Empress Dowager Cixi

I very much enjoyed Empress Dowager Cixi by Jung Chang which is a biography of the last empress of China.  This story is well-researched by the author who wrote Wild Swans.  The story begins in the mid-1850s when the Emperor chooses some concubines.  The Empress Cixi dies in 1908 so her story is also the story of China for the years that she lived.  It is a very interesting story, almost reads like a suspense novel as the reader is always thinking - what will happen next?  The Empress has a lot to deal with during her life including foreign invasions, assassination attempts, weak Emperors, political machinations.  I knew nothing of this story and am very pleased to have learned about it.  The writing is excellent and compelling, not at all dry.  Anyone interested in history would enjoy this book.  Highly recommended. 41/2/5.

Not Just Black and White

I enjoyed Not Just Black and White by Lesley and Tammy Williams.  The authors Lesley and daughter Tammy are Aboriginal women who are telling their story as a memoir/oral history.  Most of the book is Lesley telling Tammy about her life, which was fascinating.  Lesley was born in the late 1940s at the Aboriginal settlement of Cherbourg under the "Protection Act".  As a child, her life was rich in love from her extended family but their lives were strictly regulated.  Lesley and her contemporaries were educated so they would be suitable for working on properties as housemaids.  Lesley was sent to work at outback properties and was not always treated kindly.  Later she was sent to work for a wealthy family in Brisbane and this experience helped change her life.  Lesley went on to live her life devoted to her family ensuring her children had a good education.  She was a courageous woman who raised awareness of the "stolen wages" issue where aboriginal workers wages were put in a "trust fund" by the government which they were not able to access.  Lesley's story is about a brave woman who overcame life's challenges with grace and pride.  Recommended. 4/5

Too Good To Be True

I enjoyed Too Good To Be True by Ann Cleeves which is a "Quick Reads" book.  Quick Reads is part of the Reading agency, a national (British) charity that inspires more people to read more.  The books are written by bestselling writers.  This book was 93 pages and slightly larger font so easy for most of us to read in a sitting (or in my case lying in bed).  The story features one of Ann Cleeves best known characters - Shetland Detective Jimmy Perez.  DI Perez is asked by his ex-wife Sarah to investigate an apparent suicide of a young female teacher in the village where she lives.  So he comes and stays in the village hotel to determine whether the teacher did or did not commit suicide. 4/5

Letters to the Lost

I very much enjoyed Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey which is set in two time periods - 1943 and 2011.  In 1943 a married woman, Stella, falls in love with an American airman, Dan.  Their story is told when in 2011 a young woman, Jess, finds refuge in an empty house after breaking free from a violent boyfriend.  Jess sees the house hasn't been lived in for a very long time.  Jess discovers Dan's letters to Stella, which tell part of her story.  Jess becomes obsessed with finding out how their story ended.  I found all the characters all seemed very real so much so that I was caught up in the story and also wanted to know what happened to Stella and Dan, quite suspenseful.  Jess also has a story and we learn about what happens to her.  It is a thick book, just over 500 pages, but it is easy to read.  Highly recommended. 5/5

The Dry

I very much enjoyed The Dry by Jane Harper, an Australian debut author.  Federal police officer, Aaron Falk, returns to his childhood town for a funeral of his childhood friend Luke Hadler and his family.  He is persuaded to stay on for a few days to help the local police sergeant investigate the deaths.  Aaron and his father left the town 20 years earlier following the suspicious death of one of Aaron's friends.  Now the past returns to haunt him.  The reader finally learns the truth.  This is a very well-written suspenseful story.  Hard to put down. Highly recommended.  4/1/2/5

The Italian Wife

I enjoyed The Italian Wife by Kate Furnivall which is set in 1930s Italy when Mussolini was in power.  Architect Isabella Berotti is sitting in a cafe when a woman asks to leave her small daughter with her for a few minutes.  Then shockingly Isabella witnesses the woman plunge to her death from a nearby tower.  The little girl is taken to an orphanage and Isabella is left with the mystery as to why the girl was left with her.  Isabella later meets a photographer, Roberto, and she starts to realise  they are living in dangerous times.  Ten years earlier her husband was assassinated and she survived the same attack.  She wants to know why her husband was killed and finds everything is connected.  Isabella and Roberto become romantically linked and together they solve the mystery. 31/2/5

August Book Club

 This month Book Club was at my place.  There was only five of us this time as other ladies are travelling overseas - London, Bali, Alaska and Spain.  They are having a wonderful time.  We had a good time at Book Club too.  It is always good to get together with like-minded people where we can talk about life and books. 

Margot at War

I very much enjoyed Margot at War by Anne De Courcy which is a biography of Margot Asquith, wife of H.H. Asquith who was Prime Minister of Great Britain just before and part of World War I.  This period included the Suffragette movement and Irish Home Rule.  It was fascinating to read about Margot's life and the man she loved.  It gives a very personal insight in to their lives.  It was interesting that most of the British people, including the government, did not see the danger ahead till almost the last minute when Germany invaded Belgium.  Prime Minister Asquith had a complicated personal life which included a love for his daughter's best friend.  He seemed an efficient Prime Minister who did his best to avert a war but when it happened he moved swiftly to mobilise the country.  Margot loved him unconditionally though being aware that she shared him with his daughter and her daughter's friend.  Some parts I found appalling including his pursuit of this young woman (writing love letters during Cabinet meetings) while men were losing their lives on the battlefield.  This is a "behind closed doors" look at prominent people including some who were responsible for the huge losses on the western front.  Highly recommended for those interested in this period of history. 5/5