Sarah Bernhardt by Catherine Reef

  Sarah Bernhardt: The Divine and Dazzzling Life of the World's First Superstar by Catherine Reef. Clarion Books, 2020. Biography. YA

Complete with a timeline, extensive bibliographic notes by the author, index, and several dozen photographs, this biography of the actress and entrepreneur Sarah Bernhardt brings to life her life, career, and legacy. Definitely written for teens and ages above, Reef is meticulous in describing Bernhardt's unconventional and headline making life. Reef even articulates the differences in sex workers of 18th century France: streetwalkers, prostitutes, and courtesans (among whom was Sarah's mother). Loyal to her friends and a doting mother to her son Maurice (even when often separated), Bernhardt acted, produced, and directed as well as managed several theaters, and became known all over the world. Her famous death scenes were the favorites of many audiences. Thought to have been born in 1844, Bernhardt died in 1923. Her life became the basis for myths and legends and readers may appreciate her bravery and independence to live her life as she chose. 

  The Road to Little Dribbling: Adventures of an American in Britain. Penguin Random House, 2015. Travel/memoir.

Get your map of Great Britain ready and go on the road with humorist and travel writer Bill Bryson! Bryson is THE best at describing daily life, minute details about people and places, and everything he sees around him. When he travels through both large and small cities and towns, he gives his opinions, tells a bit of history, and always manages to make you smile if not laugh out loud. Sometimes updating his first trip to England in his twenties, he gives the perspective of someone who loved the island enough to marry a native and move there, but is still an American at heart. He tells where he likes to eat and stay and places to avoid. Bryson can be poignant, witty, grumpy, or entertaining. He is never dull!

Amy Snow by Tracy Rees

  Amy Snow by Tracy Rees. Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2015.

When wealthy eight-year-old Aurelia Vennaway finds a naked baby in the snow, she takes it home and insists that it be raised along side her. Her strict parents totally disapprove, but the baby is named Amy Snow and grows up with Aurelia's loving instruction and care. When Aurelia dies in her twenties, Amy is devastated. But, there the adventure truly begins. Aurelia has left Amy letters surrounding a mystery. Amy has to figure out clues as the letters arrive. As Amy travels across England, she matures into an interesting young woman who makes friends, meets handsome eligible gentlemen, and solves the mystery. This reads a little like a Jane Austen novel with families and friendships sprinkled throughout. 

The Black Swan of Paris by Karen Robards

  The Black Swan of Paris by Karen Harper. Mira Books, 2020. Historical fiction.

When a copy of this book arrived in my mailbox, I first thought, "Oh, just another WWII tale about a brave woman." Was I wrong! This exciting novel grabs readers and takes them along on a whirlwind view of Paris during WWII and behind the scenes details of intrigue, resistance, and courage. Genevieve Dumont is best known as a glamourous singer. Her manager, Max; driver, Otto, and faithful dresser all take care of her. But, Genevieve's life is not all froth. She has a past that becomes quite important to the story. Drawing the attention of German officers, she is in danger, especially as her estranged family are targeted. From the stages of the clubs to the underground hideouts of the Resistance workers to the beaches of Normandy, readers will cheer Genevieve Dumont. 

American Duchess: A Novel of Consuelo Vanderbilt by Karen Harper

  American Duchess: A Novel of Consuelo Vandebilt.  by Karen Harper. William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins, 2019. Historical fiction

This novel will probably have readers racing online to find photographs of the real Consuelo Vanderbilt, one of the very wealthy Americans who married English lords in the Gilded Age. Consuelo's mother, Alva, ran her life and manipulated her marriage to the man whose family home was Blenheim Palace. Consuelo's whole life was fascinating and mostly covered by newspapers. She had two sons, the heir and the spare, as was thought necessary. But, unfortunately, her marriage was not a love match. Later in life, Consuelo found true love, adventure, and continued philanthropy. Harper does a good job of fleshing out the details of Consuelo's life and provides some additional sources for both print and online research in an author's note.