I chose this book as part of the 2024 reading challenge for July, a book by an author born outside the Unites States, and it was also in the "New Fiction" area which I always peruse. This was an excellent read by the author who lives in Japan and who had this work translated. The chapters of the book were tales of life stories with life lessons and interconnections told in a very interesting, unique, and moving way. Every tale had a central figure, Mrs. Komachi. She was the local community center librarian with a penchant for felting and selecting just the right book for her patrons. Mrs. Komachi's felting materials were kept in a Honeydome cookie tin which was central to the book. I could continue to write more about how I liked this book, but suffice to say, it really made me think and reflect, and I will be looking for more books by this author if translated!

This book by the author of The Frozen River did not disappoint. A novel based on the true exploits of the "White Mouse" in Vichy Government France of WWII, the book alternates between 1939 and the end of the war. Many of the hard-to-believe events actually occurred, as the woman who wore red lipstick managed to lead an army of resistance fighters, secure supplies, and perform truly death-defying acts in order to thwart the Nazis who occupied France from 1940-1944. Unforgettable!

I got to meet the author of the Penderwick series and I got to ask questions like do you speak Latin because there was Latin in the Penderwicks? She said it was fun the add different languages into it but she doesn’t speak Latin. It was so cool to meet my favorite author in the world everyone should read her books and she has a new book The Library of Unruly Treasures

A powerful story that truly opens one’s eyes to the different forms of abuse and mistreatment faced by some (and how these can go unaknowledged both by the victim and those watching).

The best book ever read ON PLANET EARTH

A typical beach read from Jennifer Weiner taking place on the outer Cape. I have read many of her books and have enjoyed them for their storytelling and pure escapism. This one did not disappoint although I had to construct a family tree to keep track of all the twists and turns. There were so many skeletons in the closet with this one especially when Ronnie’s son ended up having a tryst with her granddaughter’s fiancé. The author always ties up her books with a big reveal at the end.

Not one of my favorites of his. I really didn’t like reading a book within a book in this case (I generally do not mind but I didn’t like it here). I think the plot of this book didn’t really make much sense to me nor did I like the main character. The ending was just too bizarre too.

I fell in love with the characters of this book. I could not put it down and finished it in less than a week. I immediately wanted to start the next book of the series.

4.5 What a beautiful story. I really enjoyed this book and its surprises (I don’t like to give spoilers). The Community House is a surprising place and the librarian, as all librarians are, is magical. I can relate in some way to each story and each one touched my heart. Life’s simple things and what we can do if we think a little differently about our selves and situations. And try new things. And how we interpret stories differently. Libraries are always comforting to me. Sayuri Komachi is a wonderful librarian - she knows what people need. Open up and value ourselves a little more.

This book is truly a masterpiece, depicting the tragedies of the Holocaust, and creating a powerful voice for the future.