Review: The Spectacular

The Spectacular by Fiona Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wish I could give this one 10 stars! Fiona Davis is near the top of my MUST-READ list these days. I have loved every book she has written. If you are not familiar with Ms. Davis, you should be. Every book she writes is set in a NYC landmark and features some type of drama along with that landmark, which often becomes a character too. The Spectacular is set in Radio City Music Hall, where Marion has just landed a job as a Rockette. Marion's family doesn't agree with her decision to dance and there is a bomber loose in the city. The Big Apple bomber has been terrorizing New York for 16 years, and I will not spoil anything about what he does or if he is caught. What you need to know is that this book is just like the title states.....SPECTACULAR!!!

This will be my monthly book pick for June.

View all my reviews

Review: Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America

Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America by Jared Cohen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review: I'm No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts: Mini-Meditations for Saints, Sinners, and the Rest of Us

I'm No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts: Mini-Meditations for Saints, Sinners, and the Rest of Us by Kristin Chenoweth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You are not going to like this book if you don't like a person with a bubbly personality, a person that loves God, or a book about a Broadway star. I did the audio so Kristin could read it to me, and I adored that part. She sings to you, and talks about her faith and her beginnings.

View all my reviews

Review: Survive the Bomb: The Radioactive Citizen's Guide to Nuclear Survival

Survive the Bomb: The Radioactive Citizen's Guide to Nuclear Survival by Eric G. Swedin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was not quite what I expected, but I did like it. It was full of information that was given to the public about nuclear fallout. Information like what to do, what to expect, how to pack your survival kit and how to build your safe space.

View all my reviews

Review: Code Name Sapphire

Code Name Sapphire by Pam Jenoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review: The Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom by Russell Banks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

February Book Pick

 Not a WWII book, I am trying so hard to get out of that genre...this one interested me the second I saw the cover.  As a matter of a fact, I didn't even read the synopsis, I just started reading and I am glad that I did.  Obviously, it features Memphis, TN in some way, but what you can't tell by the cover is this book covers a couple of generations of a family. I just adore these kinds of books that will take us through the lives of a family over the years.  Even though there are many characters, I believe Joan is the main one. You see things happen to Joan when she is a child and then see her become an adult that uses art to hopefully change lives.  

When I finished the book I read about it, I now see it is a debut novel (exceptionally well done, I must add) and the author said it was the type of fairy tale she wanted to read as a child.  Actually, I am going to quote the synopsis from Goodreads because it is written much better than I could.

Inspired by the author's own family history, Memphis--the Black fairy tale she always wanted to read--explores the complexity of what we pass down, not only in our families, but in our country: police brutality and justice, powerlessness and freedom, fate and forgiveness, doubt and faith, sacrifice and love.

This book is perfect for now!!! So far, it is my favorite book of the year (book #12).