Summer Reading Celebration

“We all need to do things that take us out of ourselves.” (p. 364) whether it is embroidery, fly fishing, or bell ringing, the activities we do offer purpose and focus, especially in difficult times. This novel is set in England in the 1930s and the thread that binds characters is sometimes physical, such as yarn to embroider with or ropes in a bell tower, and sometimes spiritual as between friends and lovers. The losses of The Great War are keenly felt by the parents, sisters, and girlfriends of boys who died. How they build new lives through service, activities, employment, and especially relationships create the threads that embroider a new life and society.

This was a great book if you like historical fiction, particularly WWII history. I have read many different historical novels set around the arena of WWII, but this one had a unique perspective. It is seen through the eyes of a young woman who goes to London with a friend after losing her own accommodations in the country. A good friend of her deceased mother puts her up and helps her land a job in a bookstore run by a crotchety old man (think, crotchety people are that way for a reason...but that is secondary to the story). She becomes very successful at what she does even though she is not a reader at the start of the book. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Hitler's blitz on London and England. So you get a front row seat to that harrowing year. I always learn new things and perspectives about the war when I read these books. This was a charming and generally heartwarming read based on real events including the impact of literature during the war.

A heartbreaking sorry of what happens when children don't learn how to fail. The book highlights how social media tends to exacerbate problems for young perfectionists today as opposed to those of prior generations.

Great book. Very well presented.

This gem from the late 1950s tells the adventurous tale of William Prendergast, father of James who founded Jamestown, who led other Hudson Valley area colonists in revolt against the manorial system in place there. William was the leader of the “levelers” who believed that they had claim to the land they leased and about 1,700 farmers followed him. William was arrested for treason, and sentenced to be hung, drawn, and quartered. His wife, Mehitabel Wing Prendergast, appealed to the governor for a reprieve and pardon. The family moved to Tennessee, didn’t care for it, and came to Chautauqua Lake. This book was written for middle grades, and contains lots of swashbuckling adventure from the point of view of a boy of about 13 who is a nephew. It uses very dated descriptions of Native Americans and of women. But it is a rollicking piece of historical fiction that relates the family back story of Jamestown’s First Family.

If all you know about this name is an airport in NYC you need to read this fascinating story of a man who was only 5 foot 2 inches tall yet a giant in so many ways. Besides being a correspondent, Congressman and WW1 aviator he is best known as Mayor of NYC during the Great Depression and into the WW2 years. A man of his times and a man his times needed!

I liked it in general but Olivia wasn't my favorite protagonist so I was just a bit more out of the book than normal

That was so fun! I loved that. Very gripping and entertaining!! I dont think it needed to be a devil wears Prada sequel but I did really enjoy those moments

Isla loves how this book is full of photographs that match up to each different section, so she can learn simple ballet while going through the book.

This one definitely kept you guessing until the very end.