Kim’s Comments (group member since Nov 20, 2020)

Kim’s comments from the Reading with Style group.

15.9 EotPR

The Widows of Malabar Hill. Sujata Massey
Winner of the 2018 Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel

This is a new cozy mystery series set in 1920s Bombay, featuring the first woman lawyer in India. Perveen Mistry is the beloved daughter of a well off Zoroastrian family, who works in her father's law firm at a time when women were not allowed to appear in court in India. When her father must represent the three widows of Mr. Omar Farid, a wealthy Muslim mill owner who are in seclusion, Perveen meets with them to make sure they are aware of their rights. When the household agent is killed while there, she gets more deeply involved in protecting them.
The book moves back and forth between this time period and a few years earlier, when Perveen, who has fallen in love, gets married to someone not of her family's choosing. This story is skillfully interwoven and you get a good picture of the people that they are.
I have read several books set in India in the last few years, and I enjoyed the way it portrays the culture of that time period.

Task Total: 15
Total: 15
Season Total: 815

10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.5; 10.6; 10.8; 10.9;10.10
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9
20.1(x2); 20.2; 20.3; 20.5; 20.6; 20.7; 20.8; 20.10;

10.10 Group Reads

West with Giraffes. Lynda Rutledge

This book is based on a true story, set in the late 1930s, when America was in the depths of the Depression, facing the rise of Hitler in Germany, and trying to survive the effects of the Dust Bowl. It was a simpler time, and the country was looking for some relief and hope. Belle Benchley, director of the San Diego Zoo was hoping to provide that with two young giraffes, whose cross country journey is chronicled in this book.
There were so many things I loved about this book, the format - almost epistolary with its telegrams, news blurbs and alternating chapters written as a love letter, its accurate depiction of a historic time in America with the importance of trains, hoboes, Hoovervilles, etc., and finally how it reminded me of other books I've read. I kept thinking of The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, whose plot is similar. Also, the young adult book Someplace to Call Home tells the story of three siblings who are trying to escape the Dust Bowl by traveling in a homemade caravan and staying wherever they can find food and work.
I highly recommend this article: https://zoohistories.com/2021/02/11/w... for more information about the actual event and a great picture of the giraffe wagon.

Task Total: 10
Review: 10
Combo: 10 (C10.2 - TX, 20.9)
Total: 30
Season Total: 800

10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.5; 10.6; 10.8; 10.9;10.10
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8
20.1(x2); 20.2; 20.3; 20.5; 20.6; 20.7; 20.8; 20.10;

10.6 Bless the Animals (Rebekah's Task)

Magic's Pawn. Mercedes Lackey

I started to listen to this with my husband on a recent weekend trip, but I could see that there wasn't enough action to keep his interest. The first third of the book is about Vanyel discovering he is gay, and falling in love with Tylendel with disastrous recents. When Lendel is killed, Van, only 17 himself, doesn't know how to go on with his life. He is meant to be his father's heir, which is the last thing he wants. The trauma of Lendel's death immediately brings out several magical Herald gifts in him, not no one had seen even a hint of existing. He is chosen by Pfandes, a Companion and his life chances irrevocably. (Companions look like extra large white horse, but can speak and have other gifts, as well). This is the first book of the series, I may read more later.

Task Total: 10
Review: 10
Combo: 15 (C10.2 - US,10.4- The Last Herald Mage)
Oldie: 5 (published in 1989)
Total: 40
Season Total: 770

10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.5; 10.6; 10.8; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8
20.1(x2); 20.2; 20.3; 20.5; 20.6; 20.7; 20.8; 20.10;

20.6 Coleridge

Peace Like a River. Leif Enger

Told from the perspective of 11 year old Rueben Land, this is a story of simple family love, forgiveness, miracles, and journey. After his older brother Davy, shoots and kills two boys who have broken into their home, and escapes jail, all Rube and his younger sister, Swede want to do is find him, bring him home and have life go back to normal. But life will never be normal for them again. Swede is my favorite character is this book, she is a storyteller extraordinaire. The father is a man of God, and there really wasn't one character in the book that didn't speak to me. Excellent book!

Task Total: 20
Review: 10
Combo: 15 (C10.2 - US, 20.8 potato chowder, 20.2)
Total: 45
Season Total: 730

10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.5; 10.8; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8
20.1(x2); 20.2; 20.3; 20.5; 20.6; 20.7; 20.8; 20.10;

The new book page was rolled out to me today, after being an early beta tester. Are MPGs a thing of the past? I can't find them anywhere for this book: Manufacturing Magic.

20.7 Cervantes

The Moon Sister. Lucinda Riley

3.5 rounded to 4 stars - As I seem wont to do, I started this series on book five, (because it had an MPG of Spain). It seems like any of the books could function as a stand alone, each sister comes from a different place and was adopted by a rich Swiss man. In this story, they are all young adults, Tiggy is just out of uni, and her father has recently died and left her a letter telling her about her Spanish heritage. She travels to Spain and learns about her mother, a Gypsy flamenco dancer. Much of the story is about her Spanish family, with her role taking up about a third of the book. I listened to some of the book, but ended up reading the print version because the pace seemed a little slow on the audio. I may well go back and read more of the series, there's a mystery or two to be solved.

Task Total: 20
Review: 10
Combo: 15 (C10.4, 20.8 turkey soup, 20.9)
Jumbo: 10 (742 pages)
Total: 55
Season Total: 685

10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.5; 10.8; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8
20.1(x2); 20.2; 20.3; 20.5; 20.6; 20.7; 20.8; 20.10;

10.5 Autumn Colors (Rosemary's Task)

Red Island House.Andrea Lee

I tend to have a love/hate relationship with Literary fiction as a genre, and unfortunately this book wasn't one that I loved. The first chapter held promise, introducing us to Shay (a young African American professor), and Senna, who would become her much older Italian husband, as well as to the setting of the Red Island House, and the many Madagascarian characters that would populate the book. Sadly, it never went anywhere from there for me. Like true literary fiction it was much more about setting and examining the characters' lives than about having much of a plot.

Task Total: 10
Review: 10
Combo: 20 (C10.2 - US, 10.8, 20.1, 20.9)
Total: 40
Season Total: 630

10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.5; 10.8; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8
20.1(x2); 20.2; 20.3; 20.5; 20.6; 20.8; 20.10;

10.8 House (Ann's Task)

Other Birds. Sarah Addison Allen

It's been seven long years since readers have had a new book by Sarah Addison Allen, and Other Birds makes the wait worthwhile. Like so many of Sarah's books, family - lost and found, the one you're born into and the one you choose, plays a major role. Zoey, Mac, Oliver and Charlotte are all running from their past, or trying too hard to hold onto it. They end up together at a magical place called Dellawisp, populated by magical birds. As they grow to trust each other, their stories unfold, and they help one another move onto to the next chapter of their lives.

Task Total: 10
Review: 10
Combo: 20 ( C10.2 - US, 10.6, 20.8 - sweet potato soup, 20.10 - 2022)
Total: 40
Season Total: 590

10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.8; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7
20.1(x2); 20.2; 20.3; 20.6; 20.8; 20.10;

20.1 Jemisin

Conjure Women. Afia Atakora

This debut novel is set in the period surrounding the American Civil War, encompassing several generations and many secrets on an old Southern plantation. Miss May Belle and her daughter, Rue, are conjure women. They birth babies, heal folks, and hold their community in their hands. Varina, the plantation daughter, is simple, and in many ways, they manage her. The book was interesting and rich in detail, and would probably take several readings to unpack it all.

Task Total: 20
Review: 10
Combo: 10 (20.2, 20.8 - the second day he made a soup)
Total: 40
Season Total: 550

10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7
20.1(x2); 20.2; 20.3; 20.6; 20.8; 20.10;

15.8 EotPR

Hurston/Wright Legacy Award US, Black authors - all categories (Nonfiction 2019)

May We Forever Stand: A History of the Black National Anthem. Imani Perry

Task Total: 15
Total: 15
Season Total: 510

10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8
20.1; 20.2; 20.3; 20.6; 20.8; 20.10;

20.1 Jemisin

Main character is ancient Ojibwe healer Henry Meloux.

Fox Creek. William Kent Krueger

I've read around this series for years, and now have read 12/18 of them, along with both of his stand alone novels. It is fair to say that William Kent Krueger is one of my favorite authors. This most recent addition to the Cork O'Connor collection does not disappoint. It features ancient Ojibwe healer Henry Meloux, one of my favorite characters. He and his great niece, Rainy, help a troubled woman named Delores, who has sought them out. Unknowingly, she brings trouble with her, and Henry, Rainy and Delores must flee for their lives through the Great North Woods. Cork and Delores' brother-in-law set out to find them and the men who hunt them.
In this book we see Stephen (Cork's son) mature and fall in love, and it almost seems like the groundwork is being laid for the series to continue featuring the next generation. Henry, though well over 100 years old, still plays an important role as Mide, wise man, and spiritual leader. And finally, as always, there is an environmental twist to the plot.

Task Total: 20
Review: 10
Combo: 20 (10.2-US, 10.3, 10.4, 10.9 - MN)
Total: 50
From Post 179: +5 Oldies
Season Total: 495

10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7
20.1; 20.2; 20.3; 20.6; 20.8; 20.10;

15.7 - EOTPR

2016 Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize (US, women authors)

As Close to Us as Breathing. Elizabeth Poliner

Task Total: 15
Total: 15
Season Total: 450

10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7
20.2; 20.3; 20.6; 20.8; 20.10;

10.4 Series (Ed's Task)

Due or Die. Jenn McKinlay

An early entry in the Library Lover's series where we meet Heathcliff and learn more about Lindsey, her staff and friends, and her budding love interest, Sully. Although I've already read eight of the later books, this was interesting because it gave me background that I didn't know. If i had read the print edition, it probably would have a four star read for me, but the audio book narrator's voice on a few characters just didn't work as well for me.

Task Total: 10
Review: 10
Combo: 25 (10.2-US, 10.3, 10.9-CT, 20.8 - Ham & Potato, 20.9 )
Total: 45
Season Total: 435

10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6
20.2; 20.3; 20.6; 20.8; 20.10;

20.3 Vonnegut

The World That We Knew. Alice Hoffman

All the beauty and pain and wonderful writing I've come to expect from my favorite author. No one quite tells the Jewish experience likes Alice Hoffman, or makes you weep with her characters, or understand the strength of women and the love of mothers for their child like she does. This story takes place during World War II and touches on the resistance, the horrors of the Holocaust, and the goodness of people in the midst of it all. I could read this again and again, and see something new each time.
This book won the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for Fiction (2020) if anyone is looking for a book to fulfill it, I highly recommend it.

Task Total: 20
Review: 10
Combo: 15 (10.2-US, 20.9, 20.8 - Hardship Soup)
Total: 45
Season Total: 390

10.2; 10.3; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6
20.2; 20.3; 20.6; 20.8; 20.10;

20.8 Soup's On! 

Montana 1948.Larry Watson

A small book, tightly written, and wonderfully told, Montana 1948 is a coming of age story, set in a small Montana town in 1948. The Haydens are town aristocracy, the grandfather, the retired sheriff, his two sons, the town doctor and current sheriff. It is told from the perspective of twelve year old David Hayden, as he remembers it forty years later. It is the day he stopped being a child and lost his innocence, when he realized that adults were not infallible, and those he loved could do monstrous things. As he relates the story to his wife, he discovers things about that time he had realized before, looking now through the lens of adulthood, not as a young boy.
I can't say enough good things about this novel, it's succinct, thought provoking, and beautifully written. Highly recommended.

Task Total: 20 (She made me chicken soup and jello).
Review: 10
Combo: 15 (20.2-US, 20.9, 20.10 - 1993)
Total: 45
Season Total: 345

10.2; 10.3; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6
20.2; 20.6; 20.8; 20.10;

15.6 EotPR

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men. Caroline Criado Pérez

This book surprised me in several ways. I had expected this to be a slow, dry read but it turned out to be a page turner filled with interesting insights that made me look at the world in a different way. From public restroom issues (equal doesn't mean equal - women often have children with them, and for obvious reasons take, on average 2.3 times as long to use the bathroom), to the real reason GDP went up in the 1970s (women moved from doing "unpaid" work in the home to being in the paid workforce and having to buy many of the goods and services they previously provided such as meals from scratch, clothing and childcare), the book showed many of the problems and misconceptions that come about when data is gathered with only one sex in mind. A simple (?) solution of having women more involved in governance, research and data design and collection is suggested.

Task Total: 15 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Science and Technology (2019)
Total: 15
Season Total: 300

10.2; 10.3; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6
20.2; 20.6; 20.10;

15.5 EotPR

Bluebird, Bluebird. Attica Locke

I think this quote sums up the book for me:

...for every story about a black mother, sister, or wife crying over a man who was locked up for something he didn't do, there was a black mother, sister, wife, husband, father, or brother crying over the murder of a loved one for which no one was locked up.

Darren Matthews is a black Texas Ranger, who chooses to look into the death of another man, much like himself, and a young, white woman, whose deaths in a small Texas town he believes to be related.
And he does it despite great peril to himself, his life, and his career.

Task Total: 15 Edgar Award Winners (2018)
Total: 15
Season Total: 285

10.2; 10.3; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5
20.2; 20.6; 20.10;

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Kim wrote: "I think my RB score is off by the 5 points awarded in message 85. For whatever reason, I have the hardest time keeping my numbers straight for this challenge."

Your RB score seems to m..."

Sorry, I see on my spreadsheet I added the points in two places. Ugh!

I think my RB score is off by the 5 points awarded in message 85. For whatever reason, I have the hardest time keeping my numbers straight for this challenge.

20.2 King

The Cigar Factory: A Novel of Charleston. Michele Moore

Interesting historical fiction novel set in Charleston, South Carolina during the first half of the twentieth century. The POV shifts between two women, Meliah Amey Ravenel, and Cassie McGonegal, one black, one white, and their struggles to raise their families and create a better life out of poverty and despair. Both women work in the local cigar factory, and the storyline revolves around the working conditions and lengthy battle to get the union in.
There is a foreward by Pat Conroy, who is an editor for the publishing house, which really sets the tone and gives great background for the novel. This is an academic book, the author was a fellow in the English Department at Piedmont College, and the book was published by a university press. But far from being dry and uninteresting, this well researched novel is rich with historical details and worth your time to read. It was also adapted into a play, which I think would be interesting to see, as well.
I originally was going to read this for EotPR, since it won the David J. Langum Sr. Prize Historical fiction, but discovered it was the author's debut novel and slotted it here, instead.

Task Total: 20
Review: +10
Combo: +10 (20.1, 20.8 - the church brings soup to the striking workers)
Total: 40
Season Total: 270

10.2; 10.3; 10.9
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4
20.2; 20.6; 20.10;