Yesteryear, The Young Will Remember and a new Matt Haig book :-)

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke was certainly a page turner.   The characters were mostly unlikeable but the story was fascinating.  In real life there are folks who have a huge following on social media and labeled influencers.  They have people flocking to their website and buy what is presented, be it merchandise or a lifestyle.

The "influencers" are looked at with envy, sometimes jealousy, but there is that side dish of judgement as well. This fictional story is about Natalie and how her lifestyle was all an illusion.

Presented is a homey life wth lots of happy children, being reared on a farm with fresh milk, organic vegetables, room to run and explore nature instead of looking at a television or phone.  They had lots of attention from their parents, Christian tradwife  Natalie and her handsome cowboy husband Caleb. Homemade bread, fresh veggies and meat from their farm served in picture perfect photos.  Natalie posts about "our sweet little farm" and people eat it up.

But it's an illusion.  Behind that pantry wall are modern conveniences such as food processors and microwaves, all hidden from view.  The lovely children and their loving mom interacting? Nope.  As soon as the camera is off they are handed off to their nannies.  The farm is a money pit and the produce has chemical help (which is illegal to label it organic). Natalie has zero maternal feeling for her offspring, although she seems to like some kids more than others.  The children are unwitting actors in the presentations online.

The subscribers who tune in to see the perfect life feel envy, wishing they weren't pulled in so many directions with work, daycare, making a good dinner and spending quality time if there is an hour left in the day to do so. How does Natalie do it?!  Well...with nannies and lots of extra help you never see on her Instagram. (This is not a spoiler, all of this is in the begining chapter)

But then.... Natalie is suddenly in 1855 living "the dream" of that lifestyle she was trying to sell.  No electricty, no modern conveniences such as an oven, washer/dryer (laundry day was particularly horrible), making soap and more. Pioneer living, just as she had sold it.  Did she lose her mind or is this time travel?  Read on to see....there are wild revelations in this story.

 📚📚📚

Next is The Young Will Remember by Eve Chung.

There are many characters in this historical fiction but the focus is on Eleanor Chang, a Chinese American news correspondent. It's 1950 and Ellie is on a plane full of injured American soldiers trying to get a story.  They are shot down in the mountains of North Korea. Soldiers surround the plane, kill the pilot and decide Ellie is a Chinese prostitute for the Americans.  She is about to be taken prisoner when a Korean woman called "Emma" shows up. Emma saves Ellie from certain death, declaring Ellie is her daughter Song Yun-Hee, placing herself bodily between the soldiers and Ellie.

Emma has been searching for her daughter Song Yun-Hee for years.  The sad thing is, her daughter was conscripted into service in the Korean Army so the mother has no idea where her daughter is or what became of her.  If there weren't any males in the family to draft into service the military took the young women.  Some went to factories to work, most certainly under horrendous conditions.  Others had it worse, especially if they were pretty, and were conscripted to service as "comfort women"...basically sexual slaves.  Those details are thankfully not described in this story.

I didn't know that white was the color of mourning, but in Korea it was also the color of resistance. During  colonial rule, the Japanese had forbidden Koreans from wearing white, so it became a symbol. And so the rebels wore it. Lots of interesting facts in this book.

There is focus on the travel through North Korea to the south, rebel fighting, American women serving in the military as nurses and correspondents and so much more packed in this book. I would defintely read more by Eve Chung. Themes of resistance, sacrifice and war. A satisfying ending although there was much sadness.

📚📚📚📚

I wasn't sure what I would read next but the library just notified me the newest Matt Haig book - The Midnight Train - was avaliable for pickup - yea!  So that is my plan today, going to the library.

Last but not least is the plan for a haircut.  This unruly mop needs trimming.  A brush is begging my acquaintance: -)  More later.

What are you reading or what is in your lineup? Posting my list of summer reading soon.

Armchair travel to Northern England and Korea this week

 Posted this week / Mailbox Monday where I shared my library haul of 9 books and a DVD.  We watched Chernobyl, vey grim but fascinating.  I've read two of the books so far and also made a recipe from the air fryer cookbook.

Books read /  Seascraper by Benjamin Wood.  This very short book was a buddy read with Susan.

This is a short novella which packs so much in.  I know the term atmospheric tends to be overused these days in describing a book but this one places you directly into the cold, damp and often gloomy seaside. 

Our main character Thomas Flett is 20 years old but has the aches of an old man.  His love is music and his secret desire is to play guitar and write songs.  This he keeps hiden from his mother and everyone else he encounters.  This is set in the 1960 time period in Longferry England

His sad fate is taking over the shrimp harvesting as it was his father and grandfather's way to make a living.  He must support his mother ( who incidentally is only 15 years older than Thomas) by heading out to the shore early in the mornings and sometimes again in the evening, throwing nets to harvest shrimp to sell.

Then Edgar Acheson arrives.  Edgar is an American film maker who wants to hire Thomas to show him the shore and landmarks, safely get him around and make a film based on a novel.  Their interactions are interesting - Thomas suspicious at first and Edgar full of excitement about the perfect place to film. I liked the turn of events at the end. 4.5 stars

The Second Chance Convenient Store by Ho-Yeon Kim.

This isn't my typical genre but the short 206 page story was a nice read.  Set in Korea, Mrs. Yeom is traveling and realizes she has lost her wallet and valuables. 

A man named Dokgo calls her to say he has found her wallet and she arranges to meet him.  He is homeless but with an interesting back story as to why he ended up that way.  Mrs. Yeom owns convenience store and grateful for his kindness she offers him help by feeding him.  While Dokgo doesn't accept at first, his character development shows us about trust, forgiveness and kindness.  

Currently reading / Well, I started Horse by Geraldine Brooks and it pulled me in. But it's a physical book with smallish font and I am considering waiting until my Kindle hold for this title comes in. 

That's all I have for this week.  Maybe make some bread for the neighbors who are down with the flu and plan a safe handoff :-)

Linking up with:

Readerbuzz for Sunday Salon

Joy for British Isles Friday