Michelle's Musings

27 November 2020

December book pick

Here we are at the last month of our 2020 reading journey. When we began this ride, I never dreamed we would spend most of the year trapped by a global pandemic. My expectations were for us to carve out more time in our lives to read and keep our minds sharp. I did achieve my goal by watching less tv along with less social media and I used the extra time to craft, work on my house, and read. I hope you have had a good reading year too. I plan to do this again next year and hope you will read along.

For our last pick of 2020, I wanted you to choose which of these two lighthearted books (or any other book that is less pressure than the "real" world) you would like to read. I am going to read them both because they are both highly recommended but "Wow, no thank you" will be the one I read in December. I do think whichever one that you choose will be fun, and a little escape from a pandemic that is wearing us all down in so many ways. Happy reading and thanks for a great reading year.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thank you for reading with me in 2020. It has been a long year in some aspects, but short in others. My reading life has been pretty much on par with what it usually is, numbers wise. I am hoping when I do the break-down of all next month that I have expanded on some categories and jumped out of my usual WWII genre a little more often.

Every year I prepare a spread sheet of my books read with all kinds of stats (I will share that with you next month), but for this year I decided to do a little journal page for my regular journal. I thought I could insert this like I would a card or something. When I was making it I thought I would share it with the folks that read with me this year. It is a Book Nerd End of Year Stats sheet. Find it here, but below you will see a sneak peak of my stats sheet. Enjoy and thanks for reading with me.

16 November 2020

November Book Pick

I just realized today that I forgot to post this on Halloween, what a dork. I wasn't sure of any of you would read this or not, but it is a very good book and I very much hope you will. Senator McCain is a giant hero to me. It started when I learned of his time as a POW and then his new career in government. I have always felt he tried to do his best for all his fellow Americans and often that meant crossing the aisle. Read this book and you'll see how dedicated his was to this country he loved so very much.

The Luckiest Man starts with Senator McCain's birth and is speckled with stories from his life that he never shared in the books he had penned some good, some bad.

I cried a few times about his death, the missed opportunities and because he would have made a wonderful President. Some of my prized possessions are the books he.autogrpahed for me.

A couple of days after the book was published I got to participate in a Zoom call with the author, Mark Salter and Senator Joe Liberman. What a wonderful opportunity to ask Mark and Senator Liberman what it was like to work alongside someone like Senator McCain. Mark said "exhausting" and Senator Liberman agreed.

07 November 2020

30 days of books to be thankful for in 2020

30 days of great books!!

This list is full of fabulous books that I loved and think you might too. I tried to go across different genres, but you know how I stay in that WWII historical fiction vein.

I have put a sticker on some of the book covers because they are my pick books of the year. My sticker is not part of the cover, just a sticker to denote that I love it and think you should buy it and you should be able to see all of the fabulous covers under my sticker.

November 1-The Glittering Hour by Iona Gray---Serena is one of the Bright Young things that will do anything to stay in the limelight; that is until she finds the man of her dreams. Will she give it all up for him? We will find that out and get a huge surprise at the end.

November 2-The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel---Eva is a Jewish girl that has to flee her home when her father is arrested. She takes her mother with her and they both assume false identities with documents Eva created. Once the underground discovers her talent they recruit her to help them make identities for Jewish children in order to save their lives.

November 3-Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson---Two children spontaneously combust at the worst of times. That's right, the children catch on fire. The children are the offsprings of a senator and a beautiful lady that hires an old school friend to watch the children so the public won't find out that the children catch on fire. This is a riot!

November 4-Nothing More Dangerous by Allen Eskens---Jessup Missouri has lots of problems, a factory worker has disappeared, a foreman has been demoted and replaced by an outsider that is African American, a gang of white boys are trying to take over the town, and two young men form a friendship that will help them get through the hard teenaged years and a town full of prejudice.

November 5-The Luckiest Man: Life with John McCain by Mark Salter---it is no secret that I love John McCain. When I heard John's longtime writing partner was writing a book on John I just had to have it. This book shows us some of the stories we already knew, but this time we hear the backstory and the true thoughts of Senator McCain. A fantastic book was written by a man that admired his friend very much.

November 6-The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles---Odile procured a job in the American Library in Paris, a job that she longed to have but did not think she could ever obtain. Everything is perfect until the Nazis storm Paris. When that happens the Library has to be creative in order to hide the most precious books and make sure that the Jewish families they serve can still get books to read.

November 7- Hope Never Dies and Hope Rides Again by Andrew Shaffer--- A couple of quick-paced murder mystery books where Joe Biden is your crime fighter. These are short and very fun and yes, Barack comes and hangs out with Joe along the way.

November 8-The Answer is: Reflections on my life by Alex Trebek---This book will give you little snippets of Alex's life. He sums up 79 years of experiences in a nice little package. I was going to feature this book on November 30, but I moved it up to celebrate his life. I will miss him so.

November 9-Camino Winds by John Grisham---This one is kind of like a sequel to Camino Island. I think you can read it without reading Island, but you will not understand some of the references. In this book, the island is hit by a hurricane and someone will be murdered during the hurricane. The gang from the bookstore will be on the case. I loved these two books!

November 10-The King's Justice by Susan Elia MacNeal---This is a great series that features a spy named Maggie Hope. This is number 9 in the series (if I have counted correctly), so if you have not read the first one, what are you waiting for? Get you a copy of Mr. Churchill's Secretary and start this series.

November 11- The Paris Secret by Natasha Lester---As you read this one you will be transported from a spy plane during the war to an event wearing a Dior gown. This book is set in WWII and has another timeline in modern times.

November 12- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett----This book is about twin girls that live in a rural black community ...they run away from home to fulfill their needs/dreams. One will be the prodigal daughter and return home, the other will be living her life as a white woman. She completely gives up everything to be a woman with a hidden past/story. Until......well you need to read this one to find out. I promise you it is worth your time.

November 13-Recipe for the Perfect Wife by Karma Brown--A modern-day woman who buys a house with her husband in a rural area. Buried in the basement she finds cookbooks and belongings of a 1950s woman. She immerses herself into a 1950 lifestyle because of the things she finds becoming the perfect wife. A second storyline features that woman from the 1950s and how she too might have been the perfect wife. This book went in a direction I didn't expect but LOVED!

November 14-Sex with Presidents by Eleanor Herman--Some of the stories you know already, others you will find shocking and a few of them are just jaw-dropping. While I enjoyed the read I also questioned it every time the author said "he was an attractive man", ewwwww no. I mean LBJ, handsome? This book will give you the scoop on everyone from a Treasury Secretary, to Senators, and Presidential hopefuls fall alongside the tales of Presidents from Grover Cleveland to William Jefferson Clinton.

November 15-Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano---I loved this book so much. Edward is the sole survivor of a plane crash that killed all the members of his immediate family. He has to move in with his aunt and uncle and somehow come to terms with why he survived and no one else did. The book also has flashbacks to the day the plane went down and how the passengers lived their last day on earth.

November 16-Her Last Flight by Beatriz Williams---
What would a pilot give up to be the first female to bring all the air flight records? Then at the peak of her career, she disappears without a trace. A reporter will try to discover what happened to her, but she uncovers lots of secrets on the path to the pilot, Irene.

November 17-The Heart of the Lion by Martin Turnbull--Martin's books are some of my favorite out there. They are all about a subject in Hollywood long ago, and this one is the king of all (IMHO). Irving Thalberg was Mr. MGM. He put an unknown actor named Gable in a few movies and created a monster star. There were many Oscars won from films that came out of the Thalberg unit, Grand Hotel, Camille, The Divorcee, Mutiny on the Bounty, China Seas, Bombshell, so many good films. It was all over so fast, Irving died at 37. This book shows what the rise and death of Irving might have looked like, including his marriage to my favorite, Norma Shearer.

November 18- The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton-- A hurricane is barrelling down on Key West, three women will make choices that will change the course of their lives right before the hurricane, but the hurricane will have the last word.

November 19-Lana's War by Anita Aribel---I love the WWII books and I read many of them, most are set in Paris, and this one starts there....but it will end up in the French Rivera. I loved the setting and the very unique storyline a spy on the French Rivera, doesn't that just sound fantastic?

November 20-The Lions of 5th Avenue by Fiona Davis---What an amazing, perfect book. Just dream of what life might be like if you could live in an apartment over the New York Public Library. What a life!! Then throw in some stolen book drama and you have a perfect scenario. You need to read this one if you love libraries or just a good read.

November 21-The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare. I loved this book! It is all about a girl, Adunni that wants nothing out of life but to go. to school. However, she lives in Nigeria and she is only able to go to school until she marries and her father sold her off to a man much older than she when she was 14. I am not going to tell you what happens, but it is truly a wonderful story.

November 22- Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly
Yes, I read this one again this year. It is a great book, reads like a book report, just the facts no elaboration. Today is the 57th anniversary of the assassination.

November 23- Larry Hagman day brings a nice book penned by Larry....fun fact I once wrote him and got an autographed picture from him 4 days before he died. #imurderedjr

November 24- The Sundown Motel

I have been making everyone read this, so if you haven't you should. I loved this book so much! I thought it would be a book about a hotel in Key West when I picked it up (I judge all books by the cover) but no, it was a very unique tale set in Illinois and very difficult to put down.

November 25-Surviving Savanah

This one won't be released until 2021, but go ahead and put it on your TBR. This is about the Titanic of the South, a shipwreck from the 1800s. You will learn how it sank and what happened in the aftermath. There is a second timeline in modern-day because the shipwreck has been found!

November 26- Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel. This read is all about a mother who fakes her child's illness and uses this fake illness to pay all her bills for years until she is busted and ends up in jail. We will then see Rose Gold as an adult and this is where the twist starts. I could not put this book down!

November 27-The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This book reminded me of a mix of Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, and Mary Miles Minter...Old Hollywood, lots of marriages for different reasons and true love.

November 28-Followers by Megan Angelo-What if all your life took place all on social media? What if you could not do anything without the followers of your social media page approving? What if you found a way to escape and live your life? I absolutely loved the plotline of this one!!!!!!!

November 29 Working on a Song by Anais Mitchell- This book is a wonderful gift to enjoy for anyone missing stage shows. This book will take you through every song in the musical...you will get all the lyrics, notes on the conception of the tunes, how the songs evolved during the workshops and Broadway stage, and little insights by Anais herself.

November 30 Mitch, please! by Matt Jones- You will get political talk in this book. I mean it is all about the reason Matt did not run for Senator, but that is not why I am thankful for this book. I am thankful for it because Matt visits ALL 120 counties in KY. He not only visits each county, but he also stops and talks with locals, goes to schools, eats at the best diners, and checks out the landmarks. I loved this part of this book. I loved that someone would take the time to talk. to people about the "best hamburger in the county" or another local specialty instead of just how does someone beat McConnell. I found this book insightful but also enduring as a Kentuckian and the very unique folks and places that live in our state.

November 30No
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05 November 2020

Review: The Forgotten Gift: What would you do to protect the ones you love?

The Forgotten Gift: What would you do to protect the ones you love? by Kathleen McGurl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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02 November 2020

Review: A Time for Mercy

A Time for Mercy by John Grisham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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26 October 2020

November Book Pick

I normally pick brand spanking new books for you to read, but I have been wanting to shake up some things so I thought I would start with my book pick.

This month I am going back to the bookshelves and dusting off an old favorite. I actually just re-read this one the other day and it is very good.

My November pick is Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly. Why pick a book from 2012? Well, if you have read any of this series you know that they are all written like a book report, facts, facts and more facts; the text flows like a fiction book, you can read it quickly and still retain that history aspect.

Killing Kennedy will take you back to what made Jack, "Jack" and how he rose from the second son to the "chosen son". You will also see a parellal world about a guy named Lee, who wasn't really a fan of his life, his country or much else. You will also follow a young Jack Rubenstein and his career and how proud he was of his country. As time goes on you will see how the worlds collide in an almost countdown fashion. You will learn things about these three men that you may not have known before. There will be lots of suspence about that fateful week in November 1963 even though we all know how Camelot ended.

If you have read the book I encourage you to try the audio. The audio adds another layer onto the tale and to me adds to the suspense.

If you like this one I encourage you to pick up any of the other books in this series. I do have a ranking system of favorites.

1. Killing Kennedy

2. Killing Lincoln

3. Killing Patton

4. Killing Reagan

5 Killing England

6. Killing the SS

7. Killing the Rising Sun

I am just now getting to Killing Crazy Horse and I have not read Killing Jesus. I wish he would do one called Killing Roosevelt (and I would like one on each man), Killing Garfield, and finally Killing Aaron Burr.

"In short, there's simply not
A more congenial spot
For happily-ever-aftering than here
In Camelot."

14 October 2020

Review: The Sun Down Motel

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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30 September 2020

Review: Surviving Savannah

Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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28 September 2020

Where do I start to find a great book?

Good morning fellow readers!!!!

I have heard many people say, "I would love to read, but I just don't know where to start".

My friend Kelly was asked just the other day to help her friend discover that next great book. In typical "Kelly" fashion, she went one step above the dilemma and created a "Find your next great book" starter pack. You can download Kelly's guide here.

I would like to give you a little back story on Kelly. I am not sure where or when I met her, all I know it was an instant bond. We began discussing books and have never stopped. Our reading styles parallel in many ways, but then there are times when our style divert into complete opposite directions. Kelly has encouraged me to think outside of the box and I am pretty sure she got me into WWII (and now I can't get out :) and I know she has made me read things I never would have had we not been friends.

Recently (in the last few years), Kelly started a Bookworms Facebook group, where all the members share bookish things. Our little club, under Kelly's leadership, has started having bi-weekly book club meetings (via Zoom) and we have even taken a field trip. I have enjoyed our meetings, learned a lot, and made new friends. Our book club is without a doubt the best thing to come out of Covid. We have topics assigned to us, but not an assigned book. Everyone just talks about what they are reading and what book we are loving right now. We then discuss our topic and it is over (it is also the fastest meeting I have ever been a part of). We get a list of the books discussed after the meetings is complete and we can then go add all the new books to our TBR list.

P.S. I have added a few things too, in purple.

Kelly’s Book Recommendations

Historical Fiction:

· Anything by Susan Meissner---My favorite is Secrets of a Charmed Life, but most people’s favorite is The Fall of Marigolds. Also very good is As Bright as Heaven (about the Spanish Flu pandemic, very good). A Fall of Marigolds is my third favorite book of all time.

· Anything by Fiona Davis---All of her books are set in an iconic building in New York City. I completely agree with this. Fiona does an excellent job of capturing both today and yesterday's NYC.

· The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

· The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

· America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray

· My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray

· Anything by Kristin Harmel---When We Meet Again is my new favorite. Kristin is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

· The Gown by Jennifer Robson Jennifer's books will transport you back to a time gone by.

· If I Were You by Lynn Austin

· Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

· A View Across the Rooftops by Suzanne Kelman

· Where the Lost Wonder by Amy Harmon

· Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

· The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate

· Her Last Flight by Beatriz Williams

· A Fire Sparkling by Julianne MacLean

· The Glittering Hour by Iona Grey WOW!! Just WOW!

· This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

· All the Flowers in Paris by Sarah Jio

· The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

· Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin

· The Girl They Left Behind by Roxanne Veletzos

· Annelies by David Gillham

· The War Bride’s Scrapbook by Caroline Preston

· A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

· Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson

· The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

· The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

· The Help by Kathryn Stockett

· The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Biographies/Memoirs:

· The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

· Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

· Me by Elton John I enjoyed this too!! I recommend it all the time :)

· The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma

· The Killing series by Bill O’Reilly (Reagan, Kennedy, Lincoln are all good)

· Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

· Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe (the audio is great)

Young Adult:

· “The Selection” series by Kiera Cass

· Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

· “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” series by Jenny Han

· The “Divergent” series by Veronica Roth

· Fault in Our Stars by John Green

· Just One Day by Gale Foreman

· Just One Year by Gale Foreman

General Fiction:

· The Dutch House by Ann Prachett (I recommend this one on audio with Tom Hanks reading it. Ann Prachett is from Nashville and owns a bookstore there).

· Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (I recommend this one on audio)

· Camino Island by John Grisham

· Anything by Kristin Hannah

· Anything by Mary Kay Andrews (beachy reads)

· The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald This book warms my heart. Also try the illustrated version released in 2020.

· To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

· The Brethren by John Grisham

· The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah This book made Alaska a character.

· A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

· Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

Children’s:

· The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate