TL;DR: While fascinating, this read very slowly for me. Source: NetGalley, thank you so much to the publisher! Plot: An exploration through different times of scientists and doctors who were shunned or cast out. Characters: Some of these will be familiar if you’re a history/medical history buff. Setting: This was definitely western centric, primarily focused... Continue Reading →
Once There Was A Town by Jane Ziegleman
TL;DR: A short and interesting peek into Jewish culture and memory books. Source: NetGalley, thank you so much to the publisher! Plot: We start discussing Jewish Memory books and look at culture within small towns before briefly touching WWII. Setting: Primarily Poland area, though we bounce between small towns in other countries. Readability: It’s definitely... Continue Reading →
The Rebel Romanov: Julie of Saxe-Coburg, the Empress Russia Never Had by Helen Rappaport
TL;DR: This was such a surprising win. An attentive and fascinating biography of a woman I’d never heard of. Source: NetGalley, thank you so much to the publisher! Plot: Julie of Sax-Coburg is married off at 16 to a man who has more than a few screws loose, and she strives to escape him and... Continue Reading →
The Great Shadow: A History of How Sickness Shapes What We Do, Think, Believe, and Buy by Susan Wise Bauer
TL;DR: A great overall summary of sickness and how it’s impacted humanity. Source: NetGalley, thank you so much to the publisher! Sources: This had quite a few interesting sources, a good length back section that would make for great additional reading. Readability: I found myself flying through this, and everything was so interestingly presented. Summary:... Continue Reading →
Ain’t Nobody’s Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton by Martha Ackmann
TL;DR: A fantastic biography of the one and only Dolly Parton. Source: NetGalley, thank you so much to the publisher! Setting: By and far I appreciated the care the author took with East TN in this and how it shaped Dolly and why she lives and loves this area. Readability: This is written for anyone,... Continue Reading →
Bring Me The Head of Joaquin Murrieta by John Boessenecker
TL;DR: Deeply researched and absolutely blood-soaked, this was a ride. Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!! Structure: I enjoyed the structure, and found myself impressed with how everything came together here. Characters: A lot of these guys blended together (there is a lot) but our author noted distinguishing things each time it was... Continue Reading →
Project Mind Control by John Lisle
TL;DR: Tons of sources, lots of infuriating facts. Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!! Readability: Incredibly readable, I flew through this one. Scope: This focuses in on the drug use, abuse, and absolute negligence of these folks. Sources: A full 35% of the back end of this was notes, sources, appendixes, etc. Summary:... Continue Reading →
Chasing Evil by Robert Hilland & John Edwards
TL;DR: A fascinating chronicle of an FBI agent and a psychic working together. Source: NetGalley, thank you so much to the publisher! Plot: This was pretty well paced, though I think they reached a bit fill in the end. Characters: Interesting! They felt fairly well represented with what we got. Readability: This one is an... Continue Reading →
Milena and Margarete by Gwen Strauss
TL;DR: This is rough to read, but well worth the time. Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!! Readability: A bit dense, it reads slowly and it’s heartbreaking at times. Scope: While showing us the relationship between Grete and Milena we also have a lot of background and political information along with the heart... Continue Reading →
Daughter of Daring by Mallory O’Meara
TL;DR: Full of some interesting information but completely ruined for me because of the authorial voice Source: Netgalley! Thank you so much to the publisher Plot: This one primarily covers the rise of Hollywood and film with aspects of Helen Gibson. Characters: Helen is mentioned a lot and is in there, but it touches on... Continue Reading →