Reported by Laura
Nevermore
read a wide variety of books this week from suspense to heartwarming to
intriguing non-fiction. The first book of the day was the new Joshilyn Jackson
book, Never Have I Ever. It came highly recommended! The story
involves a woman named Amy who has a past she would like to keep secret. She
marries the man of her dreams and inherits a step-daughter. Life is good, with
the exception of the guilt she carries daily. Then one night at book club, a
beautiful creature named Roux suggests they play a game, “Never Have I Ever”
and tell a secret no one knows about them. This leads to blackmail and a
multitude of uncovered secrets. Definitely worth a read.
One book
club member read The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo. Set in 1930’s
Malaysia, this book follows the coming of age of a young girl who is an
apprentice dressmaker moonlighting as a dance hall girl to help pay her
mother’s debts. Her life becomes intertwined with a young house boy searching
for his master’s finger that was lost in an accident many years ago. It must be
found so that when his master dies, they can be buried together. This book is
filled with a delicious mix of fantasy and magic, including men who turn into
tigers and other mysterious happenings.
Our next
book, Nothing is Forgotten by Peter Golden, is an excellent story of a
young NJ man raised by his beloved Russian grandmother. He begins a radio show
as The Mad Russian, poking fun at Krushchev. This radio show is heard in
Russia, not only by a young girl, but also by authorities who are
unappreciative of the satire. The
grandmother ends up murdered and the grandson travels to Russia to learn more
of her history, and hopefully, the cause of her death. This book gives great
insight into the concentration camps of WW ll and explains a lot of what went
on during this dark period of history.
Little
Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng was the next book reviewed. This book
focuses on Mia, an artist and single mother, who rents a home with her daughter
in a community reminiscent of a Stepford village. Until their arrival, the
community seemingly is run perfectly with every house and life following the
accepted pattern. Mia and her daughter’s lives become intertwined with the
family from which they are renting and many surprises and stories within
stories ensue. This book came highly recommended.
Our
Man in Havana by Graham Greene is a hilarious and intriguing story of
Wormold, a vacuum cleaner salesman who is recruited as a spy. Set in 1959, this
story follows Wormold as he pretends to recruit sub agents and makes up false
stories to report. But then, the stories start to come true…
Sharyn
McCrumb is always an appreciated author at Nevermore. This week’s book was The
Ballad of Frankie Silver. It follows the story of two separate 18 year-olds
who are accused of murder in 1832. They both hide the truth for their own
reasons. This book is recommended, but the reviewer felt it went on a little
too long.
Two nonfiction
books by Bill Streever (who was born in Kingsport, by the way!) were reviewed
this week. Cold was determined to be the best of the two. It was
fascinating and informative, telling the story of how everything responds to
climate, from the smallest bug to every human on earth. This book covers an
entire year, telling about climate and how it changes through the months.
Reading this book will change how you think about the world around you and all
of the minute creatures below the surface; each reacting to climate in its own
way. The other book by Mr. Streever was And Soon I Heard a Roaring Wind.
This book is a scientific study of the history of wind and covers many areas,
including the forecasting of weather. The reviewer found it very informative
and would definitely recommend it.
Another
nonfiction book reviewed was When the Rivers Run Dry by Fred Pearce.
This book was a look at the details of the water shortage crisis that threatens
the earth. It was very informative, though frightening!
Our
last book was a very sweet, poignant story entitled Where the Lost Dogs Go
by Susannah Charleson. This is the true story of the author’s dedication to
lost animal search and rescue missions. It heartwarmingly reveals the
transformation at the instant when an animal is reunited with its owner. A good
read to warm the heart.
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