Books On Books On Books

Last month I failed miserably getting my book post up for Steph's linkup. Thankfully I was able to get myself in gear this month and complied most of the books I read between Thanksgiving and New Years. There was a lot of travel time last month so I used it to read books when I wasn't studying BODYPUMP material. I finished two books the last few days, but will save those for the next recap. I have to say, this was a pretty awesome group of reads, I was very happy with my selections and think most of you will enjoy them all too.

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"For much of her life, Anne Morrow, the shy daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, has stood in the shadows of those around her, including her millionaire father and vibrant older sister, who often steals the spotlight. Then Anne, a college senior with hidden literary aspirations, travels to Mexico City to spend Christmas with her family. There she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, fresh off his celebrated 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. Enthralled by Charles’s assurance and fame, Anne is certain the celebrated aviator has scarcely noticed her. But she is wrong.

Charles sees in Anne a kindred spirit, a fellow adventurer, and her world will be changed forever. The two marry in a headline-making wedding. Hounded by adoring crowds and hunted by an insatiable press, Charles shields himself and his new bride from prying eyes, leaving Anne to feel her life falling back into the shadows. In the years that follow, despite her own major achievements—she becomes the first licensed female glider pilot in the United States—Anne is viewed merely as the aviator’s wife. The fairy-tale life she once longed for will bring heartbreak and hardships, ultimately pushing her to reconcile her need for love and her desire for independence, and to embrace, at last, life’s infinite possibilities for change and happiness [picture and summary via Good Reads]."

 This book was grabbed on a whim many moons ago but I was unable to finish it before it had to be returned to the library. Then it was unable for a few months and finally it came back to Kindle in December so I was able to finish the story. WOW, I learned a lot about Charles Lindbergh and most of it I was not a fan of at all. I had no idea he was so cold, nor that he was a Nazi supporter until Pearl Harbor or that he was a MASSIVE cheater. I found myself feeling badly for for Anne and then wanting to shake her and tell her to move on because of how Charles treated her. My heart broke for her during the Lindbergh kidnapping and I was shocked at how paparazzi and gossip hungry America was even back in the 20s and 30s. I'd liken this book to the Paris Wife, interesting but infuriating at the same time.  

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 "Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

Combining Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading." [Picture and summary via Good Reads].

I can't remember who suggested this book [sorry] but I know it was put on my list by a blogger. And a big thank you to that blogger [again SORRY I can't remember which beautiful lady suggested it], this book was a really fun read. McLean was an intriguing and cute character and her traveling life was enjoyable to read. Of course there were some sticky family moments that had me shaking my head, but overall a great quick read that brings about great lessons on family, friends and life. 

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"For over a decade, Jenna Metcalf obsesses on her vanished mom Alice. Jenna searches online, rereads journals of the scientist who studied grief among elephants. Two unlikely allies are Serenity Jones, psychic for missing people who doubts her gift, and Virgil Stanhope, jaded PI who originally investigated cases of Alice and her colleague. Hard questions and answers." [Picture and summary via Goodreads].

Honestly, I don't even remember checking out this book on my Kindle. It was with the follow five and once I was done with them I started reading without ANY idea of the summary. Initially it was a bit confusing, but after the second chapter I was hooked. I found myself falling in love with elephants from the writer's descriptions, I had no idea they were such a matriarchal species. Jenna, Serenity and Virgil are all well written characters and the final twist at the end was something I did NOT see coming. This book was informative, intriguing and fun to read and one I think anyone would enjoy.

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"There are stories no one knows. Hidden stories. I find those stories for a living. To most, it looks like Beecher White has an ordinary job. A young staffer with the National Archives in Washington, D.C., he's responsible for safekeeping the government's most important documents . . . and, sometimes, its most closely held secrets.

But there are a powerful few who know his other role. Beecher is a member of the Culper Ring, a 200-year-old secret society founded by George Washington and charged with protecting the Presidency. Now the current occupant of the White House needs the Culper Ring's help. The alarming discovery of the buried arm has the President's team in a rightful panic. Who buried the arm? How did they get past White House security? And most important: What's the message hidden in the arm's closed fist? Indeed, the puzzle inside has a clear intended recipient, and it isn't the President. It's Beecher, himself.

Beecher's investigation will take him back to one of our country's greatest secrets and point him toward the long, carefully hidden truth about the most shocking history of all: family history. "[Picture and summary via Goodreads].

Beecher White has become one of my favorite literary characters. I've been a Meltzer fan for years, but the Culper Ring series is best work in my opinion. This book is number three in series and it was a great wrap up of many plot lines. Reading these books makes me KICK myself for not going to archiving or historical preservation, it all just sounds so fascinating [yes I know it's a book, it's my thoughts, haha]. The truth Beecher stumbles upon is an intriguing concept and one I kind of saw coming randomly. If you want to read this book you'll need to read the other three in the series, otherwise it won't make a lot of sense. Definitely a series to check out if you like Meltzer, American history and intrigue.

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"Hannah Griffin was a girl when tragedy struck. She still remembers the flames reflected against the newly fallen snow and the bodies the police dug up--one of them her mother's. The killer was never found. . ..

Twenty years later Hannah is a talented CSI investigating a case of child abuse when the past comes hurtling back. A killer with unfinished business is on the hunt. And an anonymous message turns Hannah's blood cold:

Your Mom called. . ." [Picture and summary via Goodreads].

I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout the story line. Not sure how I feel about the ending, would love to discuss with anyone who has already read the book. This was my first Olsen book and will definitely check out more of his work, he has a great action/mystery prose while creating interesting and believable characters. Mystery and crime stories are some of my favorite novels so this book filled the genre niche for the month quite nicely. Hannah's grief is really gripping, but sometimes I felt it was a bit out there in her search for closure. Very quick pager turner, perfect for a trip on a plane or in the car. 

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"To the outside world, they seem to have it all. Cassie Barrett, a renowned anthropologist, and Alex Rivers, one of Hollywood's hottest actors, met on the set of a motion picture in Africa. They shared childhood tales, toasted the future, and declared their love in a fairy-tale wedding. But when they return to California, something alters the picture of their perfect marriage. A frightening pattern is taking shape—a cycle of hurt, denial, and promises, thinly veiled by glamour. Torn between fear and something that resembles love, Cassie wrestles with questions she never dreamed she would face: How can she leave? Then again, how can she stay?" [Picture and summary via Goodreads]. 

In all honesty this book was not what I expected at all, but that isn't a bad thing. The story starts of after something happens and then everything flashes back and forth to the past and current day. I felt sorry for Cassie for awhile and then honestly kind of judged her for her decisions, I don't have experience with abuse so maybe that was wrong. I did find the ending appropriate and really enjoyed the character development that Picoult is known for in all her books. If you're a fan of hers you'll really like this book and I honestly think it's a great book to give her a try as an author.

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"After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season and shore leaves are granted every other year at best, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.

Tom, whose records as a lighthouse keeper are meticulous and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel has taken the tiny baby to her breast. Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.

M. L. Stedman’s mesmerizing, beautifully written novel seduces us into accommodating Isabel’s decision to keep this “gift from God.” And we are swept into a story about extraordinarily compelling characters seeking to find their North Star in a world where there is no right answer, where justice for one person is another’s tragic loss. [Picture and summary via Goodreads]."

I really liked this book, even though the story line is quite a sad one. Stedman does an incredible job of weaving together different people and circumstances and has the ability to make you connect to each and every character. I found myself asking 'What would I do' multiple times and think that is a testament to the author. I HIGHLY suggest this book to everyone, good beach, plane, or anytime read.

Skimmers: All books are worth a read, you just have to enjoy the genre. 

What are some of the books you're reading right now?

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