Review: Hollywood Park

Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This memoir read like a novel and I had a hard time putting it down. It was fascinating to read, but horrifying to think that this was someone's childhood. Anyone who liked Educated will want to read this book.

I received an arc from the publisher.

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Review: A Very Punchable Face

A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I knew nothing about Colin Jost before reading this book, but love books that make me laugh. This book made me laugh until I cried. There were more serious parts, such as his Mother's experiences on 9/11, that were equally interesting. A good read.

I read an arc from Edelweiss.

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Review: Shook: An Earthquake, a Legendary Mountain Guide, and Everest's Deadliest Day

Shook: An Earthquake, a Legendary Mountain Guide, and Everest's Deadliest Day by Jennifer Hull
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a great balance of science, technical terms, and human interest. That's the kind of nonfiction I love to read.

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Review: A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom

A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom by Brittany K. Barnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book highlights the very real harm that unjust sentencing laws do, not only to the black people that are burdened with ridiculous sentences but also to their families and communities. I read an advanced copy of this on Edelweiss.

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Review: Nazi Wives: The Women at the Top of Hitler's Germany

Nazi Wives: The Women at the Top of Hitler's Germany by James Wyllie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The stories of the women behind the men who committed some of the most horrifying crimes of the 20th century. The women had various backgrounds, upbringings, and beliefs. These women were expected to uphold the Nazi beliefs of motherhood and family while supporting their husbands careers, regardless of the atrocities they committed. A comprehensive and often chilling account.

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Review: The Secret Life of Dorothy Soames

The Secret Life of Dorothy Soames by Justine Cowan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a very interesting look at a subject I knew nothing about - foundling hospitals. The most interesting parts were about Dorothy's experiences as a child. Less so were the author's details about her childhood. That did come together in the end though, when the author, after learning about her mother's history, was more sympathetic to why she was the way she was.

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Review: The Barbizon: The Hotel That Set Women Free

The Barbizon: The Hotel That Set Women Free by Paulina Bren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an interesting history of not only the Barbizon hotel, but the many women who lived there. The Barbizon hotel represented the first step towards independence for many women. In a world where women weren't granted many freedoms, this was seen as a safe space outside of a world ruled by a woman's father or husband.

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Review: Chasing Shackleton : re-creating the world's greatest journey of survival

Chasing Shackleton : re-creating the world's greatest journey of survival by Tim Jarvis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fascinating account of a crazy expedition. It was really interesting to read about both the back story of the expedition as well as the expedition itself. I also appreciated the history of Shackleton's original expedition. As someone who really, really hates being cold, I can't imagine willingly putting myself in that situation, especially using the period clothing and equipment.

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Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary Roach
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In "Grunt" Mary Roach gives you the inside story on the aspects of the military you rarely consider. She covers a wide variety of topics that impact how today's soldiers do their jobs, including sleep, hearing, clothing, diarrhea, and more. It was interesting, informative, and entertaining.

I received an advanced reader's copy of this book.

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