Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

This is a Civil War era novel of two would be lovers.  Inman has had his fill of fighting for the Confederate cause, with senseless orders from military leaders, to gruesome killing, poor rations, and defeat.  He decides to walk back home, not sure how to get there.   Ada, the woman he loves, but has not declared himself too very clearly, tries to survive on the farm her father left to her.  But she was raised an educated city girl, with not a clue about raising crops, gardening, or making do. The plot switches from one of them to the other.  One-third of the way through I realized the entire book was going to be about their separate lives, not their relationship together.  Inman’s experiences range from almost imaginary but horrible interactions with people along his way to wonderful gestures of helping and inspiration.  Always hungry, he avoids most people because there are groups of men out hunting for deserters.  For Ada, a young woman, Ruby, arrives.  Ruby is alone, needing a place to live, but very smart about about crops, animals, and making her way.  Thank goodness, because Ada was clueless.  Finally, Ada and Inman find each other, but sadness reigns and the conclusion drops on the reader all too quickly, after a lengthy read.  Not a romantic writer, but romance drives the plot.  A 7 on a scale of 1-10.  Recommended, but it is a different kind of book.  Lots of blood and gore, depressing, as were so many lives at this time of struggle. 

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett.  Epic 1000 page novel about world events of World War I.  Sometimes very slow moving. Many conflicts between characters, among political groups within countries, as well as countries and leaders involved in the war.  Just when I was totally involved with the problems of one set of characters, the author skipped to another country and group of people to write about what was happening elsewhere.  Then their lives would be intertwined in another part of the book.  Lots of historic facts.  Should be on a reading list for classwork to expand knowledge of the war but to also include every day lives, attitudes, struggles and achievements that a strictly historic book would not have.  Nearly too many characters to keep track of, but with a “cast of characters” index.  Maps are included behind front and back covers.  This is the first novel of “The Century Trilogy.”  Informed people should want to know.  One thousand pages!  The book is so heavy, I kept dropping it onto my face when I read in bed!  My hands got tired holding onto it, no matter where or how I was positioned to do my reading. I will look into getting the other parts of the trilogy.  Don't want newly conditioned muscles to atrophy. Not my typical read, if you have been following my reviews.  Recommended at 8 out of 10.

Unmeasured Strength by Lauren Manning

Unmeasured Strength by Lauren Manning

We all divide our history by personal, historical or national landmark events such as the beginning or ending of wars, Kennedy’s assassination, marriages, deaths and September 11, 2001.  This autobiography begins with 9/11 when Lauren is heading to the elevator in the World Trade Center as the plane hits.  The dragonian  flames roar down the elevator shaft and wrap around her, burning her, cooking her, throwing her down, and then, the story starts.  A great novel, of enduring through the worst life can demand of a person.  She had a high-powered job with Cantor Fitzgerald, a husband and toddler.  She was climbing to the top of her game, a high achiever, competent, self-driven and then she is in an unescapable hell from the fire that burned over 80% of her body.   This is a great book of survival through unbeatable odds, and years and years of struggle and step by tiny step of success and more success.  Recommended. 8 out of 10.  Read it.

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James.  A continuation of the love affair between Christian and Ana.  Yes, the foolish girl went back for more.  Duh.  There is still some kinky (in my opinion) sex, but with less edge as the first book of the trilogy.  The new job that she likes creates more trouble and the boss is the main problem.  Some men just can't get over themselves.  There is more interaction with Christian’s family.  Is Ana willing to trade unimaginable wealth with unimaginable variants of sex?  For how long?  How long can Christian be tamed without a break out of old habits?  He still has the playroom.  He is trying.  He thinks he can give it up for Ana. His former women don’t.  Nor do they want him to.  At least two of them, so far, are working against Ana.  At the end there is a new threat.  Someone else wants Christian gone.  A 8 out of 10.  Recommended only if you have read the first installation of the trilogy.