I thought I’d mix things up a little bit, and talk about books this month.
Sure, you can go online and find hundreds of reviews for books by Stephen King, Nora Roberts, James Patterson… If an author is already a NYTBSA, he or she hardly needs a book review from me.
But what about the “little people” that New York has forgotten?
I’m taking books that I like from different genres this month and spotlighting them here.
Hopefully you’re looking for a book in one of these genres, and you’ll give my recommendation a try.
This week’s genre: mainstream literature
Sub-genre: historical
Finding Eliza by Stephanie Pitcher Fishman is a story of a woman’s quest to understand her family and to come to terms with a painful loss. At her grandmother’s behest, she attends a “genealogy party” only to discover there is so much more to her history than she ever thought.
Finding Eliza takes place in contemporary Georgia, but there are several flashbacks to the 1930s which accurately and poignantly depict the tribulations many faced in the pre-desegregation south. The author seamlessly traverses between the contemporary angst felt by her main character and the desperation felt by her ancestors.
Finding Eliza is an engaging and compelling novel. The plot is well-conceived and the characters are entertaining and memorable. In addition, the settings are so beautifully constructed, you can see the landscapes and taste the lemon squares. I’m giving this book 5 stars and know you will do the same.
In the interest of full disclosure, I must mention that I assisted the author with editing this novel, but my involvement in no way impacted my opinions of the book. If you’re looking for a getaway to Georgia and want to read a story that is so emotionally engaging that you’ll both laugh and cry as you turn the pages, look no further than Finding Eliza by Stephanie Pitcher Fishman.
Stephanie is professional genealogist specializing in Midwestern and Southeastern United States family history. She’s written seven family history research guides as well as several articles and blog posts for genealogy websites, and she also speaks on the topic.
Connect with Stephanie at her website.
Find Finding Eliza on Amazon.