Children of the Jacaranda Tree

Finished June 15
Children of the Jacaranda Tree by Sahar Delijani

This is the first novel by Sahar Delijani and draws from her own family history.
Azar and Ismael are taken to Evin prison when Azar is pregnant with their daughter. Neda is born while her mother is in prison. Parisa and her husband were eating dinner with their son Omid when the police came for them. Later, Parisa's sister Leila came for him, finding Omid sitting at the table surrounded by the violence of a search of the apartment. Omid's sister Sara was also born while Parisa was in prison. Their cousin Forugh also came to life with Leila and her parents after her birth. Her parents, Simin and Behrouz, Ismael's younger brother, were also in prison. There are many other children whose parents were imprisoned following the revolution; some were reunited, and other' parents never came out of Evin.
This is a novel not just of those times, the young people who felt betrayed after the revolution and were imprisoned for their passionate and dedicated belief in their country's future, but also of their children. Children who lost those early years with their parents; children who lost one or both parents entirely. Children who knew the truth of their history; children who were protected from the secrets of their parents' youth. Children who grew up in Iran; children whose parents took them out of their country in hopes of a better future. Children who now find themselves either participating in or observing another rebellion against the government. This is a story of Iran, its history, and its people.
I was able to meet Sahar Delijani and learn from her the makings of this story. Her own parents were imprisoned and she drew on the facts of their experiences and the experiences of other relatives and friends, but chose to tell her own story of the inner lives of those imprisoned. This is a story of two generations that love their country passionately, but don't always feel that their country is seen by the rest of the world as they see it.

Gold Digger

Finished June 16
Gold Digger by Frances Fyfield

This book totally grabbed me. I couldn't put it down, but I was scared of what came next. A great psychological thriller.The main character Di, had a rough childhood and ten years ago was the small one who was sent in to houses to burgle and gather valuables. When she went into Thomas Porteous' house, she could sense that she wasn't alone. She was arrested that night, but something else happened too, something pretty bad. When Di is released from jail, she makes her way back to Thomas, finding that they have much more in common than one would think. Like Thomas, Di has an unerring eye for art and she helps Thomas with his art collection and then with making a happy life.
When he dies, his children are ready to move in and get whatever they can, but Thomas had a plan and now Di has a plan, and she is waiting for them. With lots of twists and turns, emotional outbursts and wise analysis, the players take their roles. Great read.

Son of a Gun

Finished June 15
Son of a Gun byAnne de Graaf

This is a children's novel about child soldiers in Africa. The main characters here are a brother and sister, Lucky and Nopi, 8 and 10 respectively as the trouble in their lives begins. Their story is told in alternating voices and for part of the story they are together, but for much of it, they are separated. Their story is in Liberia, but it is representative of many in Africa in recent years.
The author provides a brief introduction, and a lot of factual information at the end of the book, including maps, facts about Liberia and its history, copies of posters and newspaper articles, facts about child soldiers and writings and drawings by these children.
This is a good introduction to the subject, but I would still encourage parents to discuss the book with their child before and after reading.

Ghost Town

Finished June 15
Ghost Town by Phoebe Rivers

This is the first book in the Saranormal series. Sara is twelve and she and her father have just moved to New Jersey from California. But the house they move into is an old Victorian, and Sara sees ghosts. Moving into a house full of them isn't what Sara wants, but she doesn't really have a choice.
Luckily there is a girl her age, Lily, who lives just down the street and is eager to make friends with her. But Sara keeps feeling the sadness of the ghosts in her house. She also wonders just how much her downstairs neighbour Lady Azura knows despite her business as a psychic and fortune teller. And most of all she worries about the ghost she sees near the haunted house, the ghost that talks to her wanting her to do something.
A good story aimed at readers from 8-12. Sara has the normal worries of a girl her age, plus a few extra ones due to her special abilities.

The Great British Bake Off

Finished June 15
The Great British Bake Off:: How to Avoid a Soggy Bottom and other Secrets to Achieving a Good Bake by Gerard Baker

I was attracted to this book by the subtitle, as I have had problems with a soggy bottom on my rhubarb pies. The book covers cakes, biscuits, bread, pastry, desserts, and fillings. There are some basic recipes for common creations included in each section, lots of history, information on the chemistry of baking, and lots of helpful tips and guides to getting a good result. I know have some strategies to try the next time I make a pie.

Here and Now

Finished June 13
Here and Now: Letters 2008 -- 2011 by Paul Auster and J.M. Coetzee

I love Paul Auster, but haven't yet read any of Coetzee's novels. The two authors haven't met often, but they connected and decided to begin a correspondence. While they do talk about writing, their conversation ranges widely from current events to sports, politics to health, friendship to films. They are both very bright men, and I found it interesting to see how they fed off of each other, enlarging their own views as the consider what the other has said. I found that my own thoughts on these topics were awakened and went in interesting directions too. Of course, even in letters, these two are good writers and that is part of the book's appeal too. I found that it was a book I wanted to read slowly, so I could digest and think about what they wrote. To enjoy the writing, and the experience.

Don't Go

Finished June 12
Don't Go by Lisa Scottoline, read by Jeremy Davidson

In this novel Scottoline's main character is a man, a bit of a departure for her. Mike Scanlan is a podiatrist that served as an army doctor in Afghanistan. Leaving behind his wife Chloe and newborn daughter Emily, he has committed himself to his task. But when a tragedy happens back home, he finds that his wife didn't handle his absence well, and when he finally returns home, a hero, he has trouble adjusting to his new reality and finds himself struggling between learning the truth about what happened back home and doing what is best for his daughter.
This book tackles the issues of returning vets from PTSD to physical losses, from the differing reactions of those at home to how they feel about what they have been through, from pride in the work they did to guilt over those they left behind. Gripping and suspenseful, this book is another winner.