Monthly Book Review: Oct/Nov 2016

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue – Story of Cameroonian immigrants trying to make their dreams come true in America. The descriptions of life in Africa and what they were willing to do here to make a better one made me appreciate my good fortune. I felt disappointed by the ending at first; however, came to realize all the characters had dreams – some realized, some not. Loved the narration.

Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory – Ms. Gregory seems to have a cult following so I thought I’d check her out and what could be better for me than a book mixing royalty with history?! I really liked this story of Henry VIII’s first wife and two sisters from the perspective of his older sister, Queen Margaret of Scotland. Women had power but had to wield it behind a man lest they be branded crazy. Sadly things haven’t changed much in 400+ years have they?!

The Girls by Emma Cline – A thinly veiled fictionalization of the Manson cult. A recommendation from a fellow Audible lover, I found it “meh”. Too many metaphors for me – felt the author was trying too hard; however, I could relate to the descriptions of the main character’s sense of longing and awkward adolescence.

Girl at War by Sara Novic – Very good. A young Yugoslavian girl discovers by blunt force that ethnicity (Serbian vs. Croatian or Bosnian) makes a big difference in a small world and that there are many facets to being strong.

Next Up:

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
You by Caroline Kepnes
The English German Girl by Jake Wallis Simons
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Relly