DIMPLES AND TANGLES READS: BOOKS I'M LOVING LATELY {5}

Today I'm sharing another round of my Books I'm Loving Lately Series, you can see list #1 here, #2 here, #3 here, and #4 here if you need more great reading suggestions.  And please, list a favorite or two of yours- and books that were good on audio- in the comments.  I need to load up a few for a trip next week and would love your suggestions.  Happy Reading! 

As a reminder, I'll give a brief summary here (enough to tell you I recommend the book!) without a lot of details, but am linking each book here out of convenience if you'd like to read the more detailed summaries.  However,  I generally check them out from the library, either the physical copy or digital copies through the "Libby" app and then upload them to my Kindle account (or you can read directly through the app).  If you're not familiar with Libby I highly recommend it for free e-books and audiobooks by registering with your library card.

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi- Quite a while ago I got a message from a reader asking if she could send me a novel that her brother wrote, she really thought I would like it.  She sent it, and for whatever reason it took me a while to get to it. As I read, I wished it hadn't taken me so long to pick it up!  It's about an older gentleman who comes to the town of Golden.  As he strives to become acquainted with the people there, he maintains a sense of mystery and intrigue about his own personal background.  As I finished the book I had to sit with it a while and ponder.  You know I'm a pretty avid reader, and it has been quite some time since a novel has touched me so.  It was warm, entertaining, thought-provoking, encouraging, and convicting.  Early on in reading I had an inkling about the surprise ending, but actually forgot about that notion as I was drawn into the story and characters.  Perfectly clean, engaging story, left me wanting more books from this author.  I can honestly say this is the best book I've read in a long time and I'll consider it now as one of my all time favorites.

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center-  I've recommended several other books by this author in past lists, and I enjoyed this one just as much!  Sadie is an artist but as a result of an accident is diagnosed with face blindness.  The story evolves as she tries to cope with her condition and function as normally as possible.  I wasn't familiar with face blindness before reading this so I especially found that part of the storyline really interesting. 

 

Sunrise (first in the Sky King Ranch Series) by Susan May Warren- this is a good little mystery/suspense/romance/adventure series that takes place mainly in Alaska.  I read the whole series and enjoyed.  

The Women by Kristin Hannah-  Goodness this is a mentally heavy, difficult read but important.  It tells the story of a young adult woman who volunteers to serve as a nurse in the Vietnam War.  We walk with her through her challenges of treating patients, triumphs, relationships, and struggles with public perception as she attempts to return to a "normal" life after the war.  Very well done at relaying the smallest glimpse of what life must have been like during and after the war for these soldiers and medical personnel.  

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose- Another engaging mystery involving our favorite maid, Molly! A follow up to The Maid (shared in a previous post here), we read more about the familiar hotel staff and guests as a well known mystery author drops dead in the hotel.  There is no shortage of suspects and secrets from Molly's past may hold clues to solving the murder. 

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr-  This is the story that follows a young blind girl from Paris and a German orphan boy who is enthralled with everything about radios.  Over the years they both find themselves in the town of Saint-Malo where their lives intersect and their stories become interwoven.   This historical fiction novel is full of vivid and picturesque details, relatable and vile characters alike, and a story that prompts much reflection.  This novel has been made into a movie that's on Netflix.  It has some differences and I liked it, but of course the book is better! 

Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Spence-Ash- Another historical fiction novel, this is the story of young Beatrix, whose parents make the impossible choice to send her to America for protection during the war.  Bea arrives in Boston where the Gregorys and their two sons take her in.  She truly becomes a part of their family, and over the years her life and family back in London become a distant memory. When the war is over and she returns home, we follow her heartwarming story as she struggles to make sense of the two very different lives that she has lived and move forward into her new life that combines all of her past experiences. 

Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce-  One final WWII story for this list, this one is about Emmy, a young adult who dreams of being a war correspondent.  Through an unlikely series of events, she finds herself secretly replying to letters meant for the old fashioned famous advice columnist at a popular Women's Magazine. Emmy follows her heart and personally replies to those who have written in seeking advice for situations that would have garnered disapproval by many at the time-  letters that were meant to be discarded and the columnist never would have approved of responding to.    

Life Flight by Lynette Eason- The first book in another good suspense/search and rescue/romance series. It combines EMS, FBI, and search and rescue story lines and a fast paced search for a killer, full of intrigue and danger along the way.   

The River We Remember by Willam Kent Krueger- I recommended This Tender Land by the same author back in my second book post. This story tells of four orphans who sneak away from the Indian Training School where they live.  They steal a canoe and begin their quest down the Gilead River in Minnesota, with plans to travel towards the mighty Mississippi River.  This epic tale tells of all of the characters and experiences they encounter along the way, strengthening their bonds of friendship all the while. 

Falling and Drowning by T.J. Newman- (2 separate books)  I couldn't put these down!  They both involve airplane catastrophes and problem solving efforts to strive for the best result in an impossible situation.  I don't want to give too much away, if you like suspense you'll love these.  In fact, I've got the newest novel in my queue ready to read on my trip next week.  Should I be reading another book about an airplane catastrophe while I'm on an airplane??? 😆 

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