Monthly Book Review: March 2024

The last day of my least favorite month. And only two days until my birthday. I'm one of those weirdos who love their birthday. 

A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K. Runyan jumps between the 1870 Siege of Paris and post-WWII 1946. Lisette grows up in the lap of luxury in 1870 where her mother all but ignores her and she feels more at home in the kitchen, comforted and tutored by the head cook. The trajectory of her life is forever changed one day when she does the marketing for an ailing kitchen maid. Micheline is Lisette's great granddaughter who is trying to make ends meet and raise her younger siblings following the disappearance of their mother. They both start a bakery. The story was very light on history and a bit predictable but good. I had to look up the word "privation" as it was used very liberally.

Privation: a state in which things that are essential for human well-being such as food and warmth are scarce or lacking.

TBR List:

• Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout
• Flying Solo by Linda Holmes
• The Honey-Don't List by Christina Lauren
• The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton
• Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland
• The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
• City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Blue Love: Blue Valley High by MJ Fields 
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue
• The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer
• The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
• Homecoming by Kate Morton
• Life Worth Living by Miroslav Volf, Matthew. Croasmun, Ryan McAnnally-Lins
• Outlive by Peter Attia, Bill Gifford

Monthly Book Review: February 2024

I am over the moon that it's finally March! I am anxious to start seeds and dahlia/canna tubers over the next two weeks. This has been called the "lost winter" here in the Twin Cities - it was 60 degrees today and no snow in sight. Only one book for February - 18 hours. I will definitely be reading something shorter next.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee chronicles four generations of a Korean family in Japan. The story was rich (though extremely long), with themes of discrimination, perseverance and honor. The title of the book references a popular gambling game, similar to slot machines. It was very educationnal. I had no idea that Japan annexed Korea in 1910 and that Koreans living in Japan were treated as second class citizens. It was difficult to become a Japanese resident and Koreans had to register as "special permanent residents". They felt shame in abandoning their country and giving allegiance to their oppressors yet had no voting rights in South Korea.

TBR List:

• Flying Solo by Linda Holmes
• The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
• A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K. Runyan
• City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Life Worth Living by Miroslav Volf, Matthew. Croasmun, Ryan McAnnally-Lins
• Blue Love: Blue Valley High by MJ Fields 
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout
• The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue
• The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer
• Outlive by Peter Attia, Bill Gifford