September 2013

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Between 1854 and 1929, orphan trains ran from the cities of the East Coast to the farmlands of the Midwest. Mind boggling as it seems, thousands of abandoned children were shipped West on these trains to be adopted by a kind and loving family, or face a childhood of hard labor and servitude. It was a roll of the dice. Young Irish immigrant, Vivian Daly was one such child, sent by rail from New York City to an uncertain future. Now an elderly widow, she hires young Molly Ayers to clean out her attic – which brings Vivian’s past to life, and helps Molly discover hers. ♥♥♥

Restaurant Man by Joe Bastianich

Joe Bastianich is one of the most successful restaurateurs in America. This is the story of an Italian boy from Queens who makes it big in stocks, then turns his passion for food and wine into an empire. Of course it doesn’t hurt that your Mother is superstar chef Lidia Bastianich. The book was fabulous and made me want to visit his newest place in NYC called Eataly, which I did in October. A four-star look inside the restaurant business -- delicious!! ♥♥♥♥

The Husbands’ Secret by Linde Moriarty

Cecilia married one of the fabulous Fitzpatrick boys. But while he’s away on a business trip, she finds a letter “to be opened in the event of his death.” His fabulousness erodes as she comes to grips with the secrets within the letter. The question is, can she keep them, or will she willingly destroy her perfect world? ♥♥

The Drowning Guard by Linda Lafferty

Each morning before dawn, a boat leaves the harbor and a man dies. The Ottoman princess Esma Sultan seduces a different Christian lover each night, and then has him drowned in the morning. The Drowning Guard explores the complexities of Esma - who is a murderer AND a liberator of women. This historical fiction is set in 1826 Istanbul.♥♥

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

Hosseini’s third novel follows a close-knit Afghan family. Not close enough to forgo selling off the youngest daughter – but I regress. The story opens in 1952 in a village outside of Kabul. Kaboor sells little Pari to the wealthy poet Nila Wahdati and her husband. There is a nagging voice inside that tells Pari she doesn’t really belong to these people. Many characters tell the tale, but Pari is the heart and soul of the novel. We see Pari grow up, leave Kabul and eventually comes to knows the truth. Confusing at times, with page after page of un-necessary descriptions, but a wonderful book over-all. ♥♥♥