Review: Reds in the Beds: A Novel of Golden-Era Hollywood

Reds in the Beds: A Novel of Golden-Era Hollywood by Martin Turnbull
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The trio of friends get into a few more hassles in this book. Hollywood is scared of being blacklisted. Gwendolyn tries to find her money. Kathryn just tries to stay alive.

Now Hoover and Siegel are butting into the business of Marcus, Kathryn and Gwendolyn. There are plenty of stars in this book, but Bette Davis seems to be most prominent to me (maybe because I can see her acting JUST like her character was written).

While I didn't enjoy this one as much as Searchlights, it is still a nice read. I am sad there is only one book left in the series.

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Review: The Accidental Empress

The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I became fascinated with Empress Sisi when I first saw the Barbie in the 90's. I thought what a stunningly beautiful woman. I could find no materials to read about her until many years later. This book begins with Elizabeth's youth and goes through her some of her marriage to Franz Joseph. I am assuming that book #2 will cover her death, and I can't wait to get my hands on that one.

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Review: Hamilton: The Revolution

Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't give it 5 stars because I felt like I'm missing a portion having NOT seen it on Broadway. I probably will never get there to see it (fingers crossed for the traveling show). This book is lovely, beautifully written and pretty much perfect if there wasn't a stage show to still see. Hamilton entered my life last year in the form of the soundtrack and then I went to DC and saw all the Hamiltonish stuff to see there (and all the other Founding Father stuff I could do too)...I just need more. No art has effected me in this matter, and I haven't even seen the show LIVE; I can only imagine what that will do to me.

This book is a MUST for anyone who is interested in the show. Anyone who collects beautiful books (the spine is gorgeous and the pages invoke and old fashioned feeling) also needs to own this.

Thank you LMM for this.

Third reading December 28 to Jan 21

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Review: Salt to the Sea

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was not at all what I expected. It took a while to grab my attention, but once it did, I could not stop. This book will break your heart, but it will also give you some hope. Set in WWII and based on a true story of the William Gustloff. The thing is, you've probably never heard of the William Gustloff...I know I had not; but for a small time while reading this book I felt I was right there.

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Review: Killing Patton: The Strange Death of World War II's Most Audacious General

Killing Patton: The Strange Death of World War II's Most Audacious General by Bill O'Reilly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I didn't enjoy this as much as Killing Kennedy and Killing Reagan, I did think this was nice. Again, I let Bill read it to me. He has such a nice voice and easy to understand. I never knew how Patton died, so this was nice to read. I had assumed it was stress for wars....very interesting.

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Review: Ship of Dolls

Ship of Dolls by Shirley Parenteau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had no idea that something similar to this story actually happened. I have always loved "look" dolls, the dolls you don't play with, but just look at...this story sort of reminded me of those dolls. I also liked Lexie. I also liked how Lexie developed over the book and thought about the future.

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Review: Harlot Queen

Harlot Queen by Hilda Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I always enjoy a good fiction story based on real life events. This one did not let me down. It is the story of Isabelle of Castile and Edward II. She was mad for him when they were betrothed, but my how things change. The author stuck to the story I have always read in regards to Edward and Isabelle's life.....until the end. Aw, for that you need to read the book. It is a great telling of the she-wolf and her place in English history.

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