Hidden Figures

author: Margot Lee Shetterly

I got so excited about the kickass women movie Hidden Figures that I ran out and got the book of the same title, written by Margot Lee Shetterly. It tells the true stories of the African American women who worked as “human computers” (mathematicians) for Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory. These women worked during WWII and the post-War days of aircraft development and then for NASA during the early days of the American space program.

By focusing on the careers of four women (Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Christine Darden), the book is able to cover a long period of time without becoming dry. It’s one thing to talk about segregation in academic terms (and the book does do that) but another thing to describe Mary Jackson’s feeling of humiliation when she couldn’t find a bathroom to use. The book shows how change in US culture influenced Langley and NASA, but also shows how the specific working environment gave women, including women of color, a kind of mobility and respect that was difficult to find elsewhere.

This is a gripping read that keeps its focus on the intelligence and perseverance of the women who helped win the war and who made space flight possible. Its only flaw is that it’s so admiring of the women in question that it never presents them as having any imperfections. Otherwise, this is an entertaining and fascinating look at American history and the overlooked women of color who were a crucial part of it.

– Carrie S

Nonfiction

The Magdalen Girls

author: V.S. Alexander

From the late 18th century to 1996, the Magdalen Laundries were (In theory) a place for fallen women to be employed with godly, honest work and get off the streets and all that. The reality was that women and girls could be committed to these asylums for years with no appeal or release until such a time as the nuns running the place let them go. Records of women who disappeared into the asylums are scant and incomplete.

It’s one of the black spots in the history of the Catholic Church and, while they were not exclusive to Ireland, it’s a black spot in the history of Ireland and its treatment of women, as well.

This story takes place in 1962, and follows two girls who were signed over to the asylum by their families for being too promiscuous- Teagan was accused of causing a priest to have impure thoughts, while Nora was just looking for a way out of her life. This was not what she wanted. We follow them as they figure out how to survive and keep their true selves intact.

It’s not a particularly feel-good story. There’s a happy ending for one of them, but it’s at SUCH a cost. There’s hope held out only to be snatched away (again and again and again) and – given the reasons most women and girls were sent to these places, this isn’t a surprise – there’s a child death as well, so please be aware of that.

I liked reading about this this facet of history, even as I had to struggle with the rage that this wasn’t a bygone era: this was happening in my lifetime. If we can understand the things people do to each other, maybe we can keep history from repeating itself.

– Redheadedgirl

Historical: European, Literary Fiction

No Groom at the Inn

author: Megan Frampton

No Groom at the Inn is a delightful holiday Regency novella. It’s like the perfect little macaron–a pop of sweetness, but not so much that your teeth ache.

Lady Sophronia Bettesford is the impoverished daughter of a recently deceased earl. With no money and no prospects, she’s looking to family for support–which means moving in with a cousin to help raise said cousin’s six children and twenty-seven chickens. I honestly would prefer the chickens to the children. Anyway, she’s at an inn, spending her last few pennies on some ale, waiting for her coach to said cousin’s home when she’s approached by James Archer. Jamie is a well-to-do gentleman in need of a fake fiancée. He’s about to attend a holiday house party with his mother and many eligible ladies, and he maybe told his mom he was engaged so she’d leave him alone.

Only in Regency romance land is it easier to procure a fake fiancée than it is to just tell your mom that you’re single.

Anyway, Sophy agrees to pretend to be engaged to Jamie in exchange for him buying her a cottage so she can live out the rest of her days independently rather than wrangling poultry and small children.

So they go the house party and guess what happens next? THEY DECIDE TO RAISE CHICKENS ANYWAY! Just kidding. They fall in love obviously.

There isn’t a ton of conflict in this book — obviously the elaborate lie they’re perpetrating is part of it. Also Jamie can’t stay in one place for very long — he’s a world traveler — and Sophy really wants to settle down.

The reason I liked this book was that I enjoyed being part of a Regency holiday house party. Because there wasn’t a ton of drama or angst, I felt like I was on vacation with the characters. I loved the descriptions of the word games that everyone played after dinner.  Also the sexytimes felt like a natural part of the book and flowed with the story — in a lot of romance novellas the sex feels wedged in (har!) without a lot of build up due to the shorter length of the book.

No Groom at the Inn is short and lovely, and if you love house party settings, then I recommend picking it up.

– Elyse

Regency, Novella, Romance