Our First Impressions reviews this week look at two very different but equally compelling new releases. Sarah Penner's The Lost Apothecary is a historical fiction novel of betrayal and revenge with a feminist twist. Smalltime by Russell Shorto is a memoir about the author's family's involvement with the mob in a small Pennsylvania town.
In Editor's Choice, we look at The Spymaster of Baghdad, a work of investigative journalism by former New York Times bureau chief Margaret Coker about an intrepid Iraqi counterterrorism unit battling ISIS and al-Qaeda with espionage.
We also have info about a new book giveaway, and for members, a new issue of The BookBrowse Review.
Very best,
Davina
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Each month we give away books to BookBrowse members who live in the U.S. to read and review. Members who choose to participate receive a free book about every 3-4 months. Here are their opinions on two recently released titles. |
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The Lost Apothecary
by Sarah Penner
"I really liked this book! It was very hard to put down, as I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen next. Sarah Penner does a wonderful job weaving together the stories of the main characters, which both take place in London -- one during the 18th century and one in the present day. It's never confusing, though, and there are interesting twists that keep you guessing. This is a well-researched historical novel that would lead to some great book club discussions. I look forward to more books from this author!" - Carole C. (Newtown Square, PA)
"Contemporary London and its 18th-century counterpart collide in this historical mystery of a back-alley female apothecary who secretly distributes poison to women who seek revenge on the men who have betrayed, hurt and abused them. Intertwining the two timelines with three female characters, Sarah Penner depicts these women struggling with betrayal and loss as they sever the bonds imposed on them by the men in their lives. With its dark side of vengeance along with timely themes of hope and women finding their voices and resilience to unite and support each other, I think feminists and book clubs will enjoy discussing this book." - Maryanne B. (Little Compton, RI)
"I loved this book. Couldn't put it down. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, it took another turn. The main characters were likable and sympathetic, and I cared what happened to them, which to me always means a good read. It was most interesting to see how Caroline and Nella each dealt with unfaithful partners 200 years apart, and how their lives and those around them were changed by their decisions. And Caroline's search to uncover Nella's secrets pulled the two storylines together easily and kept me reading when I should have been doing other things. A great book group candidate." - Christine P. (Essex Junction, VT)
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Park Row Books. Novel. 320 pages. Published March 2, 2021
Number of Reader Reviews: 23, Readers' Consensus: 4.4/5.0
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Smalltime
by Russell Shorto
"I enjoyed this book a lot. Shorto begins the story of his grandfather's years as a small-time racketeer in Pennsylvania by tracing his family back to their Sicilian roots. The 20th-century Italian-American experience is central to this story. Shorto engages the reader by framing the story with his journey of learning about his grandfather, his father, and ultimately, himself. Highly recommended." - Lynn D. (Kingston, NY)
"I thoroughly enjoyed this true story of Italian immigrants beginning a new life in a small western Pennsylvania town and their evolution from low-level steel mill workers to organized crime. The author researched the history of his family and the "mob" through interviews with senior relatives and their friends and associates, in addition to poring over documents, newspaper accounts, etc. This provided him with answers to many mysteries, large and small, related to family members and great insight into their characters. The finished product is a beautifully written story. I found the history of the 1930s and details of various 'business ventures' of the mob fascinating. I recommend this book to all." - Laure R. (Fresno, CA)
"This mash-up of memoir, history and sociology is entertaining and enlightening. Russell Shorto demonstrates, through the history of his family and hometown, that the mythic big gestures and bloody violence of the mob portrayed in The Godfather books and movies are not the whole story. In small towns like the one in Johnstown, Pennsylvania that his Sicilian immigrant forebears settled in, organized crime, mostly in the form of gambling, was ubiquitous and sometimes nasty but nothing like the street wars of popular accounts. Shorto's focus on his grandfather organizes the book and provides a good overview of the illegal, but not terribly secret, underground." - Joy E. (Rockville, MD)
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W.W. Norton & Company. Memoir. 272 pages. Published Feb 2, 2021
Number of Reader Reviews: 15, Readers' Consensus: 4.1/5.0
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For Members: The BookBrowse Review |
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The just-published issue of The BookBrowse Review, our twice-monthly membership magazine, is packed with new reviews and articles; plus author interviews, recommendations for book clubs and previews of notable books publishing over the next two weeks.
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The Spymaster of Baghdad
by Margaret Coker
In The Spymaster of Baghdad: A True Story of Bravery, Family, and Patriotism in the Battle Against ISIS, Margaret Coker reveals a little-known unit of Iraqi counterintelligence operatives who volunteered to defend their country from those seeking to unleash terror and destruction on their villages, homes and families. Coker, an award-winning investigative journalist and former New York Times bureau chief in Baghdad, brings the reader an authoritative exploration of the homegrown counterterrorism group known as al-Suquor, or "the Falcons." Under the dogged and intrepid leadership of its "spymaster," Abu Ali al-Basri, this unit of well-trained and brave young men inserted themselves into countless potentially deadly situations in pursuit of critical intelligence with the potential to prevent terrorist attacks.
Before getting to the creation of the Falcons, Coker first introduces us to the personal histories of al-Basri and the three young people whose futures will ultimately bend and converge to a collision point. The heart and soul of the book lives and breathes with two brothers from a poor Shiite district: Harith and Munaf al-Sudani ... continued
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Beyond the Book: The Women of ISIS
Known for its brutal track record of executions and torture of hostages and civilians (including women and children), some may find it surprising that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) jihadist group attracts a fair number of female recruits. While there are mitigating factors that vary for each woman, for many the appeal seems to lie (somewhat ironically for a group so harshly restrictive of women) in the increased level of agency that membership in this organization can provide.
According to the London School of Economics (LSE) Middle East Centre, as of July 2018 there were over 4,700 female members of ISIS. Among the myriad jihadist movements and groups formed and proliferating over the last two decades, ISIS has proven to be the most popular among potential female recruits ... continued
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Dey Street Books. Current Affairs. 336 pages. Published Feb 23, 2021
Critics' Consensus: 4.4/5, BookBrowse Rating: 5/5
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Band of Sisters
by Lauren Willig
From the Jacket
A group of young women from Smith College risk their lives in France at the height of World War I in this sweeping novel based on a true story--a skillful blend of Call the Midwife and The Alice Network--from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig.
Reviews
"Willig expertly uses historical details in her seamless, well-plotted tale. This will entice readers from the very first page." - Publishers Weekly
"A crackling portrayal of everyday American heroines…A triumph." - Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue
"Captivating! The ever-masterful Lauren Willig beautifully celebrates these singular women." - Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Mysterious Mrs. Christie
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William Morrow. Historical Fiction. 528 pages. Published March 2, 2021 |
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At BookBrowse, we believe that the very best books don't just entertain and engage, they also enlighten, wrapping us in their world, giving us a window into the lives of others or a mirror to reflect on ourselves. These are the books we seek out and feature on BookBrowse, both fiction and nonfiction. |
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Published every Thursday, BookBrowse Highlights is one of BookBrowse's four free newsletters. We also offer Publishing This Week every Sunday, and Book Club News and Librarian News monthly.
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