Hello, friends. It's Sunday again and, somehow, almost the middle of April! I've read several good books already this month, including two this week. So before I get too far behind, here's a quick review round-up.
A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them by Timothy Egan
Narrative nonfiction at is finest... this book is about the KKK's rise to power in the 1920s, the evil mastermind behind it, and the woman who ultimately brought about his, and eventually the Klan's, downfall. I was completely unaware of the history presented here, but the northern KKK's reach into the highest levels of local and state governments, particularly in Indiana, was staggering. In addition, its national aspirations and plans were downright scary. And most importantly, I found far too many chilling parallels to the current state of affairs in the US.
Egan's research is meticulous, and his skillful pacing and storytelling kept me turning the pages. Part of the book even reads like a legal thriller. I was positively riveted!
A Fever in the Heartland was a read/listen combination for me. Egan narrated the book himself and did an excellent job.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kate & Frida by Kim Fay
Fay's previous novel, Love & Saffron, was a 5-star favorite back in 2022, so I was thrilled to win a kindle edition of her new novel from goodreads. In Kate & Frida I found another delightful epistolary novel, this time set in the early 1990s with letters between two twenty-somethings finding their way in the world.
Frida, an aspiring war journalist in Paris, writes to a Seattle bookstore and her request is answered by Kate, a bookseller longing to become a writer. The two strike up a correspondence which develops into a true friendship. Along the way they discuss life, books, food, and much more. There are plenty of 90s pop culture references, too. I may purchase a hardcover copy to put on my shelf next to Love & Saffron.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
I've been thinking about an April reread of this classic for a few years, and jumped at the chance to join in a buddy read with some MMD friends. The Enchanted April, first published in 1922, tells the story of four very different English women, previously unknown to each other and each dissatisfied with her day-to-day life, who answer an ad to rent a castle in Italy for the month of April. The combination of the Italian sunshine, sea air, and wisteria cause their spirits to rise and unexpected changes begin to occur. After all these years, The Enchanted April is still a favorite!
This was another read/listen combination and I very much enjoyed Eleanor Bron's narration. I'm planning to watch the 1991 movie again this week, too.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How is your April reading going? What have you been reading lately?
Your reads look good. And I need to get to the von Arnim novel sometime ... I have listened to the audio of her book Elizabeth and Her German Garden ... and liked it but I think The Enchanted April is likely better. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteSusan - I started von Arnim's Elizabeth and Her German Garden years ago and never got very far. Think I even bough a copy at a library sale. The Enchanted April is much better!
DeleteHow wonderful to read a book that was published more than 100 years ago! I hope you have a wonderful week JoAnn.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jodie. The Enchanted April is a wonderful book.
DeleteI am really looking forward to reading Kate and Frida!
ReplyDeleteMarg - I hope you enjoy Kate & Frida as much as I did, and I hope Fay is already hard at work o her next novel!
DeleteThe Egan book was terrifying for all the reasons you list. But also hopeful--who's that one woman who can prevent it from happening again?
ReplyDeleteAmy - I've read a couple of Egan's books and am pretty impressed with his work. Gotta say, this one really infuriated me. At one point I even thought I shouldn't be reading it when the actual news was so upsetting. Glad I continued.
DeleteI am a huge fan of Enchanted April, both the book and the movie. I have penciled in Kate & Frida for Paris in July. And A Fever in the Heartland is on my longlist for books I want to read before I pass from this life...perhaps I should move it up. Thank you for the heads up on all these books!
ReplyDeleteDeb - Great idea to read Kate & Frida for Paris in July! I just love The Enchanted April and look forward to watching the movie later this week.
DeleteI don't have much lined up as far as reading after I finish my current read. I think I might try The Enchanted April!
ReplyDeleteErin - I hope you decide to try The Enchanted April. It made me want to plant wisteria!
DeleteThree very different and good reads! I've been all over different cultures in my reading so far this month - Vietnamese British, Ghanaian British, Korean American ...
ReplyDeleteLyzzyBee - I felt like I needed to change things up a bit and this was a particularly nice mix. Next up is Iran...
DeleteI loved Love And Saffron so I put a hold for Kate & Frida. I also want to read the other two books. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteVicki - If you enjoyed Love & Saffron, I think you'll enjoy Kate & Frida, too!
DeleteHi JoAnn, I enjoyed Love and Saffron so will check out the new Kim Fay book. I avoided the Egan book because I thought it might be too aggravating but your postive review has me evaluating again.
ReplyDeleteMy blogging has been behind with some of the medical stuff, appointments, Loki hurting his leg (again).... That said, I finished the Stanley Tucci book and have my review ready. Knock a few out. I am also almost done with the second book by Shannon Bowring about Dalton Maine. I love it. Hope the Spring weather is good for you and all is well in Sanibel.
Tina - I was tempted to put Fever in the Heartland aside early on because it was making me too angry. Once I started reading a lighter book alongside it, I was fine. So glad you're loving Bowring's second Dalton book! I saw that she will release the third and final in that series this fall - will definitely purchase that one! We've had some great weather the last couple of weeks. I hope it lasts for the rest of our time here. Will send you an email sometime this week... life has been busy.
DeleteEgan's book sounds very interesting, but I wonder if I'm ready to read something that hits so close to our situation today. We're currently watching Churchill at War, and the parallels between 47 and Hitler are just too close. Scary times we're living in! I am looking forward to reading Kim Fay's new book. I bought a copy while we were traveling for one of Rod's book talks (always try to buy at least one book from the indie bookstores we visit), and I may save it to give to my mom for her birthday next month. She's very good about sharing her books once she's finished with them. :) I tried Enchanted April many years ago and couldn't get interested. Maybe I should give it a try now that I'm a few decades older? My reading has slowed a bit now that we're on the road again for a few book events for Rod. We're in Sisters & Bend, OR this week. Gorgeous weather, so I should be sitting outside reading, but we're hanging out with our friends, so maybe just a few minutes each night between social media catch-ups. I'm currently reading The Song of Hartgrove Hall by Natasha Solomons. It's about a decade old... so good! I loved a previous book by her, too (The House at Tyneford). Also enjoying I've Tried Being Nice (on audio) when I get out for my walks. Loving it! She is very humorous. Another great recent read was We Spread by Iain Reid. Outstanding story! Review to come on that one. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteLes - Scary times, indeed! I completely understand readers wanting to avoid Egan's book right now, but am glad I decided to stick with it. Glad you're enjoying Natasha Solomons novel. I remember reading your reviews of her other books, but still haven't gotten to her. I enjoyed listening to Ann Leary on my walks, too! The book events sound pretty exciting... and I just know you and Rod are having a wonderful time!
DeleteEnchanted April is on my TBR as is Love and Saffron. I didn't realize the author had a new book out. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - It was such a joy to reread The Enchanted April, especially in April. I've never done that before!
DeleteA Fever in the Heartland sounds particularly good! I've added it to my TBR list
ReplyDeleteHelen - It's a great read, but brace yourself!
DeleteFYI, I got an odd email from "you" (a gmail adress) that matches word for word one I got supposedly from Wendy (Literary Feline). The email says: Hello , How are you? Hope you're doing well and enjoying life! Just checking if you are staying safe and stay healthy.✨️❤️ I'm posting this here in case others are receiving the same emails.
ReplyDeleteLes - Strange, thanks for letting me know. I got the one from Wendy, too...
DeleteI'm glad that you got so much from A Fever in the Heartland. That remains one of the most important books that I've read in the last couple of years.
ReplyDeleteJoy - This is yet another reminder about how history can be shaped, retold, or completely ignored. I'm glad I read this book.
DeleteSo glad to hear that The Enchanted April held up well for a reread. I remember it so fondly!
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to listening to Kate and Frida when the library finally pings me that it's my turn.
Fever in the Heartland sounds interesting, but I don't think I have it in me to read this right now. So much going on right now that keeps me up at night. But it does sound powerful.
JaneGS - The Enchanted April was even more delightful than I remembered, which was surprising. I won't wait so long for another reread!
DeleteI can certainly understand avoiding A Fever in the Heartland right now. I almost set it aside early on because it was making me too angry. Far too many similarities to our current situation.
I have been wanting to read The Enchanted April for quite some time. My daughter has a copy on her shelf. Maybe I should ask her if I can borrow it.
ReplyDelete