Nan's Reads in 2026 > Likes and Comments
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1. Heterodox Haiku--Contrarians (Dissent in Japanese Inspired Micropoetics), edited by Jerome BerglundHaiku and senryu often speak truth to power, and in this chapbook, haiku poets from around the world speak out and do just that. In these poems, a reader will find poets "tilting at windmills" to express their emotions about world events and so much more. But not every poem is angry; many poems just see clearly what is going on in a few words.
The editor, Jerome Berglund, divides the book into different sections and C.X. Turner provides context in the introduction about haiku poetry and its changing role in the world.
That this reader has a haiku/senryu (I don't always distinguish between the two) just makes me proud to be a contrarian.
Read in 2025 when it first came out.
2. The Lioness by Chris BohjalianThis is a heart-racing story of a photo safari in the Serengeti. It features a newly married couple and their friends and family.
When Katie Barstow and her new husband David Miller head to the Serengeti, they never expected to be kidnapped along with their friends.
Told from the perspective of various characters, the reader is introduced to the past and the present.
A safari gone wrong...what is behind the kidnapping of Hollywood royalty and the entourage? Who will survive this perilous trip?
Powerful story, and at times, gruesome.
3. Pets and the City by Dr. Amy Attasa re-read in preparation for a presentation at a book group
4. Five Golden Wings by Donna Andrews
Two Bridezillas from the Hollingsworth clan are at the center of a murder in this latest Christmas-themed mystery from Donna Andrews. Meg Langslow is her usual self, helping out with her family, trying to keep the brides, their families, her mother, and others sane during the holiday season.
Both of their weddings are scheduled for the same day at the same church with the receptions at the same location. The two cousins have impossible demands including using the same photographer, who happens to be murdered before the wedding day.
Like most of the people who get killed in Andrews' mysteries, he is not a nice person. Who would want to kill such a nice guy? Does anyone really deserve to be murdered? Maybe not, but at least in the world created by Andrews, the person who gets knocked off is generally "deserving." There are plenty of suspects because the photographer has managed to accrue a great deal of animosity.
Per usual, Andrews provides some humorous moments and this one was no exception. This reader could not stop giggling about the visuals created by the passage about the "fascinators."
Will Meg solve the murder before someone else gets hurt? Or will Meg, once again, come face to face with the killer before escaping with her life intact? Always a fun read and the title tie-in to the golden eagles was very punny.
If only Andrews would go back and write about what happened to T2.
5. Hot Rocks by Nora RobertsRead this one out of order as this reader read "Big Jack" first, still this fills in the rest of the story and gives the background of the "Hot Rocks" in the first place.
Laine Tavish has taken a new name to further distance herself from her father. She's now running a little antique and curios shop, and she's built up a life outside of the grift until it comes back to haunt her in the town she now calls home.
When a man enters her store during a busy period, Laine dismisses him pretty easily until she sees him run out in front a car in front of her shop. It's only in his death does she recognize him, setting off a chain of events that will pull her back into a life she'd once escaped. Yet in the process, she meets sexy Max Gannon, an investigator. What next for Laine? What next for Max? Can she gain respectability and the "hot rocks" at the same time?
Wish I had read them in the correct order as some of the surprise factor was gone. It was interesting, though, to read the two different writing styles of Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb side-by-side.
6. A Doctor's Snowed In Christmas Wish by Daisy FlynnRosalind and Daniel meet under what might be called a rescue operation. Roz's ex wants to get back with her and appears on the island where she lives. Daniel plays knight-in-shining-armor when her ex-boyfriend becomes abusive.
He is only visiting the island to work out his career situation (a surgeon who is questioning whether to continue his practice), but this grumpy guy is willing to relax a bit when Rosalind wants to show him the delights of her home. Including a snowed-in Christmas.
As they get to know each other, sparks ignite. What will happen once he returns to the mainland? Will the fire go out between the two? Can they have a happily-ever-after?
A few chaste kisses throughout is as sexy as it gets. Plenty of What-the-tuck trends seen (winks galore, and a green-eyes main character) as well as the words "mischievous" and " mischief" used numerous times.
Still, a very squeaky clean romance.
3.5 stars for the wedding service that's out of order. Vows should be prior to exchanging rings.
7. Father of Lions: One Man's Remarkable Quest to Save the Mosul Zoo by Louise CallaghanThis is the true story of Abu Laith, who loved animals so much that he wanted to save the Mosul Zoo (in particular his lion, Zombie). From his early days on, he could calm the most savage dogs, and as an adult, he took care of the zoo near his home during the time of ISIS (Daesh) taking over Mosul and making life tough for the Iraqi people with tightening sharia law especially in regards to dress.
Finding ways to protect the animals (the bears, the monkeys, the lions, and more) while hiding out from Daeshis, who want to kill him, Abu Laith elicits help from friends and family.
A powerful story that also shows the culture of the Muslim culture.
8. The Last Mile by David BaldacciHaving read the novel, Memory Man, in the past, I was aware of Amos Decker's abilities and some of his backstory. After years of serving as a cop, he is invited to join a new FBI group, and they investigate a case not unlike the one that cost him his wife and daughter in the past. Not only that, but the case parallels it when the person, a few days from execution, is cleared because of a confession from a man who is soon to be executed, too.
Melvin Mars, a man who was once heading to the NFL, was convicted of killing of his parents, spending twenty years of his life on death row, before suddenly becoming exonerated and released from prison a few days before his execution. What's going on? Who killed his parents, and why?Especially when the authorities want to put him back in prison?
A twisty suspenseful thriller that has Decker joining forces with the new FBI group and Melvin Mars himself. As Decker starts investigating, there are things not adding up. What really happened twenty years ago, and why? It was an excellent story, keeping this reader on tenterhooks throughout. One small glitch was when a character's name changed from Montgomery to Davenport and then back again. but there were few What-the-tuck trends (a smirk).
Next up is The Fix, the third book in the series, and hopefully, Mars may show up in it as he is cool character.
Loved the football angle and that Decker is from a small area, Burlington, in Ohio and played for The Ohio State Buckeyes. Yes, I looked it up because I had never heard of it before.
9. The Lost Story by Meg ShafferOnce upon a time, an author wrote a fairy tale for adults. Having read other novels by this author, this one may be my favorite. Referencing so many of my childhood favorite books (Alice in Wonderland, the Chronicles of Narnia, specifically mentioning The Silver Chair, and The Wizard of Oz) it was a joy to read.
Two teens disappear in the Red Crow National Forest in West--by God--Virginia! for six months. When they finally reappear, both have "memory problems." What happened during those six months?
Neither Rafe nor Jeremy have answers, or if they do, they aren't talking.
Flash forward fifteen years, and the story gets interesting as Jeremy, who now finds lost girls and women, and Rafe, who is an artist and recluse, are trying to reconnect. Will they? And why? No spoilers here, but like all good fairy tales, it is a rollicking good story. It has heartfelt moments and scary moments. It has good guys and bad, but maybe even a villain or two. Will there be a happily-ever-after?
There is a hint that there might be another fairy tale in the making; this reader can only hope so.
10. 7th Heaven by James Patterson and Maxine PaetroIn this seventh novel in the Women's Murder Club, Lindsey Boxer is on the case of arsonists and a missing person's case that may be murder.
Two young men, Hawk and Pidge, are burning down rich people's homes and killing the owners at the same time. It's up to Boxer and her partner, Conklin, to find who the culprits are.
In the meantime, they get a lead on a missing young man, who has a major heart defect. Will they find him in time? Will he still be alive?
A page-turner with a real twist.
11. The Names by Florence KnappThis debut novel is all about the effect of what a decision can make in regards to a name.
When a mother heads to the register office to register her son's name, she makes a decision as to what to call him. Her daughter Maia wants to call him Bear (a sweet, cuddly person who is also strong and gentle); Cora wants to call him Julian (meaning sky father), but her husband wants AND expects her to name their son Gordon after him (and the generations before him). Which will she choose?
Thus begins the novel which shows all three scenarios over the course of thirty-five years. Each path shows a very different life for the child, his sister, the mother and father. The novel is unique, but there are some unpleasant aspects that disturbed this reader like the domestic abuse (yes, I know that domestic abuse happens in too many marriages, but this was still very disturbing). Yet, it will make the reader think.
12. The Fix by David BaldacciA seemingly inexplicable murder of a woman walking in front of the Hoover Building, followed up by the man turning the gun on himself...that is the beginning of the novel in which Amos Decker, Alex Jamison, Agent Bogart, and others try to figure out what is going on. Especially when another department of the government wants them out of the way, until the agent, Harper Brown, doesn't.
Why would a man kill someone that is both a teacher and volunteer, and yet, according to his family, doesn't know who she is?
In this full-of-twists novel there are more than one mystery to be solved, and Decker is bound and determined to figure it out.
A brief cameo of Melvin Mars also appears in the novel, which this reader was delighted to see.
13. Pupcakes by Annie England NoblinA cute (sorta-Christmas themed) novel about a woman dealing with a post-divorce-getting out-there-again situation in a new city.
When she gets to live in a home whose owner is now in a care home, she takes on the "burden" of her pug, Teddy Roosevelt. Her "rent" is basically to keep the house and take care of the dog (and making trips to the care home to allow the dog to visit with Pauline).
As she grows to love the dog, she starts to create dog treats for Teddy and many of the dogs she "meets" at the dog park (recipes are included in the back of the novel). With a new city, she also develops friendships with co-workers, a physician, and Pauline.
What will happen when Pauline dies? Where will she live then? There's growth in the protagonist, and it's not just a romance novel.
There are a few What-the-tuck trends (smirks, winks, a pencil skirt, among others), but overall an enjoyable, decent read.
14. A Winter Marriage by Kerry HardieAlthough I finished the book, it was a long slog. Too literary for me (now I know why...she's basically a poet) as there was SO much description and so little action for the longest time. It took so long to really get into the story.
Hannie goes from husband to husband to survive, and I think Ned Renvyle was number five. But even then she goes from man to man, getting what she can from them, all the while being married.
Ned, having never been married before, puts up with Hannie and her son Joss, who is a troubled, lost soul. Once married, they return to his life in Ireland, but for Hannie it isn't enough. She doesn't like the farm; she doesn't particularly care for his friends, and she doesn't really care about Ned. All she wants is to protect Joss.
Time and time again, Joss gets into trouble, and Hannie bails him out until she can't, all of which doesn't help the marriage. A sad story of a marriage, that never quite gets off the ground, and even the ending leaves the reader wondering what next for Ned and Hannie, if anything.
(And to be honest, even if there were a sequel, I wouldn't care enough to read it.)
* This novel would be great for creating scratch out poetry.
15. Touched by Magic by Dorianna DurginA young boy disappears, never to be seen again. Reandn (Danny) is a Wolf (First Wolf) in King's Keep, and he goes on patrol to find him, tracking him, but suddenly the trail ends. What happened? Then another boy, this time from the kitchen, goes missing.
With each missing child, the mystery deepens for Reandn and all those near King's Keep. Reandn wants to get to the bottom of it, but when he does, he loses the love of his life, Adela as well as discovers the source of all these losses. It is magic being manipulated by Ronsin, a magician,despite the fact that magic is considered gone. Yet, Reandn knows differently. Ronsin sends him away using magic, and it is up to Reandn to find his way back and avenge Adela's death.
Reandn's adventures are the gist of the novel, and the people whom he meets along the way. Trusting no one, especially when he senses magic, he'll need all of his resources to survive.
While this is the start of a series of books, it works as a standalone novel. There are a few what-the-tuck trends (at least one tucking incident, some smirks, etc.). Some of the relationships seem a bit difficult to figure out at first, but that might just be that it took this reader months to read it because it was read here and there between other books.
16 The Lies They Told by Ellen Marie WisemanThis is a historical novel of immigrants being treated badly at Ellis Island as well as the mountain people of Virginia being forced off their land in the name of eugenics and imminent domain.
As the novel opens, Lena Conti, her mother, her brother, and her child Ella have just crossed the ocean from Germany to America where they will help out their kin, Silas Wolfe, his children Bonnie and Jack Henry. Unfortunately, her mother and brother are rejected for "issues" and Lena and Ella, her baby, are accepted. Lena meets with Silas, who isn't happy about the new arrangements, but makes the best of it. He lays down rules that make no sense until they do.
As Lena, Ella, Bonnie, Jack Henry, and, reluctantly, Silas become a family of sorts, there are others who wish to disrupt the status quo. Will it work out for the Wolfes and Lena, or will the others win?
Covering a dark period in early 1920s through the 1950s, horrors await for them all. This reader learned so much about the period, and there are parallels today. A well-written novel that is researched well.
17. Stolen in Death by J.D. RobbSixty-two novels in, not including all the novellas in anthologies, and Robb still tells a page-turning, gripping story of murder, to be solved by Lt. Eve Dallas, the NYSPD homicide detectives, and Roarke.
A robbery of an impressive collection of emeralds, combined with murder is what Dallas and crew have to solve. What more needs to be said? Robb delivers once again.
18. The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart TurtonWhat can I say about a novel that is part science fiction and part murder mystery? It was an intriguing mystery with so much going on. There were twists that the reader may not see coming, and there were enough "baddies" who often seemed like "good guys."
The dystopian story is basically that a huge fog was destroying the world, and only the occupants of this small island in the Mediterranean has been saved by scientists, who still keep the fog at bay. When the woman, who is responsible for keeping this fog from being released, is murdered, those people have so many hours to figure it out before the fog will kill the rest of them. Will they, and can they?
Apparently, there are references to Turton's previous novels, but having never read any of his other ones, this reader wasn't aware of them. Having said that, this reader is considering checking out his other books in the future.
No noticeable What-the-tuck trends, which was refreshing.
19. The 6:20 Man by David BaldacciAnother suspenseful read from author David Baldacci. It features a new protagonist in Travis Devine, who has taken a position with Cowl & Comely, Manhattan's most prestigious investment firm.
The former Army Ranger boards the 6:20AM train every morning, heading into the city, slowing only at a curve where he (and fellow passengers) observe a beautiful woman in the pool area of a mansion. Often clad in only a bikini, this sighting may be the highlight of Devine's day.
When he hears about the apparent suicide of a woman he once dated, he gets involved. It occurred in the building, and unfortunately, he is implicated and even gets an untraceable email indicating he is a prime suspect despite the writer's intimate knowledge of the death.
Add to that, he is "kidnapped" into working for a man connected to the army he once served (and left) makes for a thrill ride of a novel. Who killed the woman? And why? When other deaths occur, they seemed to be linked, but how and why? What is going on at the firm?
Lots of twists and turns and suspense, and very few What-the-tuck trends (a smirk, maybe two).
Also contains an excerpt from "Simply Lies" a standalone novel.
20. Tuberculosis is Everything by John GreenA fascinating nonfiction book about tuberculosis from its history to now, John Green discusses the subject from the personal standpoint of one patient, Henry.
Henry, however, isn't the only patient mentioned, but Green widens the subject with so much more about how difficult it has been to eradicate the disease.
As I wrote in my blog referring to this book:
"It is definitely fascinating reading, and I am learning so much about the story of this disease. During my last quarter of college, I was taking Clinical Externship, the last course in my study of pharmacy before I graduated. One of the sites was an independent pharmacy, which had at least six full-time pharmacists. One of them was also the county’s pharmacist for treating all the patients who had TB. On his monthly trip to the clinic, I was invited along to help dispense the antibiotics to the patients. At that time, I was truly surprised there were as many patients being treated as there were. Yet, reading this book, I realize now just how many people suffer from this disease as well as the difficulty with eradicating it even now."
20.5 Squid Kid the Magnificent by Lynne Berrya children's book about a squid who does magic to impress his older sister
21. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt DinnamanThis is a fun novel, recommended by my older son, and it didn't disappoint.
It's part dystopian (many of the humans on earth have been eliminated), part video game, and part reality television show.
As the novel opens, the cat of his ex-girlfriend jumps out of the window and Carl falls out of the building trying to catch this cat. Princess Donut is a show cat, and probably more valuable than anything in the apartment. In attempting to rescue Donut, Carl saves both of them. They end up going down a staircase into the first level of what is a survival video game with monsters of various kinds. Carl is now known as Dungeon Crawler Carl with Princess Donut on their team.
Will the two survive the first level? How long will they survive as they are being hunted down by all sorts of monsters (grubs, goblins, and more)?
The language is sometimes crude, but so humorous. Like a video game, knocking out bosses increases their levels. This is the first of several novels in the series, and this reader is looking forward to reading the next.
22. The Ghost of Christmas Past by Rhys BowenHaving never read any of the previous novels in the series, this reader had a bit of catching up to understand the dynamics of the characters. Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Set in the time of the suffragists, Molly Murphy and her family are invited to have Christmas at the house of friends. During that time, the hosts' missing daughter (since she was three) suddenly knocks on the door ten years later. Is this really the daughter? What is really going on in the home? Can Molly figure it all out before the holidays end?
23. Alaska Sanctuary by Teri WilsonLost souls, wolves, and coming to terms with trauma make up this romance set in Aurora, Alaska.
Piper has never felt loved since her mother left her to grow up in foster homes. It's a wolf that helps her become a family as she begins to create a pack of her own with abandoned wolves. Now, she's creating a sanctuary for those wolves, but Ethan, a former park ranger, has other plans. He's against the wolf sanctuary, and as a journalist, his articles in the local paper are damaging the possibilities for the sanctuary to succeed.
Butting heads with alternate opinions about the wolves will bring the pair together, but at what cost? Will the wolves survive, or will they be put down as dangerous? Yet, there is a romantic spark between them, too. Each of them have undergone trauma of their own, but can they learn to lean on each other and maybe find a connection?
Loved the wolves especially Koko.
Quite a few What-the-tuck trends (smirks, winks) scattered throughout, but not so egregious that the story became silly.
24. First Kiss at Christmas by Lee Tobin McClainThis fits into the romantic suspense genre, but it's mostly a romance. An ultra-clean romance for those who don't like reading graphic sexual encounters.
Pre-school teacher, Kayla Harris, is twenty-six and never been kissed (yeah, rather hard to believe and I was a late bloomer), and her new year's resolution was to be kissed. It's nearly Christmas and she's still waiting for that first kiss* when she meets Tony DeNunzio, the uncle of a new student.
Her first encounter with him is when he is on the playground with his nephew Jax, and she thinks he is out to scare or kidnap the child. When he registers Jax for pre-school, they meet again under better circumstances. Tony is now his nephew's guardian after his mother was killed. Trauma rules the day and Tony ends up staying in class with Jax because frankly, Tony feels responsible for his sister's death. Eventually, Tony becomes a class aide and Kayla and Tony become friends, sorta.
Will Kayla get a first kiss? Will Tony get over blaming himself for his sister's murder? Will Jax become less clingy and make strides toward some happiness with his uncle? Will Jax ever remember what happened the night his mother was shot?
The suspense is related to a mysterious woman, Sylvie, who has moved to this village to watch Jax. Why is she there? What is her connection to Big Bobby, a drug dealer?
Having not read this author before, nor any of the previous books, made understanding some of the relationships difficult at first, yet it still can be read as a standalone. It took this reader some time to get into the story. There is also a novella of Kayla's mother and her relationship as a bonus read as well as a sneak peak of the final novel in the series.
Some What-the-tuck trends, but not too many.
* she has her reasons for this, but the story has to be read to know why.
25. Thanatos by Eva Pohler3.5 stars actually--A YA romantasy (Romantic fantasy) with shades of suspense added in.
As the novel opens, Therese and her parents are driving home when a man shoots her mom and her dad ends up drowning in the water they end up in. Death grabs them both to take them to the Underworld while Therese hovers between life and death. Lucidly dreaming, Therese follows and meets Death, AKA Thanatos, and his brother, Hip (dreams) and watches her parents get ferried to the Elysian Fields. Not realizing who Death is, she kisses him.
Mixing the Greek gods with young love, this is Than's and Therese's story as well as getting justice for Therese's parents. Than comes to earth for a short period to try to win her love, but will she remember him from her dream? Will they find the man who killed her parents? Is it possible that Therese will become a goddess?
It's the first of several novels featuring Greek gods (although the Coliseum was in Rome, and the gods there had different names for the same gods...anachronistic moment) and this one ends with a cliffhanger.
26. The 8th Confession by James Patterson and Maxine PaetroTwo sets of murders need to be solved in this novel of the Women's Murder Club series that features Lindsey Boxer, Yuki, Cindy, and Claire.
Someone is killing the ultra-wealthy and a homeless man with the moniker of Bagman Jesus is killed. Because of the status of being movers and shakers in San Francisco, the San Francisco homicide division is concentrating on those murders, especially considering similar murders years ago (a copy cat murderer?) while Bagman Jesus' death is being ignored except for Lindsey Boxer's friend in the club, Cindy.
Are these murders related in some way? Was Bagman Jesus the saint he appeared to be, or was there a dark side to him?
Lindsey still is waffling about accepting a marriage proposal from Joe or ending up in bed with her partner, Rich. Will she ever choose?
Short chapters and lots of twists keeps the reader turning pages. Yes, a few What-the-tuck trends (mostly smirks and winks) but not egregious.
27. Unlikely Animals by Annie HarnettHow to describe this novel? Historical fiction, sort of, but this novel has a little bit of everything: ghosts, animals (dog, bears, and foxes, especially), addiction of opioid drugs, dementia-brain disease, and even a musical.
A daughter returns home because her father is dying. She supposedly has a healing touch, but does she? Her brother is a recovering addict, and her best friend is missing, presumed dead, except for her father's faith that he'll find her. Will he, or will he die trying? Themes of re-connection and redemption and how family dynamics can affect even any dysfunctional family.
At times, it is sad; other times, humorous. It is a novel that's worth reading.
28. Long Road to Mercy by David BaldacciThis is the first in a series featuring FBI Agent Atlee Pine. It started a bit slow, but picked up steam quickly. Her backstory is only touched upon, but hopefully there will be answers in future novels.
Atlee Pine is the lone agent at Shattered Rock, the closest place to the Grand Canyon. She is involved in a case in which a mule is killed and the man riding this particular mule has disappeared in the canyon. When she begins to investigate, she is suddenly called off the case, which only raises her suspicions as to what is really going on.
Per usual, there is much, much more going on in this Baldacci novel and this protagonist and her assistant, Carol Blum, are on the case.
Lots of suspenseful moments, lots of twists and turns that lead all the way to the halls of the government. Will she ever find out what happened to the missing person and even why the mule was killed?
One brief scene with a character, Walter Tillman, made this reader wonder if the author watched/watches reruns of Hogan's Heroes. Was it a nod to the show or just coincidence? This reader may never know. Looking forward to reading more novels of this clever, kick-ass heroine.
29. The Au Pair Affair by Tessa BaileyA divorced hockey player for the Boston Bearcats needs someone to watch his tween daughter, Lissa, and hires an au pair by the name of Tallulah, a grad student.
From the get-go, she's ready to walk because she reads how vicious he is on the ice. Already traumatized by another guy, she's leery of men and wants to quit immediately (before she even has done a day's work). When she gets to know him, she changes her mind, staying on...and helps not only his daughter, but Burgess, too, in communication with Lissa among other things.
As the pair gets to know each other, sparks fly. Despite the difference in their ages, there is chemistry. Still, can a young woman open herself to another? Especially considering her past? Yet, she wants to experience life.
Burgess is dealing with pain. After all, hockey is rough, and he is one of the meanest around, but is he tough enough to deal with pain? Will his pain be the breaking point?
Will there be a happily ever after for Burgess, Tallulah, and Lissa?
Lots of spicy content, and although this is the second in a series of sports rom-com, it can be read as a standalone.
30. Spurs and Lace by Bonnie R. Paulson (alternate title Enemies and Lace)A modern cowboy romance features Becky, a female physician, and Slate, the cowboy, living in the west. (I mention modern because at times it seemed like the old West especially in the beginning.)
As the novel opens, Becky is about to close the practice for the day when she hears a thump outside the door. It's been snowing heavily and frankly no one is coming for appointments. The thump is a half-frozen man whom she drags inside. He's not the one who is ill, but his nephew is.
After leaving the horse he rode in on, she drives back to his ranch with him, examining his nephew Mac. Determining that he has appendicitis, Becky operates on him on the kitchen counter. Thus begins this story.
There are lots of miscommunications and disagreements between Becky and Slate, Slate and Ronan, and just about every other character. Mac's mother actually slaps Becky as she's trying to examine her son. (Yes, she eventually apologizes, but...)
This novel is a clean romance; there is lots of snow, and there is a cliffhanger ending including who is actually the father of Mac. Lots of What-the-tuck trends (winks, smirks, chiseled features, but no billionaires) throughout. 2.5 stars (not sure I'll read the sequel.)
31. The Poppy Fields by Nikki ErlickThe sophomore novel by the author who wrote The Measure is equally intriguing and quite speculative.
Five characters make up this story about four strangers who make their way to the medical facility known as the Poppy Fields. Leaving Kansas in a canary yellow rental, Sasha, Eva (with her small dog, PJ), and Ray start on a cross-country journey to California after their plane trip is cancelled. Each has his or her own reasons for wanting to go to the place in which those who have suffered a great loss cannot handle the grief and wish to sleep through it.
At first the three share little about themselves, but as the days go by, each narrates the reasons for going to the Poppy Fields, and they become friends. Eventually at one of their rest stops, they pick up Sky, the fourth member of their group.
The fifth main character is Ellis, the woman who conceived of the concept of the Poppy Fields.
Like the novel, The Wizard of Oz, the characters are all on a quest to "fix" what is wrong with them, and Ellis is similar to the Wizard. Will they achieve what they set out to do? Will they be healed by the process?
32. A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia PurnellThis is the biography of Virginia Hall, a woman ,who, despite a life-altering accident, was an impressive spy (for the SOE (English organization) and the OSS (American organization) during World War II and then working for the CIA post-WWII. It is well researched and documented.
From her childhood through the end of her life, she was always under-appreciated and (often) undermined by those in power. Despite that, she was hunted by the Germans, especially the Gestapo, for her work with the French resistance. She met people she could trust, set up spy networks, and even manned a transmitter throughout France. Despite betrayals and double agents, she survived many close calls.
3.5 stars actually
I hope to reduce the number of books on my shelves (both physical books and e-books).