Latest Book Reviews

We have twelve new book reviews up!

The twelve recent reads include some great fiction, an epic multi generational historical fiction book, and some great nonfiction.

Our goal is to hit five hundred book reviews by the end of the year and we are getting so close. We currently have four hundred and forty seven book reviews up.

Those are all books that we have read. We only share books that Grace or I, or someone in our family, has read. We can’t wait to hit the five hundred mark. 

You can find our full list of book reviews here.

Now for our recent book reviews.

Murder at the Breakers

I recently shared my love of this mystery series. Murder at the Breakers is the first book in the Gilded Newport Mystery series. If you love cozy mysteries this is a great read. This book and the entire series are set in Rhode Island during the Gilded Age. It is full of high society, mystery, and a little romance. If you like cozy mysteries I think that you will enjoy Murder at the Breakers. 

The Pact

The Pact is one of my favorite books from my nonfiction books for every state challenge. It is also another one of the books that I would have never picked up if it hadn’t been for this challenge. The Pact shares the inspirational story of three men who grew up in Newark, New Jersey. This story shares the power of hard work, and the power of people to encourage others in big and small ways. The Pact would be a great book to give as a gift to a college student or teen. 

Deep River

Deep River by Karl Marlantes is an epic multi generational story of a family that lives on the Washington Oregon border during the early 1900’s. I picked this book up at a small bookstore in Cannon Beach, Oregon during a trip that my husband, and I took to Oregon for our 25th anniversary. This is not the typical type of book I would buy on vacation, but the book was based in an area I am very familiar with because I grew up in the NW corner of Oregon. Deep River is also by an author from a coastal town in Oregon that I have been to many times. The subject of the book though was what finally sold me on it. Deep River might be the longest book review that I have shared, so be sure to read my full review of it. 

Sons of Wichita

Sons of Wichita by Daniel Schulman is a book I do not think I would have picked up if I hadn’t challenged myself to read a nonfiction book for every state. Reading often stretches you outside your comfort zone. It takes you places you may never have gone if you hadn’t read a certain book. I love business books. I love a good story about a family or person, but Sons of Wichita isn’t my normal type of business book.  In the end though I am really glad that I read it.

Detroit Hustle

Detroit Hustle by Amy Haimerl was my Michigan book for my nonfiction books for every state challenge. Can you tell that I have been really working on this challenge? I really want to finish my books for every state challenge by the end of the year. This book that I choose for Michigan was a fun read, and I really enjoyed it.

My Story

It is hard to say that I enjoyed the book My Story by Elizabeth Smart because it is such a tough read. I read this as my Utah book for my nonfiction about every state challenge. I was having trouble coming up with a book for Utah, and I saw this ebook on sale. I decided that it would be a good book for Utah since it was such a riveting story when it happened. I am glad I read this book. It is a powerful story of not giving up and about forgiveness. 

The Ghost Ships of Archangel

The Ghost Ships of Archangel was a neat book to read.  I thought that this was a interesting story that I had not heard about before. It was a little scattered for me to say I loved it, but overall it was great story. If you love the Navy side of World War II, you might really enjoy reading some of William Geroux’s writings.~ Grace

The Knife Man

Okay, so I love reading medical things. I do not actually like to see them in person, but I do enjoy reading about them. This was such a fascinating book, but if you hate reading detailed medical things and reading about cadavers this book might not be for you. I learned so much from The Knife Man. Wendy Moore did a great job of writing this book to make it so fascinating. ~Grace

In Farleigh Field

In Farleigh Field has been in my to read pile for quite awhile. I finally picked it up, and I can see why this book has such great reviews. I love the fact that it was a serious topic, but included mystery, romance, and even some humor. It took me a few chapters to get into the book, but once I did I couldn’t put it down.

The Man from the Train

If you love conspiracy stories, ideas, or just plain crime tales, The Man from the Train is a great book for you. I loved reading it. It was gory and had some sexual stuff, but if you can deal with that or can skim over it, you will do just fine. I learned so much about early police work and fingerprints and how the justice system was sometimes misused.~Grace

Sergeant Stubby

If you have been reading my book reviews, you know I love animal stories from All Creatures Great and Small, The Dog who could Fly, Rin Tin Tin, and so on. I added Sergeant Stubby to my have read pile this summer. It was fun. I knew some of Stubby because he is one of the most famous war dogs, but it was good to read his full story.~Grace

Gifted Hands The Ben Carson Story

I loved this book because it was a success story. It was very well written and had a good view on how hard work can help people to become better. Ben Carson also had a wonderful mother who worked hard to raise and teach her boys. Gifted Hands is a very encouraging book as Ben Carson tells readers about his life. This is a fantastic read. ~Grace