1.) The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore
This was a book club pick and it was intense. It was difficult and heartbreaking to read. This is the true story of Elizabeth Packard, a mother of six children, who in 1860, was unjustly committed to an insane asylum by her husband because she questioned her husband's religious beliefs and spoke her mind. He feared his wife's intelligence. This book chronicles her fight for her freedom and for justice.
“As Elizabeth put it, “I have neglected no duties, have injured no one, have always tried to do unto others as I would wish to be done by; and yet, here in America, I am imprisoned because I could not say I believed what I did not believe.”
From Goodreads:
1860: As the clash between the states rolls slowly to a boil, Elizabeth Packard, housewife and mother of six, is facing her own battle. The enemy sits across the table and sleeps in the next room. Her husband of twenty-one years is plotting against her because he feels increasingly threatened - by Elizabeth's intellect, independence, and unwillingness to stifle her own thoughts. So Theophilus makes a plan to put his wife back in her place. One summer morning, he has her committed to an insane asylum.
The horrific conditions inside the Illinois State Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois, are overseen by Dr. Andrew McFarland, a man who will prove to be even more dangerous to Elizabeth than her traitorous husband. But most disturbing is that Elizabeth is not the only sane woman confined to the institution. There are many rational women on her ward who tell the same story: they've been committed not because they need medical treatment, but to keep them in line - conveniently labeled "crazy" so their voices are ignored. No one is willing to fight for their freedom and, disenfranchised both by gender and the stigma of their supposed madness, they cannot possibly fight for themselves. But Elizabeth is about to discover that the merit of losing everything is that you then have nothing to lose.
The horrific conditions inside the Illinois State Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois, are overseen by Dr. Andrew McFarland, a man who will prove to be even more dangerous to Elizabeth than her traitorous husband. But most disturbing is that Elizabeth is not the only sane woman confined to the institution. There are many rational women on her ward who tell the same story: they've been committed not because they need medical treatment, but to keep them in line - conveniently labeled "crazy" so their voices are ignored. No one is willing to fight for their freedom and, disenfranchised both by gender and the stigma of their supposed madness, they cannot possibly fight for themselves. But Elizabeth is about to discover that the merit of losing everything is that you then have nothing to lose.
This is an absolutely horrific story. To be physically removed from her home, ripped away from her children, and committed to an insane asylum for years is abhorrent. Her story is only one of many. The list of what and how minor of things that could get a woman committed for years are mind-boggling. Basically a woman's father or husband could have their daughter or wife committed for anything and often for nothing.
“Elizabeth’s mind spun from what he told her. Under the laws of the United States at that time, a man’s wife was his property: Theophilus could do as he wished. She later wrote in bleak despair, “I…have married away all the freedom I ever had in America.”
This book tells an important story about the fight for women's rights in Civil War era America. While held against her will; Elizabeth recorded her experiences in a secret journal that became a book about her time in the Jacksonville asylum. After her eventual release, her book was published and she worked tirelessly campaigning to secure rights for women and for asylum reform. She wrote other books, published articles, met with legislators, and became a crusader for the rights of women and the mentally ill. Through her landmark case and her tireless life's work, her accomplishments were herculean. The incredible obstacles and circumstances of her time that she had to overcome were inspiring. Her endless perseverance and determination were remarkable.
The author did a phenomenal job of researching Elizabeth Packard and her history. Everything in the book is taken from journals, letters, and court documents. All dialogue comes from historical documents. This is a book that will enrage you, frustrate you, and break your heart. You will also see how far we, as women, have yet to go but you will also cheer Elizabeth on in her fight for justice. She was a force to be reckoned with and I will not forget her.
“So in the end, this is a book about power. Who wields it. Who owns it. And the methods they use. And above all, it’s about fighting back.”
My Rating: Unforgettable. A must read.
2.) A Walk in My Shoes by Ben Schilaty
This was my book club's pick for January 2022. I think it is a must read for everyone especially members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
From Goodreads:
A Walk in My Shoes: Questions I’m Often Asked as a Gay Latter-day Saint invites readers to act upon that counsel by following the journey of Ben Schilaty, a licensed therapist and BYU Honor Code administrator, as he works to reconcile his faith with his sexual orientation. Each chapter in the book focuses on a question that the author is often asked which he answers using stories from his life and gospel principles. A Walk in My Shoes allows readers a glimpse into the life of a single, gay, active Latter-day Saint and provides examples of how they can support and minister to their LGBTQ loved ones.
In this memoir the author discusses the conflicts between his sexual orientation and his faith. He beautifully and painfully articulates the deliberate journey that he has chosen which is staying in the church or as he says, "going forward in the church."
I loved Ben Schilaty's authenticity and his willingness to address the difficult parts of his faith head on and then to go forward with love in his heart to help others learn to listen to and understand our LGBTQ brothers and sisters better. I appreciated him talking openly and honestly about ways that he has been hurt by his faith and his membership in the church. I also appreciated him talking about the things that have likewise strengthened him.
I loved his deep scriptural and doctrinal knowledge of the gospel. His knowledge added a rich perspective to his story. He made me think about particular scriptures in new insightful and enlightening ways. There were perspectives that I hadn't even considered. Ben helped me to understand the atonement of Jesus Christ on a deeper level.
I was surprised to discover that Ben Schilaty works in the Honor Code Office at BYU. What a bright light he must be. His life experience, vulnerability, and candor has to add a rich perspective at BYU. I know that I appreciated him sharing his journey with me and the rest of his readers. This book is a great reminder of the deep love that our Father in Heaven has for his LGBTQ children.
The author inspired me with his deep faith and trust in the Lord. He inspired me to do more to help my LGBTQ brothers and sisters feel loved, accepted, welcome, seen, and understood. This is a wonderful book about finding God, loving others, and accepting oneself.
My Rating: Wonderful.
3.) Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
My brother recommended this book to me. He and his wife listened to it while on a road trip. I enjoy Liane Moriarty's writing so I was looking forward to reading her latest book. It didn't disappoint. It was just what I needed after reading some heavier nonfiction. This was a fun read!
From Goodreads:
If your mother was missing, would you tell the police? Even if the most obvious suspect was your father?
This is the dilemma facing the four grown Delaney siblings.
This is the dilemma facing the four grown Delaney siblings.
I loved this family drama and mystery novel. The family matriarch goes missing and things aren't looking good for the Delany siblings' father as more evidence into their mother's disappearance comes forth and their family secrets begin to be revealed.
I enjoyed this novel immensely. I loved the subject matter of empty nesters with adult children that each have problems of their own, different relationships with their parents, and different relationships with each other. The complicated parent/grown children dynamic is one that isn't explored all that often along with a deep dive into a long marriage with its ups and downs. Liane Moriarty does a fantastic job!
First, the dialogue is hilarious. I was constantly laughing throughout this mystery as the husband and wife related to each other and to their children. The sibling banter was also excellent!
Second, the character development was great. I thought that the Delaneys were well developed and fleshed out. I was rooting for all of them. There was one character that needed a bit more depth to understand their motivations. But, all in all, I loved the Delaney family and their foibles. I wouldn't mind if Liane Moriarty revisited them sometime down the road.
Lastly, the plot was interesting and propulsive. I happily kept turning the pages. I really wanted to know what happened to Joy Delaney. The mystery was quite enjoyable as I tried to put the pieces together. I thought the ending was satisfying too. This is a great addition to the Liane Moriarty cannon and one of the most enjoyable books I've read in awhile.
My Rating: I loved it!
4.) The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall
This is the 4th installment in the Penderwick series. This one takes a significant time jump. Five years. The Penderwick girls are significantly older. That took a bit of getting used to. Rosalind is in college, Jane and Skye are in high school, and Batty is in 5th grade. There are new family members and life has progressed on Gardam Street.
From Goodreads:
Springtime is finally arriving on Gardam Street, and there are surprises in store for each member of the family. Some surprises are just wonderful, like neighbor Nick Geiger coming home from war. And some are ridiculous, like Batty's new dog-walking business. Batty is saving up her dog-walking money for an extra-special surprise for her family, which she plans to present on her upcoming birthday. But when some unwelcome surprises make themselves known, the best-laid plans fall apart.
This is my favorite...so far...in the series. As the Penderwick children have matured so have their stories. I was surprised by the depth of emotion and poignancy of this fourth novel. I silently sobbed while reading this book. It's been a long time since I have done that. I also stayed up late finishing it. This is middle grade! It is excellent! I started reading these for my daughter and ended up reading them for me.
This book in the series was particularly compelling and heartfelt. Jeanne Birdsall masterfully addresses hard topics like grief, childhood depression, guilt, and even war in a way that is authentic and age appropriate. Her writing is beautiful and moving. Her characters are beloved. Her novels are wonderful, engaging, and endearing. I want to buy this whole series in hardback so that the Penderwicks can live on forever on my bookshelves.
I love the Penderwicks and don't want to let go of them. (There is still one more book.) I particularly love that as the siblings age in the books so do their storylines but always in a gentle way. Even the side characters grow and mature and come and go throughout the novels. Some are highlighted in a novel or two and then others are highlighted but they all continue to weave in and out of all of the storylines and books in the Penderwick universe. In this particular novel my favorite was Nick. He is awesome. To see him grow from bossy sporty neighborhood boy into a loving big brother-type and a soldier no less was a beautiful character arc. It was so well done.
This is a wonderful endearing book/series about growing up, familial changes, sorrow and grief, finding joy, families, and friendship. I laughed and cried and loved every minute.
My Rating: Extraordinary.
5.) Going There by Katie Couric
I had high hopes for this memoir but it was a mixed bag for me. While highly readable and interesting; Katie Couric grated on my nerves. No one thinks more highly of Katie Couric than...well...Katie Couric.
From Goodreads:
Heartbreaking, hilarious, and brutally honest, Going There is the deeply personal life story of a girl next door turned household name.
I have always been fascinated by TV journalism. I grew up watching Katie Couric on The Today Show. The best parts of this book were all of the behind-the-scenes look at broadcast journalism...particularly The Today Show, CBS Evening News, and 60 Minutes. I loved all of that.
As for the rest of the book...meh. Yes, she spills the tea. Yes, she is gossipy. Yes, she is TMI. If that is what you are looking for, you will enjoy this memoir. Despite being highly annoyed by her personality, I was a captive audience, even while cringing as I read. The writing is fast-paced and I was along for the ride.
It was interesting to reflect on the historical moments and news stories of the past and read her first hand account. Couric also gives readers an in depth look at newsroom politics and the sexism and misogyny she encountered along with other professional challenges. She is/was a cutthroat player in her highly competitive career... as women needed to be. She admits to many of her mistakes and failures. She was often none too kind to many of her female colleagues. I was disappointed by her lack of mentorship to other women coming up in her field.
I also think that Couric was unfiltered in this book to her detriment. There were too many inappropriate disclosures. Disclose the men and their inappropriate conduct. I have no qualms with that. Shout it from the roof tops. But I hated that she consistently insulted her colleagues and others in her sphere with digs at their physical appearances and other physical aspects. Was that necessary? Who cares who had bad breath or whose hair looked like a squirrel's tail. Couric came across as shallow and mean. There were too many moments of self-absorption and privilege. Her image has dwindled in my eyes. America's sweetheart she is not. She admits that herself. Katie Couric has burned a lot of bridges with this memoir. I hope it was worth it. While I found her rise to fame and career interesting; I found Katie Couric to be pretentious and unlikeable.
My Rating: Okay.
6.) Wintering by Katherine May
This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I thought it was going to a hygge type book. A how to feel cozy and cheery in the winter. Literally and figuratively. It turned out to be quite different. What the book actually addresses is more of the inevitable winters of the soul. This is book of essays. It's a short and interesting read. You could sit down and read it straight through but I would recommend reading an essay (chapter) a day.
From Goodreads:
A personal narrative shot through with lessons from literature, mythology, and the natural world, Katherine May’s story offers instruction on the transformative power of rest and retreat.
In the book the author discusses how life is made up of seasons. Winters are inevitable. She says that we need to learn to see the beauty in the slow down of life. We need to stop fighting our winters and accept and embrace them. Learn what they are asking of us: to retreat, slow down, heal, grieve, seek comfort, transform, and change.
Quite a few of her essays talk about how nature embraces winter as a season of transformation. May talks about her own health and mental health struggles. She questions how others cope with their own wintering, seasonal and personal. Katherine May's writing is beautiful and lyrical while still asking the reader to be engaged and thoughtful.
Her definition of winter is a disruption to everyday life. She says that, "We must learn to invite the winter in. We may never choose winter, but we can choose how."
Everyone winters at one time or another; some winter over and over again. Wintering is a season in the cold. It is a fallow period in life when you're cut off from the world, feeling rejected, sidelined, blocked from progress, or cast into the role of an outsider.
There are gaps in the mesh of the everyday world, and sometimes they open up and you fall through them into somewhere else. Somewhere else runs at a different pace to the here and now, where everyone else carries on.
Having spent the last couple of years in my own personal winter I found her words soothing. An exhalation. Wintering CAN be a time of healing and renewal.
May says:
In our relentlessly busy contemporary world, we are forever trying to defer the onset of winter...An occasional sharp wintering would do us good...We must stop trying to ignore them or dispose of them. They are real and are asking something of us.
Many of her essays can be read both about how to "winter" personally and also how to appreciate the winter season of the year.
Once we stop wishing it were summer, winter can be a glorious season in which the world takes on a sparse beauty and even the pavements sparkle. It's a time for reflection and recuperation, for slow replenishment, for putting your house in order. Doing those deeply unfashionable things--slowing down, letting your spare time expand, getting enough sleep, resting--is a radical act now, but it is essential.
Some of her essays resonated with me more than others but I did get a fresh perspective on wintering... seasonal and personal...and I am grateful.
My Rating: Good.
7.) The Penderwicks at Last by Jeanne Birdsall
From Goodreads:
Nine years, five older siblings, a few beloved dogs, and an endless array of adventures--these are the things that have shaped Lydia's journey since readers first met her in The Penderwicks in Spring. Now it's summertime, and eleven-year-old Lydia is dancing at the bus stop, waiting for big sister Batty to get home from college. This is a very important dance and a very important wait because the two youngest sisters are about to arrive home to find out that the Penderwicks will all be returning to Arundel this summer, the place where it all began. And better still is the occasion: a good old-fashioned, homemade-by-Penderwicks wedding.
This time the narrator is the youngest Penderwick, Lydia. The author always keeps the narrator the age of a typical middle grade reader. The other characters age and play a part in each book but the narrator is always the 11-12 year old Penderwick. I enjoyed viewing the family from Lydia's perspective and while this was not the best or strongest book in the series; I still enjoyed it.
The family storyline wrapped up in a satisfying way. Were there a few plotlines that I wished ended differently? Sure. Did a lot of what I was waiting for happen off the page? Yes, and that was frustrating. This book is a fairly controversial finale to the series. Many readers were left unhappy and frustrated. I definitely see their point but, all in all, I was okay with the ending. I still loved the series and the characters. A weak final book didn't ruin the series for me. The charm, beloved characters, and nostalgia were still there. We also come full circle as the setting for the final book ends as the series began at Arendel which seemed fitting. This series holds a special place in my heart along with the entire Penderwick family, friends, pets, and neighbors.
My Rating: Good.
8.) The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai
This was my book club's pick for January 2022. This is definitely a book that I would not have picked up on my own. It sounded HEAVY and it was. It is a historical fiction multi-generational family saga. The setting is Vietnam. The timeline alternates between the Vietnam war and the Communist government's rise to power in the North in the 1940s. The Tran family's story is told through the dual narratives of a young girl and her grandmother. Each timeline was devastating to read.
From Goodreads:
The Mountains Sing tells an enveloping, multigenerational tale of the Tran family, set against the backdrop of the Viet Nam War. Tran Dieu Lan, who was born in 1920, was forced to flee her family farm with her six children during the Land Reform as the Communist government rose in the North. Years later in Hà Noi, her young granddaughter, Hương, comes of age as her parents and uncles head off down the Ho Chí Minh Trail to fight in a conflict that will tear not just her beloved country but her family apart.
The writing is lovely and lyrical despite the heartbreaking subject matter. This is a brutal story of the survival and history of the Vietnamese people. We follow a family through the harrowing ravages of war and famine in two different turbulent time periods and its ripple effect on the Tran family.
The Mountains Sing is a poignant tale of perseverance and especially the resilience of women. This novel reminds us of the importance of telling our stories; particularly the stories of women. Readers are given an interesting glimpse into the history of Vietnam. I haven't ever read any historical fiction about the Vietnam War from any other viewpoint than that of the Americans. This glimpse was eye-opening. I came away with a new appreciation for the courage and strength of the Vietnamese people and a renewed appreciation for humanity in general. The ability of the human spirit to overcome incredible suffering, adversity, and hardship leaves me in awe.
My Rating: Memorable.
9.) Will by Will Smith
Sometimes I really enjoy a celebrity memoir. I like Will Smith so I was excited to read his book. It has gotten a lot of buzz for various reasons so I was particularly curious about all of that and I wanted to hear more about his unconventional relationship with Jada. I've recently read a lot of heavy books with depressing subject matter so I was really looking forward to having a good laugh and I did!
From Goodreads:
One of the most dynamic and globally recognized entertainment forces of our time opens up fully about his life, in a brave and inspiring book that traces his learning curve to a place where outer success, inner happiness, and human connection are aligned. Along the way, Will tells the story in full of one of the most amazing rides through the worlds of music and film that anyone has ever had.
I listened to this on audiobook and it was perfection. Will Smith narrates it and he is a fantastic storyteller! He included songs, raps, music samples, and audio clips from TV shows and movies, which were interspersed throughout his stories. It was great! His celebrity (and family and friends) impressions were extra enjoyable. He kept me laughing. It was a fun listening experience.
The downside to celebrity memoirs is that usually by the end of the book I can't stand the celebrity I am reading about. Their humble (and not so humble) brags, name dropping, and all of the million and one ways that they think they are so fabulous. It gets old fast. Is Will Smith braggy and self-aggrandizing? Yep, but he acknowledges it and somehow he does it in a way that didn't make me hate him. Roll my eyes a few times...yes. But I think the fact that he laughs at himself, makes fun of himself, and doesn't take himself too seriously (at least not all of the time) helped.
I was pulled right into his story of growing up in West Philly. His family and early life were surprisingly interesting. As was his whole launch into the world of rap and hip hop. I thought this would be a part of the book that I would skim over but it actually turned out to be one of the most interesting parts of his story. Who knew?!
Will Smith is a larger than life *character*. Sometimes it was hard to tell the difference between Will Smith the character and Will Smith the *real* person. There were times that I thought he was a bit too performative. But he is funny and charismatic and he can also be quite vulnerable and contemplative. It was an interesting mix. I appreciated him sharing his struggles to be a better person, husband, father, and friend and to learn from his mistakes.
The book is long but propulsive. I enjoyed it immensely and have already recommended it to my husband who is reading and enjoying it as well. Celebrity memoirs are either a hit or miss for me and this one was definitely a hit.
My Rating: Thoroughly Enjoyable.
**EDIT TO ADD**: Will Smith's violence at the Oscars...Repugnant. I have ZER0 respect for someone who responds with violence. That was sickening.
10.) The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson
This was my book club's pick for March 2022. YA Fantasy is not my genre so I knew that this selection would be iffy for me and I was right. I didn't hate it but it wasn't the book for me. Despite being YA this book reads more like middle grade. It is a whodunit mystery set in a kind of steam punk alternate universe/history where there is a unique magical system. People called Rithmatists use chalk circles, lines, and drawings to keep out dangerous beings called chalklings. The Rithmatists fight evil by using chalk to create magic wards and creatures that can be used for battles and dueling.
From Goodreads:
More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles. As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students learn the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing—kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery—one that will change Rithmatics—and their world—forever.
The main character is sixteen year old Joel who isn't a Rithmatist but has a lot of Rithmatist knowledge and would like to be one. Unfortunately he wasn't selected when he was eight years old and has missed his chance. Joel uses his knowledge to help solve crimes that are happening in this world.
I liked the world and the magic system. It's no Harry Potter but it was still an interesting world with both magical and non-magical people that coexist. Rithmatists are an elite group who are magically chosen and then trained to protect the world. I would have liked the author to tell us more about the world and its history and about the Rithmatist selection process. The writing is fairly simplistic and it could have used a bit more complexity. The prose is sparse and so is the character development. The author spent more time describing the chalk circles, lines, and defenses rather than developing the characters. Joel acts a bit younger than what I feel a 16 year old would act like and so the plausibility of him helping to solve crimes... and even being asked to help solve crimes... didn't feel believable.
This is my first Brandon Sanderson novel. I've heard such great things about his books so I was somewhat disappointed. Again, I am not the intended audience but I think that my 12 year old would like it.
My Rating: Okay.
