Promise Me This

Finished April 27
Promise Me This by Cathy Gohlke

In the early twentieth century, Owen Allen is determined to make a new life for himself and his younger sister Annie, away from the influence of their Aunt Eleanor. Eleanor is a woman so immersed in unhappiness she cannot bear others' good fortune, particularly her niece and nephew. Owen places Annie in a boarding school as he goes to America ahead of her to find a life with his late father's brother. Before he leaves he encounters young Michael, an orphan struggling against mistreatment and poverty and offers him kindness and income.
Michael is struck by Owen's attitude and drawn to him to the point where he follows Owen onto the ship, the Titanic, stowing away until Owen discovers him.
But a tragedy occurs and Michael is the only one of the two to make it to America. He is determined to fulfill Owen's legacy and bring Annie over to join the family, and the two begin to correspond. Annie's life is difficult and when the First World War begins, she finds herself forced to distance herself from those she loves to protect them. But Michael is determined to find her, even if it means risking his own life.
This is a tale of love, faith, and forgiveness that resonates. We see Annie and Michael grow up and discover their strengths and find faith to keep going.
With love, adventure, and troubled characters, this story will keep you turning the pages.

Amsterdam Stories

Finished April 26
Amsterdam Stories by Nescio, selected and translated by Damion Searls

This is the first English translation of these works. Nescio (the pen name of Jan Hendrik Frederick Grönlöh (1882 - 1961)) was not prolific nor very successful until later in his writing career, but his work is now considered by some to be the best prose ever written in the Dutch language. Nescio is Latin for "I don't know."
I picked up an early copy of this collection and found it very interesting. The stories appear in chronological order of when they were written (not published) and range from 1909 to 1942. They include his major works and a selection of shorter stories, all in one slim volume.
The stories are reminiscent of youth, some of them written of the time of struggle to find one's way, and some looking back on that time. They have a flavour of loss and regret and yet are not emotional. The characters seem to be in their own world, removed from the events in the world around them.

Had a Good Time

Finished April 24
Had a Good Time: stories from American postcards by Robert Olen Butler

This collection of short stories by Pulitzer Prize winning author Butler was inspired by early 20th century postcards that Butler collected. The collection begins with a newspaper article from August 7, 1910 on the subject of picture postcards. Each story also ends with a newspaper article from August 7, 1910 that has some subject link to the preceding story, sometimes very tenuous. I found these most interesting as there was no explanation of them in the book, so I was left to my own devices in interpreting their inclusion.
Each story begins with the front and back of the original postcard, and the message on it written out (in case one has difficulty reading the original). The stories come out of the postcards, and they are wonderfully imagined. Butler is a master of character and these stories show how a simple idea can inspire.
A great collection that will leave you wanting more.

The Language of Flowers

Finished April 22
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Victoria Jones, the main character here, was abandoned as an infant and spent her young life in foster care and group homes. Her last foster home, when she was nine still haunts here, and it was there she learned the language of flowers.
Victoria has reached the age of 18 and is emancipated, but doesn't know how to begin her life on her own. She plants a small garden in a park and her talent is recognized by a local florist who offers her work. As Victoria grows more secure in her skills with flowers, she also finds herself drawn to the past, unsure if she can find peace with what she left behind.
This is a love story, a story of independence, a story of families, and of course a story of the language of flowers. I'd long been aware that flowers had meanings, but hadn't taken the time to investigate them. The author includes a listing of flower language at the end that is an interesting beginning. Diffenbaugh was inspired to write this novel by her own experiences as a foster mother.
As a person with two adopted siblings, I found that side of it interesting too.
Great read.

The Uninvited Guests

Finished April 21
The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones

Wow, a great book, but totally unexpected (like the guests).
Its starts off as a drawing room comedy as the man of the house, resented by his stepchildren, goes off to try to obtain funding to save the house from creditors.
After he is gone things begin to happen. The day is Emerald's 20th birthday and the family and small staff prepare for a party as two out of town guests are expected. Much cleaning, cooking, etc is done.
When the guests arrive, so too do others, the apparent survivors of a terrible railway accident. They are disheveled and wanting assistance. The family bundles them into a room and ignores them for a time, but as the evening goes on, they become more insistent and can't be confined.
Another uninvited guest shows up that appears to be higher class, but he insinuates himself into the party and instigates unpleasant happenings.
A tale set in the early twentieth century, of class and manners that defies description. The host family is unusual and grows more so as the book goes on. With interesting characters and a remarkable plot, this is another success for Sadie Jones.

Another Reading Challenge: European

I just heard about this European Reading Challenge, and since I always finish Europe early in the Global Reading Challenge, I knew I had to sign up.

The gist: The idea is to read books by European authors or books set in European countries (no matter where the author comes from). The books can be anything – novels, short stories, memoirs, travel guides, cookbooks, biography, poetry, or any other genre. You can participate at different levels, but each book must be by a different author and set in a different country – it's supposed to be a tour. (See note about the UK, below)

What counts as "Europe"? For this challenge, we will use the list of 50 sovereign states that fall (at least partially) within the geographic territory of the continent of Europe and/or enjoy membership in international European organizations such as the Council of Europe. This list includes the obvious (the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy), the really huge Russia, the tiny Vatican City, and the mixed bag of Baltic, Balkan, and former Soviet states.

Note: Technically, the United Kingdom is one country that includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.  So one book from any one of these four should count as your one book for that one country. I'm not going to be a stickler about it because challenges should be about fun not about rules.

Here is the list, in alphabetical order: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vatican City.

LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION

Five Star (Deluxe Entourage): Read at least five books by different European authors or books set in different European countries.

Four Star (Honeymooner): Read four qualifying books.

Three Star (Business Traveler): Read three qualifying books.

Two Star (Adventurer): Read two qualifying books.

One Star (Pensione Weekender): Read just one qualifying book.

Alternate Arrangements

Agritourisimo: For foodie readers – read a selected number (your choice) of food-related books written by European authors or about European food, cooking, restaurants, culinary traditions, farming, winemaking, etc. Again, each book must be by a different author and set in a different country.

Youth Hostel: For participants under 18 only – read a selected number of books (your choice), by European authors or set in a country of Europe. (Adults reading YA books still participate as adults, not in this sub-category).

Culture Vulture: For those obsessed with prize-winners – read a selected number of books (your choice) that won a major literary prize in its original country. Any of the following literary prizes would count, but there may be others: Anton Wildgans (Austria), Magnesia Litera (Czech Republic), Finlandia (Finland), Le Grand Prix du Roman (France), German Book Prize (Germany), Balint Balassi Memorial Sword (Hungary), Icelandic Literary Prize (Iceland), Bagutta (Italy), Batty Weber (Luxembourg), Norwegian Critics (Norway), NIKE (Poland), Camões (Portugal), Russian Booker (Russia), Prešeren (Slovakia), Premio Planeta de Novela (Spain), August (Sweden), Swiss Book Prize (Switzerland), Sedat Simavi (Turkey), Shevchenko National (Ukraine), Booker (United Kingdom).

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So, I'm going to go for the Five Star, and count from the beginning of the year.

So so far, I have read the following books set in Europe (I'm not including children's books here) :

1. A Dublin Student Doctor (Ireland)
2. The Midwife of Venice (Italy)
3. I am Half-Sick of Shadows (UK)
4. Bad Boy (UK again) [Repeat country so doesn't count]
5. Trap for Cinderella (France)
6. Redbreast (Norway)
7. A Dirty Death (UK again) [Repeat country so doesn't count]
8. The Lucky Child (Greece)
9. The Englishman's Daughter (France again) [Repeat country so doesn't count]
10. The Wild Rose (UK again) [Repeat country so doesn't count]
11. Midnight in Austenland (UK again) [Repeat country so doesn't count]
12. An Altered Light (Denmark)

So taking out the repeat countries, I'm already at seven!

An Altered Light

Finished April 20
An Altered Light by Jens Christian Grøndahl, translated from the Danish by Anne Born

This is a lovely novel about the changes in a middle-aged woman's life. Irene Beckman is 58, a successful family lawyer, married to a successful banker. She has two grown children, a lovely house in a good area of town, and has kept her looks well.
However things have been growing more distant between her husband and her, and clues lead to another woman. When he announces that he is leaving her, she retreats into solitude, reflecting on her past, their relationship, and her dreams. Irene's mother is undergoing surgery and unexpectedly reveals information about Irene's father that changes her world further.
The two events change Irene's perception of herself and how she got there. She must first find her own history before she can move forward.
This novel shows how events can change lives, how decisions can move someone in a new direction, and how those affect relationships, between parents and children, husbands and wives, and those we barely know. A fascinating book into one woman's life.

Heart of a Killer

Finished April 18
Heart of a Killer by David Rosenfelt, read by Tadd Morgan

Jamie Wagner is a young lawyer working at a large law firm. He plugs away at the contract law he is working on, but isn't inspired and know he isn't going anywhere there.
When he gets assigned a pro bono case and goes to meet his client, a woman incarcerated for killing her husband seven years earlier, his life changes. Sheryl Harrison is the client and her fourteen-year-old daughter Karen has been diagnosed with a congenital heart condition that will end her young life soon if she doesn't get a new heart. She has a rare blood type and that makes the chances of a donor less likely. Sheryl is a perfect match and wants to find a way to give her daughter her heart.
Jamie knows they have little chance of getting a favourable ruling, but he begins the process anyway and soon finds his case all over the news. He also talks to some people about the murder Sheryl is in for and finds that there are some who don't think she did it, despite her confession. He decides their best chance is to get her out on parole and works on finding more evidence about the murder case before her upcoming parole hearing.
There is also a terrorist plot happening here, with someone threatening large scale disasters unless they get large sums of money. With some shows of power, they've got everyone from the FBI to Homeland Security looking for them.
Little does Jamie know it, but the two cases are related.
With lots of action, suspense and plot twists, this book is fast-paced. Some of the computer stuff had me needing to suspend disbelief, but otherwise an interesting book.

The Vanishers

Finished April 17
The Vanishers by Heidi Julavits

This was a very odd novel. The main character Julia Severn is a student at a college for psychics. She has been chosen to be a stenographer for one of the professors Madame Ackermann, writing down her psychic experiences. But there develops antigonism between her and the professor when her powers seem to be growing stronger, while the professor's wane.  Julia is also still struggling with her mother's suicide which occurred when she was an infant.
When Madame Ackermann seems to have launched a psychic attack on Julia, causing her to develop a variety of ailments, Julia takes a leave of absence and takes a NYC job modeling rugs. But others come to Julia, offering a cure in exchange for use of her talents. As Julia takes the cure, she also examines her psychic experiences, ponders her issues with her mother, and learns about her relationships with others from those women she meets in psychic experiences, to her father.
A detached sort of book, even though the reader sees things through Julia's eyes, I always felt a step removed from her as a character. As Julia struggles with her emotions around her mother and deals with her father's emotional barricades, she also feels both vulnerable and powerful. This is a very hard novel to describe.

An American Spy

Finished April 15
An American Spy by Olen Steinhauer
I've read this spy novel series from the beginning, and keep getting impressed by how good they are. Starting with The Tourist, and continuing with The Nearest Exit, this series takes us into a secret department of the CIA and the world of Milo Weaver.
In this novel, Milo is recovering from his wounds and searching for a new job, but his old boss has revenge on his mind and wants to involve Milo. The Chinese intelligence officer that blew up Milo's old department is still looking for a traitor of his own. Milo's father wants him to take over his United Nations operation. It would seem that Milo is under attack from many sides and just wants to make a life with his family.
We see things from Milo's point of view, the Chinese general, Xin Zhu, Milo's sister Alexandra, and Milo's old boss Alan, as well as a few other minor characters.
With lots going on, and twists and turning in an evolving plot, the different points of view add to the story as we encounter them, bringing more detail and a fuller sense of what is happening. Great plot, I could hardly put it down once I started it.