Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

Title: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

Author: Dori Kearns Goodwin

Genre: Non-Fiction

Summary: Acclaimed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin illuminates Lincoln's political genius in this highly original work, as the one-term congressman and prairie lawyer rises from obscurity to prevail over three gifted rivals of national reputation to become president.

This brilliant multiple biography is centered on Lincoln's mastery of men and how it shaped the most significant presidency in the nation's history.

Rating: Five-Stars!

Why I Like It:

This was a captivating book. It's not told like a monotonous history book but instead told like a story. The author did fabulous research to give so many points of views. I learned so so much! I wish this was how we all learned history.  There were so many times when Lincoln could have chosen to stick it to some one, give a snappy come back or point out someone's faults, but he so often chose love and respect.  Lincoln saw the value and benefits that his rivals brought to the table, and chose to add them to his administration.  I can already say that this will be one of my favorite reads of the year!  It will be hard to top this one.

Other: I did listen to the audio version of this book.
Reviewer: Avery

Craig & Fred

Title: Craig & Fred
Author: Craig Grossi
Genre: autobiography
Summary: (Goodreads) The uplifting and unforgettable true story of a US Marine, the stray dog he met on an Afghan battlefield, and how they saved each other and now travel America together, "spreading the message of stubborn positivity."

In 2010, Sergeant Craig Grossi was doing intelligence work for Marine RECON—the most elite fighters in the Corps—in a remote part of Afghanistan. While on patrol, he spotted a young dog "with a big goofy head and little legs" who didn’t seem vicious or run in a pack like most strays they’d encountered. After eating a piece of beef jerky Craig offered—against military regulations—the dog began to follow him. "Looks like you made a friend," another Marine yelled. Grossi heard, "Looks like a 'Fred.'" The name stuck, and a beautiful, life-changing friendship was forged.

Fred not only stole Craig’s heart; he won over the RECON fighters, who helped Craig smuggle the dog into heavily fortified Camp Leatherneck in a duffel bag—risking jail and Fred’s life. With the help of a crew of DHL workers, a sympathetic vet, and a military dog handler, Fred eventually made it to Craig’s family in Virginia.

Months later, when Craig returned to the U.S., it was Fred’s turn to save the wounded Marine from Post-Traumatic Stress. Today, Craig and Fred are touching lives nationwide, from a swampy campground in a Louisiana State Park to the streets of Portland, Oregon, and everywhere in between.

A poignant and inspiring tale of hope, resilience, and optimism, with a timeless message at its heart—"it is not what happens to us that matters, but how we respond to it"—Craig & Fred is a shining example of the power of love to transform our hearts and our lives.

Rating: Excellent!

Why I Like It: Audio, read by the author who did a fantastic job! Well written, interesting and easy to follow. Many good lessons in it!

Other: Avery recommended this book on Goodreads. Thank you Avery!

Reviewer: Patsy

The Nightengale

Title: The Nightingale
Author: Kristin Hannah
Genre: historical fiction

Summary: From Amazon: With courage, grace, and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of World War II and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women's war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France―a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.
 
Rating: Great
Why I Like It:  It's hard to say I 'liked' this book about the Nazi occupation of France. I liked the characters...the sisters and their family, and the integrity they had in the face of unimaginable hardship. It will be interesting to see the movie when it comes out.
 
Other: audiobook
Reviewer: Avery

Belgravia

Title: Belgravia
Author: Julian Fellowes
Genre: historical fiction
 

Summary: Julian Fellowes's Belgravia is the story of a secret. A secret that unravels behind the porticoed doors of London's grandest postcode.
Set in the 1840s when the upper echelons of society began to rub shoulders with the emerging industrial nouveau riche, Belgravia is peopled by a rich cast of characters. But the story begins on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
 

Rating: Wonderful

Why I Like It: I really liked this book! It's from the author of Downton Abbey tv show. Now, I haven't read Downton Abbey and only watched one season of it, so I didn't have that much influence into this wonderful story, but I can see how they are similar (families vs their servants of great houses). What I enjoyed about this book is that we the reader knew the entire story and got to watch it unfold with the characters AND it has a pleasant ending, which I didn't necessarily think would happen as I was listening.
 

Other: audio
Reviewer: Avery

The Big Stone Gap (#1), Big Cherry Holler (#2), Milk Glass Moon (#3), Return to Big Stone Gap (#4)

Title: The Big Stone Gap (#1), Big Cherry Holler (#2), Milk Glass Moon (#3), Return to Big Stone Gap (#4)
Author: Adriana Trigiani
Genre:  fiction
Summary: Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the tiny town of Big Stone Gap is home to some of the most charming eccentrics in the state. Ave Maria Mulligan is the town's self-proclaimed spinster, a thirty-five year old pharmacist with a "mountain girl's body and a flat behind." She lives an amiable life with good friends and lots of hobbies until the fateful day in 1978 when she suddenly discovers that she's not who she always thought she was. Before she can blink, Ave's fielding marriage proposals, fighting off greedy family members, organizing a celebration for visiting celebrities, and planning the trip of a lifetime-a trip that could change her view of the world and her own place in it forever.
Rating: Great
Why I Like It:  I love the audio-book recording that the author did herself!  She grew up in Big Stone Gap, and her voice and accent gives local flavor and dialect.  This is such a unique and sweet story, with very exciting characters!
Other: I haven't read the 4th book yet.
Reviewer: Avery

The Shoemaker's Wife

Title: The Shoemaker's Wife
Author: Adriana Trigiani
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary: From Barnes and Noble:
The fateful first meeting of Enza and Ciro takes place amid the haunting majesty of the Italian Alps at the turn of the last century. Still teenagers, they are separated when Ciro is banished from his village and sent to hide in New York's Little Italy, apprenticed to a shoemaker, leaving a bereft Enza behind. But when her own family faces disaster, she, too, is forced to emigrate to America. Though destiny will reunite the star-crossed lovers, it will, just as abruptly, separate them once again—sending Ciro off to serve in World War I, while Enza is drawn into the glamorous world of the opera . . . and into the life of the international singing sensation Enrico Caruso. Still, Enza and Ciro have been touched by fate—and, ultimately, the power of their love will change their lives forever.

A riveting historical epic of love and family, war and loss, risk and destiny, inspired by the author's own family history, The Shoemaker's Wife is the novel Adriana Trigiani was born to write.

Rating: Amazing
Why I Like It:  I enjoyed this book so much! The story was so raw and real with lots of rich details in the story-telling.  Listening to the audio book really put me in the culture. I would definitely recommend this book!
Other: Audiobook
Reviewer: Avery

Minding Frankie

Title: Minding Frankie
Author: Maeve Binchy  
Genre: Fiction

Summary: When Noel learns that his terminally ill former flame is pregnant with his child, he reluctantly agrees to take care of the baby girl. Along with the help of a caring network of friends, family and neighbors—including Lisa, his broken hearted classmate, and Emily, his American cousin—Noel adapts to his new responsibilities. But when a nosy social worker decides to get involved, she threatens to ruin their unconventional but special arrangement. It will be up to Noel to persuade her that everyone in the neighborhood has something to offer when it comes to minding Frankie.

Rating: Good

Why I Like It:  I liked this author's storytelling so much! There was never anything that was super high drama or a big peak to the story, but it kept me reading.  I like how the community helps Noel, the single dad, raise his baby.

Other: Audio book
Reviewer: Avery

Shades of Milk and Honey (Glamourist Histories, #1)

Title: Shades of Milk and Honey (Glamourist Histories, #1)
Author: Mary Robinette Kowal
Genre: mystery, romance, historical fiction
Summary: from Goodreads: Shades of Milk and Honey is an intimate portrait of Jane Ellsworth, a woman ahead of her time in a version of Regency England where the manipulation of glamor is considered an essential skill for a lady of quality.  But despite the prevalence of magic in everyday life, other aspects of Dorchester's society are not that different: Jane and her sister Melody's lives still revolve around vying for the attentions of eligible men.  Jane resists this fate, and rightly so: while her skill with glamor is remarkable, it is her sister who is fair of face, and therefore wins the lion's share of attention.  At the ripe old age of twenty-eight, Jane has resigned herself to being invisible forever.  But when her family's honor is threatened, she finds that she must push her skills to the limit in order to set things right - and, in the process, accidentally wanders into a love story of her own.
Rating: pretty good (the following books in the series are excellent!)
Why I Like It: Davey actually recommended this series to me!  This first book is pretty much Pride and Prejudice story with a little magic.  And when I say magic, it's not what you think.  It's an imaginary skill of weaving pieces of "matter" to make beautiful things - something the author made up.  There is lots of adventure and mystery in these stories - not just a romantic tale!  I really like Jane and Vincent's relationship because they are witty, truthful, and constantly aware of each others needs.
Other: I listened to all of the books on audiobook and the narrator does a phenomenal job!
Reviewer: Avery