I’ll Be Gone In The Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search For The Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara Genre: Nonfiction
Synopsis:
A masterful true crime account of the Golden State Killer—the elusive serial rapist turned murderer who terrorized California for over a decade—from Michelle McNamara, the gifted journalist who died tragically while investigating the case.
Thoughts:
I listened to this book on Audible and was completely hooked right from the start. It literally gave me chills throughout listening to it! To think that these horrific crimes took place from 1974 until 1986 and that it took until 2018 to identify the suspect is shocking to me.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading true crime. I gave this book a 5 star rating!
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis:
Memphis, 1939: Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge — until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’t Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parrents — but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s real-life director, the cruel Georgia Tann, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together.
Aiken, South Carolina, Present Day: Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career, a handsome fiance, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when she returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption.
Thoughts:
This book is gut wrenching at times. To think of the horrors children lived through in the orphanage is unbearable, especially knowing that all of them didn’t survive. Rill Foss is a character that I will not soon forget about and this extraordinary story will stay with me for a long time. I can’t think of a better way to kick off 2020 than reading this book which is also the January pick for a book club I belong to. Please, if you haven’t read this book and you enjoy historical fiction, get this book and read it!
If it wasn’t apparent from my thoughts, I gave this book 5/5 stars.
Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand Genre: Chick Lit
Synopsis
It’s been a long time since the entire Quinn family celebrated the holidays under the same roof, but that’s about to change. With Bart back safe and sound from Afghanistan, the Quinns are preparing for their most joyous holiday season ever . . . After all, Bart’ return isn’t the family’s only good news: Kevin is enjoying married life with Isabelle, Patrick is getting back on his feet after paying his debt to society, Ava thinks she’s finally found the love of her life, and Kelley is thrilled to see his family reunited. But it just wouldn’t be a Quinn family gathering without a few surprises and upheavals. A celebration of everything we love — and some of the things we endure — about the holidays.
Thoughts
This was my favorite book of the entire series! It is probably the saddest as well as the Quinn’s prepare to say goodbye to Kelley who has terminal brain cancer. You will laugh and cry and won’t be disappointed. I cannot recommend the Winter Series enough. Get these books! I gave this book 5/5 stars. The series as a whole averaged out to 4.5/5 stars.
The Only Plane in the Sky – An Oral History of 9/11 By Garrett M. Graff Genre: Non Fiction
Synopsis
The first comprehensive oral history of September 11, 2011 — a panoramic narrative woven from the voices of Americans on the front lines of an unprecedented national trauma. Over the past eighteen years, monumental literature has been published about 9/11. But one perspective has been missing up to this point — a 360-degree account of the day told through the voices of the people who experienced it. Drawing on never-before-published transcripts, recently declassified documents, original interviews and oral histories from nearly five hundred government officials, first responders, witnesses, survivors, friends and family members, Graff paints the most vivid and human portrait of the September 11 attacks yet. The Only Plane in the Sky weaves together the unforgettable personal experiences of the men and women who found themselves caught at the center of an unprecedented human drama. The result is a unique, profound and searing exploration of humanity on a day that changed the course of history, and all our lives.
Thoughts
I thought I had read everything that was out there about the events that transpired on 9/11, but this book proved me wrong. I listened to the book on Audible every chance I got and I must say that version is superbly narrated. I enjoyed it so much that I purchased the physical copy of the book to keep in my personal “library”. I would highly recommend listening to the book if you get a chance. I gave the book 5/5 stars.
Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand Genre: Chick Lit
Synopsis:
The stormy weather of the past few years seems to have lifted for the Quinn family: Mitzi’s come home, Patrick’s about to be released from prison, Kevin and Isabelle are finally getting married, and there’s hopeful news about Bart, who has been captured by the enemy forces in Afghanistan.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some dark clouds on the horizon. As Kevin and Isabelle’s special day approaches, a historic once-in-a-century blizzard bears down on Nantucket, threatening to keep the Quinn family away from the place — and the people — they love most. Before the snow clears, the Quinns will have to survive enough holiday intrigue to send anyone running for the spiked eggnog.
Thoughts:
Each book in this series gets better and better! Tissues will definitely be needed for the end of this one. I gave this book 5/5 stars.
Becky's Reading Journey 