Lady Tan's Circle of Women - Lisa See

 

A great read from my book club.  I'd previously read her book Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and enjoyed it according to my review.  This is the true story of a female Chinese physician from the 1400s who became renowned for her writings on medical treatment and medicine for women.  The writing was flowing and engaging while immersing the reader in Chinese culture over 30 years before Christopher Columbus came to America.  I loved learning about the history of women's lives and those of the elite class of people. A moving story of a legendary woman. 

Reference to the first book on forensic science: The Washing Away of Wrong Sung Tz'u

Published: 2023  Read: May 2026  Genre: Historical fiction

Proof of Heaven - Eben Alexander

 sub-title: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife

My sister gave this to me.  It's the story of a doctor who had a near death experience after going into a coma from an infection.  It was a life changing experience that drove him to share his experience with others. I was moved by the transformation of his beliefs and his passion for sharing his experience.

Published: 2012  Read: May 2026  Genre: Memoir

Replaceable You - Mary Roach

 Sub-title: Adventures in Anatomy

I enjoy this author, she takes on the quirky, queasy subjects and stays fun and informative. I've read her previous books, Stiff (about corpses), Gulp (about our digestive tracks), and Fuzz (controlling nature). 

This one dove into the subject of parts of the human body that get replaced or recreated out of necessity or vanity.  I enjoyed how she provides historical context for our attempts to replicate broken parts (iron lungs, lost limbs) and brings to question current attempts to salvage what's not working (hair transplants and cataract surgery). Another enjoyable read.

Published: 2025  Read: May 2026  Genre: Science

Hiding Mengele - Betina Anton

 Sub-title: How a Nazi Network Harbored the Angel of Death

I've long heard that Josef Mengele, the Nazi "Angel of Death" was harbored at the end of his life by a family named Bossert.  This book was written by a Brazilian author who had access to previously un-accessed letters, documents and reports about his escape to South America after WWII where he remained and died in 1979, over 30 years after the end of the war.  It's a detailed factual account constructed from first person accounts, police records and thorough research.  It a horrific account of a cruel, inhuman man and the people who protected him.  I gleaned some tidbits about the last family he was sheltered by, the Bosserts.  They were originally from Austria and had been living in Argentina for several years when they met Mengele.  The book revealed the community of German expats and family who kept his identity a secret when he was being hunted for his war crimes.  A sad, revealing story of the dedication to a belief by a group of people.

Published: 2025  Read: May 2026  Genre: History