Book Review: 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind' by William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer

✰✰✰✰ Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. It’s also the country where William Kamkwamba was born in 1987. The only son, William longed to go to school and become a scientist. He feared becoming a farmer like his father. Unfortunately, his hopes were dashed when drought and famine spread over the land like a wildfire.

Without the funds to go to school, William dropped out. Rather than accept his fate, William decided to visit the library to keep his mind off his hunger and stay on track in his schooling. Besides novels and textbooks, William discovered books about science, especially physics and electricity. In his own independent study project, he took on the challenge of building a windmill with the hopes of changing not only his life, but the lives of his family and neighbors. This is the story of one boy’s quest to better himself and those around him by pursuing his interests.

The Bottom Line: This easy to read book is the perfect inspiration for those ages teen - adult. In school, William was an average student at best; however, when he was left to explore his interests, his creativity really took off. Additionally, he had a can-do attitude that illustrates what one can accomplish when they put their mind to it. Highly recommended inspirational reading for anyone interested in science and memoirs.

Book Club Notes: This book club pick was on the TBR list of a few of our members, so we looked forward to discussing it. Some felt there was too much time dedicated to the drought, while others felt it was just right. The book was inspiring and reminded us to think about how fortunate we are. While there were some photos, more would have been appreciated. One member felt that there are many, many similar stories like this out there, so they were not impressed. On a scale from 1 - 5, ratings in our group actually ranged from 1 - 5, with an average rating of 4.

Recommended for groups looking to discuss science and exploring different cultures. For a splash of fun, our featured mocktail was Rock Shandy, which was perfect for a summer discussion. You can find a recipe here.

Finally, you can find plentiful discussion questions by visiting any of these sites: Penguin Classroom, LitLovers, Ohio Energy Project, and Clarkson University.

Details: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. Paperback published by William Morrow in 2010. 320 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-173033-7 

Book Review: 'To the Land of Long Lost Friends' by Alexander McCall Smith

✰✰✰½ Things are slow at The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. So when Mma Ramotswe attends a wedding, she is looking for a project to keep her occupied. As it happens, a long lost friend, whom Mma Ramotswe believed to be late (the Botswanan term for dead) is also in attendance at the wedding. When this old friend confides that she is concerned about her daughter, Mma Ramotswe takes it upon herself to solve this “mystery” without being asked to do so. Similarly, Mma Makutsi takes it upon herself to follow-up on a previous case that isn’t sitting well with her, and Charlie is wondering how to propose to his girlfriend. As each solve their own “mystery,” along the way the trio learn about family, friendship, love, and gratitude.

The Bottom Line: This gentle read is pleasant reading for a cozy winter weekend or take it along to the beach. This installment of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency can easily be read out of order from the others in the series as it includes plenty of background information; the focus is more on human nature rather than a real mystery though. Recommended for fans of the series and fans of cozies.

Details: To the Land of Long Lost Friends (The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency) by Alexander McCall Smith. Large Print edition published by Gale in 2019. 343 p. ISBN: 978-1-4328-7127-7 

Book Review: 'The Queen of Katwe' by Tim Crothers

✰✰✰½ In the Ugandan slum of Katwe lives a young woman named Phiona Mutesi. With little food and no education, Phiona was destined for a life of poverty. Many expected her to become a teenaged mother like her sister and mother before her. However, Phiona wasn’t like other girls, she was born with pluck and determination that set her apart.

From the first day she followed her brother to Robert Katende’s chess program, Phiona was determined to find happiness. Day after day, she attended the chess program against her mother's wishes at first. Maybe it was for the free bowl of porridge, but Phiona continued her chess training and as the days and months passed, it became evident that Phiona had a gift. She was a chess prodigy. This is the inspirational true story of Phiona’s quest to become a Grandmaster.


The Bottom Line: Phiona’s story is really just beginning. This short biography of Phiona's childhood struggles also includes the stories of others influential in shaping her future. Additionally, information about Uganda and its history are included. Crothers did not sugarcoat anything. This book will not teach you how to play chess or improve your game, but this story of survival just may inspire readers to try their best. Recommended for readers of biographies and those interested in chess.

Book Club Notes: Although this was a quick read, the group did not exactly find it enjoyable. Ratings ranged from a low of 1 to a high of 4 on a scale of 1 to 5. This averaged out to a group rating of 3. Several participants commented that the writing style was choppy. It was almost as if the book was pieced together from many articles. Others commented that the writing style did not capture the heart of Phiona. However, it is important to note that Crothers is a sports writer, which may have contributed to the writing style.

Also, book club members were interested in more information about Robert Katende. That being said, there is interest in watching the upcoming movie and keeping track of Phiona’s life. Due to the lukewarm reaction from the group, this book is recommended for groups interested in chess and sports. Discussion questions are available at Simon & Schuster.

Details: The Queen of Katwe: One Girl’s Triumphant Path to Becoming a Chess Champion by Tim Crothers. Paperback published by Scribner in 2012. 240 p. ISBN: 978-1-4516-5782-1

Book Review: 'No Biking in the House Without a Helmet' by Melissa Fay Greene

✰✰✰½ Award winning journalist Melissa Fay Greene and her husband already had four biological children when they decided to adopt a little boy from Bulgaria. Rather than accept the "empty nest" that their home threatened to become when the oldest children headed off to college, the couple kept adopting. The next child was a little girl from Ethiopia. By the time Greene and her husband were finished adopting, their family included a total of nine kids from three continents.

The Bottom Line: Melissa Fay Greene's writing style is approachable for most readers. She writes with humor, tenderness, and honesty as she covers both the joys and the challenges of raising a large family. Recommended for everyone interested in the study of families. Also, for potential adoptive parents.

Book Club Notes: The short chapters and conversational tone of this book made it a quick read. One member pointed out that it was reminiscent of Erma Bombeck's writing style. The discussion was lighthearted as we worked out way through questions available in the reading guide from Macmillan. The anecdotes made for fun reading, and it was easy to get sidetracked by our own stories as we defined what it means to be a family. The discussion turned lively as we debated the pros and cons of domestic vs. international adoption. Furthermore, many of us agreed that we wanted to hear more about Greene's husband, Donny. Some members commented that the book could have been shorter. Also, several members noted that the stories were not all in chronological order. Overall, the group gave the book 3.75 stars and enjoyed reading it.

Details: No Biking in the House Without a Helmet by Melissa Fay Greene. Paperback published by Sarah Crichton Books in 2011. 368 p. ISBN: 978-0-374-53338-0

Book Review: 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' by Alexander McCall Smith

✰✰✰✰ Mma Precious Ramotswe is the type of person who just wants to help people. When her father dies, she uses the money from the sale of his cattle to pursue a lifelong dream. With no training, Mma Ramotswe opens a detective agency. She wastes no time getting started by diving into the drama of the people of Botswana. As the first and only lady detective in Botswana, Mma Ramotswe accepts all the cases that come her way. Along the way she must find a missing husband, expose a con artist, and follow a troublemaking daughter. Mma Ramotswe is clever and lucky as one by one she works her way through the cases in her own quirky way. Follow Mma Ramotswe on her journey as she learns her trade. Indeed the mystery of Mma Ramotswe herself is revealed as she solves these mysteries.

The Bottom Line: This is an entertaining, engaging, and quick read. It makes you appreciate the simple things in life like reading a good cozy. I enjoyed the structure of this book in which each case is like a short story. The mystery stories are then woven together by the search for a missing boy who may have been kidnapped by a witch doctor. The story of Mma Ramotswe herself is revealed layer by layer as she solves the mysteries. I also enjoyed Mma Ramotswe’s romance with Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. The characters are clever, original, and fun. Enthusiastically recommended for fans of cozy mysteries. The setting in Botswana is a nice change of pace.

Details: The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. Paperback published by Anchor Books in 2003. 235 p. ISBN: 978-1-4000-3477-2