The German Girl: A Novel by Armando Lucas Correa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book! A deeply moving family saga that tells the story of Hannah, a young German Jew from the second World War and her great niece, Anna, a young girl who lost her father (Hannah’s grandson) in the Twin Towers on September 11, 2011.

Much of the book was Hannah’s story which Anna was so drawn to. Hannah left Germany with her family on the St. Louis on route to Havana where they had bought residency visas. As the ship full of nearly 1,000 Jewish passengers sailed closer to Cuba, it was learned that Cuba didn’t plan to accept the entire passenger list and, in the end, less than 30 passengers disembarked for their new lives in Cuba. Hannah and her mother were among those who settled in Cuba. Her dad and best friend were sent back. Her dad ultimately died in Auschwitz.

Although their situation seemed dire through the entire book, I grew to love this cast of characters. Excellent book! I hope to read more from this author.

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Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors. The funny thing is, sometimes I read the blurb describing the book and think I won’t like it and end up loving it. This book surprised me as it’s told first through the eyes of a black person.

The book is about racism, very topical for today.

Ruth is an accomplished labor and delivery nurse with 20 years on the job in the same hospital. She’s the widowed mother of a 17-year-old son, Edison. She’s worked her whole life to be successful. Her mother was a maid until her death and her sister lives in the projects. She wants better for herself and her son. Her son is also a high achieving student-athlete on track for college.

When Ruth is removed from a baby’s care by his white supremacist parents, she finds herself monitoring him after his circumcision because she was the only one available to do it as the unit was short-staffed. When the baby starts having difficulty, Ruth is torn because of the parent’s wishes and her training and desire to be a good nurse. She tries to help the baby but he ultimately dies. The parents bring suit against her.

The book covers the trial through her eyes, the eyes of her attorney who is learning what it’s like to see things through Ruth’s eyes, and the baby’s father.

The book is very thought provoking and an excellent story. The characters are wonderful and there are twists and turns you don’t see coming. I highly recommend this book.

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