If I Were You by Lynn Austin

 If I Were You is set in London during the WWII blitz. Eve and Audrey had two very different backgrounds. While Eve and her family had worked at the nearby manor house, Audrey was the privileged daughter. They had become friends but it was during the war years that they really began to rely on each other. When they meet two American GI soldiers in London it opens up new avenues for both of them.

Although well researched, it was obvious that the novel was not written by an English author. For me, the war years stories brought back many memories my family had shared of living in London during the terrible constant bombing of The Blitz. 

I thought the descriptions of WWII London were well written, but I can't say I particularly liked any of the characters. Eve seemed to be an opportunist. Audrey, rather than taking advantage of her upper class status to help others, whined about it constantly. The ending, although nice, was a bit far fetched. Rather than being a Christian novel, that some have complained about, I found that God was thrown in every so often without any substance or reason. 

And, my pet peeve when reading novels about England written by an American author, (please have someone from England edit it) Americanisms scattered throughout were annoying and much of the dialog would not have been said by an English person during that time.

Things You Won't Say by Sarah Pekkanen

 Things you Won't say is the story of a family whose life unravels when, following the injury of his police partner, Mike shoots a young offender. He later finds out the young boy was not a danger. Sarah Pekkanen weaves in numerous relationships including Mike's wife, Jamie, her younger sister Lou and Mike ex-girlfriend. All are trying to decide whether to stick together or distance themselves from everything that is coming unraveled.

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

 

The Frozen River  is inspired by the diary of Martha Ballard, an 18th century midwife who is thought to have delivered nearly 1,000 babies. Her great niece, Clara Barton, founded the Red Cross.

Ariel Lawhon weaves an intriguing story around the diary entries and gives a view of life in the small town of Hallowell.

The story begins in Maine during the winter of 1789 when the Kennebec River froze, entombing a man's body. Later, a woman accuses the dead man and one of the town's most respected gentleman of rape. Martha is soon wrapped up in court trials along with her duties as a local midwife. Her diary becomes instrumental in showing local events and timelines.

Hallowell, Maine History

 

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

 I remember seeing the movie A Tree Grows in Brooklyn as a child. The book, as often is the case, is by far a more amazing story. Betty Smith's descriptions enlighten all the senses and Francie Nolan delights with her view of Brooklyn beginning in 1912. She also shows the women in the immigrant families as the ones who hold everything together, work hard, and provide for their families. Despite the poverty and struggles, Francie finds so much to be grateful for and although her father is not very reliable, he is a dreamer who finds a way for Francie to go to a better school and delights his children with his singing and his stories. 

"They lived mostly on things made from stale bread, and condensed milk and coffee, onion, potatoes, and always the penny's worth of something bought at the last minute, added for fillip. Once in a while, they had a banana. But Francie always longed for oranges and pineapple and especially tangerines which she got only at Christmas."

This is my first book of 2025 to go on my favorite books list.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

 

Although I've watched many Jane Austen movie adaptations, this is the first Jane Austen novel I have read. I was looking for something lighthearted to read during the Christmas season, and Northanger Abbey fit the bill with all the intrigue and Regency propriety Ms. Austen is known for. 

The Gutenberg Project has many public domain books that can be downloaded free of charge and it is worth taking a look at what is available.

The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman

 I first came across Richard Osman in a Good Morning Britain interview and was intrigued with his Thursday Murder Club Mysteries. The Bullet that Missed is the third book in the series and the Thursday Murder Club crew: Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim come across a decade old cold case with all the intrigue they love to solve. Richard Osman writes with the English humor and sarcastic wit he is known for and is a delight to those of us on both sides of The Pond.

Sam Walton Biography by Vance H. Trimble

 Sam Walton, the founder of Wal Mart, was once America's Richest Man but this title didn't come easily. He worked hard, took chances, and was a strategic businessman from humble beginnings. He was fortunate that his wife was patient and went along with his ideas.

One thing I took away from his story is that a goal and hard work are what is needed for success. A dream is simply waiting for something to happen.

The biography, although not authorized by Sam Walton, was nevertheless well researched and many of those who knew Sam Walton were interviewed.