Book Review – If a Poem Could Live and Breathe by Mary Calvi

 

If a Poem Could Live and Breathe by Mary Calvi is about young Theodore Roosevelt’s first love, Alice Lee, and their love story. 

In 1878, during the Gilded Age, Alice Lee, in Cambridge, is determined to break the norms of her mother’s generation. Women are fighting for educational opportunities and personal freedom. When Alice hears that Harvard might open an annex for women, she is determined to get in.

Teddy Roosevelt is a Harvard student and a native New Yorker. He is on his own journey of self-discovery. He takes a trip to visit a classmate and is introduced to Alice Lee. Little does he know that their meeting will change the trajectory of both of their lives.

The novel is based on love letters between Teddy and Alice. I was very excited to read the book because I was familiar with their relationship but had limited knowledge of it. I was curious to see how his relationship with Alice shaped him into the man he became.

The book started off interesting, but it eventually got boring and repetitive. I felt like nothing really happened, and it was so dry and one-dimensional. I did not feel connected to the characters at all. I really wish that, while the author was inspired by the personal letters, she had added her own spins to the characters to make their love story feel epic instead of lackluster, as it felt to me.

Book Review - The Christmas Village by Annie Rains

 

The Christmas Village by Annie Rains follows Lucy Hannigan, a woman who inherits her beloved childhood home only to face unexpected financial troubles, leading her to rent out part of the house to her ex-fiancé, the man who broke her heart.

After her mother passes away, Lucy inherits both her childhood home, a charming pink house on Gingerbread Lane, and her mother’s bulldog, Bell. Lucy’s parents had always won the neighborhood’s annual holiday lights competition, but with her grief still fresh, Lucy isn’t sure she has the energy to continue the tradition. However, when unexpected financial news forces her to reassess her priorities, she has to make some difficult decisions.

Miles Bruno, meanwhile, is suddenly forced out of his rental just weeks before the holidays and has nowhere to go. When he reconnects with Lucy and learns she has an available apartment, he’s relieved. He knows Lucy isn’t thrilled about the arrangement, especially since he was the one who ended their engagement, but he still has feelings for her and is determined to prove that he’s changed. The question is: will it be enough for Lucy to forgive him?

I thought the book was an okay read, though it felt a bit slow at times. It didn’t have many surprises or unexpected twists. While it’s the second book in a series, it can still be read as a standalone. The characters were fine overall, though Lucy could be frustrating at times. There’s also a small mystery involving holiday pranks, which added a fun element to the story. Overall, it’s a clean, cozy romance that can help get readers into the holiday spirit.

Book Review – Refugee: The Graphic Novel by Alan Gratz

  

 Refugee: The Graphic Novel by Alan Gratz is a graphic novel about three young refugees searching for safety and freedom and the invisible thread that connects them.

Josef is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany with his family. When his father is captured and released from a concentration camp, the family decides they need to leave the country. They find safe passage and board a ship to Cuba on the other side of the world.

Isabel is a Cuban girl in 1994. The country is plagued by riots and political unrest. She and her family set out on a raft after her father was beaten for participating in a political demonstration. They hope to find safety in America.

Mahmoud is a Syrian boy in 2015, and his homeland is being destroyed by violence and war. After a missile destroys their home and nearly kills them, he and his family decide to emigrate to Europe.

The graphic novel is beautifully written and illustrated. It alternates among each child’s point of view. The author and illustrator do a great job showing their emotional and harrowing journey, filled with dangers. It is an informative and timely read that helps young readers develop empathy and understanding for others.

 

Book Review – The Solace of Water by Elizabeth Byler Younts

  

 The Solace of Water by Elizabeth Byler Younts follows the unlikely friendship between two women, Delilah Evans and Emma Mullet, as they try to heal after the deaths of their children.

Delilah is the wife of an African American preacher. After the loss of her young son, Carver, her family moves from Montgomery, Alabama, to Sinking Creek, Pennsylvania, in search of a fresh start. Consumed by grief and despair, Delilah has little interest in connecting with others, especially her neighbor, Emma, a reclusive Amish woman.

Emma is burdened by her own struggles. She feels estranged from her tight-knit Amish community due to the secrets she carries and is deeply isolated in her grief. However, her trauma and regrets ultimately create a bridge between her and Delilah, allowing an unexpected friendship to form.

Meanwhile, Delilah’s eldest daughter, Sparrow, believes she is responsible for her younger brother’s death and is overwhelmed with guilt. When the tension at home becomes unbearable, she turns to Emma for comfort. Emma grows fond of Sparrow and begins to see her as the daughter she always wanted. But Sparrow is also keeping secrets, ones that could threaten to unravel everything.

This book can be a heartbreaking read at times, but it is also filled with themes of love, forgiveness, and friendship. The writing is beautiful and evocative. I did feel conflicted while reading, though. While I liked many of the characters, I struggled to empathize with Delilah. She was often quick to blame others for her son’s death and seemed unwilling to extend forgiveness or understanding. The pacing was a bit slow at times, but overall, I would still be open to reading more from this author.

Book Review –Maysoon Zayid, the Girl Who Can Can by Seema Yasmin

 

Maysoon Zayid, the Girl Who Can Can by Seema Yasmin is about Maysoon Zayid, a woman with cerebral palsy who dreamed of becoming a dancer.

Maysoon Zayid was born in New Jersey and grew up with three older sisters. She often felt like she lived in their shadow, but she had big dreams of making a name for herself. She wanted to become a comedian, dancer, and actress.

Achieving those goals was not easy. As a Palestinian Muslim girl born with cerebral palsy, Maysoon faced many challenges and obstacles. Despite the opposition she encountered, she refused to give up. Instead, she followed her passions and eventually became one of America's first Muslim women comedians, as well as an actress on one of her favorite television shows.

The book is a short, quick read with cute black-and-white illustrations. I found it interesting and well written. I especially liked that it focused on a woman of color with a disability, as those stories are not always widely represented. I think this book would be a great choice for young readers because it is both inspirational and encouraging. It highlights the importance of following your dreams, even when they seem impossible, while also teaching readers not to judge or treat people differently based on their appearance or abilities.

One thing I noticed was that the book mentions Maysoon being Muslim, but it doesn't really discuss how she practices her faith or how it influenced her journey. I'm not sure whether that was intentional or simply outside the scope of the story. Overall, I enjoyed the book and am curious to see who will be featured next in the series.