JohnstownFlood

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it just couldn‘t keep my attention. Much of the book was just not that interesting to me, especially before the flood hit and after. The flood itself and people‘s stories of what happened during was a bit better, but not great. I have read one other book by this author and it seems I was underwhelmed reading it, too; that one, I listened to and wasn‘t sure if it was the writing or the topic, ... cont in comments...

LibraryCin , but I‘m thinking it‘s the author‘s writing style that just isn‘t for me. There were photos included, and I have to say those were pretty impressive, pretty scary. The photo that might stick with me is one of all the debris smashed up against a bridge. 1y

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AvidReader25

Johnstown Flood | David McCullough

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Few people do nonfiction as well as McCullough. This one reminds me of Isaac‘s Storm, both chronicles a real disaster that rocks a small town. The destruction caused by the event itself and the aftermath were fascinating. More than 2,000 people were killed when the dam broke. I love the way he captures the small moments, like a girl watching ducks swim in the water just before the wave hits. This tragedy was news around the world at the time.

paulfrankspencer I grew up with my mom taking my siblings and me to the Johnstown Flood Museum numerous times. The memories of the exhibits still have a spooky element for me. 2y

AvidReader25 @paulfrankspencer How fascinating! I‘d love to see that one day. 2y

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Bookwormjillk

Johnstown Flood | David McCullough

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I wanted to listen to this old favorite again after I heard about the death of David McCullough. He does such a great job telling about this tragedy I almost felt like the skin on my feet was wrinkled from the flood water. #RIP

kspenmoll This was such a great book! My first by him. 2y

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kspenmoll

Johnstown Flood | David McCullough

RIP author and historian David McCullough.
This is the first of his books that I read as a Litsy buddy read. It is also the first book he wrote. This was a fascinating tragic story.

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/obituaries/2022/08/08/David-McCullough-dies-Pi...

Librarybelle

Librarybelle So sad! He was great at bringing the history come to life and showing the human side of history. 2y

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sblbooks

Johnstown Flood | David McCullough

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Since it's almost time for another #staycationintimeswap. I thought I would read one of my books from last year. Thanks again, @Chrissyreadit. I highly recommend the Johnstown Flood.
It's obvious the author does extensive research in his novels. I will definitely read more by him.

Chrissyreadit Ohhh! Im glad it was good- I think I added all the books I chose to my TBR! 2y

sblbooks @Chrissyreadit hey, I hope you're doing well. I was just wondering if we were going to have another staycation in time swap this year? 1y

Chrissyreadit @sblbooks i‘m not sure what to do. i wish i felt more on top of things but i‘ve had off and on flare ups and am worried i could not get it done. Would you be interested in hosting? 1y

sblbooks @Chrissyreadit I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I don't think I'd be able to host either. 1y

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Librarybelle

The Woman in the Photo: A Novel | Mary Hogan

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What started off as a book I struggled to get into became one of resilience and determination. The dual timeline narrative looks at Johnstown, PA, in 1889, around the time of the great flood (and one of the worst disasters in American history) and a modern day young woman learning about her bloodline. I especially liked the historical chapters! #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

BethM This was a solid read. Started slow but ended up really catching me. 3y

CaramelLunacy I almost always end up preferring the historical sections in dual timeline stories - am always eager to get back to them! 3y

megnews @CaramelLunacy me too. And I prefer dual timelines where both sections are historical than one being present day. 3y

Librarybelle @CaramelLunacy @megnews The historical pieces can be so eye opening and sometimes inspiring in that it makes me want to learn more about that time era. 3y

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Librarybelle

The Woman in the Photo: A Novel | Mary Hogan

Time for the #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead end of month discussion!

I have the questions under spoiler. Any overall comments, feel free to comment below (and tag anything spoiler that could be a spoiler, please).

Thanks for joining this month!

catebutler, kspenmoll, BethM, megnews, CoffeeNBooks, CarolineLovesToRead

megnews Thanks for hosting. I hadn‘t heard of this incident or the book and enjoyed reading it. I learned a lot. 3y

kspenmoll This was a fun read- thanks for hosting us! 3y

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Librarybelle

The Woman in the Photo: A Novel | Mary Hogan

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6. In a society where men held all the positions of power, in what ways did the women of this story make a difference? ~from Reading Group Guide

#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

megnews Elizabeth had empathy and compassion for those affected by this tragedy, frankly even before it occurred. From the time she knew about the possibility she tried to speak up. And when she had to decide between a life of comfort and doing what was right, she stayed to help. 3y

kspenmoll @megnews Agree with your assessment of Elizabeth. Lee learned to see herself as an independent woman & watched her Mom grow into that role with her grit & determination when left w nothing due to trusting her husband. 3y

Librarybelle @kspenmoll @megnews Both Elizabeth and Lee are strong, and even Valerie too. I like that Elizabeth realized her shortcomings and opened her eyes to how her lifestyle affected those who lived outside of the club. These women did not let anything stop them from finding the truth or righting a wrong or even just surviving. 3y

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Librarybelle

The Woman in the Photo: A Novel | Mary Hogan

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5. Did Clara Barton become the historical figure she became because of her upbringing or in spite of it? ~from Reading Group Guide

#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

megnews I think both. 3y

BethM I agree- both. Interesting bc I didn‘t know much about her either. 3y

megnews @bethm neither did I and I‘d love to read a historical fiction on her life. I see there are a few available. Going to look into that. I read one on Dorothea Dix‘s crusade to reform asylums awhile that was very good. It was a Christian fiction book

One Glorious Ambition: The Compassionate Crusade of Dorothea Dix

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kspenmoll @megnews such a great idea! I only know the basic information about her emerging from Civil War… 3y

CarolineLovesToRead I had not heard of her before. I would love to read more of her story 3y

Librarybelle @megnews @BethM @kspenmoll @CarolineLovesToRead I agree that both are true. I think more is coming out about Clara Barton and her work, especially since her DC office was recently rediscovered behind a wall. There is a nonfiction title about her work during the US Civil War that is on my to read list:

Clara Barton's Civil War: Between Bullet and Hospital

BethM @Librarybelle behind a wall?! 3y

Librarybelle @BethM Yes! If I remember correctly, it was walled in during a building renovation. When it was uncovered, it was like time stood still…everything was as it was left. 3y

megnews @kspenmoll @Librarybelle @BethM @CarolineLovesToRead I haven‘t read it yet and can‘t vouch for it but I see a historical novel based on Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton called

The Glory Cloak: A Novel of Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton

kspenmoll @Librarybelle Behind a wall? That is wild! 3y

Librarybelle @kspenmoll It is! 3y

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Librarybelle

The Woman in the Photo: A Novel | Mary Hogan

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4. How many similarities between Elizabeth Haberlin and Lee Parker can you name? ~from Reading Group Guide

#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

kspenmoll I am thinking that they both chose to take ownership of their lives.Elizabeth by choosing to accept moral responsibility & stay to rebuild.Lee took ownership as she journeyed into her past,in order to find as much as she could about her self/history. Both faced these situations with courage. Neither gave up.Elizabeth lost her birth family when she did this.Lee lost her intact family when her Dad & brother left. Both had jewelry as talismans. (edited) 3y

Librarybelle I like that, @kspenmoll - they both took ownership of their lives. I agree too about the jewelry as talismans. They both played piano as well. I‘m so glad Lee felt a kinship with Elizabeth! 3y

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