Traitor's Wife

Oh. My.  This book was so enthralling! I didn't want to put it down!  I had to know what happened next! I love historical fiction and it was so interesting to learn more about someone real-- Benedict Arnold and his wife Peggy...who seems like she was the one who really was in charge of the treachery.  It was interesting to watch the characters unfold and see the different personalities in the book. The book is seen through the eyes of Peggy's ladies maid Clara and even though she is a fictional character I enjoyed her character and seeing her grow throughout the book. I also enjoyed the juxtaposition of the two female characters Peggy and Clara. I was really struck reading this book with being "without guile" and being someone of integrity.  It was interesting to see someone who isn't that way and someone who is. Anyway, loved this book so much! If you like historical fiction...read it!

Esperanza Rising

Although I have heard of this book I probably would never have read it except for the fact that our library had "A Blind Date With a Book" around Valentine's Day.  They had books wrapped in brown paper with a brief description and age...children, young adult, adult.  Since I love to read very clean books, and because of the darling brown paper, and the description... I picked this book.  I unwrapped it at home and then didn't pick it up again.  I kind of got in a reading lull and just wasn't interested in it, and I haven't had time to read despite having 5 books from the library all waiting for me to open them.

This weekend I finally felt like I had time...nothing waiting for me in the mornings and I was feeling the itch to read again.  I picked up this book and finished it quickly.  I have always loved the Spanish language and Hispanic culture so I really enjoyed this book. Esperanza has the perfect life in Mexico until tragedy strikes and her world comes crashing down.  Her family leaves for the USA and have to start over as poor workers.  This story tells how she deals with that and grows as a person.  I want to read this with my boys when they are a little older...maybe 8-11 years old.  I think it would provide a lot of opportunities to discuss things such as learning to appreciate what you have, not judging others, and learning that even if bad things happen to you, you will be all right.