29 May 2012

Today's Read: The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen

If you were a freed slave, would you return to the South? What if you were asked to become a spy for the Union Army during the Civil War? In a debut novel based on the story of a real woman, Lois Leveen explores those questions, giving us a fresh perspective on the War Between the States.
Mama was always so busy. Busy tending to Old Master Van Lew and Mistress Van Lew, Young Master John, Miss Bet. But she was never too busy to riddle me. She said it was the first kind of learning she could give me, and the most important, too. Be alert, Mama meant. See the world around you. Find what you seek, because it's already there. . . .

Mama, your little girl is all grown up, and still playing our best game. I am a spy. (pp. 1-2)
The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen (HarperCollins / William Morrow, 2012; quote is from an advanced reader's copy)

18 comments:

  1. This one is on my wish list! I like the sound of it....thanks for sharing.

    Here's MY TUESDAY MEMES POST

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  2. love books like this .. thank you .. adding it to the pile!

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  3. Great teaser! I'm off to check this book out! I've got a vintage teaser today!

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  4. I have the feeling I will like this one!

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  5. Oh yes, this definitely sounds like something that I would read. The conundrum of going back to the South after having been a slave is big enough, but add the spying to the mix, and that makes it a book I can't ignore! Great teaser today!

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  6. Sounds very intriguing--and dangerous! Mine: The Time Machine.

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  7. Great teaser and interesting book.

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  8. This sounds like an interesting read!

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  9. One of our reviewers posted her thoughts on this one last week. It sounds like a great read. Thanks for the intriguing teaser.

    Reading Lark's Teasers

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  10. Interesting teaser :)
    Here's mine, if you want to check it out: http://bookyaddict.blogspot.com/2012/05/teaser-tuesday-1.html

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  11. Captivating teaser!

    http://thecharacterconnection.blogspot.com/2012/05/teaser-tuesday.html

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  12. Mary Bowser is already on my best of 2012 list! I loved it!

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  13. I have already heard so much about this one. I am so intrigued!

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  14. Love the questions you asked at the start … I would expect most would answer with a resounding NO!

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  15. I'm adding this one to my WishList as well...the perspective of this young woman is one I've never read before.

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  16. As Jenners suspected, I was shouting "Heck no!"

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  17. OMG! Forgot I had this one. Can't wait to read it!

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