So during the winter months this year, I found that my book selections were going quite well. It seemed that everything that I picked up had piqued my imagination sufficiently to keep reading. As any reader knows, that is not always the case.
Recently I read a couple of books that I wanted to share with you and why I think they warrant some attention. One of these days I will get my Booktube channel up and going full steam, but in the meantime this is a creative venue for me.
Mr. Rabbit watching out for some of my most recent reads.
I was going to read another book, and then I opened Good Reads for whatever reason and saw that it was Women's History month. In truth I should have been aware of that fact, however it had escaped me! Well that led me to query a search of fiction books about suffragettes and lo and behold! One of the first books listed, is one that has been sitting on my shelf for a bit and I had picked up time and again but had not started. Well let me tell you, this little nudge from the Book Gods is something I am thankful for.
What is that book that tickled my fancy? Old Baggage by Lissa Evans. This book grabbed me from the outset and kept me to the end. We follow along with former suffragettes Matilda "Mattie" Simpson and her good friend Florrie Lea "The Flea" as they navigate middle age in 1928. Mattie is bored stiff with having no cause to pour her energy and enthusiasm, although she gives talks to small groups with marginally interested audiences. By chance, Mattie runs into an old 'warrior' friend from the cause. With a frightening alacrity, Mattie realizes this women and her husband are in a nationalist fascist movement that targets young people in the cause of good health, vitality and patriotism.
Incensed, Mattie forms the "Amazons" as her response to this group. They are a rag tag group of young girls that meet in Hampstead to undergo rigorous training and education under the tutelage of Mattie. This group could best be called a band of misfits, but Mattie is determined that the girls learn about fitness, self-defense and be educated to some degree. So many of the outings with the Amazons left me chuckling, as there were mishaps and close calls and I was reminded of being a child and playing with lawn darts. Need I say more?
This book focuses on these women’s relationships and their history of suffering through arrests, hunger strikes and various other harassment as suffragettes. As the book progresses, we see more of a wonderful friendship between Mattie and The Flea and their commitment to helping young women. Also, we see the power of friendship, forgiveness and opportunities for the next generation.
Please do yourself a favor and give this book a read.
The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley
Since discovering Lucinda Riley last year, I have been slowly working my way through her books. I am savoring each outing, as Ms. Riley passed away and I know that the catalog is finite.
This dual timeline outing of the series was set predominantly in Australia with CeCe the fourth sister. CeCe has struggled since her sister Star that she was closest to growing up, found her birth family and new life in England. Feeling alone and adrift, CeCe heads for Australia after receiving her clue from the attorney of her late father.
Although CeCe has not been the most appealing character, this book allows her to shine. I was drawn to her as she went on this journey to discover her own story, ancestors and personal strength. Once in Australia, she begins to search for the story of Kitty McBride, who had been raised in Scotland and spent most of her life on the coast of Australia with the pearling industry in the early twentieth century. Kitty was a strong and confident woman who took what was handed to her and drove forward.
As the story unfolds, we discover that CeCe has Aboriginal roots and we are taken to the Outback. This leads to a discovery of a part of Kitty's story, as well as the new found artistic energy for CeCe. Right after I finished this book, I saw a documentary on Australia and I could visualize all of these characters that had been brought to life in the story.
I really cannot say enough about this series of the Seven Sisters. Each outing is better, perhaps because we are getting to know the sisters. This is one of my favorite series, and I am collecting all the books. Do try the series and I encourage you to read them in order.
P.s. more blog posts coming on some of the other reads above.
