Book review: Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education

Big Sky Country is breathtakingly beautiful, with its bright summer days and cold winter nights. But living in Missoula, Montana—with its farmers markets, art scene, musical venues, and university—is challenging for a single mother without family support or a trustworthy vehicle to navigate the road to a better life. 

Stephanie Land believes her way out of poverty is through education, and she is determined to get that college degree and become a self-sustaining writer. With staggering student loans and food stamps in her pocket, she depends on flexible but low-paying housecleaning jobs and roommates for childcare. Land manages to bargain for extras, like gymnastics classes during school breaks for her daughter, while subsisting at times on peanut butter herself. She even tackles child support and visitation issues with her abusive-but-absent ex. Still, the joys of learning and the precious moments of motherhood are ever-present even though it’s a hard life, with a few ice cream cones and dates in between. 

Land’s experiences are not out of bounds for the rest of us. She grew up in a middle-class family, but a car accident and PTSD sidelined her. The value of education sustained her while hard work didn’t make ends meet. 

Class continues Stephanie Land’s personal story, which started in her bestselling debut, Maid (2019). This time, however, she focuses on education instead of work. If you missed the first book (like me), you’ll be greedy to read Maid afterward because Land is an exceptional writer with compelling, gritty, and accessible experiences.

rating: ★★★★★

Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education
by Stephanie Land
Atria/One Signal Publishers

Book review: The League of Lady Poisoners

A curiously fascinating book. Was it the poisonous-green artwork on the cover, the clever title, or the idea of women secretly using poison to change their life stories that drew me to this book? Probably all three! Lisa Perrin’s illustrations throughout masterfully blend with the narratives of women seeking love, revenge, money, control of their own lives, or helping others get out of bad situations.

Some of these names will be familiar—after all, they are notorious killers, and women at that! Their methods are intimate, as they carefully dole out poison in food, drink, or in medicines meant for sustenance or cures. Their unsuspecting targets are within the household realm or in the workplace, and the poisoners often are in positions as caretakers. 

Grouped by possible motives, these short biographies provide the setting, the backstory (if known), the crime, and the verdict for 25+ women. And, if you want more, Perrin provides a wide variety of sources to dig into afterwards.

A touch of wit balances the macabre theme, while solid research, riveting stories, and judicious use of illustrations round out Perrin’s debut book. I wonder what topics she’ll tackle next!

rating: ★★★★★

The League of Lady Poisoners: Illustrated True Stories of Dangerous Women
by Lisa Perrin
Chronicle Books