Saw the sad news about Michael on Facebook. What a story of love and devotion.
Rocket Boys is on sale at Barnes & Noble (today only) for 1.99 for the download. Great book. 
I bought Rocket Boys!
I just finished the historical fiction novel, The Paris Architect. Wow! Five stars.
Set in German-occupied Paris, itâs about a French architect who collaborates with the Germans by designing their weapons factories while also designing hiding places for Jews, and how the experiences change him. The characters are very compelling, as is the depiction of the terror caused by the Germans.
Anyone who loved The Nightingale will also love this novel.
@calla1, I too really enjoyed both books.
I just finished Strong Inside: The Perry Wallace Story. Itâs the story of the first African-American basketball player in the SEC and how he both suffered and persevered through his four years at Vandy. Heâs now a law professor at American University. I am so in awe of this man and the book is so well written by Andrew Marannis, son of journalist David Marannis. Itâs long, but well worth the effort.
Does one have to read Louise Penny books in order?
Thanks.
I started with Pennyâs âThe Beautiful Mysteryâ because I am a sucker for a good monestary mystery, spotted it at the library, and loved it. But it was clear I was missing some backstory, so then I went back and started the series at the beginning. I actually think it was a good way to do it. I think the series gets stronger as it goes. But they arenât fully stand alone.
I think we have talked about Donna Tarttâs The Secret History out here. I just finished it. It is a slow start in my opinion - over 150 pages in before it takes off. But I could not put it down once it did. I didnât love the end. But I guess I would say it has one of the best middles I have read.
@VaBluebird I recommend reading the Penny books in order. Getting to know the village and the characters was more fun to me than the mysteries themselves. You can certainly go back and pick up on all the characters, but having them unfold in layers is much more satisfying I think. The books do get better as you go and I think part of the reason is the affinity you develop for the characters. Each book evolves from the preceding one and while she gives adequate explanation so that youâre not lost, something is lost if you donât know what came before.
I did think that if I had started with the first two, I might not have kept going⊠and I would have been sorry.
@VaBluebird I, too, recommend that they be read in order. I started with The Beautiful Mystery but then went back and read them in order. Although each can be enjoyed on its own merits, there are story arcs that carry through from book to book.
I just finished Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly. It follows the story of Caroline Ferriday, Herta Oberheuser and Kasia Kuzmerick, starting in 1939. Caroline in NY, Herta a Dr in Germany and Kasia a low level resistant operative in Poland. It is based on real people and the real story of the ârabbit girlsâ from the all female concentration camp at Ravensbruck. I had not heard this story before and it was really gripping.
I also just finished Lilac Girls. If you liked The Nightingale and Sarahâs Key, youâll like this book. At times I found the descriptions of life in the concentration camp to be very intense (but letâs face it, the conditions WERE pretty horrific). The author did a good job of weaving together 3 seemingly unrelated stories. It was hard to put the book down.
I just ordered Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers by Steven King for my iphone. I am really into thrillers right now.
^^^ Donât forget the last in the trilogy End of Watch. I liked all three books. Holly is probably my favorite character but you wonât meet her till late in Mr. Mercedes.
Currently reading The Lost Girls by Heather Young - enjoying it so far.
I recommend starting from the beginning with the Penny books, because I started with one quite far into the series and really didnât like it at all. It was, as I believe someone wrote somewhere, like being late to a cocktail party where everyone else knew each other and you had no idea what was going on. I plan to try again at the beginning one of these days.
@intparent, I loved The Secret History. But what do you mean by a âmiddleâ?
In other news, I just finished My Antonia. Iâm still deciding what I think about it and whether it is the great book some think it is.
The Secret History was like a roller coaster. A long, slow climb to the pivotal event in the book. â160 pages of setupâ is how one of my kids described it. Then it goes downhill in a rush, and I couldnât put it down once that part started. It is a very beautifully written book. And I kept catching myself rooting for murderers⊠but I bet it could have been set up in 100 pages. 
Itâ s been years since I read âThe Secret Historyâ and it remember it being extremely lengthy but what a debut.
I finished up the summer by reading a few Alan Furst novels, easy reading, enjoy reading spy fiction set against the impending WWII in Europe.
I despised My Antonia which I read as a freshman in high school. I remember nothing about it now, and sometimes think I should give it a whirl.
I thought The Secret History was mesmerizing and creepy.
I just finished the upcoming CC book club book The last Painting of Sarah Vos, I enjoyed it and think it will be fun to discuss.
Now Iâm reading the latest C S Harris - When Falcons Fall. I never solve mysteries, but Iâm pretty sure Iâve got this one figured out.