Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Steve Serbun for this riveting nonfiction book on James Garfield, his family, the political times, the assassination, and the medical debacle that took his life. I could not stop reading this book- I loved learning about America in the 1880s and urge everyone to read this book.

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First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this stellar historical fiction about the lifelong friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt & Mary McCloud Bethune, both powerhouses striving together to change the world, people's racism, and the wrongs of history. Awesomely Narrated by Robin Miles and Tavia Gilbert, this is the Albright College Ladies January selection. This is a must read, I learned so much from these 2 strong women who bonded, collaborated, and tirelessly worked for civil rights. This is a must read!

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The Measure by Nikki Erlick

The Measure by Nikki Erlick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Julia Whelan's narration was perfect! But I did not really enjoy the "whole" string thing. I was riveted by the stories (Ben, Amie, Nikki, Maura, Jack, Havi) but I just could not warm to the idea/mystery of the strings appearance and the havoc they wreak. It was thought provoking but I did not want to think deeply into the strings and all the ancillary facts, issues, mysteries...and this book made me do that time and time again as the many arguments and persuasions are presented over and over again. I would have really enjoyed a novel about all of these characters (minus the strings), sorry!

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Three Keys (Front Desk, #2) by Kelly Yang

Three Keys by Kelly Yang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love Kelly Yang books! Three Keys, continuing The Front Desk series was superior in every way! Mia, Lupe and Jason traverse life and school and friendship drama all the while growing while suffering indignities simply because they are immigrants in an election year in California. The bravery of these three middle school students shows as they struggle to navigate life. Mia and her parents have been very successful running the hotel, but her parents are beginning to shows signs of wanting other things, like maybe returning to the kind of jobs they held before coming to America. Mia's mom wants to get a credit card while her dad is very much opposed. Mia's love of writing takes a hit when the English teacher, Mrs Welch continues to give her Cs on her writing assignments. Lupe's mom has to return to Mexico when her mother dies, what will happen when she tries to return? Jason wants to be Mia's friend but Lupe does not like him. Jason wants to be a chef but his father does not see this as a viable career option. Even worse for the three friends is the governor running for office again promising immigration reform, much to Mia and Lupe's shock! Yang is a gifted author who writes with honesty, sincerity and grit with well developed characters and plot. I could not put this book down, I loved every word and rooted for the families of Mia and Lupe, even Mr. and Mrs. Yao! A must read---as all Kelly Yang books are!!!

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Iron House by John Hart

Iron House by John Hart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, I do love John Hart novels and Michael and Elena tore my soul apart. This book has it all psychological thriller with lots of torture, death, mob ties and political machinations thrown in also. This is a must read about 2 brothers, 1 strong and 1 weak in an orphanage with bullies all around. Something horrible happens and Michael flees while something good happens to his sensitive brother, Julian. I could not stop reading this book; there was so much horror in Michael and Julian's life that to know them, you needed to start at the beginning of their lives and oh what a tangled web that is. Abigail Vane wants to adopt both brothers but death and lies FORCE Michael to flee. As all of John Hart's book are- this is a must read if you like heart stopping writing, believable characters you root for and lush storytelling.

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