What an amazing true story, brought to life by Erik Larson, based on the journals written by the US Ambassador to Germany, William E. Dodd, and his da...moreWhat an amazing true story, brought to life by Erik Larson, based on the journals written by the US Ambassador to Germany, William E. Dodd, and his daughter, Martha Dodd. What a strange time it was for them, heading to Germany on the brink of the second world war. William, never a fan of the Nazis, was forced to entertain them in his home. A simple man, Dodd never seems to adjust to what is meant to be an ambassador's lifestyle, constantly battling both the German locals and members of his own embassy.
Martha, a young and impressionable woman, falls in love with several of the men whose lives intertwine hers, from Germans, other diplomats all the way to a Russian spy.
Ambassador Dodd also brought his wife and son, but you do not get to know much about them, presumably they did not write as many letters or keep as detailed of a journal to gather information from.
This is a wonderful book that takes you to Germany as it was on the cusp of war, showing you how human everyone really was, and how vile others were at the same time.
Lest we forget, even some Americans sided with the general principles of the Nazi party, which made it difficult for those back home (and even for the Dodds) to believe the cruelty that was happening right under our noses.
Thanks to Martha's many associations, the book also gives us a detailed look at high ranking officials in the German government.
Basically, a good historical mystery, weaving in real characters and events, but there was a subplot in India that never tied back into the main plot....moreBasically, a good historical mystery, weaving in real characters and events, but there was a subplot in India that never tied back into the main plot. you could guess that it was about Charles Dickens' son, but the relevance to the rest of the store was never made.(less)
As always, Ray Bradbury can instantly bring you into the story, weaving a complex narrative that is still easy to follow and always creepy. Can't reco...moreAs always, Ray Bradbury can instantly bring you into the story, weaving a complex narrative that is still easy to follow and always creepy. Can't recommend this book enough! it will stick with you.(less)
This book is a great read for actors who have day jobs. It helped me both with my daily interactions in the office, as well as in auditions. So many g...moreThis book is a great read for actors who have day jobs. It helped me both with my daily interactions in the office, as well as in auditions. So many great anecdotes and lots of amazing advice. strong recommend.(less)
I so loved Dave Eggars' A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, so I really, really wanted to love this book. Or even like it. The only good story...moreI so loved Dave Eggars' A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, so I really, really wanted to love this book. Or even like it. The only good story in it is from the point of view of a dog. The rest failed to connect on any level, but rather seemed to be Mr. Eggars' attempt to play with funny names and unlikely scenarios. I did read the entire book, but did not enjoy it. I kept hoping the next short story would be better, but it wasn't.(less)
I really enjoyed this twelfth book in the Women of the Otherworld series. Savannah is one of my favorite characters, so I am enjoying following her li...moreI really enjoyed this twelfth book in the Women of the Otherworld series. Savannah is one of my favorite characters, so I am enjoying following her life as she comes (really) into adulthood. The book seems to pick up right off where the last one finished, which it had been awhile since I read, so I had to do a lot of remembering to try to come up to speed. The book could've been improved with a bit more explanation of past events.(less)
This was an amazingly heart breaking tale of a young girl who's upbringing led her to seek to become someone's second wife. She was a fourth generatio...moreThis was an amazingly heart breaking tale of a young girl who's upbringing led her to seek to become someone's second wife. She was a fourth generation polygamist, growing up all over Utah and Arizona. The Church of Latter Day Saints had long ago shunned the practice, so these "pligs" were left to fend on their own, making their own churches, following their own "prophets" (all of which insisted that the more wives you had, the better your chances of securing a place in heaven were).
As you can imagine, having many wives with even more children was an untenable situation. Growing up, Irene was at the lowest level of poverty, living off of the US Government welfare system, wearing clothing made of old flour sacks, and wondering where her next meal would come from. As only one wife was recognized as the legal wife, the rest of them were "single mothers" and able to collect benefits from the Government.
Irene's mother did eventually leave her father and take up the monogamous lifestyle so much of the rest of America considered normal, and begged Irene to marry a man that was not interested in multiple wives. But would Irene listen?
Every step of the way, as a reader, I was shouting out to Irene to make different choices. To me, raised in a traditional family, it seemed obvious that Irene was making the wrong choices, dropping out of school to "marry" her half-sister's husband and move down to Mexico.
Irene recounts her time living in Mexico, Nicaragua, Utah and Arizona, often with no electricity, no running water, and no food to feed her ever increasing family. In the end, her husband had 10 wives and over 50 children.
I could not put this book down, I can't recommend it enough!
What I love about Armstrong is that she doesn't feel compelled to stay true to the classic texts on how to shape her supernaturals. Her vampires can g...moreWhat I love about Armstrong is that she doesn't feel compelled to stay true to the classic texts on how to shape her supernaturals. Her vampires can go out during the day (and no, they don't sparkle!), and her werewolves have more control over their changes (not simply at full moon).
In this book, she takes us into the corporate world of the supernaturals, where we learn more about the Cabals (business arm of the major sorcerer families). (less)
This book focuses on a character I did *not* like in the earlier books, Paige. Armstrong does a great job here in showing that her characters are not...moreThis book focuses on a character I did *not* like in the earlier books, Paige. Armstrong does a great job here in showing that her characters are not flat, and like real people they have good, bad, annoying and delightful traits. In this book, we learn what makes Paige, a witch, tick. Paige has found herself the caretaker of a young orphaned witch, Savanah, and stuck in the middle of a custody battle - super natural style. :-)
In this book we learn more about half demons and meet socerers - what fun! (less)
The second book from the Women of the Otherworld was so much more compelling from the get go than the first. In this book, we learn why it's called "w...moreThe second book from the Women of the Otherworld was so much more compelling from the get go than the first. In this book, we learn why it's called "women" of the otherworld when we meet witches, vampires and half demons. :-)
Elena is the target of a corrupt group of rich weirdos and scientists that are studying super natural beings (against the will of said supernaturals, hence the title "Stolen"). Even knowing she is a target doesn't keep her safe, as Elena's wreckless behaviour gets the best of her and gets her separated from her pack at a most inopportune moment. Armstrong does a great job of describing what exactly happens at this compound full of super naturals and introduces us to many interesting characters that seem to reappear in the later books.
I love books like this - they are quick, fun reads where you're totally escaping from real life. Perfect for reading during rehearsals.(less)
Honestly, this book started out really slowly. I had no empathy for the main character, Elena, and could really care less about what she was up to. I...moreHonestly, this book started out really slowly. I had no empathy for the main character, Elena, and could really care less about what she was up to. I stuck with it, though, as my friend Jen insisted the story would pick up and that I would really love the book. She was right! The first few chapters of the book cover Elena, a werewolf, trying to hide her true nature and live like a regular boring person - so, it's boring. :) Once Elena has to reconnect to the rest of her pack to solve a mysterious upswing of creation of "mutts" with a love of killing humans, the story gets *much* more interesting!
I'm glad I stuck with it, as the other characters I was introduced to and the background for how Elena became the only female werewolf in existence were fascinating, if you like books about supernaturals (which I do ;)(less)
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