They Fight Like Soldiers

I received this book as a Valentine’s Day gift from KK. I know it doesn’t seem like the most romantic pick, and you’re probably right, but ever since I read Shake Hands With the Devil, this book has been on my reading list.

The Devil in the White City

I had just finished In the Garden of Beasts, also by Erik Larson, and went on a hunt for another novel of his. I stumbled across The Devil in the White City, and was not disappointed. 

Barbara Bush

I received this book from KK’s Grandad. When Kk and I started dating his Nana got really sick and passed. I, unfortunately, never had the chance to meet this amazing woman who impacted his family in so many ways. We were visiting Grandad one night and he pulled out this book for me to read. He said that Nana had started it, but wasn’t able to get past the first few pages due to her dimensia. I’m just bummed that he cut out the inscription he wrote to her on the inside cover!

Darwin’s Dangerous Idea

I found this book walking through a random garage sale around 6 years ago. I picked it up thinking it would provide valuable insight into the theory of Darwinism. I was right, but boy was it a challenging read! 

The Half-Mad Lord

I purchased The Half Mad Lord off of Amazon after it was referenced in a book I had just finished called Madness, Betrayal, and the Lash. Boy, I’m glad I did!

Churchill

I picked up Churchill: Taken from the Diaries of Lord Moran at Books Between Friends. I had just read Paris 1919, and although he didn’t have a huge role in the Treaty of Versailles, it did paint him in an extremely charismatic and influential light. It also laid the foundation leading up to the start of his reign as Prime Minister. I was intrigued to read more about Churchill through the eyes of someone closest to him as his writings on himself are typically quite egocentric.

London: The Biography

I was given this book by someone who found it left behind on a plane. It is a brick. This book is massive, but I LOVE English history, so I figured I’d invest. I’m glad I did, because it just made me fall even more in love with London.

Ballad of the Whiskey Robber

I had a beautiful afternoon to myself a few weeks ago and decided to hit up Books Between Friends. I found this one in the current events section. The title popped out at me, and then I read the tag line, “A true story of bank heists, ice hockey, Transylvanian pelt smuggling, moonlighting detectives, and broken hearts”. How could I not pick this book up?! 

My Life

This book is another I had acquired through my extensive reading list from my friend who has me read everything first. A biography about Fidel Castro would not necessarily be at the top of her list; however, I was pumped to read more about someone who keeps his personal life so close to his chest. 

The Big Short

I received The Big Short the same time I received Madness, Betrayal and the Lash. I had seen the movie prior to reading this book, and after seeing it, was recommended to read the book as it goes into so much more detail regarding the financial structure of the subprime mortgage markets. Sounds riveting, right? Well, turns out, it is!