Number the Stars. Finished 9-26-18, 5/5 stars, YA, 137 pages, pub. 1989

Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It’s now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are “relocated,” Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen’s life.  from Goodreads

I adored this 1990 Newbery Medal winner.  I really had no idea what this was about and I’m not sure why I added it to my Classics Club reading list (must have been one of you bloggers gushing about it!).  What a joy it was to discover a children’s book that could entertain, engage and educate.  I was hooked from the get go.

Ann-Marie and her best friend Ellen are making the best of growing up with Nazis on every corner of their town, until one night the unthinkable happens at the local Jewish synagogue and now the Nazis have a list of Jews.  Ellen’s parents leave her with Ann-Marie’s family as they flee and what happens next is so emotional and horrifying that I became attached very quickly.  Ann-Marie and her family take extraordinary risks to do the right thing.

I didn’t know anything about the Danish Resistance that smuggled almost their entire Jewish population (7,000) across the sea to Sweden under the noses of the Nazis.  I was fascinated and in awe of the great things that ordinary people did to fight the good fight, even if the fight wasn’t theirs.  After this week’s shooting in the Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh I was struck with the parallels when I sat down to write my thoughts about this book.  We must all stand up to hate. This is a perfect example of ordinary people doing the best that they can to do the right thing.  If you have a child in your life and you are struggling to explain what happened, reading this book together might be a good starting point.  And as a bonus you’ll probably learn something new.

This was my 23rd selection for the Classics Club challenge.  I have until January 1, 2020 to get to 50.

The Breakdown. Finished audio 9-2-18, rating 3/5, thriller, pub. 2017

Unabridged audio narrated by Georgia Maguire

Cass is having a hard time since the night she saw the car in the woods, on the winding rural road, in the middle of a downpour, with the woman sitting inside—the woman who was killed. She’s been trying to put the crime out of her mind; what could she have done, really? It’s a dangerous road to be on in the middle of a storm. Her husband would be furious if he knew she’d broken her promise not to take that shortcut home. And she probably would only have been hurt herself if she’d stopped.

But since then, she’s been forgetting every little thing: where she left the car, if she took her pills, the alarm code, why she ordered a pram when she doesn’t have a baby.

The only thing she can’t forget is that woman, the woman she might have saved, and the terrible nagging guilt.

Or the silent calls she’s receiving, or the feeling that someone’s watching her…

from Goodreads

It didn’t take me long to become annoyed with Cass.  She was such a weak character that it was hard to be sympathetic, even when the occasion called for it.  The story itself was okay.  Lots of coincidences, but none were too much.  Is Cass going crazy, suffering from dementia or is someone truly trying to shake her up?  I figured it out by halfway through but don’t want to spoil it for you.

Jason listened to this one too and he wasn’t as irked by Cass as I was, but he also didn’t have any problem figuring it out pretty early.

 The Battle for Paradise. Finished 9-16-18, rating 5/5, non-fiction, 80 pages, pub 2018

In the rubble of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Ricans and ultrarich “Puertopians” are locked in a pitched struggle over how to remake the island. In this vital and startling investigation, bestselling author and activist Naomi Klein uncovers how the forces of shock politics and disaster capitalism seek to undermine the nation’s radical, resilient vision for a “just recovery.”  from Goodreads

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that taught me so much in just 80 pages.  Admittedly, I knew very little about Puerto Rico, but this book isn’t just about the small US territory, it’s also about how capitalism can be and is at odds with humane aid when disaster strikes.  Thankfully, Trump is mentioned toward the end only, and as you can imagine, not favorably, so for the most part this is about what’s actually happening there, starting before the hurricane hit through today, where so many are still living without electricity.

First, let’s start with the term neoliberalism.  Sounds like a word that Mitch McConnell would spit out when talking about Democrats, but that definition didn’t fit with what I was reading so I had to do a small bit of research since the word came up a few times. A concise explanation for those interested…

Liberalism vs. Neoliberalism

“Although the terms share some similarities, the two are distinct. Both are rooted in 19th-century classical liberalism, which supported laissez-fare economics and the freedom of people against an overpowering government. Liberalism is more of a political philosophy that holds liberty to a high standard. It defines all social, economic and political aspects of society, such as the role of government, toleration, freedom to act, etc. Conversely, neoliberalism focuses more on the markets, meaning it supports deregulation, ending protectionism and freeing up the markets. Therefore, it is based on economics.”   From Investopedia

Even my investment hubby wasn’t up-to-date with the term. The Republicans passed a number of tax breaks for businesses and businesses to make Puerto Rico a paradise.  This takeover of the rich was happening before Hurricane Maria.  Now, as the devastation still continues there is a real divide between the native Puerto Ricans and the monied Silicon Valley millionaires wanting to change the landscape of the land.

This book led to some great discussion with Jason and I can now say that I understand the bitcoin phenomena a bit better.  Also of interest is how some of the things that happened after Hurricane Katrina are happening here.  It’s sad and scary.

I don’t know the answer for Puerto Rico but they are engaged and I hope that the heart of of the territory prevails.

I recommend this for everyone.