Chasing Shadows.

 

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CONTAINS SPOILERS

 

Lena is a wife and mother who farms alongside her husband in the tranquil countryside. Her faith has always been her compass, but can she remain steadfast when the questions grow increasingly complex and the answers could mean the difference between life and death? 

Lena's daughter Ans has recently moved to the bustling city of Leiden, filled with romantic notions of a new job and a young Dutch police officer. But when she is drawn into Resistance work, her idealism collides with the dangerous reality that comes with fighting the enemy. 

Miriam is a young Jewish violinist who immigrated for the safety she thought Holland would offer. She finds love in her new country, but as her family settles in Leiden, the events that follow will test them in ways she could never have imagined. 

The Nazi invasion propels these women onto paths that cross in unexpected, sometimes-heartbreaking ways. Yet the story that unfolds illuminates the surprising endurance of the human spirit and the power of faith and love to carry us through. 

 

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Heart-wrenching. Inspirational. 

Most inspirational book. I should know that this book would shatter my heart into million pieces. I cannot begin to imagine going through something this horrific. There are not enough words to explain what I am feeling right now. I have read a few books about World War II; however, this one hit me the hardest. I loved the book, and most of the time couldn't seem to be able to put the book down. Chasing Shadows was a hard book to read, and there were a few times that I did have to put it down. I could never imagine how it was to endure the Nazi invasion during World War II, but from those descriptions, I felt as if I was there I could. Chasing Shadows had the most vivid descriptions of World War II. To constantly live in that fear and not knowing if you will ever see your loved ones again. My heart broke for every single one of them. 

It was interesting to read the story of three different women and how they came together. I don't think that I had a favorite; each of them was unique. These women were strong, even when it was hard to stay strong. Mariam, my heart broke for her the most, to have to give up her child because there was no other choice. Throughout the book, I was rooting for Mariam to make it through the war. I'm glad that her daughter ended up with Ans's mother, Lena; I knew she would be loved and protected. Mariam and Ans were meant to meet, who knows what would happen to her if they didn't come across one another. All three women changed through the war, especially Ans, a completely different girl from before the war. Stronger. I loved that she didn't give up helping in resistance, even when her boyfriend tried to stop her. She saved so many lives. 

I wanted to like Erik, and in the beginning, I did. However, when he started working for the Nazis, always making excuses why he couldn't get out, I became suspicious. He could still help in the resistance, but he didn't even try to do that. I saw how much Ans loved him, and that's why she didn't see through him or refused to see until the end. I was glad that she finally saw his true colors. I loved Mariam and Avi's story and how they have met and stood by each other. I was rooting for them to make it through the war. Chasing Shadows is a book that will make you cry on multiple occasions. I was curious about the title; that is what had me picking up the book, and as the story progressed, the title made so much more sense. 

I could tell that the author did a massive amount of research for the book based on the amount of detail. Before picking up this one at my library, I haven't read any books by Lynn Austin . I feel that she is going to become one of my favorite authors. I would highly recommend this book to any historical fiction fans, especially if you enjoy reading about World War II. Be prepared for an emotional ride.

California Girls.

 

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CONTAINS SPOILERS

 

The California sunshine’s not quite so bright for three sisters who get dumped in the same week…
Finola, a popular LA morning show host, is famously upbeat until she’s blindsided on live TV by news that her husband is sleeping with a young pop sensation who has set their affair to music. While avoiding the tabloids and pretending she’s just fine, she’s crumbling inside, desperate for him to come to his senses and for life to go back to normal. 

Zennie’s breakup is no big loss. Although the world insists she pair up, she’d rather be surfing. So agreeing to be the surrogate for her best friend is a no-brainer—after all, she has an available womb and no other attachments to worry about. Except…when everyone else, including her big sister, thinks she’s making a huge mistake, being pregnant is a lot lonelier—and more complicated—than she imagined. 

Never the tallest, thinnest or prettiest sister, Ali is used to being overlooked, but when her fiancé sends his disapproving brother to call off the wedding, it’s a new low. And yet Daniel continues to turn up “for support,” making Ali wonder if maybe—for once—someone sees her in a way no one ever has. 

 

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I love stories that deal with friendships and family. Plus, I had always enjoyed books that deal with relationships between sisters. I had never had a sister, but I have a few friends like sisters, and those books make me think about them. California Girls is the second book that I have read by Susan Mallery and so far, it’s my favorite. California Girls is a story that will break your heart one minute and laugh the next. At the start of the book, it’s sad for all the sisters, all dumped in the same week. I felt the worst for Finola. To find out that her husband was cheating on her right before going on air, I cannot imagine. I don’t even know how she managed to do the show once the truth came out; I know that I wouldn’t be able to if it were me. Finola’s emotions were everywhere, and I could feel her emotions. I wanted to hug her. I wondered if her husband would stay with his mistress or return to Finola. I hoped that she wouldn’t take him back if he did come back; if he did it once, he would do it again. At first, I wasn’t sure if she would turn him away; it was clear how much she loved him. 

I loved Zennie, and I loved what gift she was giving to her best friend. It takes so much to be a surrogate. I understand why so many people were against it; they were afraid that she would get attached to the baby and wouldn’t be able to give it away; I wish that they would at least give her some support. I thought that what she was doing for her best friend was amazing, even when she was struggling initially. I’m glad that her family was there along with her in the end. When Zennie was struggling initially, I was starting to wonder if she would be able to make it, if she was strong enough to do this. I was rooting for her to make it through the most challenging part. Ali, I can’t even imagine being dumped a few days before the wedding and refusing to help cancel the wedding. That’s not the type of person I would even want to marry. I’m glad she found out what type of person he was before they married. 

Daniel. I liked him from the beginning. It must be uncomfortable to tell someone that their brother didn’t want to marry them, but better than being left at the altar. I saw how much Daniel cared about Ali from the start, and I knew it wasn’t because he felt sorry for her; he was in love with her. I don’t think anyone would take care of someone they didn’t know well unless there was an attraction there. I was glad that Daniel was there for Ali because I’m not sure she would be able to go through breakup and wedding cancelations all on her own. I loved the connection between them; however, I felt like their relationship moved too fast, especially towards the end. 

In general, I couldn’t force myself to put this book down. California Girls is the type of story that I love. I discovered Susan Mallery books this year, and I cannot wait for a chance to check the rest of her books out.

I'm Not Dying With You Tonight.

 

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An NAACP Image Award Nominee, I’m Not Dying with You Tonight follows two teen girls—one black, one white—who have to confront their own assumptions about racial inequality as they rely on each other to get through the violent race riot that has set their city on fire with civil unrest. 

Lena has her killer style, her awesome boyfriend, and a plan. She knows she’s going to make it big. Campbell, on the other hand, is just trying to keep her head down and get through the year at her new school. 

When both girls attend the Friday-night football game, what neither expects is for everything to descend into sudden mass chaos. Chaos born from violence and hate. Chaos that unexpectedly throws them together. They aren’t friends. They hardly understand the other’s point of view. But none of that matters when the city is up in flames, and they only have each other to rely on if they’re going to survive the night. 

 

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Powerful. Memorable. 

I was on a road trip with family when I started reading I’m Not Dying With You Tonight, and I ended up reading the book the entire car trip. I was captivated by the story only a few pages into the book. When I started reading the book, I didn’t have high expectations since I had never read books by the authors before. But, once I finished the book, I felt I should have higher expectations. I’m Not Dying With You Tonight … this story, I don’t think how to begin to explain the emotions that were going through me. I thought about the story long after I turned in the last book. This story will make you angry, make you cry, and at times, smile. I got so captivated by the book that there were a few times that I lost track of time. I’m Not Dying With You Tonight is not the book that you will be able to get out of your mind. I have read a few books about race, but this story is one of the most powerful stories. 

 
This story felt real. Lena and Campbell are not friends, and despite how different they are, their different views, they stand by each other to make it out of a dangerous situation. The two of them have their moments and don’t always agree but stand with each other in the end. However, I wondered if they would make it to safety without killing each other. I wondered if maybe by the end of it, they would become friends. I was hoping that they would, considering what they went through together. Having the story told from both Lena and Campbell's points of view perfectly fits the story. Both Lena and Campbell's emotions were so vivid, and I could feel all the feelings they were feeling. I can’t even begin to imagine what the two of them are going through. I’m glad that the two of them had each other. 

 
I can’t seem to get this story out of my head. It was one of the most influential books I have read in a while. I’m eager to see what other books the authors have written. A book that is worth every single star.

The Lincoln Highway.

 

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CONTAINS SPOILERS

In June, 1954, eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson is driven home to Nebraska by the warden of the work farm where he has just served a year for involuntary manslaughter. His mother long gone, his father recently deceased, and the family farm foreclosed upon by the bank, Emmett’s intention is to pick up his eight-year-old brother and head west where they can start their lives anew. But when the warden drives away, Emmett discovers that two friends from the work farm have hidden themselves in the trunk of the warden’s car. Together, they have hatched an altogether different plan for Emmett’s future. 

Spanning just ten days and told from multiple points of view, Towles’s third novel will satisfy fans of his multi-layered literary styling while providing them an array of new and richly imagined settings, characters, and themes. 

 

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 An adventure of a lifetime. 

When I picked up The Lincoln Highway I wasn’t sure what to expect from the story. A lot seemed to have enjoyed his other book, A Gentleman In Moscow ; however, I had mixed feelings about that one. So, I read a summary for The Lincoln Highway , and I decided to check it out because it sounded like a book that I enjoyed. Within the first few pages of the book, I completely lost myself in the story. I felt as I was going on the trip along with Emmett, Billy, and their friends. The Lincoln Highway had so much happening that it was hard for me to find a stopping point for the book. Every page had me wondering what would happen next, where they would end up next, if they would make it to their destination—what a beautiful story, and at one of my favorite timelines. 

I have read multiple books about road trips. The Lincoln Highway is my favorite. It’s unique and unlike any of the others that I have read. I love books told from multiple points of view, allowing a reader to get to know different characters better. Duchess, that was one character that I wasn’t sure about. I know that he and Emmett were friends, but from the moment he appeared in Nebraska along with Wooley, I had a feeling that he was up to something. He’s why Billy and Emmett had to change their plans because their transportation was gone. Duchess might have thought differently, but I don’t think that Emmett would be happy with him when he found him. I was curious to see how the reunion between the two friends would go. The Lincoln Highway is a story that had you asking questions from the beginning until the end. 

Billy was one of my favorite characters. I loved how he welcomed Emmett with open arms, and not once did he complain, even though their road trip went the wrong direction. He was an intelligent kid, so knowledgeable. I don’t think I know any eight-year-old who knew as much as Billy did. I have felt that Billy is going to do great in life. I loved Billy and Emmett's connection, even though Emmett was gone for a while. These two would do anything for each other. My favorite part of the book was the descriptions of everywhere that Emmett, Billy, Wooley, and Duchess went and the adventures they have gone on. I felt as I was there for all of them. I’m glad that I decided to give this book a chance. 

 I highly recommend

E.R Nurses.

 

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Around the clock, across the country, these highly skilled and compassionate men and women sacrifice and struggle for us and our families. 

You have never heard their true stories. Not like this. From big-city and small-town hospitals. From behind the scenes. From the heart. 

This book will make you laugh, make you cry, make you understand. 

When we’re at our worst, E.R. nurses are at their best. 

 

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 Heartbreaking. Inspirational. 

Nurses are heroes. I always had through that way before the pandemic hit. I have been to the hospital for surgeries and E.R. throughout the years when I got extremely sick. The nurses that were on the shift always took fantastic care of me. I had even considered studying nursing but then realized that I wouldn’t be able to handle death well, so I decided to study to be a Physical Therapy Assistant instead. However, I have a few nursing friends and one in nursing school. So when I came across E.R Nurses while looking for a book at the library, I was excited and couldn’t wait to read the book. I knew that I was going to love the book, but even I didn’t realize how much I would fall in love with the stories. I don’t think there are words to explain all the emotions that I am feeling right now. 

I loved how the authors wrote the book, breaking down different types of nurses. I had enjoyed reading stories by different stories, and there were relatively few that were heartbreaking to read. Even though I wasn’t there and was not a nurse, all the descriptions throughout the book made me feel like I was there. Everything that these nurses see, and I can’t even imagine losing a patient after taking care of them for a while. That’s one of the things that I don’t think I would be able to deal with well. There is so much grief and pain that they must endure, and they are not always valued for what they do. Nurses do so much. I appreciate every single one of them. 

Of the authors, James Patterson is the only author I had books by previously, but it has been a few years. Now I am curious about Matt Eversmann and Chris Mooney and curious to see what else they have written. I read non-fiction but not very often. E.R Nurses is one of the best nonfiction I have read this year. I would highly recommend this book but be warned: you will cry. These are the stories that will stay with you for years to come.