My Week in Books // 5-19-21

We have finally gotten some rain around here and I am so happy to look out and see green everywhere! They’re saying it’s going to be a dry summer so I’m going to enjoy the wet weather while we have it!

Also this past week, I lost a cousin to suicide. It was totally unexpected and I know there’s a lot of guilt surrounding his death – what could I have done differently? Would it have made a difference if I’d have done this? Suicide is a complicated situation, and I am so sorry for anyone who has gone through it. I hope and pray that our country can ease the stigma surrounding mental health so that people can find the help they need/want before their lives end with such a tragedy.

*** Sombody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford

Thank you, @librofm and @flatiron_books, for the early copy of this incredible memoir!

In SOMEBODY’S DAUGHTER, Ashley C. Ford, grapples with finding her adult identity after a hard and traumatic childhood. Her father was incarcerated and she longed for his acceptance and connection. Her mother had her own issues that often left her confused and lonely. But through all of her experiences, Ford was motivated to be better. She is strong and resilient, offering so much inspiration to her readers!

Get your preorders in for this book which will be released on June 1, 2021!

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

What an epic historical fiction novel! I didn’t know a single thing about codebreaking during WWII before heading into this book, but I’ve come away with a whole lot more knowledge, respect, and admiration for this particular group of people. They believe the work of these codebreakers helped shorten the length of WWII by at least two years, maybe more!

In addition to the insight gained about codebreaking, I was fascinated by the side stories of Prince Phillip’s romance with his wartime girlfriend before marrying Queen Elizabeth. I also loved the mystery aspect of trying to find out who the traitor within the group was. I loved the main characters and found the whole story to be totally engrossing…and I barely even realized it was over 600 pages long!

This book solidifies Kate Quinn as one of my favorite historical fiction novelists. The Alice Network is wonderful and The Huntress is still one of my favorite books! You can’t go wrong with any of Quinn’s books!

*** Don’t Make Me Turn This Life Around by Camille Pagán

My mind has been craving light, summery reads; for some reason, I just can’t focus on harder stories (could it be that I’m reading so many B I G books??!). Anyway, I have several Pagán novels on my shelf, so I decided it was time to dive in.

I really loved the grief (loss of a parent) aspect of this book. I related so well to the heart-wrenching pain Pagán portrayed. I also really appreciate a book that focuses on the later years of marriage – when you’re passed getting to know one another and life together becomes more mundane. You’re not parenting babies or toddlers anymore, but tweens…because there IS a difference!

What I didn’t love about this book is the main character herself. Libby was too whiney and passive for me. She comes across as selfish and I just didn’t find a lot of relatable or redeemable qualities in her. I also disliked the relationship between her daughters and the way Libby and her husband, Shiloh, handled them.

Overall, this really wasn’t the book for me. I’m not sure how Pagán’s previous novels compare, but unless someone tells me differently, I think I will be passing on the other books I have on my shelf and donating them to my library!

(#partner #freebooks: All books noted by asterisks (***) indicate I received the book for free from the publisher, the author, or another promotional company to review. All opinions are my own.)