The Tattooist of Auschwitz

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Read February 2023 - Zoom Reading Circle

As we probably imagined, The Tattooist of Auschwitz was a difficult read but many felt an important one. Several of us mentioned learning new aspects of the holocaust that we hadn’t considered, including the horror of drawing Jewish persons into doing jobs that were harmful to fellow Jews. The atrocities were almost more than our minds can take in. Ultimately, I appreciated the hopefulness in the good of humanity that Barbara re-directed our attention toward. I appreciate her thoughts of holding both the weight of the evil and the strength of the good & hopeful together.

Book club rated this a 4.

Here is an article I found that talks about the two main characters in this book, Lale and Gita Sokolov. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-42568390

Puzzle #16 - Bits & Pieces - Marvelous Garden - 500 pieces

Puzzle #16 of 2023
Finished February 19, 2023

Bits & Pieces Marvelous Garden - 500 pieces

Marvelous Garden - Oleg Gavrilov - Decided to try this one from Bits & Pieces.  This was actually one of the very first puzzles I ordered last year!  Then I ignored it because it was a Bits & Pieces puzzle and I wanted no part of them anymore.  :D  Pulling it out now is quite interesting.  First of all, the pieces don't seem as wonky to me as the 300 piece Bits & Pieces do. Second - this is a tough one because of the image and somewhat because of the wonky shapes but not in the way that I felt B&P puzzles were a year ago.  Slowly working my way through it - and enjoying it.  Have some pieces that I will be quite intrigued to discover where and how they fit in.  (thought they were edge pieces but maybe not?)  So far, enjoyable.

This was a bit tough, actually!  It was fun to put together, though.  Ready to be finished, but it wasn't frustrating.  All those peacock feathers were tricky!!  Pretty finished puzzle.  Enjoyable.

Puzzle #16 of 2023
Finished February 19, 2023

Bits & Pieces Marvelous Garden - 500 pieces

Puzzle #15 - Falcon - Greetings from Scotland - 1000 pieces

Puzzle #15 of 2023
Finished February 15, 2023

Falcon Greetings from Scotland - 1000 pieces 

This is a lovely Falcon puzzle but I was so sad to discover that Falcon must only put posters in the multi-sets.  There is no poster in this puzzle.  So, while the pieces are sturdy and nice, and no puzzle dust, and a fun image, it is frustrating to have no poster.  Especially when the box cover has whole sections of the puzzle covered by their name and logo.  ugh.  I hate this so much!  I literally cannot see the top left corner of the puzzle at all.  Why don't they include posters in all their puzzles?  I had decided Falcon was about my favorite and was planning to order a lot more. But for now, I will enjoy the puzzles, but won't buy any more unless I can get them in sets.  :(  This is a fun puzzle and of course I love that it is Scotland.  Have a few new places that I would like to visit now.  But it is getting a bit challenging at this point in the game... :)

Finished this one today.  Parts were quite challenging!  But the pieces were so nice - color and weight and fit. Enjoyed it a lot.  But missed that gorgeous heavy-weight poster. Alla Badsar is the artist for this puzzle.

Puzzle #15 of 2023
Finished February 15, 2023

Falcon Greetings from Scotland - 1000 pieces 

Puzzle #14 - Falcon - Corner Shops The Toy Store - 1000 pieces

Puzzle #14 of 2023
Finished on February 12, 2023

Falcon Corner Shops The Toy Store - 1000 pieces

This is another one from the set of 4 Corner Shops series from Falcon.  Just as delightful as the Hairdresser was!  Great thickness to the pieces, wonderful heavy-weight poster, bright image that is clear to see, challenging but not frustrating.  A few false fits but easily figured out.  I am a sure fire fan of Falcon from here on out.  which is great because I really love their puzzle images!  No puzzle dust, as well.

wonderful, thick poster

Puzzle #14 of 2023
Finished on February 12, 2023

Falcon Corner Shops The Toy Store - 1000 pieces

Puzzle #13 - Vermont Christmas Company - Venice Cafe - 550 pieces

Puzzle #13 of 2023
Finished on February 11, 2023

Vermont Christmas Company Venice Cafe - 550 pieces

Image by David Maclean - definitely an old favorite.  :)  

Another puzzle with almost zero puzzle dust.  The last several I have done have been like this... makes the puzzle dust from White Mountain and Ravensburger really stand out as gross!  This is a nice puzzle.  Nice sized pieces, loose fit, but okay.  Sure wish there was a poster.  At least the image on the box is good sized.  The 550 piece puzzles from VCC are simple and easy but fun.

Was a fun puzzle all around.  Glad to put it together.

Puzzle #13 of 2023
Finished on February 11, 2023

Vermont Christmas Company Venice Cafe - 550 pieces

Puzzle #12 - MasterPieces - Heartland Oceanside Trolley - 550 pieces

Puzzle #12 of 2023
Finished on February 10, 2023

MasterPieces Heartland Oceanside Trolley - 550 pieces

Image by Bonnie White - part of the MasterPieces Heartland Collection.  Very nice puzzle. Simple and easy and quick.  But fun.  Bright image and colorful pieces.  Easy to hold and good sized (not too large, not too small).  Very loose fit but that is okay.  Basically no puzzle dust.  And I LOVE that oversize poster!!  Love, love, love!  Enjoyable puzzle to put together.

big beautiful poster!

Puzzle #12 of 2023
Finished on February 10, 2023

MasterPieces Heartland Oceanside Trolley - 550 pieces