Neverhome

Neverhome by Laird Hunt
2015
Weight: 6.7 oz
Method of Disposal: Leaving in a Lending Library

The premise of this book is exciting in and of itself and, in some ways, gives the author more leeway to experiment and create because it will be interesting no matter what.  It is about a woman who dresses up as a man and goes to fight in the Civil War.  Apparently, around 400 women disguised themselves and fought on both the Confederacy and Union sides of the War.  Who were these women and what drove them?  Did anyone get away with it through the entirety of the war?

This author had a take that was different than what I was hoping for, but it was their take and I enjoyed reading it.  I struggled to relate in any real way to the primary character, but I was interested in her by default.  This has sparked a real interest in me to learn more.  I am open to suggestions!

Gone With the Wind

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (1964)
On the Road to Tara: The Making of Gone With the Wind by Aljean Harmetz (1996)
Weight: 5 lbs
Method of Disposal: Donating

You cannot grow up in Atlanta without hearing something about Gone With the Wind.  I have seen the movie so many times I have lost count, and it was a requirement in my elementary school.  It was also one of the first adult books I read, and on field trips we would go around Atlanta and see how Gone With the Wind was connected.  There were postcards of Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable in all the stores.  The Margaret Mitchell house may have been burnt down on several occasions, but it was always built back.  The Civil War was still very present in the South.

It was not until I was much older, probably college, that my love for Gone With the Wind came into question.  I was ignorant of all the implications and the racism.  I am not anymore and now I do not have the same trouble letting these things go.