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The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The First Emma in Books
Oct 7, 2020
4.5/5 stars
If you've never heard of Emma Koehler, then you know nothing about the beer industry in San Antonio Texas. But even if that subject matter doesn't interest you, Emma should, because she had both a fascinating and tragic life. Camille Di Maio does a lovely job of taking little to no information about this real-life personality and turning it into a biographical, historical, women's fiction novel. Read more about it in my #bookreview here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/05/08/lady-bastion-of-beer/
If you've never heard of Emma Koehler, then you know nothing about the beer industry in San Antonio Texas. But even if that subject matter doesn't interest you, Emma should, because she had both a fascinating and tragic life. Camille Di Maio does a lovely job of taking little to no information about this real-life personality and turning it into a biographical, historical, women's fiction novel. Read more about it in my #bookreview here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/05/08/lady-bastion-of-beer/
Merissa (14224 KP) created a post
Oct 30, 2026
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Gold Digger: The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor in Books
Oct 6, 2020
The Colorado Gold Rush of the late 1880s both made and broke many people. Among them was Horace Tabor. But the jewel in Tabor's crown wasn't one of his mines, it was the woman he fell in love with, known as "Baby Doe". This biographical, historical, women’s fiction novel is about how Elizabeth McCourt from Oshkosh WI goes to Colorado as Harvey Doe's young bride, and how she ends up as "Baby Doe Tabor". You can read my #bookreview of "Gold Digger: The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor" by Rebecca Rosenberg on my blog now! https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2019/10/31/marriages-of-the-mines/
Merissa (14224 KP) created a post
Apr 28, 2026
Lives in Writing
Book
This is a collection of essays on writers and writing by the Booker-shortlisted novelist and critic....
Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated What Would She Do? 25 True Stories of Trailblazing Rebel Women in Books
Jun 4, 2018
My classroom library is somewhat lacking when it comes to non-fiction. I often have a difficult time finding non-fiction that is engaging for a middle school audience.
While I think that this will interest my students, as an adult reader, it's a bit lacking in depth.
I like the bite-sized chunks of information and the bold illustrations of each woman profiled in the book. The biographical information is just the right amount for this age group.
What I really objected to was the attempt to provide life advice from each woman. After each biography, the author imagines a modern real life question readers might have and then attempts to answer that question as the woman who was just profiled might. The whole thing feels incredibly contrived and, at times, not even loosely connected to the woman who was just profiled. I think I actually cringed with some of them because of how cliche and didactic they are.
While I think that this will interest my students, as an adult reader, it's a bit lacking in depth.
I like the bite-sized chunks of information and the bold illustrations of each woman profiled in the book. The biographical information is just the right amount for this age group.
What I really objected to was the attempt to provide life advice from each woman. After each biography, the author imagines a modern real life question readers might have and then attempts to answer that question as the woman who was just profiled might. The whole thing feels incredibly contrived and, at times, not even loosely connected to the woman who was just profiled. I think I actually cringed with some of them because of how cliche and didactic they are.
The Many Lives & Loves of Hazel Lavery
Book
In the heart of tumultuous times, amidst the grandeur of Victorian opulence, there existed an...
Historical Fiction Biographical Fiction Women in History
Merissa (14224 KP) created a post
Oct 13, 2026
Cold Blows the Wind
Book
Hobart Town 1878 – a vibrant town drawing people from every corner of the earth where, with...
Historical Fiction Biographical Fiction Women's Fiction Australian Fiction
Katharine's Remarkable Road Trip
Book
In the fall of 1907, Katharine decides to drive from Newport, Rhode Island, to her home in Jackson,...
Historical Fiction Civil War Nurses Biographical Fiction Women In History