Shara Moon’s Let Us March On brings overdue attention to Elizabeth “Lizzie” McDuffie, a maid in FDR’s White House who quietly advocated for civil rights. Known as the “Secretary-On-Colored-People’s-Affairs,” Lizzie acted as a vital bridge between the Black community and the President—an incredible feat for a woman in her position during the 1930s. Told through Lizzie’s eyes, the story offers an inside look at the Roosevelts and the political landscape of the time. Moon captures Lizzie’s strength and determination, showing how she used her role to push for justice in subtle but powerful ways. That said, the pacing lags in spots, especially when it gets too bogged down in politics. […]
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Books, Boxcars, and Secrets: A Hidden Chapter of American History
The Boxcar Librarian brings a fresh twist to Depression-era fiction with a little-known slice of American history: a converted train car library rolling through rural Montana. We follow three strong-willed women—Millie, Alice, and Colette—across decades, each carrying secrets and stories worth telling. Millie’s job with the Federal Writers’ Project starts as damage control but quickly turns into a mystery involving sabotage, lost trust, and one vanished librarian. Back in time, Alice dreams up the boxcar library. And Colette? She’s tough, haunted, and on a path that’s anything but straight. The shifting timelines and rotating points of view can get a bit choppy, especially in shorter chapters. I wouldn’t have minded […]
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A Life of Courage in the Shadow of Evil
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy isn’t just a biography—it’s an incredible story of a man who stood for truth and justice in the darkest of times. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian, joined the Confessing Church and even took part in the Valkyrie plot to assassinate Hitler. His bravery cost him his life, but his legacy is unforgettable. Eric Metaxas does a great job showing both sides of Bonhoeffer’s life—the pastor and the spy. Using personal letters, journal entries, and other documents, the book brings Bonhoeffer’s choices and struggles to life. His decision to leave the safety of America to return to Nazi Germany especially struck me. What stuck with me […]
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Behind the Curtain: A Beautifully Imagined Story of Maud Baum and The Wizard of Oz
As a child, The Wizard of Oz was a magical event in my household, airing only once a year on TV. The music, characters, and story were unforgettable, and when I later learned the tragic details of Judy Garland’s life added a bittersweet layer. When my book club picked Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts, I couldn’t wait to dive into the history behind the beloved film. This enjoyable novel centers on Maud Gage Baum, the widow of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum. Told through Maud’s eyes, the story alternates between her younger years as a suffragette’s headstrong daughter and her later life, when she visits […]
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The Woman Who Helped Save a Nation
Becoming Madam Secretary is a terrific historical novel that brings to life the legacy of Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a US Cabinet. Dray captures Frances’s journey from her early days in New York City to her pivotal role in helping the nation navigate the Great Depression. Arriving in New York at the turn of the century, Frances is determined to make a difference. She immerses herself in social work, tackling the harsh realities of Hell’s Kitchen, where the poor often lived in vermin-infested tenements. Her passion for reform drives her to fight tirelessly for better living and working conditions, marking the beginning of a career that […]
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A Love Story Dimmed by Nazi Brutality
Sarah Freethy’s debut novel intertwines the haunting past of Nazi Germany with a daughter’s quest for truth. 1920s: Bettina, a free-spirited German avant-garde artist, meets and falls in love with Max Ehrlich, a Jewish Austrian student. The rise of the Nazis shatters their dream of escaping Germany. Max is deported to Dachau, where his skill in creating exquisite figures at the Allach porcelain factory helps him survive. Desperate to protect their unborn child, Bettina marries a rising Nazi SS officer. 1993: Clara, who grew up not knowing her father, sets out to discover his identity after her mother’s death. Bettina left behind a single clue—a rare porcelain Viking figurine. Clara’s journey uncovers […]
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Unmasking a Nazi Conspiracy in 1930s Hollywood
“If not us, who? If not now, when? It must be us, and it must be now. I would fight this war. I would not be silent!”― Stephanie Landsem, Code Name Edelweiss. Code Name Edelweiss is a fabulous historical thriller that reveals a chilling but little-known chapter of American history. Set in the summer of 1933, it follows Liesl Weiss, a single mother in Los Angeles, struggling to support her family during the Great Depression. Enter Leon Lewis, a Jewish lawyer deeply alarmed by the rise of Adolf Hitler and the increase in anti-Semitism in America. Convinced that Nazi agents are plotting to seize control of Hollywood, the world’s greatest propaganda machine, […]
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A Cozy Whodunit with a Dash of Nostalgia
3.5 stars. Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge is a cozy mystery set in the English countryside. The story follows Phyllida Bright, the housekeeper for the famous author Agatha Christie. Phyllida is loyal to and protective of Christie, who is as much a friend as an employer. When a dead body is discovered during a house party at the home of Agatha and her husband Max Mallowan, Phyllida leads the charge to solve the murder, using her keen observation skills and knowledge gleaned from Christie’s novels. The atmospheric setting captures the essence of a grand manor house with a cast of intriguing characters. Phyllida’s interactions with the staff and […]
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A Tale of Mystery and Enchantment
As a follower of Christ, Patti Callahan Henry understands our purpose and the promise of eternity in Heaven. Viewing The Secret Book of Flora Lea through this lens enhances its power. In this mesmerizing novel, Hazel Linden’s world is upended when she discovers a rare book revealing long-held secrets about her missing sister, Flora. The story begins in 1939, with fourteen-year-old Hazel and her five-year-old sister, Flora, evacuated to the English countryside during World War II. The sisters find solace with Bridie Aberdeen and her son, Harry, in a village along the River Thames. Hazel creates Whisperwood, a magical fairy tale world, to distract Flora from the war. But their […]
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Hauntingly Beautiful
4.5 stars rounded up to 5. Only the Beautiful is a poignant historical novel set during the 1930s and 1940s that masterfully intertwines the lives of two remarkable women. The story begins in 1938 with sixteen-year-old Rosanne, whose life is shattered by the tragic deaths of her parents and brother in a car accident. Taken in by the owners of the vineyard where she has lived her entire life, Rosanne soon uncovers a dark secret about her new guardians. The narrative then shifts to 1947 Austria, where Helen Calvert witnesses Adolf Hitler’s ruthless pursuit of racial purity. Upon returning to her brother’s vineyard in California, Helen unravels the mystery of […]
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