By Martha Hall Kelly
When my book club selected this book for our June discussion, I was delighted to know we would be reading a … well … “beach read.” You know the genre. Easy, light-hearted. The kind of book you just enjoy reading without thinking too much. I should have known it would be more than that, since Ms. Kelly also wrote *Lilac Girls*, a historical novel set in World War II.
The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club also is set in World War II. The story centers around two sisters – Briar and Cadence Smith – who create a book club to cope with the war and with their station in life.
The girls become entangled with romance and espionage, with community and family issues, all while living on Martha’s Vineyard. Cadence is hopeful she can break free of the island and make her way in New York City. Briar, on the other hand, longs for the past and a simpler time.
Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a story drawn from Ms. Kelly’s family history and uses little known information about Martha’s Vineyard’s part in World War II. Themes focus on family, female friendships, the power of literature, and ways to find a sense of “normal” during wartime.
I read the book in two days; thus it *was* an easy read. I was struck by the reference to so many other books that I began to jot down the titles when I ran across them — 39 if I got them all! Most of the titles or authors I recognized, but a few sent me searching for more information. Always on the lookout for books to read, I was intrigued by the extensive list, which did not detract from the story line.
As with many books of late, the author includes a bit of modern intrigue with a little twist at the end. Although I anticipated the outcome, Kelly included an unanticipated detail, making for a happy ending.
The book was enjoyable while informative. Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I like to learn about aspects of the past that may be applied to today. It is said that history repeats itself. Hopefully we can use historical facts to inform decisions today. If not, at least we can enjoy a good story.
Silver Sage Sisters 