Another round up of book reviews. Like always, the genres vary greatly. Lately I’ve been listening to books more than reading because I have more time to do that. I love listening to books while I drive and clean. It even makes folding laundry better! For more of my book reviews click here.
When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
While it is not actually a sequel, this book is in the same world as Next Year in Havana (see book review here). The book starts after the Perez family has fled Cuba and is in Florida. This book follows a different Perez daughter, Beatrice as she grapples with living in a new country and fighting for what she believes in. When given the opportunity to work for the CIA, can she pass it up? While she never planned on getting married sometimes the lure of a man can change your mind. History meets love meets culture shock in this book. Grade: A
Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie
I’m not a die hard royalist but I do really like Meghan Markle. This book is written by 2 reporters that were part of the select group that cover the Royal family and their travels and appearances. It tells the story of Meghan and Harry’s romance and life together. The behind the scenes look helps to explain why they decided to move away and leave their job as royals. While reading, you feel as if you are getting an inside look.
I appreciated how human they seem, I feel many times they are shown as this fairytale couple. Hearing simple stories about how they fell in love and spent time together made me like them even more as a couple. I also loved learning about what being a royal really entails. I hadn’t realized how much time and work it must take. Grade: B
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Book 1 of 2, this book gets an inside view of President Obama’s thoughts, feelings and reasoning through major events in his life. He starts with his childhood and the book ends close to the end of his first term as president. One thing I really enjoyed is seeing the human side to him. Hearing stories of his life told thru his point of view. What I really like was finding out his strategy for making decisions in his presidency. Whether you agreed with his politics or not it was reassuring to understand that he would try to get as much knowledge as he could on a given topic before making any major decisions. Some have said that this book is harder to get thru because there is so much policy. I actually liked that because I felt more informed on the recent history of our country.
I also enjoyed hearing the lighter, personal side of President Obama. Hearing about his childhood and growing up in Hawaii was really interesting. His stories about life with Michelle and his daughters are some of the best moments of the books. He shared how hard it was to balance being the most powerful person in the world and being a good father and husband.
I will be reading the 2nd one as soon as it is published. Grade: A
Majesty – American Royals Part II by Katharine McGee
Majesty is the 2nd book in the American Royals series (see my review on the first here). It starts off right where the other left off. This reimagined version of America with a royal family now has a new monarch. The US has to get used to the idea of a woman as Monarch as Queen Beatrice jumps into her new role. Marriage seems like the next step and pressure from all sides is pushing her to do it. Princess Samantha and Prince Jefferson have their own problems as the world watches all the wedding planning. This was a quick read and seriously a page turner. Grade: A
Killing Reagan by Bill O’Reilly
When I’m in full on history mode, the Killing series always delivers. Many of my book reviews have one of the books from the series in it. This version is a little different in the fact that the assassination on President Reagan didn’t kill him. But it did change him! If you have ever wondered how a Hollywood actor made his way to the white house, this book is for you. I found it fascinating and really enjoyed learning about the politics that brought him into power. It also helped me understand a lot more of the political situation in the 80’s. I’m always willing to read books about leaders and like to learn about their leadership style. Grade: B
I’m Kara, a 30-something living in Oklahoma City. I’ve always had a passion for fashion and beauty and like to make it approachable for everyone!
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