Read All About It

Books for Women’s Histor y and Irish-American Heritage Months

By Donna Ruth Morgan

Our March book reviews include lots of variety, all from female authors. You can request a copy of any of these books from your local Brunswick County library.

A dual celebration of Women’s History Month and Irish American Heritage Month is from one of this reviewer’s favorite fiction genres: Southern Gothic. The Complete Stories by Flannery O’Connor (1971) is an assemblage of creeping-up-onyou horrors. Over two dozen scary, fearsome glimpses into tortured souls from a talented writer whose mid-twentieth-century writings are for mature audiences only. Nutshell review: Best enjoyed in a well-lit room!

The latest from prolific Latin American author Isabel Allende is a stream-ofconsciousness memoir/ meditation on her favorite theme of feminism. The Soul of a Woman (2021) draws on former works, making this effort a bit repetitive. Occasional heavy-handed social commentary and calls to activism are redeemed by reminisces of a life filled with joy and purpose. Nutshell review: A slim volume that packs a lot of wisdom into its pages.

State of Terror (2021) is a highly readable collaboration between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny. It’s a fast-moving, plot-driven melding of two distinct talents—clever and political (Clinton) and twisty and thrilling (Penny). Can a beleaguered Secretary of State and her trusted (mostly) female compatriots outwit terrorists to save the country? Nutshell review: Superheroine, disaster-averting grandmother to the rescue!

Going There (2021) is a mixed bag. Katie Couric’s honesty about family ties and the pain of losing loved ones is dragged down with gossip, name-dropping, and wealthflaunting. She bemoans lack of recognition as a serious journalist but displays animus toward anything outside her insular bubble. Nutshell review: This well-known television personality is labeled “perky,” but her memoir exposes a “mean girl” behind the smile.

Americanon (2021) is a quirky view of U.S. history chronicled through a baker’s dozen bestselling books. An almanac as old as our country, a dictionary, a cookbook, and how-to guides all were designed to deliver messages about American beliefs and create archetypes of the ideal citizen. Nutshell review: Fascinating browse of influential characters from Ben Franklin and Noah Webster to Emily Post and Dale Carnegie, with commentary from author Jess McHugh.

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” ~Charles Dickens