The Aviators: Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle, Charles Lindburgh and the Epic Age of Flight by Winston Groom

  My dad is a pilot, so when I was growing up, he often told me the stories of great pilots - like these and others.  Rickenbacker was a particular favorite of mine - America's Ace of Aces from the 94th Hat in the Ring squadron.  This book had a lot of details that weren't in my dad's stories though.  Fascinating details

Here's just few - Rickenbacker was told by the Army that he was too old to fly, so he had to work around.  He started as a race car driver but eventually became interested in flying.  He  survived being shot down in a B-17 for 24 days at sea with 6 other men.   He went on to become the founder of Eastern airlines.

Jimmy Doolittle was one crazy Mick.   Who else would agree to a one way trip to bomb mainland Japan - taking off in a bomber from the decks of a Naval ship?  He also went to MIT and went on to receive the first PhD in Aeronautics from the school.   His work as a test pilot helped improve instrumentation on planes and solve many problems facing pilots in the early days of flying - like fog and storms.   

I don't think anything really needs to be added about Charles Lindburgh and he's my least favorite of the trio, for whatever reason.  But there is so much interesting information about him, too for those who are interested in learning more about his story and the many ways he contributed to flying.

This is a nonfiction that reads like a page turner.  I loved it.  Every minute was fascinating!  5 out of 5 stars.

Mask by Andrea Fink

    I found this one on kindle unlimited for free.  Emily was busy leading a quiet life when a strange man shows up at her home with a young woman who appears unconscious.  He pushes his way into her apartment, tells her the young woman is her sister and that she's been cursed and only Emily can help. 

Further, both this man and Emily's sister live in another world where magic is very real and both Emily and her twin are part human, part demon and therefor have magic.  Apparently, her sisters gifts are somewhat limited by Emily's are not.  She was exiled as a baby to the human world with her mother because she was the second born and her father didn't want her to be a danger to her sister.

So Emily is thrust into unfamiliar circumstances forced to pretend to be someone she's not.  She faces a lot of challenges along the way, not the least of which is her attraction for a vampire named Wit, who is NOT her sister's fiance.

This is part of a series.  It was engaging, not sure how I feel about continuing.  I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. 

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia

     I mean, look at this cover!  I had to read it.  It's so lush my curiosity was immediately peaked.  This is the story of Noemi, a young socialite who receives a frantic letter from her newly married cousin that things are very wrong and she must come rescue her.

This had a Bram Stocker's Dracula meets Daphne DeMaurier's Rebecca kind of feel to it to me.  And yet, the story was remarkably unique.   Noemi makes her way to the far away manor of High Point to ascertain for herself what is going on with her cousin.  She finds a nearly abandoned manner - almost like that which Ms. Havisham lives in within the pages of Great Expectations.  There is definitely a mystery that Noemi will need to unravel.  Will she be able to rescue her cousin and herself?  Gotta say,  I just thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Even though it is branded as horror - I wouldn't say that is really accurate.  I don't like horror, but gave this one a try anyway because I enjoy the author's writing.  She also wrote Gods of Jade and Shadow.   I would say it's more suspenseful with some aspects of horror mixed it.  I gave it four stars.  I look forward to reading more from this author. 

Atomic Love by Jennie Fields

    I chose this one for my book of the month.  Seriously, if you are an avid reader and don't do book of the month, you really should.  It's 14.99 for one book - hardcover.  Sometimes they even do pre-releases so that's very exciting.  All add on hardcovers are 9.99.  The best thing about it is you choose your book.  Don't like that month's offerings?  That's ok.  Skip a month and keep your credit. 

At any rate, this was my book of the month choice and I loved everything about it.  From the cover, to the story, the character development, the plot twists.... everything.  

Rosalind was a female scientist working with Dr. Fermi on the Manhatten Project.  She became romantically involved with an associate on the project who turned out to be a married man.  It nearly destroyed her.  Now, after she has finally gotten over Weaver and starting to move on with her life, she is approached by the FBI.  They think that Weaver will be back in touch and that he may have something to confess.  

I love a good spy novel and a strong female lead.  This book had both.  Parts of it may have been a little convenient, but it still works.   I gave it 5 out of 5 stars for being an original story that was very enjoyable to read. 

Rewire Your Brain by Daniel Robert

    I found this book on Kindle unlimited and, as I have been dealing with anxiety a lot recently,  I thought I'd give it a try.  There was so much interesting information in this book, I was really surprised.  I learned so much about the brain's biological flight and fight response and how anxiety is part of that.

For example, did you know that when you are having an anxiety attack, your temperature will actually increase and may even show a slight fever?  Yeah because the hormones get your heart pumping and your blood moving and that can actually elevate your temperature. I can run anywhere from 97.8 to 99.2 on any given day.  This book wasn't as much about controlling your anxiety as it was recognizing it, the causes, and then some techniques you can use to help deal with it. 

It started me on the path of discovery and looking for natural ways to deal with my anxiety.  Medicine is not for me ( I've tried).  Now, I am looking into journaling, 2dialectic behavior therapy, nature remedies like sage tea and I even ditched the caffeine.  I'm happy to report that I am starting to see some improvement. 

This book had great information but it was poorly edited.  Probably self published.  Without those glaring errors that I came across while reading, i would have ranked it higher.  As it is, only a 3 out of 5 because the errors were distracting.  Still if you suffer from anxiety, this is a good place to start.  

Midnight sun by Stephanie Meyer

     Ok I can't believe I got sucked into this again.  They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  Well, this fits.  I really didn't like Twilight.  Yes,  I read them.  All of them.  I hated Bella Swann and personally believe that she is the poster child for codependency.  Still,  I was talking to a friend who loved the series and I thought, maybe it will be different from Edward's perspective. 

It was and it wasn't.  So I didn't hate Bella as much as I did the first time around.  In fact, I found her relatable and almost endearing. This time Edward was the annoying, whiny one.  Maybe it has to do with being the character that Stephanie Meyer chooses to move the story.  At any rate.   I still loved Alice and Carlisle and Jasper.  Rosalie, Jessica and Mike?  Still annoying as shit.  Charlie barely mattered and Bellas mom was relegated to being an irresponsible, selfish parent.  In fact, Bella is often portrayed as the mature one.  

The best thing about the book is the same thing that was the best thing about the original series- Jacob Black.   Three stars and it's a gift. 

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

    This is the story of a very posh wedding taking place on a private Irish island.  They say the island is haunted but that doesn't stop the beautiful bride to plan her exclusive wedding to a famous tv personality there.

I loved this book because it has a huge cast of characters.  All of them have something going on- some reason why they don't really want this wedding to happen.  When the book opens you know something has happened but you don't know what or to who.   It goes through all the characters and develops them.

From the bride, groom, wedding planner, plus one, best man, ushers, and more... they all have a motive.  They all have some reason that they might have been willing to commit an act of violence.  This one kept me guessing.  I'm really glad I chose it as my Book of the Month.  Enjoyed it thoroughly.   4 out of 5 stars.