Michelle's Musings

15 January 2024

Review: Unsinkable

Unsinkable by Jenni L. Walsh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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08 January 2024

I have been waiting for so long to share this month's book pick and bonus pick. Yes, we get two picks this month. That is because on January 31 on FX there is a series starting that I cannot wait to see. Let me give you a back story.

I have always been fascinated by Truman Capote, In Cold Blood is one of the best-written books I have ever read. As brilliant as his writing was, the opposite is true about his personal life, it was an utter train wreck. He had a long-time boyfriend, Jack, but he often cheated on him. Jack was so loyal, Truman just could not be faithful. Truman also loved drugs. Drugs to keep him thin, drugs to keep him going, and just drugs because he liked drugs and alcohol.

There was a bright spot in his personal life, he was best friends with Babe Paley. Babe was rich, connected, thin, beautiful, and did I say rich? With the friendship of Babe came more women whom Truman called his "Swans". Lee Radizwell (Jackie Kennedy's sister), Ann Woodward (she would murder her husband), CZ Guest, Slim Keith, Gloria Guinness, and Joanne Carson (he would die in her home). Just Google these women, they were gorgeous! Truman would write a book (unpublished) about these women, betraying them all. In the end, only Joanne and Lee would still love him. With just this little bit of info, you can just feel the drama and want to see how this will play out, right? Well, you can!!!! Feud: Season 2 is all about the Swans and Truman. The season premieres on FX on January 31 and the next day on Hulu.

Now, I do believe you will want more info before this show premieres, this is where my book picks enter the scene. Just like I am with Wallis Simpson, I read every book I can find about the Swans and these are two of the best. I am going to give you a fiction and a nonfiction book. The main pick is fiction and the bonus is the nonfiction.

The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin

This book is based on Babe Paley and the life she led with her husband, Bill (the founder of CBS). It wasn't a good life for Babe until Truman entered lighting up her world. Bill and Truman would become friends and Truman would take take of them both. Why? Because they paid for everything and had a social standing that Truman craved. When Babe's life spins out of control Truman betrays her on a level no one thought possible.

The Bonus book is the nonfiction version, where you will learn a lot about all the Swans. In real life, there was a murder committed by one of the Swans, and wait until you read what happened to her!!!! As a matter of fact, this book explains in great detail exactly how Capote betrayed his friends and why. Capote's Women is very interesting and I had to keep reminding myself, this stuff is TRUE!!!!

I hope you enjoy them both.

23 December 2023

20 December 2023

Review: A Traitor in Whitehall

A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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19 November 2023

November Book Pick

Beatriz Williams is one of those authors that I either love her book or hate it. The last one did not make me happy, but the one before thrilled me. Of course I am going to read every book she writes because she has written far too many that I like to avoid her. I found this one to be fantastic! We meet Emilia, who is very smart, but realizes she won’t go to college, her destiny is to take care of her mother. Everything changes when she meets Olive. She beginning by babysitting for Olive and then gets wrapped up in a world she never expected. She will juggle this new world that has Olive, a boyfriend with money, the possibility of college and a life outside of Winthrop.

Fast forward a few year, Emilia achieved some of her goals in life, the love of her life is gone, and Olive has re-entered her world…..this does no make Emilia happy. What the reader finds out here is how Emilia and Olive split and why Emilia wants far away from Olive.

I liked the mystery aspect of this one, the fact it happens AFTER WWII and it has a lovely setting. Give this one a whirl and see what you think. I would love for you to drop a comment with your thoughts.