October Books

 It Girl by Allison Pataki -- This book is based on the story of Evelyn Nesbit though the author decided to change the names of her main characters since she deviated quite a bit on some key details in order to give Evelyn a more powerful story. One where SHE (Evleyn) controlled her destiny instead of the usual: being forced to do things by rich, powerful people.  Still, much of the book followed the real Evelyn's life (the author gives a lot of fact v. fiction info in the Author's Note at the end of the book.)  Such an interesting woman! 

You Know Why by J.T. Ellison -- Brooklyn is shocked when her husband, Trey, surprises her with a trip to Italy...the catch? They have to leave the next day. Brooklyn hurries to pack for herself and the kids (Four and Neve), and they head to the airport the next day. When their flight is bumped, Trey is adamant that he doesn't want to fly through Atlanta. Then just before the flight is to leave, Trey is nowhere to be found. Why did this wonderful father and husband abandon his children at the airport? 

Promise Me Never by Liv Constantine -- Bennett is promoting his new book when he meets Savannah, the assistant of his publisher. Savannah is eager to impress Bennett; she has often admired him and longs to be part of his world. After a whirlwind romance, the two marry and Savannah is intrigued with learning more about Bennett's wife who died nearly a year ago. 

Salomé by Leslie Baird -- A bit of reimagining Salome of biblical fame (infamy) in a modern French context as told through the eyes of an American, Courtney, who is traveling and meets Salomé on the airplane. The two become friends, and this book also deals with odd dreams and somewhat unethical quests for immortality. 

Getting Away With Murder by Shari Lapena -- Ted and Jill come into some financial trouble because Ted just isn't a good investor, and they look for a way to save their home (which Jill loves more than she loved Ted, quite frankly.)  When they find the perfect way to murder Ted's obnoxious brother - and inherit his millions - they think they are home free. 

Hot Girl Murder Club Ashley Winstead -- This book has the perspectives of several folks: the detective, the assistant, folks here, folks ten years ago. Scout is a singer and Detective Ellis believes she and her friends are punishing men and women who got away with abusing people. Meanwhile Scout wants to know what happened to her little sister Georgia at a party in Hollywood when she was 18. 

This Changes Everything by Lisa Scottoline -- Julia is living her best life in Italy and on a whim, she called her best friend Courtney back home in Pennsylvania. Courtney has taken the week off to visit her grandmother, and Julia is on the phone with Courtney when she walks inside and discovers her loved one has just been killed. Julia travels home to be with Courtney where they are determined to bring the killer to justice. 

That Night by Gillian McAllister -- Joe, Cathy, and Frannie are siblings who work together, live next door to one another even as adults, and vacation together. When Frannie calls Cathy frantically about hitting a guy while driving late at night, Cathy arrives at the scene, looking to fix things for her younger sibling. The siblings do something they come to regret and this impacts their lives back in England. 

The Final Target by Nora Roberts -- DNF ; I read over half of this book, and still had almost 200 pages to go. It wasn't terrible, but wasn't exciting enough for me to keep going. 

Big LIttle Truths by Liane Moriarty -- This author's first sequel. I would have enjoyed it a bit better if I'd remembered more details from the first book, however, I got the gist as I read and enjoyed this. This book follows most of the same characters we met in the first book, only now ten years have passed so instead of moms meeting and discussing kindergarten-related things, the kids are in high school. Fun times. 

Whistler by Ann Patchett -- When her husband Jonathan notices an elderly man following them around the Met, Daphne is amused at how she always seems to attract older men. But when Jonathan decides to speak with the man, they are stunned to realize this was Eddie, a man who was Daphne's stepfather when she went through a meaningful time in her young life. She was only 9 when her mother divorced Eddie after a car accident, and Daphne now realizes she can get their stories straight. Pretty good story. 

The House of Boleyn by Tracy Borman -- I like that this book focuses on many folks within the household of Anne Boleyn. I've read a few books about her, and it was nice seeing some of the background of her story: a bit more about her mom, dad, grandmother, siblings, even servants. While extensive information about each of them was not provided, I felt I got a sense of how things could have been all those years ago. 

This American Woman by Zarna Garg -- The cover reads "a one-in-a-billion memoir" because this author came to the US from...India!  What a woman. I enjoyed reading about her early life and what brought her to the United States. She first lived in Ohio where her sister had come several years ago. But why did she flee India? I love her work ethic, her enthusiasm, and reading her story! 

A Death Doula's Guide to a Meaningful End by Jane K. Callahan -- Earlier this year I was the one who contacted a local hospice and got that process started for my mother in law. Though one can be put into hospice care six months prior to what they think will be the end for you, my MIL was still undergoing treatment at UNC, and didn't get super-bad until the pain hit suddenly in mid-January.  

I was present when the hospice intake worker came, as well as for several of the nurse's visits, and I remember being fascinated by what I learned about our bodies - mostly our brains' struggles to regulate things (temperature, anxiety, etc.) the closer we get to death.   I saw this book at the local library recently, and "enjoyed" learning about how this author came to work in hospices and as a death doula. She shares experiences with her own parents as well as anecdotes from patients and their families that she has helped.  She admits to having anxiety issues much of which stem from a troubled childhood with an abusive alcoholic mother. She talks about challenges related to caring for those with terminal illnesses - how little in-person hospice care provides and the need for caregivers which is challenging to many. She also discusses things like making a "death nest" and some legacy projects one can do. 

Beach Thriller by Jamie Day -- Holly returns to the summer cabin where her family went during her childhood. There she meets a runaway teenager Jade who wants to help Holly finish her book - and solve a mystery concerning the truth about what happened to Holly's older sister Anna years ago.  

North of Ordinary by Sue Aikens -- I wasn't familiar with this woman despite her being on a reality TV show concerning her life in Alaska, but her story is a good one, and I enjoyed this book.  The cover reads: "How one woman left it all behind for wilderness and wonder in Alaska's frozen frontier."  I spent quite a while telling Andrew about some of her exciting stories.