Must Read – Page 6 – Feed The Bookworm

Sian Evans: Maiden Voyages

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The Rundown: An indepth look at the history of ocean travel as told through the stories of the women who went to sea.

Written by Sian Evans, Published 2021

I have always been enamored with history, so I’m always looking for a good historical book that isn’t too dry. Sian Evans does a wonderful job of taking us on a journey through history via the monumental innovation of transatlantic cruising.

We begin in the roaring ’20s and move through the first world war, the depression that followed, the second world war, the aftermath, and finally the death of crossing the Atlantic due to the advancement of air travel. Women were not historically welcome on ships, but at the end of WWII, there was a shortage of men in Great Britain, where many of the women in this book hail from. Not to mention that many women were galvanized into the workforce when their husbands, brothers, and fathers went to war. Many were reluctant to give up the freedom they had achieved by earning a paycheck. And when the sea called, they answered.

We meet the “unskinable” Violet Jessop, who was a stewardess on the Olympic, Titanic, and Britannic when they were damaged. The Olympic struck another ship, no fatalities, the Titanic, an iceberg (and we all know what happened there, ) and the Britannic when it was acting as a hospital ship and was sunk with 30 fatalities. Her stories are featured prominently through the book, as she published a memoir.

While Jessop was up working mostly with the first and second-class passengers, we also hear the story of Maria Riffelberger, who worked down in steerage with the 3rd class passengers, helping usher them into their new lives as American citizens. Many times she accompanied minors making the perilous journey across the vast ocean.

We also meet many women of leisure, refugees of the 2nd world war, political figures, and even the story of an Irish immigrant seeking a new life in America, whose son soars to the top of American politics.

All in all, I found this a very enjoyable, informative, and easy listen. It felt almost like I was taking a guided tour through the golden age of ocean travel. Evans was able to tell a story while keeping the reader engaged on what could be a dull topic. Her knack for storytelling while being descriptive and informative is much appreciated. A big thanks to the author, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a copy for my review.

This audiobook was provided by NetGalley and Macmillan Audio free in exchange for my review.

Laura Dave: The Last Thing He Told Me

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The Rundown: Owen Michaels disappears, leaving his wife and daughter questioning everything they thought they knew.

Written by Laura Dave, Published 2021

Owen Michaels and his wife Hannah had it all. Or, almost all. There’s the small fact that Owen’s daughter, Bailey won’t give Hannah the time of day. But in an instant, that all changes. On the day our story starts, Hannah and Bailey both get a note from Owen. Hannah’s simply reads “protect her”. Bailey also finds a cash stash in her locker.

Now, Hannah and Bailey don’t get along. Hannah doesn’t know how much she can or can’t do when it comes to raising Bailey and Bailey doesn’t have faith in Hannah. What follows is a journey of two women, drawn together through extreme circumstances. In an unfamiliar city and unsure of who to trust, Hannah and Bailey must both confront the fact they that have both been lied to. Bailey must question her entire life, and the person she though she was. Hannah questions the man she thought she loved.

My favorite character in this book, beyond a doubt is Grady. He isn’t a major character, but he plays his part so well. I didn’t really know what to make of him at first, and I won’t give too much away on him because it would ruin the story, but you’ll like him too. I also liked that you get to know Owen through Hannah’s flashbacks to happier times. But you doubt him and his motives for about half way through the book.

I loved this book. If I could, I would give it 4.5 stars (but I’ll up it to 5), only because I HATED the ending. I understood it, but I hated it. I think because I’ve been reading a lot of romance novels, where everything is tidied up nice and neat at the end of the book. And don’t get me wrong, the ending fits, and there isn’t any other way it could have ended. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

All and all, a solid book. It’s a page turner for sure, with short, action packed chapters. I finished this book over 2 days, so it’s a quick one.

This book was borrowed from my local library using the Libby App

Sandra Brown: Thick as Thieves

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The Rundown: Twenty years ago, 4 people got away with a half million dollar heist. By the end of the night, one is dead, one is in the hospital, one is in jail and the last is missing, along with the money. The old crime comes back into the present when Arden Maxwell returns home.

Written by Sandra Brown, Published 2021

All hail Sandy B, the queen of twists. I’m a huge Sandra Brown fan, and I’ve read pretty much all of her books by this point. I was underwhelmed by her last two books, so when I picked this one I didn’t expect too much. Boy, was I wrong. This one felt like a throw back to her books of old.

Single and pregnant, Arden Maxwell moves back to her home town to raise her baby. When tragedy strikes and her plans fall apart, Arden makes new plans that revolve around renovating her old family home. She seeks out a number of different contractors, but eventually lands on Ledge Burnet. Ledge has his own reasons for wanting to stay close to Arden and the Maxwell home. 20 years ago, he was involved in the heist. He’s now a reformed, respected war hero.

Then you have the creeptastic Rusty, the ringleader of the robbery who has somehow made it to the position of District Attorney. He keeps popping up where he’s least wanted and most annoying. Not to mention the DA uses his power for evil, not for good.

Insert Arden’s meddling, well meaning, loaded sister Lisa, Ledge’s old girlfriend Crystal, her new flame, and you have all the makings for a sexy and twisted thriller. So buckle up your seatbelts for a wild ride to Payton, Texas. This book is a face paced, romantic thriller that will keep you guessing, and ends with a twist I didn’t see coming.

This book was borrowed from my local library using the Libby App

James Patterson: The Black Book

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The Rundown: Chicago police officer Billy Harney is on a mission to clear his name. Too bad he can’t remember what happened.

Written by James Patterson, David Ellis Published 2017

Ah, Mr. Patterson. Bravo. This book is classic James Patterson. The Black Book is packed with quick chapters so the book moves along at quite the clip. The only downside of this is that I didn’t feel a connection with the characters until about half way into the book.

Billy Harney wakes up in the hospital after taking a bullet to the brain. His former twice time lover and his current partner Kate Fenton, is dead, and so is his new girlfriend, state’s attorney Amy Lentini. Sucks for everyone, especially Billy, that he can’t remember a thing that happened that night. In fact, he can’t remember anything in the two weeks leading up to the event. This proves to be pivotal, as the scene appears to be set up. Little do we know, there are higher powers pulling the strings.

In this book, you distrust everyone. Billy, Kate and Amy, not to mention all of the supporting characters, all have ulterior motives. In fact, as unreliable as Billy is due to his memory, he’s the only one I even semi-trusted. But even he does a good job convincing you he may not be as shiny as his star. Billy has a past that pops up here and there, especially when Kate goes bananas. Sorry to spoil anything, but yeah, Kate loses it.

Also, kind of plot hole? There is a part where we hear about Kate getting a make over and showing up in a fancy new sports car, but we never learn where she gets the money for that. Perhaps we’ll get some answers in the sequel that just came out, The Red Book.

In an effort not to spoil too much for anyone, this book is highly recommended if you have a day or so to kill, because you won’t want to put it down. It isn’t because I was overly attached to the characters, but because I just HAD to know who the dirty cop was. I’m excited for a sequel, because I want to see more Billy. Too bad I liked Amy, but she’s dead. That isn’t a spoiler, she dies in the first chapter. But keep a close eye on details, because someone mundane details are important later.

Janet Evanovich: One For The Money

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The Rundown: Washed up Stephanie Plum needs a job, so she blackmails her cousin Vinny into making her a bounty hunter, and her first case is to track down an accused killer, who also happens to be her old high school flame.

Written by Janet Evanovich Published 1994

Here’s where it all begins. Here, we meet one of my all time favorite heroines, Stephanie Plum. I think I like her so much because she’s such. a. mess. Divorced and on the brink of not being able to pay her rent, Stephanie Blackmails her cousin Vinny (because don’t all Italians have a cousin named Vinny?) into giving her a job as a bounty hunter. Her first job is to bring in her ex, vice cop Joe Morelli. I mean, if we’re betting here, I’m going to give the odds to the cop, not the former lingerie buyer who can’t load a gun. To say she’s unqualified for the position is the understatement of the year. Her first attempt to nab Morelli ends badly. Enter Ranger, badass Cuban bounty hunter tasked with bringing her up to speed. Poor Ranger, he didn’t have a clue what he was getting into. But bounty on Morelli is $10,000, so it’s not like Stephanie can pass it up. Morelli is accused of shooting an unarmed man, but he claims he shot him in self defense. With Joe trying to clear his name, and Stephanie trying to bring him down, hilarity ensures.

I won’t go into too much detail here, because if you’re a plum virgin, I most certainly don’t want to ruin your first time. This one is a little darker than the other books in the series but Evanovich does a great job at balancing some of the darker elements with belly busting laughs.

We meet Stephanie’s extended circle which includes her pervy cousin Vinny who owns the bail bonds agency and his Betty Boopesque office manager Connie. Also in the mix are Stephanie’s mom who irons when she gets stressed, her Grandma Mazur who causes much of the stress, Joe’s grandma Bella who likes to give people “the eye”, and Stephanie’s adorable hamster, Rex. It’s also the beginning of a 27 book long love triangle between Stephanie, Joe and Ranger.

I should also mention that this book was turned into a movie by the same name. I tried to watch is, but it’s so cringy couldn’t get past the first 20 minutes. 10/10 don’t recommend watching it. Read the book instead. You’ll thank me later.

Evan Antin: World Wild Vet

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The Rundown: that hot vet from Instagram wrote a book about his travels

Written and Narrated by Dr. Evan Antin

Where to start, where to start. As you’ll soon find out, I’m a sucker for a book written and narrated by the same person. There is just something about when an author reads their own work that gives it that little something…extra.

Dr. Evan, aka “The Hot Instagram Vet”, won over the social media audience by posing with all kinds of animals. But as he’ll tell you, he’s been doing it long before social media was a thing. In fact, he was on a study abroad program in Australia when he rented a car and set out to find some of the countries coolest reptiles.

The doc will take you to some of the most remote, inaccessible places in the world and bring it to life through not only the stories of the animals, but the people he meets along the way. His guides through the wilderness are invaluable as Evan tries to negotiate the social customs of the places he visits. At one point, he had to drink a blood clot from a freshly slaughtered goat in order to avoid a local faux pas. I’ll admit, I shuddered a bit at that one.

Not only is Dr. Evan a vet and an animal lover, but he is also a conservationist, trying his best to bring the plight of endangered animals all over the world to his viewers at home.

The only reason I knocked a star off of this one is that some of the chapters in the audio book ended abruptly. Sigh. Now I’ll have to get the physical copy and find out what happened in chapter 4 when he met the Kimono Dragon.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to embark on a world wide adventure from the comfort of their own home.

This audiobook was borrowed from my local library using the Libby App.