Review: When We Left Cuba

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have so many feels about this one. First of all Beatriz just seemed to be able to do it all. I feel deeply in love with her strength and desire. As strong as she was, she was just that stubborn and able to hold grudges. I had no idea when I started this book that I was pretty much going with Beatriz to stare down Castro and the communist government right in the face and while I was with her I would hope that she found that peace she needed, be it with her Nick or some other. I knew how the Cuban part would end, but I found myself rooting that some of these plans would be successful. I was scared at times for everyone's safety. I was thrilled that nothing in the book was predictable and grateful to Ms. Cleeton for creating a world that is sort of magical around a world where evil is everywhere.

I was SOOOO happy with the way things ended in the book. It was pretty much just what I needed Beatriz to have in life.

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Review: The Girl Who Came Home

The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While this book is full of non-fiction facts, it also is full of fiction, BUT I did have a fun journey. Being a Titanic buff, I was not expecting everything to be true, but I was expecting a good story and I think I got that. This story takes place, obviously in 1912, but also 1982. The 1982 storyline was wonderful. I just adored the Grace character and her connection to the 1912 Titanic sailing. I think this is a nice book for someone looking to learn about the Titanic, or just wants to enjoy a quick story.

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Review: Big Eyes: The Screenplay

Big Eyes: The Screenplay by Scott Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I adored this book. It was the screenplay for the film so if you liked the film, you will like this. I have only seen the film once, but I believe it is the true screenplay of the movie.

If you are not familiar with the movie, it is based on a true story. Margaret is a single mom trying to make ends meet and she meets Walter. Walter sweeps her off her feet and keeps her from losing her daughter in a custody battle. Walter loves that she can paint because he is a painter too. He has ideas that they sell their painting together. He arranges for a "show" to sell their paintings. Folks are only interested in the "Big Eye" paintings of children that Maggie had done. Walter though tell everyone that he did them. Here is where it all starts to get good. I won't spoil it for you in case you have never heard of the tale, but it is a true story and very sad.



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Review: Victoria & Albert: A Royal Love Affair

Victoria & Albert: A Royal Love Affair by Daisy Goodwin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was not at all what I wanted in a book. I didn't see it in the title, but this is more a companion book to the series. I was expecting a book like Victoria, a story. I was expecting a look into the marriage of V & A. I guess I got that, but I didn't get the story I wanted. I do know a bit about the marriage thanks to reading other books and I find their relationship fascinating. This book told me about the actors in the series, behind the scenes, about the screenplay and a bit of the story. It was more a compilation of essays. I just couldn't get into this book at all.

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Review: Victoria

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is not the best book on Victoria I have read (that would be Jean Plaidy), but it is a very good second. I enjoyed it very much. It is exactly like everything I have read about Victoria. She was a bit of humbug in some ways and totally determined to have her way in everything, at times impulsive and hard-headed, but she loved her people. She loved her Kingdom deeply. I like how the book ended the way it did, it very much left many openings for the future of other books because until recently Victoria did have the longest reign ever.

I have no idea how it compares to the show because I have not seen the show, but the book was very good.



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Review: The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna

The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna by C.W. Gortner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First of all, I have read many books about the Romanovs, but it has always been Nicky and Alix and their children. It has always talked about the murders and of course Rasputin. This book took me to a place I have never ventured, Nicky's mom. I adored Minnie's relationship with Sasha. I thought they were a great match, especially considering how their match came about. There were many things I didn't like about Minnie...and also many things I did not like about Alicky. This book brought another spin on why the events in 1919 happened as they did. This has always been a situation I have asked, "what if" and this book brought more questions on my "what if" theories.



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Review: Bus Stop

Bus Stop by William Inge
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was the play version of the movie. I knew most of the dialogue because I have seen the movie soooo many times. I thought it was brilliantly written. I can see why it was made into the movie. It is about a 1 hour 45-minute read, but quite enjoyable.

Bo has kidnapped the lady of his dreams, Cherie (he calls her Cherry). She is trying to escape with the aid of the people that work in the bus stop where the bus was stranded due to road conditions ahead. Grace, the bus stop owner, may have had an affair with the driver, the sheriff may have assisted Cherie in getting some assistance and the cowboy may have been put in his place. Oh, but there will be a good ending to the tale. If you have seen the film you can figure it out, but if you have not, why not read the screenplay and then go see Miss Monroe in one of her finest roles.



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