Frozen River | 
so-soA rather one-dimensional character study based on the real life of healer/midwife, Martha Ballard, in the late 1700s. This story is packaged as a murder mystery but is mostly focused on salivating over how shrewd and steadfast Martha was for a woman of her time. It was fascinating to think about the justice system (or lack thereof) in the 1700s and to examine women‘s lives at the time (we haven‘t come that far…).
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
I appreciated the author‘s note, which illuminated the true events and people that inspired this book. I‘m glad it will help Martha Ballard to be remembered, even if a lot was reimagined. It didn‘t always feel authentic to the time period for me, and there were a lot of characters to keep track of. I also had expected the murder mystery element to be more prominent. Still, there were moments when I was lost in the story! 🎧
bailedI‘m certain this will be unpopular, but I just bailed on this book. I‘m really only mentioning it because it‘s my #bookspin book this month. I just found it so slow and boring… to the point that I‘m not looking forward to listening to it in the car tomorrow on the way to work. I‘ll pass my library copy onto the next in line. So- DNF at 31%.
pickRead for #auldlangspine
Nice historical fiction inspired by a real-life midwife who kept a daybook. I have a hard time with historical fiction because I‘m hyperaware of the modern attitudes that inevitably creep in. Still this was an emotional story and likeable characters, with several powerful storylines that managed to never cross the line to melodrama. Thank you for recommending this, @CBee
pickWoot, finished! I see why this book is every where right now. It a a nice dive back into some historical fiction and makes me want to read more stuff from the 1700s (although maybe not necessarily about midwifery)
Anyway, I really enjoyed it
I finally spent a gift card someone got me, and I got my first book from abebooks! The other 3 are still on their way, but this was the only book I ordered I haven't read yet 🙂 the others are all books I've read but don't own yet
pick"It is a pity you hate women so much" I tell him "because you are going to spend the rest of your life pissing like one".
What a line!
One of the things I love about historical fiction is that it introduces you to people we should know and Martha Ballard is one of those people and while this book doesn't stick 100% to the facts, it's pretty close all in all.
I was drawn into this book straightaway and loved every page.
pickAn engrossing listen from beginning to end. Loved Martha‘s strength and determination. Highly recommend! 5🌟
pickThis book was based on a real person, Martha Ballard, a midwife and healer in the late 18th century. There is a murder mystery and rape, but also relationships of family and small community. This is the best kind of historical fiction: complete immersion into a historical setting and a protagonist that refuses to look the other way and approaches her life with honesty and conviction. Strong women has always appealed to me. Highly recommend.
pickIt is winter in Hallowell,Maine,a community on the Kennebunk River.Beautiful,lyrical writing,historical fiction at its best.A local midwife,Martha Ballard,becomes involved in a rape trial because she treated the battered & bruised woman who was raped by 2 men.Martha remains steadfast & true to her daily medicinal diary observations & her voice,despite some peoples efforts to silence her.Murder,deception, & dissension follow.#auldlangspine
Thank you @bookbrowse and @penguinrandomhouse for a copy of this book for discussion on https://www.bookbrowse.com/
I just love this image of a meandering mind. 🩵🩵
#auldlangspine
pickSo good! Captivating and powerful, Lawhon‘s novel is a gripping read that you won‘t want to put down. Based on a true story of a midwife in 18th century America, I loved this strong, courageous woman who was fighting for justice and truth, no matter what it takes. This is a story of resilience, compassion, family, and the relentless pursuit of equality. #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
#12Booksof2024
Hard to believe we‘re already up to November with our list—so fun sorting through everything I read and picking favorites. Hard too, but this month was an easy one. Loved this story about a midwife in late 18th c. Maine. Once I started I found it impossible to put down. Setting and characters—with plenty of people to love and/or hate—were fantastic. A great high stakes story that keeps you engaged from page one.
@Andrew65
pickI received this as a Christmas gift this year. Book number one of 2025. The reading year has started off strong.
Started this yesterday and it‘s gripping so far. But I‘m only on p.24 and already distracted by historical details. A character shows up in a small Maine village claiming to be “a licensed physician and recent graduate of Harvard Medical School,” which is … weird. Medical licensing wasn‘t a widespread practice until the 1800s, and the book takes place in 1789. Plus, a “recent graduate” would have to do an apprenticeship before being licensed.
January Bookspinbingo board is complete! Bookspin is also my #readordonate and my Doublespin will be a new book, likely The Will of the Many, my #jolabokaflod gift from @Gissy So many litsy connections this month! @TheAromaofBooks @julieclair
I haven't finished The Main Character yet but I may not finish today (stupid job 😄) and I can tell it isn't going to knock The Most Wonderful Crime Of The Year off the podium so I'm calling it and finishing my bracket. As I've suspected all year, nothing was able to top my very first read of 2024- though Greta & Valdin came very close.
Bring on 2025 🎉
pickMartha Ballard is an 18th Century midwife living in Hallowell, Maine. Lawhon has written a fictional account of a harrowing winter in the life of Mrs. Ballard, a real woman known to us through her diary and a Pulitzer winning biography. The novel is driven on its‘ arc through the account of a horrific rape and Martha‘s quest for justice for the female victim.
Exceptionally researched, and well written. The characters will be hard to forget.
Last week I forgot to post, so this week I‘m doing my #hyggehourreadathon a little early. I‘m tucked away in a corner of the cafe at a little local shopping area. I just had a yummy chicken and avocado sandwich, and I‘m nursing a raspberry mocha latte. There‘s Christmas music softly playing. And across the cafe a family is conversing in what I think is Italian. I just have one more gift to buy before I go home to wrap. But first, latte and book!
1. After Libby said it would be two more weeks, I got a notification that I could check out the tagged book.
2. The Crime Writers of Color podcast is back after a long hiatus.
3. I got together with a friend for dinner and a movie.
4. We enjoyed War of the Rohirrim!
5. I bought a new wet-dry floor cleaner.
#5joysfriday
pickAbsolutely brilliant. I‘ll always love a story about a badass female heroine, but Martha Ballard is more than that and the author‘s love for her emanates from every page. It isn‘t an easy book to read, but seems necessary, especially considering the state of women‘s rights today. The fact that events in 1790 could parallel anything in 2024 - baffling. Anyway, read this, y‘all!
@AmyG have you read this?
pickFor some reason the start of this book was slow for me. I knew I had to finish it and once you do ..😳😢 Loved the authors notes on the real life midwife Martha Ballard and the story she wrote based on her daily diaries in 1789. Women were always strong and continue to fight.
pickExcellent historical fiction inspired by the life of a very interesting woman—a great story made all that much more meaningful by the author‘s note at the end. The story is set in 1789 and is about a death with far reaching consequences for many of the residents in the town of Hallowell. When midwife Martha Ballard‘s determination it is in fact murder is disregarded, she sets out to find the truth. Great character, setting, mystery. Loved it.
pickA mystery that kept me on my toes to the very end .I enjoyed it
Mornings are just better when I can find a few minutes for coffee and a book. Started this one last night and I really like it so far.
pickThis was my book club‘s pick for the month— a solid piece of historical fiction set in Maine just over a decade past the Revolutionary War. Based on the life of midwife Martha Ballard, Martha makes for a strong heroine in a time when respect for a woman is hard won and rare. She gets involved in a murder investigation while seeking justice for a friend, with flashes into her own past. Her husband‘s perfection, however, is the larger mystery! 🤣
pickOMG what a good story and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that‘s it‘s based on a real midwife!! 5 stars!!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ one of the best reads of 2024. Historical fiction at its finest.
pickThere was so much buzz surrounding this title that I've been putting it off until now! Based on the life of the real colonial midwife, Martha Ballard, this historical fiction novel takes place in late 1700's Maine. When a body is fished from the icy river, Ballard is called upon for her medical expertise and journals exposing corruption and a sexual assault cover-up of its residents. Compelling read of feminism and women's health at the time.
pickI enjoyed this quite a lot. My current manager lives in the same town in Maine where this takes place. Otherwise this would not have been front and center on my radar. I think I liked it more than the author's previous books. Historical fiction + murder mystery. Already recommended it to my aunt.
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
#WeeklyFavorites
This week favorite must be The Frozen River, very well written and engaging historical fiction.
Looking back at September, I think Water is my favorite for the month.
I had to drop my mom off at the airport for 3:30 am, so I‘m getting some much needed reading and relaxation time before the rest of my family wakes up ❤️ These last few weeks, I‘ve had no time to myself so this is a blessing 🙏🏻
pickFrom the first page I was drawn into the lives of midwife Martha, her (perfect) family and the not so perfect community of Hallowell in which she lives and works. There is murder and rape, gossip and fraud. While the winter freezes the river, Martha seeks justice for women who have traditionally been the underdog in the community. She‘s such an admirable woman and I loved spending time with her.
Thanks for the tag @Read4life and @Eggs
#wonderouswednesday
1. Knowing that I am making a difference in the lives of my students
2. Spending time with my friends and family
3. Done
@Mommamanzi @Pageturner1 @KateReadsYA
pickI am in love with this book and while this is a historical fiction (which I love), sometimes the super historical ones don‘t hit for me… so not the case here! Based on the life of Martha Ballard, a midwife in the 1700‘s, this book grabbed me from the first page and didn‘t let go!!
pickGood historical fiction book based on a diary of a midwife in the 1700s. Lots of characters, emphasis on the secrets told to the midwife. Engaging.
A package of lovely surprises today💌📦💌 from @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks and @Read4life and @TieDyeDude ❣️I really wanted to read The Photo Album!! Thanks y‘all🙏🏻
#LitsyLove 🧡🧡
