Books Read in 2022

I set a goal at the beginning of the year to read more books this year than I did last year.... which was 9 (lol) so, here they are:

(I also read more books cover to cover in a day or 2 than I ever have, and that is marked by *)

All My Rage, Sabaa Tahir ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5*

Clap When You Land, Elizabeth Acevedo ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Wave: A Memoir of Life After the Tsunami, Sonali Deraniyagala ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5*

Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

What's Mine and Yours, Naima Coster ⭐️/5

They Went Left, Monica Hesse ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5*

Firekeeper's Daughter, Angeline Boulley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5*

Along for the Ride, Sarah Dessen ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The Midnight Library, Matt Haig ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5*

Panic, Lauren Oliver ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

More Happy Than Not, Adam Silvera ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5*

The Marrow Thieves, Cherie Dimaline ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The Orphan Collector, Ellen Marie Wiseman ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Heart Bones, Colleen Hoover ⭐️⭐️/5

House Rules, Jodi Picoult ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The First to Die at the End, Adam Silvera ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5*

I Must Betray You, Ruta Sepetys ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5*

Four Souls, Louise Erdrich ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The Other Black Girl, Zakiya Dalila Harris ⭐️⭐️/5

Four Three Two One, Courtney Stevens ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5*

We Are Lost and Found, Helene Dunbar ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Top 12 books of 2022

Stolen (w/ permission) from @lesbianslovezac​

While I did not meet my goal for the year, I am still happy with what I ended up with.

It’s actually very difficult to choose only 12 because I read several really good books.  But here we go!

12. Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann

11. The Library Book by Susan Orlean

10. The Arctic Fury by Greer Macallister

9. The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

8. The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

7. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

6. The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

5. A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

4. The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman

3. The Four Winds by Kristen Hannah

2. Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

1. The Memory of an Elephant by Alex Lasker

"Abé is an exquisite storyteller. Rich in detail and deeply moving." —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace "One of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. A gorgeous, phenomenal novel I won’t soon forget.” —Ellen Marie Wiseman New York Times bestselling Author of The Orphan Collector Perfect for fans of Jennifer Chiaverini and Marie Benedict, this riveting novel takes you inside the scandalous courtship and catastrophic honeymoon aboard the Titanic of the most famous couple of their time—John Jacob Astor and Madeleine Force. Told in rich detail, this novel of sweeping historical fiction will stay with readers long after turning the last page. Madeleine Talmage Force is just seventeen when she attracts the attention of John Jacob “Jack” Astor. Madeleine is beautiful, intelligent, and solidly upper-class, but the Astors are in a league apart. Jack’s mother was the Mrs. Astor, American royalty and New York’s most formidable socialite. Jack is dashing and industrious—a hero of the Spanish-American war, an inventor, and a canny businessman. Despite their twenty-nine-year age difference, and the scandal of Jack’s recent divorce, Madeleine falls headlong into love—and becomes the press’s favorite target. On their extended honeymoon in Egypt, the newlyweds finally find a measure of peace from photographers and journalists. Madeleine feels truly alive for the first time—and is happily pregnant. The couple plans to return home in the spring of 1912, aboard an opulent new ocean liner. When the ship hits an iceberg close to midnight on April 14th, there is no immediate panic. The swift, state-of-the-art RMS Titanic seems unsinkable. As Jack helps Madeleine into a lifeboat, he assures her that he’ll see her soon in New York… Four months later, at the Astors’ Fifth Avenue mansion, a widowed Madeleine gives birth to their son. In the wake of the disaster, the press has elevated her to the status of virtuous, tragic heroine. But Madeleine’s most important decision still lies ahead: whether to accept the role assigned to her, or carve out her own remarkable path…   “A touching, compelling, and haunting love story that will delight fans of historical fiction and enthrall those of us for whom the Titanic will always fascinate.” —Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of When We Were Young and Brave   “An engaging novel told with both heartbreaking care and vivid detail. The Second Mrs. Astor is historical fiction at its gripping and irresistible best.” —Patti Callahan , New York Times bestselling author of Surviving Savannah and Becoming Mrs. Lewis

February 2024

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(1/2)

Get ready to experience a rollercoaster of emotions with Ellen Marie Wiseman's latest novel, The Orphan Collector. This haunting and powerful tale of resilience and hope is set in Philadelphia during the 1918 Spanish Flu outbreak, a deadly pandemic that went on to infect one-third of the world's population. Wiseman's ability to transport readers to another time and place is simply awe-inspiring. From the overcrowded slums of Philadelphia to the St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum, we follow the journey of Pia Lange, a thirteen-year-old German immigrant, as she fights to survive and protect her loved ones. As the city celebrates the end of World War I, the Spanish Flu wreaks havoc, leaving funeral crepe and quarantine signs on doors as victims drop dead in the streets. Pia, desperate for more supplies, embarks on a dangerous journey, leaving her younger brothers behind. Meanwhile, Bernice Groves, a grieving mother who lost her baby to the Spanish Flu, becomes filled with bitterness and makes a life-altering decision to tear families apart. She plans to transform the city's orphans and immigrant children into what she feels are "true Americans." From that point on, Pia and Bernice's stories become intertwined. One of the most remarkable elements of Wiseman's writing is her ability to make readers feel as though they are right there, in the midst of the pandemic. Her descriptions of life during the Spanish Flu epidemic are both chilling and captivating. It's almost as though she has traveled back in time to bring the story to life. Reading this novel in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic also adds a greater resonance and horror to the description of the fatal spread of the 1918 flu. Readers will most definitely not be able to help making comparisons to the current situation and how little has changed since 1918. The Orphan Collector is an emotional tug-of-war played out brilliantly on the pages and in readers' hearts. Throughout the novel, we feel Pia's strength, courage, guilt, and grief. Her journey is not an easy one, but her incredible resilience keeps her going. The novel is also filled with light fantastical elements that draw readers in and keep them entertained. Wiseman's depiction of the horrifying spread of the Spanish Flu is eerily reminiscent of the current pandemic and resonates with realistic depictions of suffering, particularly among the poorer immigrant population. She brings to life the struggles that people faced during a time when medical knowledge was limited, and the pandemic was running rampant. It's truly inspiring to read about characters like Pia who fought to survive and protect their loved ones amidst such chaos and heartache. Overall, The Orphan Collector is a beautifully told and richly imagined tale of loss, survival, and perseverance. It's a story of love, hope, and the lengths we will go to protect those that need us most. Wiseman's writing is superb, and her well-researched novel is impossible to put down. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, heartwarming stories, and emotionally charged novels. Beatriz Williams and Kristin Hannah fans will definitely want to add this one to their reading list. Don't miss out on the opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge and insight! Get your hands on a copy of this book today or try the audiobook version for FREE with a 30-day trial of Audible. Don't wait – start your journey towards personal and professional growth now! Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] - Details)

Marathon County Public Library book clubs: August

Happy reading!

Athens Book Club: “The Orphan Collector” by Ellen Marie Wiseman Aug. 8. Join the Athens Branch each month to discuss a variety of books with other literary enthusiasts and the branch staff. In August, they’ll discuss Wiseman’s 2020 novel “The Orphan Collector.” 2 p.m. 715-257-7292. [MCPL Athens] Edgar Book Club: “Westering Women” by Sandra Dallas Aug. 8. Take part in a lively discussion with…

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February Reading Log

The Power by Naomi Alderman

The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas

In My Dreams I Hold A Knife by Ashley Winstead

The London House by Katherine Reay

The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff

The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman

The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick

The Girls by Emma Cline

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas

Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

Slaughterhouse-Five or The Children’s Crusade by Kurt Vonnegut

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Lost Girls of Willowbrook by Ellen Marie Wiseman

The Lost Girls of Willowbrook by Ellen Marie Wiseman

The Lost Girls of Willowbrook by Ellen Marie Wiseman Instant New York Times Bestseller! For fans of The Girls with No Names, The Silent Patient, and Girl, Interrupted, the New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan Collector blends fact, fiction, and the urban legend of Cropsey in 1970s New York, as mistaken identities lead to a young woman’s imprisonment at Willowbrook State School, the…

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ANDI REVIEWS : The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman.

****First and foremost let's cover our TW for xenophobia , racism, child abuse, and Death ****

RIGHT , Let's get into it shall we?

Between the pages of The Orphan Collector  the author weaves the stories of two very different women into a page-turning novel as suspenseful as it is poignant, set amid one of history’s deadliest pandemics.

thirteen-year-old German immigrant Pia Lange longs to be far from Philadelphia’s overcrowded streets and slums, and from the anti-German sentiment that compelled her father to enlist in the U.S. Army, hoping to prove his loyalty. But an even more urgent threat has arrived. Spanish influenza is spreading through the city. Soon, dead and dying are everywhere. With no food at home, Pia must venture out in search of supplies, leaving her infant twin brothers alone 

Bernice Groves. lost in grief and bitterness after her son succumbs to the flu makes a shocking, life-altering decision that leads her on a sinister mission.

even as Bernice plots to keep the truth hidden at any cost. Only with persistence, and the courage to face her own shame and fear, will Pia put the pieces together and find the strength to risk everything to see justice at last.

 The Orphan Collector  is simultaneously  heartbreaking and heartwarming . A historical fiction set against the backdrop of the flu pandemic It was well researched,honest and handled with the care I would hope future writers would  take when they write about the covid 19 pandemic . 

Under her fretful exterior  Pia Lange is such a resilient, brave   character . A shy  empathetic teenage girl. With hopes, dreams and a longing  for her family to be at peace. Stopping at nothing to find her brothers .

Bernice Groves was a stark contrast to Pia: bigoted,cruel, narcissistic and most horrifying of all..beloved by those around her . This  woman could just as easily be one of your neighbors , a pillar of your community chefs kiss  for creating the PERFECT villain and big kudos for keeping her that way. 

I recommend  this book,( and Author)  fans of historical fiction. I cant give an opinion on how age appropriate  it may be for young readers due to different levels of reading comprehension . If your child shows an interest I suggest reading along as it does have heavy themes.  It does come with a handy discussion  guide at the end!  

Overall a stellar read!

(PDF/ePub) The Lost Girls of Willowbrook - Ellen Marie Wiseman

Download Or Read PDF The Lost Girls of Willowbrook - Ellen Marie Wiseman Free Full Pages Online With Audiobook.

  [*] Download PDF Here => The Lost Girls of Willowbrook

[*] Read PDF Here => The Lost Girls of Willowbrook

 Instant New York Times Bestseller!Girl, Interrupted meets American Horror Story in 1970s Staten Island, in the evocative new book from the New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan Collector. Fact, fiction, and urban legend blend in this haunting story about a young woman mistakenly imprisoned at Willowbrook State School, the real-life institution later shuttered for its horrendous abuses.An Indie Next Pick | Peruse Book Club Pick | A Room of Your Own Book Club Pick | A Publishers Lunch Buzz Books SelectionSage Winters always knew her sister was a little different even though they were identical twins. They loved the same things and shared a deep understanding, but Rosemary?awake to every emotion, easily moved to joy or tears?seemed to need more protection from the world.Six years after Rosemary?s death from pneumonia, Sage, now sixteen, still misses her deeply. Their mother perished in a car crash, and Sage?s stepfather, Alan, resents being burdened by a responsibility he

"THE ORPHAN COLLECTOR," BY ELLEN MARIE WISEMAN

It is always a pleasant surprise when I am reading a novel and because the main characters or group of characters are so well written and developed that when I feel they are in danger I have to put the book down because I don’t want anything bad to happen to them. That happen in this marvelous book by Ellen Marie Wiseman, three separate times. The character of Pia Lange is so amazingly written…

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★★★.5 to The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman

The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman

Tonight I finished reading The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman which I grabbed off the kindle library on a whim and it was a surprisingly great read 10/10

Get ready to experience a rollercoaster of emotions with Ellen Marie Wiseman's latest novel, The Orphan Collector. This haunting and powerful tale of resilience and hope is set in Philadelphia during the 1918 Spanish Flu outbreak, a deadly pandemic that went on to infect one-third of the world's population. Wiseman's ability to transport readers to another time and place is simply awe-inspiring. From the overcrowded slums of Philadelphia to the St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum, we follow the journey of Pia Lange, a thirteen-year-old German immigrant, as she fights to survive and protect her loved ones. As the city celebrates the end of World War I, the Spanish Flu wreaks havoc, leaving funeral crepe and quarantine signs on doors as victims drop dead in the streets. Pia, desperate for more supplies, embarks on a dangerous journey, leaving her younger brothers behind. Meanwhile, Bernice Groves, a grieving mother who lost her baby to the Spanish Flu, becomes filled with bitterness and makes a life-altering decision to tear families apart. She plans to transform the city's orphans and immigrant children into what she feels are "true Americans." From that point on, Pia and Bernice's stories become intertwined. One of the most remarkable elements of Wiseman's writing is her ability to make readers feel as though they are right there, in the midst of the pandemic. Her descriptions of life during the Spanish Flu epidemic are both chilling and captivating. It's almost as though she has traveled back in time to bring the story to life. Reading this novel in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic also adds a greater resonance and horror to the description of the fatal spread of the 1918 flu. Readers will most definitely not be able to help making comparisons to the current situation and how little has changed since 1918. The Orphan Collector is an emotional tug-of-war played out brilliantly on the pages and in readers' hearts. Throughout the novel, we feel Pia's strength, courage, guilt, and grief. Her journey is not an easy one, but her incredible resilience keeps her going. The novel is also filled with light fantastical elements that draw readers in and keep them entertained. Wiseman's depiction of the horrifying spread of the Spanish Flu is eerily reminiscent of the current pandemic and resonates with realistic depictions of suffering, particularly among the poorer immigrant population. She brings to life the struggles that people faced during a time when medical knowledge was limited, and the pandemic was running rampant. It's truly inspiring to read about characters like Pia who fought to survive and protect their loved ones amidst such chaos and heartache. Overall, The Orphan Collector is a beautifully told and richly imagined tale of loss, survival, and perseverance. It's a story of love, hope, and the lengths we will go to protect those that need us most. Wiseman's writing is superb, and her well-researched novel is impossible to put down. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, heartwarming stories, and emotionally charged novels. Beatriz Williams and Kristin Hannah fans will definitely want to add this one to their reading list. Don't miss out on the opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge and insight! Get your hands on a copy of this book today or try the audiobook version for FREE with a 30-day trial of Audible. Don't wait – start your journey towards personal and professional growth now! Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] - Details)

The flu came to Philadelphia in September of 1918. That is where The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman begins. Within this context of history is the personal story of Pia Lange, a thirteen-year-old German immigrant. In this very historical novel, the author also introduces an element of magical realism. Ultimately, the historical setting of this book is timely, and the story is an the emotional personal conflict between Pia and Bernice and all that they each represent.

Reviewed for Bookish First.