September has started off on the right foot! Last month left me a little leery regarding my book selections haha, but at least this month was off to a good start!
I loved “A Bend in the Stars.” Most of you probably know I used to teach science, and I know if you have been following my book reviews then you know I love historical fiction, especially 1900-1950 time frame of writing… this book combined them both. It was like someone wrote this book just for ME! HAH! I loved this story of a Russian Jewish scientist looking to prove his theories of relativity right at the start of war and how he, his sister and their grandmother risked their lives for him to validate his theories by viewing and photographing a rare eclipse. Of course there is a love story involved, and their travels had me stressed out most of the time through this book, but I loved the story so much, and loved how it ended. I read “The Other Einstein” not too long ago, so it was kind of funny thinking about that viewpoint of Mrs. Einstein actually contributing most of the ideology for Einstein’s work, and then Einstein being a contemporary of one of the main characters in the book named Vanya. I am planning on looking into if Rachel Barenbaum has written anything else because this was definitely one of my favorite reads so far this year!
I like a good psychological thriller every now and then, and “The Couple Next Door” was pretty good. After I told one my friend the premise, she was like, “WHY in the world are you reading that???” because it is about a baby being kidnapped while the parents are next door at a party…so yeah, I mean not the best thing for me to be thinking about and yes, I probably am a little more paranoid now about someone sneaking into my house now and stealing my sleeping children…but it was a quick easy read. I felt like there were times I just wanted it to be done and over because it’s really hard thinking about a little baby being who knows where and with some crazy person. My only other complaint was that I like happy endings that tie up nicely and this one did not tie up in a neat present with a bow on top. But it was a decent read though, not too intense!
I am really loving this series, I read the first book recently and was super excited when the second one, “The Secret to Southern Charm,” became available. I loved continuing the story of a mom and her three girls, how each other their life struggles brought them all together at Peachtree Bluff where they could support each other and work through things together. Looking forward to reading the third one and tying everyone’s stories up!
“The Spies at Shilling Lane” was such a great read…again, another WW2 historical fiction novel but this one had a side of comedy intermingling throughout the story line the whole way through. Your basic spy novel, where a girl’s mother comes to her rescue, and ends up transforming her own outlook on life in the process and finding someone to spend her life with. I loved this story, it was just plain funny at times, and really just an enjoyable read. It didn’t focus on the sadness and horrific aspect of the war as much as just everyone sneaking around trying to infiltrate groups of resistance throughout the city in a covert manner and trying not to get killed in the process. Planning on looking into her other books as well!
I know, I know, ANOTHER WW2 historical fiction novel….you have to understand though, I have a ton of books on hold electronically at the libraries in Houston and Bryan/College Station, so I kind of have to read things as they come or I end up waiting weeks again haha! “The Lost Girls of Paris” was an interesting read…I think most of us are aware that women’s roles and participation in the war changed drastically as the war went on and military needs changed and became more desperate in some ways, and it was really interesting to read an inspired story about women who trained to be radio operators in a circuit throughout France that helped aid resistance supply drops and other events that slowed or impaired the German forces. I enjoyed this read a lot as well, wish it would have ended a tad differently but that is only because I like things to tie up neatly and for the love stories to always end happy haha. Still, it had a good ending and was a great read!
What I’m Reading – August 2019
What I’m Reading – February 2019
What I’m Reading -January 2019
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If you haven’t yet read Jennifer Ryan’s prequel to “The Spies of Shilling Lane” which is called “The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir,” I highly recommend it. I did it on audio, which was terrific. The British accent was wonderful, and you get to actually hear some of the music the choir sings. Very good!
I just read this in September!!! Loved it!! Thank you for the recommendation!!!