The following reviews were written by patrons, staff, or members of the Board of the Owls Head Village Library. We welcome our patrons to send their reviews of any books they are reading or have read recently.
THE HAPPIEST MAN ON EARTH, The beautiful life of an Auschwitz Survivor– by Eddie Jaku – review by board member Diane Nelson
A moving poignant story, which is not just about the atrocities of the holocaust. Surviving against all odds he chose to live the rest of his life with gratitude, to honor the six million Jews murdered, and to smile every day of his life. Eddie Jaku turned 100 in 2020.
THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah – review by board member Diane Nelson
The author has written another historical fiction but this time about WWII from the perspective of a small French Village. It is the story of family, of two sisters who must make “choicless choices”. The sisters, Viane and Isabelle, were brave young women who each chose to do what they thought was right in the most difficult of circumstances. Once you start reading this book, you won’t put it down.
THE FOUR WINDS by Kristin Hannah- reviewed by Diane Nelson
Kristin Hannah does what she does best – historical fiction. She gives insight to the great depression era, but from the perspective of farmers. Is is about the will to survive failing crops, drought, dust storms, and discrimination. It is also a book of family, love and heroism.
THE LAST DAYS OF JOHN LENNON by James Patterson – review by an OHVL patron.
The Last Days of John Lennon will attract a variety of readers. I was drawn to the book in hopes it would provide more details about a sailing trip Lennon took to Bermuda shortly before his death. Alas, it does not. Yet, the unlikely author, James Patterson, provides lots of details about a remarkable life. Yes, THAT James Patterson. Patterson was aided by two New York Times bestselling authors, Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge. The details are well documented by the authors. We are not shielded from the horror of the story. No one will want to reread THE CATCHER IN THE RYE.
THE SPLENDID AND THE VILE by Erik Larson – review by anonymous library patron.
Another biography of Winston Churchill may not be be what you read this summer but please consider this one, The Splendid and the Vile. The focus is on the blitz. Winston Churchill at his most powerful. He was able, according to Home Intelligence, “make some people’s flesh creep”. Churchill could deliver a listening audience of 70 – 80% of potential listeners. This is something to consider in our time. The book reads easily – not just for pure history buffs. Enjoy it this summer.
Let me know if you want me to come up with anything else for the newsletter.
THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig – review by Diane Nelson
Nora Seed wants to end her life, but before she dies she must go to the library. The Midnight Library is an upbeat book that reminds us how valuable our lives are. It will make you think of what your life might have been had you chosen another path. It will inspire you to live life to its fullest.