Back from a break & some Thanksgiving travel and it's time for Library Loot!
Leaving Berlin, by Joseph Kanon. I'm new to Kanon's writing, but so far, I'm enjoying this story of Berlin during the airlift of the late 1940s.
Gunner Girls and Fighter Boys, by Mary Gibson. Don't be deceived by the title or cover, either of which would lead you to believe this is a breezy historical romance. This is the tale of two British sisters during WWII who live in a poor section of London. Much grittier than I had assumed and the writing moves right along.
Library Loot is courtesy of The Silly Little Mischief blog
From Miss Boston and Miss Hargreaves, by Rachel Malik:
"She stood at the window, looking out at the fields beyond, her fields. The calves were up by the gate, nosing each other, waiting for her - still unsure of their new routine. The great horse chestnut tree was swaying, she could hear it from here, feel the cool of its shade. In Fair Field, the oats were just starting to pale - her oats. The rest of the view was blocked by the tallboy. She had dragged it in last night. It was badly splintered at the back, but at least it was empty. She carried on standing at the window, looking out, waiting."
This is the wonderful opening sentence to an excellent novel. The lovely descriptive writing is found throughout the book. And we know that "she", whoever she is, has a strong sense of ownership over everything she's looking at, new though it may be to the cows (and to her?). And then there's that tallboy. Why is she dragging it in? That phrase, "badly splintered" is going to be a theme of this novel, in the material poverty both characters endure. "She" is Miss Boston, and she is waiting for Miss Hargreaves to join her on her English farm during WWII. Read on for a beautifully written character study.
Book Beginning is courtesy of Rose City Reader
This week's haul:
Wickwythe Hall, by Judithe Little. Historical fiction about the home front in WWII Britain? I'm in.
Miss Boston and Miss Hargreaves, by Rachel Malik. Inspired by the author's family history and filled with beautiful prose. Review coming.
Bone Meal for Roses, by Miranda Sherry. Set in South Africa, a story of love and loss.
Library Loot is courtesy of the Silly Little Mischief blog
Reading: Bone Meal for Roses, by Miranda Sherry
Watching: Binge watching The Americans
Listening: Classical music playlist
Art: Viewing Laura Knight's works via the internet
Drink: Lady Grey Tea
Eats & Treats: Leftover Halloween candy
Pleasure: Gorgeous fall weather
Guilty Pleasure: Leftover Halloween candy!
Anticipating: Thanksgiving
Find: Winter shoes.
Gunner Girls and Fighter Boys, by Mary Gibson. Don't be deceived by the title or cover, either of which would lead you to believe this is a breezy historical romance. This is the tale of two British sisters during WWII who live in a poor section of London. Much grittier than I had assumed and the writing moves right along. 
"She stood at the window, looking out at the fields beyond, her fields. The calves were up by the gate, nosing each other, waiting for her - still unsure of their new routine. The great horse chestnut tree was swaying, she could hear it from here, feel the cool of its shade. In Fair Field, the oats were just starting to pale - her oats. The rest of the view was blocked by the tallboy. She had dragged it in last night. It was badly splintered at the back, but at least it was empty. She carried on standing at the window, looking out, waiting."
Miss Boston and Miss Hargreaves, by Rachel Malik. Inspired by the author's family history and filled with beautiful prose. Review coming. 
Reading: Bone Meal for Roses, by Miranda Sherry