Lab Girl

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H IS FOR HAWK

STUDY GUIDE

Review: The Sound of Gravel

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A memoir that, while difficult to imagine, is riveting reading. If you're feeling depressed about your life, this story is a wake-up call. I do recommend if you enjoy reality versus fiction.

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Review: The Nest

The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A story I really enjoyed reading. The author kept the chapters short with an even flow of events and characters that are easy to imagine. Hard to put down and easy to read. Wouldn't be surprised to find this as a movie in a few years. Highly recommend.

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Review: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I did enjoy reading this because it was "light" in comparison to the previous couple of bookclub books. I felt a bit out-of-place at times though, as the author refers to quite a number of other books which I have not read. The underlying story though is nice, and the ending satisfactory.
Hart Park Bookclub December 15, 2016 - Carolyn



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Review: The Miniaturist

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Not as engaging as I expected. Typically historical fiction affords me the opportunity to gain knowledge about a time period and location, but I didn't get much from this novel. I did however enjoy the "I didn't see that coming" story lines.

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Review: About the Night

About the Night by Anat Talshir
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Historically I enjoyed the depiction of life in Jerusalem after WWII. Much like Berlin, it was divided causing heartache for those whose lives were put on hold. The fictional love story though was a bit like too much sweet frosting on a piece of cake. Not sorry I read it, but doubt it will stick with me for long.

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Review: The House We Grew Up In

The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this book very hard to put down. The story is compelling with quite a few "I didn't see that coming" moments. This is an excellent story; quite modern in the issues brought up; and I am looking forward to the book club's discussion. So glad it was chosen.

Hart Park Book Club November 17, 2016 - Joyce

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Review: Gracelin O'Malley

Gracelin O'Malley by Ann Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyed this story enough to read the 2nd in this trilogy.

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Review: America's First Daughter

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As my 4 stars indicate, I really liked this book. The author put me right into the time frame of Thomas Jefferson. Written through the eyes of his daughter (who I sometimes liked and sometimes hated) I learned about life during and after the American and French revolutions. The early years of our country certainly had its growing pains. The historical elements were fascinating and the fiction believable. I think it is a great "discussion" book, but being 500+ pages I'm hesitant to recommend it to my book club. If you do read it, please share your thoughts as I'm interested in with others think.

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Review: Barkskins

Barkskins by Annie Proulx
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Don't remember what drew me to this novel. Perhaps the concept of a multi-generational story about early settlers and the indigenous people of Canada and New England. Probably the historical fiction element is the draw. I do enjoy learning about history. "Barkskins" is fiction as it relates to people; however historical and factual as it relates to the logging industry. The theme is strongly slanted towards the irreparable harm caused when European's came to the "new world" and changed the landscapes to make room for themselves and their growing families. Harm not only to the forests; but also to the American Indians and their way of life. Bottom line, while I did like this novel, I am cautious about recommending it due to its length of 700+ pages. It could be an interesting drama "series" in the future.

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Review: The Things We Wish Were True

The Things We Wish Were True by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A perfect book for when you want something to keep you occupied. It is not likely to win any literary awards; but I do see this as a future "book club" suggestion. You'll keep reading to see what happens next in this written "soap-opera". Try it - you'll like it! Also it is free for the month of August for Amazon prime members.

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Review: Everyone Brave is Forgiven

Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another WWII story, but this time in the eyes of the British. I enjoy the writing style as well as the characters. The first half of the book was so-so as far as the story of life in London during the war. The last half really brought the war to life; both in London and on the island of Malta. Quite disturbing to learn of the hardships and how much a human can withstand. War is hell.

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Review: The Wild Girl

The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This Historical Fiction love story grabbed me. The writing provides vivid images of life in the time of Napoleon's reign in Europe. Life was such a struggle for most. This is the story of Dortchen Wild who lives next door to the young and handsome fair-tale scholar Wilhelm Grimm. The author weaves many "tales" throughout the novel. My only critique is the length - it could have been shorter without losing any of the magic.

Hart Park Bookclub September 15, 2016 - Karen

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Review: The Nazi Officer's Wife: How One Jewish Woman Survived the Holocaust

The Nazi Officer's Wife: How One Jewish Woman Survived the Holocaust by Edith Hahn Beer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just noticed this is available today as an Amazon E-Book for $1.99 if you're interested.

Never thought I'd like, or even bother reading another Holocaust book; however this nonfiction book was well worth my time. This story is told by a Jewish woman survivor who took numerous chances to hide her identity in order to survive. It provides background on ordinary people during extraordinary times. It reads much like an historical novel but knowing it is nonfiction gave it more credibility. This is a Hart Park Book Club selection to be discussed April, 2015.

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Review: Wonder

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW!

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Review: The Sandcastle Girls

The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reading something new will always grab me. None of my history books covered the genocide of the one and a half million Armenian people in 1915-1916. So terrible it makes today's Syrian refugee crisis seem trivial in comparison. I am looking forward to the Hart Park Book Club discussion on October 20, 2016 (Laurie). I took several pages of notes to keep track of the many characters as they moved in and out of the story. The title doesn't make much sense; and while well researched, I find the writing style a bit fractured. Nevertheless it deserves 4 stars because of the subject matter.


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Review: The Sandcastle Girls

The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reading something new will always grab me. None of my history books covered the genocide of the one and a half million Armenian people in 1915-1916. So terrible it makes today's Syrian refugee crisis seem trivial in comparison. I am looking forward to the Hart Park Book Club discussion on October 20, 2016 (Laurie). I took several pages of notes to keep track of the many characters as they moved in and out of the story. The title doesn't make much sense; and while well researched, I find the writing style a bit fractured. Nevertheless it deserves 4 stars because of the subject matter.


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Review: Three-Martini Lunch

Three-Martini Lunch by Suzanne Rindell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Highly recommend this interesting story about New York City in the late 1950's. Three young people trying to make it in the world of publishing. Do not judge this book by its title...the author should have come up with something much better. The ending has some surprises which I do enjoy.

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Review: Little Big Man

Little Big Man by Thomas Berger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 Stars - I really enjoyed this. Will be watching the movie again later in month on TCM.

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