F*CKED at 40 by Tova Leigh - Book Review

My Review:

Having seen some of Tova Leigh's videos, I was curious what she would say in her autobiography.  The book was a fast read.  If you are a fan of Tova Leigh you might enjoy getting to know her behind the scenes. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for my honest review.  3 out of 5 stars!

Here is the Amazon.com description:

"I was bored, angry, tired and sad. I felt all alone yet I had nothing to complain about. I had a good job, a husband who wasn't shagging his assistant, three children who apart from being the occasional assholes were pretty good kids; a house, a dog and everything else we are told as little girls we should aspire to. But inside, I was growing restless. I didn't want to be looked at as just a 'mom'. I wanted to be desired, to make someone's hair stand on end and go crazy for me. I didn't want to live by some label that didn't represent me. I looked at my messy minivan one morning and I wanted to vomit on it all. I panicked, thinking about how I am slowly approaching middle age and menopause and I wondered how many years do I have left of being 'f**ckable' before everything starts going downhill?"

In her first book Tova takes the reader on her journey of rediscovering who she is after motherhood and beyond the norms society forces upon women, whilst encouraging them to break free and just be themselves.

"When you find authenticity it's hard to go back. It's like opening a door to the truth and starting to breathe a new type of air. This discovery is what prompted me to write. It's my way of saying HERE I AM".

Nikki

The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel - Book Review

Amazon.com's description:

Champagne, 1940: Inès has just married Michel, the owner of storied champagne house Maison Chauveau, when the Germans invade. As the danger mounts, Michel turns his back on his marriage to begin hiding munitions for the Résistance. Inès fears they’ll be exposed, but for Céline, half-Jewish wife of Chauveau’s chef de cave, the risk is even greater—rumors abound of Jews being shipped east to an unspeakable fate.

When Céline recklessly follows her heart in one desperate bid for happiness, and Inès makes a dangerous mistake with a Nazi collaborator, they risk the lives of those they love—and the champagne house that ties them together.

New York, 2019: Liv Kent has just lost everything when her eccentric French grandmother shows up unannounced, insisting on a trip to France. But the older woman has an ulterior motive—and a tragic, decades-old story to share. When past and present finally collide, Liv finds herself on a road to salvation that leads right to the caves of the Maison Chauveau.

My review:

This is the first book I have read about the impact of the second World War on France's wine region.  Kristin Harmel was able to describe the fear and determination of the wine growers and the Resistance through her writing. I loved the story of Inez, Michel and Celine.  Their fear and vulnerability can be felt while reading the book.  I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Historical fiction involving the War, France and especially the wine region.  

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review.  5 out of 5 stars!!

Nikki

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert- Book Review

My review:

This is a book that shows that racism is still alive and well.  The author Katie Ganshert writes a story of an inner school on the verge of closing, where some students are able to transfer to a more affluent  suburban school.  It shows the parents, teachers and students opposing and trying to adjust to the new situation.  The story also tells of past racism in history.  Many of the characters are surprised by theirs and others racist feelings and many characters grow to accept the busing situation and make thrive from the experience. 
  Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest opinion. 5 out of 5 stars.  This would make a great book club selection.
Nikki

Amazon.com's description:

Challenging perceptions of discrimination and prejudice, this emotionally resonant drama for readers of Lisa Wingate and Jodi Picoult explores three different women navigating challenges in a changing school district—and in their lives.

WINNER OF THE CHRISTY AWARD®

When an impoverished school district loses its accreditation and the affluent community of Crystal Ridge has no choice but to open their school doors, the lives of three very different women converge: Camille Gray--the wife of an executive, mother of three, long-standing PTA chairwoman and champion fundraiser--faced with a shocking discovery that threatens to tear her picture-perfect world apart at the seams. Jen Covington, the career nurse whose long, painful journey to motherhood finally resulted in adoption but she is struggling with a happily-ever-after so much harder than she anticipated. Twenty-two-year-old Anaya Jones--the first woman in her family to graduate college and a brand new teacher at Crystal Ridge's top elementary school, unprepared for the powder-keg situation she's stepped into. Tensions rise within and without, culminating in an unforeseen event that impacts them all. This story explores the implicit biases impacting American society, and asks the ultimate question: What does it mean to be human? Why are we so quick to put labels on each other and categorize people as "this" or "that", when such complexity exists in each person?