Happy Memorial Day weekend. Woohoo, feels like the start of summer. It’s good to be back on the blog. We had our May long weekend last weekend, and I was busy playing in a tennis doubles tournament. We lost in the finals, but it was fun; my partner from Vancouver and I enjoyed playing. And now it feels good that June is nearly here. It’s one of those lovely times of year when we can open up the windows and be neither too cold or hot. Though it’s been pretty dry and windy so we could use some rain so we don’t turn into a dustbowl too early. I planted our first tomato and zucchini plants along our back fence, and I have much more gardening to do.
Next weekend I’ll put out a Preview post of notable new June releases and then perhaps the following week my pick of summer reads. Can you believe it’s already that time of year?! We’re about at the halfway point. Do you have any summer trips and plans ahead? We have a week at the end of June to visit back East, but I’ll tell you more about that later. And now I’ll leave you with a couple reviews of what I finished lately.
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb / Anchor /352 pages/ 2022
I enjoyed this slow-burn mystery about a very valuable Stradivarius violin that gets stolen. And Ray, the talented violinist who it belongs to, is a winsome protagonist whose story growing up as a Black classical musician in North Carolina is an interesting eye-opener. All the stuff and racism he has to face and go through is never-ending, and yet he perseveres with his skill and love of music.
Ray’s beloved grandmother gave him her grandfather’s violin, which he only finds out later is a valuable instrument, but then he’s sued by his own family for the violin (worth $10 million) as well as the ancestors of his great grandfather’s slave owning master. It gets pretty dicey when they all want Ray’s money and violin, but he loves performing with it and doesn’t plan to sell, especially since his beloved grandmother gave it to him before she died.
Then right as Ray is due to go to Moscow to compete in the world-renown Tchaikovsky Competition his violin is taken from his New York City hotel room and a ransom note of $5 million is left. Will he find out who did it in time? And will he win the competition? You have to stick to the very end to find out what happens.
I enjoyed this mystery and coming-of-age tale, which I listened to on audio read expertly by JD Jackson (my fourth by this actor). Maybe the novel could have been a little trimmed in places, but the background information about Ray’s life is all pretty good. Overall it’s an enjoyable and potent debut from an author whose knowledge of playing in orchestras as a professional violinist made the story seem all the more authentic.
The Daughters of Yalta: The Churchills, Roosevelts, and Harrimans: A Story of Love and War by Catherine Grace Katz / Mariner / 317 pages / 2020
I both read and listened to this nonfiction book. It’s a 5-star read that tells the fascinating true story of the three famous leaders who took their daughters to help them at the Yalta Conference in 1945, towards the end of WWII. Kathleen Harriman (age 27), Sarah Churchill (age 30), and Anna Roosevelt (38, a mother of three) and their Dads are brought vividly to life in this little-known history that impressed me with the women’s contributions at Yalta as well as their devotion to their fathers.
Kathleen had been working with her Ambassador father (Averell Harriman) in Moscow for the 15 months prior to the conference and was sent ahead to the Crimea to help prepare the venue, which had been plundered by the Nazis. Sarah, meanwhile, was a stage actress-turned Royal Air Force officer whose father Prime Minister Winston Churchill relied on for her astute mind; and Anna, once an editor at the Seattle Intelligencer, had become an aide at the White House to her father President Roosevelt, and managed his schedule at the conference while trying to protect his health.
Yalta on the Crimean Peninsula was not an easy conference to get to, especially for the ailing President Roosevelt, who ended up dying two months after the conference ended, but the Big Three Allied leaders (Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin) had much to discuss about the end of WWII and how to build a lasting peace. So they journeyed far and wide to get there, with Roosevelt and Churchill stopping first in Malta, and then taking a long flight and car journey to get to the Crimean Peninsula, where the U.S. and British delegations were put up in palaces once used by the czars, while Stalin and the Russians stayed at a villa.
The conference, which took place over a week in early February 1945, seemed to have profound effects on its participants, who were seeking cooperation and trust of one another while facing many obstacles. And the three women were affected by some of the terrible things they’d seen during the war — particularly Sarah Churchill during the Blitz and Kathy Harriman who was sent to witness the mass graves of Polish officers at Katyn Forest in the Soviet Union. While in Crimea, the women took tours around the area and witnessed the war’s devastation to Sevastopol, Yalta, and to starving POW soldiers.
What becomes clear in this account is how the three daughters (all quite young) rose to the occasion in helping their fathers, whom they adored, during this very important time, where so much was a stake. And though the three women never became close friends, they shared this time in history together and it became one of the highlights of their lives.
Katz’s book is a fascinating view — that combines telling about the important issues discussed at Yalta and the various figures and sides there — with the relations of the fathers and daughters and what happens to them once they leave the conference. Unfortunately many of the conference’s commitments and good intentions were fleeting as the Soviets soon expanded into Eastern Europe, and it was criticized for contributing to the Cold War.
I was surprised by the prevalence of divorce, death, and the suicide of loved ones that seemed to touch on the women’s lives. But sadly that wasn’t uncommon to those who experienced WWII. It’s a story that kept me turning the pages to find out what became of Kathy, Sarah, and Anna — remarkable women living through difficult and extraordinary times.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read these and what did you think?
Yes, these are gardening days for us too, what with all the recent rain. Much more to do too. Have a good week.
Thanks Harvee. We need some rain here … so send it this way. Hope your garden is off to a good start!
Lots of gardening happening everywhere it seems. We live in a condo so its mostly potted plants for us. I was able to download the audio from PRH on audio through Volumes app but just saw that the app is disappearing the end of June?? I’m guessing no more free downloads for bloggers. I better listen to it in June.
I’m posting my 20 Book of Summer list today. Many new books but, some older ones as well from my shelves. Enjoy your weekend.
Hi Diane: I saw your Summer Book list — looks fun! Much to read as always. Too bad to hear that app is disappearing. Luckily I was able to get both of these books on audios from the library. See what you think.
Have a great week.
I’m excited for summer! It’s always been my favorite time of year. And The Violin Conspiracy is one I totally want to check out. I look forward to seeing your summer reading list. 😀
Hey Lark: summer is usually a fun time of year. (except when the wildfires start). I enjoy being out in the yard. The Violin novel takes its sweet time to solve the mystery … but uncovers some truths along the way. Happy reading.
I saw The Violin Conspiracy on sale not even a month ago and thought of buying it but I already have a list of what I would like to read this year, so maybe another time if my interest holds. The Daughters of Yalta sounds interesting too. It must have been quite an experience for the ladies to accompany their fathers. Typically it’s the wives who get to make history along their husbands, if they are lucky enough.
Hi Carmen! Yes good point about the Yalta book. It was unprecedented I think that the daughters were taken to the conference at all … and not the wives or sons. Which turned out to be a good thing – since the daughters got a lot done … without tiring their fathers’ nerves which I gather was why the wives were left home. These daughters seemed to shield their fathers in ways …& take up their best interests for them. Hmm. They seemed to do more than just sitting on the sidelines. I think Sarah Churchill also attended the Tehran Conference with her father in 1943. hmm another book?! ha. Have a great week.
Your review of the Yalta book is fascinating in itself! The post WWII negotiations seem more relevant than ever in the light of the current war not all that far from the site.
Have a great Memorial Day!
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Mae, yes I agree. These negotiations seem so important. And I read in the Yalta book how the Russians were after the Ukrainians then too. I’m wondering how the current situation is going to end. There will have to be talks at some point. But at this point: I dont want anything ceded. Have a great week.
Oh, I wish it felt like summer here! We’re in the rv and it’s POURING. There’s a small craft advisory, which means the winds are kicking up. I shouldn’t complain, as we were just in Central Oregon (Bend & Sisters) and had lovely warm weather (upper 60s) with lots of sunshine. We have one more week of camping then we’re home until the end of July, at which point we head down to Northern CA for a few weeks.
The Violin Conspiracy sounds like a great audiobook. Thanks for the heads-up and enticing review. You have really piqued my interest in The Daughters of Yalta. It brings to mind The Splendid and the Vile (Erik Larsson), as well as Dreamers of the Day (Mary Doria Russell). The latter is a novel about the Cairo Peace Conference with appearances by Churchill, T. E. Lawrence, and Lady Gertrude Bell. I loved both books and will add Katz’s book to my list to read. Thanks!!
Hi Lesley — I really hope the weather improves for you on your trip. We have not had hardly any rain here, which is strange for spring. But sounds like you’re inundated with it. I’ve always wanted to visit the Bend area. Is it awesome?
It’s funny you should mention that about the Erik Larson book … because the Yalta book also reminded me at times of a good Erik Larson read. In fact he plugs the book on the back cover. And you have me curious now about Mary Doria Russell’s book. These conferences seemed so important back then!
I liked both of the audios of these books once I got used to the narrators’ style. So I hope you enjoy. Have a good, safe trip home.
Here’s a link to my review (and interview with MDR) of Dreamer’s of the Day. I hope to reread it sometime this year.
Thanks Lesley for the link! It’s so cool you interviewed the author. I plan to read your Q & A and review once I get a spare moment. I’m very interested! love this historical stuff
“The Violin Conspiracy” sounds like something that would be like up my reading street! I’m adding it to my list.
Hi Dorothy, Yes I think the Violin Conspiracy interested me going into it in that the author had experienced much about that world as a professional classical musician himself. So it added to the story. See what you think.
Have a great week.
Oh, wow… I’ve been eyeing The Daughters of Yalta for months and just resisted a kindle daily deal last week. Clearly, I made the wrong decision!
Hi JoAnn, uh-oh you missed the deal of it?! The Yalta book read to me like a very good Erik Larson book — so I think you’d like it. There’s so much in it to know about. I was pretty astounded by it. Both the print version & the audio are good. If you see another deal on it – grab it. Ha. Have a great week.
I have read neither of these books, but have The Violin Conspiracy on my TBR list. I had no idea those three men brought their daughters to Yalta, what an interesting book!
Have a great week!
Thanks Helen, ha Yeah I didn’t know these daughters were brought to Yalta either, or about the whole thing, but the book really opened my eyes to it. And the daughters’ lives were quite fascinating. You might like the Violin novel too. Happy reading to you this week.
I am imagining the amazing weather you are having right now in Canada, Susan. It’s wonderful when it’s neither too hot nor too cold and the windows can be opened. A great time to play tennis.
Every American history class I took in school ended at the beginning of World War II, so I finally took America After 1945 when I was in college. It turned out to be one of the best classes I ever took, and it left me fascinated with the postwar period. I never knew much about Yalta, though, and The Daughters of Yalta sounds fascinating. I will look for it.
Yeah Deb, I think you’d like the Yalta book (it reminds me a bit of an Erik Larson history). The Yalta conference seemed to have a feeling of cooperation between the powers there but then unfortunately it didn’t last, but the human story of the daughters there is a pretty interesting one.
Temps here should reach the 70s at the end of the week. Can’t wait!
Have a great week.
Hi Susan, Thank you for posting at Reading Matters and glad to have found your website. You have really gotten me in the mood for summer with your very fine post and I have been thinking of reading The Daughters of Yalta. I need to know more about history including women’s history and this book is a good place to start.
Hey Kathy, it was good to find your site too. I will add it to my list now. Love to see what you’re reading. The daughters story is an interesting one … and I hope you enjoy it if you get to it. Have a great week.
Our renovations are just about done, I guess about another 2 weeks. And then I would have loved to do some gardening! But it’s winter and very very cold here with us, so I will have to wait for spring. And that doesn’t sprung her with us until December….
The Daughters of Yalta sounds really interesting!!
Have a good week ahead Susan!
Elza Reads
Hi Mareli, good luck with your renovations. That takes a lot of energy. So I’m impressed with you’re doing it.
And we’re finally emerging from winter ! Opposites sides of the planet. Sorry to put you into the cold side for now. Have a great week too.
The Daughters of Yalta sounds absolutely fantastic. My kind of book for sure. I like your description of “remarkable women living through difficult and extraordinary times.” All three sound fascinating in their own right.
Hi Jane: Yeah I had trouble picking which Daughter I liked best … but I think in the end it was Sarah Churchill. I’m not sure exactly why … but I think she was the one most affected by her surroundings there and the POW soldiers she saw in Yalta. Also she joined the RAF … though the other 2 women were interesting too. I think you’d like the book. Have a great week.
No rain in sight for us and water restrictions hit while I was out of town visiting Palm Springs. It felt really good to get away. Did a little reading, saw Top Gun which was honestly, fabulous. I can’t wait to see your summer list. I posted mine today although it’s short. I wasn’t feeling all that ambitious. I just want to enjoy my reading.
Hi Ti, I heard about the water restrictions — that’s major! I will stop by your site soon to see your summer picks. Very curious to see. I’m behind as usual and haven’t made mine yet. And I just saw the new Top Gun last night too! Wow. good action … and I was in these theater seats that moved like a jet pilot’s. Ha. very funny. It’s definitely the movie of the summer! Have a great week.
I would certainly send you some rain if I could! Great book reviews and the Violin book has me interested. Would love to see updates on your gardening.
Hi Tina, yeah the garden is a work in progress … much to do left. but I will post pics once I have things planted. Thanks for stopping by. Still no rain here. Hmm maybe next week? Have a great week.
Have read these but am into gardening as summer is upon us!
Harvee — I hope your garden is going gangbusters! Enjoy your gardening. Isn’t it the best?! Love it.