Happy New Year, friends!
Whether or not you ponder, make, or keep resolutions there is still something about beginning a new calendar year, isn’t there?
Let’s turn the page to 2020!!
And speaking of pages, did you know that I read and review books all the time?! Peanut butter and jelly, books and Jena! What dazzles me is how many different topics, plots, and characters there are waving to us from the book shelves!
Wishing all writers a very Happy New Year, and here are FIVE books you readers, avid or not, will enjoy this January! Stay Golden!
Fancy a Roadtrip this Year?
JENA’S REVIEW
After Ike: On the Trail of the Century – Old Journey that Changed America by Michael S Owen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I know some of you don’t care for non-fiction. But how about a vivid book that shows you what it was like to drive across America 100 years ago and what it would be like to do it today? Happy trails do await you with this book, subtitled “On the trail of the century-old journey that changed America.”
Near the White House is an obelisk that marks the starting point of the first transcontinental Convoy over the Lincoln Highway, July 7, 1919. Eight-one military vehicles left to drive more than 3,200 miles to San Francisco. The main purpose was to assess the feasibility of rapid cross-country transport. Another reason was to promote the new program of “Good Roads”. Now that motor vehicles were becoming a way of life, better roads were needed. The Convoy became huge national news. The Convey changed America!
Really- it was a big deal! And Author Owens brings it all to life for us. In addition to researching the events of the Convoy, he actually drove United States Highway 30 (the modern Lincoln Highway) from Washington to San Francisco. In his charming and folksy way, he shares the day-to-day news of the Convoy mixed with his own experiences on the road, 100 years later.
“The Convoy was the Apollo moon landing of 1919.” Now, here’s a fact that will fascinate you- the moon landing happened exactly 50 years after the Convoy. What a leap for Mankind!
The Convoy was big news. Every town or city along the route planned festivities to celebrate and give the soldiers a good meal and entertainment. The author describes the chicken dinners and speeches and also shares current local events.
In addition to changing America, did the trip across America change one young soldier? It well may have. Serving with the Convoy, was a young officer, Ike Eisenhower. Did his dusty and slow trip with the Convoy show him more about the America that he would serve for most of his life?
He would rise to become a five-star general in the Army and serve as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War II. He would also be elected President of the United States and as President, he would oversee the development of our modern interstate highway system. But during the Convoy’s trip, he was a joker and prankster.
According to the Statistical Officer of the Convoy, the Convoy drove 3,251 miles in 62 days, or 58.1 miles per day. More than half of the mileage was over dirt roads, wheel paths, mountain trails, and alkali flats.
Each chapter of the book covers one state of the trip, from Pennsylvania to Ohio (where I live, 30 miles from the Lincoln Highway) and other mid-western states to Iowa and Nebraska, then the western states, and finally to Nevada and California. The author gives us a true feeling of each town he passes through, sharing the little cafes and bars, the museums and tourist sites. Americana- “You know you’re in a small town when you hear a dog barking and know whose it is.”
I enjoyed reading about events that were made possible by the automobile, such as a 300-mile garage sale, drive-in movie theatres and eateries, bank robbers and get-away-cars, billboards, and bumper stickers. The book is a pleasure to read.
So, why not be a Slow Traveler? Check out the Lincoln Highway Association website. Skip the interstates and try the backroads and have fun discovering America! How else will you get to see the Barbed Wire Capital of the World, or the Wall Paper Capital of the World? And you wouldn’t want to miss the World’s Largest Frying Pan, or CarHenge. But most of all, don’t miss reading this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dog Ear Publishing for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.
I’ve Been Considering Production a Podcast this Year! What about you?
JENA’S REVIEW
Game Changer: A Parkwood Mystery by Jennifer Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cozy mysteries are a popular genre. If you are not convinced of that, then this is the book that will win your heart. The Game Changer is the first in a new series. Good thing, because this book ended far too soon. The characters in this book are delightful, the town of Parkwood is delightful, and the writing is…delightful!
Parkwood is a small, but proud town and football is a big deal, especially when there’s a homecoming game and Parkwood is playing it’s biggest rival. When the visiting coach dies in the parking lot, the book blurb says, “the whole town is on edge.” But, really, none of the townsfolk are bothered at all. They are much more focused on the new giblet gravy at the local Hibiscus café or the opening of a second bank branch in town. Even the police chief is convinced there’s been no crime.
Enter Hollis and Daisy. Hollis was an up-and-coming crime reported who moved to Parkwood after breaking up with her boyfriend. She now works for the local paper and her biggest story has been her scintillating article about the new hotdog roller machine at the stadium concession stand. Daisy is her neighbor, the ever-bouncy mother of 4 wild children, who gets nine minutes of free time a day. Hollis and Daisy decide to start a real-life crime and baking podcast, and when they learn of the death of the coach they appoint themselves to solve it.
A handsome police officer tries to keep tabs on them. Hollis’ ex-boyfriend shows up. Hollis’s zany mother and aunt call her all the time. Daisy’s husband is a big kid hiding in a box fort. But Hollis and Daisy keep on with their podcast, baking, crime solving and friendship.
I laughed with and loved the characters. The dialogue and descriptions are hilarious, and there is a good heart to this story. The mystery was fun to unravel. The book ends with Hollis in pursuit of a breaking news story- something about a “hullabaloo”- so I hope that’s going to be the start of book 2 in the series. Thanks to Net Galley and Hallmark Publishing for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review.
To my Women Friends- Why Not Treat Yourself to a Bra Fitting?
JENA’S REVIEW
Full Support: Lessons Learned in the Dressing Room by Natalee Woods
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is author Natalee Wood’s memoir of how she opened herself to learning from her career as a professional bra fitter. She met many unforgettable women and young, rising girls in the dressing rooms of the high-end department store where she worked. Are you intrigued? I know I looked forward to reading about her job and I found this to be a satisfying read.
Ms. Woods was a young woman when she entered the retail world of ladies lingerie. I was impressed at how mature and understanding she was. She found that her job was more than just measuring a women’s band size and cup size. It was about understanding what the girls and women, young and old, were really feeling. As she noted to a customer, “not many women love bra shopping.” But they did love how Natalee treated them- how she really listened to their needs, whether they were worried about their size, too big or too small, or their husbands or their sexuality.
At first, I found some of Natalee’s observations about feminism hard to follow, and her timelines were a bit jerky, but as the book went on, I really did grow to like her caring and openness. Some of the dressing room stories are humorous or roll your eyes situations and some are sad and puzzling. Some women inspired Natalee, and me, as well. Natalee also shares the ups and downs of her own life.
I liked this book and enjoyed getting to know Natalee and her customers. I recommend this book if you like thoughtful memoirs and if you want to to learn more about French lingerie! Thanks to Net Galley and Amberjack Publishing for a digital review copy copy. This is is my honest review.
Lets Gain Some Insight- it’s 2020- into Gen X Women!(Really let’s consider all women!)
JENA’S REVIEW
Why We Can’t Sleep: Women’s New Midlife Crisis by Ada Calhoun
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Have you seen that meme? The one about your brain at 3 am waking you to review every dumb and cringe-worthy thing you have done lately? Then this is the book for you, especially if you are part of Generation X.
In her fascinating end notes, the author tells us that there is a range of years that can be called Generation X. One range is 1965-1984, from the movie Dr. Zhivago to the movie Ghostbusters. Another range is 1965-1980. Whichever range you pick, if you are a Gen X-er, this is the book for you. You may be single, married or considering divorce; you may want or not want children and you may be caught up in the busy childhood years; do you have parents who need help, too? And what about your health- do you exercise, diet, meditate? Are you in peri-menopause or menopause? No wonder you can’t sleep at night. I advise you to read this book with your friends and discuss it. You will find that author Ada Calhoun is like a friend, as she giveus friendly, comforting, and well-considered facts and advice. She also includes a lengthy and fabulous “Midlife Crisis Mixtape.”
The book consists of research and the author’s interviews with Gen X women, all blended in an interesting and relatable way. The writing is positive and encouraging, even while describing some grim scenes. There is no shrieking or gnashing of teeth, more like bemused reflections. In addition to chapters that consider the challenges of Gen X, the author also presents some solutions. I especially liked her advice to join a club or start a club. I highlighted so many passages in this book.
I loved, loved loved this book and I am in the Baby Boomer Generation- but I remember my middle decades all too well (and so does my brain at 3 am.) I agree with the book- as an older person I AM now happier and yes, Gen X friend, someday you will be me. In the meantime, read this book!
Many thanks to Net Galley and Grove Press for a digital review co-y. This is my honest review.
Need an Exciting Job? Here You Go!
JENA’S REVIEW
The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the FBI, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World’s Most Notorious Terrorists by Tracy Walder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Tracey Walder shares her journey in this engaging personal story. On the surface, she shares her path from California girl, to sorority college woman, to her service with the CIA and FBI. She also goes deeper into her life, and exposes her feelings, dreams, and challenges. At time troubling, but always uplifting, her story will resonate with all readers seeking to learn more about modern global problems.
Tracey majored in history and had developed a passion for current affairs. Near the end of college, she applied for a position with the CIA. She was a new recruit on September 11, 2001 and was plunged into the business of hunting down terrorists and stopping dangerous chemical and poison attacks. Much of her job involved satellite surveillance. She tells of her travels through Europe and the Middle East and the horror that she experienced. Parts of her story are redacted, for security purposes.
Next, Tracey joined the FBI, to continue her desire to make the world and America safer, while remaining closer to home. Unfortunately, dealing with the FBI bureaucracy seemed to be more troubling than handling criminals. This is the second book I have read recently that tells how dedicated women were treated poorly by government offices.
I learned from this factually detailed memoir- about the commitment of Tracey and all the others who work to protect our freedoms, and I recommend it as a thoughtful story for our times.
Thank you Netgalley, authors Tracy Walder and Jessica Anya Blau and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. This is my honest review.
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