Dread Nation

Title:  Dread Nation

Author:  Justina Ireland

Series:  Dread Nation #1

Publisher:  Balzer + Bray

Date Published:  April 3, 2018

Genre:  Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Zombies

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    What if the fallen soldiers of Gettysburg became zombies? Jane is a "freed" slave, but she has very few choices in life. She gets sent to a school where black girls get trained to be "companions." Basically, they protect rich white ladies from zombies. Jane is very good at what she does, and when she catches the attention of certain people, she gets shipped off to a town that is run by some really backwards/stupid guys. 

-    When I found out that this book was about zombies during the civil war, I knew I had to read it. I wanted to love the book, but I ended up just liking it. I'm glad I read it, but it was lacking a certain something. 

-    I loved Jane. She had major attitude and the snark to go with it. Her mouth got her in trouble a few times, and it was hilarious. She is also a kick butt fighter and an amazing leader. Despite not being "allowed" to take charge, she does anyway. 

-    The story had a few lulls in it. I wasn't as engrossed in the story as I wanted to be. I liked how the story handled race, sexism, and other hot topics, but I wasn't invested in the plot. 

-    The fighting scenes were great. 

My Thoughts in a GIF: 

The Silence of Bones

Title:  The Silence of Bones

Author:  June Hur

Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends

Date Published:  April 21, 2020

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    Seol is practically a slave to the police bureau, but she has dreams of home and finding her long lost brother. When a wealthy woman is murdered, Seol becomes invaluable to the detective put in charge of the investigation. It turns out the Seol is brave, good at getting information, and clever. Besides solving a murder, Seol also has to deal with the struggles of her station. 

-    I loved Seol's character. She was easy to root for, and I just wanted her to get a happy ending. I loved how fear didn't stop her from doing things. She was so brave, and her curiosity was a curse and a blessing. 

-    I didn't know who to trust most of the time. I had no idea how the story was going to end. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking. The ending gave me all the feels. 

-    I loved the beautiful setting of Joseon Korea. It was such a beautiful time and place in history, but it also had it's low points. I loved all the politics and intrigue.

-    I really appreciated this book, and I hope there are a lot more Korean historical fiction books coming. 

My Thoughts in a GIF:

Secret of the Andes

 

Title:  Secret of the Andes

Author:  Ann Nolan Clark

Illustrator:  Jean Charlot

Publisher:  Puffin Books

Date Published:  1952

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Middle Grade

Rating:  ⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    Here is the synopsis from Goodreads, "An Indian boy who tends llamas in a hidden valley in Peru learns the traditions and secrets of his Incan ancestors." Yup. . . the book is as exciting as that synopsis. Yup. 

-    First of all, the people in the book are Incans, not Indians. I understand that this was written in the fifties, and I know people weren't as aware as they are now. I get it. I don't want to rip the author apart for ignorance, so just be aware that the word "indians" is prominent in the book, and it isn't the correct representation. 

-    I read this book for my Newbery Award challenge. I want to read all the Newbery Award Winners, and I'm reading them in order, and this was next on the list. I am FLABBERGASTED that this book beat Charlotte's Web for the Newbery Award. Just . . . wow . . . it is a TRAVESTY! If I had a time machine, this is something I would fix. Argh!

-    The book is boring. It is dry and it is slow. I was so bored. I was reading this out loud to Gnome, and after a few chapters, she didn't want to continue, so I finished it by myself. 

-    The message of the book is an oldie but a goodie. It is a classic "the grass is greener" type story. I wish it had been presented in a more entertaining and/or meaningful way. 

-    I did it! I finished!

My Thoughts in a GIF:

The Magnolia Palace

Title:  The Magnolia Palace

Author:  Fiona Davis 

Publisher:  Dutton

Date Published:  January 25, 2022

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    I am torn between 4 and 5 stars for this one. Maybe 4.5 stars? When is Goodreads going to let us do half stars?

-     Lillian Carter a.k.a. Angelica is a famous and highly sought after model. It is 1919 in New York City, and Angelica's likeness can be seen everywhere. She has posed for many many sculptures. Sadly, she is getting older, and her work is slowing down significantly. After a misunderstanding with the police and her landlord, Lillian goes into hiding. Ironically, she is hiding as a personal secretary to a high profile family that collects art. She gets attached to the family, but more misunderstandings and scandalous situations arise. 

Jump ahead to 1966, Veronica is a newly discovered model that is on one of her first photo shoots in the famous Frick house. The home has been donated to the city, and it has been turned into a museum. Veronica gets trapped in the house because of bad weather, and because she got side tracked with a mysterious puzzle to solve. Joshua is an archivist in the museum, and he is stuck in the house with her. Together, they start uncovering clues about the Frick family. 

-    I normally don't like time jumping stories. I get confused, but the writing and storytelling in this one was well done. I loved how the 1966 storyline tied into the 1919 storyline, and I loved how each time we time jumped there was something new to learn. 

-    I was completely hooked from the beginning of the book till the end. I loved Lillian's story. It was so intriguing to me. I liked Veronica a lot as well. Her motivations and character touched my heart. 

-    The story felt a lot like Downtown Abbey, which I loved. I don't know why the relationship between wealthy people and their servants is so entertaining, but it is.

-    My favorite part about the story was Lillian's character growth. She thought she was only good for her looks, but she learns how intelligent and capable she is. Her character development through the book is empowering. 

-    They should make a movie or a TV series adaptation of this book. It would would be SO fun! 

My Thoughts in a GIF:

Mr. Dickens and His Carol

Title:  Mr. Dickens and His Carol

Author:  Samantha Silva

Publisher:  Flatiron Books

Date Published:  October 31, 2017

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Christmas

Rating:  ★★★★☆

My Thoughts: 

-    After writing highly successful novels like Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby, the famous Charles Dickens has fallen on hard times. His current writings, Chuzzlewit, aren't doing so well, and his finances are taking a hit. Dickens publisher is demanding that he write a Christmas book, but he only has six short weeks to complete it. Dickens is very reluctant to write the book, and to top it all off, he is being a grinch about all the Christmas celebrations his family expects. Inspiration for his little Christmas book is everywhere, and while Dickens is finding his Christmas spirit, his book starts reflecting his journey. 

-    I really enjoyed this book. The Christmas Carol is a classic and one of my favorite Christmas time reads. I loved how Dickens ran across little bits and pieces of people and events that became part of his book.

-    Most of the book is fictional, but I did learn a lot about the back story of The Christmas Carol. The author's note at the end was especially helpful.

-    The middle is a little slow, but it begins well and ends well. 

-    If, like me, you are sucker for all things Christmas Carol around this time of year, then I highly recommend this book. It was humorous, hopeful, and full of Christmas spirit. 

Trigger Warning:  Grief

Resistance

Gooodreads Synopsis:    Chaya Lindner is a teenager living in Nazi-occupied Poland. Simply being Jewish places her in danger of being killed or sent to the camps. After her little sister is taken away, her younger brother disappears, and her parents all but give up hope, Chaya is determined to make a difference. Using forged papers and her fair features, Chaya becomes a courier and travels between the Jewish ghettos of Poland, smuggling food, papers, and even people. 

Soon Chaya joins a resistance cell that runs raids on the Nazis' supplies. But after a mission goes terribly wrong, Chaya's network shatters. She is alone and unsure of where to go, until Esther, a member of her cell, finds her and delivers a message that chills Chaya to her core, and sends her on a journey toward an even larger uprising in the works -- in the Warsaw Ghetto.

Though the Jewish resistance never had much of a chance against the Nazis, they were determined to save as many lives as possible, and to live -- or die -- with honor.

My Thoughts:

-    I am a big Jennifer Nielsen fan! Her books never fail to deliver memorable and incredible stories. Resistance definitely delivered!

-    Chaya's journey was incredible. I love that she and others chose to stand up and fight against unimaginable horrors. I can't fathom the kind of courage she would have had to do what she did.

-    What really blows me away is that this is based on true events, and I love how respectful and honest Nielsen is in her story telling. 

-    I had the privilege of attending the launch party, and Nielsen gave a compelling presentation. I knew I had to read this book, and it was everything she said it was going to be. 

-    One thing I love about Nielsen's books is the writing. I don't feel like I'm reading. The story just flows, and I get really immersed.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Peel Society

Goodreads Synopsis:    January 1946: Writer Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a stranger, a founding member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. And so begins a remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name.













My Thoughts:

-    This was a charming and intoxicating story told through letters and telegrams. I loved it!

-    I had to get used to the letters format. There were times I just wanted to experience the story and not get a second hand account of what happened, but in the end I enjoyed the letters.

-    I liked that this portrayed the aftermath of WWII. It was hard for people to pick up the pieces and put their lives back together. For some, the war never really ended, and I really appreciated how the book portrayed that.

-    I loved the characters. Each one was a unique gem, and I grew to love all of them.

-    I liked that this had a little bit of mystery, a little bit of romance, and a lot of soul searching. 

-    I feel like I'm the last blogger to read this book. It had so much buzz, and I kept putting it off. Everyone was right! It lived up to the hype. 

A Night Divided

Goodreads Synopsis:    From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen comes a stunning thriller about a girl who must escape to freedom after the Berlin Wall divides her family between east and west.

With the rise of the Berlin Wall, twelve-year-old Gerta finds her family divided overnight. She, her mother, and her brother Fritz live on the eastern side, controlled by the Soviets. Her father and middle brother, who had gone west in search of work, cannot return home. Gerta knows it is dangerous to watch the wall, to think forbidden thoughts of freedom, yet she can't help herself. She sees the East German soldiers with their guns trained on their own citizens; she, her family, her neighbors and friends are prisoners in their own city.

But one day, while on her way to school, Gerta spots her father on a viewing platform on the western side, pantomiming a peculiar dance. Then, when she receives a mysterious drawing, Gerta puts two and two together and concludes that her father wants Gerta and Fritz to tunnel beneath the wall, out of East Berlin. However, if they are caught, the consequences will be deadly. No one can be trusted. Will Gerta and her family find their way to freedom?

My Thoughts:

-    Jennifer is one of my favorite Utah Authors. Her books are so clever and amazing, and she is just an all around nice lady. I've only read her False Prince books, but I've been wanting to read more, and I finally did! 

-    The writing is so good! When I read this, it felt effortless. The story just unfolded in my mind, and it didn't even feel like reading. I just absorbed the story. 

-    I love stories about the Berlin Wall. It intrigues me, especially stories about the Candy Bomber. 

-    Most of the story is about dirt, and digging the dirt, but I wasn't bored. I was thoroughly entertained the whole time.

-    I think this book is perfect for the target audience. It covers the sad and scary parts of history in a very real but safe way. I also love that anyone could pick up this book and enjoy it. Great storytelling!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Goodreads Says:    Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery. 





My Thoughts:

-    I randomly picked this book up while I was browsing the library. We were in the children's section, and I saw a big fat book. I picked it up and flipped through it. The pictures looked awesome, so I brought it home, and I'm SO glad I did!

-    This was a very fun and informative book. It is fiction, but it is based on a real person. 

-    The book isn't illustrated. The pictures are part of the story. I LOVE that! The book is half words and half illustrations. They work together to bring the story to life.

-    The illustrations are amazing. They are sketched with pencils or charcoal or something like that, and they are awesome! There are also some real photos about Georges Melies. 

-    I have seen the famous picture of the rocket in the moon's eye, but I didn't realize it was an old black and white silent film. In the middle of the book, I went and watched the film. It is terrible, but it was fun to see what the book was talking about. If you want to watch it, it is on Netflix. There are two versions.

-    This book made me want to learn how to build a clock. Ha! It sounds fun and intricate. I also want to see automaton toys and things. 

-    The characters are brilliant. Each one is special in their own way. The girl is annoying sometimes, but she is okay. 

-    I found out that they made a movie adaptation that is pretty good. I want to see it!!

Memoirs of a Geisha

Goodreads Synopsis:    A literary sensation and runaway bestseller, this brilliant debut novel presents with seamless authenticity and exquisite lyricism the true confessions of one of Japan's most celebrated geisha.

In Memoirs of a Geisha, we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl's virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love is scorned as illusion. It is a unique and triumphant work of fiction—at once romantic, erotic, suspenseful—and completely unforgettable.

My Thoughts:

-    The story was interesting, but it was very slow and some parts were boring. 

-    The MC would go on and on in these monologues about trivial things, and it got old.

-    For a book about a Geisha, I thought it was pretty clean. There were some uncomfortable moments, but overall it is fairly clean.

-    I thought the ending was a little convenient. It wrapped up all nice and happy, and it just didn't seem believable. 

-    I enjoyed reading about the Japanese customs and culture.

-    I enjoyed the first half of the book better than the second half. I got bored of the character and the writing.

-    I don't understand Sayuri's obsession with the Chairman. I understood her teenage crush/infatuation, but it should have worn off when she was 30. I felt like Sayuri never really matured or grew up. She didn't have the finesse and wisdom like Mameha, and I was expecting her to become more like Mameha. 

-    I'm glad I read this, but I probably wouldn't pick it up again. 

Salt to the Sea

Goodreads Synopsis:    Winter, 1945. Four teenagers. Four secrets.

Each one born of a different homeland; each one hunted, and haunted, by tragedy, lies…and war.

As thousands of desperate refugees flock to the coast in the midst of a Soviet advance, four paths converge, vying for passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that promises safety and freedom.

Yet not all promises can be kept.

Inspired by the single greatest tragedy in maritime history, bestselling and award-winning author Ruta Sepetys (Between Shades of Gray) lifts the veil on a shockingly little-known casualty of World War II. An illuminating and life-affirming tale of heart and hope.

My Thoughts:

-    I don't know if I can adequately write my thoughts and feelings about this book, but I will try.

-    The story is hauntingly beautiful and not for the feint of heart. The story is sad, very sad and solemn, but I am grateful I read it.

-    I wouldn't recommend reading this while pregnant. I'm due in 7 weeks, and this was a lot to swallow, and oh the emotions! I need to stick with happy books.

-    Ruta Sepetys surprises and amazes me with each book she writes. Wow!

-    Three of the four narrators were so interesting and intriguing! I cheered for them and cried for them. The fourth narrator was a little disturbing and odd, but I'm glad he was there. Each narrator had different backgrounds and different perspectives on the war and what was happening. I loved that we got all these different angles. 

-    The sub-characters were also really great! I loved the shoe poet. His mannerisms and tenderness won me over.

-    The writing is wonderful. I couldn't stop reading! I didn't even feel like I was reading. I was just immersed in the story and I couldn't absorb it fast enough. 

-    I really hate when major events like this are pushed under the rug. It makes me feel ignorant and ashamed that I didn't know about something so tragic and huge.

-    I loved Ruta's message at the end. It makes me want to dig into my family history and find forgotten stories. It is such a tragedy that our ancestors lives are forgotten.

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Goodreads Says:    In the year 1792, Sir Percy and Lady Marguerite Blakeney are the darlings of British society—he is known as one of the wealthiest men in England and a dimwit; she is French, a stunning former actress, and the cleverest woman in Europe—and they find themselves at the center of a deadly political intrigue. The Reign of Terror controls France, and every day aristocrats in Paris fall victim to Madame la Guillotine. Only one man can rescue them—the Scarlet Pimpernel—a master of disguises who leaves a calling card bearing only a signature red flower. As the fascinating connection between the Blakeneys and this mysterious hero is revealed, they are forced to choose between love and loyalty in order to avoid the French agent Chauvelin, who relentlessly hunts the Scarlet Pimpernel.

My Thoughts:

-    This wasn't as good as I had hoped, but it was still good.

-    I wanted there to be more action and scheming. I wish the book had been from Marguerite AND The Scarlet Pimpernel's perspective. I really wanted to read about some of the rescues.

-    This was pretty easy to read for a classic. There wasn't a lot of the old English language and phrases. 

-    Even though the book was very predictable, I still enjoyed it, especially the end. I liked how Percy and Marguerite grew more as a couple.

-    Chauvelin was a fun villain. He reminded me of Javert from Les Miserables. 

-    I liked that the story didn't have a ton of politics in it. It was more about blackmail and love. I really appreciated that.

Pope Joan

From Goodreads:    For a thousand years her existence has been denied. She is the legend that will not die–Pope Joan, the ninth-century woman who disguised herself as a man and rose to become the only female ever to sit on the throne of St. Peter. Now in this riveting novel, Donna Woolfolk Cross paints a sweeping portrait of an unforgettable heroine who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept. 


Brilliant and talented, young Joan rebels against medieval social strictures forbidding women to learn. When her brother is brutally killed during a Viking attack, Joan takes up his cloak–and his identity–and enters the monastery of Fulda. As Brother John Anglicus, Joan distinguishes herself as a great scholar and healer. Eventually, she is drawn to Rome, where she becomes enmeshed in a dangerous web of love, passion, and politics. Triumphing over appalling odds, she finally attains the highest office in Christendom–wielding a power greater than any woman before or since. But such power always comes at a price . . . 

In this international bestseller, Cross brings the Dark Ages to life in all their brutal splendor and shares the dramatic story of a woman whose strength of vision led her to defy the social restrictions of her day.

My Thoughts:

-    This was an interesting book. I'm glad we read it for book club. I wouldn't have picked this up by myself.

-    I didn't love it, but I liked it. I wouldn't read it again, but I'm glad I read it.

-    I'm SO grateful that I wasn't alive during the 800s. Women were treated awful, and child birth was scary! Thank goodness for modern medicine. 

-    The book was easier to read and more interesting than I thought it would be.

-    There is part where Joan tastes some urine!! Gross!!!

-    The raping scene was bit disturbing for me. It wasn't explicit, but I felt gross after reading it. Other than that it is a pretty clean read.

-    I felt like I was waiting for things to happen for most of the book. I was waiting for Joan to disguise herself as  a man, I was waiting for her to be Pope, I was waiting for her and Gerold to runaway together, etc. 

-    I didn't understand all the Catholic hierarchy, but I don't think it detracted from the story. 

-    Do I think Joan really existed? I don't know. It is interesting to think about though. There are some substantial things to support that there was a female Pope, but it still makes me wonder. 

-    I do believe that women attempted to dress as men to get farther in life. I wonder how many were caught and how many lived full lives. 

Belle Epoque

Goodreads Description:    When Maude Pichon runs away from provincial Brittany to Paris, her romantic dreams vanish as quickly as her savings. Desperate for work, she answers an unusual ad. The Durandeau Agency provides its clients with a unique service—the beauty foil. Hire a plain friend and become instantly more attractive. 

Monsieur Durandeau has made a fortune from wealthy socialites, and when the Countess Dubern needs a companion for her headstrong daughter, Isabelle, Maude is deemed the perfect foil.

But Isabelle has no idea her new "friend" is the hired help, and Maude's very existence among the aristocracy hinges on her keeping the truth a secret. Yet the more she learns about Isabelle, the more her loyalty is tested. And the longer her deception continues, the more she has to lose.

My Thoughts:

-    This was such a great story about friendship and true beauty. I enjoyed every page.

-    The characters were awesome. I loved the way each person made an impact on Maude's life, especially Marie-Josee. She was one of my favorites! I loved the interactions between Maude and Isabelle. The way their friendship developed was so real. 

-    The ending was perfect! I loved how everything was resolved. I was worried there for a while. 

-    I like the little tad of romance. It isn't over done, and it it just enough.

-    I was surprised by how clean this book was. I thought there would be some unsavory things in the book, but it was squeaky clean. 

-    I enjoyed all the French stuff! It was fun and gave the book so much flair. 

-    The message of this book is awesome! I loved it! It made me feel good, and it made me feel good about myself. 

Boxers & Saints

 

My Synopsis for Boxers:

-    Christians have come to China, and they are converting some of the people. 

-    Bao sees the foreigners as evil, and he wants to protect China and it's people from them.

-    Bao learns Kung Fu, and then he masters a ritual that lets him change into a Chinese God. He teaches others this ritual and forms an army.

-    Bao's fighters follow a strict code, and they are determined to destroy every foreign devil and their followers.

My Synopsis for Saints:

-    The main character is a girl that doesn't have a name. Her family treats her poorly, and doesn't really want her around.

-    She discovers Christianity and is baptized, and at this time, she takes on the name Vibiana.

-    Vibiana is visited my Joan of Ark, and Joan helps Vibiana discover who she is and what she is meant to do. 

-    Vibiana is determined to fight the army that is killing the Christians.

My Thoughts:

-    These books are the same story, but told from different perspectives. It was hard to know who was good and who was bad.

-    The endings are sad and depressing.

-    There is quite a bit of violence, especially in Boxers. It didn't really bug me, but there is a lot of brutal things.

-    There is also some talk about the female menstrual cycle. That was awkward, weird, and gross. 

-    I felt sad for both Bao and Vibiana. They were both fighting for something they believed to be good, but nothing really good came out of their efforts.

-    I wonder how much of these stories are true. I know some Chinese had a hard time westernizing everything. 

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

From Goodreads:    In the opening pages of Jamie Ford's stunning debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Henry Lee comes upon a crowd gathered outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle's Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has made an incredible discovery: the belongings of Japanese families, left when they were rounded up and sent to internment camps during World War II. As Henry looks on, the owner opens a Japanese parasol.

This simple act takes old Henry Lee back to the 1940s, at the height of the war, when young Henry's world is a jumble of confusion and excitement, and to his father, who is obsessed with the war in China and having Henry grow up American. While "scholarshipping" at the exclusive Rainier Elementary, where the white kids ignore him, Henry meets Keiko Okabe, a young Japanese American student. Amid the chaos of blackouts, curfews, and FBI raids, Henry and Keiko forge a bond of friendship - and innocent love - that transcends the long-standing prejudices of their Old World ancestors. And after Keiko and her family are swept up in the evacuations to the internment camps, she and Henry are left only with the hope that the war will end, and that their promise to each other will be kept.

Forty years later, Henry Lee is certain that the parasol belonged to Keiko. In the hotel's dark dusty basement he begins looking for signs of the Okabe family's belongings and for a long-lost object whose value he cannot begin to measure. Now a widower, Henry is still trying to find his voice - words that might explain the actions of his nationalistic father; words that might bridge the gap between him and his modern, Chinese American son; words that might help him confront the choices he made many years ago.

Set during one of the most conflicted and volatile times in American history, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is an extraordinary story of commitment and enduring hope. In Henry and Keiko, Jamie Ford has created an unforgettable duo whose story teaches us of the power of forgiveness and the human heart.

My Thoughts:

-    I feel awful that I had no idea about this bit of our history until now. We never talked about it in any of my history classes, and I've just never heard about it. I feel like this is a really sad thing. It is something that can't just be swept under the rug.

-    "Chinglish" ha ha ha ha!

-    The first time I heard the title of this book, I judged. I thought it was boring and long and a dumb title. After reading the book, I feel completely different. The title is perfect for this book. The book is a story of bitter and sweet moments.

-    Keiko and Henry's relationship was beautiful. It was very sweet and subtle, and I found it very tender. I loved it! Jamie Ford knows how to tell a romance! My heart ached and rejoiced for Keiko and Henry. I wanted to scream at times, but I also gushed at times. 

-    I will never forgive Henry's father! He was a stubborn and selfish man, and I just...grrrrrr!

-    I felt a little sad for Ethel. While I felt that Henry loved her and was devoted to her, I also felt like Ethel was always 2nd best. It was like Henry just settled for Ethel because he gave up on Keiko. 

-    I loved the history, culture, and wonderful story. This book was amazing, and I'm really glad I read it. I wasn't going to, but after hearing the author speak about his story and his book, I decided to give it a try. 

-    I really enjoyed the bit of jazz that was speckled throughout the book. I play clarinet and sax, and I used to play in a jazz band, so I really appreciated and loved that aspect of the story.

-    There were a few sub characters that I just loved! Sheldon was such an amazing friend. The lunch lady was a bit of a silent hero. I really admired Keiko's father. He was a strong person. 

-    I just can't say enough about this book. I loved it, and I'm sad that I didn't take the opportunity to buy this and get it signed. Oh well! 

-    Thank you Jamie Ford, for breaking my heart and putting the pieces back together! Your story touched me. I feel like I've grown a bit as a person now that I've experienced Henry and Keiko's story.