The Next Always by Nora Roberts

 

Sometimes you just want something fun and easy to read. I also love that this is a first in a series and Nora Roberts can write a good series.

In the town a Boonsboro a transformation is happening. An old historic building is being renovated and made into a bed and breakfast. This keeps the Montgomery brothers quite busy.

Clare has her own kind of busy-three boys and a bookstore to run. Even though everyone is busy and there is much going on in town Clare finds herself wandering over to the renovation and also finds herself getting involved with one of the Montgomery boys.

The book reads with ease and makes you feel a part of the community. It was fun, easy, and left me wanting more. I am looking forward to book number two!

The Radium Girls by Kate Moore

 

Subtitle: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women

I had no idea. I picked this book up thinking it was historical fiction. Nope, it was non-fiction and I could not put it down.

Back in the 1920's in New Jersey a factory open that painted radium on watch faces and airplane instruments. This was a new and exciting thing and girls flocked of all ages to go work there. Radium had been touted as having many health benefits so there was no fear.

When the numbers were painted on the dials it had to be very neat and crisp. It was done by dipping a small paint brush into the radium, putting it in your mouth to make a fine point and then painting the dial. This was done over and over all day. They were paid by the piece so you can only imagine the thousands of times this was done in a day.

Nothing was talked about how unsafe this could be. Women started to have jaw problems, lose their teeth, eventually having other health issues. They were continually told the radium was fine.

What these women went through, how they were lied to, and the suffering they and their families went through is astounding. It took a long time for things to be recognized. Some very strong minded women to took a stand to make the companies responsible . They knew it was too late for them but they wanted to protect others.

Truly an amazing story that I knew nothing about. Why didn't I? Who knows,  but I am thankful I know it now and I hope you may take the time to learn about this too.

Squeeze Me by Carl Hiaasen

 

Whether or not you are a Hiaasen fan, if you were fed up with the last administration and the crazy people that supported it you will love this book. I laughed out loud and shook my head. Hiaasen has such a way with words and this story just pulls you in and makes you wish you had the nerve to do some of the things he came up with. Super fun and well worth reading. I might make you a Hiaasen fan yet!

Things you save in a fire by Katherine Center

 

Image from reallyintothis.com

A nice fun read to escape into. Cassie was excelling in her career as a firefighter in Texas. She was even getting an award, and that is when things fell apart. After those events she had to leave the department or transfer far away. Her mother had been begging her to come to Massachusetts and now it seemed like the time. 

There were a lot of hurts that needed mending, lessons to be learned, and trust to be gained. Very well put together and you felt lime a part of the story. If you want a fun read to finish up the summer, this is a good one.

Where the Sea Breaks Its Back by Corey Ford

 

Subtitle: The Epic Story of Early Naturalist Georg Steller and the Russian Exploration of Alaska

This was a challenging book. It was very informative and it was interesting learning the history of some early exploration. I have never been good with history and for me it was a bit dry at times,

Some things that really grabbed my attention were the struggles of early exploration. We really take for granted modern navigation and engines. So much of the time they were flying blind or using charts that could not be trusted as accurate.

Also, the joy of finding land, new flora and fauna. New discoveries and learning about places that had never been documented was quite exciting. Names of plants and animals that we use all the time had to be discovered and named at some point and through this expedition many things were added to the books of nature.

It was a good book and if you really enjoy history and early exploration this is a must read. As I said, a bit dry at times, but really shows the trials and tribulations of early discoveries and adventure.  

Little Big Year by Richard Wayne MacDonald

 

Subtitle: Chasing Acadia's Birds - What an enjoyable book. All of you know I love birds and bird watching. It can be frustrating, but when you accomplish an identification or learn a bird song it is pretty awesome.

I should say that I know the author and he is very enthusiastic about nature and birds so while I was reading this I could hear him reading it to me. I could feel his excitement and see the joy on his face.

He spent 2018 looking for, following, and chasing birds around Hancock County, Maine. If you don't know what a big year is here is a quick description. Within a calendar year you try to see as many birds as you can. You can pick the area that you want and go from there. In 2018 Terry and I did our big birding trip out west and that was the start of my big year(in the end we identified 278 birds). You could use your state, a park, even your backyard. Whatever gets you out in nature and looking at birds is a win win.

Through his adventures you not only learn about the birds in Hancock County, you learn about nature and ecology and history. This was very well written and even if you are not a "bird nerd" you will enjoy the enthusiasm he shares with his love of the outdoors.

Will's Red Coat by Tom Ryan

 

Subtitle: The Story of Friendship, Faith, and One Old Dog's Choice to Live Again - I am a sucker for a good book about animals. Someday I will have a dog, but for now I live vicariously through others. 

I read Ryan's first book Finding Atticus and not only loved the story, but the writing. Ryan has a really good flow and you get pulled in and really feel a part of the adventure.

Ryan had had Atticus for several years and was always looking to help out other animals. Will came across his radar and it was more of a hospice situation. Will just needed a good place to live out whatever he had left of his life.

It was not an easy transition. Will was old, tired, trusted no one, and was just downright ornery. Ryan learned patience and promised Will he would have the best life he could have while in his home. It was a struggle and there were many set backs, but the steps forward made it all worth it.

Of course in the end it is sad, but you feel better for knowing this story. Feeling the pain and joy and learning that you can go the extra mile. A very feel good kind of thing with many lessons learned along the way. If you love a good animal story you better check this one out.