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Showing posts with label Elizabeth Blackwell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elizabeth Blackwell. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Top Ten Tuesday: A Thanksgiving S.O.S.
1:36 PM
I love Thanksgiving, so I always make a point not to decorate for Christmas or even listen to carols until after the turkey's been eaten. While I was taking my Sunday nap the other day, however, my husband set up our Christmas tree (ostensibly to see if the new lights he bought for it looked good or if he needed to return them—uh huh). With the tree up and lit, I've had to succumb(ish) to the start of the Christmas crazy (I do love Christmas, just not too early), so I'm officially changing over to the holiday Top Ten Tuesday banner. It's festive and fun, so there you go.
Today's TTT topic—Books to Read If You Love/Loved X (X can be a genre, specific book, author, movie/TV show, etc.)—is one I've been looking forward to, even though it's had me wracking my brain for the perfect topic. The one I came up with is a little...grim, especially considering we're in the season of gratitude, merrymaking, comfort, joy, and so on. Still, it's one that always appeals to me for some strange reason. Call me morbid, but I'm going to go with Top Ten Books to Read If You Love Stories About Maritime Disasters. Honestly, I don't know why I'm so fascinated with this subject. Something about catastrophe striking in the middle of the sea and people trying to survive in such desperate circumstances just intrigues me.
Before we get to that, though, I encourage you to join the TTT party. It's a fun way to spread some love across the book blogosphere, discover new sites, and—of course—get some great reading recs. Click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for all the info.
Top Ten Books to Read If You Love Stories About Maritime Disasters
1. The Watch That Ends the Night by Allan Wolf—Of the many books I've read about the Titanic, this is the one that stands out most in my mind. It's a haunting novel-in-verse that's engrossing and memorable.
2. Dead Wake by Erik Larson—One of my favorite reads of 2021, this non-fiction account tells the story of the Lusitania from the perspectives of not just its passengers and crew but also from that of the operators of the U-boat which torpedoed the ocean liner.
3. Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood—I recently reviewed this middle-grade book, also a verse novel, which is about the S.S. City of Benares, a luxury ship that was torpedoed while ferrying young WWII evacuees out of London.
4. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys—I'd never heard of the M.S. Wilhelm Gustloff—a re-purposed German pleasure cruiser that was packed with civilian war refugees from East Prussia when it was attacked by a Soviet sub in 1945—until I read this gripping YA novel.
5. The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White—This dual-timeline novel features three intriguing narrators, two of whom are passengers on the Lusitania when it sinks. It's an engrossing, twisty, and absorbing read.
6. On a Cold, Dark Sea by Elizabeth Blackwell—Told from the alternating perspectives of three women who are huddled together on Lifeboat 21 watching Titanic sink, this novel is more about their lives before and after the disaster. Still, it tells an intriguing tale.
7. My Last Continent by Midge Raymond—When a marine biologist doing research in Antarctica receives a distress signal from the boat carrying the man she loves, she launches a rescue mission that will require her to risk everything in order to save him.
8. Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan—Although I didn't love this novel, I did find it interesting. It concerns Pulaski, a luxury steamship that runs into trouble when an onboard explosion interrupts its journey from South Carolina to Maryland. I'd never heard of this 1838 disaster before, so the book made for interesting reading.
9. The Midnight Watch by David Dyer—Another Titanic story, this novel focuses on the Californian, which was positioned only a few miles south of Titanic when she went down. Although crew members saw the doomed ship's distress rockets and subsequently woke their captain assuming he would order them to go to her aid, the man simply returned to bed. Could he have saved hundreds of lives if only he had acted instead of going back to sleep?
10. Endurance by Alfred Lansing—Okay, this is a cheat since I haven't actually finished Endurance. Yet. I started listening to it on audio, but soon realized it was so detail-filled that I wanted to read it instead of listening so that I wouldn't miss anything. I'm hoping to tackle it soon as I find the story of the Endurance, which became trapped in polar ice in 1915 stranding its crew in deadly circumstances, absolutely fascinating.
There you have it, ten (well, nine) books about maritime disasters that I enjoyed and highly recommend. How about you? Do you enjoy reading these kinds of books? Which would you suggest I check out next? What's on your TTT list today? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Gothic Family Secrets Novel Disturbing and, Ultimately, Just Not That Satisfying
6:00 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Kate Moore will do anything to escape her grim, impoverished past. So, when she attracts the attention of Matthew Lemont, a wealthy businessman from Chicago, while working as a governess on an ocean liner, she sees in him a way out. After only a couple weeks of knowing him, Kate marries the serious, reserved 28-year-old. Despite her misgivings, the couple goes to live at Lakecrest, the Lemont Family's ancestral home on Lake Michigan. Kate detests the mansion, an ugly, brooding pile that looks like "a Frankenstein's monster of architectural castoffs" (130). She's even more distressed to be stuck there with her controlling, manipulative mother-in-law and Matthew's sister, a party girl whose over-familiar affection for her brother gives Kate the heebie jeebies. Add to that Matthew's frequent night terrors, which he never bothered to mention, and Kate realizes she's jumped out of the frying pan into the fire.
It soon becomes apparent that creepy old Lakecrest keeps a myriad of Lemont Family secrets, dating back to the time of its piecemeal construction. Most infamous is the 1912 disappearance of Matthew's aunt into the labryinth on Lakecrest's sprawling grounds. Three decades later, Cecily Lemont is still missing. It's obvious the family knows more about the incident than they're saying. In fact, Kate begins to believe Matthew's nightmares stem from something he saw—or did?—the night Cecily vanished.
Isolated at Lakecrest with a new family she doesn't trust, Kate is determined to unearth the Lemont's well-kept secrets. The more she learns, however, the more unnerved she becomes. Just what kind of family has she married into?
Gothic novels featuring old, creepy houses are my jam, so I was eager to read In the Shadow of Lakecrest by Elizabeth Blackwell. As promised by its intriguing premise, the story it tells is tense, compelling, and eerie. It kept me guessing, not knowing who among its cast could be trusted and who could not. While Kate isn't exactly a likeable character herself, she is sympathetic. I wanted to know what was going to happen to her. Certain plot elements make In the Shadow of Lakecrest a difficult read, even though overall, the book would only be rated PG-13. All in all, then, I didn't love this one. It kept me turning pages, despite a sometimes sagging storyline, but it felt predictable and not all that satisfying in the end.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of books by Kate Morton [although Blackwell's novels are darker] as well as those by Carol Goodman)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, blood/gore, disturbing subject matter, references to illegal drug use, mild sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Engrossing Titanic Novel Brings Something New to the Table
6:53 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As Titanic sinks into the inky deep, chaos reigns. Her luckiest passengers hunch in the few available lifeboats, others cling to floating debris trying to keep their heads above water, while still others are trapped inside the drowning ocean liner with no chance of escape. From Lifeboat 21, three women watch the horrific scene, terrified for loved ones left behind and for themselves, adrift on the open sea in the middle of a ghastly nightmare. They begin the journey as strangers, but their shared terror brings them together, binding them for the rest of their lives.
Each of the women harbors her own secrets and fears. Charlotte Digby, a beautiful 21-year-old pickpocket, lied her way onto Titanic in the hopes of starting a new life in America with the man she loves. In the aftermath of the disaster, she has the chance to reinvent herself completely—as long as no one discovers her real identity. Cavorting with her lover on Titanic has made Esme Harper, a bored housewife, happier than she's ever been. As desperately as she wants to get to land, she dreads returning to her staid life. Before the night is through, Anna Halversson—a Swedish farm girl—is in a position to get everything she's ever wanted. But how can she enjoy the victory if she's plagued with guilt over what she did to gain it?
When a sudden death reunites Charlotte, Esme, and Anna two decades later, each will have to come to terms with the choices they've made, the consequences they've reaped, and the secrets they've kept for twenty long years ...
Although I love books about Titanic, it's difficult to find one that brings something new to the table. By focusing more on the characters' pre- and post- Titanic lives than their onboard experience, On a Cold Dark Sea by Elizabeth Blackwell does just that. Her story people can carry the tale because they're all complex, flawed, and intriguing. Which isn't to say the plot isn't interesting; it is. Blackwell's solid, engaging prose also makes this novel stand out. Because of all these elements, I very much enjoyed this engrossing story about regret and redemption, choice and accountability, agony and authenticity.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor and The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of On a Cold Dark Sea from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, December 09, 2014
TTT: Favorite New-To-Me Authors
8:19 AM
It's been awhile since I've participated in Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by the lovelies over at The Broke and the Bookish), my favorite weekly bookish meme. So, even though I should be catching up on reviews (not to mention folding laundry, cleaning house, writing Christmas cards, etc.), I'm going to join in the fun. This week's topic is: Top Ten New-To-Me-Authors I Read in 2014. My list follows. With the exception of #1, they are in no particular order:
Oh, wait! Before you read on, check out the giveaway I'm hosting. It's for one copy of The Halcyon Bird, the second installment in Kat Beyer's demon catchers series. Since no one has entered it yet, you have an excellent chance of winning, so click over there right now and enter.
1. Kate Morton—I read all four of this Australian author's novels this year. Why? Because I love her. Her lush family sagas are filled with mystery, romance, drama, and history. My only complaint about Morton is that she doesn't write fast enough! (see my reviews of The Distant Hours; The Secret Keeper; The Forgotten Garden; and The House at Riverton)
2. M. D. Waters—I enjoyed both Archetype and Prototype. The two-book series is action-packed and thought-provoking. I'll be interested to see what this author does next.
3. Ryan Graudin—If you haven't read Graudin's newest novel, The Walled City, then you're really missing out. It's an exciting, provocative and compelling read, which easily became one of my favorite reads of 2014. I haven't read All That Glows yet, but I definitely intend to.
4. Dianne K. Salerni—I read all three of this author's novels this year and was impressed by the variety of her subject matter and the skill of her storytelling. (see my reviews of The Eighth Day; The Caged Grave; and We Hear the Dead)
5. Em Garner—Teen zombie novels are a dime a dozen these days, but Em Garner's struck me as different. More sympathetic. I enjoyed both Contaminated and Mercy Mode.
6. Holly Black—Believe it or not, I'd never read anything by Black until a couple months ago. Doll Bones intrigued me from the moment I heard about it. The spooky middle grade novel did not disappoint.
7. Liane Moriarty—Like lots of other readers, I adored Big Little Lies. The warmth, the humor, the social commentary—I loved it all. Her other novels are all on my TBR
8. Elizabeth Blackwell—I just finished While Beauty Slept, which I really enjoyed. As its her first novel, I know we have much to look forward to from this promising author!
9. Kate A. Boorman—Winterkill, Boorman's debut YA novel, is another one of my favorite reads from this year. Two more books in the series will be coming out and I can't wait.
10. Julie Berry—Berry's debut, All the Truth That's in Me, is a powerful, lyrical read. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the author's new middle grade novel, The Scandalous Sisterhood of Pickwillow Place.
There you have it. I didn't read too many debut authors this year, but these are the ones that stuck out to me. How about you? Find any awesome authors this year? I'd love to check out even more new-to-me writers in 2015, so, please, leave me any recommendations.
Happy Top Ten Tuesday!
*All author photos from authors' websites.
**I can't think of anything more to say. Does that mean I'm done procrastinating and have to do something productive now? Aw, man! Say it ain't so.
Thursday, December 04, 2014
Heart-Shattering Sleeping Beauty Retelling Not Really About the Princess—And That's Why I Like It
10:45 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Capturing the essence of a book in a brief, but suitably intriguing plot summary is a very difficult thing to do. Why I even attempt it, especially when a professional has already done such a beautiful job, is beyond me. In an attempt to hang on to what little sanity I still possess, I'm going to quit trying to describe While Beauty Slept, Elizabeth Blackwell's mesmerizing new novel, and just give you the back cover blurb already:
(Readalikes: Reminded me of To Die For by Sandra Byrd)
Grade:
I am not the sort of person about whom stories are told. Those of humble birth suffer their heartbreaks and celebrate their triumphs unnoticed by the bards, leaving no trace in the fables of their time ...It may seem odd to tell the "real story" behind a well-known fairy tale from the perspective of one who, as Elise herself admits, left "no trace in the fables of [her] time." And yet, she's pretty much the perfect narrator. Our brave, self-deprecating heroine spins a yarn that builds slowly, intensifies quickly, and culminates in a shocking, heart-shattering climax. While the moderate pace of the novel may sound tedious, it's not at all. It gives us time to get to know the characters—their flaws, their virtues, their complex back stories—along with the ins and outs of castle life, especially the "malevolent intrigues that hide behind courtly manners" (17). Just in case that's not enough to keep the reader intrigued, Blackwell drops frequent bits of tantalizing, what's-yet-to-come foreshadowing, always hinting that there's more danger, more intrigue, more heartbreak just a few pages ahead. Guess what? She never disappoints. Since I love the way this kind of slow, intense build-up plays with my emotions, I found While Beauty Slept enthralling from its first page to its last. Sleeping Beauty has never been my favorite fairy tale, but this retelling isn't really about the princess, anyway. It's about someone way, way more interesting. No surprisingly, I adored it.
And so begins Elise Dalriss's story. When she hears her great-grand-daughter recount a minstrel's tale about a beautiful princess asleep in a tower, it pushes open a door to the past, one Elise has long kept locked. For Elise was the companion to the real princess who slumbered—and she is the only one left who knows what actually happened so many years ago.
As the memories start to unfold, Elise is plunged back into the magnificent world behind the palace walls she left behind more than a half century ago, a labyrinth where the secrets of her real father and the mysterious fate of her mother connect to an inconceivable evil. Elise has guarded these secrets for a lifetime. As she understands all too well, the truth is no fairy tale.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of To Die For by Sandra Byrd)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language; violence/gore; some sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of While Beauty Slept from the generous folks at Penguin in exchange for my participation in the book's blog tour. Thank you!
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