Tag Archives: #TheLostBakerofVienna

Reader’s Log 055: Current and Upcoming Reads

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I finished and reviewed, “The Lost Baker of Vienna” by Sharon Kurtzman and enjoyed the story and now I’ve started reading a couple days ago, “Children of the Book: A Memoir of Reading Together” by Ilana Kurshan. I must confess I’m a little concern about the page length and how the theme will flow through the pages. That said, so far I’m enjoying reading about this family’s love for reading.  

I’m still reading, “The Curious Inheritance” of Blakely House and “Reflections on the Psalms by C. S. Lewis.” These two are wonderful and engaging reads and I’m taking my time with them though I’m getting close to finishing The Curious Inheritance. After I finish with Lewis’s book I’m going to start reading, “A Sacred Sorrow” by Michael Card. I have so much to say about lament and I look forward to sharing more on the subject at a later time. After I finish up with Curious Inheritance, I’m thinking about starting, “Daughter of Egypt” by Marie Benedict. I have an ARC of this book and I’m thrilled with the premise for this story. Also, I’ve been reading, “Babylon” by Paul Kriwaczek and while I don’t agree with everything he writes, I do find many aspects of the information he provides to be fascinating and I’ve learned few new details that I need for my research. Kriwaczek is a good writer and it makes his book easier to read which is refreshing and helpful!

Stephanie

Children of the Book: A Memoir of Reading Together by Ilana Kurshan

Not yet published Expected Aug 26, 2025 by St. Martin’s Press

In Children of the Book, Ilana Kurshan explores the closeness forged when family life unfolds against a backdrop of reading together. Kurshan, a mother of five living in Jerusalem, at first struggles to balance her passion for literature with her responsibilities as a parent. Gradually she learns how to relate to reading not as a solitary pursuit and an escape from the messiness of life, but rather as a way of teaching independence and forging connection. Introducing her children to sacred and secular literature—including the beloved classics of her childhood—helps her become both a better mother and a better reader.

Chief among the books Kurshan reads with her children is the Five Books of Moses, known as the Torah, which Jews the world over read in synchrony as part of the liturgical cycle. In the five parts of this memoir, Kurshan explores the surprising resonances between the biblical text and her experiences as a mother and a reader – from the first picture books that create the world through language for little babies, to the moment our children begin reading on their own leaving us behind, atop the mountain, as they enter new lands without us. A testament to the enduring power of shared texts, Children of the Book celebrates the deep pleasures of books.

Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict

Not yet published

Publish Date: Mar 24, 2026 by St. Martin’s Press

In the 1920s, archeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert—daughter of Lord Carnarvon—whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible.

Nearly 3,000 years earlier, another woman defied the expectations of her time: Hatshepsut, Egypt’s lost pharaoh. Her reign was bold, visionary—and nearly erased from history.

When Evelyn becomes obsessed with finding Hatshepsut’s secret tomb, she risks everything to uncover the truth about her reign and keep valued artifacts in Egypt, their rightful home. But as danger closes in and political tensions rise, she must make an impossible choice: protect her father’s legacy—or forge her own.

A Sacred Sorrow: Reaching Out to God in the Lost Language of Lament by Michael Card

Published February 1, 2005 by NavPress

It’s easy to praise God when things in your life are going well, but what about the other times? What happens when mountaintop experiences cascade into seasons of struggling, suffering, and loss in the valley? God desires for us to pour out our hearts to Him, whether in joy or pain. But many Christians don’t feel right expressing anger, frustration, grief, and sadness in prayer. Our personal worship experience is not complete unless we understand the lost language of lament.

In A Sacred Sorrow, author, musician, and Bible teacher Michael Card takes you through the Scriptures to show you what your worship and prayer life has been missing. Learn new ways to honor God and deepen your relationship with Him by:

Becoming more honest in worship

Trusting in His unchanging presence

Believing in His constant loving kindness

Sharing your sorrow as an act of worship

From Job to David to Jesus, men and women of Scripture understood the importance of pouring one’s heart out to the Father. Examine their stories and expand your definition of worship as you find healing. Let your pain, questions, and sorrow resound with praise to a God who is moved by your tears.

Book Review: The Lost Baker of Vienna: A Novel by Sharon Kurtzman

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Happy Publishing Day!      

Published by Pamela Dorman Books

About the Book:

In 2018, Zoe Rosenzweig is reeling after the loss of her beloved grandfather, a Holocaust survivor. She becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to her family during the war.

Vienna, 1946: Chana Rosenzweig has endured the horrors of war to find herself, her mother, and her younger brother finally free in Vienna. But freedom doesn’t look like they’d imagined it would, as they struggle to make a living and stay safe.

Despite the danger, Chana sneaks out most nights to return to the hotel kitchen where she works as a dishwasher, using the quiet nighttime hours to bake her late father’s recipes. Soon, Chana finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle, torn between the black-market dealer who has offered marriage and protection, and the apprentice baker who shares her passions. How will Chana balance her love of baking against her family’s need for security?

My thoughts:

It is not often I read an historical fiction story of the aftermath of in months or year post World War II. I wonder how often people think about the dangers the Jewish people still faced during that time or how they had to completely rebuild their lives. There is also the fact that they were at the mercy of the allied forces and not all of them were honorable people to say the least. The Lost Baker of Vienna focuses on what the Rosenzweigs’ family experienced during and after the war.  

The Lost Baker of Vienna is a dual timeline weaved with mystery, love, survival, loss, and rebuilding life after the horrors of war.

I was fully immersed in this story and the outcome. Wonderful character development and the author portrayed a realistic reality to the post war era. As I understand it, this story is inspired by her own family’s experience after the war which makes this story even more impactful.

I rated this book five stars.

Stephanie

I obtained an ARC through NetGalley from the publisher for an honest review.

Reader’s Log 053: Current Reads

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Historical Genre

My current reads are fantastic and I’m really enjoying the uniqueness of the writing style, characters and plot of “The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House.” I have created a daily reading schedule for these three books and the anticipation of looking forward to my time with them has really helped keep me on track with my reading habits. I love when that happens! First up, “Reflections on the Psalms by C. S. Lewis.”

This book was first published January 1, 1958.

For morning daily devotions, I’m currently studying through the book of Psalm verse by verse. So I thought I would read several books on people’s thoughts about the Psalms. Also, It won’t be too long before I read several others. I’ll be sure to post those books and my thoughts about them when I get to them.

The devotional I’m using is a four year plan but I’m wanting to shorten it in about two years tops. We will see how that goes!

Lewis writes here about the difficulties he has met or the joys he has gained in reading the Psalms. He points out that the Psalms are poems, intended to be sung, not doctrinal treatises or sermons. Proceeding with his characteristic grace, he guides readers through both the form and the meaning of these beloved passages in the Bible.

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano – This book is from my birthday book haul

Published April 15, 2025 by Revell

It is 1901 when clockmaker and brilliant tinker Sydney Forrester inherits Blakely House, the eclectic estate of an estranged uncle she’s never met. The well-known but mysterious industrialist has left behind a stunning array of peculiar inventions–and a couple of nephews’ intents on removing this interloper from the estate. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle’s death, the late master’s nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.

Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate’s butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master’s brilliance as well as his property–or someone else will.

The Lost Baker of Vienna: A Novel by Sharon Kurtzman

Not yet published Expected Date: Aug 19, 2025

I am reading this book from NetGalley for review and it is wonderful so far!

In 2018, Zoe Rosenzweig is reeling after the loss of her beloved grandfather, a Holocaust survivor. She becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to her family during the war.

Vienna, 1946: Chana Rosenzweig has endured the horrors of war to find herself, her mother, and her younger brother finally free in Vienna. But freedom doesn’t look like they’d imagined it would, as they struggle to make a living and stay safe.

Despite the danger, Chana sneaks out most nights to return to the hotel kitchen where she works as a dishwasher, using the quiet nighttime hours to bake her late father’s recipes. Soon, Chana finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle, torn between the black-market dealer who has offered marriage and protection, and the apprentice baker who shares her passions. How will Chana balance her love of baking against her family’s need for security?

The Lost Baker of Vienna affirms the unbreakable bonds of family, shining a light on the courageous spirit of WWII refugees as they battle to survive the overwhelming hardships of a world torn apart.

What are you currently reading?

Stephanie