Here One Moment

The short flight from Hobart to Sidney wasn’t meant to be anything spectacular, but when an older tiny woman, begins to walk the isles setting out the fates of the passengers they collectively didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “The Death Lady” as she became known strolled through the cabin and relayed to each person the age and cause of their death. Some people laughed with aplomb - Old Age, 103! - while others that will apparently expire at any moment in a tragic accident became extremely distraught. Since people naturally find comfort in numbers a handful of these people reconnect after the flight to determine who this fortune teller was and why would she randomly set out all of these predictions. When a few deaths become reality a social media page is created and the race in on to find this woman called Cherry and change fate before they are added to the growing list. In her easy, breezy Australian style, author Liane Moriarty gives the reader a peek into each of their lives and Cherry’s mysterious past. Although most believe - what will be, will be - the small changes they make in their daily lives to avoid her terrifying predictions can eventually affect the outcome - chaos theory, butterfly effect etc. This fascinating saga is filled with both statistical consequences and the mystery of life. Although this novel is possibly a bit too long and at times confusing with the many points of view (you just have to roll with it!) it comes together nicely and I thoroughly enjoyed it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

James

Jim is enslaved on a plantation with his wife and daughter, whom he loves dearly. As he performs his many jobs for Miss Watson he overhears that he will be sold to a man in New Orleans. Devastated that he will be separated from his family, Jim decides to hide out on nearby Jackson Island until he can figure out what to do. At the same time, Huck Finn, a young man Miss Watson looks after, is terrified when his drunkard father returns to town. Faking his own death he tracks down Jim and insists they run off together. As the well known story goes, they travel down the Mississippi on a raft and canoe getting themselves in an out of all sorts of trouble. With a bounty on Jim’s head for murder, theft and kidnapping he is having a hard time figuring a way out of this mess. Ironically - and this story is filled with witty irony - Jim speaks beautifully and reads and writes better than most white folks. He hides his true self and acts the part speaking “slave language” and keeping his eyes on the ground. The promise of making their way to the free states so he can make money and eventually buy his wife and daughter keep hope alive. Along the way Huck, who has known Jim for his whole life, learns what friendship really means. No longer a children’s tale, this completely original novel of the classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is astounding. The same story told from a different voice becomes a powerful and historical retelling of the horrifying ignorance found in the antebellum south. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When We Flew Away

When the Frank family relocated from Germany to the Netherlands in 1934 they truly believed it would save them. The country remained independent and neutral on all political and religious matters. But as Europe succumbed to the atrocities brought by Hitler and the Nazi’s there was no longer a safe place to be found. When We Flew Away reimagines Anne’s life prior to 1942, before they were forced into hiding. Before she wrote a diary that changed the way we see the world. Anne and her sister led a simple life with all the normal urgencies of a young girl trying to figure out what she likes and who she wants be. This outspoken young girl was often reprimanded in school for being a chatterbox, while she idolized and was jealous of her older sister, the model student. As the family watched their freedoms slowly disappear they clung to each other and a few friends that would help them organize the infamous attic where they would be concealed for two years. Appreciating the birds and the flowers and the feel of sunshine on your face, Anne describes the simple joys we take granted every day. I simply love author Alice Hoffman but I must admit this is a very YA book and although I often enjoy them this one did not capture my heart. It was a little repetitive and told by a narrator when as the reader I would’ve liked to imagine her thoughts first person. Maybe because I have been reading about the life of Anne Frank for my entire life, nothing will ever compare to her diary and actual words. ⭐⭐⭐

Maria

In 1959 Maria von Trapp marches into the infamous Lunt-Fontanne Theater. Yes, Maria von Trapp is an actual woman and she was angry. When Rogers & Hammerstein bought the rights to produce The Sound of Music from a German film company they used their artistic license to create the life they imagined for the family that escaped the Nazi’s and became a global singing sensation. But Maria lived this life. There were too many things that the play did not capture. Too many things their beautiful family had tragically lost. Always indefatigable, Maria meets with Fran, a secretary and writer who works for Hammerstein. The women walk through Central Park as Maria paints a picture of the magnificent hills of Austria and the family’s rise to fame. Born in 1905, Maria was orphaned at an early age and sent to live with an unkind uncle who terrified them all. Finally escaping to go to teachers college, Maria discovered her natural gift for music and singing. After her training she entered the Nonberg Abbey where she adored her students and was on her way to becoming a nun. Maria was finally at home, praying she would never be alone again. At 21 she received an opportunity to teach a sickly child, one of seven siblings at Baron von Trapp’s estate, and she accepted. Their father, the Baron, was 25 years her senior and his quiet house was still mourning the loss of their mother, the Baroness Agathe. Maria brought life and music back into their lives and well, the rest is history. I adored every single page of this amazing work of historical fiction. One of my all time favorite musicals, this new novel is an absolute joy and not to be missed. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The God of the Woods

When counselor Louise awakens she finds one empty bunk in her cabin. Barbara Van Laar is missing and no-one has seen her in hours. From the moment Louise reports this startling news to the director, chaos ensues. Barbara’s family owns Camp Emerson and the magnificent land surrounding it. Set in the idyllic Adirondack mountains in August 1975, the fast paced mystery has begun. Leaders are gathered to form a search party. The authorities are alerted. Campers are frightened and eerily the town remembers when 14 years earlier, Barbara’s brother Bear disappeared in these same woods, never to be seen again. As each witness is questioned, the investigators appear to have motives and alibis of their own. Some were involved in the previous case, others fear retribution from this powerful family. Judy, a young female investigator (the only woman on the team) was recently promoted from state trooper. She is inexperienced but has an honest approach that surprises them all. A teenager from a wealthy family is missing. An old case is unofficially reopened. And apparently every single suspect has something to hide. This is a long read and you would never know it. The chapters are short and will have you on the edge of your lounger with twists and turns you never expected! A perfect summer thriller. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Behind Every Good Man

When Beverly Diamond surprises her husband at the office, she finds him and his secretary in a most compromising position. Devastated by his betrayal, his bags are packed and Larry finds himself on a friend’s couch before the day is over. Feeling embarrassed and confused Beverly doesn’t see many options as a woman in 1962. Although she was an excellent student, Beverly gave up college and career to be a homemaker, a perfect wife and mother to her two young children. Now in her late twenties, Beverly refuses to let this man ruin her future. She chooses to use the lessons she learned watching the repeated success of her politician father and strong, competent mother. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, Beverly realizes winning would be the sweetest revenge. As Larry runs the senatorial campaign of a two faced liar, Beverly weasels her way into the offices of an opponent. A young candidate named Michael Landau. He is smart, handsome and most importantly - breathtakingly honest. But Landau’s campaign has no money, no traction and very little direction. Well, she intends to change all that. Using every lesson and connection she has in her arsenal, Beverly turns the entire race upside down. Witty, fun and fast paced, this author once again brings us into the not so distant past when women looked the part but were not yet leading the way. They were entirely dependent on their husbands and the male counterparts of their families. The fight for independence and equality were hard won battles that are still in motion today. Do not miss this entertaining original novel and remember who you are when you vote this November. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐