Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus: I don’t know why it took me so long to pick up this book. Because I had already recommended it, got a great feedback, and gifted it to a family member. When I finally started reading it took me a good day and I was through with it. What a great and amusing story. All the different side characters are just so lovely especially six Thirty, but also Harriet, and Mad. But it’s the story of Elizabeth Zott which keeps you going. It’s amazing what women can achieve if they don’t give up despite so much opposition.
Spare by Prince Harry: It can’t be easy to go through life and know that you are only second best. It reminds me bit of my family dynamic, but I at least can yell and say it isn’t so. Harry, apparently, always knew his place. Loosing his mother fairly early in life and with the whole world watching him, left no room to grieve. So how does that affect a person? It’s quite brave to put all that out there, as well as his ongoing battle with the media. I just wish he hadn’t walloped so much in self-pity. Still, it was an interesting book.
The Daughters of Yalta by Catherine Grace Katz: I didn’t know a lot about the Yalta conference except that it happened and that the reorganization of post-war Europe was discussed. Katz tells the conference through the eyes of Sarah Churchill, Anna Roosevelt, and Kathleen Harriman (daughter of US ambassador to the Soviet Union). These three saw history happen and supported their fathers in their endeavors. That Yalta was not a success is to put it mildly. The book was very interesting to read!
Playing with Fire by L. J. Shen: Despite the last couple of books by Shen being rather mediocre, this one was a sure winner. I loved the story of Texas and Maine, aka Grace and West. Finally some main characters that are far from perfect and carry a lot of emotional baggage around with them. Baggage that is there, but sometimes visible for all and sometimes invisible. Wonderful character development, a bit rushed in the end.
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