REVIEW: The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan

 

I got this book out of the library after things escalated majorly in the Middle East last month.  This is a memoir by Sandy Tolan, a journalist who travelled to the Middle East at the time of the 50th anniversary of the Arab Israeli war.  Through this memoir, Tolan follows two families - the Al-Khairis and the Eshkenazis - one Jewish and one Palestinian - on both sides of the conflict. Tolan starts the story  masterfully with 25 year old Bashir meeting 25 year old Dalia at the home she lives in, and which once belonged to Bashir's family.  Dalia surprises Bashir by inviting him in and entertaining him while he views the home that once belonged to his family. As a result, they begin an unlikely and open friendship.

In light of the escalation of war in the Middle East, I wanted to learn more about the history of the conflict. This book seemed to be very well researched and intertwined the history with the stories of these two families. The context that the history gave to the friendship was highly effective. It was incredible to watch the relationship develop between Dalia and Bashir and was remarkable to observe the level and depth of their respectful discussions. I enjoyed vicariously absorbing their debates and I really appreciated the history that was provided. 

Links I Love

 

I hope that everyone had a great Halloween!

1. Has Boston gone country?
2. Seth Meyers and NH.
3. With Christmas now on everyone's radar, people are looking for gifts. Here are the best ereaders of the year.
4. A memoir about being Wiccan - this one sounds good.
5. Teens and nomance.
6. A day with Boston Mayer, Michelle Wu.
7. How the Beatles' last song was  finished using AI.
8. 2 Disney Calendars to buy on Amazon.

Links I love

 

This week, we went to go see Killers of the Flower Moon - long movie but well worth it.  

1. John Stamos dishes on a lot of things including divorce and Bob Saget.
2. 12 novels inspired by real events.
3. A singular OSage viewpoint on Killers of the Flower Moon.
4. 15 tips for when you go to Disney's Animal Kingdom. While at Disney, be sure to make your own candle.
5. THe most popular Dr. Who episodes, ranked.
6. New dialect of ASL
7. If you like Sephora, they have a sale right now.
8. Reasons why women live longer.
9. This person REALLY likes Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Science is starting to explain.
10. Last minute HAlloween deals.
11. Richard Moll, AKA Bull on Night Court, is dead.

REVIEW: Ghosts of Harvard by Francesca Serritella

 

I thought that I would be reading another Secret History type mystery that is a coming of age at a college - this time Harvard. Maybe it would be historical too.  But it wasn't really about any of those things.

Cady Archer is first met on her moving in day - she's a freshman at Harvard. Her brother, Eric, was also a student there but we learn right off the bat that he was a schizophrenic that committed suicide the academic year before Cady starts. Quite a legacy. So when Cady starts hearing voices on her first day of class - voices that belong to people that have an historical connection to the university - Cady learns not only about the university, but about the voices themselves and they seem to guide her too. THey also lead Cady to question whether she really belongs at the university and make her scared that she is suffering from the onset of the same mental health issues that beset her brother. Cady travels around Harvard, and the area of Cambridge around it, in the hopes of figuring out what happened to her brother.

This novel blends together a number of different genres: coming of age, drama, mystery, thriller. It dealt with issues related to suicide and mental health: treatment, what happens when a person doesn't want treatment, the impact of suicide on families, survivor guilt. It also deals with history: who gets to tell the story, and why is the story being told the way it is?  One of the ghosts, for instance, was a slave named Bilhah, who was a real person that was owned by one of the first Presidents of the university.  We learn about the horror of her story during her interactions with Cady, and we learn about how Harvard has seemingly glossed over that portion of its history. 

I generally enjoyed the portrayals of the history of the university and I definitely appreciated the way that Ms. Serritella (who is the daughter of author Lisa Scottoline) dealt with the issues related to mental health. It was not overbearing at all and, at times, was heartbreaking but realistic. It was a quick and easy read, although it could have been about 50-75 pages shorter.  

Definitely worth the read, but one to get from your library and not your local bookstore. 

Links I love

 

This past weekend was very, very busy with my son rowing and I felt like all I did was drive around with my kids.  Anyways, hopefully this weekend will be better for relaxing!

• The woman behind Disney's 100'th birthday.
• Free emergency pizzas if you qualify.
• Candlelight procesional reservations are now open at WDW - we did this one year and it was nice.  It was a bit crowded but we got seats to see the reading/show and had a wonderful dinner at Mexico.
• Alec Baldwin getting re-charged?
• Most terrifying attractions in all fifty states.
• THere's a map to help you find the best cider doughnuts
• the MMD gift guide for readers is out.
• 9 True Crime books at Jezebel that the article author says will hook you.
• Serena Williams has a book deal.

REVIEW: The Secret History by Donna Tartt

 

This book was a re-read for me - I read it years ago and thought it was worth a re-read. I love reading books about schools in the fall. This book was, in part, inspired by Greek mythology, the Greek language, and New England colleges - it takes place in Vermont. And it's no secret - right in the prologue we know that the narrator (Richard) and his classmates have committed a murder and the novel traces both the lead up to the murder, as well as what happens afterwards. 

Richard has fled an unfulfilling existence in California and enrolls in Hampden College in Vermont, where he starts taking classes with an elusive professor and his equally elusive small (like a group of 5) group of students. Richard always never quite become an insider in the group, in spite of the steps that he takes to help the group. In part, it is because of his background - which is not affluent when compared to the group that he has gained entry to.  Bunny, the victim of the homicide, not only shows apathy in needling Richard but also shows an astounding deafness to the seriousness of subjects to the other members of the group, which causes strain and ultimately his death. 

I loved the plot - it is almost Greek Tragedy-esque - and the location.  A New England campus in late winter/spring and summer is beautiful and melancholy. But what also drew me in was how Tartt seemed to expose things like loneliness, depression and isolation as well as mental health struggles and alcoholism in an environment where one is supposedly surrounded by like minded people and friends. The pacing of the novel was really good too and even at 500+ pages, it went quickly. 

So good and worth the read or re-read.  

Links I love

 

Last weekend, was a long weekend here in the United States. On Saturday, I ran a 5K and on Sunday, I completed my 24th 4000 footer in Mt. Waumbek. I'm now halfway! I have also gotten into virtual mileage challenges, which is helping to motivate me to stay active by hiking, walking and running. I like Pacer - if you see one that you like, please use this link. It saves us both money!  I'm putting some other ones I like in the links page. 

1. 1. Lego has new Braille bricks.
2. The bookish life of Mandy Patinkin.
3. Non fiction books about witches and other creatures.
4. Louise Gluck has passed away.
5. Netflix is opening retail stores.