This month’s reading list took me all over the world—and a few centuries, too. I unraveled a murder mystery in Italy, chased spies through Switzerland and Lithuania, wandered the streets of York and London, and even made stops in Georgia and Alabama. Between the historical fiction, a clever middle-grade adventure, a heartwarming picture book, a bit of magical realism, and a guide on how to stay Rapture-ready (just in case), it’s safe to say my literary passport is full. Buckle up—this month’s reviews are quite the trip. Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Shadow By Brian Freeman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars) Electrifying Action: Brian Freeman Delivers with The Bourne Shadow Brian Freeman’s The […]
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Survival, Separation, and the Strength of the Human Spirit
I’ve read many WWII books, but The Refugee’s Daughter by Carolyn Newton stands out. Set against the stark realities of war-torn East Prussia and the horrors of Soviet gulags, it sheds light on the little-known Wolfskinder—children who faced unimaginable trauma to survive. Thirteen-year-old Giti and her brother, Otto, live with their mother and grandmother. Russian soldiers attacked, killing their grandmother and burning their farm, forcing the survivors onto a crowded train bound for the Soviet Union. Tragedy strikes again, separating Giti and Otto. Giti escapes into the forest, where she’s rescued by a man in hiding. The two form an unlikely bond, but Giti’s determination to find her brother never […]
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