A Teaspoon of Earth and Sea

A Teaspoon of Earth and Sea is the debut novel by Dina Nayeri  The novel tells the story of Saba and her twin sister Mahtab, growing up in 80's Iran after the revolution. When they are 11 years old, a terrible accident happens, and Saba is unclear whether Mahtab is alive or dead. Her only memory is seeing her get on a plane to America with their Mother.

After Mahtab and her Mother disappear, Saba begins fashioning tales of their life in America. She grows up with her wealthy Father in a small village outside of Tehran, and fills her world with illegal tapes of Western music, movies, and magazines. She learns English on her own and is determined to go to America one day and find her Mother and sister.

Nayeri is a wonderful storyteller, and I felt transported to a small village in Iran. The story is told from many perspectives, including the village women who stepped in to help raise Saba after her Mother disappeared.

A sad, yet beautiful novel. Highly recommended.

The Shoemaker's Wife

The Shoemaker's Wife, the latest from Adriana Trigiani, is a sweeping family saga following the lives of two Italian immigrants at the turn of the century who move from their small villages in the Italian Alps to NYC, meet, eventually fall in love and start a new life together in Minnesota. This story is based on the lives of Trigiani's grandparents.

Being the grandaughter of Italian immigrants myself, I loved this story. It tells the tale of hardworking immigrants trying to make a new life for themselves in a new place, all the while sending money home to Italy to help build a better life for their families there. This is a well researched novel full of beautiful details that bring the places and people alive.

I've always enjoyed Trigiani's novels, but this is my favorite so far. Recommended as a great summer read.

The Newlyweds

The Newlyweds by Nell Freudenberger is a novel about a marriage between a Amina, a young woman from Bangladesh, and George, an engineer from Rochester New York. They meet online and marry a year later, The novel tells about Amina's new life in America and her quest to bridge the gap between the two cultures. The novel is loosely based on the life story of a woman who Freudenberger met on an airplane.

Freudenberger creates real characters that the reader can relate to. I cared deeply about what was going to happen to Amina and her family, and couldn't put the book down. The novel is a wonderful view into Banladesh culture as well. A very good read.

Prayers for Sale

Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas is historical fiction set in a Colorado mining town in the 30's.  Dallas brings the harsh reality of living in a mining town to life.

The story focuses on the unlikely friendship between 86 year old Hennie Comfort and 17 year old Nit Spindle. As Nit spends her first year in the town, and Hennie spends her last, Hennie decides to pass all her stories on to the young girl, often told while quilting together.

My grandmother grew up in just such a town and we used to hear her stories about it when I was little. Dallas is a wonderful storyteller and a wonderful writer. I loved every moment of this book.

One Glorious Ambition

One Glorious Ambition, The Compassionate Crusade of Dorthea Dix is the latest historical fiction by Jane Kirkpatrick. She chronicles the life of New England activist and reformer Dorthea Dix.

Living in the 1800's when women had very little voice, Dorthea crusaded tirelessly on behalf of better conditions for the mentally ill. A lonely woman from a broken family, she feels a call to serve from a very young age.

Kirkpatrick's novel is a deeply personal portrait of this fascinating woman and this time in our country's history. While slavery was the issue of the day, Dorthea was fighting for the rights of the all but forgotten mentally ill.

The novel is long and a bit tiresome by the end, however still well worth reading.

Tapestry of Fortunes

Tapestry of Fortunes is the latest from Elizabeth Berg. If you are a big Berg fan, this is sure to please, if not, you might find it a lot of forgettable fluff.

Four women who hardly know each other set off on a life-changing road trip. I didn't believe any of it. The only thing I will remember from this book is it's pretty cover.

Try earlier Berg for more depth.

NW

NW, the new novel by Zadie Smith is about the North West corner of London, where Smith was born and raised. The novel tracks the lives of four inter-related, yet very different people who live there.

Smith is a truly original writer, and has her own distinctive voice and style. However, this novel didn't work at all for me. I couldn't wait to be through with it. I felt it was all style over substance, and was left feeling very disappointed by the end.

If you want to try reading Zadie Smith, I would suggest On Beauty or White Teeth.