I'm off to a bit of a slow start in terms of 2022 reading, but I really loved what I read this month. Some of the books were just on the longer, slower read side, but so enjoyable. Here's the rundown:
The Prince of the Skies - Antonio G. Iturbe - historical fiction - five stars - I LOVED this book. It's the story of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince as well as a number of other books. Saint-Exuperty was also a pilot in the military, and then working to establish air mail routes around the world. While it is the story of Saint Ex's life, I really felt that it was even more about friendship. It was such a sweet story about the amazing friendship between Saint-Ex and Jean Mermoz and Henri Guillaumet. A must read.
The Ballad of Laurel Springs - Janet Beard - historical fiction - four stars - This one is probably more of a three and a half rounded up. The book reminded me a little of The Daughters of Erietown. Like that book it traces several generations of women in the same family, or tangentially related through time. Also like that book in some ways it's kind of depressing how the women make the same mistakes and poor choices through time. I did like the book, but it was kind of annoying how those choices kept getting made.
Alone - Megan E. Freeman - juvenile fiction - five stars - This was one of Carina's books that she passed along to me to read. When Carina reads a book twice I know it's pretty good. Written in verse, which I really enjoy, this tells the story of Maddie who is having a secret sleepover with friends at her grandparents cabin. Unfortunately her friends have to cancel, so she stays there alone. When she wakes up she discovers that the town has been evacuated and she is on her own. He only companion is a rottweiler named George. Maddie has to learn how to survive on her own, hoping that someday her family will come back for her. I really loved the character of Maddie and how she tackled all the challenges. Loved this one.
Great Circle - Maggie Shipstead - historical fiction - five stars - Another great book. This is one of those dual timeline stories, but I liked it more than I normally like those because the stories weren't mysteriously intertwined, they were standalone. In the past, the book tells the story of Marian Graves (a fictional individual) who dreams of flying and becomes a pilot against many odds, going on to fly in the ATA during WWII, and then attempting a circumnavigation of the globe, flying through both poles. In the present, the books tells the story of Hadley Baxter, an actress, who is taking on the role of Marian Graves for a film about her life. Really well written, with excellent character development, I really enjoyed the scope and detail in this book. I also liked the twist at the end, definitely wasn't expecting that.
I Must Betray You - Ruta Sepetys - historical fiction - four stars - I have loved Sepetys' other historical fiction books and was really excited to read this one. Unfortunately it was a bit of a disappointment, it's another three and a half stars rounded up. It's the story of Cristian Florescu who lives in Romania during the latter part of Ceaucescu's reign. It's a very oppressive time, you never knew who was informing on you or watching you. Christian is pressed into service as an informant after he is accused of trading a stamp for an American dollar, possessing foreign currency is illegal. His handler offers him relief from this charge as well as medicine for his sick grandfather if he spies on the American ambassador's son (his mother cleans the Ambassador's residence). The book follow Cristian as he struggles with this new role and as he discovers the lies he has been told by his government. I liked the premise of the book, but it just didn't seem as developed and rich as the other books by Sepetys. I felt like it just needed more fleshing out.
The Heartbeat of Iran: Real Voices of a Country and its People - Tara Kangarlou - nonfiction - four stars - This one of those books that I just picked up from the 'New' bookshelf. It's a series of short pieces on a cross section of individuals in Iran. I thought it was really interesting because it was such a diverse group of people/professions you wouldn't necessarily think of when you think of Iran: a film director, musician, saffron farmer, scuba diver, paraolympian, rabbi, etc. I definitely learned some things and it challenged my view of the country. Really interesting and worth the read.
Favorites this month were the aviation books, first The Prince of the Skies and second Great Circle. I'm currently reading The Good Son, and next up is probably going to be West with Giraffes. Please share what you have been reading!
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