Killing The Mob by Bill O'Reilly

 My Rating: 4.5

Tracing the brutal history of 20th Century organized crime in the United States, and the history of the most notorious mob family members bosses. Covering the period from the 1930s to the 1980s, this covers the prohibition-busting bank robbers of the Depression Era, such as John Dillinger, Bonnie & Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby-Face Nelson. In addition, the authors highlight the creation of the Mafia Commission, the power struggles within the “Five Families,” the growth of the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover, the mob battles to control Cuba, Las Vegas and Hollywood, as well as the personal war between the U.S. Attorney General Bobby Kennedy and legendary Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa.

I felt like I was listening to a graphic version of the Sopranos. It was crazy how they blackmailed the Kenndy family and felt they had immunity from their crimes. Very interesting detailed account that Mark really enjoyed and I did as well despite feeling that it went on a bit too long and milked some of the stories.

None of this is True by Lisa Jewell

My Rating: 4.6

Alix Summer is famous for her true crime podcasts. Alix is out celebrating her 44th birthday when she crosses path with Josie Fair who is her birthday twin, born in the same day and year. 

A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.

This was a very unique psychological thriller plot and I enjoyed the twists BUT I found Alix's lack of backbone with Josie very irritating but, I guess if Alix had good boundaries, there wouldn't be a story so, just go with it!

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

My Rating: 5.0

Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch watchmaker who became a heroine of the Resistance, a survivor of Hitler's concentration camps, and one of the most remarkable evangelists of the twentieth century. In World War II she and her family risked their lives to help Jews and underground workers escape from the Nazis, and for their work they were tested in the infamous Nazi death camps. Only Corrie among her family survived to tell the story of how faith ultimately triumphs over evil.

Oh to have faith like Corrie and her family. I think this should be a mandatory read for everyone - so we don't repeat history and so we know what it is like to stand up when there is injustice and wrong. The Ten Boom family unapologetically protected the Jews and didn't try to avoid the consequences of their actions. Wow.

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen

 My Rating: 4.6

Catherine Sterling thinks she knows her mother. Ruth Sterling is quiet, hardworking, and lives for her daughter. All her life, it's been just the two of them against the world. But now, Catherine is ready to spread her wings, move from home, and begin a new career. And Ruth Sterling will do anything to prevent that from happening.

Ruth Sterling thinks she knows her daughter. Catherine would never rebel, would never question anything about her mother's past or background. But when Ruth's desperate quest to keep her daughter by her side begins to reveal cracks in Ruth's carefully-constructed world, both mother and daughter begin a dance of deception.

This story is told in alternating chapters from the point of view of Ruth and her daughter Catherine. We get somewhat of a dual timeline with Ruth writing about the past in her journal. I enjoyed how this was laid out as well as that the chapters were short and easy to digest. So many secrets! Pekkanen tells a great mystery/thriller. It is told through flashbacks of Ruth's life and the present day where Catherine starts to unravel the truth - and this causes Catherine to question everything she thought she knew about her mother.

Having A Mary Heart In A Martha World by Joanna Weaver

My Rating: 4.8

With her fresh approach to the familiar Bible story, Joanna Weaver shows how all of us, Marys and Marthas alike, can draw closer to our Lord: deepening our devotion, strengthening our service, and doing both with less stress and greater joy.

I read this book as part of my Christian Women's Book Club. I enjoyed this book but felt that the author used too many analogies. I would resonate with an analogy at the beginning of the chapter and then she would have 3 or more other analogies throughout the chapter so that by the end of that chapter, I forgot the first one that had resonated with me. That being said, this book stayed with me long after I finished reading it and I have frequently reflected on some of the points that the author made, mainly that it is ok to be a Martha but no matter what we are doing, we need to have a Mary heart.