Tica77
Ottawa Public Library
Tica77's Completed Shelf
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Tica77's rating:
Added Nov 01, 2021
Tica77's rating:
Added Oct 29, 2021
Comment:
Was not so sure about this one. On the one side, this historical novel does explain the suffragette movement in 19th century England. On the other, it is a typical rom-com with lots of sexual tension and descriptions.
Tica77's rating:
Added Oct 24, 2021
Comment:
Although different from what she usually writes, Jojo Moyeses The Girl You Left Behind is a really good story which revolves around the 1915 painting of Sophie Lefèvre and it’s eventual ownership by Liv Halston more than 100 years later.
Caught in a court case with the descendants of Édouard Lefèvre, the painter of this piece, Liv discovers the story of Sophie, Edouard’s wife. This is also Liv’s story of loss and eventual acceptance of her husband’s death four year’s earlier. Reads really quickly.Although different from what she usually writes, Jojo Moyeses The Girl You Left Behind is a really good story which revolves around the 1915 painting of Sophie Lefèvre and it’s eventual ownership by Liv Halston more than 100 years later.
Caught in…
Tica77's rating:
Added Oct 21, 2021
Comment:
Several novels have been written about World War II and each one focuses on particular events and people, making each unique and different. From a historical perspective, this book is about the internment camps which held so many innocent people captive around the world. On a personal level, it is the story of a deep love between three young women, one of whom happens to be German. Nora and Hazel are directly responsible for ensuring Marie is able to escape England just as the government is rounding up German-born citizens, most of whom have done nothing wrong. A fast read.Several novels have been written about World War II and each one focuses on particular events and people, making each unique and different. From a historical perspective, this book is about the internment camps which held so many innocent people…
Tica77's rating:
Added Oct 16, 2021
Comment:
If you enjoy time traveling novels this one might be for you. It is, of course, a passionate love story between Julian Laurence/ JulianAshford and Kate Wilson who meet in 2008 USA and previously in 1916 war torn Europe. Because time traveling is a total figment of a writer’s imagination, everything and anything are possible. Enjoy.If you enjoy time traveling novels this one might be for you. It is, of course, a passionate love story between Julian Laurence/ JulianAshford and Kate Wilson who meet in 2008 USA and previously in 1916 war torn Europe. Because time traveling is a…
The Other DickensThe Other Dickens, BookA Life of Catherine Hogarth
by Nayder, LillianBook - 2011Book, 2011
Tica77's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2021
Comment:
This book was certainly very interesting since I knew nothing about Catherine Dickens (née Hogarth) and very little about her husband Charles Dickens who penned one of my favorite novels, A Tale of Two Cities. A professor at Bates College, author Lillian Nayder is to be commended for her excellent research on the complex relationship between Hogarth and Dickens. By the same token her book reads more like a university textbook than a biography with a myriad references and footnotes on every page. Her book does give Catherine Hogarth more credit than she received during her lifetime and in subsequent biographies of her husband.This book was certainly very interesting since I knew nothing about Catherine Dickens (née Hogarth) and very little about her husband Charles Dickens who penned one of my favorite novels, A Tale of Two Cities. A professor at Bates College, author…
The Women of Chateau LafayetteThe Women of Chateau Lafayette, Book
by Dray, StephanieBook - 2021Book, 2021
Tica77's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2021
Comment:
This is historical fiction at its best! I learned a great deal about two real—life heroines: Adrienne de La Fayette, wife of the famous Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, and Beatrice Chanler, an American socialite who eventually acquires le Château de Cavaniac during World War One where the Lafayette’s lived in the 1700s. Marthe Simon, who is a fictional character, is the conduit to showing the wonderful work done at the Château to help cure children of tuberculosis and to harbor dozens of Jewish children during World War II. Fascinating read.This is historical fiction at its best! I learned a great deal about two real—life heroines: Adrienne de La Fayette, wife of the famous Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, and Beatrice Chanler, an American socialite who eventually acquires le…
The Cello SuitesThe Cello Suites, BookJ.S. Bach, Pablo Casals, and the Search for A Baroque Masterpiece
by Siblin, EricBook - 2009Book, 2009
Tica77's rating:
Added Oct 01, 2021
Comment:
I truly enjoyed reading about Bach, his cello suites and Pablo Casals who discovered the suite’s manuscripts in 1890, more than one hundred years after Bach’s death. Casals was and remains one of the most talented cellists the. World has ever known. If you love classical music and Bach in particular, this is for you.I truly enjoyed reading about Bach, his cello suites and Pablo Casals who discovered the suite’s manuscripts in 1890, more than one hundred years after Bach’s death. Casals was and remains one of the most talented cellists the. World has ever known.…
Tica77's rating:
Added Sep 16, 2021
Comment:
On the surface, this story appears to be a love story which is interrupted because of the war. It is more than that. It is about opening your heart to let love in. This a lesson Hope, the main character, must learn in order to break truly happy. Reads quickly.On the surface, this story appears to be a love story which is interrupted because of the war. It is more than that. It is about opening your heart to let love in. This a lesson Hope, the main character, must learn in order to break truly happy.…
The Girl They Left BehindThe Girl They Left Behind, BookA Novel
by Veletzos, RoxanneBook - 2018Book, 2018
Tica77's rating:
Added Sep 12, 2021
Comment:
I really enjoyed this book because it is based on actual people who lived during WWII and the eventual Soviet occupation of Romania. One reader has said that he or she would have wanted to learn more about Romania and the war but that was not the purpose of this novel. Roxanne Veletzos wanted to tell the tale of her mother (Natalia) and her adoptive grand-parents (Anton and Despina). Reads easily and quickly.I really enjoyed this book because it is based on actual people who lived during WWII and the eventual Soviet occupation of Romania. One reader has said that he or she would have wanted to learn more about Romania and the war but that was not the…
Tica77's rating:
Added Sep 05, 2021
Comment:
This book is a good insight into what happens when grief lingers, preventing a person from moving ahead and living the life they were intended to live. Kate is one such person. Kirsten Harmel sets the story in New York where the main character is a music therapist who eventually volunteers for the foster care system. Well researched and easy to read.This book is a good insight into what happens when grief lingers, preventing a person from moving ahead and living the life they were intended to live. Kate is one such person. Kirsten Harmel sets the story in New York where the main character is a…
Tica77's rating:
Added Aug 29, 2021
Comment:
This book is enjoyable and well-written. Toggling between World War II and now, it tells the story of Olivia, a young girl in Cornwall and Rebecca (Becky), her great-niece, who lives in London. Olivia is now in her nineties and Rebecca agrees to help Olivia restore her decrepit home so that social services will allow her to be discharged from the hospital. Without divulging too much, I particularly enjoyed how the author gave great importance to a parrot, a Flying 8 vintage car and a sea gate. Very enjoyable.This book is enjoyable and well-written. Toggling between World War II and now, it tells the story of Olivia, a young girl in Cornwall and Rebecca (Becky), her great-niece, who lives in London. Olivia is now in her nineties and Rebecca agrees to…
Tica77's rating:
Added Aug 24, 2021
Comment:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book whose main character, Jess May, is based on the real wartime photographer Lee Miller. It truly depicts the way women were thought so little of by several members of the U.S. Army during WWII. This story is well written and is of course a love story which spans several decades.I thoroughly enjoyed this book whose main character, Jess May, is based on the real wartime photographer Lee Miller. It truly depicts the way women were thought so little of by several members of the U.S. Army during WWII. This story is well written…
Tica77's rating:
Added Aug 15, 2021
Comment:
I found this storyline interesting because it showed how Germany had its own resistance consisting of some of its citizenry which was against what Hitler was doing. In this tale, three women end up in the Bavarian castle now belonging to Marianne con Lingenfels, a resistance widow. Their relationships are complex and their backgrounds very diverse. Reads quickly.I found this storyline interesting because it showed how Germany had its own resistance consisting of some of its citizenry which was against what Hitler was doing. In this tale, three women end up in the Bavarian castle now belonging to Marianne…
Tica77's rating:
Added Aug 08, 2021
Comment:
I almost gave up on this novel half way through it but eventually came across a beautiful story. The author, who was probably trying to set the stage for the wonderful relationships described in this story could have done it by cutting at least 100 pages. Not for every reader.I almost gave up on this novel half way through it but eventually came across a beautiful story. The author, who was probably trying to set the stage for the wonderful relationships described in this story could have done it by cutting at least 100…
Tica77's rating:
Added Aug 06, 2021
Comment:
This book had been on my « For later » shelf for quite some time and I have to say I was disappointed. That the Queen had never really read a book is somewhat improbable and that her first read came from a bookmobile parked outside of Buckingham Palace even more so. It is well written and quite short (120 pages).This book had been on my « For later » shelf for quite some time and I have to say I was disappointed. That the Queen had never really read a book is somewhat improbable and that her first read came from a bookmobile parked outside of Buckingham…
Tica77's rating:
Added Jul 25, 2021
Comment:
This is a first novel for Anika Scott and she did well. I’ve read several World War II novels but always from the Allies’ point of view. This story focuses on the aftermath of the war as various Germans are being pursued, arrested and brought to trials for crimes on humanity. Such is the story of Clara Falkenberg, the Iron Fräulien as she is pursued by British officer Thomas Fenshaw. Reads quickly.This is a first novel for Anika Scott and she did well. I’ve read several World War II novels but always from the Allies’ point of view. This story focuses on the aftermath of the war as various Germans are being pursued, arrested and brought to…
Tica77's rating:
Added Jul 19, 2021
Comment:
This is a beautiful story of hope, courage and beauty amidst the horror of the family camp at Auschwitz. It is based on the true story of Dita Kraus who became the librarian of this camp and how she had to keep these books in circulation and hidden when not in use. Books were in fact banned by the Germans. According to it’s author, this novel attempts to show that the arts, even in a death camp, makes human beings more complete. Excellent book. Note : Dita Kraus still lives in Jerusalem and visits her home town of Prague a few weeks every year.This is a beautiful story of hope, courage and beauty amidst the horror of the family camp at Auschwitz. It is based on the true story of Dita Kraus who became the librarian of this camp and how she had to keep these books in circulation and hidden…
Tica77's rating:
Added Jul 13, 2021
Comment:
I enjoyed reading this novel which goes back and forth between the 1920s and 2009. It is not a great classic but the story of Nell and the necklace she inherits is very plausible. Good summer read.
The German HeiressThe German Heiress, Downloadable AudiobookA Novel
by Scott, AnikaDownloadable Audiobook - 2020Downloadable Audiobook, 2020
Available
Tica77's rating:
Added Jul 09, 2021
Tica77's rating:
Added Jul 02, 2021
Comment:
This book kept my interest throughout and I loved it as much as the author’s Before we were yours. I always enjoy historical fiction which focuses on little known true facts, in this case the Book of lost Friends. The research is excellent. Highly recommended.This book kept my interest throughout and I loved it as much as the author’s Before we were yours. I always enjoy historical fiction which focuses on little known true facts, in this case the Book of lost Friends. The research is excellent. Highly…
The Girl in His ShadowThe Girl in His Shadow, eBookA Novel
by Blake, AudreyeBook - 2021eBook, 2021
All copies in use
Tica77's rating:
Added Jun 27, 2021
Comment:
Although the story itself is fictional, the research that has gone into this book makes it almost a treaties on the practice of medicine in the1840s. It also delves into to the plight of women of that epoch who could not practice medicine (or any other liberal profession). They had to be satisfied with a life of afternoon teas and needlework, or working in the shadow of the men in their lives, hence the book’s title. The characters are well developed and the reader becomes quickly attached to them, however fictional. Reads very quickly and is well written.Although the story itself is fictional, the research that has gone into this book makes it almost a treaties on the practice of medicine in the1840s. It also delves into to the plight of women of that epoch who could not practice medicine (or any…
Tica77's rating:
Added Jun 23, 2021
Comment:
This book is definitely not a “summer chick reads”.. it is rather a serious look at difficulty for some to appreciate the life they have, to the point of no longer wish to remain in that life. The author, Matt Haig,, finds a creative way of making Nora Seed understand that you must live your life and find happiness and purpose with what you have.This book is definitely not a “summer chick reads”.. it is rather a serious look at difficulty for some to appreciate the life they have, to the point of no longer wish to remain in that life. The author, Matt Haig,, finds a creative way of making…
The Hating GameThe Hating Game, Website or Online Data
by Thorne, SallyWebsite or Online Data - 2016Website or Online Data, 2016
Tica77's rating:
Added Jun 19, 2021
Comment:
Once in a while, especially in the summer, reading a chick book is a must. You will absolutely fall in love with Lucy and Joshua, two coworkers who love to hate each other, or is hate to love each other. Although I was waiting for the predictability of such romance novels, the ending does reveal some surprises. Enjoy!Once in a while, especially in the summer, reading a chick book is a must. You will absolutely fall in love with Lucy and Joshua, two coworkers who love to hate each other, or is hate to love each other. Although I was waiting for the predictability…
The Code BreakerThe Code Breaker, BookJennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race
by Isaacson, WalterBook - 2021Book, 2021
Added Jun 15, 2021
Comment: