Mount TBR 2013 Reading Challenge discussion

And so we begin...

1. by Adriana Trigiani

An epic tale spanning 30 years in the early 20th century that follows the lives of Enza and Ciro, who meet as poor teen-agers and emigrate separately to America. They eventually marry and build a life in Minnesota. The story begins when recently widowed Caterina, mother to Ciro and Eduadro, abandons the young brothers to the care of convent nuns. The beautiful, resourceful, and talented Enza lives in a nearby village. There’s an immediate connection when, at age 15, Enza and Ciro meet briefly. Circumstances intervene when Ciro is sent forcibly to America to apprentice as a shoemaker. Enza arrives a little later, eventually using her talent as a seamstress to work in costuming at the Metropolitan Opera.

I really liked the descriptive passages in the book- lush descriptions of northern Italy, details of the immigrant experience in New York in the early 1900s, including buildings, clothes, food, etc. Themes of family loyalty, perseverance in the face of hardship and tragic circumstances, the power of love and friendship – all are fleshed out in the storyline and cast of characters. However, so often, details that would more fully explain the motivations and feelings of the characters and add depth to the story are glaringly missing or given very short shrift. Some coincidental or fatalistic encounters between Enza and Ciro just aren’t believable.

This isn’t a perfect book; neither is it fatally flawed. Read it if you are in the mood for a big, juicy epic family tale that tugs at the heartstrings or like a book with lots of evocative, descriptive passages and period detail.

2. by Jon Meacham

Meacham explores the development of Jefferson's leadership style throughout his life and includes lots of quotes from actual correspondences of the day.

3. by Susanna Kearsley

Grieving the loss of her sister, Eva travels from California to a seaside village in Cornwall, England, where they had spent many happy childhood summers. She is welcomed by her childhood friends to the historic manor house where her family had stayed. Disarmingly, she begins to find herself slipping back in time where she encounters some 17th century inhabitants of the house, including the charming Butler brothers, smugglers who are aligned with the Jacobite cause. Inevitably, Eva must decide where and with whom she really belongs.

This is a fun, romantic book that was hard to put down. I like Susanna Kearsley's writing and enjoyed this book immensely.

4. by Jennifer Donnelly

This doorstopper has been on my TBR shelf for a while. It's a very readable rags-to-riches tale about Fiona and Joe, two beautiful, talented, ambitious young people who grow up extremely poor on London's East end and, well, let's just say they do very well for themselves. Lots of period detail, romance, melodrama, suspense, and a terrific ending. I enjoyed reading it and the pages flew by - biblio comfort food.

5. by Jhumpa Lahiri



This is a book of short stories, some that take place in India and others about Indians who have immigrated to America, so the cultural aspects are interesting. However, the universal themes of love, family, home (and being away from home), and community make the characters highly relatable. The arc of each story is perfect and the language beautiful without being the least bit pretentious. My favorite was the last one, "The Third and Final Continent." Excellent book to be read and savored.

6. by Nelson DeMille

A great Russian spy thriller and so much more. A classic not to be missed.

7. by Edward Rutherfurd

Epic saga about the early history of Dublin (from 430 to 1533)

Donna, I am reading Rebels of Ireland right now... finished Princes a few years back. I'm about 200 pages in and its good... but you are right about it being long in places. Whew! It may take a few weeks!

Cynthia, I hope you made it through!

8. by J.S. Dunn

Historical fiction about ancient Ireland that blends archeological research with mythological traditions. Just okay.

Donna, just finished Rebels yesterday
. Three weeks. It has put me 2 books behind, but it was worth it. Did you enjoy Bending the Boyne? It sounded fascinating, especially since I am on an Irish kick!

Cynthia,
Me too! I am gearing up to read Rebels but I know it will take some time. Bending the Boyne was a mixed bag - good history, interesting characters, but story didn't always flow well. Glad I picked it up especially as a Kindle freebie. Right now I'm reading "Star of the Sea" about Irish famine refugees on a ship to America in 1847 - wonderful book!

9. byHenry James I've been reading a lot lately but not from my TBR pile! This one has been sitting on my shelf a long time and I read it after finishing a fiction based on the life of writer Henry James. It was good but not great and the writing style is difficult to follow.