Audrey

A not so talked about moment during the Cold War. It was short and to the point, though in spots I yearned for elaboration. Overall, I learned a lot, and even in spots noted some foreshadowing to recent and current events (which is somewhat unrelated to the subject of this book, but it caught my eye). I had hoped for more discussion about JFK's death just months after test-ban discussions and solutions as well as Khrushchev's removal within the next year.

I absolutely picked this book up for the cover and for the cover alone. Later glancing at the synopsis, I was excited to see it's a historical novel.    Glory Bea is certain that she is due for a miracle. She's seen them happen and firmly believes she's capable of making one happen for herself and her family after her father is ‘lost' to the war. Now that it's ended, she is certain her father will triumphantly return home. Miracles take time, that's all.    I appreciate how the book presents themes of grief and change to a middle grade audience. That said, the storytelling/voice is also very much geared toward kids which I struggled with as an adult. Absolutely a me issue. I think this is a great book for ages 10-12. 

In the age of the internet (and before that, television), radio was the form of mainstream media. Like our media today, it shaped the way people viewed the world. In this account of the airways post-World War II, we focus on poetry and the dawn of FM.

Focusing mostly on the 1950s-1960s, Lisa Hollenbach lays out a history of radio poets such as Allen Ginsberg, Susan Howe, and several others, their impact on society, and the struggles they such as censorship and politics. Naturally, there's a focus on the Cold War era as well.

I can't say I was engaged from start to finish, but I definitely found the book informative. I learned a lot and it's a section of history I've never given much thought to. I was impressed that I did know some of the names mentioned here. Given it's under 300 pages, it's not a taxing read yet doesn't feel like it's leaving out large sums of information.

Thanks to NetGalley and University of Iowa Press for providing me with a free digital ARC to read and review!

This was a former DNF that I wanted to give another go. I chose to listen in audio form this time and didn't find it any more interesting than I did several years ago. I kept reading as it was a quick listen and I really did want to enjoy it. Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of my favorite films and I wanted to learn more about how it was made and its cultural impact. Instead, this book reads more like a Hollywood gossip column with very little substance and a lot of speculation.    My biggest takeaway was realizing that the way I've interpreted the film has been, evidently, vastly different than the majority of people. I've read Truman Capote's original novella as well, which might have influenced some of my perspectives without my realizing it, but I've never thought of the film as a gateway to the ‘sexual revolution' of the 1960s. Of course, this could also be in part of being born decades later, but for me, the film has always been more about the lost souls of the characters and it being a story of how they try to come into themselves in an overwhelming world. Holly's lifestyle (and Paul's for that matter) has always appeared to me to be a harsh reality, not something that would ever inspire me to take on that lifestyle let alone empower me. She lives a sad life, and it's only when she accepts the honest love of another that she can begin to feel free. (This is all based on the film, not Capote's original work.)

I've never heard the term ‘pianist' used in relation to transmitting. If I'm learning something from the title and synopsis, my interest is piqued. Of course, Mandy Robotham is also a great reason to pick up the book!

When Marnie's grandfather is killed during the London Blitz, she learns through a radio set that he's been working with the Dutch Resistance. She decides to take his place and comes into contact with Corrie, another ‘pianist' operator in Amsterdam. Together with some others, they eagerly do what they can for the war effort despite the danger that may befall them. The book also depicts life in the Netherlands at the time and the power the Nazis had in the territory.

I'm always so fascinated by WWII books that involve the technology and code of the time. It's such a contrast to what we have at our disposal for everyday use nowadays. I was more into that aspect of the story over the plot with Willem, granted, it's all connected. The multiple plot points and a fairly large number of characters were more than my brain was ready for at the time of reading, but it was an exciting (and emotional) story nonetheless. This is the second book by this author I've read and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next!

A huge thanks to Harper360 for sending me a free ARC copy of the book to read and review!

It's been a while since I've read a mystery book and even longer since I've read a historical mystery. This was the perfect book to rekindle a love for the genre. Murder on the Flying Scotsman has the perfect balance of plot and character. Every character met throughout the pages has their own, well thought-out story even when they seem to play a minor role. I'm usually not bad at figuring out ‘who did it', but this time I had the killer pegged wrong. How refreshing it was! I am looking forward to revisiting Lady Thea in the books to come.

Set in the middle of the 1960s, we follow thirteen-year-old Thomas' personal diary where he jotted down the events leading up to and following his parents' divorce. John claims the mother of his children is crazy. Lesley insists she has been wrongfully accused by both John and the court. Being the oldest of the four children, Thomas is caught in the middle, often unsure of who's really got his best interest at heart.

Lesley decides to take matters into her own hands after the ruling. She packs up the kids and sets out west unbeknownst to John. Thomas is enamored with their travels at first, seeing this as an adventure. However, as time goes on, the trials of living life on the road start to hit him as well as his two brothers and sister. With the help of some new friends, they eventually settle in Wyoming. Just as they start to adapt to their new lives, John shows up to bring his children home.

Though angry at first, Thomas soon realizes he feels safer with his father. He and his siblings are no longer the targets of their mother's temper, they have beds and a clean house, and many other basic necessities that had slowly been weaned out of their lives on the road. So when Lesley shows up in Ohio once again, he is at a loss. Whose side should he take?

The book is an engaging, easy read with a mix of perspectives as Thomas is revisiting the diary years later. His thoughts are written in green and blue ink along with the years the notes were taken. His perception of that time in his life ebbs and flows with age. The ink took some getting used to. The colors are harsh on the eyes for longer sections, but the margins are clear which is the important thing.

Readers of YA will enjoy this the most. Thomas' youthful voice comes across clearly. It's also a good work of historical fiction with quite a few mentions of the politics of the time, namely presidents and elections. There were some moments that dragged on as well as several repetitive passages, however, in light of the journal structure and age of the protagonist, it ultimately works if that's something you like. I think I would have enjoyed it more with an alternate POV. With everything limited to Thomas' perspective, many things were left ambiguous where they could otherwise have gone deeper. Still, it's worth the read, especially where it's based on a true story.

https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/queen-of-the-night-steven-holloway#review
https://oceanwriterreads.com/2022/08/03/book-review-queen-of-the-night-by-steven-holloway/

As always with books like this, I found it fascinating and disturbing all at once. From other books, I've learned Allen Dulles was a sketchy guy but I've never gone out of my way to read a book that solely (or largely) focused on him. I was buying another JFK/CIA related book at a consignment shop when the owner immediately passed me a sticky note and said, “I'm going to tell you the name of another book...” I looked it up later that night and bought it immediately. Here I am a month later.

This book reenforced my theory that organizations such as the ones connected to Dulles are to blame for the deep state of corruption we are in presently. It didn't happen over night and it wasn't one man alone, but an awful lot of them were connected to Dulles in some way. The legacy continues. Some other gaps were filled, too, from WWII-Lyndon Johnson — even Nixon! Very informative. 

Complicated family dynamics, secrets, murder, twists, mental health... Intriguing stuff here!    Hanna's life goes lopsided in the wake of a murder. Needing to uncover long-kept secrets and keep her family safe, she is determined to put an end to the havoc.    This book was slow to get into but definitely picked up as it went on. I did struggle to follow along through most of it though, having trouble remembering the importance of each character. I enjoyed the inclusion of discussions on mental health, but that's about all that stuck with me. That, and its solid foundation.    A huge thanks to Harper360 for sending me a free ARC copy of the book! 

This was everything I hoped it would be and more. Emotional, heartwarming, and infuriating at times, I was completely immersed in this story about the early days of Hitler's reign. Instead of being on European soil, it's set in America.

In the midst of The Great Depression, Liesl Weiss finds herself fired from MGM and without a job. Needing to provide for her two young children, her mother, and her brother, she takes the first job she can find — becoming a spy to gather information on the German American community. Also on her team is Agent Thirteen, although who exactly this agent is is something she has to discover for herself.

The character growth in this book is phenomenal. We get an uncomfortable look at the moral struggles Liesl faces such as her indifference to Hitler's rise in Germany and denial of the anti-semitism in her own community (and later her response to it). There's also a large focus on family, particularly between Liesl and her brother Fritz. Lastly, there is a hint of romance, however, I use the word loosely as it's such a minor element of the story.

The narrators of the book do a nice job, although I had trouble understanding Agent Thirteen at the usual speeds I listen to. Not a huge issue, but I did have to keep going back and forth to adjust it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing a free audio ARC of the book to read and review!

Given the title, I don't know why I was surprised by the fact that this book is just as much a dystopian novel as it is a mystery. I don't know if my opinion of the story would have been different had I gone into it knowingly, but it definitely did take me by surprise.    I struggle to give a synopsis of this because I found it tricky to follow on audiobook. The delivery may be better suited for paper. The gist of the story is that a small island community is cut off from other parts of the world due to a dense fog that surrounds them. They live in relative peace, that is until one of their important scientists is found murdered, jeopardizing their security system.    A common problem I find in several of the dystopian books I've read is that the universes are presented as though the reader already knows every intricacy. I felt lost from start to finish, feeling only slightly enlightened as the book went on. Again, this might have been less of a problem if I'd been reading it with my eyes. Even still, it felt like as a whole there were a number of gaps in regards to both plot and character. By the end, I felt nothing had resonated.    Trouble following aside, I enjoyed the narrator, James Cameron Stewart's performance on the audiobook.    Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for providing me with a free audio ARC of the book! 

It's the beginning of summer vacation and before the start of high school. Amber, Nico, and their friends have a strong friend group, but when Amber and Nico confess their feelings for one another, they notice a new distance between them and their friends. First love has the young couple oblivious to those around them and it takes a shared dream for them to realize their part in the rift. Their dream also provides a sounding board for their relationship. High school has made the already shy Nico even quieter, making him wonder why someone as upbeat as Amber would be interested aside from the fact they grew up together.

This was a sweet story accompanied by nice illustrations, especially during the dream sequence. I do wish there had been a deeper look at especially Nico's character in particular as there is a lot of vagueness around him. We don't see too much of Amber and Nico's connection until the dream. That said, this might not be as big of an issue for the younger readers this book is geared toward.

Thanks to IDW Publishing | Top Shelf Productions and NetGalley for providing a free digital ACR of the book! 

A few years ago I read a book that discussed aerial surveillance. I eventually started looking for a book that discussed it at length. Eyes in the Sky was an interesting, albeit unsettling, find.    The book suggests the unbelievable technological advancements that have allowed the Pentagon to invent a powerful aerial surveillance system. It remains on the technology more than the people involved, keeping the material to the point.    Scary stuff to think about. I don't know how much of this book is solid fact given the amount of gaps missing in the text, but I absolutely believe that there is constant surveillance happening. Nonetheless, it gave me something to think about. I do wish the writing had been more engaging. 

Simply delightful! I was sold as soon as I knew the book involved Grace Kelly, though I figured she would be more of a cameo character. I was so glad to discover that she makes fairly regular appearances. 

Being chased by a reporter during a visit to France, Grace hides out in Sophie Duval's perfume shop. This unexpected brush with fame turns Sophie's life in a new direction both professionally as well as personally. James Henderson, the reporter who was searching for Grace, becomes a fixture in Sophie's life. However, both lament the life circumstances that threaten to keep them apart. 

The book alternates between Sophie and James' POV, Grace forging a friendship/acquaintanceship with each of them. Perhaps I'm biased being a fan of Old Hollywood and an admirer of Grace Kelly to begin with, but their interactions with her are the heart and soul of the book. James and Sophie have interesting storylines as well (both together and separately), but for me, it was all about Grace as she became Princess Grace of Monaco. 

I've been trying hard to make my way through my physical TBR. I'm not sure how long I've had this book, but it's certainly been a while. However long it's been, I wish I'd picked it up sooner!    Based on a true story about a German woman who followed her husband and children into Auschwitz, this book follows Helene. Married to a Gypsy man, she chooses to follow him and their five children when they are arrested and taken to Auschwitz. There, her husband is separated from her and the children, however, Helene is permitted to stay with the kids in a special barracks. Being German, she is also granted other privileges, granted, life is still a nightmare.     Finding favor with Josef Mengele (sadly in part due to her twins), Helene is permitted to operate a nursery/school for the Gypsy children. This provides her and her children with slightly better living conditions, giving Helene the hope and strength she needs to take on each day. 

At first, I wasn't sure I was liking the direction the book was taking with Helene. It felt as though she was absolutely clueless about her surroundings. Of course, she would not have gone in with the knowledge we know now, but at the very beginning, it felt she was incapable of putting two and two together. As the book went on, I felt a shift in her character and I became far more invested. An emotional read, but a worthwhile one. 

One of the biggest favors a person can do for themselves is to read at least one book about travel in their lifetime. Perhaps this comes from my innate wanderlust, but I do feel as though one of the greatest gifts books give us is the ability to read about another's perception of the world. What better way than through travel journals? 
One Man's Europe is a unique memoir featuring the writings of Gordon Nicholas. These journals were put together by his son who offers additions to his father's journeys through his eyes decades later. Along with the personal accounts are photos, ViewMaster slides, paintings, etc. Every page is rich with atmosphere and history as a post-World War II Europe is explored. 
What struck me early on was the disconnect I never realized I had while reading about wars and their aftermath. There was one particular photo (among several) that showed a city in ruins from bombings during the war. Seeing it next to the written description hit me differently than if I'd just seen a photograph or had just read a recount in a book. Often books lump all of the photos together in one or two sections of the book and by the time you get to them you're already far past the moment of relevance or haven't arrived to another moment just yet. I enjoyed being able to take them in one by one. 
This was almost the perfect read for me until it crossed a line, giving a narrative against organized religion so angrily that my biggest takeaway from the book has ultimately been wondering why he bothered to visit so many churches and religious sites if it caused him so much disgust. While there were a lot of positive notes in the book, the contrast of the negative stood out. 
I adore books that can take me back to a different time and place. I'm a chronological reader, so I read this book from start to finish. However, the chapters are organized by city, so if you're the kind of person who likes to pick and choose, it's easy to jump around. Of course, there is something to be said about reading it in full at least one time around. I can see myself looking back on this in the future and revisiting some of my favorite cities visited.
Despite my one qualm, I enjoyed the structure of this book immensely. It's made me want to find books similar to it so I can continue living vicariously through the authors fortunate enough to visit such incredible places. 

Thanks to Discovery for providing a free digital copy to read and review!

I've read a lot of books about JFK and his assassination but none have made me cry as much as this one. Clint Hill (a former secret service agent who is perhaps best known as the agent seen jumping on the back of the car after President Kennedy was shot) shares his memories step by step from the moment the Kennedy's left the White House for Texas up to Kennedy's burial. Though not a long-winded account, it's very emotional to hear from someone who was so close to these people, never mind the fact he put his life on the line every day in service to them.

It's wedding time! This is the third and final book in the Mothman in Love series and it's a doozy. A notable difference this time around is the addition of Moth's POV.    Heather's bachelorette party takes a turn when she's kidnapped by a vampire king (Magnus) who has taken an interest in her. He intends to marry her and will seemingly stop at nothing. It's up to Moth (with the help of friends and family) to rescue his flame.    This book has a wildly different feel than the first two books. Although I absolutely loved the addition of Moth's narration, I wasn't super into the plot. A ‘me' issue for sure as I'm more into magical realism if I pick up the fantasy genre (which was prominent in the first book, less so in the second) rather than full-on fantasy. I still enjoyed visiting with these characters again. I was also happy to see more involvement with the side characters as well. (Makes me wonder if there will be a spin-off series in the future?)    A huge thanks to the author and 4 Horsemen Publications for providing me with a digital ARC through Booksprout! I am leaving my honest review voluntarily. 

Accidentally read some spoilers but ultimately glad I did. I do not want to read about an explicit adult/minor relationship. From what I understand if the ending getting 125 pages in was not worth my time if the explanation is what I'm gathering it is. Just... why. Bummed because I was really enjoying to book and the surfing. And does no one else find it disturbing that Loonie is peeping on his dad with a woman????