My Friend Anne Frank by Hannah Pick-Goslar
320 Pages, Published In 2023
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A memoir of Holocaust survivor Hannah Pick-Goslar, who chronicles her life during and after the war. Anne was her friend & neighbor when both families fled Nazi and lived in Amsterdam. In 1942, Anne disappeared into hiding. In Feb 1945, they reunited as the prisoners at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. At 93, Hannah died in Jerusalem. The book is published posthumously, just like Anne Frank’s diary. This beautifully written, moving story is as much Hannah’s story as it is Anne’s.
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
288 Pages, Published In 2023
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Britney Spears’ 2023 memoir chronicles her journey from childhood in poverty to her found womanhood: Music and dancing is her escape; the biggest pop star of her time; her relationship with Timberlake; Marriage, divorce, and losing custody to her sons; 13-year conservatorship run by her father; #FreeBritney movement; and the freedom. In her 2001 song “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman”, she sings “I’m just trying to find The Woman in Me”. A beautifully crafted, emotional roller coaster!
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
419 Pages, Published In 2015
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A Court of Thorns and Roses is the 1st book in the 5-book YA fantasy series of the same name, a retelling of the fairy tale Beauty And The Beast. It is about the adventures, struggles, love and hate of a 19-year-old human huntress (Feyre, Beauty) and one of the seven High Lords (Tamlin, Beast) in the fantasy land of Prythian. The first 2/3 is very predictable if you know fairy tale. The last 1/3 is gripping and action packed. The writing is mediocre. The book could be shortened by 1/3.
Dissolution by C. J. Sansom
456 Pages, Published In 2003
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A historical detective novel set in 1537’s England during the dissolution of the monasteries. Sent to solve one brutal murder case, King’s commissioner Shardlake uncovers sexual misconducts, embezzlements, treasons and other corruptions in the monastery; One murder turned into FOUR murders. Exciting plot full of suspense and twists; vivid portrait of the era; raw and dark characters; accurate historical facts of the clash between reformers and catholic churches. A true masterpiece!
Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
688 Pages, Published In 2023
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A biography reads like science fiction! With 2+ years’ of shadowing Musk and 100+ interviews, Isaacson chronicles Elon’s journey from South Africa to America; unfolds the events with SpaceX, Tesla, Neurolink, Starlink, OpenAI, & Twitter; reveals the struggles with his dysfunctional father, Asperger’s, and risk-taking addiction; underpins Steve Jobs’ quote “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do”. Just felt laborious with the Twitter chapters.
The Happy Prince and Other Tales by Oscar Wilde
96 Pages, Published In 1888
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A 1888 collection of 5 short stories. Loved Wilde’s simple, clear, yet expressive & imagery writing style. The morals: 1. The Happy Prince: sacrifice self and help those in need. 2. The Nightingale and the Rose: love is sacrifice. 3. The Selfish Giant: better be generous and kind. 4. The Devoted Friend: true friendship is reciprocated. 5. The Remarkable Rocket: not be arrogant, pride and delusional. The fairytales that everyone should read!
Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie
288 Pages, Published In 1942
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A detective fiction from the Hercule Poirot series. A grown daughter asks Poirot to investigate a 16 years old case: her mother was sentenced to life (and died shortly after in prison) for poisoning her philandering dad. By interviewing 5 suspects (5 little pigs), Poirot manages to uncover the truth from their weary memories, using subtle clues and his keen understanding of human psychology. Loved Agatha’s simple sentences, sharp dialogues, memorable characters and intriguing plots!
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
256 Pages, Published In 2013
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Like other stories from Neil Gaiman, this novella feels magical and whimsical with strong evocative imageries. A middle-aged man returns to his childhood country home in Sussex, England, and relives the forgotten horror events of a seven-year old boy. It’s about searching self-identity by reconnecting to one’s childhood. The story has “the delicate horror of the finest fairytales” (Terry Pratchett). I only wish it could be longer so the characters and plots could be developed further.
Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue
336 Pages, Published In 2023
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A historical fiction about forbidden love of two school girls in early 19th century of York. One girl is an Anglo-Indian orphan heiress banished from India, and the other a brilliant and vibrant tomboy. The story is based on the five-million-word coded journal by English diarist Anne Lister, known as the first modern lesbian. Fascinating characters; easy-to-follow plot; deeply researched facts; Poetic writing. The portrait of boarding school life is vivid but just a little too long.
Finding Me by Viola Davis
304 Pages, Published In 2022
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An inspiring memoir of Viola Davis, her journey from childhood poverty and trauma to her success in Hollywood. From her deepest fear “I’m the little girl who would run after school every day in third grade because these boys hated me because I was …not pretty. Because I was …Black” to her coming to terms with her true identity as a black female artist, fighting against misogyny and racism. It’s about finding meaning in life; also about love, relationship, parenting & forgiveness.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
311 Pages, Published In 1966
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A story of a lab mouse and a mentally disabled boy. Both undergo a brain surgery to increase IQ and become a genius, albeit briefly. What an emotional roller coaster about love, friendship, and what really matters in life! From a series of progress reports written by the boy, you’ll learn the transformation and also feel it evidenced in his writing ability. The ending “P.S. please if you get a chanse put some flowrs on Algernons grave in the bak yard.” brought me to tears. A true classic!
The Paris Housekeeper by Renee Ryan
368 Pages, Published In 2023
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It is a moving WWII story of three resilient women during the German occupation of Paris: a French chambermaid of a world famous hotel in Paris, a wealthy American widow who is a longtime resident of the hotel, and a young Jewish woman who is also employed by the same hotel. I loved the premise but I felt I have read other WWII novels with more thrilling plots and depths.