Month: June 2023

ECONOGAL > 2023 > June

Good Night, Irene Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Red Cross Clubmobiles

Luis Alberto Urrea’s recent release Good Night, Irene is outstanding. In a year which has already had multiple great books reviewed, this historical novel based on the operators of Red Cross Clubmobile’s of WW II vies for top position on any 2023 “Best Of” book lists. Adding to the interest for this reader was the author’s note. His mother was one of the Donut Dollies manning the clubmobile’s.

Urrea paints a realistic picture of the impact war has on individuals. The loss of innocence and the very real PTSD the horrors of battle induce. Adding in the atrocities of the Hitler death camps completes the grim visualization that is the background story for Good Night, Irene.

Essence of Good Night, Irene

The novel is a coming-of-age story. And so much more. Irene Woodward volunteers for the Red Cross duty. She has multiple reasons, including the fact she is engaged to a man who has beaten her. Dorothy Dunford is running from loss- loss of family and loss of the family farm. The two women operate the Rapid City Clubmobile with various “Third Girls” thrown into the story line.

The brutality and boredom of war creates a deep bond between Irene and Dorothy. Urrea provides the point of view of both characters as well as that of Hans, Irene’s love interest. This approach draws the reader into the emotions of the characters. And tugs on the heartstrings of the reader.

Good Night, Irene details the connected lives of the two women up to the point of the liberation of Buchenwald. Then Urrea reaches the turning point. The war is almost over yet tragedy still strikes. Irene must live on with her injuries, both physical and of the soul.

Recommendation

Luis Alberto Urrea presents a fictional account illustrating the importance of women during war. The Donut Dollies were not nurses or warriors yet their service was indispensable. War damages the psyche as well as the body.

Good Night, Irene rises to the top of the many women and World War II books I have read with its’ unexpected outcome. Strength in the face of adversity and the ability to embrace life in the face of personal tragedy is a lesson all need to learn.

Widows and Orphans Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Library Check-out

Widows & Orphans is a library check-out that could fit in more than one section of the library. I found it in Mystery but the Christian section would be appropriate as well. Perhaps the subject matter determined the book’s placement. Susan Meissner penned this book almost twenty years ago. The last of the three-book series was released in 2007.

Rachel Flynn Series

As the first book in the series, Widows & Orphans introduces N.Y.C. lawyer Rachel Flynn with a phone call from her distraught mother in Minnesota. Joshua Harper, brother and son respectively, has confessed to murder. Quickly, Rachel, husband Trace and newborn daughter McKenna load up and fly to Minneapolis.

An interesting group of friends as well as family members make up the bulk of the characters. Additionally, law enforcement and the judicial system are represented. Finally, the confessed murderer and those he seeks to protect grace the pages.

Meissner created a superb mix of characters from the avant-garde mix of artists-friends of Trace to the ordinary parents of an offspring who is different. And then there is the relationship of the siblings. The relationships shore up the plot.

Plot of Widows & Orphans

It is always difficult to surprise the reader when a murder confession begins the story line. For this reader, the plot took a back seat to the characters themselves. Rachel Flynn determinedly searches for the truth and finds it.

The subject matter is difficult. Child trafficking has popped up in other Christian fiction I have read and even when physical details of the violence against the girls are omitted, the crime is abhorrent. So much so that a man devoting his life to God’s word can violate the commandments handed down. Thus, the plot of Widows & Orphans is so very plausible.

Christian Fiction

The genre of Christian fiction is vast. Romance, Cozy Mysteries, and novels such as this one all have their place. In Widows & Orphans the writer keys in on a specific Bible passage, James 1:27. Meissner does an excellent job weaving an exploration of the meaning of this passage throughout the novel. She doesn’t preach, she delves. I plan to read the next in the series soon. Look for Widows & Orphans in your library or online.

To Fudge Or Not To Fudge Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Cute Cover

To Fudge Or Not To Fudge Book Cover with lilac bushes and a cute white fluffy puppyThis week at the library I spied To Fudge Or Not To Fudge on the “New” table. This second in a series by Nancy Coco (byline of Nancy J. Parra) caught my eye with the colorful lilacs on the cover. They brought back memories of last June’s trip to Mackinac Island.

Picking up the paperback, a quick glance proved my instincts were right. The cozy mystery is set on the wonderful tourist haven of Mackinac Island. However, the book is not recently published-the copyright states 2014. So, this new library addition is new to the library. A quick internet search reveals the success of the “Candy-Coated” series with over a dozen books released.

Protagonist of To Fudge Or Not To Fudge

Allie McMurphy is the main character. She has recently moved full time to the island hoping to keep the family business inherited from her grandparents a going concern. The Inn/Fudge Shop keeps her busy, but things become more hectic when a former instructor and mentor convinces her to fill in on a reality cooking show.

Additionally, Allie is slowly moving toward a lover’s triangle. Both Trent Jessup, the owner of one of the island’s stables and mulching companies and Officer Rex Manning, head of the island police force are interested in pursuing a relationship with the young fudge maker. However, the men take a back seat to Allie’s precocious pup Marshmallow. Mal, as the fluffy white dog is called, keeps finding human bones in various gardens.

Plot Twists

There are plenty of plot twists in To Fudge Or Not To Fudge. Most apply to the current story, but Allie’s mom makes an appearance which shores up the backstory of the series. Numerous sidekicks are included with each character adding to the plot line. Although a few characters are much more developed than others.

Even though the novel hums along like most cozy mysteries, a few surprises pop up. Enough to keep the reader interested in this fun read. Following the escapades of Allie throughout the series is something to look forward to. Look in your local library or area bookstore for this delightful book and series from Nancy Coco.

May 2023 Wrap-Up

Posted on by Econogal

A Long Month

As May 2023 turns into June here on the High Plains many thoughts tumble through my mind. The past six weeks are jumbled together without a precise timeline. Very foreign to my way of thinking. But unexpected death can do that to a person.

Travel Cross Country in May 2023

Multiple flights and a very long car trip occurred during the month of May. Planes are full as are airports and their companion Arrivals and Departures lanes. The pent-up demand from the pandemic seems not to have abated much at least as far as the travel industry is concerned.

Criss-crossing states via automobile reveals full hotel rooms along the Interstates and highways. Even more interesting to an observer were the many, many 18-wheelers carrying large loads of infrastructure goods. As compared to recent such drives, large coils of conduit have been replaced by wind tower components and gigantic concrete pipes for underground use.

The always present summer road construction was in full swing with large crews busy at work. One was reminded that we are a Republic of states with the greatly varying laws concerning travel through the work areas. Uniformity does not exist.

Inflation

Prices for goods also vary by state. Gasoline varied from $2.99 to $3.59 and while different taxing levels account for some of that, stations without petrol at some or in one case all the pumps indicate other factors are also at play.

Grocery prices are also increasing. Before long something will need to give. Pent-up demand will not be a match for overall inflation. I expect non-necessary travel will soon come to an end.

Nature in May 2023

Spring brings new life to the garden. Along with much appreciated rain are funnel clouds and tornadoes. I filmed my first rope funnel cloud on 30 May 2023. It was going away from my position. I am gaining an appreciation of the thrill of storm chasing.

The circle of life continues in my back yard. Dill plants were under attack by the anise swallowtail caterpillars (Papilio zelicaon). Were is the key word. Today, a fat robin picked them off one at a time. Perhaps food for hatchlings, the hungry caterpillars are no more.

May 2023 Blog Posts

My writing has taken a back seat to grief. And to the intricacies of becoming an adult orphan, as a friend and loyal reader of this blog described the new existence, I find myself in. The next six months or so will be spent wrapping up the pieces of my dad’s life.

Many decisions will be made. As the family historian, he possessed many old documents. What will be kept and passed on to future generations is just one of many decisions I face. However, I will attempt to return to regular posts in the coming months. Please bear with me.