Russian Winter

In Russian Winter, author Daphne Kalotay takes readers behind the Iron Curtain to observe the life of prima ballerina, Nina Revskaya.  Through flashbacks to a Russian winter and scenes in present day Boston, a completely believable and captivating mystery unfolds.  A mystery involving the ballet, jewels, poetry, and a letter.  I loved this book for three reasons.  First, this book allowed me to learn about the constraints of Stalinist society from an artist's point of view.  Second, Nina's actions and reactions were incredibly true to her character.  Third, the mystery was completely believable.  While I love the ballet and jewelry, it is the raw feelings of regret and loss that made the story and its characters so authentic from beginning to end.

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

The Book Keeper was in love with this page-turner until the last ten pages.  The ending just did not "feel right."  I would still absolutely recommend this beautiful piece despite any disappointment I feel towards the novel's ending.  Lisa See captured the relationship between two sisters in such a remarkably realistic way that readers are left completely breathless at times.  Pearl and May became so real to me that I often picked up the book to read "just a few more pages" due to genuine concern regarding their well-being.  I still cannot help but wonder "what happened next."  What happened to Pearl and May after the Book Keeper turned the last page and shut the back cover? 
If you need yet another reason to read the book, other than the fact that See's characters are the sort Hollywood pines after, then read it for its historical significance.  The Book Keeper loves history - yeah, yeah, yeah.  We have been here before, huh?  Well, sort of.  As in Sarah's Key, this history is the type we are not so proud to learn.  See teaches an important lesson through Pearl and May's daily interactions that is, embarrassingly, unknown to many Americans.  Pearl and May journey to the United States shortly before America enters World War II.  The sisters endure prejudice on many levels.  Their personal experience with Angel Island Immigration Station (the Ellis Island of the West) is heart breaking, but it pales in comparison to the danger faced by being Chinese in America during the Red Scare.  A story of true perseverance, Shanghai Girls is definitely worthy of your time.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

If you love a good mystery (and one that is well written), you will love this book!  I will not lie, it took me a good 75 pages to "really get into" the story.  The first 75 pages were interesting, just not captivating.  That being said, once you do "really get into" the novel, good luck trying to put it down before finishing the last sentence of the last chapter.

The basis of the book?  Margaret Lea, a bookseller's daughter, is contacted by the world famous author, Vida Winter.  The dying author hires Margaret to tell her own long-hidden life story.  The dramatic tale unfolds in the setting of two estates:  Vida Winter's estate in Yorkshire and Angelfield, Winter's childhood home.  Telling you anything more would be unfair; a reader should be left to enjoy each page without any sort of spoilers.

What I can tell you is that Setterfield's talent is every English literature teacher's dream.  The incredible detail of each scene can only be outdone by a strong personal memory.  It is evident that the tale takes place over a long period of time, but emphasis is always on the complexity of each character, rather than historical references.  Setterfield created believable characters and her sensible narrator keeps the dramatic tale grounded in reality.

Put this book on your list.  It is out in paperback; no excuses.

Devil in the White City: A Book and Tour

It is FRIDAY!!!  I am constantly day dreaming on Friday about all the fun things I could do during the weekend, especially in a city like Chicago!  Recently, my day dreaming took myself and three others on a bike tour of Hyde Park.  The tour was titled "Presidential Bike Tour" and it was presented by the company, Bike and Roll (in many cities).  Our group had a great time biking through Hyde Park on a beautiful Saturday morning.  The tour was nearly 3 hours long and our guide, Emily, was darling.  Of course, I expected all of the random facts about President Obama's life in Hyde Park (including visiting the location where he and the First Lady shared their first kiss), but I was pleasantly surprised to find that a large majority of the tour covered locations and facts related to the 1893 World's Fair.  Our guide constantly referred to sections of the book, Devil in the White City, by Eric Larson. 

Devil in the White City examines "the greatest fair in history - a place where incredible dreams came to life alongside darkest nightmares."  Random House.  I highly recommend this book to all readers with any general interest in architecture, history, crime, or a preference for (murder) mystery novels.

While my group got our tickets for $21 per person, tickets are normally priced $39.  The tour was definitely worth $21.  The tour included the guide, a bike and helmet, and admission to the DuSable Museum.  I am not sure if I would feel the same satisfaction if I paid $39.00.

Another tour that has been strongly recommended to me is the Chicago Architecture Foundation Devil In The White City Companion Bus Tour.  I have taken the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise Tour and must admit that it was fabulous.  The CAF Devil in the White City tour is $55.00, but there are discounts available for seniors, students, and CAF members.

If you are not interested spending between $40.00 and $60.00 on a tour, here is my advice.  Read the book because it is fabulous.  After finishing the book, do a little research of your own and create your own tour.  Visit Hyde Park on a beautiful Saturday morning and bring your walking shoes.  When you need a break, take a seat under the dramatic arches of the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel (on the University of Chicago's campus) and reflect.  When you need a bite to eat or something to quench your thirst, stop in the Medici Bakery and Deli on 57th (the almond horned butter cookies are my favorite).  Just don't forget to walk over the water using the beautiful moon bridge in the Oska Garden to rid yourself of any evil.

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

Our book club has three new members and I was so happy that A Reliable Wife was the first book we discussed together!  While it is true that this story contains several "bodice-ripping" chapters, this book is a fabulous selection for a book club for so many different reasons.  First, the characters are quite complex.  Goolrick took great care in creating each of his fascinating characters.  A reader cannot help but become emotionally involved in each character's plight.  Hate, love, and empathy, but NEVER indifference.  Second, the author painted such a descriptive landscape for each setting/location, that you could not help but speak about symbolism.  [Insert congratulatory message to all high school English literature teachers here:  your students really were listening!]  The contrast between the frozen life the characters faced in Wisconsin and the general moral corruption of St. Louis is beautifully presented.  Third, the overall story is one of forgiveness; something all readers can relate to in some way.

January 2010: Her Fearful Symmetry

Unfortunately, Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger did not win a place in anyone's heart this month. Expectations were high following the captivating The Time Traveler's Wife. While it held our interest, a recommendation to others is not likely. The book, however, did prompt good discussion! The biggest complaint: it did not leave us wanting more. The fantastical subject was not the problem; we could not reconcile the nearly tidy ending with the fantastical subject of the book.