Freiheit!: The White Rose Graphic Novel

I've heard about the university students who resisted Hitler by forming the White Rose, an underground resistance movement that distributed fliers  - but I really didn't know too much about them (I didn't even know they all died - I'm some history buff). This graphic novel shows how and why they banded together to speak out against Nazi Germany and it uses lots of direct quotes from the fliers and from Nazi leaders. These students knew what they were doing was highly dangerous and in fact, they all ended up being executed - but their story and heroism inspired thousands of resistors. It's not a casual, pick up for fun, graphic novel but I think it is an accessible education tool that is wonderfully illustrated. After the conclusion of the graphic novel - all six of White Rose's resistance letters are printed in their entirety. 

The Lost for Words Bookshop

Based on the cover of the book - I pictured in my head an entirely different novel - and that is why you never judge a book by it's cover. I thought this book would be cute, quirky, and fun. It was... to an extent - there was also some really deep emotional elements that I wasn't expecting. Loveday Cardew works at the Lost for Words Bookshop; it's her safe space and refuge and she's worked there since she was 16. Books are safer than people - her only real friend and family is Archie, the owner of the book shop. Readers learn pretty early on that Loveday came from a foster home - but finding out what happened to her family takes the whole book. There are flashbacks to when she was 9 living with her real family to when she was in her early twenties dating a college student to the present. Loveday is essentially a hermit but slowly she starts to open up more. She goes to a poetry night, she laughs at jokes, she goes on a date. Maybe it's never to late to change? Cute, heartbreaking, and sentimental. 

Dolly Parton, Songteller

Discover the rich history behind over 150 Dolly Parton songs in this wonderfully compiled book of history, quotes, interviews, photos, and more. Dolly Parton is an American icon and this book pays wonderful tribute to her over sixty years of songwriting and singing. Told through Dolly's own voice (transcribed interviews and quotes), fans will delight in getting the back story to many of their favorite and forgotten gems. From Jolene to I Will Always Love You to The Coat of Many Colors - Dolly discusses the inspiration behind the story in each song. Dolly may not be a traditional storyteller - but she prides herself on being a lifelong song teller. As a bonus, the audiobook version is completely narrated by Dolly and is an absolute joy to listen to. This collection is a must for fans of Dolly and for those interested in country music history. 

Ready Player Two

The reviews were overwhelmingly negative for this book so I went in skeptical - but honestly it was an enjoyable ride. Was it necessary? No. But it was still fun. The pop culture references were a bit overkill (imagine ten times more than the first book) but what Wade is fighting for is really unique and imaginative. Same with the ending - I didn't expect it to go where it went. Basically - it boils down to - there is another quest - Seven Shards of the Siren's Soul - and Wade is under a HUGE time crunch to solve it before something unimaginable happens to all the people he loves. He gets the crew back together (along with a few new friends) and they have to combine all their obscure pop culture knowledge to save the world (literally). Fun and supremely over the top. This won't be everyone's cup of tea and if you would prefer to skip it - it's not a needed sequel. 

The Third Wife

This is relationship fiction mixed with dashes of suspense and mystery. For a story about a dead wife- there was certainly a lot happening. Adrian Wolfe is a man always looking for the next best thing. He left behind wife number one and their two kids - for wife number two and three more kids - and left her for wife number three, Maya. She was young and beautiful and then one evening she got too drunk and fell in front of a bus. Now widowed and grief stricken, Adrian doesn't know what to do. He's never been alone in his life and to say that he's overwhelmed is an understatement. He had a good life, they were happy... or where they? As time progresses upsetting facts about Maya's life begin to emerge - was her death an accident after all? Were any of Adrian's ex-wives or children involved? And what's with the young, beautiful blond who seems to be stalking his family? Twisting and turning - this novel is lush with prose. Adrian's big, blended family is larger than life and a true work of art. A unique character driven novel with suspenseful moments and shocking twists. 

The Champion's Desire

A fantastic follow up. Book one was the slow burn as Lady Natalie got to know Brandon the Bear. Book Two is all about the sizzle and the struggle of trying to keep their relationship private so that Brandon won't get kicked out of the Champion's Guild. The novel opens with them trying to find Henry because they know that he is responsible for the attack on Blackmere and death of some of their friends. They discover that he has escaped to the Guild and he's already lied to the Guild Master, saying that it's all a terrible misunderstanding. Unable to make Henry pay for his crimes, Brandon decides that he will face Henry the Dragon in the Midsummer Melee and make him pay in the arena. They both spend six months training their asses off at the guild and sending each other penetrating glances. Not getting to touch each other or get any moments of privacy is hard on their relationship. Can they defeat Henry? Will their relationship survive? Fantastic. Great ending and I can't wait to read the third and final installment in this series!

The Four Winds

Wow - this book was compelling and impossible to put down. It was also VERY SAD. I was hoping there would be a few more uplifting moments in it (hence the four star rating), but it was still supremely well written and emotional. The Four Winds is a great depression novel that starts in the Dust Bowl of Texas. It's sad, emotional, and will only get worse as the story progresses. Imagine Grapes of Wrath but instead of focusing on a male you have female lead and it's twenty times more sad and depressing and that is the best review I can give it. You will cry your eyeballs out, but you will love the story and the characters in it. You've been warned. Now read and enjoy this book (if it can be called enjoyment).