The Devil in the White City

I've heard so many great things about The Devil in the White City over the years. So when my mom told me she was finally reading it, I decided it was time for me to read it too.

This is kind of two books in one.

While H.H. Holmes is what drew me to this book, I was pleasantly surprised when I realized I would be getting a backstory on The World's Fair. I was looking forward to the "murder, magic, and madness" which is written on the cover. And trust me, you get that. But then again, I now know more about architecture than I ever dreamed possible. But the way Erik Larson weaves the alternating stories together actually works. The architectural aspect of the fair parallels H.H. Holmes building his murder castle. Not to mention the steady influx of transients plays a big part in the both the success of the fair and his unsuspecting victims.

My mom and I both agreed, we expected more of H.H. Holmes story. But these two stories of great success and absolute turmoil really balance each other out. I just wanted a little more true crime and a little less history channel.

The Kingdoms of Savannah

If you guys haven't notice yet, I really love reading books that are set in places I've lived. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance to read The Kingdoms of Savannah by fellow Savannahian, George Dawes Green.

 

This book had all of the Southern Gothic aspects that I love. It had small town politics and local corruption. It even had detailed the dreary underground history of Savannah itself. I was enthralled in the story as I followed the streets I've wandered along myself. The deep seeded underground history of Savannah is what really drew me in. The lore, dramatics, and honesty really tied the story together.

The Kingdoms of Savannah follows one family that goes back for generations. The Musgroves have been a staple in the community forever. Everyone knows head of the house, Morgana took control of her late husband's investigative firm. They know about the feuding brothers, David and Ransom. Ransom started running with the homeless crowd and quickly found himself wanting to stay. Sisters Bebe and Willou became familiar faces when one became a nurse and the other a Judge.

But then there's granddaughter Jaq. The film student/bartender who just wants to know who murdered her friend, Luke. You'd think with a family like hers, they'd be able to get answers in a snap. But that's not always the case. Jaq begins searching for answers herself and uncovers some of the darkest secrets that the city wanted to keep hidden.

The privilege of this family seeps through the pages.

But the secret history of the Kingdom is what keeps you reading.

 

I absolutely loved this book.

I cannot wait to hear George Dawes Green speak next month!

 

Huge thanks to Celadon Books and NetGalley for sending me an ARC!!!

 

Kingdoms of Savannah comes out July 19, 2022!

I'd Like to Play Alone, Please

 

Tom Segura is hands down one of my favorite comedians.

When I heard he was writing a book, I immediately pre-ordered it.

I'd Like to Play Alone, Please is hilarious. If you know his voice and mannerisms, you'll love this book. If you could just read a transcript of his stand up specials, that's what this book is. Some of the stories are actual bits from his stand-up, but that didn't keep me from laughing. I have a habit of laughing just because I already know what's about to happen but the build up gets me, EVERY TIME.

I've been reading this while my new AC unit gets installed and I'm not even joking when I say I laughed so hard one of the maintenance guys asked if I was okay. It's just such a fun, quick read. Highly recommend his specials, his podcasts, and this book!!

Madame Bovary

I hate this book.

I don't care that it's a classic.

I don't care about Emma and Charles.

I don't care about the infidelity.

I just absolutely do not care.

I was leery when I found out Madame Bovary was the book in this month's Literary Book Club Box. There were a lot of things I didn't like about it, mostly being I thought it was a romance book. Which I mean, I guess it is, but like....not really. I'm also not a fan of reading about infidelity. If it's pertinent to advancing story then by all means include it, but this was literally the basis of the book.

I just found Emma and Charles to be the most boring people ever. The two of them should have never gotten together in the first place, and look how it ended....poorly for both of them and even worse for their child. I don't know how I powered through 400 pages of this nonsense, but I am so glad it's over.

Her Darkest Secret

I'm not gonna lie, I was a little on the fence about this book.

 

It's published by Love Inspired an imprint of Harlequin....which is far outside of my comfort zone. But the premise of the story really hooked me. Fiona became a Special Agent with the FBI after escaping from the Nursery Rhyme Killer when she was just 17 years old. Her case, like many others, went cold. But her search never stopped. When a goose feather is found at a recent murder site, they all know he's back and waiting for Fiona to find him.

 

The absurdity of some of the theories had my eyes rolling so hard. But it was written so well, that I honestly could overlook a little absurdity. It was just real enough to keep me guessing who the killer was, even if I did guess it fairly early on. The only thing that I really could have done without was the Jesus/Prayer aspect of it. I understand that Love Inspired is a faith based imprint, but it really just felt out of place with the rest of this story. But I mean, it is set in the South so it's believable.

All in all, it was a pretty good book and apparently there's another one coming!

Huge thanks to Love Inspired and Harlequin for sending me an ARC!

 

Her Darkest Secret by Jessica R. Patch is available June 28, 2022!

Stalling for Time

I've been wanting to read this book for awhile now.

Gary Noesner was the very first Chief Negotiator for the FBI and worked numerous high profile cases over his 30 year career. Noesner had a big part in creating the overall protocols used in hostage negotiation, most of which we still use today. Over the years, I've followed many cases that he's been involved with. Even if you don't know his name, I'm willing to bet you remember the Ruby Ridge and Waco Sieges, the Talladega Prison Riot, and the D.C. Sniper Attacks.

Being a hostage negotiator takes so much patience, willpower, and calming abilities. Reading about these cases was astonishing. I was caught off guard in the first chapter when deadly force was presented as the best outcome. It made me wonder if this book was actually going to be about negotiations, or if it was just cementing the terrible things that associated with government officials using deadly force. But I'm glad I powered through. This really is a book about creating an environment where both parties come out virtually unharmed.

Definitely a good read.

Looking for other books on cases mentioned in Stalling for Time?

The Federal Siege at Ruby Ridge

After the Fire

Waco

Not Everybody Lives the Same Way

This book was really, really average.

But that's what makes it so good.

Not Everybody Lives the Same Way follows Paul from the moment he's born to the moment he's released from prison. Told through a very interesting timeline, I found myself wishing more of the story was actually set in the prison. It starts with his birth and explores the basic familial complexities that we are all too familiar with. I think that's the beauty of this story, it could literally be any of us.

I know many people would scoff at that statement, but it's true. Paul lived an average life, with average parents, and average problems. He had a family, a dog, and a career. He lived his life with so much compassion for others. He did a bad thing, but he's not a villain.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the overall message it sent.

Huge thanks to Abrams Books for sending me an ARC!

The English translation of Not Everybody Lives the Same Way by Jean-Paul Dubois is out now!

Blonde

Today would have been Marilyn Monroe's 96th birthday.

  

I don't even know how to explain how attached I feel to this woman.

 

This behemoth of a book is nearly 800 pages of sadness.

It dives deep into the psyche of Norma Jeane Baker from the time she was a little girl right up to the end of her life. It talks about her tumultuous home life, the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother and her acquaintances, her struggles at the orphanage, even her grossly sexualized teen years. It details her relationships (both real and fictionalized for the sake of literature), her horrific rise to stardom, and becoming a creation of The Studio.

The Studio seems to believe they created Marilyn Monroe, someone so vastly different from Norma Jeane's real life. They wanted a starlet, a sexpot, a blonde. Norma Jeane became Marilyn Monroe and Marilyn took over her life. I think the reason Marilyn Monroe has become such an icon is because we all see a little of ourselves in her. Not the glitz and the glamour, but the hurt and the trauma. The gross abuse that Norma Jeane went through at such a young age transcended into her life in Hollywood. She was used time and time again by high powered executives who did not care about her in the least. They knew how to sell sex, but they wanted a taste for themselves too.

I spent the last two months reading Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates.

I can't even tell you how many time I broke down while reading this book.

She deserved so much better.

 

Looking for other books by Joyce Carol Oates?

Babysitter

Looking for other books featuring Marilyn Monroe?

Music for Chameleons

Marilyn Monroe: The Last Interview

My Story

 

Looking for books with characters based on Marilyn Monroe?

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Valley of the Dolls