The Thought Spot

   

Sweet Madness by Trisha Leaver is a historical fiction account of Lizzie Borden, her day to day life and the murders of her stepmother and father. Being told in Bridget Sullivan’s point of view helps the reader see a more complex Lizzie, instead of just a one-sided personality. Bridget Sullivan was the Borden’s housemaid during the time of the murders. I read this story after reading the non-fiction account by Sarah Miller, “The Borden Murders” and I feel that gave me more insight into the household and lifestyle of the Borden family then if I would have only read Sweet Madness by Trisha Leaver. A very interesting read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced reading copy of The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden and the Trial of the Century by Sarah Miller! This non-fiction account covers the evidence, witness statements and testimonies of the Borden murders. Lizzie Borden’s life is also detailed and Sarah Miller keeps an unbiased view throughout her investigative research. The author spent much time and effort in developing this account and I ended up wishing that DNA could be used to discover the true culprit, but in the 1890’s no such science existed.

Thanks to NetGalley and Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) for the advanced reading copy of The Rosemary Spell by Virginia Zimmerman!  This is a fun, intellectual and mysterious tale.  I enjoyed the literary references throughout the story.  Shakespeare’s works are referenced and even used in solving the mystery of Rosemary’s spell.  I like the list of Rosemary’s Bookshelf at the end of the book.  An enjoyable read for anyone who likes fantasy and suspense.  Rosemary’s Bookshelf contains the following titles:  Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Coraline, The Giver, The Golden Compass, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Seven-Day Magic by Edward Eager, The Story of the Amulet by E. Nesbit, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead and a Wrinkle in Time.  Fun for the book lover!

Thanks to NetGalley and Philomel Books, (Penguin Group), for the advanced reading copy of Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys!  This historical fiction story contains many points of view.  Many aspects of World War II are told throughout the book as refugees make their way to the ships that will take them to a safer place.  Ruta Sepetys places factual information at the end of her historical fiction books and I enjoy knowing what truly took place, how she accomplished her research and the list of the resources she used!  A great quote from Salt to the Sea, “Survival had its price: guilt.”  Definitely food for thought and one more problem the survivors had to live with and overcome.  Highly recommended for historical fiction readers!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced reading copy of The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende!  This story is a magnificent historical fiction read.  This is an enjoyable and comfortable book and the characters grow to feel like old friends.  Little by little, Alma’s history is told and all of the mysteries are unraveled as she tells her life story to her grandson Seth and her assistant Irina.  Heartwarming,tragic and nostalgic all at the same time!

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the arc of Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin!  This alternate history of Hitler’s reign begins with Jewish families being stuffed into train cars.  Yael, a six-year-old girl, was chosen by a doctor at a concentration camp for experimentation with melanin.  As a result of the experiment, Yael can change her coloring to disguise herself.  She escapes by making herself look like a Nazi leader’s daughter.  She is found by the resistance. Once she is trained, Yael’s mission is to assassinate Hitler.  The life or death motorcycle race and the suspenseful espionage make this an interesting take on a WWII alternate historical outcome.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tanglewood for the opportunity to review Surviving the Angel of Death: The Story of a Mengele Twin in Auschwitz by Eva Mozes Kor and Lisa Rojany Buccieri!  This non-fiction account of a set of ten-year-old twins is heart-wrenching, but also inspiring.  It describes the twins’ experiences with Josef Mengele, the Nazi doctor known as the Angel of Death.  The story begins in the Romanian village where the Mozes family resides.  I am saddened at how easily people are swayed into prejudice – even children!  Even the Mozes family friends turned against them, once the Nazis took over their village.   The family’s terrifying trip to, and ultimate seperation at Auschwitz, are brought to life by Eva’s recollections of this horrible time.

I greatly admire Eva Mozes.  She moved past the trauma and helped many other Holocaust survivors by founding the CANDLES organization.  She also founded the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center.

She lives by the following three principles:

1.  Never ever give up on yourself or your dreams, for everything good in life is possible.
2. Judge people on their actions and the content of their character.
3. Forgive your worst enemy and forgive everyone who has hurt you – it will heal your soul and set you free.

The Forest of Whispers by Jennifer Murgia is told in two points of view-Rune’s and Laurentz’.  Rune’s mother is a mystery to her.  She lives with Matilde as the older woman’s apprentice.  When Rune discovers her mother’s history, her life completely changes. The story has German origins and I enjoyed the German vocabulary lesson at the beginning of both books.

Castle of Sighs by Jennifer Murgia continues where Forest of Whispers left off.  Rune now lives in Pyrmont.  She finds traces of protection but she’s not sure what she’s being protected from.  She has been left in charge of two orphans from the Bishop’s witch hunt.  She worries for their safety and asks Laurentz to take them to his castle.  Rune finds an ancient book that reveals the history of the Pyrmont Castle and her ancestors, including her mother.  Everything changes drastically after finding the old, magical book.

I recommend this series for fantasy and supernatural readers.  The Forest of Whispers Series contains wonderful and dynamic characters and interesting setting!

Elena Vanishing by Elena Dunkle is an autobiography of an anorexic sufferer.  This book was difficult to read, but I stuck with it!  My eyes and heart have been opened!  As I began reading, I wondered, “Are Elena’s perceptions true?”  I wondered if she had witness accounts or documented incidents to show the true happenings of the contention and actions taken against her.  I wasn’t sure if her perception had been swayed by the stress she was under.

Elena’s pregnancy, and subsequent miscarriage, led her to seek treatment.  Caring for another being is what helped pull her up from rock bottom.

I appreciate Elena sharing her experiences and her mother for helping bring everything together!  This book can and will help a lot of people who struggle with a disorder, regardless of whether it is an eating disorder or something else.  Elena Vanishing will also help the family, friends and acquaintances surrounding the sufferer.  Highly recommended!

The Gilded Series contains Gilded, Silvern and Brazen.  The mythology is my favorite part about this series.  Gilded and Silvern are based on Korean mythology and Brazen stretches into Chinese terriroty with the famous terracotta soldiers!  Love it!  The characters are dynamic and full of life, even in the Spirit World.  Highly recommended for lovers of Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan!