It always is interesting to me how sometimes the books I choose to read end up being connected in one way or another. This month I read two books involving women pilots during WW2 and books that referenced other characters in previous books I read hah! Love little link ups like that and feeling like I’m fitting pieces of a puzzle together. Anyone else know the feeling when they are reading???
Ok, on to the books!
When we were in Seattle last month, we toured the Flight Museum and while we pursued the gift shop at the end, I saw “Flygirl” on the shelf and thought it might be an interesting read. This book told the story of an African American woman living in Louisiana, and how because of her super light skin, was able to join the ranks of women pilots in the U.S. that we’re aiding the war efforts. It was a cute story, the history behind the story was interesting. While Russia had women flying bomber planes over Europe, the United States were using women pilots to take of jobs at home to free up the men to fight overseas. My only complaint was that I felt like it ended a little abruptly, and I wish the author would have finished out her love story instead of leaving it open ended. 😉
I loved “Goodnight London!” This book was a great read, not too heavy but not too light either. It was a story about an American reporter being hired out over seas to send reports back on the war from London to her editor. She ends up finding friends and love in London, a real family since she grew up as an orphan had none in the states. Loved this whole story and appreciated how “clean” it was. Totally recommend this!
“The Huntress” was recommended to me by a friend of mine, and I was really intrigued by the title, not to mention the fact that it was historical fiction, which is quickly become my favorite genres to read. The story was interesting, set mainly after WW2 during and after the Nuremberg trials, but flashing back to war times to tell story background of the characters. Two men and one of their estranged wives come together to track down a Nazi murderess, who killed multiple children and the brother of one of the investigators, during the war. They track her across the pond to the U.S., telling the story of how she assimilates herself into an American family and how they pursue her. Their personal stories are all intertwined, Nina’s being the most interesting as she grew up in the taiga of Russia yet comes to be a Russian woman air pilot in the Red Army. I will warn you that the language is not good in this book, it got a little better once the majority of Nina’s history was told, but it still bothered me enough to mention that here. One other thing that I thought was ironic and cute, was that this novel referenced Ruby Sutton, who is a reporter in “Goodnight London!” I love it when authors do things like that! Just thought the timing was funny that I happened to just finish reading it and recognized who it was!
I was ready for something a little lighter after reading “The Huntress,” and this popped up oh my library app just in time. It was a cute little story about a family in London who owns a little shop. Everyone has their issues, and it’s funny how life has a way of working things out for everyone. Don’t want to give too much away, but it was a fun quick read. Little bit of language here and there, but it wasn’t overwhelming and easy to skim over. I like the way the book ended and the quick writing of the author too.
“The American Heiress” popped up on my amazon one day underneath another book I was reading as something I might also enjoy, so I checked it out from the library, gave it a try and was not disappointed at all. I loved the Downtown Abbey TV series, and this book had a very similar feel to it. Cora Cash is the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the U.S. in the 1890s, and travels abroad to England with her parents. Through a series of events, she finds herself getting married to an English duke, and moving into his home and social circles. I enjoyed reading this book and seeing how Cora would navigate her new life, the difficulties learning the social customs of a different society and the challenges involved with becoming a wife to someone you barely know! I was sad when this book ended, I felt like I could have just kept reading more and more about their lives!
Ok that’s it for April! I’d love to hear what you are reading! If you’re interested in the past months of book reviews, you can find their links below!
What I’m Reading -January 2019