Spring Quick-Picks

-

 A mix of recommendations—novels and non-fiction, adults and kids.  


Here are my most recent reads that I enjoyed.


The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

A breath-taking novel based on a true story a female spy network in France during the Great War. This book alternates between Eve’s time as a spy in 1915 and a young woman in 1947 who enlists the help of the reluctant and bitter Eve and her driver to help search for her beloved cousin who disappeared during the second World War. Soooooo good!  


One of my favorite things about this author is not just her gripping writing style, it’s the fact that afterwards she gives background information on the real characters, so you know exactly what’s true and which parts may have been embellished.  


The Elephant of Belfast by S. Kirk Walsh

Based on a true story, twenty-year-old Hettie saves Violet the elephant during bombings on Belfast in WWII. The descriptions of the bombings put you right inside the mayhem, chaos, and destruction.  I also found it very interesting to read about “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland: the Catholics/republicans/nationalists (in Belfast, Northern Ireland) who wanted to unite with Ireland versus the Protestants/unionists/loyalists who wanted to remain in the United Kingdom.


Escape at 10,000 Feet by Tom Sullivan

This mid-kids’* non-fiction graphic novel is a great way to learn about the true, unsolved story of DB Cooper who hijacked and escaped from a plane with a stash of cash and a parachute in 1971. I liked that the text was comprehensive and engaging, as were the large illustrations. Regular graphic novels don’t hold much appeal for me, but this one was a great exception!


The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

A touching mid-kids’* story of a gorilla who is part of a circus-themed show in a mall. Big-hearted Ivan finds a creative way to help a baby elephant named Ruby in this quick yet wonderfully memorable read. The paragraphs are very short, many only one sentence long, so this book is an easier read despite being 336 pages.  It is the winner of the 2013 Newberry Medal and has been made into a movie.

 

*Mid-Kids’ Books – Ages 8-12, Grades 2-6

 Young Adult – Ages 13+, Grades 7+

 

Happy Reading,

 

Annette 

Comments

Davida Chazan (The Chocolate Lady) said…
If you liked The Alice Network that much, you'll ADORE her next two books - The Huntress and The Rose Code. Even better than Alice, if you ask me. She just gets better and better!
April 10, 2021 at 4:20 AM
Reading in the Garden said…
I did not read The Huntress, but I did read The Rose Code and agree with you.... it's very good!! I'll have my review out sometime coming up. :)
April 17, 2021 at 6:14 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

-
Image
 Remains of the Day This book immediately struck me as a character study. I didn’t expect much action, and predictably, didn’t get much.  Mostly it was about getting inside a stuffy, dignified butler’s head, listening to his internal dialogue, his thought process, and his many recollections of a thirty-year career, annnnnnnnnnd—I LOVED IT!!  💗 It had such depth and insight that I couldn’t wait to return each day to see what Mr. Stevens would reveal and what the outcome of his quest would be.  I was not disappointed.  In fact, the book stirred me more than I expected.  Yes, those tears fell freely when I wasn’t looking.  It snuck up on me—all of it, all of Mr. Stevens’ days that he shared moved me in some way.   I’m not sure this book is for everyone.  "Boring" is how one friend described it as he politely set it aside. BUT I truly believe if my friend got into his Zen mode and picked it up again, he might—if not quite LOVE it—at least appreciate it.  In my opinion this book
Read more

Liebster Award

-
Image
Ich Liebe the Liebster Award!   In July Marianne from Let’s Read blog nominated me for the Liebster Award , an award given to smaller blogs.   I was extremely honored, especially coming from Marianne, whose book review blog I just love.   My beautiful mother passed away at the time Marianne nominated me, and although I already had posts scheduled in advanced, I wasn’t in the mood to do much, even the simple rules of the award below…until now.   Rules for the award: 1.    Thank the amazing blogger who nominated you.  (check) 2.    Answer the 11 questions the nominator provided (answer on your blog.) (check, see below) 3.    Nominate 11 other bloggers who have less than 200 followers. 4.    Post 11 different questions for your nominees to answer on their blogs. (check, see below) 5.    Contact your nominees to let them know that you've nominated them.  (check) Unfortunately, I really got hung up on #3 (Nominate 11 other bloggers who have less than 200 fol
Read more

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

-
Image
  You Go, Girl! Pure love—that’s what I felt about this book!  It’s smart, witty, and emboldening! I don’t know how many countless times I cheered or chuckled.   A female chemist struggles to rise above the chauvinistic male domination of the 1960s and live life on her terms despite ingrained oppression of women.  Hooray for this feminist heroine who points out that just because women’s bodies are smaller than men's doesn’t mean their brains are!   I fell in love with brilliant Elizabeth and her support system:  her impressively  smart daughter Mad; her straightforward neighbor Harriet; her kind-hearted producer Walter, the irreverent Reverend Wakely; and her obstetrician/rower Dr. Mason. Oh, and let’s not forget Six-Thirty, her beloved dog!   I would definitely be one of Elizabeth’s devoted fans of her show,  Supper at Six !  If my kids were still at home, I’d mimic Elizabeth and tell them, “Children, set the table. Your mother needs a moment to herself.” (Even though I’m not the
Read more