This is pretty good variety this month and all were spectacular! Page-turners, for sure! Enjoy!
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Oh, my. This book grabs you from the first page and you will not be the same. This is the story of Starr, a teenage African-American girl, who lives in a not nice part of her town but travels to go to school in a predominantly white area. Her family is caught up in the neighborhood drama with gangs and unruliness, but her father keeps his family protected and ever watchful.
He has taught his children to be respectful of authority and always mindful of doing what they are told- by white people in an administrative position- like policemen.
So, it is just completely tragic when Starr is in a car with a dear friend, Khalil, and gets stopped by an officer. He did nothing wrong. There is no reason for the officer to stop them. Khalil does not react favorably to the officer and is shot. He dies.
The story the officer tells later is completely different than what actually happened.
I will leave the rest for you to read. Just know it will forever change the way you see televised reports of this kind of traffic stop that ends in tragedy. I would give this book 5 stars and you should read it.
The Secret Wife by Gill Paul
This book was fairly mesmerizing! It’s a historical fiction with a present day story as well. In the beginning, you meet Kitty who discovers her husband has had an affair and she takes off to America to a remote abandoned cabin that once belonged to her great-grandfather. She is the heir to this falling down place and sets out to restore it. (and herself, I might add)
In the meantime, you are taken back to 1914 Russia where the Romanov family is living in luxury as the country collapses. The family is taken captive and eventually, the Royals are all executed. It is long thought that some of them survived.
And this is where this book picks up. One of the daughters was Tatiana and she volunteered at a hospital where she met a recovering soldier, Dmitri, and they fell in love. According to history, this much is true. But, did any of the girls live when the family was slaughtered?
After the family is killed Dmitri makes a life for himself without Tatiana- which includes finding Rosa and having children and moving to America. He cannot forget Tatiana and writes novels for her and longs for her. What if she lived? How would this story turn out?
Where does Kitty come into this story and how does she discover the truth about her great-grandfather – who happens to be Dmitri? And who is buried in the coffin she digs up at the cabin? I will leave you hanging with those questions! I would give this book 5 stars because it was intriguing!
Say Goodbye for Now by Catherine Ryan Hyde
The biggest part of the story, in fact, the story, happens when Pete is walking the hurt dog to see the doctor. Remember, it’s 1959, and this is also a big part of the story. As Pete is on the way to see Dr. Lucy another boy joins him. This is Justin, a young black boy that has just moved into town.
All seems to be going well until Pete gets home and his father whips him for being late and for being with a black boy. The next day Justin is savagely beaten, too. Dr. Lucy ends up taking care of both boys and this is when she meets Justin’s dad, Calvin.
Dr. Lucy and Calvin don’t dare start a relationship. It is against the law for blacks and whites to date or marry or have a relationship. What do they do? How is Calvin treated by the town when word gets out that he has visited Lucy’s farm? When Pete takes a job to help Lucy with expenses, what does his father do? Oh, my, there are so many side stories in this book.
Heartbreaking. These characters will stay with you for a while. This is one of those books I was not happy to finish. Do you ever miss a book and its people? I sure do! And this is one of those books. Beautifully written, fantastic. Five stars!
Wish Me Home by Kay Bratt
Early in this book Cara and her twin, Hana, are asked a question by the Case Worker assigned to them. What is the one wish she could grant them? Cara’s reply, “Wish me home.” It is all the two girls want, a forever home. They became wards of the state when their mom died and spent their childhood shuttled between foster homes.
The book actually begins in present day with adult Cara on the run from something. Be warned! The “something” she is running from is not revealed until about three-fourths of the way into the book. Cara is traveling south with no real destination in mind, except possibly Key West.
Her car breaks down so she starts walking and soon after meets a dog that becomes her best friend. Together they continue the journey along the coast of Florida. The story is detailed with all the things that happen to Cara as she runs out of money, is sick, has a dog to take care of, and meets some delightful strangers that help her.
I enjoyed this book! I loved Cara, couldn’t stand the sister (you will find out why) and hoped Cara could find that home she always wished for. Five stars! It is a fantastic quick read that you will love!
Leaving Blythe River by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Another book by Catherine Ryan Hyde!
Such a fascinating story! Ethan is a 17-year old that is afraid of just about everything. He and mom have a major hiking trip planned and at the airport discover they have left something at home. When they return they find dad, Noah, with another woman.
Well, that is a yucky way to start, but from here it gets better! Mom has to go away to take care of her elderly parents and send Ethan off to stay with dad in a remote place called Blythe River. Ethan is very unhappy about this because of what dad has done and they have a very strained relationship. Then dad, who is an extreme athlete, takes off on a long run and disappears.
The mountain rescue team searches for Noah, but give up after a few days. So, Ethan and two neighbors load up to go into the bear and wolf filled wilderness to find Noah. A grand adventure, indeed, for a young man that has never been on a horse or done anything of this nature. How do you think this will go?
It’s a great read – a page-turner for me! I couldn’t wait to see if Noah would ever be found and how! I would give this one 5 stars!
So, Book Friends! Which one do you want to try first? I promise, these are all books that you will not be able to put down! Just one more chapter…
