In the past few weeks, I’ve read a few books: Peony in Love: A Novel by Lisa See, The Zoo Keeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman and Beauty by Robin McKinley. The first, Peony in Love, was a little folklorish for me. I really enjoyed See’s other book Snowflower and the Secret Fan: A Novel. When I got to the end of Peony in Love and read the author’s note, I realized the purpose of the book which was to write about the women of China stepping out of their inner chambers and beginning to take on the things of men, mainly writing. Most women burned what they wrote feeling unworthy to publish it, but some of the stuff was shared. It was a better book after I read the author’s note and received redemption, but only at the end.

The next one, The Zoo Keeper’s Wife is based on the journal of Antonia, the Warsaw Zoo Keeper’s wife, during the second world war. They aided a ton of Jews and kept them in the villa or in the animal houses. It was a really great book about compassion and sheer determination to survive. Ackerman included quotes from Antonia’s diary as well as other tidbits of information concerning that era. I highly recommend this book! It’s a must-read.

The last one I finished this afternoon and was absolutely addicted. Beauty is “a retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast.” It was absolutely fascinating and a wonderful love story. I found it to be well-written and quite the page turner. McKinely has written other novels re-divulging fairy tales and let me tell you, I was quick to request a few from the library! This is another must-read. I loved it.

The best apart about being a stay at home wife: all the books I’ve been able to devour!