Shakespeare Update

It's mid-August.  On my "Shakespeare in a Year" reading plan, I'm only at the beginning of July.  I've learned that Shakespeare apparently didn't have much use for women and was quite ribald.  I liked several of the histories, none of the tragedies, and most of the comedies thus far.  And I completely didn't get the sonnets.  I just trudged through them.

Shakespeare is definitely meant to be watched, not read.  So much more understandable and interesting that way. 

Here's hoping I get them all finished...

The Wedding Shop - Rachel Hauck

Synopsis:

Two women separated by decades. Both set out to help others find their dreams when their own have crumbled.
It’s the 1930s, and Cora is taking the reins at her family’s wedding shop in Heart’s Bend, Tennessee. Brides come from far away to be doted on by Cora and her family while they find the perfect wedding dress. Meanwhile, Cora has found her true love, Rufus, a riverboat captain. Cora counts the days until his return from the river, and she continues to wait for him as days turn into months and months turn into years. When he finally returns, she receives the shock of a lifetime: he is married to another. Nursing her heartbreak, she must find a way to continue pouring her heart into the hopes and dreams of the brides who visit her shop, all while wondering if she will ever find true love or if it has passed her by.
In present day, Haley has finished her time as a soldier, and suffering from PTSD, wants nothing to do with the heartbreak of this world. She sets off for Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, and in order to honor the memory of a fallen friend, she takes on the task of reopening an abandoned and long-forgotten wedding shop. Perhaps through helping others, she can forget the pain and disappointment in her own life.
Haley isn’t looking for love, but when her friend’s former fiancé becomes involved in the shop’s renovations, they both find that healing and restoration can perhaps happen in their lives too.

My Thoughts:

I loved this book.  The only reason it didn’t get 5 full stars (I’m going with 4.5) is that it felt rushed towards the end, and I wanted more explanation on some things.  But this book made me smile, chuckle, tear up, and even go “What?!?” once.

I enjoyed visiting a bit with the characters from The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel too.  Those books (plus Hauck’s Royal Wedding Series) made me want to read this next book of hers.

I did read it as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy), so there were several typos and a few inconsistencies.  However, my hope is that those were fixed for the final copy.

With the dual narrative of present and past, there were multiple main characters.  I feel like they were all fleshed out adequately.  Going back and forth in time and with perspective didn’t create any issues or challenges with the flow of the story.  Although there were times I wanted more of one story line instead of taking a break to transition to another.  I chalk that up as a hallmark of a good writer, keeping you wanting more.

For most of the book, I thought the pacing was great.  It was engaging, characters were growing, it didn’t drag.  Like mentioned previously, my complaint is that it wrapped up too quickly.  I would have liked to see more character and plot development in some of the main and secondary characters who were affected by revelations and events in the story.

The book focuses a lot on grace and forgiveness, something I believe we all could use regular reminders of.  The characters were well drawn and relatable. 

Another well written book.  I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Salt to the Sea - Ruta

Summary from Goodreads:

Winter, 1945. Four teenagers. Four secrets.

Each one born of a different homeland; each one hunted, and haunted, by tragedy, lies…and war.

As thousands of desperate refugees flock to the coast in the midst of a Soviet advance, four paths converge, vying for passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that promises safety and freedom.

Yet not all promises can be kept.

Inspired by the single greatest tragedy in maritime history, bestselling and award-winning author Ruta Sepetys (Between Shades of Gray) lifts the veil on a shockingly little-known casualty of World War II. An illuminating and life-affirming tale of heart and hope.

My Thoughts:

LOVED this book!

First of all, why have I (nor anyone else in my book club or who I've talked to about it) heard of the sinking of this ship? It was a huge loss of life yet gets no coverage in any of the history classes I've taken. That is not okay.

Ruta Sepetys is such a gifted character builder. I was drawn in from the first. It did take a little bit to get into the rhythm of the multiple voices (switched each chapter), but I couldn't put this book down. Engaging. Compassionate. Beautifully written.