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Sadie Pennell

@sadie_pennell

Bio
Artist of Sweet Pea Paintings by Sadie Pennell LLC | Insta: @sweetpeapaintingsco Building my own Historical Fiction library, one incredible book at a time. 🤍
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Rampage: MacArthur, Yamashita, and the Battle of Manila imageRampage: MacArthur, Yamashita, and the Battle of Manila poster
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Sadie PennellI first picked this book up because I was trying to learn more about the time and place in which my grandparents grew up and what they may have had to live through. I had heard stories from relatives, stories that made this book all the more painful to read. This was the hardest book I have ever read. I’m fighting back tears just trying to write a review on it. So many of the atrocities that were committed were beyond anything I could have fathomed possible for a human being to inflict on another. Even after reading hundreds of pages of it, I still can’t fathom it…There aren’t words in the English language that can adequately describe the horrors that occurred. To anyone considering reading this, please go into it knowing the author honors the victims by relaying their stories exactly as accounted. There are countless details and stories so horrific I had to stop reading every few pages and in some cases, every few lines. It took me eight months to finish reading it because of how emotionally difficult it was to read. It’s an incredible historical achievement to have pieced together this lesser discussed battle. There aren’t many books written about it. It’s a testament. Thank you, James M. Scott, for honoring those who so cruelly lost their lives, those who suffered loss, those who survived, and the Philippines as a whole. 🇵🇭

The Joy Luck Club imageThe Joy Luck Club poster

The Joy Luck Club

BooksAmy Tan

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Sadie PennellThis book was written in a magical way. You read the experiences and stories of different characters from different times, intertwining with each other as the book goes on, revealing new layers and relationships and perspectives between mothers and daughters. It was an amazing read, often sad and frustrating in the way we can’t always say what we mean to the people we love and who love us most. This is a classic for a reason. If you see this review, read this beautiful story!

Four Treasures of the Sky imageFour Treasures of the Sky poster

Four Treasures of the Sky

BooksJenny Tinghui Zhang

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Sadie PennellI highly recommend this powerful, gut-wrenching, historical fiction novel. However, I will caution that this book is not for the faint of heart. It is not that Hallmark movie type of historical fiction story but a devastating tale for a serious reader who knows full well it will be hard to read. 💔

The Valley of Amazement imageThe Valley of Amazement poster
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Sadie PennellThe Valley of Amazement was an incredible story. Generational traumas, the bonds between mothers and their children, tumultuous times and an unpredictable line of work. This was a long one, and I never felt bored. The story flowed effortlessly, taking the reader on Violet’s turbulent journey with her from childhood into adulthood and motherhood. Highly recommend. However, If you’re thinking about reading this book, know that painful subjects are discussed.

Beasts of a Little Land imageBeasts of a Little Land poster
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Sadie PennellThis was a beautifully written story. It had me running through every emotion. So many characters get you so emotionally invested in them, good and bad. You feel heartbreak for them, anger, sadness, and boy oh boy do you despise some characters. It spans decades but never feels muddy or confusing. 인연 is delicately laced in every aspect of the story. I can’t recommend highly enough!!

Heart and Seoul imageHeart and Seoul poster

Heart and Seoul

BooksJen Frederick

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Sadie PennellIt’s so cute!

Tokyo Ever After imageTokyo Ever After poster

Tokyo Ever After

BooksEmiko Jean

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Sadie PennellSuper cute, funny, and hard to put down. I finished it in a matter of days. I bought the second in the series and can’t wait to read it! Definitely a refreshing break from the quite serious novels I typically read and enjoy!

Pachinko (National Book Award Finalist) imagePachinko (National Book Award Finalist) poster
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Sadie PennellI’m honestly not sure what to say other than this is an incredible story. It’s just incredible. This story spans decades and generations, immersing you completely in the times. Along with the characters you become deeply invested in, whether it be your love for them or hate for them, the way they age and grow, rise and fall..I also was just so floored with the gorgeous way the story carried and how as years pass and decades change, the author paints the picture of each time in history. Just wow.

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