Heidi Slowinski

June Book Review Wrap Up

Posted on July 1, 2020     Leave a Comment

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The Book of Jeremiah

By: Julie Zuckerman

The Book of Jeremiah, a Novel in Stories, follows eight decades of the life of Jeremiah Gerstler.

I really enjoyed the concept of this book. Zuckerman lays out each milestone of Jeremiah’s life as though it were a short story, jumping from past to present and back again. The book feels like each chapter is a short story. I found the format engaging. It really held my interest.

Jeremiah Gerstler’s life really speaks to Jewish life experience in the 20th century. He is the child of immigrants. We see him as a precocious youth, coming of age, finding love, having a family, and experiencing success in his career. Similar to the biblical narrative by the same name, Gerstler’s story carries its share of hardships and challenges. But unlike it, there are also beautiful moments of happiness and joy. It’s very true to real life experience. 

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Caledonia

By: Sherry V. Ostroff

Anna Isaac is a fifteen year old Jewess living in 17th century Scotland. Her father is determined to see her settled before his poor health becomes worse so he tasks her angry and vindictive brother with choosing her groom. Faced with an impossible choice, Anna seeks the help of a visiting Highlander. A choice that will change her her fate and send her on an incredible journey. Enter Hanna, a modern day young woman, living in Pennsylvania. Her family followed traditions she never quite understood until an inheritance sends her on her own journey of self-discovery.

This is my first work by Sherry Ostroff and I can’t wait to read more. I was completely engrossed within the first twenty pages and couldn’t put it down. The story transitions seamlessly between past and present. There are clear and interesting parallels between Anna and Hanna. Each of these women is wonderfully complex. The connection of their stories is expertly crafted. And without any spoilers, there was a scene near the end that was so beautifully written, it moved me to tears. I highly recommend this book!

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Jerusalem Stone

By: Susan Sofayov

Julie Wasserman’s world has been turned upside down. She’s lost a job she enjoyed, with the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Then her twin brother is taken from her, in a car crash. She’s faced with returning to her hometown, of Pittsburgh, and her grief-stricken father, to start over in her new normal. But with a gap of time before her new job begins, Julie finds herself impulsively flying to Thailand, a place her brother dreamed of visiting one day with a woman he fell in love with on a birthright trip, to Israel. It’s a trip that will change Julie’s life in more ways than one, after she meets her own Israeli prince charming.

Susan Sofayov has crafted an intriguing story in this book. Julie Wasserman is a complex and emotionally raw character who becomes incredibly conflicted with the introduction of her love interest, Avi. He seems to bring her back to life. But having a chance at happiness only exacerbates her survivor’s guilt and creates a deep inner conflict for her. Which is compounded even further when Avi convinces Julie to travel to Israel with him. A place her brother loved and she never wanted to visit.

Safoyov’s vivid description of Israel transported me right back to the streets of Jerusalem. I especially related to the description of Julie’s experience visiting the Kotel for the first time. The portion of the book set in Israel was my favorite. I wasn’t able to put this book down from the second Julie and Avi’s plane touched down. The unexpected twist at the end (no spoilers) was well-timed and very moving. This one belongs on your book club’s reading list!

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The Lucky One

By: Sherry V. Ostroff

In order to do this story justice, I’m going to use the summary from the back cover to avoid any errors in the details:

Ita was born in the wrong place at the wrong time. The place was the former Pale of Settlement which was a large swath of land in western Russia where Jews were forced to live for centuries. The year was 1918 and Russia was in the midst of two revolutions. The first occurred with the abdication of the last tsar of Russia culminating in his execution. The second was the bloody civil war that ensued for control of the country. Ita was caught in the middle during this time of great political and social upheaval. Wave after wave of murderous anti-Jewish riots, orpogroms, descended upon Jewish shtetls, and the only chance for her survival was to escape. Escape was not easy. In fact, it could be deadly. In Ita’s own words, along with her daughter’s (Sherry V. Ostroff) historical and cultural background information, she describes her privileged life in Russia, the bloody pogroms, and her harrowing escape. Ita faces each roadblock with resolve, including a new country that doesn’t want her, and proves why she is, indeed, the lucky one.

This is the second work I’ve read by Sherry V. Ostroff and want an incredible story of overcoming incredibly difficult odds. Sherry’s mother, Ita, tells her story of growing up in very dangerous circumstances in Russia where the political climate was incredibly unfriendly to the Jewish population, to say the least. She and her family were very fortunate to be able to escape to Romania for a time and ultimately to the United States. Interspersed between her mother’s memories, Ostroff provides a very detailed history of the time her mother was living in. It’s an interesting contrast to read Ita’s story of her understanding of the world around her, through the eyes of an innocent young child versus the reality of the time. Stories like Ita’s are so important and need to be told. I applaud Ostroff for preserver her mother’s legacy in this work.

Never again.

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May Book Review Wrap Up

Posted on June 3, 2020     Leave a Comment

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Adhaata Asao’s Liege

By: Afroz Alam

Lord Vishnu, protector of the world, is gathering Avatars to help humanity.

This is my first work by this author and I really enjoyed it. The language is wonderfully descriptive. I really liked the very vivid imagery. In a world with dragons, dwarfs, and avatars, I found parallels to Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings. This fantasy was a wonderful escape!

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#ShidduchCrisis

By: Penina Shtauber

Shidduch dating is an Orthodox Jewish form of dating where singles are matched for the purpose of finding a spouse. It is an intense form of dating that occurs over a short period of time.

#ShidduchCrisis is a collection of short stories told from the perspective of young Jewish singles in the shidduch process. While fictional depictions of this process, each story is distinctive and has a unique voice. Every character is relatable and brings a different perspective to the experience.

I enjoyed this book as a lighthearted collection of stories talking about a major milestone in life. The choice of a life partner is such an incredibly important one. Certainly, in this particular process, there is so much pressure to make the right choice. Some of the stories in this collection were humorous. Others had an ironic twist and still others really make you think about what really matters. I found this very relatable. If you’re a fan of the Israeli series, Srugim, you’ll definitely enjoy this book.

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It All Started Down at the Stewarts

By: Joe Medler

Frank is a retiree who regularly meets a group of friends for coffee. A chance to get out of the house and keep up with friends. Frank becomes suspicious when his friend Dale announces one day that his wife Doris has passed away. Frank decides his friend’s behavior doesn’t see quite right for a man who has lost his wife after likely five decades of marriage. He begins trying to piece the whole thing together with his wife, Molly. But the truth is not what he expected.

This is a work of short fiction that will leave you wanting more, in the best possible way. Medler crafts his mystery skillfully, building to a well-timed plot twist. The relationship between Dale and Frank is well developed. And you can feel the long history in the love between Frank and his wife, Molly. The ending is written in a beautifully, heartwarming way. This is my first book by Medler and I look forward to reading more by him.

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The Meyersons of Meryton

By: Mirta Ines Trupp

This variation on Pride and Prejudice revisits the Bennet family as they welcome new neighbors to Meryton. Rabbi Meyerson and his family are received at Longbourn on their arrival from London as Rabbi Meyerson is to serve the Hebrew congregation of Meryton. But other business calls the Rabbi away to Brighton, causing Mr. Bennet to follow, causing a possible delay in the much anticipated nuptials of the two eldest Bennet daughters.

The author does a remarkable job of bringing Jane Austen’s well-loved characters back to life in this continuation of the original story. Rabbi Meyerson and his family are an interesting addition to the society of Meryton, who are unfamiliar with their culture and traditions. The Meyersons are often in situations where they are called upon to explain themselves to their new neighbors, making this addition to the story line approachable to the reader who is also unfamiliar.

I was surprised by Elizabeth Bennet in this variation. The usually sharp-witted, confident, headstrong young woman is cast in a more vulnerable light in this story. On the eve of her marriage, she is shown as being overwhelmed at the prospect of taking her place in society as the lady of Pemberley and of being a wife, in general. This felt a little out of character for her and something that would more easily be expected from Jane, the more shy and modest of the two.

As a fan of Jane Austen’s work, as well as the Bronte sisters, I enjoyed this re-imagining and recommend it for fellow Austen fans.

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Destiny by Design – Leah’s Journey

By: Mirta Ines Trupp

Destiny by Design: Leah’s Journey is set in Imperial Russia, in the late 19th Century. Leah Abramovitz is the youngest of twelve children, coming of age in Odessa. Her upper class merchant family is suddenly faced with a challenging political climate which threatens their livelihood. Despite her opposition to the decision, Leah’s family makes the difficult decision to emigrate from her beloved Russia to Buenos Aires.

This is the second work by Mirta Ines Trupp I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed. I was immediately captured by the charming and headstrong heroine, Leah Abramovitz. I found her to share many qualities and characteristics of Josephine March, of Little Women, in that she is determined, resilient, and wonderfully independent.

The story line in this book is captivating from beginning to end with vivid, descriptive language. Ms. Trupp does a wonderful job of drawing a stark contrast between the comfort and social position of the Abramovitz family, in Russia, and the wild frontier of colonial Argentina. The family’s ability to pull together under difficult circumstances is very moving.

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April Book Review Wrap Up

Posted on June 3, 2020     Leave a Comment

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Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey

By: Countess Fiona Carnarvon

If you’re a fan of the PBS series, Downton Abbey then you’re likely familiar with the show’s setting, Highclere Castle. This book, one of two written by the current Countess of Carnarvon, gives the reader a look into the real history of Highclere Castle. This book focuses mainly on the 1920s and 30s, and Lady Catherine, formerly Catherine Wendell. Lady Catherine was an American socialite who married the 6th Earl.

The research for this book comes from the Highclere’s extensive archives, including photos, diaries, and scrapbooks. The book includes a large number of images, including photos and letters, scattered throughout.

The real life story of Highclere Castle, and its occupants, is every bit as dramatic as the story depicted in the Downton Abbey series. The book is well-organized and eloquently written. At times, I found myself wondering if I was reading a biography of Lady Catherine or a biography of Highclere Castle. The story is largely focused around the house to the point where the people felt like they were playing a supporting role. I would have liked a little more focus on the individuals. That being said, the writing in this book is so beautiful, I found myself getting lost in the prose and really forgetting I was reading non-fiction.

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Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots

By: Deborah Feldman

Deborah Feldman grew up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in the Samtar sect of Hasidic Judaism, a highly secretive ultra-orthodox community. Deborah was raised by her grandparents after her parents’ marriage failed and her mother left the community. In her memoir, Ms Feldman tells her story of her upbringing in this very restrictive, conservative world and her eventual marriage, as a young teen, to a man she hardly knew. Her curiosity at the outside world leads to her eventual departure from the community.

Ms Feldman’s story was compelling from the first to the last and provided fascinating insight into a world outsiders rarely get to see. This book is a beautiful telling of an emotional story. Ms Feldman’s description of the matchmaking process, of this particular sect, that led up to her marriage to a man she was only alone with once or twice was really interesting. It’s unfortunate this book was met with so much controversy. I would encourage the reader to look past many of their reviews and formulate their own opinions.

Since reading this book, I’ve also had the opportunity to watch the Netflix original series by the same title. The series was inspired by the book but does not follow the same story line. Still, it is very well done and a recommended watch.

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Hannah’s War

By Jan Eliasberg

Dr. Hannah Weiss is a Jewish scientist, working in Berlin, in 1938, working on one of the most important scientific discoveries of the time. Splitting the atom. Already fighting an uphill battle of being a woman in a man’s world, she faces even greater challenges as a Jewish scientist living under the Third Reich. She finds her work often ignored, discredited and even stolen by her male, Aryan colleagues. She eventually escapes and finds herself working at Los Alamos, in New Mexico, where she meets Major Jack Delaney.

Major Delaney has returned from to the States after fighting to liberate Paris with an important mission. Information about experiments being carried out at Los Alamos is being leaked back to the Germans and Major Delaney has been tasked with finding the spy. Her German background makes Dr. Weiss a prime suspect in his investigation.

Hannah’s War is a compelling work of fiction based on the Manhattan Project and the work of Jewish physicist, Dr. Lise Meitner, who with a team of scientists, was responsible for discovering nuclear fission. The story flashes between Dr. Weiss’s time working in Germany, in the late 30s and her time in New Mexico, in the mid 40s, near the end of WWII. This is a well-crafted spy thriller with a beautifully emotional side.

Hannah is a deeply developed, mysterious character. Major Delaney’s interrogation of her peels back the layers in a compelling way that drives the reader. The romantic interest between the two weaves an added layer of tension to the story in a compelling way. The story takes an interesting twist when Hannah discovers that Major Delaney is harboring a few secrets of his own. This story is fast paced and will grip you from beginning to end.

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Scottish Alliance

By: Jennifer Sheppard

Lara McLeish is a New York based vampire hunter, in a werewolf clan when her boss sends her off to Scotland to assist with forming a new alliance.

In this offering, Jennifer Sheppard presents the first three chapters of what is shaping up to be a captivating read for anyone who enjoys supernatural action stories. The character development is off to a strong start. I anticipate this will be an action-packed, fast paced story, in its full version. This is a good tease for a larger work to come.

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Cells

By: Julia Cowan

Jim is a troubled teen from a difficult background having grown up without a proper role model. He finds himself on the wrong side of the law after breaking into a house one night. But his attempted petty crime is going to change his life in ways he couldn’t possibly imagine.

David and Joe are two friends, doling out their own brand of vigilante justice after tragedy strikes David’s family twice. The book’s title alludes to the undercover prison the two men construct when David’s daughter’s murder walks free.

Cowen’s debut novel is a well-constructed, fast paced psychological thriller. I found it easy to empathize with Jim and appreciated the complex interplay between the characters. This story will grip you from the first line and you will not be able to put it down.

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March Book Review Wrap Up

Posted on June 3, 2020     Leave a Comment

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When I Was Alive

By: Habiba El Sadany

When I Was Alive is a collection of four novellas: Rivers, When I Was Alive, Piece of Me, and Don’t Go Into the Woods. Each story centers around characters suffering tragic losses and the impact of them.

Rivers centers around a family losing their teenage son in an auto accident, that right from the start does not appear to have been an accident. But rather a possible suicide. The story’s main focus is the young man’s mother and her struggle to make sense of her loss.

When I Was Alive is the story of a couple who have made a pact after receiving an ominous prediction by a fortuneteller. Breaking their agreement has the potential to have dire consequences, if the fortuneteller’s predictions are to be believed.

Piece of Me is the story of a woman who wakes up, believing she has recently given birth. Except, according to her husband, she was never pregnant. She’s then force to deal with the loss of a child that never really existed.

Don’t Go Into the Woods is the story of a woman whose son was brutally murdered. She finds herself haunted by her son, in her dreams. She struggles with the decision to uncover who is responsible for her son’s death.

The common thread of loss and grief tie brings them together in a nicely cohesive collection. While they share a theme, each is sufficiently unique so as to sand alone. One doesn’t feel that they’re reading a retelling of the previous story. While the subject matter of each story centers around grief, loss, and tragedy, I found, at times, the characters’ reactions lacked the emotional depth one would expect from someone who is suffering. If you’re looking for a collection of dark tales, this collection is for you.

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Strange Things Await

By: Jamila A. Stone

The story takes place at Virtus Academy, a boarding school for supernatural students. The school houses and educates vampires, witches, werewolves, and werecats. The story centers around two witches, Natalie King and Alexandra Aurelius, both in their sophomore year. The two are former friends who have had a falling out. The school year is also plagued by mysterious murders of several students.

Supernatural and young adult fiction are both outside my usual reading material but this held my attention well. The character development is complex and the issues these students face, despite their supernatural abilities, are very relatable. The language in the dialogue was a little on the formal side at times but overall this was an interesting read. If enjoy fantasy and supernatural fiction, give this a read.

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Hiding in Plain Sight

By Betty Lauer

Hiding in Plain Sight is the true story of one young woman’s survival in Nazi-occupied Poland. While waiting for their visas to America, in order to rejoin her father, Betty, along with her mother and sister, were rounded up and expelled from Germany, to Poland. This began a six-year ordeal of living in constant fear of discovery. But time and again, fate stepped in to provide a way forward.

This book is the true story of one young woman’s survival in Nazi-occupied Poland. While waiting for their visas to America, in order to rejoin her father, Betty, along with her mother and sister, were rounded up and expelled from Germany, to Poland. This began a six-year ordeal of living in constant fear of discovery. But time and again, fate stepped in to provide a way forward.

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The Hunt

By Jacqueline Terrill

Rachel Blackstone finds her world suddenly rocked when her husband of 30 years suddenly changes. Their once happy and financial stable life suddenly comes crumbling down around her and all she wants is to get out. A trip to a friend’s cabin offers a chance to recharge but Rachel’s in-laws aren’t willing to exit Rachel’s life quietly.

This story has has some good twists and turns toward the middle, after a slow build. I found the editing distracting, which is unfortunate because this story has great potential. The dialogue is forced with an unnatural formality. With a good professional polish, this could be a really good book.

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