Horse by Geraldine Brooks

 Horse by Geraldine Brooks My Rating: 4.6

I bet most of us have heard of Man o’ War, but have you heard of Lexington? What a story.

Set across three timelines, this book follows the incredible racehorse Lexington and the people connected to him through history. In 1850 Kentucky, an enslaved groom named Jarret forms a deep bond with a bay foal who will go on to become one of the greatest racehorses in American history. During the Civil War, their lives are turned upside down in ways that are both heartbreaking and unforgettable.

In 1954 New York, a gallery owner becomes fascinated with a mysterious equestrian painting, while in 2019 Washington, D.C., a Smithsonian scientist and an art historian begin uncovering the hidden history surrounding Lexington and the Black horsemen who helped shape racing history.

I REALLY enjoyed parts of this book… and other parts, not so much.

Let’s get the negatives out of the way first. The 2019 timeline felt very forced to me and preachy. Theo was probably the most pompous and unlikeable character in the book, and his relationship with Jess felt flat and unconvincing. Honestly, I also think the 1954 timeline could have been skipped entirely. At times this felt like three separate books mashed together, and I found myself wondering what the editor was thinking allowing such a hodgepodge to make it to print. (Brooks even managed to throw Jackson Pollock into the mix.)

Now for what I loved: the 1850 storyline absolutely carried this book for me. Jarret and Lexington completely stole my heart. Brooks beautifully captured the bond between horse and groom, along with the turmoil and heartbreak surrounding their journey. I also have to admit I was relieved that something truly horrific did not happen to Lexington - and I’ll leave it there to avoid spoilers.

Despite the parts I didn’t care for, I still definitely recommend this one for the historical storyline alone.

Thanks to shoegaljeana for the recommendation.

The Women Of Oakridge by Michelle Shocklee

The Women of Oak Ridge My Rating: 4.5

1944. Maebelle Willett arrives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, eager to begin her new government job and send money home to her struggling family. She knows very little about the work she’s been assigned—only that it will help America win the war. But all is not what it seems. Though employees are forbidden from discussing their jobs, Mae’s roommate begins sharing unsettling information… and then suddenly disappears. As Mae searches for answers, she uncovers a life-altering truth—one that comes at a great personal cost.

1979. Laurel Willett, a graduate student in Boston, discovers the history of Oak Ridge, where thousands unknowingly worked on the development of the atomic bomb. Intrigued—especially because her Aunt Mae once worked there—Laurel spends the summer with her, hoping to include a personal connection in her thesis. But Mae refuses to speak about her past. Instead, her friends begin to share their stories, leading Laurel deeper into a mystery involving a missing woman. As the truth unfolds, the buried pain and guilt Mae has carried for decades begin to surface—with potentially devastating consequences.

I really enjoy Michelle Shocklee’s writing, especially her historical fiction. I also appreciate that her books are wholesome and clean and free of obscenity. Like her other novels, this one taught me so much history. I had never really thought about where or how the atomic bomb was developed—or the profound impact it had on the people involved in its creation.

The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory

The Other Queen My Rating: 4.6

Fleeing violent rebellion in Scotland, Mary, Queen of Scots, seeks refuge with Queen Elizabeth of England. Though promised protection, she is quickly seen as a threat to the English crown and placed under house arrest as a “guest” of George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, and his formidable wife, Bess of Hardwick.

The couple, newly married and eager to gain favor at court, believes that hosting Mary will elevate their standing. Instead, her presence drains their finances and entangles them in a dangerous web of political intrigue. As their home becomes a center of rebellion and suspicion, they begin to realize the true cost of their assignment.

Meanwhile, Mary is far from powerless. Skilled in manipulation, she draws the earl into her orbit and carefully plots her next move—determined to reclaim her Scottish throne and challenge Elizabeth for England itself.

The Other Queen is the final book in The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels and brings the series to a dramatic close. Elizabeth is portrayed as deeply insecure and driven by fear, which shapes her harsh treatment of Mary. In contrast, Mary’s resilience and ability to influence those around her - especially Shrewsbury - add depth to her character.

Reading through this series has been fascinating, especially seeing the recurring themes of ambition, betrayal, and political maneuvering during the Tudor era.

When The Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen

When The Cranes Fly South My Rating: 5.0

Bo is running out of time—yet time is one of the few things he has left. His quiet days are marked by visits from his home care team, with his loyal elkhound, Sixten, as his constant companion. But when his son—whose relationship with Bo has long been strained—insists the dog be taken away, claiming Bo can no longer care for him, everything begins to unravel.

Faced with the possible loss of Sixten, Bo is stirred to reflect on his life, his relationships, and the imperfect ways he has shown love over the years.

If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I don’t give out 5-star ratings lightly. This one easily earns more—truly a 10 out of 5. Wow!

I especially love books translated from other languages, and it’s easy to see why this one received such high recognition in Sweden. It won Swedish Book of the Year, along with the Adlibris Awards for both Debut and Fiction of the Year - the first time in the awards’ history that an author has won in two categories. It’s a quiet, deeply intimate story that gently captures the process of dying, drawing you in so completely that you come to love Bo and understand his experience in a very real and personal way.

After her grandfather’s death, the author discovered notes his care team had left for the family during his final days - an experience that clearly shaped the tenderness and authenticity woven throughout this story. One of the most powerful elements is how the story moves between past and present. In one moment, Bo is fishing with his young son, seeing the admiration in his eyes - and in the next, he’s pulled back to reality as his son calls out to him, bringing both Bo and the reader back to the present in a jarring, emotional shift.

My only complaint is that this is the author's only book.

Having cared for many elderly people in their final days, this story deepened my compassion even more for what they go through. It’s a tender, beautiful book that will stay with me long after the final page.

The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano

The First Witch of Boston My Rating: 4.4

Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1646. Thomas and Margaret Jones arrive from England to build a life in the New World. Though of differing temperaments, cautious Thomas and fiery Margaret, a healer, are bound by a love that has lasted decades. With a child on the way, their new beginning promises only blessings.

But in this rigid Puritan community, appearances can be deceiving and suspicions run deep. A misplaced word or action can invite judgment, and Margaret’s bold, unguarded nature quickly sets her apart. Once seen as a gifted healer, she is soon viewed with distrust - more cunning than compassionate in the eyes of her neighbors. As personal tragedy, religious fear, and suspicion take hold, the community turns against her, threatening not only her life but the bond she shares with her husband.

This is a deeply intimate portrait of a marriage, as well as a fiercely independent woman living in a time when anything other than obedience could be dangerous. Based on the true story of Margaret Jones - the first woman convicted of witchcraft in seventeenth-century Massachusetts - this novel draws from real diary entries and court records. I was completely pulled in by the love story between Tom and Maggie, as well as the vivid portrayal of life during that era. If I had lived back then, there is no doubt in my mind that I would have been convicted of witchcraft as anyone who was outspoken and believed in natural remedies was considered a witch. The fear and piosness was scary.

Audition by Katie Kumara

Audition My Rating: 4.6

Two people meet for lunch in a Manhattan restaurant. She’s an accomplished actress in rehearsals for an upcoming premiere. He’s attractive, troubling, young - young enough to be her son. Who is he to her? And perhaps more intriguingly, who is she to him? 

Told in two distinct parts, Audition unfolds through competing narratives that quietly - and then completely - rewrite your understanding of what you’ve just read. Each section is brilliant on its own, but together they create something even more powerful: a shifting, disorienting exploration of identity and perception.

The novel examines the roles we inhabit every day - partner, parent, creator, muse - and how convincingly we perform them. It asks how much of what we present is truth, and how much is carefully constructed… even to those who believe they know us most intimately.

There’s an undeniable theatrical quality throughout. At times, it feels less like reading a novel and more like watching a screenplay unfold - precise, layered, and quietly unsettling. And that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. 

This is the third book that I have read by Kitamura - all of which were quiet and lyrical so, if you are prepared for nothing to really 'happen' and simply let things unfold, you will enjoy this. I will definitely read more by her.

The McCartney Legacy by Allan Kozinn & Adrian Sinclair

The McCartney Legacy My Rating: 2.0

This book covers Paul McCartney’s life from 1969 to 1973, the years immediately following the breakup of the Beatles - a time when he was reinventing himself both personally and musically. Drawing from hundreds of interviews, extensive research, and previously unseen documents, it offers a detailed look into McCartney’s creative process and personal life after the Beatles.

This was a difficult book to rate. On one hand, by the end, I felt like I truly understood Paul. The portrayal felt balanced, sharing both the strengths and struggles of Paul, Linda, and their life together.

On the other hand, the level of detail - especially around the technical aspects of recording music - became overwhelming. The constant breakdown of how tracks were constructed felt tedious, particularly if you’re not musically inclined. At over 29 hours for the audiobook (and only Part 1), it was a bit much. I don’t think I’ll be continuing on to Part 2.