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meredithserpa's review against another edition
5.0
What an amazing, inspiring read.
I often don't like 2 timeline stories, but this one was PERFECT. I had never known much about WASP before this book, and I got to learn so much.
I don't even know what else to say about this, it was just perfect in every way. If you're a woman, this book is for you. The writing is phenomenal. Constant references to planes that brought everything together made me so happy.
"They traveled back in time through the turbulence of resentment, grief, and shame. How much more unsettled dust could they blink from their eyes, clean from their nostrils, or hold in their mouths before it turned to mud they had to spit or swallow?"
I often don't like 2 timeline stories, but this one was PERFECT. I had never known much about WASP before this book, and I got to learn so much.
I don't even know what else to say about this, it was just perfect in every way. If you're a woman, this book is for you. The writing is phenomenal. Constant references to planes that brought everything together made me so happy.
"They traveled back in time through the turbulence of resentment, grief, and shame. How much more unsettled dust could they blink from their eyes, clean from their nostrils, or hold in their mouths before it turned to mud they had to spit or swallow?"
mandapanda83's review against another edition
5.0
I loved loved loved this book. It's so well written. I am quite fond of anything related to women in the war, and this one checked all the boxes for me.
books_by_the_bottle's review against another edition
5.0
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward”.
After her children have grown and left home, Kathy Begley returns to the world of nursing. Her husband is recently unemployed and Kathy is trying to find her own way, while dealing with an inappropriate boss. Before long, her mother Peggy falls and needs more care so Kathy moves her into their home. Their relationship is complex and Kathy has always felt that Peggy didn’t always enjoy being a mother to her and her brothers. When Peggy receives an invitation to a ceremony for Women Airforce Service Pilots (known as WASPs), she initially claims it a mistake, but it soon becomes apparent to Kathy that her mother lived a whole other life.
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres (second to thrillers), and I love reading fictitious accounts of real-life events. I had never heard of the WASPs, or women who flew military aircrafts while the men were off at war. Peggy and her co-workers were forces to be reckoned with, yet Peggy kept this part of her life secret and it isn’t until Kathy does some digging that she uncovers the truth. Told in dual timelines, past and present collide as Kathy begins to understand her mother in a whole new light. Heartfelt and powerful, “Eyes Turned Skyward” is a wonderful story about mothers and daughters, and about a time in history that doesn’t get nearly the recognition it deserves.
Thank you to my friend Kristin (@k2reader) and MBC Publishing for the giveaway win! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
After her children have grown and left home, Kathy Begley returns to the world of nursing. Her husband is recently unemployed and Kathy is trying to find her own way, while dealing with an inappropriate boss. Before long, her mother Peggy falls and needs more care so Kathy moves her into their home. Their relationship is complex and Kathy has always felt that Peggy didn’t always enjoy being a mother to her and her brothers. When Peggy receives an invitation to a ceremony for Women Airforce Service Pilots (known as WASPs), she initially claims it a mistake, but it soon becomes apparent to Kathy that her mother lived a whole other life.
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres (second to thrillers), and I love reading fictitious accounts of real-life events. I had never heard of the WASPs, or women who flew military aircrafts while the men were off at war. Peggy and her co-workers were forces to be reckoned with, yet Peggy kept this part of her life secret and it isn’t until Kathy does some digging that she uncovers the truth. Told in dual timelines, past and present collide as Kathy begins to understand her mother in a whole new light. Heartfelt and powerful, “Eyes Turned Skyward” is a wonderful story about mothers and daughters, and about a time in history that doesn’t get nearly the recognition it deserves.
Thank you to my friend Kristin (@k2reader) and MBC Publishing for the giveaway win! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
elisegmusic's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
jmeighan's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
katewrites's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
readbycarina's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Moderate: War
dabutkus's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the flashbacks of Penny going through the WASP program in 1943. The 2009 portion was hard to read as I thought Kathy was a whiny middle age woman who was in a big pityfest. I was done with Kathy within a fourth of the book. Penny was a hoot, both in the 2009 part and the flashbacks of her early 20s. Though I thought she had toed the line a bit, she demonstrated the grit and determination that generation of women had. Throughly enjoyed the WASP part and wanted more of it.
aj285's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ellebelle1724's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0