We are sharing fourteen new book reviews. It is a mix of nonfiction and fiction that Grace and I have read. There are some books on the list that would make great gifts for the readers in your life.
We hope you find some great books to add to your reading list!
1421 The Year China Discovered America
1421 The Year China Discovered America is on my top ten favorite books that I have read. I always love to share about this book since it encouraged me to read other nonfiction books.
My neighbor, who is a semi-retired man who likes history, let me borrow his book 1421: The Year China Discovered America, which he had just finished reading. I immediately fell in love with it, which made it the first nonfiction book that I felt torn to put it down as I soaked in every page. ~Grace
Dancing Under the Red Star
Dancing Under the Red Star is a tale of a son writing and finding out about his mother and her dark story. Margret story is how the USSR mistreated her and how it messed up her life. But also how she moved on and was strong. She lived and was able to tell her story, so that others would know what was happening in camps in the USSR. ~Grace
The Mysterious Rider
The Mysterious Rider by Zane Grey is a classic western. It has a nice plot line and good characters that any western lover will enjoy. ~Grace
Gunman’s Reckoning
I had never read a Max Brand book until I read Gunman’s Reckoning by Max Brand . I thought was good with many twists and turns, but it was a bit unrealistic compared to other westerns that I have read recently. I think that there was a sweet love story in it and a good plot that kept me wondering about the ending. I liked that the ending was a bit of surprise, and so if you love westerns, you’ll love this one. ~Grace
The Burning Issue of the Day
The Burning Issue of the Day is the fifth book in the Lady Hardcastle Mystery series. I read this on vacation recently and really enjoyed it. I love the Lady Hardcastle mystery series. They take place in England during the early 1900’s. This series of books is what many people would call a cozy mystery series and I agree. They are fun mystery reads with interesting plots and fun twists and turns without the gory graphic details. ~Lynn
Mayflower
For me, I remember the Mayflower from what elementary and middle school history taught me. I did not really think about learn more beyond what I was taught in school. But then when I realized one of my favorite authors, Nathaniel Philbrick, had written a book about the Pilgrims called Mayflower, I decided it might be a good thing to read. I am very glad I did. I learned a lot about the people who were there, and how they probably felt. I also learned a lot of backstory and possible motives of people that is just not included in history class. So if your like me and have just been thinking what you were taught in history class is fine, you may want to rethink that and pick up Mayflower to get a different but similar view of the founding of our country. ~ Grace
The Scent of Water
The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge is the first book by Elizabeth Goudge that I have read and I can’t wait to read more by her. I have heard so many people say that they love her style of writing, so when I found The Scent of Water at a used book store on vacation I knew I had to buy it. It ended up being the perfect vacation read. I read it in one day. It loved it. ~Lynn
Andy Catlett
Andy Catlett by Wendell Berry is the story of a boy visiting his grandparents and other families in a small rural town. The story takes you back to the simple things in life. It is a travel back in time to a place that will remind you of The Andy Griffith Show or even the Waltons. I picked up this book and a couple other Wendell Berry books at a used bookstore in Oregon. It is the second book by Wendell Berry that I have read, and I can’t wait to read more. ~Lynn
The Liberators of Pilsen
The reason I bought and read The Liberators of Pilsen was because my great great uncle was one of the tank drives who helped liberate this Czechoslovakian town. I loved being able to see the facts behind some of the stories he has told me. I will say that this wasn’t the best written book, and it was kind of expensive for what it was, but it was worth me reading as I was able to connect some of my uncle’s stories together. ~ Grace
Wild Bill
I loved Tom Clavin’s Dodge City a lot, so I was happy to see that my mom had bought me Wild Bill. It wasn’t as good as Tom Clavin’s other books. This might have to do with me knowing more about Wild Bill or how the author covered a singular man different than the town. It did cover a lot about Wild Bill’s life and what happened though and I enjoyed that. It also covered a lot of western history and other people that were around Hickok. So if you love real west stories, or have only heard tall tales about Wild Bill, you might want to pick up the extensive biography of the man. ~ Grace
It Happened in Italy
When we think about Jewish prisoner of War camps, we 21st Americans think of Germany World War II, but that was not the only place Jews were held. There were prisoner of war camps in Italy. I was surprised to hear this, but the reason they are not as well known is because most Italians did not agree with Hitler. The only reason Jews were taken into camps and monitored was because the Italians were allies with Hitler. Then Hitler wanted the Jews brought to his concentration camps. Then the Italians were brave and miraculous helped saved many Jews. You have to read It Happened in Italy or do some research about these Jews to find out what happens. ~ Grace
Murder at Marble House
Murder at Marble House by Alyssa Maxwell is book two in the Gilded Newport mystery series. I love this series. The series is set in Rhode Island during the Gilded Age. There is mystery, murder, high society, and some romance. If you love cozy mysteries this is a series you will probably enjoy. ~Lynn
The Escape Artists
The Escape Artists brings to life World War I prisoner of war camps and flying during this war too. I love early flight stories and knew a lot of information of early flight from RAF, but this book was more personal as it when it people’s lives.~ Grace
The Power of Words and the Wonder of God
The Power of Words and the Wonder of God was not what I expected when a friend gave it to me. I was thinking that it would be more straight forward. Instead there are many authors who talk about what they think is The Power of Words and the Wonder of God. I think it is good to see many opinions together at one time, and this book does it.