Reviews

For me, summer has always been a great time to read short stories. They fulfill the desire for a good read, but they leave you time to enjoy summer things: gardening, swimming, napping...In Doña Cleanwell leaves home: stories, Ana Castillo takes us from Chicago to Mexico in the 1960's to the 2010's. Many of the characters travel, seeking a look into the past, only to find more secrets buried.

One of the stories follows Katia, a young woman looking to put put her mark on the world and help others. She is redirected by an unexpected letter asking her to go to Mexico and retrieve her Mother. Another story, has Martir, who moves into an apartment in Chicago,  with a much younger pot dealer but whom also loves to dance. These seven stories share life from the working people. Beauticians, food servers, factory workers add the layers of depth that make this collection so engaging. 

Estee Lauder has been an iconic name synonymous with cosmetics and beauty products for almost a century. In her own signature style, author Renee Rosen creates a fascinating and entertaining historical fiction based on the creation of this beauty brand. The fictionalized story is told through the perspective of Gloria Downing, a woman who befriends Ms.Lauder as they both scrape by at a New York hair salon. Having lived aristocratic lives that had fallen on hard times, the two women find a connection that is the force behind the future success.

Renee Rosen is a master of taking readers into the world of women breaking through barriers to attain the fame and fortune they work tirelessly to achieve. I loved the rich story of this Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl, if you love historical fiction with strong female characters, you will love it too.

 The full title of this epic tale is  Empty Theater: Or, the Lives of King Ludwig of Bavaria and Empress Sisi of Austria (Queen of Hungary), Cousins, in Their Pursuit of Connection and Beauty Despite the Expectations Placed on Them Because of the Exceptional Good Fortune of Their Status as Beloved National Figures. With Speculation into the Mysterious Nature of Their Deaths. Jac Jemc leaves no stone unturned in this satirical adaptation of history. Jemc retells the madcap misadventures of the infamous cousins King Ludwig II and Empress Sisi of Bavaria with well researched history and razor sharp satire.
Ludwig II is eccentric and obsessive as he keeps busy as a passionate supporter of art, theater and architecture. He oversees the building of many ornate castles that he considers  pleasure palaces. These distractions, as well as his remarkable connection to Richard Wagner leave his stately duties, Bavaria ignored and eventually vulnerable to a changing Europe. Empress Sisi also self indulges on extravagances and travel as she leaves her parenting duties to her mother in law.

The publisher calls it a tragicomic tour de force, and Kirkus Reviews call this novel " a triumph" I cannot disagree with either of these, I thoroughly enjoyed this clever romp through this historical era.

This remarkable memoir written by a 33 year old through the perspective of a 9 year old, is a page turner. Having been born in El Salvador in 1990 during the country's civil war, Javier Zamora's childhood was based on the concept of leaving. His Father fled to the U.S. when he was one, and when he was five, his Mother followed. For the next four years he lived with his grandparents as they prepared him for the trip that would change the course of his life. He dreams of being reunited with his parents, as he embarks as an unaccompanied minor on what is supposed to be a 2 week trek north. 

This story being told from a child’s perspective, in a plain journalistic reality, lays out the true horrors of migration. He ends up traveling with a group of adults who with kindness help sustain him through deserts, uniformed men with guns pointed at him as well as smugglers and border patrol agents. These strangers take responsibility for him as they pass him to the next group with a sense of concern and urgency. Somewhere along the way Zamora finds his artistic voice. Keeping track of every detail awakens his writers spirit, and becomes the thing that helps him survive this harrowing experience. Solito is often difficult to read. It is an important book told by a brave young man who as a 9 year old never lost faith that he would see his parents again.

Broadway superstar Sutton Foster opens up her heart and soul in this engaging memoir. Starting on the stage at an early age was exciting and thrilling, but it certainly had it's share of stresses and disappointments. To help her calm her nerves and still her nervous energy, Sutton turned to crafting as a way to cope. As a young girl she watched her Mother cross stitch. An aunt she was close with taught her additional craft skills, but Sutton took it to a whole new level. Knitting, crocheting, cross stitching and eventually collaging and painting became her passion that she continues back stage on big Broadway shows to this day. 

In the book, she opens up about her relationship with her agoraphobic mother and the enormous effect that had on her life. We learn about her brother who is also a Broadway star, her relationships, her marriages, and her personal  struggle and journey with fertility. Between singing and dancing in musicals, Sutton has starred in several TV shows, such as Younger  (which I loved) and Bun Heads to name a few. Peppered with anecdotes about celebrities she has worked with both on stage and on screen such as Patti Lupone, Hilary Duff and Peter Hermann, Hooked: How Crafting Saved Life will get you hooked, and perhaps have you pick up a needle and thread! Her journey is sometimes complicated, but often wonderful, and the her story is a testament to the healing power of art. 

Every now and then, a book unexpectantly falls into your hands and ends up being the most pleasant surprise! Matt Cain manages to do that with his charming novel; The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle. Albert is a 64 yeat old postal worker who, since his Mum died, lives a solitary life with his cat Gracie. With no friends, family or hobbies, the news of his forced retirement sends him spinning. He realizes he has no choice but to start truly living and emabarks on a painful yet exhilirating journey to do just that. He courageously starts to reveal himself to neighbors, co-workers and customers on his route, who unexpectantly teach him what love, acceptance and frienship are. Eventually he realizes he needs to go back and find a lost love from 40 years ago as he seeks the happiness that was once so cruelly denied him. The overarching message that it's never too late to find love, will touch you and remind you that joy is often just a journey away. Filled with humor and plenty of interesting, quirky characters, I loved this heartwarming feel-good book!

If you love big messy family sagas like I do, you will really enjoy this new book by Jennifer Close. The story revolves around the Sullivan family who run a beloved restaurant in Oak Park, and find themselves at a crossroads when the family patriarch passes away.

With failed relationships, and careers on the rocks, sisters Gretchen, Jane and cousin Teddy all turn to the familiarity of the restaurant for comfort. Gretchen leaves the rock band she has been a lead singer with for decades. Jane finds the north shore life stuffy and small minded. Teddy leaves a successful restaurant in Chicago to get away form his love troubles.

JP Sullivan's has always been their foundation. Their place to land, their place to gather. As children the kitchen staff cooked them breakfast as their parents prepped for the lunch and dinner crowds. As teens and grown-ups the restaurant is the place they find comfort in for all the important events in their lives. Reminiscent of The Most Fun We Ever Had, Marrying the Ketchups is a delight.

Renaissance Italy is a world resplendent with art and beauty, but it also can be a harsh world for women. Lucrezia de Medici, the daughter of a grand duke is forced into an unwanted marriage at a very young age. The groom, Alfonso, head of a nearby kingdom, seems to have several sides to his sometimes charming, but eventual ruthless personality. On her wedding day, Lucrezia has been warned by his sister about what her husband is capable of, and as time goes on her suspicions are confirmed. As Lucrezia is forced to sit for a formal portrait, the tension is felt by all those around her. Trouble brews in the kingdom as everyone waits for an heir to be born to solidify the Ferranese dynasty. Lucrezia reaches out to her family for help, but they dismiss her fears. 

The award winning Hamnet showed us the brilliant writing style of Maggie O'Farrell. She astounds with her depth of character and her remarkable sense of setting and place. I for one, felt completely transformed to 1550 Florence, and was kept on the edge of my seat as the plot unfolded. It is an unforgettable story of the strength and resilience of the powerless in the face of the powerful. The Marriage Portrait will stay with you long after you put it down.

With estrangement, death, an audio recording full of family secrets as well as orders to share a small black cake in the freezer, you have the beginnings of an intriguing story. Before Eleanor Bennett died, her children thought they knew everything there was to know about their rich Caribbean family history. That is until they start listening to the truths unravel, and secrets unfold on the recording she created.

Her daughter Benny and son Bryce struggle to make sense of her complicated past. The cake itself plays an important role in helping them rediscover their family, their history and their culture. Eleanor has always found solace with the knowledge that she can remember the recipe for black cake, the only thing she has left of a tumultuous childhood. Charmaine Wilkerson uses the cake as a way to dig deeper in to the essence of Caribbean heritage and the multi-cultural histories that abound.

Black Cake is a stellar debut novel with rich characters, fast paced scenes and a beloved family recipe that all come together to remind us of the layers that fall in place to create a family history

When I heard the premise of this book; "A novel tracing a widows unlikely connection with a giant pacific octopus", I admit I was skeptical. Thankfully due to the magic of a well written book, I was pleasantly surprised.

After Tova Sullivan's husband dies she starts to work the nightshift at the Puget Sound Aquarium. Keeping busy is what she does to help her through grief, which is what she has done since her beloved son disappeared 30 years ago. While there, she becomes acquainted with Marcellus, a masterful all knowing octopus. Sensing the loneliness and needs in each other, they come to depend on Tova's nightly cleaning shifts as they navigate life's next steps.

Many friends, local townspeople and characters weave their way into Tova's life, at the same time she starts to see the effects of growing old and being alone. Remarkably, Marcellus sees things that others cannot see, and decides to do everything in his power to help Tova find solace. Remarkably Bright Creatures is a terrific debut story by author Shelby Van Pelt. Let's hope she has a few more meaningful stories to share.