“What Unites Us”

 

This book caused me to read, pause, and reflect. A lot.

Empathy, Service, Audacity, Citizenship - these essays resonated with me.

As I think back over my life and understanding of history, the years I spent teaching US History to eighth graders has served me well. And still, there is so much more to learn and understand. So many questions. Looking forward, I worry about our democracy. Voting rights. Women’s rights. Immigrants. So much tied to my own history

I appreciate Rather grounding his thoughts in his history. His moral compass. His understanding of how our government works. I can only hope that as a teacher I laid the groundwork in my students to listen, think, reflect, and to be steady. 

“Dear Miss Kopp”

 

Please note: this work of historical fiction is written as a series of letters. I felt the need to construct my review in the same fashion.

Dear Miss Stewart,

I have recently laid my eyes upon your latest installment of the Kopp Sisters. I have to say that I was not disappointed with the time I spent with the sisters during WWI.

I was happy to see that Constance was able to continue to fuel her passion for law enforcement. Fluerette, well, that girl is destined for great things on stage, for sure. Norma. What can I say about Norma? Of the three, I wasn’t surprised to see that she went to France with her beloved pigeons. I found the girls’ letters intimate, in a way another literary vehicle would have lacked. The introduction of a “fourth sister” helped to round out the plot lines. (Will Aggie return?) As always, I was thrilled to see the sisters overcome obstacles and pave the way for other women to follow in their footsteps.

Mysteries being solved, the war having ended, new adventures await all - I look forward to reading your next installment in Miss Kopp Investigates.

“Night Moves”

 

There are only a handful of series that I have fallen into, Julie Mulhern’s Country Club Murders is one. It was great to visit with my old friends. There is always anticipation for the next new installment in the series...do I savor every word and slow my reading OR do I devour the whole thing at a lightning fast pace? 

Ellison and Anarchy. Engaged. Planning a future together. Yes, there was murder. Yes, there was suspense. Yes, there was the 70s couture. Yes, there were the breadcrumbs of social commentary. However, I couldn’t help feeling that this book was a bridge to what’s coming next.  Anticipation.

Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing

 

“I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one.”

 - Calamity Jane

Power. Glass ceilings. Determination. Rules. Equality. What I came to understand, or perhaps I already knew, the rules are sometimes different for women. The character, Cleo McDougal, had a set of very strict rules for her behavior as a U.S. Senator. Women should not be too feminine. Not too masculine. A hybrid of sorts. 

We all come to terms with the rules in our own way. How to be strong and caring. How to be a bulldog, yet sensitive. How to be a powerhouse and have empathy. How to get where you’re going and not be called a bitch for getting there. How to find balance in your life. Relationships. Love. No regrets.