Books Read in January, 2024

The War Pianist by Mandy Robotham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book for several reasons. First, I never read about the Dutch resistance. Second, I have fond memories of visiting Amersterdam, and this brought them back.
The plot has enough twists to keep my interest, and enough action to keep from getting bored. Not sure if some of the events might really have been able to happen but, I enjoyed the book anyway.
The main characters were well developed and grew on me through the story.
I wish Mandy would write another right away. I'd like to hear more of this story.

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The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Very interesting book. I was troubled through the whole book about the moral and ethical dilemma faced by the characters. To support Hitler or perish. It was clearly the question they delt with and their reaction to this conundrum helped to move the plot and give the reader bigger questions to ponder. The ending was a little pat but I guess such a broad story needs to have ends tied.
I have no more compassion for the NAZI scientists but I do have a little more understanding of what it might have been like and the price they might have paid.

As Tom Lehrer said of Werner Von Braun:
Don't say that he's hypocritical,
Say rather that he's apolitical.
"Once the rockets are up,
Who cares where they come down?
That's not my department,"
Says Wernher von Braun.

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The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A brilliant book. No spoilers here. I just want to say the Kelly Rimmer, with the help of great research and a wonderful imagination, has constructed a book worth reading. A story of courage and emotion that will stay with the reader. It is amazing that young women with almost no training could accomplish so much. The other amazing thing is that these stories are not well known. I found this book well worth the time. In addition, it is a great read.

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The Paris Assignment by Rhys Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I like stories that don't rely on coincidence. This story does but it is still a very interesting, if predictable plot. I found the characters believable and interesting. Just like most of these book, i.e. WWII spy novels about lady spies. The fact that these ordinary women did extraordinary things amazes me. They helped win the war.

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None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book kept me reading. It is a great story. The characters are developed slowly over the course of the book. You get a hint of the plot from the title but I wold not want to spoil any of the fun of reading it. I bet there are a lot of people we see each day who are completely dysfunctional. They are probably hard to identify but their lives are filled with quiet desperation until something sets them off. Great book.

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Books Read in 2023

 

These are the books I read this year. I'm not sure I can call one a favorite but Hotel Cuba and Lessons in Chemistry stand out from this group. Kantika is another I greatly enjoyed. 

Here is to a happy new year. May 2024 bring me at least 35 new books. 

The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Very interesting book. I was troubled through the whole book about the moral and ethical dilemma faced by the characters. To support Hitler or perish. It was clearly the question they delt with and their reaction to this conundrum helped to move the plot and give the reader bigger questions to ponder. The ending was a little pat but I guess such a broad story needs to have ends tied.
I have no more compassion for the NAZI scientists but I do have a little more understanding of what it might have been like and the price they might have paid.

As Tom Lehrer said of Werner Von Braun:
Don't say that he's hypocritical,
Say rather that he's apolitical.
"Once the rockets are up,
Who cares where they come down?
That's not my department,"
Says Wernher von Braun.

View all my reviews