Read Along
The Secret Life of Mrs. London by Rebecca Rosenberg

What is the book about?
Charmian and her spouse, acclaimed author Jack London, grapple with talent and want, ambition and marital competition as America hovers on the verge of war. Charmian wants to be seen as an equals spouse who sacrificed her own livelihood to accommodate her spouse, but Jack doesn't see it that way... Until Charmian is yanked from the crowd during a magic act by Harry Houdini, a man involved in his own tangled marriage. Charmian's eyes suddenly open to an universe of possibilities that may be her escape, enchanted by Houdini's attention and seduced by his sexual attraction.

Reviews
Brilliantly written. I LOVED this historical novel about Charmian London, a pioneer in the feminist movement during her own time. The setting swept through the Valley of the Moon, evocative of the places in Sonoma where Jack London wrote his novels during another time era, and then sequed to the thrilling city of New York where Houdini was at the height of his magical career--- the story weaved together Charmian and her love and passion for both men.

- Amazon

This novel's language is really vivid. I found myself immersed in the world of the people and their surroundings. I loved to read this book while at my cabin in northern Wisconsin on a hot summer day.

- Sterling Lawyers

If you are interested in history, especially Jack London and Harry Houdini, I think this would be an interesting book for you to check out.

- Reading for Sanity

Read Along
Good Morning, Monster by Catherine Gildiner

What is the book about?
Catherine Gildiner, a therapist, recounts 5 of her most courageous and remarkable clients. A successful, first-generation Chinese immigrant, a young woman whose father abandoned her at 9 years old, and more. Every patient is a puzzle that take several years to solve.

Reviews
Gildiner, a seasoned clinical psychologist and acclaimed author, knows how to provide readers with just enough detail to get them hooked into rooting for each patient, but not so much to make them recoil from their gut-wrenching histories.

- NY Journal of Books

Good Morning, Monster is a fascinating look at the therapeutic psychological practice of Catherine Gildiner, a fascinating memoir of how she dealt with five clients, all so severely emotionally damaged that they had to be superheroes to survive their early lives.

- Amazon

Read Along
The People We Keep by Allison Larkin

What is the book about?
April Sawicki is the proud owner of an RV that does not have a motor. It is also a vehicle that her father won in a poker game. Within the story, April drops out of school and works at a local restaurant and having to fend for herself in a community where she's never felt at ease. Throughout the stor, she learns that her life may be far greater than where she came from when she "borrows" her neighbor's automobile to sing at an open mic night. After this discovery, it's up to you to see what happens next.

Reviews
I think I could read this book for days. Each chapter was written so genuinely. I felt like I’m so close to April and I easily connected with her friends she’s made throughout this long road trips. It was so engrossing, realistic. I felt like I read true life passages of our daily lives.

- goodreads

I loved this book. I think this is a very special story about a special character. This is April’s coming of age story. Abandoned by her mother, neglected by her father, she hits the road with her guitar and sets out to find herself and create her music. April just wants to find a place where she belongs, with people that will love her and stay with her.

- Barnes and Noble

This book was perfect! I chose it on a whim & I am so happy I did. I could not love this book more. I didn’t want it to end. April is such a perfect character, she was so wonderfully written!

- Book of the Month

Planting Cabbage - . All rights reserved. | Book Read Alongs.