Book Rewind and Review

The other day, I went through my stacks of books and started sorting into the “Read it. Need to review it” pile and the “Need to read it” pile. It was then that I realized how many books I’ve read this year that I haven’t done reviews on yet. I won’t lie – it overwhelmed me.

So, I decided that I needed to do a quick little rewind and review on some of the books that I’ve read that don’t necessarily need their own entire post. Enjoy and go find a new book to read!

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Books 1 & 2) – Ransom Riggs    

                   

This series had been on my to read list for a while but when I saw that my niece was reading it, I knew I needed to catch up! Riggs sets forth an interesting concept in which there are peculiar children (with interesting characteristics such as invisibility, weightlessness, creating fire, etc.) live in a type of time portal from the outside world. This world is threatened by Hallowgasts and Jacob joins the crew of peculiars to save their way of life. Paired with real-life photographs the author found on his journies, this is a magical, fantastical tale that will transport you right into Miss Peregrine’s peculiar world. Technically a YA novel but will keep you entertained start to finish! I still have yet to read the third novel so stay tuned.

Rating: 

Wine Pairing: Gnarly Head Authentic Red

Stella Bain – Anita Shreve

I’ve mentioned before how much I love the bargain table at B&N and I found this book there. It must have really intrigued me because I actually ended up buying it twice by accident! Oops. This novel is historical fiction that takes place in London during WWI. An American Nurse (Stella) suffers from shell shock and is taken in by a surgeon and his wife. The surgeon’s interest in Stella develops and he becomes determined to cure her from her suffering. Stella also has amnesia and can’t remember anything prior to her being wounded in an attack in France. The story bounces back and forth between America and London on Stella’s journey to regain her sense of identity. I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. It was a quick read but full of emotion that left you attached to the characters involved.

Rating: 

Wine Pairing: Contadino Pinot Grigio

The Beautiful American – Jeanne Mackin

Lately, I seem to be on this historical fiction kick and most of the ones I’ve found have not disappointed me. This novel takes place in London and France during the aftermath of WWII. American Nora Tours travels to London in search of her sixteen year old daughter who went missing. She runs into an old acquaintance there, Lee Miller, a famous model and photographer. Most of the novel is a flashback to their days in 1920’s Paris where everyone enjoyed the freewheeling days and nights of that time. The two women in this novel are completely unconventional as is their relationship and it’s a wonderful story about time, healing and desire.

Rating: 

Wine Pairing: Barefoot Pink Moscato Sparkling

The Rebel Pirate – Donna Thorland

Keeping with my historical fiction theme and let’s face it, my love of pirates, made this one practically jump into my hands. This novel takes you all the way back to the American Revolution and follows James Sparhawk who is a Commander in the British Navy. He is taken hostage by a young, female Rebel privateer, Sarah Ward. After a series of events that tarnished her reputation and threatened her family’s future, she finds herself in the middle of a war. She will do whatever it takes to protect her family even if it means giving up Sparhawk who is the one man who was ever able to tame her. Another surprising good read filled with action and plot twists that I never saw coming. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat and romanticizing the life of a pirate in no time.

Rating: 

Wine Pairing: Middle Sister Rebel Red

The Other Story – Tatiana de Rosnay

This was another bargain table find which caught my attention because of the cover. I’m a sucker for anything that’s about books or authors or books writing about authors. This novel follows the tale of Nicolas Duhamel, an author who gained tremendous success with his debut novel, somewhat unexpectedly. Now constantly in the spotlight, Nicolas thinks he has his whole life figured out but quickly realizes that the past has a way of catching up with you. This is an interesting journey in self reflection and how decisions made many years ago can shape your future.

Rating: 

Wine Pairing: Alamos Red Blend

The Nightingale

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Publisher - St. Martins Press
Publish Date - February 2015
Genre - Historical Fiction
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

My Rating:

It’s hard to believe that it’s already April – time is flying by this year! While I’ve  been slacking on my book reviews, I haven’t been slacking on reading that’s for sure. I’ve already read 9 books this year so far which is kind of crazy. What is that, 3 a month!? Not sure how I managed to do that but needless to say, I’ve got a lot of content to write!

I get my book suggestions from so many different places that it’s hard to keep track which ones come from where sometimes. This one falls into that category. I have no idea how I heard about this book (it may have been another TheSkimm recommendation) but regardless, I’m so glad I found it.

The Nightingale takes place in France during WWII and tells the story of sisters Vianne and Isabelle. When it’s clear that the Nazis are going to invade France, Vianne has to say goodbye to her husband, Antoine and she is left on her own with her young daughter. A German soldier requisitions her house forcing Vianne and her daughter to live side by side with the enemy.

Vianne’s sister Isabelle is a stubborn, rebellious girl who is determined to make a difference for France during the war. Isabelle falls into a young love with a man who is part of a movement that believes France can fight the Germans from within. He eventually betrays her and in order to cope, Isabelle joins the Resistance where she risks her life over and over again in order to save the lives of French and American soliders.

While the two sisters live incredibly divergent paths during the war, they are both forced to make unthinkable decisions in order to survive. The Nightingale does a remarkable job of telling the story of the Women’s War during WWII, a story not often told. It’s a powerful novel that displays the utter resilience of humans during tragic times and the absolute strength of women. It’s inspiring, fast-paced and full of emotion that will leave you raw and reflective.

If you love historical fiction, stories about the triumph of women during a man’s time or just a good “can’t put it down” page turner of a book then go get this one right now and start reading. You won’t regret it!

Pair This With: Chateau Bellevue Bordeaux

This wine will leave you feeling like you are reading The Nightingale right on the banks of the Seine River. It's an easy drinking Bordeaux blend that's rich and fruity. The perfect sip for this page-turner - and easy on the wallet too!

The Last Days of Dogtown - Anita Diamant

The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant
Publisher - Scribner
Publish Date - 7/18/06
Genre - Historical Fiction
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

When I’m browsing the aisles at a bookstore looking for my next read, I absolutely judge books by their cover. If the cover looks interesting, I will pick it up and read the synopsis. Unless someone else gives me a suggestion or an actual book, this is how I make all of my purchases.

The Last Days of Dogtown was kind of an exception to this rule. It was the strange title that made me pick this book up, the cover didn’t do a whole lot for me but it got my attention nonetheless. I honestly can’t even really tell WHAT this woman on the cover is doing. If someone has any input on this, please let me know.

This novel takes place in Massachusetts during the 1800’s, specifically Cape Ann, and is directly inspired by the real Dogtown settlement. It gets its name from a pack of wild dogs who roam in and out of the crumbling town. Dogtown is full of interesting characters like orphans, alcoholics, prostitutes and widows all trying to make their living in this relatively barren town. Ms. Stanley runs the town’s brothel. Black Ruth is a stonemason who dresses like a man. Judy Rhines is unmarried and takes Cornelius, a freed slave, as her lover. Most outsiders to Dogtown believe these people are witches and thus, most of the population of Dogtown is shunned.

Diamant takes you on a journey with each of these characters as they try to survive and make the best of life in a small town on the decline. It’s a startling and revealing look at humanity during a rarely remembered chapter of early American History. I found myself having a bit of trouble keeping interested in the details of the plot but Diamant’s prose is beautiful and haunting.

You can probably discern from the title where this book finally ends but getting there is a journey. If you are into books with happy endings, I wouldn’t recommend this to you. I can honestly say that while reading this book, I felt pretty sad and depressed. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing but rather it speaks to how affecting the novel was, even if the plot development wasn’t gripping.

Pair This With: Doña Paula 2012 Malbec

I wanted a rich, full red wine that could hold up to the dark tone of this novel and this Malbec was perfect. The wonderful people at Wine Chateau sent me this wine to try and I loved it. Doña Paula Estate is in Argentina and has been producing wine since 1990. Argentina is definitely a close second to Spain when it comes to my favorite wine regions. Overall this Malbec is a medium-bodied wine with hints of blackberries and violets. I got a lot of tannins which makes the wine full of flavor but it is still very easy to drink.

All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Publisher - Scribner
Publish Date - 5/6/14
Genre - Historical Fiction
Buy on Amazon
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My Rating:

In this novel, Doerr tells two parallel stories during the Nazi uprising in Germany and France that eventually weave their way together. The first is of Marie-Laure who lives with her father in Paris, France. Her father works at the Museum of Natural History as a locksmith. It is rumored that this museum is home to one of the most cursed jewels in all of history – the “Sea of Flame”.

At the age of six, Marie goes blind and her father builds her a miniature version of the city so she can learn to maneuver the city on her own. Six years later, the Nazis occupy Paris and Marie and her father have to flee the city. What Marie does not know is that she and her father may be carrying the dangerous Sea of Flame jewel and all of the legendary misfortune that comes with it. The museum curator made 3 exact copies of the jewel and sent one of each, along with the real one, to trusted friends in order to keep the jewel out of the hands of the Nazis.