White Houses by Amy Bloom

Title: White Houses
Author: Amy Bloom
Genre: Historical Fiction


Synopsis: Franklin D. Roosevelt has just passed away and Elenor turns to her 'first friend' and estranged long-time lover Lorena Hickok for comfort. Over the course of four days, Lorena recounts her life, what led her to Elenor, and how their relationship changed her life. 

My Thoughts

The first thing I thought when I picked up this book of the shelf at the library was, 'this isn't a very long book.' Then again, I had just come off of over 500 pages of medieval writing about knights, so anything less than 400 pages seemed short.  After reading it I have decided it is the perfect length. Nothing is worse than a novel that is 100 pages longer than necessary that is always such a disappointment. Bloom wraps this story up so nicely. The reader feels like you have all the facts but it isn't overly wordy. It is perfect.
I love the way that it is broken into 4 parts and that each chapter begins by telling the reader the date and time like a diary. The chapter begins with what is happening at that moment and then Lorena usually relates the present back to a time in her past. It is really well done.
Bloom has a way of highlighting the qualities and complexities of relationships beautifully. At the end, I may have even shed a tear.
If you are looking for something that is quick and impactful read, this book is for you.

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Le Morte d' Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory adapted by Keith Baines

Title: Le Morte d' Arthur 
Author: Sir Thomas Malory, adapted by Keith Baines
Genre: Fiction


Synopsis: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table, first written in English by Sir Thomas Malory and published in 1485. This is a translation by Keith Baines into modern English. 

My Thoughts


I decided I wanted to read this book while I was reading The Lost Book of the Grail by Charlie Lovett. The protagonist in the novel referred to it constantly as his inspiration for studying history and his obsession with the holy grail. With that kind of recommendation I figured I couldn't go wrong. Plus the idea of reading something written in the 15th century really appealed to me and my love of history.
Unfortunately, this book was not all I had hoped it would be. Sure, it is about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table but to the modern reader, it is not written in a way that captivates the mind or endears one to the characters. It is very much like: 'This knight goes off, he meets another knight, neither will say who they are, they joust, one is wounded. They then realize they are actually good friends who didn't recognize one another, they weep and embrace, they swear to never fight one another again.' 
That happens over and over again for 500 pages. It is boring, mistaken identity must have been such a hilarious joke at the time but it is tired in 2019. In addition, any time a woman is encountered she is either a damsel in distress, a paramour, or an evil sorcerous. This is a nice reminder that it was not ideal to be a woman in the middle ages. 
All in all, I am glad I can add it to the list of things I have read but it's not one I would recommend for pleasure reading. 

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The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams

Title: The Summer Wives
Author: Beatriz Williams
Genre: Fiction

Other books I've read by this author: A Certain Age, The Wicked City

Synopsis: 18-year-old Miranda Schuyler is spending the summer of 1951 on Winthrop Island following her mother's wedding to Hugh Fischer. She spends the summer getting to know the island with her new step-sister Isobel, who was only a year ahead of her at school. Miranda learns quickly that there are some barriers between the locals who live on the island year-round and the 'Families' who are only there for the summer. After witnessing a young lobsterman, Joseph Vargas, save a fellow sailor from drowning nothing will be the same for Miranda that summer. 

My Thoughts

This book is full of mystery, scandal, love, and the divide between socioeconomic classes. Williams has a way of conveying raw emotions and making the reader feel every one of them. It is a classic beach read that I happened to read in the winter. If you are taking a trip over the holidays this would be a great book to take with you. 
I like that the novel skips around to different character perspectives and different time periods in different sections to give the reader a full view of the story. I also enjoy that it is a murder mystery but also a coming of age story culminating in a storyline where the teenaged protagonists return to the island as adults nearing 40.  The suspense will cause you to read for much longer than you intended or even realize. I looked at the clock after what seemed like 45 min of reading and it had actually been 2 hours! 

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!




To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above