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

Fantasy, Fiction

A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab

Shades of Magic #1 Do you ever look at your shelves of books and think "This book has been here too long."? That's how I've felt about A Darker Shade of Magic - I've had it since 2015 and I've been recommending it to bookstore patrons for just as long, but without admitting that I… Continue reading A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab

Biography, History, Nonfiction

First Women by Kate Andersen Brower

The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies I've always loved biographies of the royals and, as an #ImWithHer girl, when I realized thatย First Women existed, I figured it would be one that I should take a look at. Synopsis One of the most underestimated - and demanding - positions in the world, the… Continue reading First Women by Kate Andersen Brower

Nonfiction, STEM

What If? by Randall Munroe

Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions The audiobook kick continues! My husband recommends this book to just about everyone (despite the fact that he hasn't read it!) so I figured it was about time I revisit the realm of science and read (well, listen to) it myself. Synopsis Millions of people visit xkcd.com each… Continue reading What If? by Randall Munroe

Fiction, Historical

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

Laura: I found this book on my momโ€™s shelves and when she noticed that I had picked it up she told me I should absolutely read it. It is one of the few non-mystery type fiction books she has read in the past 10 years, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. Knowing my love of all… Continue reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

Biography, History, Nonfiction

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin Looking for an interesting historical book about Nazi Germany, and knowing that my book club was going to readย Dead Wake, I decided to readย In the Garden of Beasts.ย Downside, it is a difficult book to get into, upside, the audiobook is well done and enjoyable.ย ย  Synopsis The… Continue reading In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

Memoir/Autobiography, Middle Grades, Nonfiction

Four Perfect Pebbles by Lila Perl & Marion Blumenthal Lazan

One of my grandmothers grew up in Germany in the 1930s and 1940s, specifically in Nรผrnberg and the surrounding countryside. She doesn't talk about it. As such, I have spent my entire life fascinated by the stories of German children between 1933 and 1945. I don't remember the first book I read that fit the… Continue reading Four Perfect Pebbles by Lila Perl & Marion Blumenthal Lazan

History, Nonfiction, Political Science, Sociology

On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century I've decided I might as well just go ahead and start calling 2018 my year of nonfiction. Two full months in and I've only read one traditional work of fiction out of the 10 books I've read. Also, I'm prepared to lose friends and alienate certain groups of people… Continue reading On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Fiction, Historical

The Secret of Raven Point by Jennifer Vanderbes

This book may be going out of print soon and as it is one that I love a great deal, I figured best to post this review while it's still available! A few years ago, I had to have foot surgery. Not fun. My wonderful mother agreed to come and care for me - and… Continue reading The Secret of Raven Point by Jennifer Vanderbes