lit*chick

Review & Giveaway: My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliviera

My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliviera, 364 pages, available now

Mary Sutter is a young,accomplished midwife in Albany, New York who dreams of becoming a doctor. She doggedly pursues surgeons in the hope they will provide her medical training. When the Civil War breaks out, she answers the call for nurses in Washington DC and ends up witnessing the horrors of war from hospitals and battlefields.

When I think about writing I am most impressed by someone who can take facts, imagine a story in their midst, and stay true to the details of the time - in other words, authors of historical fiction.  Everything about My Name is Mary Sutter is so authentic I have to remind myself that Mary Sutter is not a real person (although I wish it so). The novel overflows with period detail - the bleakness and futility of practicing medicine, the manners and restraint, the deprivation and ugliness of war - all expertly woven into readable prose.

"She knew that it was said of her that she was odd and difficult, and this did not bother her, for she never thought about what people usually spent time thinking of. The idle talk of other people always perplexed her; her mind was usually occupied by things that no one else thought of: the structure of the pelvis, the fast beat of a healthy fetus heart, or the slow meander of an unhealthy one, or a baby who had failed to breathe. She could never bring herself to care about ordinary things, like whose pie was better at the Sunday potluck, or whose husband she might covet should the opportunity arise, or what anyone was saying about an early winter or an early thaw of if the wheat would blight this year due to the heavy rains, or if the latest couple to marry had any chance at happiness. Perhaps it had been foolish to come to the theater, where potential death was being offered as entertainment, though Mary knew that no matter what she did or where she went, she would always see mortality where others saw frivolity." (pgs. 26-27)

If I have a complaint, it maybe the meticulous research and volume of information can cause the narrative to slow just a bit towards the latter third of the book.  I have also seen a few readers take issue with the omission of any debate or discussion regarding causes of the Civil War, namely slavery. I admit to taking notice of that very thing, but it didn't strike me as a negative. Rather those conversations seem to be a luxury of those who make the decisions, and for those who fight it is simply a call to arms. The story's focus is the journey of Mary Sutter and the narrow scope seemed right. Any additional subject matter would have made for an entirely different book.

Mary Sutter is a character that is hard to forget. This book will easily come to mind when someone asks me for a recommendation. I hope you decide to read it so we can talk about it.

We are fortunate to live within day trip access of several major Civil War Battlefields - Antietam, Gettysburg, Manassas - and I suspect as the boys' interest in history grows we will be able to take advantage of this area's rich history. I clearly remember visiting at Clara Barton's House at Glen Echo Park when I was a child.

Spring 2010 is turning out to be historical fiction reading season here at lit*chick - specifically the Civil War period. And I must say it has been a refreshing change.  During the same month I read Widow of the South by Robert HIcks (for bookclub), followed by My Name Is Mary Sutter. While both have strong female characters, a somber tone, and medicine, there are distinct differences.  So if you enjoyed one, you will most likely enjoy the other and I would urge you to read both.  I definitely recommend these. If your group is really ambitious you could choose both titles then compare/contrast. (That would be the nerd book club that lives in my imagination.)

Thanks to Lindsay at Penguin Books for providing a giveaway copy. Please leave me a comment and tell me your favorite historical fiction read. Winner to be chosen at noon on Monday.

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http://www.robinoliveira.com

Ten on Tuesday: Summer Reading List

This list includes both my to-read list and recommendations (books I've read are in bold). I'd love if you share what's on your list too! Anything I should add?

1.  Red Hook Road by Ayelet Waldman -  This one isn't available until July 13th, but I've read her writing and seen enough to know I want to read it.  Pat Conroy has written a lovely review here.

2.      Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - the final installment in this teen trilogy following heroine Katniss in a futuristic game of a survival, I can hardly wait too see how it ends. You have time to catch up and read the first two before this hits in August.

3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson - the trilogy is complete and if you can handle the brutality it's quite a ride.

4.    The 100 Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais -reading and reviewing for July - a culinary novel

5. Saving Ceecee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman - I absolutely loved it, read more about it here.

6. The Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell - bringing this one to the beach

7. Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear - there are now seven books in the series following clever investigator Maisie in post World War I England. The new one, The Mapping of Love and Death, is on my summer list, but I can recommend the whole series...that should keep you busy.

8. True Prep by Lisa Birnbach & Chip Kidd- I can't helpmyself. I credit the 1980 Official Preppy Handbook with my love for all things pink & green and madras.

9. Into the Gauntlet, (39 Clues Book 10) by Margaret Peterson Haddix, and The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus No.1) by Rick Riordan - had to include a couple from KWB's list. He is eager for summer and endless amounts of time to read....those were the days!

10.The winners:

April & Oliver - Aud

Saving Ceecee Honeycutt  - J.J.

Thanks to all who played along - it's fun to see everyone excited to read! Don't fret - there will be another giveaway tomorrow...

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Review & Giveaway: Saving Ceecee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

Saving Ceecee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman, 320 pages.

Twelve year old Ceecee lives in Ohio carring for her psychotic ex-pageant queen mother. She is managing (just barely) with the help of her elderly friend and neighbor Mrs. Odell, until her Great-Aunt Tootie comes on the scene and whisks her off to Savannah where a new life awaits.

Forgive me, but I'm afraid there will be much gushing about Saving Ceecee Honeycutt in the following review.  It is no secret I'm a fan of good southern fiction and this hits all the right notes in that regard. Ceecee is easy to love, in spite of her circumstances she retains her innocence,and although fragile, still curious and smart.  Beth Hoffman gives us plenty of eccentric and spunky Southern women to surround Ceecee with equal parts wisdom and humor. Despite the setting of 1960s Savannah, the female characters exhibit strength and independence beyond time and place. This story isn't all sunshine and happiness but Hoffman is able to handle even deeper issues of racism, abuse, mental illness with grace. Friendship, forgiveness, and redemption are hallmarks of this genre and can be found in abundance in Saving Ceecee Honeycutt - you would do well to seek out a copy and soak in this lovely story.

In order to help you along, I am delighted to be able to host a giveaway. Just leave me a comment by midnight Monday, May 24th.

Thanks to Allie from Inkwell Management for providing the books and the opportunity to participate in the blog tour. Here are the other stops:

5/17 & 5/18 – Devourer of Books

5/19 & 5/20 – Diary of an Eccentric

5/21 – Savvy Verse & Wit

5/22 – Medieval Bookworm

5/23 – lit*chick

5/24 – A Novel Menagerie

5/25 – The Tome Traveller’s Weblog

5/26 – Peeking Between the Pages

5/27 – Steph Su Reads

5/28 – Galleysmith

5/29 – The Literate Housewife Review

Also check out the author's site: http://bethhoffman.net

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Giveaway: April & Oliver by Tess Callahan

Last year, I read and reviewed April & Oliver by Tess Callahan and it turned out to be on my shortlist of favorites for 2009. I love when books that weren't even on my to-read radar surprise me.  April & Oliver is available June 10th in paperback, and I am thrilled to be able to give a copy away (thanks to Hatchette Books).

Leave me a comment by midnight Saturday and tell me about a book that surprised you.

The winner of last week's giveaway for Lift by Kelly Corrigan is: Katherine

The winner of a copy of The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek is: Allison

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Review & Giveaway: The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek

  The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek, 304 pages.

The good news - you do NOT need to have read The Great Gatsby to enjoy this book (although you should read it anyhow).  Half-sisters Cassie and Peck share few things, having grown up on opposite sides of the Atlantic, but a summer spent at their Aunt Lydia's cottage in the Hamptons reading Gatsby formed an early, albeit loose, bond. Years later, having inherited Fool's House, they are spending a summer together in order to make some big decisions and follow their aunt's instructions to "seek a thing of utmost value" - but will they ever be able to agree?

An excellent read for the approaching summer months - Ganek has a gift for writing light stories that are still smart without falling into the trap of snarky, cutesy, or saccharine sweet. Add to the mix a quirky cast of characters, a bit of mystery and a dash of romance. This combination of elements may not be rare, but it is rare to find them done well. The sisters are opposites in the mold of a modern Felix and Oscar - Peck is overly dramatic, spontaneous, and frivolous while Cassie is practical, thoughtful and sensible - yet both are likable (with the possible exception of Peck's overuse of the word "literally") and you can't help but root for them. I found it to be a particularly welcome balm to the irritating house selling process and a quick read. Having enjoyed the author's first book Lulu Meets God and Doubts Him, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect and was not disappointed.

In order to jump start your summer reading library, I have the pleasure of giving a copy of The Summer We Read Gatsby to a lucky commenter. Just tell me what you are looking forward to this summer by Friday at noon. I'll announce the winner and post another giveaway Friday afternoon.

http://www.danielleganek.com

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The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow

The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and a Forty-Year Friendship by Jeffrey Zaslow, 352 pages.

Meet the Ames Girls: eleven childhood friends who formed a special bond growing up in Ames, Iowa. As young women, they moved to eight different states, yet managed to maintain an enduring friendship that would carry them through college and careers, marriage and motherhood, dating and divorce, a child’s illness and the mysterious death of one member of their group. Capturing their remarkable story, The Girls from Ames is a testament to the deep bonds of women as they experience life’s joys and challenges — and the power of friendship to triumph over heartbreak and unexpected tragedy.

As someone who struggles with staying in touch, I find long-term friendships fascinating. I have a wonderful model in my mother who has kept her small group of childhood friends for fifty plus years, so I have seen it work and work beautifully.  However the idea of 11 women managing to hang in there together for forty years strikes me as pretty close to a miracle. And I wanted to see how they did it.

Naturally in a group that large there have been disagreements and some mean girl behavior but they have managed to hold strong despite their differences. I admire these women for not being afraid to open their lives - good, bad, and ugly - knowing what they have together is special. While the book did give a glimpse into each girl/woman's background and who they grew up to be, it never really connected the dots. Perhaps because the author is a journalist, the book reads like an article - vignettes sprinkled with various studies and statistics about women and friendship. So there was not the narrative element that I craved.

In spite of my lukewarm feelings, I still think it would make a great book club selection. There is a wealth of discussion material and I've been told the author is willing to call in and participate (that's so cool).

You can read more about the book, the author, and the ladies here: http://www.girlsfromames.com Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing a review copy and including me once again. There are more reviews found here.

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Ten on Tuesday: Selling the House, Moving Forward

1. Yippee - we have a contract on our house. Boo hoo - we have a contract on our house. The yippees have it.

2. This has effectively ended my part-time job in house cleaning drudgery -spending every morning HAVING to make beds, clean bathrooms (hello, toothpaste in the sink), clean the kitchen, dust, pick up baby debris, and stuff drawers full of papers (also known as de-cluttering - but the less organized version) - basically making it look like 6 people and their smelly socks don't live here. (Since I don't wear socks and Evie smells like a flower you can guess which family members I'm referring to...)

3. Forget good housing market/bad housing market - keeping a house model home clean for 2 months (or any length of time) is like Groundhog Day without improvements or adjustments. Awful in every way.

4. Considering I don't particularly want to move makes no. 3 more dreadful.

5. Now the hunt begins for Heiser house number 4. The packing can wait a little longer. The purging is ongoing.

6. If you had told me 10 years ago I'd be moving this much I would have said NEVER!

7. I am now making an effort to catch up on everything that was ignored over the past 2 months. This includes reading books, blogs, and some crafty things.

8. Not surprisingly I have been drawn to books about homes and moving lately.  I'm transitioning to decorating magazines immediately.

9. The 52 weeks of Evie photo album is finally updated.

10. To celebrate the house sale and my return to the land of reading, I'm giving away a copy of Kelly Corrigan's new book Lift.  (leave me a comment by midnight tonight, 5/11 and i'll draw a winner or maybe 2...)

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Happy Mama's Day!

you all deserve a good swagga, no matter what you drive... (thanks for the link, m)

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