Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Another book chosen by my book club, Esperanza Rising is set in the 1920's and 30's, post-Revolutionary Mexico and the Great Depression in California. After 13-year-old Esperanza's wealthy father is killed and her home burns down in a mysterious fire, she and her mother must flee Mexico to escape a dangerous and powerful uncle. They go to California with a few friends and get jobs as farm workers. Many workers feel that their conditions are unlivable and strike for better wages. Esperanza and her family, and many others, are too frightened to strike because they don't want to lose their jobs to the people coming from Oklahoma who will work for less. During this period of many transitions, Esperanza must forget about the life of luxury she would have had before her father's death, and learn how to work hard and take care of her family.

This was an interesting story for me. I grew up in California and there is still today lots of bias and prejudice toward the Mexican community. I enjoyed reading about Esperanza's experience and really getting in to her side of the story. I also really liked how the chapters were all divided by the seasons and the produce they were harvesting at the time. It was fun to brush up on some Spanish words that I haven't heard since high school. Anyway, good read!

4 out of 5 stars

Emily and Einstein by Linda Francis Lee

This was a beautiful story! Emily is a 33-year old editor for a New York book publishing company and is married to Sandy Portman, a rich and stubbornly proud business man. One snowy night, on his way to meet with and tell his wife he wants a divorce, Sandy is hit and killed by a car. An angel, whom he refers to as "Old Man" throughout the story, comes and gives him a second chance to make things right with his wife. Now living in the form of a scruffy little dog named Einstein, Sandy has to overcome his pride, admit his faults, and focus his energies on saving the most important person in his life: Emily.

Shortly after Sandy's death, Emily learns that she is soon to be evicted from her Manhattan apartment by Sandy's mother. She is losing focus at work and has generally gone to pieces in every aspect of her life. She finds comfort in her dog Einstein, who seems to know her on an uncanny level.

The story is told from both Sandy's and Emily's perspective. As we uncover secrets Sandy kept from his wife, he becomes a highly despicable character. I have no sympathy for his disdain of living as a dog because of how terribly he treated Emily, who is as admirable as Sandy is despicable. I loved learning about Emily's job in publishing. I have recently decided I might someday enjoy being a book editor and have been researching what steps I would need to take now to make this a reality in upcoming years, so it was fun to read about her experience. Overall it was just a beautiful story. Very well written with believable characters and struggles. I would definitely recommend this one! 

4.5 out of 5 stars

Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

I've started going to a book club. It's about time, considering my life-long love of good books. Talking to people about my favorite reads is always so satisfying. Last month we read this interesting book, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. It's about a techie guy who got laid off in Silicon Valley and gets a job in a dusty old bookstore with very few customers. He works the night shift and probably should have expected strange things to happen since what normal bookstore is open 24 hours? He puts his tech skills to use and documents his customers, who they are, what they are like, and most importantly, what they leave with, all using a fancy algorithm on his computer. He notices a pattern and begins to uncover hints of a secret society that seems to be full of eccentric bookworms seeking the secret to eternal life.

This was a cool story that explored the rift between new technology and digital books versus old print. I wasn't sure how to predict what was going to happen as I was reading because it was all a little strange, but in a good way. I've always thought it would be fun to work in a library or a used bookstore, just to be surrounded by books all the time. Books have magic and I can feel it more potently in the company of dusty volumes. This story definitely made me wish I had a part-time used bookstore gig.

Overall, fun story. Kinda different; a good mix of mystery, friendship, and commentary on technology. Also, the cover glows in the dark, which was somewhat alarming the first time I had it next to my bed at night, but also very cool. Definitely would recommend!

4 out of 5 stars