October was nothing out of the ordinary. 8 books read. A total of 3,055 pages. An average of 98.5 pages per day (so a little less than my normal average). But here we go!
Wunderland by Jennifer Cody Epstein (367 pages). Ilse and Renate have been best friends all of their lives. But their once inseparable bond is ripped apart as Hitler begins to take power in Germany. Ilse is the perfect example of an Aryan girl. Renate and her family do not agree with the Nazi race laws, especially when it hits close to home. A shocking betrayal is the final nail in the coffin of their friendship. 50 years later, Ilse’s daughter Ava receives letters that her mother never sent- letters that will show Renate was really happened and share a deep family secret. I finished in 6 days.
Seeing Red by Sandra Brown (421 pages). Kerry Bailey is a TV reporter in Dallas, ready to snag the interview of her life. 25 years prior, Major Franklin Trapper became a national hero when he helped lead survivors to safety after a hotel bombing. After decades of giving interviews and living in the spotlight, the Major unexpected left the public life. But Kerry knows she has a secret that will get that interview. But it will take getting his estranged son John to help her. Trapper, a former ATF agent, has long wondered about the bombing and who was truly behind it. But the interview ends in disaster when the Major and Kerr are attacked. Trapper and Kerry join forces to bring the gunman (or men) to justice and to uncover a conspiracy that has plagued Trapper for years. I finished in 5 days.
Courting Mr. Lincoln by Louis Bayard (379 pages). In 1839, Mary Todd moved to Springfield, Illinois, to live with her sister and brother-in-law. And to possibly find a husband. She quickly makes the acquaintance of Joshua Speed and his best friend, Abraham Lincoln. While Speed is charming, Lincoln remains a mystery. And as her relationship with Lincoln deepens, Mary must navigate his inseparable friendship with Speed. Honestly, I didn’t know too much about Lincoln and Mary Todd. But their love story was quite fascinating. I finished in 5 days.
P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (470 pages). My bestie and I both love this movie (she probably more than me). So I decided I wanted to read the book. It was different than the movie, in that the whole thing takes place in Ireland rather than only Gerry being Irish. But the premise is still the same. A few months after her beloved husband dies of a brain tumor, Holly is in the depths of despair. But she gets a packet of letters from Gerry, to be opened each month. These letters challenge her to remember to keep living. And each letter ends with “P.S. I love you.” It’s a beautiful story about how life is full of moments of pain and joy. And we must embrace all of those moments in order to fully live. I finished in 4 days.
Postscript by Cecelia Ahern (295 pages). This takes place 6 years after the first book. Holly has a whole new life going on- a new job, a new relationship. But when her sister invites her to share her PS I Love You letters story on a podcast, a group of people reach out to her for help. They want to do for their loved ones what Gerry did for her. At first, it seems like the wrong decision- it’s bring up all the pain of losing him. But eventually, Holly realizes that remembering Gerry is what makes her the woman she is today. I finished in 3 days.
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewel (398 pages). This was my Once Upon a Book Club box, so gifties on social (per usual). I love this author. She always has an unexpected twist. In this, young parents Tallulah and Zack are last seen enjoying a rare night out. When they don’t come home, Tallulah’s mom, Kim, is worried. And when she learns that they went to a house party after dinner at the local pub, she knows something is wrong. But nothing is ever found. A year later, Sophie moves to this small town to join her boyfriend at his new position as headmaster at a school. Sophie is an author of detective novels. And when she sees a note that says “dig here,” she finds herself drawn into the mystery of the teens disappearance. Told over 2 years (the year before they disappear, their disappearance and the year after), the novel kept me on the edge of my seat! I finished in 4 days.
Not All Diamonds and Rose by Dave Quinn (465 pages). The ultimate Housewives Bible. This book was amazing (if you love the Real Housewives, which I do). The behind the scene details, the production secrets, so juicy! Dave Quinn interviewed Housewives AND production. Meaning we got multiple sides to almost every story (including the actual truth)! I finished in 3 days.
Nala’s World by Dean Nicholson (260 pages). I’ve been following an Instagram account called 1bike1world for about 2 1/2 years. This is the story of the man who started the account (Dean) and his amazing cat (Nala). I already knew some of the story, just by following him on Instagram. But my heart warmed to Dean even more. In 2018, he left Scotland and began a journey to bike around the world. And found “wee” Nala on the side of the road. They are now world adventurers and soulmates. She also happens to be one of the most gorgeous and photogenic cats I’ve ever seen. I finished in 2 days.
This month’s favorite was…..Not All Diamonds and Rose. I know, I know. There were some other really good ones. But for this Housewives fan, this book could not be beat!
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