BOOKS I FINISHED - APRIL 2023

All the Light We Cannot See, written by Anthony Doerr

A blind girl living in France. An orphaned boy living in Germany. Each with knowledge both valuable and dangerous in the midst of the war they're living through. Eventually, their worlds collide. I chose this book for the "Pulitzer Prize winner" category of a book challenge I'm doing this year.

Hormone Repair Manual: Every Woman's Guide to Healthy Hormones After 40, written by Lara Briden, ND

Describing perimenopause as second puberty, Briden explains what happens to a woman's body during perimenopause and after menopause, as well as how to deal with the various bodily changes they bring about. I chose this book for the "recommended by a friend" category of a book challenge I'm doing this year.

p. 23, Every time we praise a woman for looking young, or at least for not looking old, we reinforce the pervasive and oppressive belief that aging is bad and that, as women, we need to strive to stay young and nubile. 

The Magician's Elephant, written by Kate DiCamillo and narrated by Juliet Stevenson

This is a heartwarming story of orphaned boy who desperately wants to know if his sister is alive, and to find her if she is. A fortune-teller says an elephant will lead him, which seems entirely impossible ... until an elephant appears. A friend recently read this to her kid and recommended I read it to Tyler. I opted for the audio book version, which we enjoyed on a road trip. 

Seven Daughters and Seven Sons, written by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy

In a country where women are forbidden from owning businesses and always have their husbands chosen for them, one girl leaves home dressed as a boy to make her way in the world. Her business endeavor is wildly successful over the years, but will eventually cost her the opportunity to marry the man she loves. This is a school book I read to Tyler.

p. 197, When I was awake and in control, I knew better than to weep over what I couldn't do anything about. It was only in the echoing dark that I couldn't help myself. It was then I realized that the pain of my loneliness would not, as I had thought, grow less with time.

The Strength of His Hand, written by Lynn Austin

This novel is based on the biblical character of King Hezekiah and is filled with reminders to trust God, even when it's hard or doesn't seem to make sense. It's actually the third book in a series of five about biblical kings, but you don't need to read the others to follow it. This book was the April part of a year-long gift from a friend, one book to unwrap and read each month. I also used this book for the "book set in the Middle East" category of a book challenge I'm doing this year.

p. 162, "Don't trade a chance at happiness for a title or prestige. It's not a fair exchange."

These is my Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901, written by Nancy E. Turner

Inspired by the author's family history, this novel tells a compelling story of twenty years in one woman's life. Despite plenty of danger, tragedy, and heartbreak, this book is filled with the courage, perseverance, and love of individuals, friends, and family members. I chose this book for the "first book in a trilogy" category of a book challenge I'm doing this year.

p. 226, It is a funny thing how much more proud people can be of themselves if they never step back and take a good look in a glass. 

p. 277, (E)ducation doesn't keep a person from being a fool, and the lack of it doesn't keep a person from being intelligent. 

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