The Boys in the Boat - Daniel James Brown

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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In the case of this book, third times a charm.

This book is the compelling story (after you're about 60 pages in) of the US rowing team that when to the Berlin Olympics in 1936. But it's not just a look at the team. It's a look into the Depression, Germany as they ramped up towards WWII, the individual men, as well as an in depth look into the sport of rowing itself.

As mentioned, this was my third time attempting this book. I tried to read it a few years ago and didn't get past the first couple chapters. More recently, I tried the audio version. I struggle with audio books in general; this one was no exception. So when I picked it up this third time, I determined to give it until page 65. And I'm so glad I did.

I had no idea the sport of rowing and collegiate rowing in particular was so interesting. The book did a good job of explaining most of the terms, although I did have to google "catching a crab." The personal stories of the rowers' backgrounds that was interspersed with the technical explanations and race descriptions made the whole book even more engaging.

While I appreciate and understand the insertions of what was going on in Germany at the time, I found they pulled me away from the momentum of the over all rowing story.

I'm glad I gave the book another chance. Just goes to show that sometimes it can be a good book, but it's just the wrong time for reading it.

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Death Comes for the Archbishop - Willa Cather

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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This is the stories of two priests who head to New Mexico to take over a vicarage and oversee the diocese in the newly annexed Southwest territories.

I should have taken a crash course in Catholicism before reading it; that would have cleared up some of the fuzzies for me. I kept forgetting the hierarchy, googling things like what a "breviary" is, etc. I also kept getting confused on who Valliant was because sometimes he was referred to by his last name and other times as "Father Joseph." There also wasn't a real flow. The text was divided into books with chapters inside those books. And the books were more like individual essays than a coherent storytelling.

But despite my own occasional confusion, I liked the book. I liked the dichotomy of personality between Latour and Valliant. They definitely complemented each other in their team work. And I loved the descriptions. Having lived and traveled in the Southwest, there were places I recognized by description (love when that happens in my reading).

It also checks off a reading goal to read one Cather book each year we live in Nebraska (or until I run out of books and stories).

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I Owe You One - Sophie Kinsella

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Kinsella’s books seem to be hit or miss for me. I didn’t love this one. But it wasn’t a complete miss either.
Fixie Farr doesn’t have her nickname “Fixie” for nothing. Between her “Family first” motto and needing to fix everything she comes across from crooked vases to the lives and relationships of others, Fixie has no time for herself. A chance meeting at a coffee shop leads to a game of IOU’s passing back and forth between her and the handsome (no longer) stranger.
I usually enjoy her “train wreck” main characters; but in this one, Fixie was bit too oblivious for me. I loved her heart and wanting to keep the family and shop together. Her desire to help out everyone in her circle. But, geez, take the blinders off. You’re totally being used.
The way she throws herself, heart and soul and body, into relationships is a bit frightening and unstable as well. Despite that, I did like her as a character.
I hated most other characters, including Seb and his stupidity. But I think I was supposed to.
Some language and sex. Which, again, some of her books seem heavier on than others. This one leaned toward heavier, in my opinion.
The book was an interesting premise. But a little to over the top of me right now. Perhaps I would have loved it at another time. But for now, I would say I’m split between “just okay” and “liked it.” So 2.5 stars from me.

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The Girls at 17 Swann Street - Yara Zgheib

The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is powerful.
Anna Roux was a ballet dancer who is injured and then follows her husband from Paris to St. Louis. Thrown amidst unfamiliar surroundings, loneliness, and feelings of no purpose, depression and anorexia get a hold of her. This is the story of how the disease snuck up on her and her journey through treatment at 17 Swann Street.
Anna and the other girls at Swann Street are written so beautifully and poignantly. As I was reading, I could envision them as real people with real struggles – food-oriented and otherwise. The way Anna relates to the other women in the house. The reflection into her past and attempt to rebuild relationships. Her relationship with Matthias is complicated and heartbreaking and hopeful.
Her struggles. Triumphs. Setbacks. I cried. I cheered. I felt.
I did get a little lost at times in conversations as far as who was speaking as there were no quotation marks or clear breaks at times. But the story and characters superseded any of those issues. It all seemed very well researched or experienced as well.
I think this is an important book for people to read to humanize the very real disease of eating disorders.

Trigger Warning: It goes without saying (I hope) but this book centers around anorexia, bulimia, and unhealthy food relationships.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.


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The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another classic I haven’t read. And I definitely want to do this as a read aloud/audio book experience with my kiddos.
I switched between reading (not this edition but an old one with great color pictures I’ve owned forever) and listening to the audio. It definitely lends itself to listening.
I wasn’t so sure about reading a story about rodents. Especially the rat. I thought it was more about moles and toads. Which I guess technically a mole is a rodent. But not a rat. Rats and mice are the worst. Anyway, I digress. Let’s talk about Toad. He is so over the top. I could picture him in all of his boasting and self-importance.
Glad to have read it. Placing it now in the “to read to my kids” pile.

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Dumplin' - Julie Murphy

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I saw an ad for the movie on Netflix; and, of course, had to read the book before I'll allow myself to watch it.
Willowdean is the daughter of a former pageant winner and now coordinator. It has shaped her in ways she doesn't realize. As has her aunt's life, Dolly Parton, her best friend, and her weight.
I really liked the character of Willowdean. She was flawed and authentic and fierce. She's real.
I think because of the movie preview, I thought the book would be more pageant-centric. And it's really not. Willowdean doesn't even sign up for the pageant until about halfway through the book. And then it just pops in and out some until the end. The book itself is more about relationships. With yourself and what you want. With your dreams. With friends and family.
Didn't like the swearing (which seemed to come in random spurts) and teen sex (although not in detail definitely a character's key plot).
3.5 stars from me.
I'm not sure I'll read the sequel. I didn't know there was one until I logged this one as read on Goodreads and was looking for more books by the author. I liked how Dumplin' ends. It was satisfying. I don't necessarily feel the need for a more.
I am, however, off to watch the movie...

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Flint - Louis L'Amour

Flint by Louis L'Amour
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Flint grew up in the west but headed east as soon as he could, making a name for himself in the world of finance. Life happens, and he decides to return to the west. Flint almost immediately finds himself tangled up in a range war on the side of local rancher, Nancy Kerrigan.

I grew up visiting my grandparents each summer in Western Kansas. And I recall Louis L'Amour books my grandpa read on the built in shelf between recliners in the living room. While I read many books from those shelves over the years, I never picked up one by L'Amour. Then I had a college boyfriend who wasn't much of a reader but would rave about L'Amour. Still, I never read one. So when friends mentioned L'Amour again recently at a social gathering, I finally asked which one I should start with. They were split between Flint and another title I don't recall. Flint was available at my library, so I read it.

And enjoyed it.

Which I didn't really expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I'm not a Western movie watcher. I do like historical fiction but haven't really ever read a gun-slinging Western, to my remembrance. This was good. Predictable at times, for sure. But I was fully engaged in the story and Flint. It was interesting. I'll read more.

As a side note, I was completely distracted by the character "Nancy Kerrigan's" name, despite acknowledging the fact this was written far before the famous figure skater was born.

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