The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Goodreads Blurb: Despite their differences, sisters Vianne and Isabelle have always been close. Younger, bolder Isabelle lives in Paris while Vianne is content with life in the French countryside with her husband Antoine and their daughter. But when the Second World War strikes, Antoine is sent off to fight and Vianne finds herself isolated so Isabelle is sent by their father to help her.
As the war progresses, the sisters’ relationship and strength are tested. With life changing in unbelievably horrific ways, Vianne and Isabelle will find themselves facing frightening situations and responding in ways they never thought possible as bravery and resistance take different forms in each of their actions
My take: 5 out of 5. I’m really into women in the second world War books, as per my latest book reviews. This meant that I had to finally read this book which I have heard nothing but great things. It did not disappoint and lived to its expectations. A truly remarkable story, that keeps you engaged and enthralled up to the last page. Wonderful courage and amazing characters in a heart wrenching but also at the same time heart filling story. A must read, with some tissues at hand. Please read it!!!
There were some amazing lines in the book, these are some of my favorites:
- In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who wer are
- Grief, like regret, settles into our DNA and remains forever a part of us
The Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green
Goodreads blurb: Ronni Sunshine left London for Hollywood to become a beautiful, charismatic star of the silver screen. But at home, she was a narcissistic, disinterested mother who alienated her three daughters.
As soon as possible, tomboy Nell fled her mother’s overbearing presence to work on a farm and find her own way in the world as a single mother. The target of her mother’s criticism, Meredith never felt good enough, thin enough, pretty enough. Her life took her to London—and into the arms of a man whom she may not even love. And Lizzy, the youngest, more like Ronni than any of them, seemed to have it easy, using her drive and ambition to build a culinary career to rival her mother’s fame, while her marriage crumbled around her.
But now the Sunshine sisters are together again, called home by Ronni, who has learned that she has a serious disease and needs her daughters to fulfill her final wishes. And though Nell, Meredith, and Lizzy have never been close, their mother’s illness draws them together to confront the old jealousies and secret fears that have threatened to tear these sisters apart. As they face the loss of their mother, they will discover if blood might be thicker than water after all…
my Take: 3.5 out of 5. A much better book than some of Jane green’s latest, and definitely more reminisce of her fabulous early works. It is not spectacular, but it is an engaging and quick reading summer book. I loved the narrative choices of jumping decades through quick relevant anecdotes, and I think it was a clever way to further develop the characters in a subtle but deeply surprising way. I also enjoyed hoe all the characters were flawed and damaged yet were made relatable and charming to the reader. In their faults was their connection. Note, I feel the cover is such a disappointment because the only thing that has sunshine in the book is the girls last name – the beach setting is a bit too much.
Note: You can click the links in the title to order
Tati's Tidbits 
2 thoughts