Green Heart by Alice Hoffman

I have no idea how I came to be in possession of this book.  It is not labeled as being from our vendor, nor is it in my personal Amazon account.  I simply found it in my "to read" pile.  

This is actually two short novellas, of about 125 pages each.  It is a very quick read.

The first story is about a young woman who loses her entire family--parents and little sister--in a fire.  She and her dog are all that is left in their small village home.  The city they visited burned to the ground, with many people within its walls.  Green's gardens are raided by looters shortly thereafter.  She must learn to survive on her own, befriending another dog, a hawk, several small birds, and a few human along the way.  It was kinda like The Hunger Games meets Snow White.  It becomes clear Green has supernatural powers, although she doesn't seem to understand how or why or what her purpose is.  She tattoos herself with nature imagery, and a heart when she falls in love.

The second story further explains the fire--caused by a marauding horde looking to revert the city to more conservative/traditional roles and values.  Green must visit other women who have other supernatural powers to write their stories in order to understand her own.  I don't want to spoil too much, by I do not believe Green actually finds herself, although the story's ending is happy.

In summation, a quick read that held my interest, but nothing spectacular. 

A reminder that all opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W. 

The House of Gucci by Sarah Gay Forden

As you all know, I have a rule to read the book before I see the movie.  In this case, I didn't know House of Gucci was a book first. 

Now, let's get a few things straight.  I am not a Lady Gaga fan.  Her music gets the channel changed.  I was not excited by Adam Driver as Ben/Kylo in Star Wars.  I do not even own one Gucci item.  But, I do remember the murder of Maurizio Gucci by his soon to be ex wife Patrizia Reggiani Gucci.  I might have gone to see just what a train wreck the movie might be.  However, just like Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett in Neon Angels/The Runaways, Lady Gaga blew me away as Patrizia.  She deserves an Oscar. 

Of course, after seeing the movie, I ordered the book!  The book goes way more into the history of both the Gucci family (for example, there are other brothers besides Aldo and Rodolfo, played by Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons respectively, both phenomenal!).  And Aldo had a ton of other kids besides Paolo (Jared Leto should earn at least a nomination for his performance!).  Perhaps the biggest omission was that Maurizio and Patrizia had a 2nd daughter who was left out.  I am guessing this was for simplicity and streamlining what is already at 2.5 hour movie (hit the bathroom BEFORE it starts...).  There is also a LOT of complicated math and tax law discussed, as Gucci falls under both American law and Italian law.  Patrizia is merely a supporting character in the book.

I have to say, in this case, the movie is better than the book for me!  But, if fashion or true crime is an interest for you, definitely check this out.

A reminder all opinions expressed on this blog and the video version of it are solely mine. 

La Belle Creole: The Cuban Countess by Alina Garcia LaPuerta

In looking for non-fiction featuring Latinas, this was recommended by our book vendor.  The description reminded me of The Murder of Helen Jewett, one of my all time favorite books, in that it was a true historical account of a woman ahead of her time, making waves in a society she didn't belong in, who needs her story told.

Maria de las Mercedes Santa Cruz y Montalvo was born in Cuba in 1789, left for Spain at age 13, and married French General Antoine Merlin making her Countess Merlin.  She used her position of authority in upper class society to promote the arts--theater, music, visual, literary.  Eventually she traveled back to Havana, detailing her trip and becoming an author herself.      

The problem with this book, for me, was that is was name and family tree heavy in the beginning.  There were soooooo many names and dates and places it was difficult to keep straight.  And that point, I had no idea who Countess Merlin was or why I should even care about her story.  As a result, I found myself bored and skipping details.  Once I got to the "meat and potatoes", I went back to read the drier points in the beginning.  I wish the author had put her accomplishments or historical significance at the forefront, so that I would WANT to know her background.

Although I was not a fan, I am glad we are able to add this to our collection and add more Latina voices to our history. 

A reminder all opinions expressed on this blog and the video version of it are solely those of Mrs. W. 

The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian by Phil Szostak

I think just about everyone knows my Star Wars obsession and my absolute love for the little green guy Grogu aka Baby Yoda.  I also think you are aware of my staunch support of the arts in schools.  So of course I jumped at the chance to order this and add it to our collection!

If you are at all interested in Star Wars, this is a book for you.  Interested in animation?  For you.  Film and television?  For you.  

The book takes the reader/viewer on a journey through Season 1 of The Mandalorian, from conception to finished product.  There are hand sketches of the story board, notes on different scenery, progressions of costumes, and lots of behind the scenes anecdotes.  

Definitely one to check out!  Find it on display soon!

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W. 

Mosquito Supper Club by Melissa Martin

This is review #2 for today, November 8th.

I think you all know I love to cook.  After the Teachers' Book Club read Where the Crawdads Sing, we held our meeting at Hook and Reel, and now I am obsessed with making the perfect seafood boil and Cajun culture.  Amazon knows ALL THE THINGS and recommended this to me.  

Mosquito Supper Club is mostly a cookbook of Southern Cajun recipes interspersed with vignettes from the author's family history and local culture.  

Martin lost nearly everything in Hurricane Katrina.  She and her son were homeless with nothing but a few suitcases of clothing to their name.  She headed west where a friend offered hospitality and worked in their winery.  She refined techniques and set out to duplicate the recipes from home she loved.  Of course, like many women of the past, the creators of these recipes never wrote anything down.  In addition, urban sprawl and rising water are threatening the bayou and its culture.  Opening her restaurant Mosquito Supper Club in 2014 was her way to help keep the recipes alive.  

Now that I've copied a bunch of the recipes, I will be donating this.  Find it on our next display.

A reminder all opinions expressed on this blog or the video version of it are solely those of Mrs. W. 

The Cousins by Karen McManus

I know, I know.  I've been slacking.  It's been a few weeks of crazy, lemme just say.  So today will be a two-fer.

First, the latest from Karen McManus--The Cousins.

So, I'm sure many of you have seen the new series One of Us is Lying based on her first bestseller, which I reviewed here. It will actually be the Teachers' Book Club selection in January along with its sequel.  The Cousins is another murder mystery with alternating viewpoints and flashbacks.  

The Cousins is set on a fictitious island near Nantucket.  I honestly kept picturing Amity Island from Jaws.  The sleepy island welcomes hundreds of tourists in the summer.  One elderly widow, Mildred Story, owns most of the hotels on the island.  Twenty-four years ago, Mildred disinherited her three sons and daughter for no reason with a one sentence letter from her lawyer.  Now, seemingly having a change of heart, she has invited her three grandchildren to work at her resort for the summer and get to know her.  Of course, with a fortune on the line, all three's parents require them to go.

Jonah, Aubrey, and Milly meet on the ferry after a few group texts, but find their family is the stuff of local legends, not all of it good.  Everyone knows everyone on the island, and not all are happy the Story grandchildren have reappeared.

I don't want to spoil too much, but I was way wrong in my guess of whodunit.

Find this on our next display.

A reminder all opinions expressed on this blog and the video version of it are solely those of Mrs. W.

The Break Up Book Club by Wendy Wax

I hope you all did well on the PSATs yesterday!  It was very strange having testing here in the Library, but with the space crunch and all grades except seniors taking some form of the exam, I guess it's a necessity.

Anyway.

This is the teachers' book club selection for October.  Unfortunately I cannot attend this month's meeting due to a family event.  My family and I always get together for a fall "something" (corn maze, pumpkin picking, etc.) in honor of my mom.  Her birthday was October 23rd and she loved fall and Halloween. We have to work around everyone's schedule, especially my sister as a nurse!  Thus, I have to skip, or at the very least be late to, the gathering for book club. 

Now, let's be honest, before I even talk about this, based on title and cover, you all know this is not my cup of tea.  But, I have really been trying to read outside my usual genres for this group, and this is way outside what I'd choose!  Premise is 4 unlikely friends form a book club, have a lot of wine, and learn about each other but more about themselves.  Think Joy Luck Club, The Baby Sitter's Club, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.  I do like to portrayal of strong female friendship in a positive tone--no mean girl toxic frenemy stuff.  Often we, as women, do not see close friendship between women in the media in positive tones.  I guess our own book club is representative of such a strong group of friends (although both male and female).  That being said, there was too much...I don't know...fluff?  

I will be donating this to the collection and putting it on display in the next rotation.  

Remember that all opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.