One of my favorite literary genres is historical fiction. For readers who do not enjoy history, the March book club selection would be a great one to try because it is less of an account of historical facts and more of a story told during a historical time.
“The Secret Book of Flora Lea” by Patti Callahan Henry takes place in World War II, when children were evacuated by train loads from London to country villages to escape the predicted city bombings. This was known as Operation Pied Piper. Two sisters, 6-year-old Flora Lea and her 14-year-old sister, Hazel, were fortunate to be able to stay together when a single mother and a teenage son chose to live with them in their country home. To cope with the wartime horrors and the separation from their mother, Hazel invents a story for just her and her sister, where they can escape to a magical land called Whisperwood.
All is well until one day Flora Lea disappears without a trace.
Twenty years later, Hazel is working in a rare book shop and comes across a book titled “Whisperwood and the River of the Stars”. The book mirrors the story Hazel made up and told only to Flora Lea. Forever haunted by the day her sister disappeared, Hazel embarks on a journey to discover how her story came to print and who wrote it – and perhaps to learn the truth behind her sister’s disappearance.
For readers who are fans of Callahan’s books, the Johnson County Public Library will host the New York Times bestselling author at an event on March 26 that will be held at The Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin. Callahan will be in conversation with award-winning Indiana author, Susan Crandall. Callahan will be introducing her newest novel, “The Story She Left Behind” (projected publication date is March 18). Free tickets to the event are available through March 26 through the library website.
Wild Geese Bookshop will have other books by Callahan to purchase at the event.
As a reader, you can participate in our Bound Together Book Club by simply reading the monthly book selection and following along on Franklin Magazine’s Facebook page. It is a wonderful way to be engaged with fellow readers in the community and stay informed of upcoming book-related events.
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We promised to publish reader reviews from our Franklin Magazine Facebook page for our January Book Club pick, “Beautiful Ugly” by Alice Feeney. Here are comments from our members:
Terry Adams: “Fast read, lots of unexpected twists. The ending was a bit disturbing.”
Jess Legan: “Couldn’t put it down but the ending was…what’s the word? Unbelievable.”
Katie Findley: “I got a little bored in the middle but enjoyed it overall. Such sad themes along with the twists!”
Michelle Coburn: “I would give it four stars! It was an interesting premise that kept me hooked.”
Diana Smith: “You may think you have it figured out, only to be wrong several times. I would reread this again. I thought it was that good.”
Amy McInteer: “I didn’t like it and I’ve enjoyed her other books. Just a little too far out there for me.”
Follow our Franklin Magazine Facebook Page because we will soon be asking for your reviews of the February book, “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks.
