Review: The Sisters Hemingway

The Sisters Hemingway by Annie England Noblin
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Following the death of their Great Aunt Beatrice, sisters Hadley, Pfeiffer, and Martha return to Cold River, MO, their hometown, for her funeral. Aunt Beatrice raised the girls after the death of their mother and sister. None of the sisters has been back in the town for many years.

Once there, they get the shock of their lives when they learn that Aunt Beatrice left the farm estate to them. They decide to clean the old place up so they can sell it and get back to their own lives back in the big city. While working in the flower garden, some human bones are found, scaring them all half to death! They then try to find out who these bones belong to and why they were buried in the flower garden. Pfeiffer finds an old journal that belonged to Aunt Beatrice, but the last three pages are missing. She has a feeling that those pages would reveal just whose bones they found.

This is a great book that tells the intertwining stories of each of the Hemingway sisters.

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Review: Pachinko

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee


"Sunja imagined the bright, sturdy house that her father had taken care of so well by the green, glassy sea, the bountiful garden that had given them watermelons, lettuces, and squash and the open-air market that never ran out of anything delicious. When she was there, she had not loved it enough."

This saga begins in rural Korea just before and during World War II, chronicles the Japanese occupation of Korea and follows the story of Sunja and her family. Sunja's parents, Hoonie and Yangjin, run a successful but simple and plain boarding house in Gohyang. One of her chores is going to the market every day where she meets and falls in love with the worldly and wealthy Hansu. He takes advantage of her innocence and trust but never mentions that he is married with three daughters. When Sunja becomes pregnant, Hansu offers to take care of her but cannot marry her, bringing her deep shame. When she refuses, Isak, a resident at the boardinghouse and devout christian pastor, offers to marry Sunja and take her to live with his brother in Osaka.

Follow Sunja through the harshness of the war years as she raises her sons. Although this is fiction, you will learn about this period in history through descriptions of Korean and Japanese customs, dress, food and traditions.



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Review: Even If I Fall

Even If I Fall by Abigail Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brooke's brother, Jason, is in prison for the killing of his best friend, Calvin. The entire family become pariahs in their small town. They are haunted by neighbors and friends and even each other. The family is so broken. There is a good deal of focus on the family members' struggles with reconciling the son and brother they all loved with this killer he became. My heart ached for the family because I could only imagine how hard their situation was. There were times I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster with every emotion while reading this book.

Brooke gives up her dream of ice skating as she felt she needed to stay home with her family so they wouldn't fall apart more than they already have. She develops a relationship with Calvin's younger brother that is complicated and messy. They are able to understand and talk to each other, and enjoy support that they couldn't get at home. They have both lost someone they loved.

This book covers family drama, friendship, and a bit of mystery. Overall, a beautiful story of broken people trying to pick up the pieces and begin living again.

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Review: The Tattooist of Auschwitz

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Meet number 32407, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew who led a life full of promises until it was ripped away in April of 1942. Confused, Lale waited in line to board a train along with many others who were awaiting the same unknown fate. With their belongings, they were all transported like cattle to Auschwitz, a concentration camp.

Meet number 34902, Gita Furman, a Slovakian Jew who was re-tattooed by Lale in Birkenau. When Lale first saw Gita, it was love at first sight. Because of Lale’s relatively privileged position, he kept her and other prisoners alive with his extra rations. He was also involved in trading contraband (jewels) that were given to him by other prisoners. He took those in exchange for food and other provisions provided by locals who came into work camp.

A remarkable, true story of love and survival, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is an extraordinary story about two people who fell in love during horrific and unforgiving times. I highly recommend this book to anyone!


“I tattooed her number on her left hand, and she tattooed her number in my heart.”
-Lale Sokolov, in an interview with Heather Morris

~Dani


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