Biography, Book Club, History, Nonfiction, Travel

The Stowaway by Laurie Gwen Shapiro

A Young Man's Extraordinary Adventure to Antarctica Another Nonfiction Book Club selection, this one was selected for my new Antarctica-loving friend, Lenore! Synopsis From the Back Cover:It was 1928: a time of illicit booze, of Gatsby and Babe Ruth, of freewheeling fun. The Great War was over and American optimism was higher than the stock… Continue reading The Stowaway by Laurie Gwen Shapiro

Biography, Book Club, History, Nonfiction, True Crime

Death in the Air by Kate Winkler Dawson

The True Story of a Serial Killer, the Great London Smog, and the Strangling of a City Picking out books with my nonfiction book club is such fun. Death in the Air is very similar to Devil in the White City, or so I'm told, and it was a good fit for the nonfiction book… Continue reading Death in the Air by Kate Winkler Dawson

Essays, History, Nonfiction, Sociology

Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism by Kristen R. Ghodsee

And Other Arguments for Economic Independence Back in November I joined Libro.fm as they provide advance listening copies (ALCs) for booksellers. Libro.fm is the indie version of Audible with similar terms and selection. I finally put my free membership to good use and listen to Kristen R. Ghodsee's book. Synopsis From the Inside Flap:Unregulated capitalism… Continue reading Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism by Kristen R. Ghodsee

Memoir/Autobiography, Nonfiction, Sociology, Travel

Travels with Myself and Another by Martha Gellhorn

In continuing my war correspondent memoir/biography trend, I figured it was time I pick up Martha Gellhorn's Travels with Myself and Another. Those who know who she is typically think of her as Hemingway's third wife, but those who care about journalism, know her as one of the first female war correspondents, and inspiration to… Continue reading Travels with Myself and Another by Martha Gellhorn

Biography, History, Nonfiction

The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone

A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America's Enemies Bestsellers intrigue me. I don't read many, which seems to confuse bookstore patrons until I tell them that I read other books so that when they have finished a bestseller and want something similar, I have a recommendation for them. But… Continue reading The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone

Biography, Nonfiction

In Extremis by Lindsey Hilsum

The Life and Death of War Correspondent Marie Colvin I first came acrossย In Extremisย when going through front list (new release) publisher orders and, thanked my lucky stars I have such a good relationship with the rep because when I begged her to send me an advance copy, she happily obliged. And I think it is… Continue reading In Extremis by Lindsey Hilsum

Fiction, Historical

The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher

I've started reading again! In an effort to ingratiate myself with our publisher reps at the bookstore, I've decided to read an advanced reader copy a month BEFORE the book comes out AND write an "Indie Next" pick for it - this is the first! Downside, I read it back in July so my memory… Continue reading The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher

Biography, History, Nonfiction

The Unwomanly Face of War by Svetlana Alexievich

I'm not a big post-it note person when it comes to reading, but just in the introduction to this book, I put 6 notes. The content is so unbelievable, it just can't be made up. Synopsis The Unwomanly Face of War is the long-awaited English translation of Svetlana Alexievich's first book, a groundbreaking oral history… Continue reading The Unwomanly Face of War by Svetlana Alexievich

Memoir/Autobiography, Nonfiction, Political Science

Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? by Alyssa Mastromonaco

And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House Like my present obsession with the Royals (well, persistent obsession since I was 7 years old and Diana died), I've recently become entrancedย by the the American version, and no, I absolutely do not mean the Kardasians, but those who occupy… Continue reading Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? by Alyssa Mastromonaco