Dear Mrs. Bird

     By A J Pearce

 

As the bombs fall around London, Emmie and Bunty go about their lives.  Bunty working at the war office and stepping out with Bill, Emmy volunteering at the Auxiliary Fire Service with Bill, dreaming of becoming a war journalist.  When Emmy answers an advertisement for a Junior at a local publishing company, she believes it to be her big break, though she knows her fiancé would not be happy. Edmund believed women belonged in the home, keeping the home fires burning and dinner on the stove.  Emmy wanted more. 

Pearce has written a novel that gives an authentic peek into the realistic lives of those who strived to keep going during the nightmare of the blitz.  I learned so much while reading this book.  So many brave souls worked to keep London on an even keel while fire and thunder rained down from above.  This book has so much heart.  The friendship of Emmy and Bunty and the camaraderie of the volunteers of the Fire Service.   The way the characters attempted to continue with their lives during the horrors of war.  Sweet, determined Emmy who sees a void that needs to be filled and bungles it as she reaches out to those in need.  This book is SO good on so many levels. I can’t wait for August when Yours Cheerfully comes out.

 

PUB: Scribner

ISBN: 978-1501170065 (Hardcover)

 GENRE:  Historical Fiction/WWII

 The Shut-Away Sisters

     By Suzanne Goldring

Told in alternating voices, one in the present one in the past, Golding gives us a peek into the lives of two sisters who survived the horrible years during the First World War.  Florrie, who bears the burden of learning to run a household with minimal supplies and Edith, lost in a world of grief and deep depression.  Kate is tasked with clearing out the remnants of her great aunts lives while floundering with the collapse of her own.  As the story is built, Golding gives us a picture of two strong women who overcome the obstacles that are put in their path and are better people because of it.  The book is a lovely rendering of life before, during and after the war when influenza decimates families even farther.  It’s a lovely read for those who enjoy stories that weave the past and future together.  Teens who enjoy historical fiction with a little romance will enjoy this one.

Publisher:  Bookouture
Date:  June 29, 2021
ISBN:  9781800192355

I wish to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read an Advanced Reader's Copy for my honest review.

 Greetings

I hope everyone has survived being cooped up for a year.  Obviously, I survived and the only thing that kept me sane was my crocheting and reading.  I have been reading a lot but not writing about any of them.  I crawled into my cozy mystery corner and stayed away from anything that was political, dark, or challenging.  I’m still not reading anything dark but I am reading new titles again.  I will try to keep you updated on what’s going on,  However, you know me, I finish a book and I pick up the next one without stopping to write about it.  The writing is a chore for me.  Take care everyone.