Sarah's Key

As I started reading Sarah's Key I was filled with a haunting feeling. Did I read this book before? I wondered if I had read the book earlier and simply forgot - but how could someone forget a book about the Holocaust. I suddenly realized the feeling came from a sense of foreboding and fear that I really did not want to face. Perhaps I have read too many books about the Holocaust. Sometimes I cannot manage the sadness in my mind and that is probably why I had a terrible feeling as I started yet another novel about the Holocaust. Why do I read books about a time that is so disturbing to me? Perhaps it is because I cannot forget an age old saying by George Santayana, who, in Reason in Common Sense, The Life of Reason, Vol.1, wrote "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Whatever the reason I trudged onward and read Sarah's Key by Tatiana DeRosnay. I must tell you from the earliest pages I knew what was going to happen to Sarah's family. What I did not know was how the story of Sarah's family, set in 1942 in France would be intertwined with the story of the contemporary woman, Julia Jarmond. Julia is living in France in 2002. She is an American, married to a Frenchmen, living in Paris. Julia works for a magazine and is asked to investigate the story of families who were involved in the Vel’ d’Hiv’ roundup in July 1942.

As Julia investigates the terrible time in Paris history she begins to unravel amazing connections to her own life. DeRosnay intertwines the characters of the story beautifully - and those words are an understatement. I loved the descriptive words, the emotion, and the view of the Holocaust through the eyes of a contemporary woman. I read in a review that Sarah's Key will haunt you. I do not necessarily find those words true, but Sarah's Key will certainly make you think of the connections to history and how we may use those connections to mold our lives. I believe Sarah's Key is a woman's book. I loved Julia in the story, despite her faults. Mostly, I loved her passion and persistence to unlock the truth. Read Sarah's Key for a look at a part of the Holocaust that most of us have never heard about. This is a beautiful story and worth taking the time to pursue.

What the Harpeth Hall Librarians Are Reading

Susan Timmons is reading Saving Sky by Diane Stanley

Susan serves on the committee that selects nominations for the Volunteer State Book Award, and is reading this book to evaluate it for inclusion on the list of VSBA nominees.

In an America that has suffered continual terrorist attacks since 9/11, seventh-grader Sky stands up for what is right and helps a classmate of Middle Eastern descent, although doing so places her and her family at great risk.

Donna Clark just finished reading Confessions of an Eco-Sinner by Fred Pearce and thought it was terrific.

Pearce tracked the sources of his "stuff" around the world--from the gold in his ring to the cotton in his blue jeans.  It was an amazing book, and made me realize that I need to think more seriously about what I buy and the cost to the environment.

  

 

Karen Douse read Digging to America by Anne Tyler this summer.

A chance encounter between two families—the all-American Donaldsons and the Iranian-born Yasdans--at the Baltimore airport prompts an examination about what it means to be an American. This was a fun read – a somewhat atypical Anne Tyler character study about two families who have each adopted a Korean daughter.

Alice Bryant just finished Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley.

This is a book of eleven-year-old Flavia de Luce and her Holmes-like detective skills in England shortly after the end of World War II.  Flavia is a spunky character and the tale is told from her perspective.  The book is full of descriptive language that makes it a great whodunit for adults and teens.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

This is a fascinating true story about an African-American woman named Henrietta Lacks and the contribution her cells have made to modern science. Henrietta was a poor southern tobacco farmer, and when she became ill with cervical cancer, she went to the black ward at Johns Hopkins for treatment. A biopsy was taken without her knowledge or permission, and it was discovered that these cells grew rapidly and would not die like normal cells. Scientists began to grow the cells and used them for many types of experiments.

The cervical cancer spread throughout Henrietta's body and she died leaving a husband and five young children. Her cells became known as HELA cells and they are called immortal because they continue to grow and reproduce, unlike typical cells from the body. HELA cells led to the discovery of the Polio vaccine, as well as major breakthroughs in the study of cancer, viruses, and gene mapping.

This is a remarkable book because it is a book about science--but it is also a book about Henrietta and the children she left behind. The cells from Henrietta have been bought and sold by the billions and companies have become wealthy marketing HELA cells, and yet Henrietta's family never received a penny of the profits. Journalist Rebecca Skloot spent ten years researching this compelling story.

Books on the Nightstand

I wanted to share my latest book discovery--Books on the Nightstand by Ann Kingman and Michael Kindness. Ann and Michael both work in the book industry and each week they do a wonderful podcast about books. You can listen from the website on your computer or you can go to I-Tunes and subscribe (free) to get the podcast delivered to I-Tunes each week. I download the podcasts to my I Pod and listen while I am walking or exercising.

The website has all of the books indexed by podcasts, and Ann and Michael also add news items of interest to book lovers. Recent podcasts include recommended gift books as well as the best books of 2009. When I am listening to the podcast, I feel as though I am sitting in my living room talking to friends about books! They also have many resources for book clubs on the website. Enjoy listening--but beware, it can be addicting!

http://booksonthenightstand.com/podcasts

Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson

In his previous book Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson relates how he stumbled down a mountain in Pakistan and discovered his life's work--building schools for girls in remote villages in Pakistan. This book begins with a promise. In the Autumn of 1999, Greg is approached by a squadron of horsemen from the Kirghiz area of Afghanistan. This is one of the most remote areas in the world, but these men have heard about Greg's schools and want a school for their area. Stones into Schools is the story of Greg's expansion into building schools in remote villages in Afghanistan. You will laugh and you will cry as Greg relates stories of this expansion and the lives that were changed as a result of these schools. The book is well-written with color photographs, helpful maps, and even a "Who's Who" of the many people in the book. Greg firmly believes that educating girls is the key to promoting peace and building positive relationships in the Middle East. We have so much to learn from him. This is an inspirational book, and you will remember it long after you read the last page.