Good Reads & Views

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Fiction

What it’s about: It's about a young woman who is hired as a personal assistant to a commanding fashion magazine editor, a job that becomes frightening as she struggles to keep up with her boss's strenuous schedule and belittling demands.

Why you might like it: If you like fashion and learning about what happens in the fashion world, and what some people will go through for the sake of fashion, then you need to read this book.

You might also like: The Assistants by Camille Perri

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Firestarter by Stephen King
Fiction

What it’s about: Firestarter begins with a man and his young daughter on the run from unrelenting hunters. Andy McGee and his daughter Charlene, "Charlie," have powers that a government agency known as The Shop wants to use for its own. With his mind Andy can physically thrust other people’s bodies and control their minds. Charlie has a number of powers but the most dominant one is generating intense heat with her mind, heat extreme enough to set anything on fire. Time and time again, The Shop agents show themselves to be as reprehensible as they are determined and have already killed Charlie's mother.

Is it for you? If you love suspense and character driven plots, then you should read this book.

You might also like: Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay

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Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory
Fiction

What it’s about: This is an entertaining work of historical fiction. The story is conveyed from the view of Margaret Tudor, the older sister of King Henry VIII. It includes Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII, and Mary Tudor, his younger sister, but Margaret Tudor is at the heart of this story.

Why you might like it: I love books written by this author, especially the ones that have to do with the Tudor family and that time period. I’ve investigated Gregory’s method of research which affords me to trust that when she needs to fill in the gaps, it’s safe to assume accuracy which allows me to feel as if I’m there experiencing it.

You might also like: The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory

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I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t) by Brené Brown
Nonfiction

What it’s about: In her book, Brené looks at the difference between shame and guilt, searches for the triggers to these feelings, and how to identify and triumph over these strong emotions. She delves deep to get to the core of what activates fear and shame and answers why we feel certain occurrences more strongly than others.

Is it for you? I really appreciated the layout and the structure of this book. It felt thoroughly researched offering many examples, cited sources, and other recommended reading. I highly recommend reading this book.

You might also like: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

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Codename Villanelle: Killing Eve Series, Book 1 by Luke Jennings
Fiction

What it’s about: This book takes you on an extraordinary journey around the world to the finest places, as if you are really there. It's exciting to imagine being a chic fashionable assassin like Villanelle, until Eve brings you back to reality with her persuasive opinions for pursuing Villanelle with a righteous vengeance. As the storyline unfolds and Eve gets closer to discovering who is and who isn't in the "12," the story becomes a mystery that you can’t decipher half-way through. Highly recommended.

Is it for you? It's a fun book, well written by an experienced author who knows how to create a captivating story.

You might also like: No Tomorrow: Killing Eve Series, Book 2 by Luke Jennings

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The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Fiction

What it’s about: There are so many brutal practices that have become the norm in this tale, shocking and unimaginable events that would be horrific to be forced to experience. We see all of it from Offred's perspective - the horrors, the injustices, and the small triumphs that mean everything to her. Her victories are things we experience many times every day and think nothing of the fact that we have these freedoms.

Is it for you? I found myself thinking about the book often. It is a story that is very difficult to keep out of your head. If you like when a book has that effect on you, then you will want to read this book.

You might also like: Vox by Christina Dalcher

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Today Matters by John C. Maxwell
Nonfiction

What it’s about: John Maxwells’ Today Matters is a power packed book on why today matters and how to live better today so that tomorrow will be better than yesterday. This book has plenty of reading potential to pick it up again and again.

Is it for you? Any person who is looking to grow in any area of life will be challenged, inspired, and stirred up to make some “today changes”.

You might also like: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

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The Power of Noticing by Max Bazerman
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Bazerman's book reads like a novel and examines how mistakes are made when we fail to investigate the details, notice trends, identify our blind spots, and more.

Why you might like it: He examines in detail several business disasters that could have been averted and offers counsel so we can learn how to examine our own work, actions, the significance of delegation, and how to reduce error margins.

You might also like: Dare to Lead by Brene Brown.

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The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory
Fiction

What it’s about: This is a very engaging novel focusing on Hannah Verde/Green. She is a young (secretly) Jewish girl who had just escaped the Spanish inquisition to England with her father, who is a bookseller. In an unusual twist, her father, to protect her, disguises her as a boy. The author makes it clear how difficult it was to be Jewish in Tudor England.

Why you might like it: It's a view from someone who must hide in full view; completely unfamiliar to the courtly lifestyle, who must figure out which alliances to cling to, and which secrets to keep all to save her life as she becomes increasingly part of this new world.

You might also like: The next book in this series, The Virgin’s Lover by Philippa Gregory.

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The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory
Fiction

What it’s about: In this book Gregory’s focus is on Kateryn Parr, Henry VIII’s last queen who, by the age of 30, was twice widowed. Kateryn is then offered the toxic charge of becoming Henry’s next wife. Like any woman Henry wanted, she didn’t have a choice but to accept. She survives a terrifying abusive marriage, raises 2 stepdaughters (hugely ignored because they came from a previous marriage), while living in a royal court, all while determined to study and fulfill her thirst for knowledge. She became the first woman to publish a book in England.

Why you might like it: If you like historical fiction, then Philippa Gregory is the author for you! I love her "Tudor" series for its characterizations and views into what a royal court and lifestyle was like.

You might also like: The next book in this series, The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory.

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