Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

This fast-paced book is the perfect choice for light reading, either between your finals studying or when you’re avoiding school completely.  One of our students compared Godbersen’s books to Gossip Girl but back in time, and she was right.  Her books are full of gossip, rumors, fashion, friendship and romance.  This book takes place in New York City during the the Jazz Age of the Roaring Twenties.  It’s the story of three young women, not even out of their teens.  Cordelia Grey and Letty Larkspur have literally escaped from Union, Ohio, Cordelia from a marriage she felt forced into and Letty from her harsh father and up-at-dawn farm family.  Readers find out Cordelia is looking for the father she never knew while Letty hopes to become a star on Broadway.  Astrid Donal is a stylish, flapper whose mother is on her fourth wealthy husband, and lives a life of luxury.  Cordelia will find out that her father is a wealthy alcohol bootlegger, who lives in a mansion and is thrilled to have her back in his life.  Letty will get a job at at a speakeasy as a cigarette girl, making friends with other young women also seeking their fortunes in the Big Apple.  Astrid turns out to be the spoiled girlfriend of Cordelia’s half-brother Charlie.

The girls’ lives become complicated in ways that are hard to imagine, but I promise you that there is never a dull moment in this book.  As you can probably tell, I loved this book just as much as Godbersen’s previous series called The Luxe, which is about young women in Manhattan during the turn of the twentieth century.  I recommend this title to fans of Godbersen’s earlier books, anyone looking for a light and engaging read, and fans of the Clique series and Gossip Girls.

Here is a LINK to the author’s website, which includes videos, photos, games and even a blog.

Click HERE for a review of Luxe.

Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War

Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantes

When Waino Mellas joined the Marine Reserves, the United States wasn’t involved in Vietnam.  He saw the reserves as a straight-forward way to help pay for his Ivy League education.  But when he graduated from college, he felt compelled to keep his “promise” to Uncle Sam and ends up as a second lieutenant leading a platoon in Bravo Company in the deep jungle of the Quang-Tri Province of Vietnam, near the Laos border.  The book is told through his eyes as his company fights not only the North Vietnamese Army, but also the heat, monsoons, malaria, thirst, hunger, leeches, trench foot, jungle rot,Agent Orange and land mines, and an enemy who sometimes feels like unrelenting apparition.  Bravo Company is charged with taking the hill the army has named Matterhorn, and after a bloody, devastating campaign, they are ordered to build an outpost there, only to be told to abandon it almost immediately after completion for a new mission. Thanks to new technology, the war is being directed by a lt. colonel and his second-in-command, who are stationed safely away from the bloody and horrific battlefields.  Not only Simpson drink too much, his motives are often suspect and he misses reports that leaves the company stranded without food, water or ammunition.

It took Karl Marlantes, a decorated marine who did serve in Vietnam, over thirty years to write this book.  At 600 pages, it’s certainly not a quick read, but for readers who want to know what the war was like for the regular grunts, it feels spot-on real, showing the life-affirming camaraderie between the soldiers,  as well as the violent and unyielding horrors of guerrilla warfare.  Although it’s almost more a character study than a plot-driven novel, readers will find it impossible to put down, once immersed into the lives of Mellas and Bravo company.  To aid the reader, Marlantes has added chart of the main characters and a  map of the fictional area around Matterhorn to the front of the book.  In the back, he has included an invaluable glossary of military terms, slang and jargon.  I especially appreciated this because his characters and plot could be authentic, without making me feel lost as a civilian reader.

This is not a decent book about the Vietnam War, it is a great book!  It has been compared to Tim O’Brien’s classic The Things They Carried, and in my opinion may just be a better book.  This vividly told book dropped me into the middle of the war, right along with Mellas.  The combat sequences were authentic and engaging, even while difficult to endure.  I felt his frustration and pain when he lost soldiers; or was told, no, there won’t be any resupply today because the military can’t take the risk of losing its choppers worth millions of dollars just to bring your troops food and water.  When the racial tension between soldier bubbled over into dangerous territory,  the reader feels as afraid for the men as Mellas does.  This compelling novel may become the Catch 22 for this war.  Especially now as the United States continues its part in the was in the Middle East, this book should be assigned reading for all officers to remind them of the mistakes we’ve made in the recent past so we don’t repeat them again.

I recommend this book to all readers and can’t rate it highly enough.  For fans of Tim O’Brien’s books and anyone interested in what really went on with the foot soldiers in this war, this is a must read.

The Luxe

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

I just read this book to give myself a break from all the dark titles I had been reading.  Boy, do I regret waiting so long! Reyna (class of 2011) has already reviewed this title HERE, and did a great job.  I just wanted to give it some more publicity and encourage folks to read it.  So far, it has three other titles in the series, all of which we own at BHS.  For me, it is the perfect light summer reading.

The author has even put this book online, so you can read it in the comfort of your own bedroom, Starbucks, etc.  Read this book online for FREE!!!

Watch the official book trailer at home.

Rebecca

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

Rebecca is a brilliant mystery written by the authoress Daphne du Maurier.   Several film versions of the book have been produced, the most famous being  Rebecca (1940), a “psychological thriller” by the celebrated Mr. Alfred Hitchcock. The story is about a deceased wife named Rebecca, who has died in a sailing accident on the shores of Manderley Hall. The story is told through the second wife of Maxim De Winter; we never learn what her name is. When she moves into Manderley with Maxim de Winter, she starts to feel the presence of his late wife, and at times, she feels as if she’s channeling Rebecca, as if she is Rebecca. She fears that Max’s love for her is not as strong as she wishes, but when Rebecca’s body is found, Max reveals a secret to her, which surprisingly brings the two together. I recommend this novel to people who enjoy drama, lots of suspense, and a little romance. But this is not a romance novel; in fact, it’s a little creepy at times! But that’s the fun of it.

Review by Myene T.Y. class of 2011

Picturing America books

The library is pleased to announce that we have received a grant featuring fiction and non-fiction books on the theme Picturing America. There are a total of 19 titles, including three titles in Spanish translation. The titles are wide-ranging and thought provoking, including books as complex as Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville to picture books like Sweet Music in Harlem by Debbie Taylor. A complete listing of the tiles can be found at the programs website:
Picturing America.

We have the books on the plexiglass bookshelves right by my desk when you come in the library. There are also very cool bookmarks you can take, whether or not you borrow any of the books. The goal of the program, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association, is “to encourage and strengthen the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture through libraries, schools, colleges, universities, and cultural institutions.” These books are a wonderful addition to our library, and are being prominently displayed along with coordinating bookmarks.

Uprising

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix.

“The story begins like so much else, with hope. Hope and dreams and daring.”

This is the story of three very different girls, leading different lives.

Yetta is the Jewish girl from Russia, living with her sister in a tiny room.  Jane is a rich, privileged, naïve girl. Her father owns a factory- the same factory where Yetta works for hardly enough money to live . Bella is the new Italian girl, sending money back to her homeland to feed her starving family. But then their worlds come down, with a single word. Strike. Strike. Strike.

Yetta is eager, a revolutionary, a fighter. She wants better pay and she does not want to be locked into the factory for a pittance.  Jane is intrigued by the commotion, and wants to learn more.  Bella does not understand what is happening- she speaks no English, and does not understand the strange country.

Then the world becomes darker, and darker still.  Bella’s cousin, her only family in this odd place, leaves, and she discovers her wages have been stolen by the owners of the boarding house- her family has been dead for weeks.  Jane discovers the truth about the factories her father owns, that her wealth is Blood Money, and wants no part in it.  The three girls become friends, slowly but surely, striving to survive in the cruel world, but can they change anything at all? And when disaster strikes, can they all survive?
Warning: this is a human face on the disasters of the mill fires of 1910. It is Sad, and it is True. The great mill fires were the worst work-place disaster until 9/11, but the worst part is, it might have been prevented. It could have been prevented, easily. Try not to weep.

Review by Naysomay

The Luxe

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

The Luxe is a wonderful book, recently released by BHS alum and New York Times best-selling author Anna Godbersen. It is set in socialite New York City, and details the lives of Manhattan’s most wealthy inhabitants. No, this isn’t Gossip Girl – the twist is that it takes place at the turn of the 20th century, 1899. The plot follows the outwardly innocent Elizabeth Holland, her maid Lina, the somewhat anarchistic younger Diana Holland, the debonair and attractive yet perpetual party boy Henry Schoonmaker, and
the scheming Penelope Hayes. The story opens on Elizabeth’s funeral, and the rest of the book is a flashback of the year leading up to it. and what a year it was – love triangles, parties, engagements, broken hearts, blackmail, kisses in closets, and hidden secrets. Although occasionally worrisome that this really is Gossip Girl after all, The Luxe provides enough twists on otherwise tired happenings to keep things fresh and interesting, and it is clear that Godbersen did her homework, as the book is chock full of historical details and excerpts from manners books for the elite of the time. Altogether a great book, it comes to you highly recommended.

Written by Reyna Class of 2011

Genghis: Birth of an Empire

Genghis: Birth of an Empire by Conn Iggulden

Genghis is the story of how Temujin, a young and disadvantaged Mongol boy, eventually rises to become Genghis Khan, the greatest conqueror in the history of mankind.  Taking place in the 12th century, Temujin was born as the second son of the “Khan” of his clan, and therefore held royal blood.  However, the Khan dies due to a wound given by men hired to assassinate him from a rival tribe, and Temujin as well as the rest of his family (mother, three brothers, and baby sister) get kicked out his native tribe, and are forced to make due on their own in the cold and harsh plains of Mongolia.   It is then that Temujin realizes that he must overcome his struggles, avenge his father’s death, and eventually unite all of the tribes as one people.
The book was written by Conn Iggulden, an author who has written many historical fiction novels before Genghis.   It was a fairly exciting read in my opinion, with many tales of death and war. It also is effective in engaging the reader into Temujin’s emotions, making me cheer for him and want to continue reading.   I would, on a scale of 1-10, give the book a 7, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in history at all, adventure fans, and even fantasy readers.

Written by Spencer  Class of 2010

Night

Our first student review of the year!  Whoo hoo!

Night by Ellie Wiesel

Elie Wiesel’s first-hand account of the Holocaust is a must-read for all students in World Literature and it is an important topic in World History. We learn through the eyes of a boy just how inhumane humans can behave towards each other. The story begins in a small village in Romanian where Elizer Wiesel lives with his mother, father and three sisters. They are devote Ortotodox Jews and Elie is dedicated to his study of the Talmud. He is also curious of Kabbalah and asks a lot of questions to the caretaker at the local temple. The whole village is in complete denial that Jewish people are in danger and should leave Romania. They eventually are rounded-up like animals and forced in cattle cars though a horrible journey to their destruction. Many watch their loved ones be tortured and killed while others become slaves at warehouses, factories and along the railroad. Elie loses all his faith in God and begins to wish death for his father who becomes a burden. Elie travels through four concentration camps before he arrives in Buchenwald, Germany. I would truly recommend that this be read to any student in high school. It is important for the world to remember how destructive Hitler was to the innocent Jewish people.

Written by Darius

Daniel Half Human and the Good Nazi

Daniel Half Human : and the Good Nazi by David Chotjewitz

This book is a California Young Reader Medal nominee for 2008-2009.  It is an interesting addition to what most of us call Holocaust Literature, the book tells the story from an unusual perspective, a teenager who never realized that he’s half Jewish until the Nazis were in full control of Germany.  In fact, he tried to join the Hitler Youth, but his parents refused to sign the papers.  When he finds out that his mother is Jewish, his universe turns upside down–suddenly he is the  “half-human,” the outcast, the one who is kicked off the soccer team and whispered about behind his back.

The “good Nazi” in the title refers to Daniel’s best friend, Armin.  He does join the Hitler Youth behind his father’s back, and eventually finds himself faced with the choice of being loyal to his friend, or following orders from his superiors.  Read Daniel Half Human to learn the unexpected ending to this unusual story.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

A Thousand Splendid Sunsby Khaled Hosseini

If you read and loved Kite Runner like so many of us did, this has got to be your next book. Set in Afghanistan over the last thirty years, this book tells the story of two women who are thrown together by war and other tragic and devastating events. Basically, it is the story of two women trying to survive the Soviet invasion, takeover by the Taliban, and an abusive husband. I couldn’t keep myself from being drawn in to the problems of these two very different women. Although it feels like a realistic portrayal of life in Kabul during this time period, I wish there had been more positive portrayals of men in the story, as they come off very negatively.

I cried so many times while reading this story (which is a compliment from me), but thankfully was left hopeful by its final conclusion.