My Rating: 4.4
Sharing inspiring stories from modern-day circle makers as well as his own experiences, this book encourages you to pray.
I felt that some of the stories went on WAY too long - we get it without hammering it over and over again. A few less stories and more practicality would have given a higher rating but, I did appreciate the emphasis on specific prayers.
My Rating: 4.9
Fresh out of nursing school in Montgomery, Alabama, 1973, Civil Townsend intends to make a difference, especially in her African American community. At the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic, she hopes to help women shape their destinies, to make their own choices for their lives and bodies. But when her first week on the job takes her along a dusty country road to a worn-down one-room cabin, Civil is shocked to learn that her new patients, Erica and India, are children—just eleven and thirteen years old. Neither of the Williams sisters has even kissed a boy, but they are poor and Black, and for those handling the family’s welfare benefits, that’s reason enough to have the girls on birth control.
As Civil grapples with her role, she takes India, Erica, and their family into her heart. Until one day she arrives at their door to learn the unthinkable has happened, and nothing will ever be the same for any of them.
This was during the time of the Tuskegee experiment but is told by Civil decades after the event. This unflinching novel brought to life that horrific time in history. Definite recommend.
My Rating: 4.6
Jacqueline Bouvier is hard at work at a Washington newspaper. When she meets Jack Kennedy, it isn't long till she is shifting her desire from being an independent reporter to wanting a relationship with Jack. Lem Billings was JFK's friend from childhood and his confidant. Lem and Jackie form a deep friendship that helps her navigate her courtship with Jack. This is narrated by an older Lem and, as he looks back, he wonders if he should have been more of a friend to Jackie and warning her of going down the path and the aisle with Jack.
I was so engrossed in this story that I felt jilted when the story ended at Jack and Jackie's marriage - what about everything that happened after that point? So much untold that I wanted to delve into. I guess that is the sign of a good book.
My Rating: 4.1
A trio of second-born daughters set out on a holiday with their Great Aunt Poppy through the lush Italian countryside to break the family curse that says second daughters in their family will never find love,
I loved Aunt Poppy and her feisty spirit. Lucy grew on me through-out the book and I loved the ending for Emilia that is wasn't wrapped up in a typical bow. A fun light read with some great characters.
My Rating: 4.8
Josie and Arlette, former female spies, hunt down an infamous Nazi doctor after their release from Ravensbruck. They must put themselves in grave danger to secure justice and protect the ones they love.
This book brought so many things to my awareness - how being released from a concentration camp didn't mean you could just pick up the pieces of your life, what happened to a lot of the Nazi doctors and scientists and America being complicit in their lack of punishment. Although there were some parts of this book that felt far fetched and others that I think should have been edited down, this was an excellent read. Thank you to Goodreads for this free copy. Kelly is a fabulous writer and I appreciate her bringing little known history to the forefront.
My Rating: 3.5
Anna, a seasoned missing persons detective in San Francisco, has tragedy strike her personal life. As her life disintegrates, she flees to her childhood town of Mendocino California to grieve. She relives her youth with her beloved foster parents, and now she believes it might be the only place left for her. Soon she is pulled into a local teenage girl's disappearance. Soon past and present collide.
Parts of this were beautifully written but much of it felt drawn out. It was hard to connect with any of the characters. This kept me reading but it is not McLean's best work.
My Rating: 5.0
Daniel was honored by God, protected, and trusted. His faith did not waver facing those who were against him, serving new kings in power, or even confronting hungry lions. How can you have that kind of faith?
In easily digestible chapters, she walks you through how and why Daniel had the faith that he did and why we should as well. This is laid out in 20 key lessons (20 chapters) that are shared in a very applicable way to our modern lives. I have always loved Daniel and this deepened that and renewed so many wonderful truths. Will definitely be reading more by Anne.
