Books on Books on Books {Link Up}

Today I'm  linking up with Steph for her fabulous "Show us your books" link up party. I haven't gotten my act together for this the past few months, so I'm glad I was able to get it alllll  together. I always enjoy reading multiple book posts because I find such great reads to put on my list. You blog ladies rarely let me down with your recommendations.

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The Daring Ladies of Lowell

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"From the best-selling author of The Dressmaker comes the warm-hearted and enthralling saga of a bold young woman caught between two worlds-the vibrant camaraderie of factory life and the opulence that a budding romance with the mill owner's son affords-as the murder of her best friend sends shock waves throughout the town. [picture and summary via GoodReads]"

I picked this book up on a whim and honestly enjoyed the book as a whole. I'm a huge fan of history, but my knowledge of America's Industrial Revolution and the conditions women worked in mills is quite sparse. Obviously I knew it wasn't safe, but this book educated me on how dangerous and disgusting working in mills could be for women [and men]. Alice is a charming heroine and her Mill Girl friends are all intriguing in their own way. I found the pull of the 'forbidden romance' a bit cliche, but the author tried to keep it interesting with her twists and turns. If you enjoy historical fiction I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy this story.

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  The Ocean at the End of The Lane

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"Sussex, England. A middle-aged man returns to his childhood home to attend a funeral. Although the house he lived in is long gone, he is drawn to the farm at the end of the road, where, when he was seven, he encountered a most remarkable girl, Lettie Hempstock, and her mother and grandmother. He hasn't thought of Lettie in decades, and yet as he sits by the pond (a pond that she'd claimed was an ocean) behind the ramshackle old farmhouse, the unremembered past comes flooding back. And it is a past too strange, too frightening, too dangerous to have happened to anyone, let alone a small boy. [picture and summary via GoodReads]"

This book was strange. Not strange bad, just a very unique story line which had me rereading passages to be sure I understood everything. I enjoyed the writing and there were quite a few times I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was going to happen next. Lettie and her family are quite interesting characters and there is no lack of imagination in this story. If you want to try a unique book, give this a chance, if you like books that have a more believable plot-line don't even bother.

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The Astronaut Wives Club

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"As America's Mercury Seven astronauts were launched on death-defying missions, television cameras focused on the brave smiles of their young wives. Overnight, these women were transformed from military spouses into American royalty. They had tea with Jackie Kennedy, appeared on the cover of Life magazine, and quickly grew into fashion icons.

As their celebrity rose-and as divorce and tragedy began to touch their lives-the wives continued to rally together, forming bonds that would withstand the test of time, and they have stayed friends for over half a century. The Astronaut Wives Club tells the story of the women who stood beside some of the biggest heroes in American history [picture and summary via GoodReads]."

I LOVED the Astronaut Wives Club mini-series, love, love, loved it. The actresses, the story lines and the fashion kept me riveted to the screen so I was expecting the same feelings when I read the book. Sadly, there were no fun feelings. Obviously books and television shows differ, but I was quite shocked by how much the show deviated from the book regarding the women and even some of the flights/arguments. I also found it a bit long and dry when housing and communities were discussed. I guess I just wanted more and was bummed when I found out the women's personalities in the television show weren't quite who they were in real life.  

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The Girl on the Train

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"Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost. 

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good? [picture and summary via GoodReads]. "

I may be the only blogger on the block that did not love this book. I do NOT see what all the fuss was about and honestly feel generous giving it two stars. Was it interesting? Kind of, I mean I finished the book but I wasn't 'oh  my gosh what happens next? This book is so amazing'! Honestly, I found the character jumps confusing and the main character really annoyed me because of her drama. I do admit I usually find it hard to get behind a book when I don't click with or enjoy the heroine. If you want to check the book out because it's the HOT book I think you're wasting your time, but if you need a book to get you through a plane ride or a vacation it will do the trick.

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The American Heiress 

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"Traveling abroad with her mother at the turn of the twentieth century to seek a titled husband, beautiful, vivacious Cora Cash, whose family mansion in Newport dwarfs the Vanderbilts’, suddenly finds herself Duchess of Wareham, married to Ivo, the most eligible bachelor in England. Nothing is quite as it seems, however: Ivo is withdrawn and secretive, and the English social scene is full of traps and betrayals. Money, Cora soon learns, cannot buy everything, as she must decide what is truly worth the price in her life and her marriage. [picture and summary via GoodReads]. "

I really, really, really wanted to love this book and give it five stars and I was ready to until the end. After the  whole Downton Abbey crazy, I've found myself drawn to Gilded Era books and shows and this book sounded right up my alley. From the beginning it was clear the marriage wasn't going to be smooth sailing and I found Cora's struggle to fit in as an English Duchess endearing and sometimes sad. However, it was quite clear what was happening and I just wanted to shake the poor girl so she could see everything clearly. The characters were all extremely interesting and the lil plot twists here and there definitely capture your attention. I won't say too much about the ending because I don't want to give it away, but I did feel like it ended quite abrubtly. Not only had I hoped for more I expected a lil more explanation. Those of you who have read the book, what were your thoughts on the ending? 

What books are on your list now? Anyone reading anything great? 

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