The Second Life of Mirielle West: A Haunting Historical Novel Perfect for Book Clubs | 
Read in December 2025
15 Books
Four 5-Star reads this month:
• Signal Fires
• The Second Life of Mirielle West
• Twice
• The Secret of Secrets
#Goodreads #Bookstagram #Litsy #Libby #Audible #Kindle #StoryGraph #Bookish #suvataReads
pick5 Stars • 1920s Los Angeles: A glamorous socialite Mirielle West is suddenly diagnosed with leprosy and exiled to the national leprosarium in Carville, Louisiana. Stripped of her privileged life, she enters a hidden world of patients society has rejected, where she must confront stigma, loss, and her own flaws while discovering resilience and unexpected connections. A moving historical novel about the real history of America‘s only leprosy colony.
so-soI was in the mood for a historical fiction read when I came across The Second Life of Mirielle West. I don't think I've read anything based around the leprosy colonies. It was interesting to learn about that but I can't say I really liked this book. Some of it felt like it was dragging on to me. Then the end felt so sudden almost like there should have been a few more chapters between the last and the epilogue.
pickIt‘s always easier to talk about the failings of previous generations than of our own, but if we try we can learn from them. The behavior of the main characters in this novel isn‘t always believable, and Mireille in particular seems to learn and unlearn the same lesson over and over again. The author is skillful at manipulating the reader‘s emotions, and the research is obviously there. My irl book club will discuss this week. 3⭐️
pickSimply looking at the cover of this book does not do the story within justice. You are instantly dropped into the emotions of 1920s California where a socialite is diagnosed with leprosy. Whisked away under an alias, as many did to protect their families from shame, Marielle becomes Polly and her entire world is flipped upside down. I enjoy reading historical fiction but hadn't a clue about so much that I learned in this...
I‘ll just hide in this box with Kiki and read all day.🩷📚
pickThis fictional book follows Mirielle West, as she has to leave her luxurious life in LA and be forcibly contained in a Leper colony in Louisiana. Mirielle is a complex character who has to face her demons and build a new life. Great read
Starting this month‘s book club pick…the prompt for this month was a book set in a time or place you were unfamiliar with. I chose this one, as it‘s inspired by the true story of a Louisiana leprosy hospital in the 1920s. Hoping it‘s good!
#bookspinbingo
pick4.6⭐️ This book was so good. I think the only reason I didn‘t get a five star from me was cause I was missing something at the end… Really more of a connection between the last chapter and the epilogue. But other than that, this historical fiction was amazing. Not only was I entertain, but I learned a lot. 10 out of 10, would recommend.
pick5✨ Just wow! Based on a real location and event in Louisiana. Mirielle goes to the doctor who discovers she has leprosy. She is carted off to the Leprosy colony where she is imprisoned until she passes 12 skin tests. As a mother and wife she is desperate to get back. I loved the writing, the characters, the drama, and everything else in between. Definitely going to read more from this author. Read with my IRL Bookclub. 😍💛
Turkey‘s, chickens, and ducks enjoying their 4th of July watermelon. Hope everyone celebrating has a lot of safe fun! 🥰💛
pickWhat a fantastic book! The author dealt with a difficult situation with tenderness and sensitivity. She showed all the human emotions and how we interact with others and was masterful about it. All of her characters were interesting and relatable. The story was fresh and unique. I loved it! Now, I'm off to find more by this author!
This book is on sale at audible. Get it! Great book!
https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Second-Life-of-Mirielle-West-Audiobook/1696603919...
pickI won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. My favorite historical fiction is a book that teaches me about something that I didn't know anything about. Set in 1926, this book tells the story of Mirielle West, a Hollywood actor's wife who is diagnosed with Leprosy & sent to live in a leper colony located in Carrville Louisiana. I had no idea that this was something that happened in the US. A great historical fiction if you're tired of WWII. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you so much for the chocolates and book for the #littlechristmasswap @TheAromaofBooks 🙌 I saw your note about the chocolates and it‘s totally okay they‘re not in a box, they‘re easier to eat this way 😋 Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Big thanks to @bookish_wookish for hosting and organizing this fun swap!!
Historical novel regarding leprosy & a leprosy hospital in Louisiana. There is still a leprosy hospital in Baton Rouge Louisiana. About 200 cases of leprosy still occur in the United States each year. ( Hansen‘s Disease)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leprosy_in_Louisiana
https://leprosyhistory.org/geographical_region/site/site-of-importance-carville
https://neworleanshistorical.org/tours/show/55
https://www.hrsa.gov/hansens-disease/index.html
pickI was completely captivated by the characters in the story. They were all well-developed and distinct. While at first, it seemed that the sisters of the Daughters of Charity that staffed the hospital were rigid and harsh with the patients, I came to see them in a much more caring manner. And every time the sisters‘ hats were mentioned, I envisioned The Flying Nun.
