic and gripping novel.
Buy The One Unspoken at Amazon
Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and golden retriever.
Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up today! Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.
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