by Alaina | Sep 26, 2021 | Book Nook
Disclosure
Quick reminder that this post contains affiliate links; that means if you click on the link I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you- it’s a way to support my blog! I will only ever share an affiliate link if I love the product and think that you just might love it too!
Do you read more ‘by author’ or ‘by genre?’ I have bounced all around in my reading life; sometimes I have an author that I simply can’t get enough of, other times I get stuck in a certain genre and can’t get enough of it and I pay no attention to the author. However, I have had a long standing favorite author since I became more of an avid reader around the age of 12. That author is Ann Rinaldi.
I have deeply enjoyed every book I have ever read from this noted historical fiction author, predominately for young adults, but I remembered Ms. Rinaldi’s books having a certain depth to them that adults would benefit from reading too. I wondered if I would love them now as an adult, or were they more juvenile than I had been aware of at the time. I was missing a few of the stories as well as desiring a refresher of the history that is portrayed in them, so I went back to reread a few. I still loved them! It is my opinion that these historical fiction books have a depth of concept to them that few young adult books contain today. In fact, I would only label these books young adult in that the main characters tend to be young women. The writing and themes are still very enjoyable for adults as well!
I have been in love with Ann Rinaldi’s books now for well over a decade and I decided it was time to share a few of my favorites with you.
Time Enough for Drums
So far this book still ranks as my very favorite. This is a story of 15 year old Jemmima, during the American Revolution. She is a staunch Whig, and she can’t believe that her father would employ John, a Tory, as her tutor . . . until she begins to put the pieces together that John may not be exactly what she thought and may, in fact, be a spy. . . . Ann Rinaldi weaves together all of my favorite classic elements in this book: revolutionary war history, spies, romance, and tough decisions which makes for a very intriguing read.
A Break With Charity
A Break With Charity is a story of the Salem Witch Trials with which I have always had a fascination. This is a mystery that remains unsolved to this day. What was behind the girls who were acting out in Salem Village all those years ago? Were they demon possessed? Had they eaten infected wheat that caused them to hallucinate? Or was something even more sinister going on among the townspeople? Susanna English knows something about this circle of girls—they aren’t what they say they are—but how could she possibly come forward to expose them when it could endanger herself and possibly her family too? Will she endanger the people she loves more by staying silent?
An Acquaintance with Darkness
One of my other favorite history topics is the history of medicine. I find it fascinating how far we have come in the past 150 years. This book takes place in the wake of Lincoln’s assassination. Emily has just lost her mother and her father is already gone and she has been sent to live with her uncle, a predominant physician in Washington D.C. Emily is unaware of the full extent of her uncle’s medical duties. The country is in tumult in the wake of Lincoln’s assignation. Not only is the country and city filled with strife over the end of the Civil War, but now the president has been shot. One night when she goes to visit her mother’s grave she happens upon two grave robbers—robbers that she scares off and who jumps out from behind a nearby grave? . . . Emily’s uncle! Emily is very confused, to say the least! What reason could her uncle have for being there?
Come Juneteenth
Many people are not even aware of what Juneteenth was—the date of June 19th when those held in slavery in Texas finally heard of the Emancipation Proclamation which had set them free over 6 months earlier. This books takes a very close look at slavery through the lens of how a young enslaved girl, Sis Goose as she is known, views herself and her self-worth, especially when compared with her friend, the plantation owner’s daughter. This book packs a bit of a punch and for that reason I am not sure I would recommend it for young readers. It is a rather heavy story and I remember it really sticking with me after I finished reading it. I still remember parts of the book in detail over a decade later—what does that say about it??
Wolf by the Ears
Wolf by the Ears is perhaps Rinaldi’s best known work. This is a story of Harriet Hemings, one of Thomas Jefferson’s slaves, long supposed to have been one of the children between Jefferson and his slave, Sally Hemings. Harriet wrestles with the desire to know whether she is really a daughter of this man, a man who is opposed to slavery in theory, but who feels that “Slavery in America is like taking a wolf by the ears, you can neither hold it, nor safely let it go.” One thing young Harriet knows though, is that her skin is light, very light—light enough that she could pass for white. If she was offered this chance of freedom would she take it? To take it would mean a life of freedom, but it would also mean turning her back on her heritage and her culture, not to mention never seeing her family again. Could she take this leap? Should she?
Ann Rinaldi is a prolific author and there are so many books that I could recommend but I hope this gives you a jumping off point to check out some of her books and see for yourself if you are a fan!
Don’t forget to find and like me on FB if you enjoy these posts—I can be found at Essentially Emma Marie on Facebook and @EssentiallyEmmaMarie on Pinterest and Instagram.
Other Posts You May Enjoy:
by Alaina | Sep 9, 2021 | Book Nook
Do your reading tastes change with the seasons? While I can enjoy a great piece of historical fiction anytime of year, fall is always when I start wanting something a little spookier- it’s the spooky time of year after all right? While I’m a wimp when it comes to scary I do like something slightly eerie! Mysteries are usually where I turn for that spine tingling spookiness! Below are several historical fiction mysteries, some a little spooky, others not so much, but all were book I really enjoyed and if you decide to pick them up I hope that you enjoy them too!
Murder on Astor Place by Victoria Thompson
A young girl is found dead in her rented room, and it appears she was pregnant…. Sarah Brandt is a widow, who has now taken over her dead husband’s medical practice, effectively casting her out of polite society. She knows she shouldn’t get too wrapped up in the death of this girl, but the girl bears an uncanny likeness to one of Sarah’s childhood friends- and thus she find herself trying to put the pieces together in what looks like a murder case. As always I one of my main criteria for judging how good a book is, is weather it keeps my interest- forget the deep literary meat of a book until that first box has been checked! This book definitely checked that box! Set in New York in the late 1800s/early 1900s, Murder on Astor Place, is not only a good mystery but also good historical fiction- we learn a lot about the corruption among the police that was happeneing at this time.
Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters
This is an oldie but it is still good! The main character is so peppy and delightful she will have you laughing to yourself the whole way through this book. Amelia Peabody is the heiress of a large fortune. She has always wanted to see the world and has decided to do some extended travel to visit parts of Egypt, she is fascinated by archeology! Finding it lonely to travel alone she hires a companion to accompany her, a young woman named Evelyn, who feels that she has a few skeletons in her personal closet, but Amelia Peabody is unconcerned about this. The two women find themselves at an archeological dig when odd things start occurring, for instance a walking breathing mummy! Amelia is sure there has to be a reasonable explanation for this, but a reasonable explanation may prove even more frightening than a mummy that has come back to live! Who could be trying to scare them? Why? To what lengths will whoever go to to frighten Amelia and Evelyn?
The Anatomist’s Wife by Anna Lee Huber
Set in Scotland in the late 1830s Lady Kiera Darby finds herself precariously implicated when a woman is found dead on her sister’s and brother-in-law’s estate during a large party they were hosting. She is implicated, not because of anything she has done, but rather because of what she used to do- paint detailed diagrams of cadavers for a book her late husband had hopes of publishing to enhance his medical career. Since those days Lady Darby has been an outcast. Now everyone but her sister and brother-in-law believe her possible of the crime. The medical examiner is on his way to investigate the case- Lady Darby has 3 days to prove her innocence or most likely be found guilty of murder.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
You’ve no doubt heard of this one before ( I talked about it in my post: why I challenged myself in my reading life last year) but this is a small town southern mystery/coming of age story with a strong female heroine. The man who was the star quarterback in highschool is found dead at the bottom of the water tower- did he fall, or was he pushed to his death? Kya is known as the marsh girl, abandoned by her family she has raised herself in the swamplands of Georgia. Who else could be to blame but this girl who is an outsider in her own town?
The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis
Set in the library in New York this story follows of a fictional family who lives in the library’s upper apartment, in 1913. The story contrasts between then, and the 1990’s where we meet the granddaughter of this family, and who also works in the library. In 1913 we meet Laura Lyons whose husband in charge of the Library. Laura is feeling stifled and has decided to finally pursue her dream of becoming a journalist- a resolution that will be put to the test as life becomes strenuous as precious volumes begin to disappear from the library. The Lyon’s family may be out on the street if they are not able to stop the books from isappearing, and fast! Fast forward to 1993 and Sadie Donovan is experiencing the same problem as as rare manuscripts and books start disappearing from the library’s valuable Berg Collection. Sadie begins to investigate and ends up learning a lot more about her family- and herself- than she had originally bargained for.
Other Posts You May Enjoy:
by Alaina | Aug 26, 2021 | Book Nook
I realized that I have read a lot of historical fiction books this year- but I haven’t talked about all of them! Some were 5 star reads, some didn’t quite make that cut. Some of the titles were old, and some brand new; regardless I enjoyed all of them and wanted to share them with you so here is my end of summer historical fiction round up of 2021! Check them out and let me know what you think!
Hour of The Witch by Chris Bohjalian
I have read my fair share of novels about the Salem Witch Trials but this story reaches back even further in time to 1662 And tells the story of Mary Deerfield who is trying to divorce her abusive husband- in an era when divorce meant estrangement from one’s community. A woman trying for divorce is not to be believed easily and the tables quickly turn on Mary as her case for divorce turn into her needing to prove her innocence of not being a witch- a crime punishable by death. This story held my interest and was a compelling, if not overly cheerful read. If you are looking for well done historical fiction, based on North America’s first divorce case for domestic violence, with a serious tone then give this book a try!
My Name Is Mary Sutter by Robin Olivera
This is a book about 25 year old Mary Sutter, who desperately wants to become a surgeon. She has been applying, and getting rejected, from various medical colleges, when the civil war breaks out. This is a great opportunity for Mary, the chance to insert herself into the medical field when there is such a desperate need for doctors that she won’t be turned down- or will she? Mary has to fight her own battles while the civil war rages. Mary must persevere through much pain and heartbreak to achieve her dreams- will she be able to withstand everything coming her way?
Caroline by Sarah Miller
If you were a fan of the Little House on The Prairie books as a child you will like this one. If you were like me, and never quite got into the Little House books when you were you- you still might like this book. I sure did! Caroline is the retelling of the Little House on The Prairie told from the Mama’s (Caroline’s) point of view. I have always thought that the people who traveled out west were very strong people to be able to leave behind everything they ever knew and brave the frontier in an effort to make a better life for themselves. Caroline depicts the struggles that these people faced by retelling the events from Little House not the Prairie from an adult point of view. So good!!
That Churchill Woman by Stephanie Barron
Jenny Churchill was not a woman who conformed to societies’ norms. We hear so much about her son, Winston Churchill, but what about the woman who gave birth to him? It is never easy to be an American who marries into High Society in England, especially at the turn of the 19th century. Oh the games Jenny had to play in order to have her cake and eat it too… I was hesitant to pick up this book as Jenny was known for her philandering ways, however the book did not go into any great detail in any of her escapades; instead Stephanie Barron portrays the tough road Jenny Churchill had to pave in order to give her sons a bright future.
The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
This is Ms Cleeton’s latest novel, about the Cuban War for Independence in the 1890s and Spanish American War, shortly thereafter. This story rotates between Evangelina Cisneros,the daughter of a revolutionary who is imprisoned and mistreated by the Spanish, who possesses a face that could become the poster child for America’s intervention in Cuba, some might even call her the most beautiful girl in Cuba… Then there is Grace Harrington, who desperately wants to be a reporter in an era when women were not taken seriously as journalists, and who is walking a tightrope between the two warring newspaper companies in New York City. Lastly we meet Marina Perez, who gave up everything her wealthy family had to offer to marry her childhood friend and love of a lower class, together they throw everything they have, including their lives, into fighting for the cause of Cuba’s independence from Spain. The stories of these 3 women intertwine during the course of life changing events. This story is based on the true story of Evangelina Cisneros, who was declared the most beautiful woman in Cuba by newspapers in the US during the Spanish-Cuban war in the 1890s.
The Gown by Jennifer Robson
This story alternates between 3 women about the making of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown. It is just after World War 2 and life is still very hard in England. Life is dark and dreary and there just seems like there is no bright spot…until the wedding announcement is made that Princess Elizabeth is getting married! Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin(a Jewish survivor from France) are head embroiderers for one of England’s most prestigious fashion houses- will they get to be a part of history being made?
Fast forward to the present day and Heather is a young woman just starting her career when her grandmother dies, leaving more mysteries and links to the past than Heather ever expected. These 3 women’s stories intertwine in unexpected ways weaving a vibrant tale of hidden hardships, unexpected friendships, and resilience.
If you are in the market for a book to read I hope you will find this list helpful! Remember you can follow me on Pinterest by tapping the Pinterest link on this website and then tapping the follow button on the profile page of my Pinterest- that way you can easily keep track of all the books I talk about and refer back to them in the future!
Other Posts You May Enjoy:
by Alaina | Jul 30, 2021 | Book Nook
I know you are sick of hearing me say how much I love historical fiction, so I won’t say it again! But I will say, I also love non-fiction history books that read like fiction! Below are a few of my favorites that I have recently read and enjoyed
George Washington’s Secret 6 by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger
This book is engaging from the start—but even if it wasn’t—hearing about the first spy ring during America’s fight for independence will keep you enthralled! The authors start by introducing each of the individuals associated with the spy ring. We hear about how the ring came into existence and the British plots that were overthrown, thanks to the knowledge gained by the spy ring. There is a great chance America would not have won the Revolution without the individuals in the spy ring.
The First Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch
This is a little known passage from history, but an important one. It is the early years of the Revolutionary War, and America’s position in the war is shaky. As if things were not bad enough for the fledgling country, a plot is hatched to destroy America’s currency in a large-scale counterfeit operation. America’s currency was already much weaker than Britain’s and an operation of this scale would destroy any chance of America gaining her independence—but can they catch all the culprits in time?
Killer Angels by Michael Sharrah
This one has been on my TBR (To Be Read) list for years—probably close to a decade—but I never picked it up because I thought it would be boring. Boy was I wrong! Not only was it good, it was so good that I paused another novel I was reading to read this one first! Mr. Sharrah depicts the battle of Gettysburg through the rotating points of view of Lee, Longstreet, Buford, and Chamberlin. Mr. Sharrah does a great job of getting into the mind of each character in a way that is both authentic and engaging. I highly recommend this one! Be forewarned this books takes place on a battlefield with soldiers and there is a fair amount of swearing involved though nothing terribly egregious.
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
I read this one a while ago but was reminded of it when we went to the Outer Banks on vacation and decided to visit the Wright Brothers Museum, which is also site of the first flight. Mr. McCullough is a great storyteller and really brings to life the personalities of Wilbur and Orville on their quest to do what had never before been done—getting man to fly! They came so close to giving up entirely but their perseverance was rewarded!
Killing The Mob by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
Growing up I loved reading books about the 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s. Old Hollywood and the glitz and glamor of it all. I too lived vicariously through the old time actors just like the women did generations before me. There was a dark side to the glitz and glamor though. This was an age of great corruption and crime. Crime ran rampant in an era where law enforcement in different states didn’t communicate with each other and running from the law was as easy as crossing the nearest state line. The authors of this book go into detail into how the crime of the ‘30s and ‘40s created the perfect environment for the mob to begin and flourish for decades. This book kept me turning pages! Be forewarned, however, as may be expected of a book that has the word ‘killing’ in the title, there are some gory parts that you may want to skip through. If you are a highly sensitive person you may want to simply skip this one.
If you are not much of a nonfiction reader and you find yourself wanting to make a foray into the non-fiction world, I hope you will give one of the above titles a chance. Let me know what you think—and if you know anyone else who is a history lover, feel free to share this post with them!
by Alaina | Jul 17, 2021 | Book Nook
I must think habits are the secret to everything we want to be and do! I have read my fair share of books about habits and I find everything about habits fascinating. I love reading about how habits are formed, how to break bad habits, how to develop new habits and how good habits can simplify my life!
Below are few of the books that I have read about habits.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
This book was very informative regarding—you guessed it—the power of habit! This book is not about what habits can do for you and your life but rather about what habits have done for others. Duhigg talks about how habits have helped some individual surpass seemingly impossible odds and, conversely, he talks about how habits have destroyed the lives of others. There is also a lot of discussion about how habits are made and what goes on inside our brains. Duhigg also discusses how habits can be used corporately to turn around entire institutions. If you are looking for a book that is a breakdown of habits, and how habits can change your life, this is a great book. However, if you are looking for help to develop and implement habit into your life then this book will not do a lot for you.
My takeaway: Habit is a large part of our lives whether we realize it or not. Habits can make or break individuals and companies.
Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin
Ms. Rubin breaks down four tendencies that are habit-related: why habit matters, how habits are formed, and how to most easily and effectively implement new habits into your life. She especially focuses in this book on how habit can give us freedom in our lives rather than restricting us. Habits are what we do without thinking about it. Habit takes away the need to make decisions and frees up mental space to allow for us to concentrate our efforts on what matters most to us. If you have had trouble developing new habits in the past give this book a try!
My takeaway: I really enjoyed how Reuben takes a look at habit through the framework of the four tendencies, and how our innate tendencies can inform how we approach forming habits. (To read about the four tendencies check out that post here)
Atomic Habits by James Clear
This book examines the effect that small minute changes can have over a lifetime. Seemingly small inconsequential changes can add up and make a big difference over a lifetime. This book reminds me a lot of The Compound Effect as both stress the cup active effects of habit over a lifetime. Clear offers tips on how to develop and implement habits into your life, one little change at a time. He gives tips such as habit stacking, stacking a new habit onto an old habit, and the two-minute time cap—after two minutes of doing the new thing, you are done. This is how you can break down the obstacle of starting.
My takeaway: This book is full of tactical tools to help put new habits into place.
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
While not exclusively about habit, this book is great because it stresses the fact that it is not the big things in life that make the biggest change in our lives but rather it is the small things. The little minute changes that you make day after day compound and make a big difference over a year or more. A lot of books on creating new habits can be overwhelming, but since this book stresses the importance of small wins, you can come away feeling encouraged by a small change that you made! (I also talk about The Compound Effect in my post, Books to help you build the life you want in 2021 click here to read about those books.)
My takeaway: This book reminds you of what a difference a minute change can make over a year, or lifetime!
by Alaina | Jun 24, 2021 | Book Nook, Uncategorized
Summer is here and that means longer days stretching out into beautiful evenings (we hope!). For me that sounds like the perfect reading paradise! If your reading list is a little lackluster this summer or, if you are like me, are simply looking for a new historical fiction title to add to your summer reading list, here are a few of my favorite historical fiction reads that I have recently enjoyed.
The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton
If you read Ms. Cleeton’s other books you won’t be disappointed by this one either! Instead of Cuba, this historical fiction story is set in the Florida Keys right before a catastrophic hurricane that hit the Keys during Labor Day weekend of 1935.
This story follows three women, each from different walks of life. Helen, a Keys native, is in the late stages of pregnancy and has been married to an abusive husband for nine years. With the baby’s arrival so close at hand, Helen feels a strong desire to protect her baby and escape the abuse—but is now the right time?
Next we meet Elizabeth, the spoiled daughter of one of New York’s social elite but since the crash her family has fallen from the high-up social circles of the day. With Elizabeth’s father and brother gone, and her mother mentally unwell, it falls to Elizabeth to fix the family’s financial situation which includes debts to one of New York’s most notorious men. Trying to find a different option than the one readily in front of her, Elizabeth goes to the Keys to find the only person she has left—her older half-brother. If she can find him, he may be able to save her—but will she be able to find him?
Then there is Mirta, a Cuba native, who finds herself quickly married off to an American man who has many secrets. Mirta is trying to navigate what a marriage with this man will look like—will it look like her parents’ marriage or will it be different? And what of all his secrets? Is Mirta supposed to live in the dark her whole life or is it possible to have a marriage of equals with this man?
The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd
This book was so well done! Indigo Girl is the true story of Eliza Lucas, a 16 year old girl left to run her father’s three plantations in South Carolina in 1739. The family’s finances are not looking good, her father has borrowed against their land to advance his military career, leaving Eliza with a mess on her hands. She needs to find a cash crop quickly or risk losing her family’s land—and her freedom when she is forced to wed to relieve the family’s financial burdens.
Growing up in Antigua, Eliza has seen the process of indigo making and knows it to be a very tricky process, but it could be just what she needs to save herself and her family. Will she be able to pull it off in time? Fans of America’s First Daughter and My Dear Hamilton will love this historical fiction work .
Rebel Spy by Veronica Rossi
This story kicks off in Grand Bahama where the main character, Frannie Tasker, has grown up. She has been living there under the hand of her cruel stepfather, and has been dreaming of a chance to escape. Then one night the opportunity comes in the form of a shipwreck and a stolen identity. Before Frannie can second-guess herself she goes for it, escaping to America.
Never one to simply sit around, Frannie, now known as Emmiline Coats, soon covertly joins the Rebels’ side as a spy for Washington. Based on the little known facts of the true lady agent in the Culper spy ring, who was known as 355, this book takes a rather imaginative look at the possible identity of Agent 355. You will learn the events of the Revolution that Agent 355 is credited with stopping—events that if they had gone differently could have changed the outcome of the war.
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
I read The Alice Network and really was not impressed, therefore I was unsure about picking up The Rose Code, but I am so happy I did! This piece of World War 2 historical fiction rotates between three friends who were all working on different aspects of the operation to break the Enigma. We meet Mab, who is a firebrand and has secrets she desperately wants to keep hidden. We meet Beth, a mousy little thing, who is used to living under her mother’s thumb but who has an incredible mind. Lastly, we meet Osla who is sick of being treated like a silly debutante and wants to use her language skills to help her country.
The story opens with Beth in a mental institution. How did someone like her end up in a place like that? And worse, what if she can’t escape before an experimental procedure is done on her brain? The story alternates between that point and five years earlier when they are working day in and day out to break the code in order to beat the Nazi’s and every decoded message could mean life and death to thousands of people.
Summer of ‘69 by Elin Hilderbrand
I talked at length about this book last year (see the full post here) but here is a quick overview of this historical fiction novel. This is a story set in Nantucket in the turbulent year of 1969. Ms. Hilderbrand does a great job of bringing the sights and sounds of Nantucket to life so that you can just about feel the sand under your feet! This story rotates between the four women of the family. I connected quite quickly to each of the characters in this book, and the struggles each of them face—unlike some books where I feel like I am just getting immersed in one person’s world when the narrator changes. Mrs. Levin struggles with the worry of a mother as her son is overseas fighting in Vietnam. Blair, the eldest daughter, is pregnant and struggling with loneliness as she must remain close to home this summer when usually she is at the seashore. Kirby, the middle daughter, is swept up in the civil rights and women’s rights protests of the day, which brings her close to some events that occur at the end of summer—an event we have come to know as Chappaquiddick. Last but not least, we meet Jesse, the youngest of the family who feels very much lost in the shuffle in light of everything her siblings have going on. Follow the Levin family on a summer that they, and America at large, will not soon forget.
