The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

Amber Patterson knew what she wanted.  She knew how she was going to get it, and nothing was going to stand in her way.

Amber Patterson wanted Jackson Parrish.  Jackson was well read, handsome, and above all, rich.  He was also married to a beautiful woman and had two lovely daughters.  Amber didn't care.  She deserved to be rich and have someone take care of her.  She was the one who should be living in the gorgeous house by the seaside, and she was going to have what she deserved.

Amber attends the gym where all the rich wives work out so she can get close to Daphne Parrish and find out everything she can about her.  She knows that Daphne lost her sister to cystic fibrosis when she was sixteen. She also knows Daphne runs a foundation to help support those who suffer from CF, so Amber can start to insinuate her way into Daphne's life.

Told from two different viewpoints, Amber and Daphne allow us to see into their thoughts as the reader realizes there is something sinister going on behind the scenes. 

Are the characters who they say they are?  What are they hiding?  What really happens behind closed doors?  There are many twists and turns in this thriller.  Expect the unexpected!

The Silent Wife by Kerry Fisher

"I wouldn't hit you if you didn't do things to cause me to become upset."  "I wouldn't hurt you if you didn't wear clothes that other men find provocative."  Abuse.  This is abuse. Why do we overlook it?  WHY DO WE OFTEN BLAME THE WOMAN AND SAY "SHE WAS ASKING FOR IT?"

In the book, The Silent Wife, Maggie marries into the Farinelli family and gains a daughter and all of Nico's family.  Nico's mother insists that all of her children live across the street from her, and that she has a key to their homes so she can come and go as she pleases.   Kate isn't comfortable with all of the closeness of her new family, but she loves Nico, so she tries to make the best of it as the newest member of the Farinielli family.  Massimo, Nico's brother,  and his wife, Lara live next door with their son, Sandro.

Lara and Sandro both seem quiet and reserved, and Maggie assumes they are just frightened of everything.  But what is going on behind closed doors?  What secrets is Lara hiding from the Farinelli family?  From herself?  From her son?  Maggie at first thinks Lara and Sandro have some strange phobias, but then she realizes that something more sinister is involved.  Very, very sinister.

This story has a somewhat happy ending, but many stories about abuse do not.
I have known women who have been abused, whom I have suspected have been abused, or continue to be abused by someone they love.  How is this allowed to happen?  Why is this allowed to continue?

Sometimes women don't even recognize that they are being abused - whether is it emotional, or mental.  They might feel that something is a bit off, but they also blame themselves and feel that if they had done a better job of this, or been a better wife, or hadn't worn that particular dress, or whatever the case may be, he wouldn't have become angry.

Some women are even made to believe that they deserve the physical abuse.  They didn't meet his expectations, or they could have done better.  Society doesn't help much.  Women often keep their stories to themselves. When a woman does come forward, many (even other women) tend to discredit her and discount her story.  Why?  When a woman is brave enough to share her story, why we do we often assume she deserves what she received?

This must stop.  NO ONE deserves to be abused - EVER.  Until we stop letting the abusers make excuses, these behaviors will continue.  I have seen a lot of things posted on social media of recent.  What shocks me the most is women turning against other women who have been abused. Stand against abuse of all kinds.  Stand for each other.  Stop making judgements and be supportive of each other.

If you feel you are being abused, there is help out there - https://www.thehotline.org/.
There are also people who really care.  Turn to them.  xo.

Summer Reading had Me a Blast. Summer Reading Happened so Fast!

Greetings!

It has been a while since my last post, but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading!  I have! Voraciously!

Rather than give a rundown on each book I read this summer, I will create the list of books I read, and you can decide which (or all) are right for you.

Here goes:

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal.  Delightful!  I loved it!

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan.  Loved, loved this!  Now a movie which I NEED to see!

China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan.  Again loved this and getting ready to read book 3!

Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World by Ann Shen
Enlightening for a wannabe bad girl.

The Case of the Green Dressed Ghost by Lucy Banks.  Cute and light reading for air and road travels.

Marked in Flesh by Ann Bishop. Yeah, I am obsessed with the Others series.  These hit close to home.  Wake up, HUMANS!

Etched in Bone by Ann Bishop. The Others series, and humans can't seem to learn from history.  Again.

Lake Silence by Ann Bishop.  A takeoff from The Others series, but with new characters, new setting, and humans.

The Thief:  Black Dagger Brotherhood  by J.R. Ward.  This book was just okay.  If you like vampires, you will like this book.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor.  What's not to like about a librarian who can save a society and be a superhero!

What books have you read this summer?  What do you recommend?

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

As a tourist in London, I read this book in the evenings after very full eventful days.  London was the perfect place to read this book as many parts of London were bombed by the Germans during WWII, and England was very close to being occupied by German troops.  We visited Churchill's War Rooms and saw first hand where the day to day decisions about the war were made.  

As I was lying on the couch in the large living room on Cromwell Road, I realized just how close Warsaw, Poland was to me.  If I traveled by plane, I could arrive in Warsaw within two hours.  If I traveled by train, the trip would be sixteen hours.  So close....as Antonina realizes when German troops start entering the city.  But which is worse?  Poland borders Russia on the other side, and Stalin is not much better.  Poland is not in a good position for any of its people.  Who will save them?

Jan and Antonina are active in the Polish resistance, the Jews are in the Ghetto and their zoo seems safe enough from the German threat.  However, as time goes by, both Jan and Antonina realize that the Germans mean to exterminate every single Jew in Poland.  Three million Jews were murdered and another two and a half million Poles were put to death by the Germans during the war.

Jan and Antonina have watched the Germans shoot their zoo animals for sport, treat Jews and Poles  as animals, and try to starve and destroy the country.  Jan and Antonina hide Jews in the zoo's animal enclosures until the Polish Underground can find them a place of safety. There are moments when one wonders just how the human spirit survived.   

It is very difficult to read about the German's treatment of the Jews and others who died at the hand of the Germans.  My students used to ask me how good people could let such a thing happen?  How did they not know what was happening?  How can we make sure this doesn't happen again?

I asked myself that same question many times.  Here are some of my thoughts. People weren't paying attention.  People listened to their leaders and believed them when they talked about the good things happening in Germany.  They believed Hitler when he said that immigrants, Jews, non-Europeans, people with disabilities, and those they termed asocial, among other groups were a danger to the Nazi way of thinking.  These people were not pure, so they needed to be exterminated.  Many people simply turned their heads because it didn't involve them, or they didn't want to become involved.  Or maybe they said, "Oh, I don't want to think about that."  

Are you paying attention?  Are there things happening around you that you need to be addressing?  Antonina and Jan did speak up, and they did make a difference in their community - sometimes at a great cost.  I challenge you make a difference in yours.

The Secret Wife by Gill Paul

The year is 1914, and Dimitri, a Russian officer, falls in love with a charming girl who visits him in the hospital during the Russian Revolution.  He soon realizes that this is no ordinary girl - this girl is the Grand Duchess Tatiana of the Romanov family.  Dimitri knows this girl is the love of his life, and he will do anything to be near her.  He also knows that she and her family are in extreme danger. 

The year is 2016, and Kitty not only discovers she is an heiress to her great -grandfather's cabin in the United States, but her boyfriend has been unfaithful to her.  Kitty decides to leave London and go to the cabin to lick her wounds and try to make sense of everything that has happened to her.  The cabin is in dire condition, so Kitty uses her skills to make some repairs to her new home.  If she works herself to exhaustion, then she won't have to think. 

While she is making repairs to the entry stairs, she finds a brooch.  Thus begins the mystery of how a valuable brooch that belonged to the Romanov family ended up outside of her grandfather's cabin in the United States. 

There are a lot of 'what ifs" in this story, and I enjoyed reading about what might have been.  If you love reading about the Romanov family and Russian history, you will enjoy this book. 

Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson

I was born and raised in a small town in Indiana. My parents weren’t well off, but we always had enough to eat. My mother made my clothes, and we were able to afford one new pair of shoes for me each year. I was never around people of color or exposed to any other religion other than Christianity. I never knew much about the world around me until I grew a little older and began to read about other cultures and lands.

I was privileged, but I didn’t know what those words meant at the time. When I was stopped by police officers in Princes’ Lakes for circling around the liquor store one too many times (sorry Mom and Dad), it never once occurred to me to be afraid. When I reached for my license and registration, I had no fear that I would have a gun pointed at me or that I might possibly die from that encounter.

As I have gotten older, I see white privilege everywhere I look. If you get upset when you hear the words “Black Lives Matter” or you say you are going to boycott sports when professional athletes kneel during the national anthem, then read this book. Listen to the words of Rev. Dyson. Think about what message he is giving in his “sermon.” Step out of your whiteness and listen to the cries of our country’s people. For our country’s sake, BE UNCOMFORTABLE.

The book Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America chose me to read its pages. I knew when I saw the cover that I was going to read this book. I had to put the book down several times as the words on the pages drove home points that made me uncomfortable, yet forced me to face what I needed to hear. The slogan for our current administration (and believe me, that topic is for another time), was “Make America Great Again.” “It sounded the call to white America to return to simpler, better days.” I ask, better days for whom? The racial divide in this country is stronger than it has been since the 60s. Our current leadership has empowered racists.

I have had people tell me that we no longer have a race issue in this country. I have had people tell me that racism only exists in the South. As I was giving directions a couple of weeks ago, a person answered me by saying, “Yes, Masta.” I am ashamed that I didn’t have a good response for that comment. I didn’t respond at all. Slavery is not something that is funny, or something to make light of. Slavery is a blight on our nation’s history.

Three months ago as I was waiting in the preTSA line at the Indianapolis airport, I witnessed a black man singled out and searched for no obvious reason. He walked through the machine and no alarm sounded. I walked through the same machine, and an alarm sounded because of my belt. He was detained. I was not. I stood there feeling helpless because I did not know how to combat this. What made this incident even worse? The white woman who loudly complained and made derogatory comments because she had to wait a few extra minutes in line. Again, my wit failed me as I didn’t have the words to combat this rude behavior.

Before I close, here are some things to think about as you are waitng for this book to arrive. (Find it at your public library, at your local bookstore, or online.) Refusing to frequent businesses owned and operated by people from other cultures and races is wrong. It is also wrong to call people “towel-heads, wetbacks, the n-word, and all of the other horribly derogatory comments. We are told to love one another. “A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35. We are all brothers and sisters. It’s time we start acting like it.

The Bourbon Kings by J. R. Ward

Thank you, Sara, for recommending this series.  If you have been wondering what I have been doing since the new year, well, this is it!  I have had my nose stuck in this series!  I loved it, and even though I have figured out the culprit, so to speak, I still enjoyed this series quite a lot.  

This series is set on the border of Indiana and Kentucky.  I learned a lot about making bourbon and horse racing.  I also loved reading about the Commonwealth and the Ohio River, as well as Lizzie's farm in Indiana.  

This series has some Dynasty and Dallas connections.  There is money, corruption, greed, love, murder, and all of the things that made Dynasty and Dallas huge hits.  You will find the characters realistic and likable, and well as vulnerable.  

If you want to take a break from reality, jump into this series!

Twelve Days of Books 2017

Welcome to the Twelve Days of Books!  Once again, former students and friends have come through with their book recommendations from the past year.  There have been many recommendations, so if you are looking for a great book, look no further!

1.  Lost Boy by Christina Henry.  Lost Boy is the story of Peter Pan from Captain Hook's perspective.  "Peter will say I'm a villain, that I wronged him, that I never was his friend. But I told you already. Peter lies. This is what really happened." Find out the true story! (Recommended by Jessica, friend and colleague)

2.  Born a Crime:  Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah.  Trevor Noah's birth was a crime.  He was the son of a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother.  At the time, such an offense  was punishable by five years in prison. Read the story of how this comedian got his start and ended up at The Daily Show.  (Recommended by Jessica, friend and colleague)

3.  Make Your Bed:  Little Things that Can Change Your Life and Maybe the World by William H. McRaven.  In 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven gave the commencement address to graduates of the University of Texas at Austin. He started his speech with these words:  "If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed."  He goes on to explain basic lessons that can make the world a better place.  (Recommended by Brian, former student, friend, and colleague)

4.  Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  'My name is August.  I won't describe to you what I look like.  Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.'  Auggie wants to be normal, but he was born with a facial deformity.  Can his classmates see who he really is?  (Recommended by Lita, friend and colleague)

5.  The Gilded Years by Karin Tanabe.  This is an historical novel  which is based on the true story of Anita Hemmings.  Hemmings was the first black student to attend Vassar because she was able to pass as a white girl.  How long can she keep her secret?  (Recommended by Tara, former student and friend)

6.  Coach Wooden and Me:  Our 50 Year Friendship On and Off the Court by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and David Fisher.  "Abdul-Jabbar reveals the inspirational story of how his bond with John Wooden evolved from a history-making coach-player mentorship into a deep and genuine friendship that transcended sports, shaped the course of both men's lives, and lasted for half a century." Goodreads  (Recommended by Lora, friend)

7.  The War That Saved My Life and The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.  "This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity—a classic in the making."  Goodreads  (Recommended by Lynn, cousin)

8.  State Bird Provisions:  A Cookbook by Stuart Brioza, Nicole Krasinski, J.J. Goode.  "This is a wonderful book about a fabulous restaurant in San Francisco."  (Recommended by Michael, friend)

9.  The Discoverers by Daniel Borstin.  "A history of humans' discoveries from fire to email.  Genius."  (Recommended by Austin, my kid and friend)  

10.  The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. "Amazing book.  I couldn't put it down.  It's a story about sisters, war, and love.  It is set in France 1940 to present."  (Recommended by J.Y., former student and friend and seconded by LuAnne, cousin)

11.  The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared:  Top 50 Facts Countdown by Top 50 Facts and The Baker's Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan.  "A tale of courage, determination, optimism, and the resilience of the human spirit, set in a small Normandy village on the eve of D-Day."  Goodreads  (Both recommended by Erin, former student and friend)

12.  All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood.  "A powerful and shocking love story between two unlikely people that asks tough questions, reminding us of all the ugly and wonderful things that life has to offer."  Goodreads  (Recommended by Brittany, former student and friend)

13.  The Librarian by Christy Sloat.  "He's from 1892 England; she's in a small library in 2017.  And that's just the start of their troubles."  Goodreads  (Recommended by Brittany, former student and friend)

14.  I am not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez.  "This is the diary of Julie, the daughter of undocumented Mexican immigrants living in Chicago.  Julia's sister dies in an accident, and Julia becomes the sole focus of her parents' expectations.  This was a perfect way to read outside my normal worldview and see some commonality in the challenges a young woman faces as she tries to find her place in the world."  (Recommended by Sadie, former student and friend)

15.  The Last Tudor by Phillipa Gregory.  "Phillipa Gregory's The Last Tudor is the final story in her successful series that began with Anne Boleyn."  Goodreads  (Recommended by Phoebe, friend and colleague)

**Also recommended by Phoebe:  A Column of Fire by Ken Follett and A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson.

16.  The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward.  "If you ever enjoyed the night-time soaps of the 1980s, get ready for the next generation of big-money, family dynasty drama. The Bradford family made its fortune in bourbon, not oil, but all of the major elements are in place: a southern palatial estate, high end cars, private jets... class divisions, a spoiled daughter, and a dastardly patriarch that could put JR Ewing to shame."  Goodreads (Recommended by Sara, friend and colleague)

And last, but not least, I have two of my own that I want to add...

17.  The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.  Starr is a sixteen year old who is riding home from a party with her best friend from childhood.  The two are pulled over, and her friend, Khalil is killed in a police shooting.  Khalil was unarmed.  Starr has to make a decision.  Does she speak out for her friend, Khalil and all of the other innocents who have been killed by police shootings, or does she remain silent?  What consequences will speaking out have for Starr, her family, and the community where she lives?  This book will make you laugh, but it will also make you cry because we as a society have so far to go.  This book can help start the conversation.  

18.  The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay.  The Sea of Tranquility was the site where Apollo 11 landed in 1969.  It is not a sea at all, but rather a dark spot on the moon.  Nastya is looking for her own Sea of Tranquility as she enters a new school.  She wants to get through school without making waves, and she wants to find the boy who did terrible things to her and hurt him like he hurt her.  Josh and Drew befriend the new girl and find out that she is full of mysteries, and they may never know the real person behind her masks.  

"I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk."  

The characters are well crafted, and even though they experienced what no one should ever have to experience, they discover that there is a family out there for each of them.  They just had to find it.

Thanks for all the suggestions from some pretty awesome people in my life.  I love you all, and I especially love the fact that you are reading some amazing books!  This English teacher, media specialist, technology integration specialist knows that you travel to distant regions, become open to other views and cultures, and strive to make the world a better place.  

"Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light." —Vera Nazarian

Have a wonderful 2018.