Book Reviews

Here are a few books I've read recently.

One Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton Harris, fiction, 2023.

A friend recommended this book a year ago, but I held off reading it because of the serious subject matter until recently. The story is about Sara, who was raped at a party when she was a teenager and became pregnant. Although her rapist was sent to prison, Sara's name and reputation were drug through the mud during the trial by a high-price lawyer the wealthy, important family of the town hired to protect the rapist. She fled from Georgia to Maine before anyone knew she was pregnant because the custody laws were more favorable there in case the baby's father and family ever found out about the child. Sara was afraid, with their money and influence, that they would take the child from her. 

Sara's father is dying, so she is forced back to Savannah with her 8-year-old daughter. And despite Sara's best efforts to remain hidden, all truths come out. Many complicated relationships are explored, with every character having tragedies in their past that influence their behavior. Because of the death of his wife years ago, Sara's father only speaks by quoting poetry. Depending on your perspective, that either enhances or hinders the story. The author does a good job of describing emotions from the different characters' perspectives.

This is the first book in a long time that I wanted to get back to when I was not reading it. However, toward the end, I thought the author spent too much time on the feelings of Sara's romance. But perhaps I just wanted to get to the bittersweet resolution of the story sooner.

The book is a compelling story with the underlying theme of forgiveness. Both Ward and I recommend it.

Little and Often by Trent Preszler, memoir, 2021

Little and Often is a beautifully written memoir about the year the author spent after his father's death building a canoe. Trent was estranged from his father after Trent revealed to him that he was gay. His father was a Vietnam veteran, rodeo champion, and rancher in South Dakota, and a hard, no-nonsense man who did not understand his son. This led to many years of not visiting and rarely talking. Before his father's death, Trent spent Thanksgiving with him and his mother, and the healing process was starting. However, his father died with many issues unresolved. Trent's father left him his toolbox, which Trent used to build the canoe. He had little carpentry experience and made many mistakes while building the canoe in the middle of his house, but the process was cathartic and helped him grieve. The book switches seamlessly between the present-day boat building and scenes from his childhood. 

The book was a serious read, and I thought the author tried a little too hard at the end to make everything fit. However, I would recommend the book.

The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum by Kirsten Weiss, mystery, 2016

Ward reads a lot of mysteries and said he thought I would like this cozy mystery. The story involves Maddie, who returns to her small hometown after losing a high-powered international job. While job hunting, she agrees to watch over the town's Paranormal Museum, where a murder happens. Maddie eventually solves three murders, two in the present day and one from the past. The paranormal aspect makes for a fun setting, and even though Maddie does not believe in ghosts, strange things happen. 

The book was an easy, fun read, and I have just ordered the next one in the series from the library.

The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier, historical fiction, 1999

This New York bestseller has been translated into 39 languages and has been popular since it was first published in 1999. The movie based on the book was also well-received and won several award nominations. So, this is another story that I may be the last one around who is reading it for the first time. 

The book gives a back story for the famous Vermeer painting Girl with a Pearl Earring. It takes place in 17th-century Delft, Holland. Sixteen-year-old Griet goes to work for the painter, Vermeer, as a maid and, among other things, cleans his studio. This leads to more tasks, and she eventually poses for a painting. The prose is rich and measured, but it builds tension to a plausible story of what might have happened.

I understand why this book is called a modern-day classic and highly recommend it--in case you are the only other person who has not read it. :)

Until next time...