How to Be an American Housewife by Margaret Dilloway
The story behind this book alone should be a reason to read it; Margaret grew up listening to her mother's stories of life in her home country of Japan prior to marrying an American GI and moving to the United States. I knew that her mother had been the inspiration for the novel but I didn't realize she lived it as well! The novel starts off with Shoko, an elderly Japanese woman who's heart ailment is keeping her from her dream, returning to Japan and making peace with the brother she left behind 50 years prior. As a very young Japanese woman her parents convinced her that the only way for her to have a good life is to catch the eye of an American GI during WWII and marry him. When Shoko is able to do this her new American husband gives her a gift, a book entitled "How to Be an American Housewife". This book was written in both Japanese and English and was meant to teach new Japanese immigrant wives the proper way of keeping a home and family in the United States. Throughout the novel the author gives snippets of advice from the book to introduce new topics. When Shoko realizes that her health won't allow her to make such a long journey she enlists the help of her daughter and granddaughter. This is a great novel of family, forgiveness and awakenings and will make a great discussion book for any book club, I promise!Uprising by Margaret Haddix
This YA novel starts off with young immigrant girls working in the Triangle Shirtwaise Factory during the early 1900's and also tells a parallel story of a young socialite named Jane who is quickly getting bored with her prim and proper upbringing. Bella has just arrived in the new country from Italy in order to make money to send home to her family when she first meets Yetta, a Jewish girl her age at the factory they have both started at. The young women who working at the Triangle factory know they aren't gettng treated right so they begin a strike in the dead of winter and bring Bella into it as well, seeing as she doesn't speak English well she doesn't quite understand what she is doing but goes along with it anyway. When Bella falls very sick and is discovered by Jane and her chauffeur she is brought home to rambling mansion and comfort of Jane's life. As Bella showly recovers with Jane's help they become fast friends along with Yetta, enough that Jane gives up her life of luxury to work at the factory with them and fight for their equality. Even though the girls have very little money between the 3 of them they learn to cherish their friendship and the small things they receive. On March 25, 1911 though their lives would never be the same again. I had a very hard time putting down this novel because I knew that the shirtwaist factory fire would happen soon and I had to know what happened to the girls. This is a great novel for adults and teens alike, it would be great as a book club discussion or even in a classroom, I loved it!Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson
For any of you that check out my recommends shelf at the bookstore you've probably figured out that I really enjoy southern literature and Joshilyn Jackson is one of my favorite southern writers besides Mark Twain, Harper Lee and Mark Childress. Joshilyn has a way of taking everyday characters ( like your next door neighbors or the lady in the grocery story) and creating a twisting, quirky and slightly dysfunctional life for them. In "Grown-Up Kind of Pretty" there are the Slocumb woman, a family of women with 3 generations ( grandmother, mother and granddaughter) that knwo they have a curse. The curse of the Slocumb woman means falling in love with the wrong men and getting pregnant too young. Grandmother Jenny and mother Liza know they have to stop this curse nonsense once and for all and constantly remind Mosey, the youngest, of it daily. Jenny and Liza have always tried to make sure Mosey won't make the same mistakes they did by putting her in an elite prep school, pushing her to get A's and make sure they're always there for her. When Liza has an unexpected stroke leaving her speechless and with limited movement Jenny and Mosey think they really have their work cut out for them but they have no idea. When Jenny is having the backyard dug up in order to put in a therapy pool for Liza they discover something only Liza has the answer to, the remains of a baby. Mosey decides to take it upon herself to find the answers to her family's secrets and end the curse once and for all. This is a fast paced and enthralling read that pulls you in and won't let you go until the very last page. Joshilyn Jackson once again lives up to her previous novels with yet another great read.I hope everyone has been reading something entertaining lately and if not you should be! With the weather being what it is we all need something interesting to curl up with.
Happy reading fellow book lovers!
Morgan :)
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