Tag Archive: historical



Three Sisters (The Tattooist of Auschwitz, #3)Three Sisters by Heather Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

These three books were so good that I had to buy the Audible version so I can read/listen to them again and again. Heather Morris’s research and writing were fascinatingly well done! And Finty Williams’s narration just brought the characters to life. She made her voice sound different for every character. I never felt lost as to whose point of view was being expressed.

This book is about the worst and best of people, at the worst time in history. Three sisters are caught up in the worst conditions and separated after promising to stay together and protect each other. I love books about people who care for others, even for those who were seemingly on the wrong side. Even as it seems hopeless, these characters find ways to make it just one more day.

I hope everyone gets a chance to read these books. I was able to read/listen to them first from Libby, but as I said, I look forward to reading them many more times. I may yet buy the paper version, as there are a lot of facts in the afterward that I think I need to look at and absorb.

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Cilka's Journey (The Tattooist of Auschwitz, #2)Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Louise Brealey’s amazing voice narrated Heather Morris’s fascinating novel.

This series is so important to read. We need to feel what people felt as this actual crime happened in history. It may be the only way new generations will believe it. Even those who lived through it didn’t believe it until they were nearly dead from the cruelty.

This series is based on facts told to the author by the Tattooist himself. As many in that generation do, holding the unbelievable truths for the protection of body and soul, he finally wanted to talk. He needed someone to listen to his story.

The fiction in this story gives the listener/reader a basis for understanding the human issues involved. I couldn’t stop reading. The sun was up when I finished. The excitement and the truth the author conveyed at the end of the book kept me awake until morning. I wanted to start the next book in the series, but I attempted to sleep.

I was lucky to find this series on Libby, but I know I will have to read them again and again, so I will buy the Audible versions and maybe even the paperback for the record, when I get paid.

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The Fallen: The Lost Girls of Ireland's Magdalene Laundries and a Legacy of SilenceThe Fallen: The Lost Girls of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries and a Legacy of Silence by Louise Brangan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Louise Brangan narrated her book about the girls who ended up in the doomed life of doing the laundry for the Catholic nuns (a very loose description). Her Irish accent makes the dreary tale delightful. I could listen to her read the phonebook. Does anyone remember those?

My review sounds lighthearted, but this book is a serious study of a part of Ireland’s history. A part of women’s history. My husband recommended the book to me. He told me it is a subject that he finds interesting.

The author follows a few of the young women’s stories personally, from bad family starts or misguided starts, and the way they were misjudged and punished for implied sins.

Libby didn’t have it when I was looking for it, so I bought the Audible version. I highly recommend it to all of you.

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WeywardWeyward by Emilia Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley, and Nell Barlow narrated Emilia Hart’s three-layered novel.

“Witch. The word slithers from the mouth like a serpent, drips from the tongue as thick and black as tar. We never thought of ourselves as witches, my mother and I. For this was a word invented by men, a word that brings power to those that speak it, not those that it describes. A word that builds gallows and pyres, turns breathing women into corpses.”
― Emilia Hart, Weyward

That quote brought my opinion of this book way up. Up until I read that, I felt this to be very similar to the book I recently read, The Lost Apothecary. I like the narrators on that one far more than this, as the voices were very different. But the quote woke my spirit, and I started paying more attention. So, though this was a similar three-layered historical story, this was more in tune with nature, enjoying the trees and birds, and seeing a depth we don’t notice most of the time.

Libby supplied this audiobook. I’m so grateful for libraries that share great books for all of us.

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The Tattooist of AuschwitzThe Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a good book. Not my favorite of this subject matter, but it ranks high. Most war stories center on the men. And there’s my disappointment. But I now see that the author has written a couple more books that are more my speed. Women existed and were put through even more torture because they were women. There are stories to claim half the sky, the good and the bad.

Still, the love story that sustained the main character, a crush more than love at first, makes the intolerable barely tolerable. A touch of hope that brings others light. I’d like to think that kind of light helped others trapped in that crazy, horrid existence. Richard Armitage, the narrator, brings the story to life.

Libby had this and the other two books, which I’ll start tonight. I recommend this author and this book.

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The Lost ApothecaryThe Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I ran out of things to read at two in the morning. Under available audiobooks, I found this one.

This is a layered story; three different characters share their truths around the Lost Apothecary. Lorna Bennett, Lauren Anthony, and Lauren Irwin narrate the people, giving the story depth I think might be missing in a book read by eyes.

It was a quick read. I must admit that it made me want to do research like the main character. Any time I am supposed to be writing, I find myself going down deep wells of information. Most of it never makes it into the book, but I feel it enriches my soul and mind.

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The Queens of CrimeThe Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun diversion. Favorite mystery writers come together to solve a crime. Bessie Carter narrated, changing accents and characters as needed to keep the story moving and the reader engaged.

I was lucky to pick this audiobook up on Libby. Those more into mysteries will love it.

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We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped AmericaWe the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America by Norah O’Donnell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Norah O’Donnell (Author, Narrator), Kate Andersen Brower (Author) wrote this book that should be required reading in all history classes. In fact, as much time as we were forced to spend on males and war, we were forced to struggle through in school as girls. Knowing that women were alive and contributing to society, laws, and even wars would have given me a bit more self-esteem, along with the other women growing up in my day.

Sure, we’ve all heard of Betsy Ross. Yes, she was included. But I certainly didn’t see myself sewing a new flag. Knitting a hat now puts me in that league, I guess.

Anyway, I was able to pick up this audiobook from Libby. I barely got it done in time as it was due today. I may buy this later as I want to study it and become more versed in Women’s Herstory.

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By Any Other NameBy Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Billie Fulford-Brown (Narrator), Laura Benanti (Narrator), Jodi Picoult (Narrator, Author), Jayne Entwistle (Narrator), Andrew Fallaize (Narrator), Joe Jameson (Narrator), John Lee (Narrator), Nicholas Guy Smith (Narrator), Simon Vance (Narrator), Steve West (Narrator),

With this cast of narrators and the beautiful writing and research of Jodi Picoult, I found this book so fascinating that I just bought the Audible version so I can read it again soon.

If you think you know Shakespeare, this gives a possible theory, with convincing evidence of what might have happened.

This is a historic work and a modern work featuring the female condition of the ages.

I highly recommend this book. This audiobook was borrowed from Libby.

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Two Reviews in One


Katie Beudert narrated this Nancy Warren mystery duo.

I have to admit to not being nearly as charmed as I was with the Vampire Knitting Club and other lighter, more humorous series. But in my time of need for distraction, it filled the bill quite well. For me, it felt a combination of Maisie Dobbs and Emily in Paris.

I was happy to find both on Libby.

Somehow, I started book two first, but I always felt I was missing something. I found book one and started it over.

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