Connie ’s Comments (group member since Nov 11, 2013)

Connie ’s comments from the Reading with Style group.

Round 2
10.1 Page Count (two or three short works totaling 75-150 pages)

The Wreck of the Golden Mary by Charles Dickens , published 1856, 48 pages

Charles Dickens was the editor of the publication "Household Words" when the special Christmas 1856 edition was published. Dickens (writing as a sea captain) and Wilkie Collins (writing as the first mate) wrote the exciting framing stories about the shipwreck of the Golden Mary. The framing stories included the voyage of the ship, the shipwreck, and the survivors' ordeal in lifeboats in frigid temperatures. They never gave up hope that they would be spotted by another ship. These sections of the adventure story are called "The Wreck" (Dickens and Collins) and "The Deliverance" (Collins). A long sea voyage was very risky for the travelers, and a shipwreck was not uncommon. I enjoyed this suspenseful tale with interesting characters traveling to the California Gold Rush.

The Bloomsbury Christening by Charles Dickens, published 1834, 36 pages

I loved Dickens' humor in this farcical tale. An uncle, a bachelor who dislikes children, is chosen to be a godfather for his great-nephew's christening. He gives a toast weaving in all the possible things that could imperil a baby's life--hazards, illnesses, accidents, etc. Will this curmudgeon ever be invited to dine with them again?

+10 task (total of 84 pages)
+ 5 review
+ 5 before 1996 (1856, 1834)

Task total: 20
Season total: 370

20.2 Riding the Metro

The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley

City: London
Country: England
Continent: Europe

"I often go for days without talking to anyone. Sometimes, when I have to speak . . . I find that my voice comes out in a croak because it's curled up and died in my throat from neglect."

Artist Julian Jessop is lonely, and feels like age has made him invisible. He shares his story in a green notebook, and leaves it at Monica's Cafe in London. Monica finds it, and writes about her insecurities and her dreams, then leaves the notebook in a wine bar. The notebook passes hands several more times. Soon Monica is sponsoring art classes with Julian at the cafe, and new friendships are forming.

While I wonder if many people would be willing to authentically confide their problems and hopes in a notebook to be read by strangers, it's a good premise for a novel. The notebook writers have real life concerns, and it's easy to empathize with them. The warm connections and inclusion among the new friends is heartwarming. After all the social distancing during the pandemic, every town probably needs a cozy gathering place like Monica's Cafe.

+20 task
+ 5 review

Task total: 25
Season total: 350

20.1 Riding the Metro

Up at the Villa by W. Somerset Maugham

City: Florence
Country: Italy
Continent: Europe

"You know, most of us have had moments in our lives when our happiness was so complete that we've said to ourselves: 'O God, if I could only die now!' "

Love, passion, loyalty, and taking risks are themes running through "Up at the Villa." A beautiful former actress is staying at a villa in Florence when a successful older man asks her to marry him. She wants to think about his proposal for a few days. An Austrian refugee and a wealthy playboy have made big changes to her life by the time he returns. "Up at the Villa" is an intriguing novella filled with psychological tension.

+20 task
+ 5 review
+ 5 before 1996 (published in 1941)

Task total: 30
Season total: 325

✓ 15.1 Call Your Daughter Home by Deb Spera
Dot--Kim

15.2 Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Kim--Ellen Marcolongo

15.3 Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer
Ellen--Ava Catherine

Round 2
10.3 Page Count (150-199 pages)

The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff

"The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street" is an engaging sequel to "84, Charing Cross Road." Helene Hanff had been wanting to visit London for years, and she finally turned her dream into reality. She tells of her experiences in a conversational manner filled with delightful humor. Her London publishers and friends showed her the sights, and treated her to wonderful meals. She especially enjoyed visiting places with connections to some of her favorite authors and historical figures. It left me wishing I was able to accompany her for even a small portion of her trip.

+10 task
+ 5 review
+ 5 before 1996 (1973)

Task total: 20
Season total: 295

10.5 Page Count (250-299 pages)

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

Around 117 AD, the Roman Ninth Legion marched north to deal with an uprising among the Caledonian tribes (in present day Scotland). The Ninth Legion disappeared without a trace. Eighteen hundred years later, a wingless Roman Eagle was dug up at Silchester. The Romans carried their eagle standard into battle, and no one knows how it came to be buried at Silchester.

Rosemary Sutcliff wrote a fictional story about Marcus Aquila, a young Centurion recovering from battle injuries. He wants to investigate what happened to the Ninth Legion led by his father. Marcus and his friend Esca travel into the dangerous wilds of Britain, north of Hadrian's and the Northern Walls, hoping to locate the Eagle and bring it back to the Roman Legions.

"The Eagle of the Ninth" is a riveting adventure story that can be enjoyed by both YA and adult readers. It's a story about loyalty, friendship, and courage. A wolf cub, a beautiful vixen, and a caring uncle round out the main characters. The author, who is also an artist, wrote beautifully so the readers can easily picture the scenes in their minds.

+10 task (294 pages)
+ 5 review
+ 5 published before 1996 (1954)

Task total: 20
Completion bonus: 100
Season total: 275

10.6 Page Count (300-349 pages)

The Woman I Was Born to Be: My Story by Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle was an unknown woman from a small village in West Lothian, Scotland, when she auditioned for "Britain's Got Talent." The television viewers were impressed with her gorgeous voice, and she achieved overnight fame.

Susan had some slight brain damage due to lack of oxygen at birth. Her years at school were not happy because her classmates bullied her and she had trouble learning. Her large family of eight brothers and sisters were very supportive. Her father was protective, and her mother was encouraging and loving. Her Catholic faith sustained Susan during difficult times.

Susan had a high level of anxiety, and the hounding from the press was almost unbearable. It was often hard for her to step on the stage, but the music took over when she started singing with her sweet powerful voice.

Susan hoped that her accomplishments would make it a little easier for other people with a disability. She wrote, "You should always focus on what you can do, not on what you can't do--and remember, there's no rush." Those are inspirational words for people of all abilities. (It wasn't in the book, but Susan was later diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.) 3.5 stars

+10 task (336 pages)
+ 5 review

Task total: 15
Season total: 155

10.9 Page Count (450-499 pages)

She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

"She's Come Undone" is the story of a troubled woman's journey through a difficult life. Dolores Price felt that she was caught in the middle of her parents' abusive marriage. Her father was a womanizer and her mother was emotionally fragile. After their divorce, Dolores moved to her grandmother's home in Rhode Island where she was friendless at her new school. Dolores went through some heartbreaking times, and comforted herself with overeating junk food. She had to deal with trauma, obesity, low self-esteem, guilt, and grief through her teens. Dolores had a wicked sense of humor, but she often turned hurtful and foul-mouthed. After years of therapy, life was not perfect, but she was able to cope better when life knocked her down again. Dolores met some interesting, unusual people who interacted with her, and some of the best parts of the book involved Dolores helping someone who was going through a bad time.

Wally Lamb wrote the character of a traumatized, depressed girl very well. The Connecticut author set the book in New England at the time he was growing up, so its sense of time and place rang true. However, a few of the situations seemed a little over the top.

+10 task (465 pages)
+ 5 review
+ 5 before 1996 (pub 1992)

10.2 Page Count (100-149 pages)

A Shine Of Rainbows by Lillian Beckwith

Mairi and Sandy were happy living on a croft on the small Hebridean island of Corrie. Mairi wanted to adopt a child after having several miscarriages. She grew up in an orphanage so she wished to give an orphaned child a loving home. Her husband was surprised that she chose Thomas, a frail little boy with spectacles and a stammer.

Thomas flourished with her love, and enjoyed helping with the chores on the croft. He also developed a special relationship with the seals on the rocky Scottish coast. But the family had some unexpected troubles.

This was a sweet, charming short novel. Although much of it was predictable, it was also very heartwarming. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the island of Corrie and the lives of the crofters. Corrie is known for its misty weather that produces spectacular rainbows.

+10 task (111 pages)
+ 5 review
+ 5 before 1996 (pub 1984)

Task total: 20
Season total: 120

10.4 Page Count (200-249 pages)

Local Girls by Alice Hoffman 208 pages

"Local Girls" is a collection of interrelated short stories about the coming-of-age of Gretel Samuelson. The first group of stories are told in Gretel's voice which is cynical and funny, even through tough situations. The other stories are told from the view of a third-person narrator, and often involve her best friend Jill, other family members, or people in their Long Island neighborhood. Alice Hoffman uses magical realism in several of the stories, such as describing the sensation of fire when heroin floods the veins of one character.

The Samuelson family suffers through tragic events--divorce, a cancer diagnosis, drug addiction, deaths. But there are also warm relationships between good friends and close cousins--people they can count on through good times and bad. I enjoyed this mix of short stories revolving around these Long Island girls and women trying to make the best of what life throws at them.

+10 task
+ 5 review

Task total: 15
Season total: 100

10.1 Page Count (2-3 short works equaling 75-150 pages)

The Black Veil by Charles Dickens 27 pages, pub 1836

The Black Veil is a dark, Gothic tale from the collection "Sketches by Boz." Dickens shows his empathy for the disadvantaged, and gives the story a wicked twist at the end. It's one of my favorite short stories by Dickens.

The Silver Mine by Selma Lagerlöf
25 pages, pub 1967 per World Cat

"The Silver Mine" is a thoughtful fable showing that spiritual richness can bring more happiness than the accumulation of material wealth to this rural community. Money corrupted the owners of the silver mine, and the community suffered from it. The king concluded, "The kingdom is better served with men than with money."

A Lodging for the Night by Robert Louis Stevenson 29 pages, pub 1877

Francis Villon was both a poet and a thief in 15th Century Paris. He would steal to survive, but he had a more sensitive nature compared to other thieves. During the evening he saw someone stabbed in the heart, and he tripped over a frozen body. He knew he needed to find shelter as the temperature dropped.

Villon was fed and housed by an old soldier during the snowy night. The two debated about who was the greater thief. Villon said that a conquering soldier is a greater thief because he is allowed to take more when he plunders the defeated population. The two men also talked about honor with Villon reminding the old soldier that he has not stabbed the old man and stolen his gold because it would not be an honorable thing for a guest to do.

Villon conversed with the old soldier for hours. He was fed and kept warm by the fire until dawn arrived. He avoided being frozen on the cold pavement or being attacked by people roaming the streets. The clever poet/thief survived another night.

+10 task
+ 5 review
+ 5 before 1996

Task total: 20
Season total: 85

10.10 Page count (500 pages or more)

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Although "Lonesome Dove" is about 900 pages long, it was a total pleasure to read with its humor, rich characterizations, vivid descriptions, and adventurous plot. It's an epic tale about a cattle drive from southern Texas into the wilds of Montana. Danger is faced by each of the characters from natural hazards, bandits, and Indians as they head into the wilderness. "Lonesome Dove" is a book that's hard to put down, and deserves more than 5 stars.

+10 task (960 pages)
+ 5 review
+ 5 before 1996 (pub 1985)

Task total: 20
Season total: 65

10.7 Page Count 350-399 pages

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline

In 1840s Austalia, Mathinna, an orphaned Aboriginal girl, was taken from her people by the wife of the governor of Van Dieman's Land who wanted to "civilize" her. The wife collected artifacts and skulls from Aboriginal tribes, and acted like Mathinna was part of her collection to be put on display in front of her friends.

Meanwhile, a London governess, Evangeline, was sent to Newgate Prison and eventually sentenced to transport to Australia. When her employer suspected that Evangeline was pregnant by her son, a false charge of stealing had landed her in prison.

Another young woman on the transport ship to Australia was Hazel who had learned the skills of a healer and midwife. Her terrible crime was stealing a silver spoon.

This is not a book for anyone with a queasy stomach since the story shows the abuse of guards, filthy conditions, food filled with maggots, and the general oppression of women in the various prisons. But there are also beacons of light--a kindly doctor made some lives more tolerable, Quaker women gave the prisoners fresh clothes and supplies, and the prisoners formed friendships. Some did not survive the relocation to Australia, but it was a fresh hope for others.

"The Exiles" was wonderful historical fiction with courageous, resilient characters. It worked well having the story told through multiple perspectives since each of these young women was such a unique individual, but I would have liked knowing more about Mathinna's outcome.

+10 task 370 pages
+ 5 review

Task total: 15
Season total: 45

10.8 Page Count 400-449 pages

The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird

Sixteen-year-old orphan Maggie Blair was living in poverty in 17th Century Scotland with her grandmother. After the death of a child, her ill-tempered grandmother--a healer and a midwife--was accused of witchcraft. Since Maggie had been the first one to find a beached whale, accusations were made that she was also a witch. Maggie managed to escape from prison with the help of her old friend Tam, a drunkard and a thief with a heart of gold. She headed to Kilmacolm where her Uncle Blair took her into his household.

Hugh Blair is based on an actual ancestor of the author. He was a farmer who was a strict Presbyterian during the reign of the English King Charles II. The King wanted to govern the Church, but the Covenanters felt they had a covenant with God and not the political leaders. Hugh Blair and other Covenanters were thrown into prison in the fortified Dunnottar Castle. Maggie traveled with Tam to bring him silver coins to trade for food, and to try to obtain his release.

Although this is a YA book with a teen protagonist, it was a fascinating work of historical fiction. Maggie is an engaging girl who changed from an uncertain girl to a confident young woman with good survival instincts. I enjoyed author Elizabeth Laird's inclusion of so many historical details while she kept the plot moving.

+10 task 420 pages
+ 5 review

Task total: 15
Season total: 30

Congratulations on winning the drawing, Katy!

10.3 Page Count 150-199 pages

Zorrie by Laird Hunt

Zorrie lived a full, purposeful life in spite of having to deal with tragedy, the Great Depression, and the loss of family and friends. Zorrie's happy life as an Indiana farmer's wife in a rural community was interrupted when her husband enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II. She had also worked for a few years painting radium clock faces before her marriage, and felt the threat of her exposure to that radioactive material hanging over her as she watched her friends succumb to cancer.

"Zorrie" is a lyrical look at the hopes and disappointments of a strong woman and her Midwest farming community. It's a short book of only six chapters that's a lovely meditation about life's journey.

+10 task 176 pages
+ 5 review

Task total: 15
Season total: 15

Rebekah wrote: "Connie wrote: "Joanna wrote: "Connie -- I saw Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History on your potentials list, and I just wanted to point out that Galvest..."

It sounds like an exciting place to be. That title would have been great for Pub Trivia!

10.3 Naughty

As High as the Heavens by Kathleen Morgan

+10 task (published 1998)
+ 5 combo 10.9 Pub Trivia merlot

Task total: 15
Season total: 905

20.10 Family

Our Fathers by Andrew O'Hagan

+20 task
+ 5 10.3 Naughty (published 1999)

Task total: 25
Season total: 890

20.9 Series

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward

+20 task (Bois Sauvage series)
+10 combo 10.2 Name; 10.6 Sentence

Task total: 30
Season total: 865