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The spooky season called for a few mysteries to be read. From tragic accidents to historical moments, everything I read during October was about going through hardships and, learning from them. Truths are revealed, while grief changes us. Here is everything I read in October.
It’s a beautiful August day in 1978. Mira is at the golf course where she spends the majority of her time. A golf protégée, she is set to, hopefully, join the women’s PGA one day. While warming up to hit the links, one of Mira’s long drives turns into a terrible accident. Hitting Kenny Foster, a cabby, in the head, pronouncing him dead at the scene. At first everyone agrees it was an accident. But as time goes on, who really is to blame for Kenny’s tragic death? The community turns on Mira and her family. Mira finds comfort in all the wrong places as the future she was so sure of is taken away from her.
4 Stars
Review
I did enjoy this book, however, it wasn’t one where I just had to flip to the next page to know what happens. Throughout it I was waiting for something more malicious to be revealed, however, it’s more about how this situation affected Mira. How it changed the course of her life, herself, and her relationships. It was very interesting to see Mira progress, or lack there of, through it all. I could have done without the extra drama added to the story with the older men, but it paints a negative picture of Mira. Causing the reader to almost mistrust her as well, or perhaps not fully root for her. Throughout the story I felt the emotions of everyone; the author does a great job taking us through the sadness and grief. Overall I enjoyed the book, but felt some parts were unnecessary.
4 Stars
The morning of August 1975 Louise, a camp counselor at Camp Emerson, finds one of her campers is missing from the bunk bed. This isn’t any ordinary camper, this is Barbara Van Laar. The daughter of the family who owns the camp and the land. As investigators and townspeople search for the missing 13 year old, the past has been dredged up. See, this isn’t the first Van Laar child to have disappeared. Barbara’s older brother went missing 14 years earlier around the same exact time. As we follow individual accounts of the summer, and of the past, truths come out.
5 Stars
Review
I loved this book! There was a lot going on, but I knew it would all make sense in the end. And it does! I love how we got the point of view of a few different characters, recounting the summer as well as the past when Bear went missing. I was hooked from the beginning, trying to solve both disappearances. It’s a page turner for sure! Another reason I was so enthralled by the book is because I was once a summer camp counselor during college; and also attended the camp growing up. The story being set at a summer camp, one of the characters being a counselor, it felt close to home. While I never went through, thank God, what Louise went through. I understand the panic. But it also brought me a lot of nostalgic feelings of camp songs, bonfires, sleeping in cabins, generational camp ghost stories, etc. Anyway, this was a great mystery book and I am SO happy they are turning it into an 8-episode series on Netflix.
What better way to understand the life of Princess Diana than through her brother’s words. This is really the first time Charles has fully discussed Diana as a child, as a Royal, and the tragic accident. So much was revealed in this biography, not only of Diana but the Royal family themselves. Some shocking revelations of what was said and what was done will have your jaw on the floor. There is also a lot about the dynamics and drama of the Spencer family. Things I have never heard about; their parents divorce, the vehement dislike of their stepmother Raine, and the sibling squabbles. While I did find some of the family history, and the royal family history, to be a bit boring, I enjoyed learning about Diana as a child. This book is a whirlwind of emotion.
4.5 Stars
I gifted my dad this book for Christmas last year. He really enjoyed it and it piqued my interest. I figured since it is currently college football season, no better time to read about the historic CFP run than now. What I really enjoyed about this book was getting to know the lives behind the jersey. With telling Ryan Day’s history, as well as a few players, it helped shape a deeper insight into the season. I was very drawn to personal journeys. Intrigued by the seniors decision to come back. Captivated by the behind the scenes; especially the infamous conversation between Day and the players. The only parts of the book I didn’t like were of stats, and the retelling of a few plays (besides the thrilling scoop and Sawyer). I like football, but I couldn’t care less about stats. If you are a fan of Ohio State, or just love college football in general, then I highly suggest this!
5 Stars