Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls

Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the Albright College Book Club Zoom and I loved the narration by the author, Jeannette Walls! Sallie was such an awesome, flawed character but a strong woman with her own ideas raised during Prohibition. As a child she was her father's pride and joy, when he marries again, Sallie and his wife do not get along and when she makes a big mistake she is sent away for 9 years. Upon her return, Sallie has to fit in to a dysfunctional family, ruled by her rich father that will not ever bend. The town she lives in, the house she lives in, the business of bootlegging she has been raised in consume her, changing her life and ideas, as much is uncovered. Still Sallie Kincaid was someone you could trust, who had a deep love of her people and their lifestyle of running rum. there was so much heartache but Sallie did not let that destroy her but make her a better person to all.

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Before and After: THe Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children's Home Society by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate

Before and After: The Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children's Home Society by Judy Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the Albright College Zoom Book Club and the stories these adoptees had to tell, as well as those that they met (new family & new friends) was engrossing. There were about 15 stories and this book came about as a result of the novel published by Lisa Wingate-Before We Were Yours which explored the Georgia Tan Adoption Scandal that stole babies from unwed mothers, mothers, parents and placed them with those who wanted to adopt babies. The reunion in Memphis was very special and poignant to all who came. A must read!

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Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Re-read this as part of my Albright College Zoom book discussion and I loved it even more the 2nd time!

My mother gave this book to me and my reader friend Ruth recommended it years ago. I loved seeing Major Pettigrew grow, become bold, become forthright and fall in love with Mrs. Ali. The English village was beautiful but very tough on who and what they considered outsiders. There was humor, sadness, grief and so much more to enjoy in this book about older characters who change, grab at life, and turn their backs on tradition. Readers will enjoy the Major, Mrs. Ali, Grace, Alice, George, Amina, Sandy, and the Vicar and be chagrined with The Major's son, neighbors, Abdul and lots of others. It was a tug of war to see who could win the war of religion, race, and real estate, and I am so glad I was surprised by this book!

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Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read and loved this illuminating book as part of my Albright College Zoom book discussion. The connecting stories of Margery Benson and Enid Pretty together searching for a gold beetle across the world in New Caledonia (outside Australia) during the aftermath of the war in the 1950s was a journey for both women, utterly opposite in every way. Yet both women change and grow as they travel, run away from their secrets in London, and strike out to prove they can find/make a new life on an expedition. Rachel Joyce's well developed characterization of the many women in this book is authentic and suspenseful as women who have predetermined roles and those who strike out and create new roles. Also important is the author interview of Margery and Enid at the end of the book and Joyce's acknowledgments. A must read that will warm your heart at the enduring love that friendship garners.

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