Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford

Title: Radio Girls
Author: Sarah-Jane Stratford
Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: Maisie Musgrave, a poor, young, an American raised Canadian living in London, gets hired as a secretary for the BBC in the mid-1920s. She loves the fast paced environment filled with famous speakers and finds she has a talent for working in radio.  As she moves up the ranks she becomes closer with the director of talks, Hilda Matheson. In an effort to uncover and broadcast the truth, Hilda and Maisie come to discover a dangerous conspiracy.

My Thoughts

Radio Girls is a really fun read. I read a lot of historical fiction and this is a topic I hadn't read much about. It was super interesting to see the dynamics of women in the workplace in the mid-1920s; especially those who were in positions higher than a secretary. 
The best part of this story was that it wasn't just about working at the BBC, it also has aspects of a love story, and a touch of mystery. It also discussed social issues of the time including homosexuality and the beginnings of the Nazi party.
 I just happened to be randomly reading this at the same time a coworker had picked it up. It had some excellent twists and he was a bit ahead of me so there was always a "just wait" tone as we discussed what was happening in the story.

If you have read this novel I would love to hear what you think in the comments below!

To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Sarah-Jane Stratford, visit her website linked above.

An Unseemly Wife by E.B. Moore

Title: An Unseemly Wife
Author: E.B. Moore
Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: Ruth Holtz's familiar Amish life is left behind as her husband breaks the rules of their Order to travel West to Idaho to claim land for their family with their four children, and one on the way. Everything she has ever known changes as her family can no longer truly be 'separate' from the English as they join a wagon train. 

My Thoughts

The first 90% of this book was great. The Holtz family and the wagon train West is filled with wonderfully well-developed characters and the novel has a great storyline. This story had me rooting for Ruth and Aaron as they traveled West against the wishes of their Plain community. 

Seeing her husband and children through Ruth's eyes gives an interesting perspective on Amish family life. The reader also has a view of her inner conflict: Staying a part of the Fold vs Adhering to her husband's wishes. The development of Ruth's character as she is taken from her familiar home and introduced to the English way of life is really beautiful. I like the way Moore uses transitions from what is occurring on the trail to a flashback of the Holtz family on their farm.

At about page 300 I felt like there was no way that the story could be wrapped up in the remaining 36 pages. I hate to say it, but I was right. The ending of the novel felt like the author ran out of paper and had to finish the story. Main characters from the wagon train were no longer a part of the story. Then boom, boom, boom, three major events take place in the span of 36 pages that should have been another 100-150 pages to fit with how the rest of the book had been written.
After such a great beginning and middle I was just so disappointed with the end of An Unseemly Wife that it ruined it the novel for me.

 If you have read this novel and can justify the ending to me, I would love to hear your opinion in the comments below. I would love someone else's point of view on this one!

                  To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.

To see more from E.B. Moore, visit her website linked above.

Blood & Beauty by Sarah Dunant

Title: Blood & Beauty
Author: Sarah Dunant
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: This novel, set in Rome in the late 1400s, follows the story of the Borgia family as Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia buys his way to becoming Pope Alexander VI. Rodrigo uses his papal rule to gain power for the Borgia family by making convenient marriages and appointments for his illegitimate children.

My Thoughts

This is the first novel I have read involving the Borgias and it really left me wanting to know more. Something struck me as different right away when I started reading this novel. It took me a moment to figure it out but then I realized it was that the book is written from a third person perspective but in present tense. I don't think I have come across a historical fiction novel written in this manner (and I read a lot of historical fiction!). It gives the reader a sense of being right there as everything is happening. 

For the most part, this was a really enjoyable read that gave insight into a really corrupt time in the church. It has history, war, family drama, weddings, murder, and romance, so something for everyone. There was one point early on when I was worried that I had accidentally picked up a romance novel where the author gets a little graphic during a love scene, but later Dunant only used it to give the reader insight into the character of a key player in the story. 

The novel ends with a very open-ended scene, leaving the reader wanting to know how all the members of the Borgia family end up. Be prepared to do a little google search to learn more, I know I did!
I am really interested in reading more fiction about the Borgias if you have any suggestions feel free to comment below!

To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Sarah Dunant, visit her website linked above.

An Irish Country Wedding by Patrick Taylor

Title: An Irish Country Wedding
Author: Patrick Taylor
Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: The story of a country doctor, Fingal Flattery O'Reilly, and the people of the small Irish town of Ballybucklebo that he serves. Once young lovers, Fingal and Kitty O' Halloran, reunite in their 60's and are getting married. This is the 7th of 10 Irish Country novels.

My Thoughts

This is the second novel in the series that I have read (Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor). I was excited to find it in the clearance section because I enjoyed reading the first one as well. The books in this series are nice simple reads that move along smoothly. 
It is always nice to come back to familiar characters, and a simple storyline. There are a few suspenseful moments in this novel, but they are resolved quickly. It occasionally flashes back to when Fingal and Kitty were young, which contributes to the backstory nicely.
Overall, it is a good book to help you relax and laugh at the lovable characters.

Let me know if you agree in the comments below!

To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Patrick Taylor, visit her website linked above.

Mrs. Lincoln's Rival by Jennifer Chiaverini

Title: Mrs. Lincoln's Rival
Author: Jennifer Chiaverini
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: A beautiful and intelligent young woman brought up by a father with presidential aspirations, Kate Chase works to establish her widowed father as a member of Lincoln's cabinet. As the people of Washington City praise her, Mary Todd Lincoln feels threatened and the two become rivals as they help the men in their lives to achieve greatness.

My Thoughts

This is the third novel that I have read by Jennifer Chiaverini (Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, The Spymistress). Mrs. Lincoln's Rival had exactly what I liked about her other novels as well; a strong female lead living during the American Civil War offering a historical perspective different from the one told in history class. 
It was really interesting to learn about Kate Chase and her father, Salmon P. Chase, especially because they were from Ohio. Mr. Chase was governor of Ohio before being elected to represent Ohio in the Senate and then being selected by Lincoln to be Secretary of the Treasury. 
The reader gets inside information into how the government is being run as S. Chase solicits advice and confides in his daughter. Kate also gives a window into the social aspects of life as Washington City elite, holding dinners and attending parties hosted by the president and first lady. Of course, with Kate being a young woman, there is a large portion dedicated to courting rituals of the time as well.
Kate's friends also keep her informed about the happenings at the White House. I find the author's take on the Lincolns to be very intriguing because she does not idealize them, but rather focuses on the fact that they were real people.
Chiaverini chooses to showcase the less desirable aspects of Mary Todd Lincoln's temperament and the fact that Abraham Lincoln was not a strong abolitionist when he first took office.

If you are looking for a historically accurate piece of Civil War fiction then this book is for you! If you have read this novel, let me know what you think in the comments below!

To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Jennifer Chiaverini, visit her website linked above.

The Martian by Andy Weir

Title: The Martian
Author: Andy Weir
Genre: Science Fiction

Synopsis: A man is stranded on Mars after an aborted mission when he is believed dead by his fellow astronauts. He chronicles his attempt to survive until the next mission to Mars arrives, in four years.

My Thoughts

As you can tell from my quick turn around on this post, this book is a really quick read. I'm not usually one for science fiction, as a science teacher the inaccuracies often really bother me. Andy Weir really knows his stuff, and I appreciate the research that had to go into keeping this novel realistic. It is a little science heavy at first, but it is needed to show how our stranded astronaut, Mark Watney, is well trained and creative enough to survive on Mars alone.

 Watney maintains a light and humorous tone as he keeps a log of his time on the red planet. The reader also gets to understand the situation from the perspective of officials at NASA and the team of astronauts who left Watney behind, as they work to save him. The best part is that even with careful scientific planning, things sometimes go awry for our protagonist; it is what keeps the reader totally engaged and invested in the story.

All in all, this a really good read. If you are not sold on science fiction but want to be converted, I recommend this book. I could not put it down, I just had to know if Mark Watney was going to make it back home to Earth.

To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Andy Weir, visit his website linked above.

The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman

Title: The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street
Author: Susan Jane Gilman
Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: This novel follows the life of a woman who immigrated to the United States from Russia as a young child. She encounters many hardships on her way to becoming a famous ice cream mogul.

My Thoughts

I have to admit, the cover and title of this book are what really drew me in. It looked so good to me I even paid full price (gasp!) for it. This novel was worth every penny. 500 pages and not once did it feel too long. It is seriously so, so good.
While the ice cream cone is why I picked it up, this story is about so much more than ice cream. An elderly Lillian Dunkle (aka. Lillian Dinello, Malka Bialystoker, Malka Treynovsky) narrates her life, semi-chronologically. While it jumps around a little in time, it is still easy to follow and keeps the reader wanting to know more.
 I really loved how this story is packed with history. As we move through Lillian's life the effects of each decade change how she lives and runs her business. It is so interesting to see how much changes in one person's lifetime. And all of this is intertwined with the evolution of ice cream in America, what could be better?
I could not recommend this book more. I think everyone should go out and get this one, it is a great summer read. (or an anytime read!) 
Let me know what you think of this book in the comments below!

To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Susan Jane Gilman, visit her website linked above.