I hope everyone had a pleasant March and an exciting Spring Break. We got tons and tons of rain and snow melt. If you heard about the floods in Nebraska, now you know someone who lives near the action! Thankfully the flooding is subsiding, slowly, but there's still tons of damage and families without homes. We were lucky enough not to be directly affected, but much of our community is suffering. Keep sending us all your good vibes and thoughts, we sure need them!
Moving on. I managed to (barely) read three outstanding books this month. I hope some of you took a book vacation over Spring Break! That was always my favorite thing to do when I got a break from school. My mom, sister, and I would go to the library, stock up on books, and just read. Great memories there. If you read something you think I'd like, let me know! Let's get started.
"Black Klansman"- Ron Stallworth
This book recently got a film adaption, so of course, I needed to read it before viewing the movie! It follows a fascinating segment of Ron Stallworth's career as an undercover detective. Set in Colorado Springs in 1978, things were very different for the average black man. Not only was Ron the first black detective in the history of the Colorado Springs Police Department, he was the first (and only) black man to infiltrate the KKK. Yeah. Crazy, right?!
Though this book didn't have a lot of action or fast-paced thrills, it was historically interesting. Reading that an African American man hacked the KKK? No one is ever going to top this story. As I was reading this, it made me pause and look at how far we've come in the last forty years. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem we've come far enough. A lot of what I read still rings true today and minorities are still fighting the same issues. If you're looking for a high action true crime book, this isn't it. But I think everyone can appreciate it's historical value and Stallworth's amazing feat.
"Four to Score"- Janet Evanovich
This is the fourth book in the Stephanie Plum series. I feel like everyone has read or heard about this series. It was insanely popular when first published, got a single film adaptation, and you can still find these books in every bookstore (thrift or chain) and garage sales. This is one of those series that you can walk away from for years and pick up again with no problem. Case and point, I've had this blog for about three years, and this is the first time I've reviewed her books. So it's been over three years since I read "Three to Get Deadly." It felt like greeting an old friend. Evanovich is funny, spunky, and writes relatable characters that'll keep you flipping the pages.
Stephanie has found herself on the upswing of bounty hunting. She has a car she likes, been getting successful skips, and though her mother still wishes she'd settle down and get married, she's doing just fine. Until Maxine Nowicki, a slippery skip that has a deeper story than merely theft and extortion. As Stephanie tries to unravel the mystery behind her bounty, she gets entangled with cop Joe Morelli, her mentor, Ranger and all the other usual cast we know and love; it becomes clear that Stephanie has her work cut out for her.
If you haven't read this series, I assure you it's something you'll love. It's funny, witty, and easy to read. Book one, "One for the Money" will get you hooked. From there, you'll be scoping all your thrift stores and garage sales this summer for the rest of her collection.
"The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle"- Stuart Turton
This was the book club selection this month and, wow, did it deliver! I don't like period pieces. They're probably the only type of reading I don't enjoy, but this book didn't seem to bother me. Imagine if the game Clue got put into a novel, but you could jump between characters. We follow Aiden Bishop when he wakes up in the woods near Blackheath with no memories and no idea where or who he is. He soon learns he must solve a murder and has eight repeating days within different guests at the party to solve it. Little does he know how high the stakes really are and that he has competition. There's only one way to escape Blackheath, solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle.
This was an amazing who-dun-it novel written by a very talented author. There are just some books you read and wonder how someone's mind can twist around and lay out a story like this. Read it, trust me. You won't be disappointed.
That's what I got through this month, and it's going to take a lot to top this list. I already have some reads picked for April, but if you have any suggestions for me I'm all ears! I love getting recommendations. Check back in April!
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