MAILBOX MONDAY

Welcome to Mailbox Monday, the weekly meme created by Marcia, formerly from The Printed Page, where book lovers share the titles they received for review, purchased, or otherwise obtained over the past week. Mailbox Monday currently is on tour, and this month’s host is Mrs. Q: Book Addict.

This week a book came in the mail that I was thrilled to win from Melissa at Confessions of an Avid Reader. (The link is to her review.)

The GoodReads summary is:

Legendary women--from Anne Boleyn to Queen Elizabeth I to Mary, Queen of Scots--changed the course of history in the royal courts of sixteenth-century England. They are celebrated in history books and novels, but few people know of the powerful women in the Muslim world, who formed alliances, served as key advisers to rulers, lobbied for power on behalf of their sons, and ruled in their own right. In "Equal of the Sun, "Anita Amirrezvani's gorgeously crafted tale of power, loyalty, and love in the royal court of Iran, she brings one such woman to life, Princess Pari Khan Khanoom Safavi. Iran in 1576 is a place of wealth and dazzling beauty. But when the Shah dies without having named an heir, the court is thrown into tumult. Princess Pari, the Shah's daughter and protege, knows more about the inner workings of the state than almost anyone, but the princess's maneuvers to instill order after her father's sudden death incite resentment and dissent. Pari and her closest adviser, Javaher, a eunuch able to navigate the harem as well as the world beyond the palace walls, are in possession of an incredible tapestry of secrets and information that reveals a power struggle of epic proportions.

Based loosely on the life of Princess Pari Khan Khanoom, "Equal of the Sun "is a riveting story of political intrigue and a moving portrait of the unlikely bond between a princess and a eunuch. Anita Amirrezvani is a master storyteller, and in her lustrous prose this rich and labyrinthine world comes to vivid life with a stunning cast of characters, passionate and brave men and women who defy or embrace their destiny in a Machiavellian game played by those who lust for power and will do anything to attain it.

I can't wait to read it. Thanks you Melissa and thanks to the publisher for my copy!

MAILBOX MONDAY: Two books to make me think about the real world.

Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme created by Marcia from A girl and her books (formerly The Printed Page) where book lovers share the titles they received for review, purchased, or otherwise obtained over the past week. It is currently on tour, and for the month of March it is being hosted by The Diary of an Eccentric. Visit the link to see what other bloggers are reading!

It has been awhile since I've participated in Mailbox Monday - I've been slacking off. But I just bought two books that are not my usual fare, so I'm interested in sharing the word about them and to get any input from anyone who has read them. My go-to reads are historical fiction. These are nonfiction and deal with contemporary problems. They won't be escapist at all, but I hope they'll be inspiring.

The first is Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond by Lilly Ledbetter with Lanier Scot Isom.

Here is the summary from the jacket copy:

The courageous story of the woman at the center of the historic discrimination case that inspired the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act--her fight for equal rights in the workplace, and how her determination became a victory for the nation.

Lilly Ledbetter was born in a house with no running water or electricity in the small town of Possum Trot, Alabama. She knew that she was destined for something more, and in 1979, Lilly applied for her dream job at the Goodyear tire factory. Even though the only women she’d seen there were secretaries in the front offices where she’d submitted her application, she got the job—one of the first women hired at the management level.

Though she faced daily discrimination and sexual harassment, Lilly pressed onward, believing that eventually things would change. Until, nineteen years later, Lilly received an anonymous note revealing that she was making thousands less per year than the men in her position. Devastated, she filed a sex discrimination case against Goodyear, which she won—and then heartbreakingly lost on appeal. Over the next eight years, her case made it all the way to the Supreme Court, where she lost again: the court ruled that she should have filed suit within 180 days of her first unequal paycheck--despite the fact that she had no way of knowing that she was being paid unfairly all those years. In a dramatic moment, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg read her dissent from the bench, urging Lilly to fight back.

And fight Lilly did, becoming the namesake of President Barack Obama's first official piece of legislation. Today, she is a tireless advocate for change, traveling the country to urge women and minorities to claim their civil rights. Both a deeply inspiring memoir and a powerful call to arms, Grace and Grit is the story of a true American icon.

The second is: Rescuing Regina. The Battle to Save a Friend from Deportation and Death by Josephe Marie Flynnn, SSND

Here is the summary from the jacket copy:

What is it like to be a young mother threatened with deportation to the country whose government has imprisoned you and whose soldiers have raped and tortured you? You don't want to leave your children behind, but how can you take them with you, knowing that your homeland, ruled by chaos and violence, is notorious for murdering failed asylum seekers?

Regina Bakala found herself in just this situation ten years after escaping the Congo and settling in the United States. Upon arrival, Regina had worked with an immigration lawyer, then joyfully reunited with her husband, also a Congolese torture survivor, and had two children. Life was challenging but full of hope until the night there was a knock on the door and immigration agents burst in. They forced Regina from her home as her family watched, then locked her in prison to await deportation to certain death.

In Rescuing Regina, author Josephe Marie Flynn tells Regina's powerful story -- and how her husband, a pit-bull lawyer, a group of volunteers, and a feisty nun set aside political differences to galvanize a movement to save her. Revealing what she uncovered about US immigration policies and the dangers faced by those escaping war crimes, Flynn exposes an America most never see:  a vast underbelly of injustice, a harsh detention and deportation system, and a frighteningly arbitrary asylum process. In their battle for justice, Regina and Josephe not only confronted dangerous obstacles but also reawakened emotions and traumas from the past. Rescuing Regina is also a tale of friendship , faith, hope, and the transformative journey of two friends.

MAILBOX MONDAY: Two new historicals

Mailbox Monday is a meme originated by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. It's now being rotated through different blogs monthly. During October, Mailbox Monday will be hosted by Savvy Verse & Wit. Bloggers can share info about the new books that have come into their homes during the week. It's a great way to discover what everyone else is reading -- and have your own wish lists grow exponentially.

This week I bought two new books. First, Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman, was the subject of my WOW post a few weeks back. Now I have the book!

The second book is Road from the West by Rosanne E. Lortz.

The back jacket description is: You've heard of the Knights Templar, you've heard of Richard the Lionheart-- now learn the story that started it all with the adventures of the First Crusade.

Haunted by guilt from the past and nightmares of the future, a young Norman named Tancred takes the cross and vows to be the first to free Jerusalem from the infidels. As he journeys to the Holy Land, he braves vast deserts, mortal famine, and the ever-present ambushes of the enemy Turks -- but the greatest danger of all is deciding which of the Crusader lords to trust. A mysterious seer prophesies that Tancred will find great love and great sorrow on his journey, but the second seems intent on claiming him before he can find the first. Intrigues and passions grow as every battle brings the Crusaders one step closer to Jerusalem. Not all are destined to survive the perilous road from the West.

From the description, the book puts me in mind of the classic novel of the First Crusade by Alfred Duggan, Knight With Armour, a book I really enjoyed. So I'm looking forward to this one.

MAILBOX MONDAY: Wildflower Hill by Kimberly Freeman

Mailbox Monday is a meme originated by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. It's now being rotated through different blogs monthly. During October, Mailbox Monday will be hosted by Savvy Verse & Wit. Bloggers can share info about the new books that have come into their homes during the week. It's a great way to discover what everyone else is reading -- and have your own wish lists grow exponentially.

I have been trying to put a dent in the pile of books by my bed but I keep getting distracted by new books. So I made a bargain with myself that I would use the library more, and stop buying books to pile up in various places all over my house. Most of the requests I've made have been new releases, which means going on the library's waiting list. Which is great because I know I'll get the books eventually but can concentrate on my piles for now. But then, for some reason, in one week I get calls that 8 books are in. Not all are new releases, but the ones that are can't be renewed. All this is prelude to explain why I ended up buying Wildflower Hill by Kimberly Freeman.

Goodreads summary:

Emma, a prima ballerina in London, is at a crossroads after an injured knee ruins her career. Forced to rest and take stock of her life, she finds that she’s mistaken fame and achievement for love and fulfillment. Returning home to Australia, she learns of her grandmother Beattie’s death and a strange inheritance: a sheep station in isolated rural Australia. Certain she has been saddled with an irritating burden, Emma prepares to leave for Wildflower Hill to sell the estate.

Beattie also found herself at a crossroads as a young woman, but she was pregnant and unwed. She eventually found success—but only after following an unconventional path that was often dangerous and heartbreaking. Beattie knew the lessons she learned in life would be important to Emma one day, and she wanted to make sure Emma’s heart remained open to love, no matter what life brought. She knew the magic of the Australian wilderness would show Emma the way.

Wildflower Hill is a compelling, atmospheric, and romantic novel about taking risks, starting again, and believing in yourself. It’s about finding out what you really want and discovering that the answer might be not at all what you’d expect.


I've seen this book talked up on a couple blogs and it sounded like something I'd really enjoy. It's not exactly historical fiction. The prologue places us in 1989. However Beattie's life story starts us off in 1929 which counts as historical fiction for me. Mainly though I'm hearing this described as family saga, and I'm in the mood for some saga.

However, I apparently wasn't enough in the mood to read it before I had to return the book to the library. Time got away from me. So...I bought it.

MAILBOX MONDAY

Mailbox Monday is a meme originated by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. It's now being rotated through different blogs monthly. During September, Mailbox Monday will be hosted by Amused By Books. Bloggers can share info about the new books that have come into their homes during the week. It's a great way to learn about MORE books to add to your wish lists and TBR piles.

I've always thought the Children's Crusade would make a great historical novel for kids and/or young adults. Evidently, Linda Press Wulf thought so too, because she wrote Crusade, published this year by Bloomsbury, UK. I've been trying to get a hold of a copy for awhile without luck, then once again remembered The Book Depository. It just arrived. I want to read it for the YA historical fiction challenge so I hope to get to it soon.

Here's the back jacket copy: When a dazzlingly handsome boy riding a white charger arrives in Georgette's village, she is spellbound - both by the boy and by the crowd that surrounds him. They are all children. The boy is even more entrancing when he speaks. He seeks volunteers to join his Crusade - a perilous mission from which some may not return. Georgette has never left her village before, but she knows she will follow the boy. And so begins a journey filled with terrible danger, sacrifice and true love, a journey which will take all of Georgette's courage to survive.



And while I'm at it, I'll cheat a bit and mention a book I bought last week. I was killing time at the mall waiting for my son and decided to make one last trip into Waldenbooks. I had a few dollars left on a Borders gift card. The store was practically cleaned out. It was so sad. I've spent many hours browsing in that store and have many impulse purchases to show for it. (Cutting for Stone was one-- what an awesome read that was.)

But what shocked me was that there on the nearly bare shelf was a single copy of The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin, a new release that I want very much to read. It was 80% off. And I had a gift card that was about to become worthless. The book ended up costing me 95 cents which is appalling, really.

Anyway, my TBR pile is getting bigger instead of smaller, but I'm really looking forward to these two!

MAILBOX MONDAY (WITH A GIVEAWAY!!): Cecelia and Fanny. The Remarkable Friendship between an Escaped Slave and Her Former Mistress by Brad Asher

Mailbox Monday is a meme originated by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. It's now being rotated through different blogs monthly. During August, Mailbox Monday will be hosted by Life in the Thumb. Bloggers can share info about the new books that have come into their homes during the week. It's a great way to learn about MORE books to add to your wish lists and TBR piles.

Guess what arrived at our house this weekend! Advance copies of my husband's wonderful book Cecelia and Fanny. The Remarkable Friendship between an Escaped Slave and Her Former Mistress published by the University Press of Kentucky.

The book uses primary sources, including a cache of letters from Fanny to Cecelia, to tell the story of their relationship and to explore the cultural roles and influences of slavery in an urban setting (Louisvile, KY) rather than on a rural plantation.

Publishers Weekly gave it a wonderful review here.

Sound interesting? Check out his CSPAN2 Booktalk interview.

I'm running a giveaway to correspond with the release date. Winner will be chosen on September 21st. Leave a comment below AND fill in this FORM  to enter. The only requirement is that you leave a comment (and contact info on the form), but followers and those who help spread the word will get extra entries.  

MAILBOX MONDAY: The Song of Troy by Colleen McCullough

Mailbox Monday is a meme originated by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. It's now being rotated through different blogs monthly. Bloggers can share info about the new books they've obtained during the week. This month the host is Staci at Life in the Thumb. Come visit and check out links to see what we're reading (or planning to read soon!)

For all my good intentions about not acquiring new books for awhile, I took a weekend jaunt to Half-Price Books on Saturday. My kids dragged me. They were culling their shelves, making room for back-to-school. I came across an old novel by one of my favorite novelists, Colleen McCullough. I don't know how I missed this one, since I've read nearly all her books and this is certainly right up my alley. I had to grab it while I had the chance.

The Song of Troy by Colleen McCullough is (obviously) the story of the Iliad. It's told from multiple viewpoints. Each of the main actors get to tell his/her side of the tale. I love this epic tragedy. I've read multiple versions over the years. I also love McCullough's writing style. So I'm looking forward to seeing her take on this classic love story-adventure.

Mailbox Monday: Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger

Mailbox Monday is a meme created by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books, that is now being hosted at different blogs on a monthly basis. This month, you can find Mailbox Monday links at A Sea of Books. Come have a look at the books we're all collecting!

On Friday after work I made my sad, sad pilgrimage to Borders. Although we’ve seen it coming for a long while, it doesn’t make it any easier.

I didn’t go hog-wild though. I bought a few books for my son who went with me. But as I wandered through the aisles, commonsense prevailed. I have to put a dent in my TBR pile before I heap anything more onto it. So I bought only one book for myself.

Years ago, my sister told me I should read Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger. My sister doesn’t recommend very many books to me. (Ella Minnow Pea was one, and it quickly became one of my favorites.) She couldn’t really describe to me what Franny and Zooey was about, she just said I had to read it. I’ve picked it up and put it down at bookstores a hundred times. I’ve contemplated taking it out of the library. It’s one of those books that is always there, so I’ve felt no urgency about getting to it. But now, here it was at the Borders going-out-of-business sale. So I decided it was time.

I now own a copy. I guess that means I really do have to read it.

MAILBOX MONDAY: Unbroken. A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

Mailbox Monday is a meme  created by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books, that is now being hosted at different blogs on a monthly basis. This month, you can find Mailbox Monday links at A Sea of Books. Come have a look at the books we're all collecting!

Here's the book I bought today: Unbroken. A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand. I've heard some buzz about the book and thought it sounded interesting, but I don't read a whole lot of nonfiction except for research or for things I have a particular interest in. However, this is the July selection for a book club I've participated in before and am trying to attend more regularly. I downloaded the sample pages on my Nook and I have to say, I can't remember ever reading a more riveting preface. We were out at my local independent bookstore today (hooray for the indies!) and I bought the book. (I still prefer paper to the Nook.) I'm determined to make it to this month's book club meeting, so now I have to read the book. Has anyone read it? Is it as good as the preface?

GOODREADS DESCRIPTION: 

On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.

The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.

Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.

In her long-awaited new book, Laura Hillenbrand writes with the same rich and vivid narrative voice she displayed in Seabiscuit.

Telling an unforgettable story of a man’s journey into extremity, Unbroken is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit