The Daughters of Erietown by Connie Schultz

THE DAUGHTERS OF ERIETOWN is a debut work of historical fiction which I think will appeal greatly to book groups and individual readers, especially women in their sixties. In part, that is because the author, Connie Schultz, fits that demographic and therefore does an excellent job of authentically relating memories and feelings about key 20th century events like the assassination of President Kennedy and the publication of Our Bodies, Ourselves. She weaves in commonplace details, too, like watching I Love Lucy on television: “How could one woman get in so much trouble? Ricky would be furious again. And Lucy would be scared of him, as always. Was there a single wife in America who wasn’t afraid of her husband?”

Schultz sets her novel in fictional Erietown, Ohio between 1947 and 1994 so as to relate the multi-generational story of a working class family and how much women’s lives changed. She explores questions regarding ethnicity and race, physical abuse and marital infidelity, parenting and religious values, class differences, and teen pregnancy. At times, it was difficult to not look at the characters with 21st century eyes; sometimes, I questioned why these daughters, especially Ellie and Rosemary, were not stronger, more sure of themselves and better able to deal with a man like Brick McGinty, former high school basketball star and prejudiced union member whose fear and helplessness kept him from a happier life. It seemed as though the wisdom came mainly from generations on either side: the older aunts/uncles, grandparents and mentors (some were farmers or immigrants and who stepped up to raise their granddaughter or great nephew; one was a coach) and from Ellie's and Rosemary’s children, Sam, Reilly, and Paull, who leveraged opportunities and strove to let go of society’s limitations. In the end, maybe Brick did say it best: “It’s one thing to remember your roots, Sam. Helps us keep our balance. But don’t let your roots become your excuse to be stuck.”    

Formerly with The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Schultz is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, married to Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio. THE DAUGHTERS OF ERIETOWN received a starred review from Kirkus.

The American Story by David M. Rubenstein

THE AMERICAN STORY by David M. Rubenstein surprised me – I had not looked carefully enough and expected a bit of a narrative about American history. Instead, this book contains reflections about the more personal stories of key Americans as seen through the lens of historians and biographers. The pairings are excellent and informative: for example, Caro on LBJ; Chernow on Hamilton; Goodwin on Lincoln. Plus, Rubenstein includes an interview with Chief Justice John Roberts (who himself considered becoming an historian) about the Supreme Court. That section alone is very informative both in terms of small details (Roberts entered Harvard with Bill Gates and graduated with Yo-Yo Ma) and broader perspective (Roberts speaks of laws as “wise restraints that men make” and his role as being like that of an umpire who “doesn’t make the rules … [but] applies them. … You are not on either team when a case is in front of you.”). For each of over a dozen chapters, Rubenstein includes a few pages of perspective about the historian and their subject and then provides the interview, originally conducted as part of the Congressional Dialogues which are sponsored with the Library of Congress, primarily for members of Congress. Hopefully this series will continue, with an even broader list of subjects (especially more women and people of color), but Rubenstein’s interest in the arts and history shines through as does the scholarship of the interviewees. As Kirkus says, “an excellent introduction to leading historians and the books every engaged American should read.” THE AMERICAN STORY would make an informative summer read for our American history and/or Civics students. 

Love Story of Missy Carmichael & Eliza Starts a Rumor

THE LOVE STORY OF MISSY CARMICHAEL by Beth Morrey is, as the publisher notes, perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and A Man Called Ove. Morrey’s new novel features seventy-nine-year-old Millicent Carmichael, aka Missy, who spends most of her time alone, at home. The crushing isolation is lifted when she begins to care for a dog named Bob and to become more involved in lives of single mom Angie, her young son Otis, and friend, Sylvie. Like the Authenticity Project, Missy tentatively and almost inadvertently builds a community of sorts. Along the way, she really is inspirational in learning to be more accepting of herself and others. Flashbacks give the reader insight into Missy’s life and her relationships with her now gone husband, estranged daughter, and far away son and grandson. It takes courage for Missy to find meaning and companionship as she gradually becomes more comfortable with once again caring for those outside her family. THE LOVE STORY OF MISSY CARMICHAEL, an uplifting debut novel, received starred reviews from both Booklist and Kirkus. 
 

ELIZA STARTS A RUMOR by Jane L. Rosen (Nine Women, One Dress) is a summer read choice that will make you laugh and cheer for female empowerment and likely cringe at times, too. The story is set in Hudson Valley suburbia and the rumor (on a local social media site) involves infidelity.  When Eliza, an older woman struggling with agoraphobia, alludes to her neighbor having an affair, it’s surprising how many wives suspect their husbands.  Of course, one young wife actually has reason to be suspicious and an unlikely sisterhood forms to help her uncover the truth. Babies and romance are involved in this mostly light read, plus secrets and more online deception. With several male characters learning to face the consequences of their actions, some tougher #MeToo moments surface, although it works out in the end for a cast of genuinely likeable, supportive women.