Bette Hargrave

Have you read the story by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables? Have you seen the 25-year anniversary production musical of the same story on PBS? It was beautiful, and the music was fantastic.

The author, Victor Hugo (1802-1885), wrote and published his book in 1862, and I read it in 1962! It is a historical romance whose events climax during the Paris, France uprising of 1832. This is a huge story and book worth reading, but may be for the serious reader.

I was born in 1941, before Pearl Harbor. I remember my Uncle Harold going off to war and coupons for gas and sugar! I’ve been an avid reader my whole life and have a keen interest in the subjects of World War I and World War II.

A newer author to my library is Martha Hall Kelly. We have her 2016 novel Lilac Girls which is historical fiction based on the story of three young women in World War II. In particular, it is the real-life story of a New York socialite who championed the concentration camp survivors called the Rabbits. An excellent read, and I think you’ll enjoy it if you haven’t already!

Even better, Martha Hall Kelly brings us Lost Roses, a novel starting in the time period of 1912, and Martha writes: “I only put the centipede in Eliza’s slipper since I thought she was stealing my sister Sofia from me. I was eight years old and I had just lost my mother. I couldn’t lose Sofia too.” First paragraph and I’m hooked.

You may find Lost Roses in our check-out section.

Thank you for reading, and I hope to see you at the library.