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andiesmith's reviews
2022 reviews
The Socialites by Caroline Lamond
4.0
The Socialites is about three girls in a very strict convent school in the outskirts of London. These three girls share their teenage years, and the story follows them through adulthood. These three girls, become the women we know as Hollywood legends: Maureen O'Sullivan, Vivian Leigh, and Sonia Orwell. Caroline Lamond fantastic writing brought these women to life and left me research more about their stories!
Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter!
Native American Warriors by Martin J Dougherty
4.5
Native American Warriors looks at many nations/tribes fighting techniques different ways of life, weaponry, equipment, armor and who they fought with. Sometimes were settlers, and sometimes with other tribes. The book’s format is set geographically across the country, east to west. It has a load of information for not being very long.
As someone living in Texas, I was glad to see the author inform the reader that the legendary Texas Rangers were formed to fight the Comanche. I was so happy to see the images of the beautiful craftsmanship of the Tlingit people.
There is a stunning tintype of Chief Joseph (Nez Perce) in the book too.
Land acknowledgement: I am living on Tonkawa, and Comanche land.
Thank you, Amber Books, and NetGalley! #NativeAmericanWarriors #NetGalley.
The Last Tsar: The Abdication of Nicholas II and the Fall of the Romanovs by Tsuyoshi Hasegawa
4.0
We have long established the only house I’m interested in is the Romanovs. So, a biography by Tsuyoshi Hasegawa about Nicholas II, I put it on my “must read” list. Hasegawa is clear in his writing that he does not hold Nicholas II in high regard (rightfully so). After decades of researching and writing about Russia/Soviet history he brought us new research about the Tsar, his family, and the people he had surrounded himself with. Too many times I found myself shaking my head and saying “dude, don’t do that” and even more so wanting to shake Alexandra. Anyone who is intrigued by the Romanovs or the time period will enjoy this read. Be prepared to highlight and make notes!
Thank you, Basic Books, and NetGalley. #TheLastTsar #NetGalley
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
5.0
In1936 anthropology student Charlotte Cross is offered a spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt. Fast forward to 1978, she is living a very quiet life as associate curator of the Met’s Department of Egyptian Art when her past life finds her, and she jets back to Egypt for the first time since the 1930’s. She also believes she is cursed, or an artifact she found is, whatever it is, she is scared to go back to Egypt.
Fiona Davis always tells us a fantastic historical story that is full of emotions, action and intrigue. the Stolen Queen was a great read.
The Stolen Queen isn’t just about finding a lost artifact, but lost family, and self.
Thank you, Dutton, and NetGalley. #TheStolenQueen #NetGalley
The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy—and Why It Failed by Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch
5.0
It’s not every day I learn a new conspiracy to kill Kennedy. I’m not surprised it was Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch that wrote about it! I love when these two team up. The audio book gets an added bonus of Scott Brick narrating (one of my favorite narrators) .
But did you know that there was a plot to kill Kennedy before he even took office? I didn’t either! This book follows the would-be assassin, and the Kennedy’s during the time between the election and JFK taking office, then it jumps to the fateful day in Dallas. Very well researched often seen through the eyes of former U.S. Secret Service agent Clint Hill.
Thank you, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley #NetGalley
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
5.0
Just stop reading this, and go order this book, then come back for the review. I was nervous about reading “Good Dirt” because “Black Cake” was so good I read it twice in a month and I rarely reread a book. Charmaine Wilkerson did not disappoint me. Wow “Good Dirt” left me speechless; I had to wait a full day before writing this review.
Good Dirt is a tapestry of generational stories and trauma and how they have had a profound on the main character, Ebby Freeman’s life. When she was 10 years old, she saw her brother shot and killed, when she was grown, she was left at the altar. This forces her to face the tragic past of herself and her family’s.
Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley #GoodDirt #NetGalley
We Three Queens by Rhys Bowen
5.0
New mother Lady Georgiana "Georgie" Rannoch has more than a full house. Wallis Simpson, her brother’s family, Sir Hubert, and a film crew! All of the company is busy and stressful, then one of the movie stars is murdered and Georgie needs to solve the case.
I enjoy the series, it’s a comfort listen, and I look forward to the next book!