The Orphan Collector

 “The Orphan Collector” by Ellen Marie Wiseman

Published by Kensington Books

Finished 4/28/23 – 4/5 stars
 
This book takes place during the Spanish flu in 1919 and early 1920s.  It was written pre-COVID but at times had the feel of the recent pandemic – a public event causing an outbreak, the wearing of masks, the fear of leaving your home, and the fear of letting others into your home.  While reading I actually stopped to find out when it was published to see if the author was influenced by COVID, she wasn’t. 
 
Although heartbreaking at times, I really enjoyed this story.  The main character is just a young girl, but her strength and determination are fierce.  Through all the roadblocks thrown at her, you’re constantly hopeful that she’ll find the happy ending she so deserves.
 
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The Last Thing He Told Me

“The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave
Published by Simon & Schuster
Finished 4/16 – 5/5 stars
 
I’m kicking myself for letting this book sit in my bookcase for 2 years.  Why did I wait?  It was so good that I read it over a weekend.  It’s not a suspenseful book, but it’s still a page turner that keeps you guessing.  And now I can’t wait to watch the show.
 
Not only is the story itself really good, the way it’s written is too.  Majority of the chapters are present time but then there are “flashback” chapters mixed in as well that are going in a reverse timeline.  For example, the first one might be from like 3 days prior and then by the end it was like 2 years prior.  Another thing I enjoyed was that the chapters had titles rather than just numbers.  Sometimes it’s the little things that help make an impression.
 
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Hang the Moon

 

“Hang the Moon” by Jeannette Walls
Published by Scribner
Finished 4/14/23 – 4/5 Stars

What’s not to love about a book taking place in the mountains of Virginia with a very strong female lead?  And as a bonus, it’s written by Jeannette Walls.  I knew I wanted to read it as soon as I heard about it.  And I’m very glad I did.

 The men of the Kincaid family have essentially run Claiborne County for generations.  Not quite in a mafia style, but pretty similar.  The Duke’s daughter, Sallie, is coming of age in the time of prohibition, when moonshine running is becoming more dangerous (and more profitable).  She may be old enough but the last thing she wants is to get married and have children.  What she really wants to do is work in the family business.  She’ll have to prove herself as capable first because females don’t normally have a role to play in this business.

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Probably Ruby

“Probably Ruby” by Lisa Bird-Wilson
Published by Hogarth Press
Finished 4/6/23 – 3/5 stars
 
This is the story of Ruby, and her yearning to find herself.  She was adopted as an infant and then had a very troubled and dysfunctional youth (and adulthood) that made the desire to find her roots even stronger.  Plus, she was sure she was at least part Canadian Indian and wanted to know her heritage and fill the void that was always missing from her life by being raised by a white couple.
 
The way this book is put together is quite different.  Each chapter is titled with a person’s name and a year, in absolutely no chronological order whatsoever.  Essentially, each chapter is its own short story about that person’s influence on Ruby’s life.  Each person only gets one chapter titled after them, however, there are a few characters that make appearances in multiple chapters.  For example, her adoptive mother only has one chapter named for her but she is then mentioned in multiple chapters throughout the book.  Oddly enough, it doesn’t make it hard to follow along while bouncing around to different times in Ruby’s life.  I think that’s because each chapter truly feels like its own short story.
 
Whereas I do recommend this little book of just 268 pages, you have to be in a good mindset to read it.  There is nothing uplifting or cheery about this story so if you are in need of a “feel good book”, that would not be the time to read this.  It may be a depressing read, but it’s still good.
 
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Us Against You

 

“Us Against You” by Fredrik Backman
Published by Atria Books
Finished 4/1 – 3/5 stars
 
Whereas I enjoyed it, I didn’t like it as much as “Beartown”.  The first half was just too slow.  The 2^nd half was quite good though.  Again, ice hockey plays a big part but it’s not the main focus.  It’s more about relationships, recovery, and finding/being your true self. 
 
Please know this is the 2^nd book in a trilogy and it’s definitely best if you read “Beartown” first to have a better insight into the characters and their situations.
 
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