Tomorrow Will Be Better

Tomorrow Will Be Better was originally published in 1948 by Betty Smith, best known for her novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Recently republished as "A Rediscovered Classic," Tomorrow Will Be Better returns to Brooklyn with another look at the poverty in the 1920s. Readers meet Margy Shannon as she leaves high school and embarks on her journey into the workplace and adulthood. However, in order to understand the Shannon family dynamics, Smith uses flashbacks to share a time when Margy was lost as a child and how her mother reacted. This specific episode is referenced throughout the book. While Margy Shannon is the main character throughout the book, several other prominent characters and their stories are also told as the individuals interact with Margy.

In Tomorrow Will Be Better, Smith uses rich, descriptive writing to tell the story of the hard-scrabble life endured by the families portrayed and their efforts to improve their lives. As the title indicates, the main theme in the book is a hope for the future in the midst of being held back by family and community expectations. This book is highly recommended for those who enjoy literary fiction and coming of age stories.

Stanfield Chronicles

Exploration by David Tory is the first book in the new Stanfield Chronicles series. Set primarily in England, Exploration follows Isaac Stanfield through his teen and young adult years. Stanfield's story is told through a combination of letters and journal entries which describe the many adventures he experiences. His adventures largely center around sailing and doing investigative work for individuals invested in what would become the Massachusetts Bay Company. As part of his work, Stanfield is sent to see if it is possible for a group of English settlers to survive a winter in the new world. Finding it is, Stanfield's work paves the way for the sailing of the Mayflower.

Author David Tory does an admirable job of blending historical research including actual historical figures with an engaging story. There is a dash of romance as well as swashbuckling adventures and sorrow. The combination creates a historical narrative which appeals to all readers. I look forward to more of Isaac Stanfield's adventures in subsequent volumes of this series.

I received a complementary copy of Exploration from NetGalley.

Power of Books in the Midst of War

A war zone is the not the first place that comes to mind to experience the life-changing impact of books and reading. However, that is exactly what happens in The Book Collectors. French journalist Delphine Minoui pens this behind the scenes true story of the Syrian community of Darayya where young Syrian men engaged in an uprising collect books found in bombed houses. While they knew how to read, access to books had been severely limited prior to collecting the books. Creating a make-shift library they begin to experience the power of words and reading for the first time. This sense of normalcy encourages them and keeps them going during their long seige. Minoui uses her contacts as to connect with these individuals via video, text messages, and other resources to share their story with the world.

Beyond showing the amazing impact of books, The Book Collectors helps the reader to learn more about the tragedies in Syria and see the humanity of the soldiers. Learning about how they were defending their homes was eye-opening. Recommended for anyone who enjoys learning about different parts of the world and anyone who loves the power of story.

I received a complementary copy of The Book Collectors via NetGalley. I was not required to provide a positive review.

POW Camp in Minnesota?

When one thinks of World War II, most often you think of Europe or the Pacific theatre. One rarely thinks about the POW camps that were right here in the United States. Things We Didn't Say, a debut novel by Amy Lynn Green published by Bethany House, focuses on just such a POW camp set in Minnesota.

Green uses a series of letters written between the various characters to tell the story. This unique device serves the two-fold purpose of both moving the story forward and also creates the body of "evidence" when lead character Johanna Berglund is accused of treason. The bulk of the letters are between Johanna, who serves as a translator at a German POW camp in her hometown, and Peter Ito, a Japanese-American who is teaching Japanese to future intelligence officers. Johanna, whom one might describe as "too big for her britches," is frustrated at being back in her home town rather than at the university. Her frustration at being in her small town combined with treating the German POWs as human beings creates conflict between Johanna and others in her town. However, her true test is still to come. The last few chapters of the novel were quite tense as you wonder what will happen and if Johanna will be found guilty or not.

While published by a Christian publishing house, I found that Things We Didn't Say does not contain several of the hallmarks of Christian novels. Prayer is mentioned frequently, but given calls for prayer during war time and the time period that was not unusual. The events in the story do cause Johanna to re-embrace her childhood faith towards the end of the story but not in an overt manner. As such, this book could gain a larger audience than it might otherwise. Overall, I enjoyed the book and found it well-researched. Others who enjoy historical fiction will enjoy it as well.

I received a complementary copy of Things We Didn't Say via NetGalley from Bethany House. I'm not required to give a positive opinion.