Books for Grown Ups – The Keeping Library

Book Review: Indianapolis

Book Review: Indianapolis: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in U.S. Naval History and the Fifty-Year Fight to Exonerate an Innocent Man

Age Range: Teen, Adult
Author: Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic
Simon & Schuster
New York
2019
ISBN: 978-1501135958
List Price: $12.39

I had of course heard of the USS Indianapolis. And like many, I’ve always had a strong sense of respect and gratefulness for the “greatest generation” and the sacrifices made by many in World War II. But honestly, I knew embarrassingly little about the USS Indianapolis. I basically knew what I recalled from a classmate’s middle school speech on the topic. Which is even worse given my hometown. It was with this in mind that I decided to read Indianapolis.

This was my “car book” (the one I keep in the car to have something to read during school pickup). I didn’t expect a thick, non-fiction book to be that enthralling. But I was wrong; I found I kept wanting to read it even on short trips when my husband was driving. It got to the point he innocently suggested I bring it inside to continue reading (Never! Then I wouldn’t have a car book…).

The book starts several months before the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and ends fifty years later. It effectively gives both a big picture view of where this ship and her sailors fit into the War, as well as the specifics down to individual men and what they experienced. The authors developed relationships with many of the survivors, and it shows in the book. Reading it feels like a movie, and as noted above, it became hard to put it down.

I strongly recommend this one to anyone who may even faintly be interested in a historical book (and probably even if you are not).

Buy it on Amazon here.

Buy it on Barnes and Noble here.

Book Review: Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas

Book Review: Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas
Review by Eric Lis

Age Range: Adult
Author: Adam Kay
Picador
2010
ISBN: 978-1-52901858-5
List Price: $12.66 (amazon.com)

Written by a Jewish physician who often finds himself working on Christmas, Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas was a humorous, at points laugh-out-loud funny, and mostly light-hearted read. The stories are written as journal-like entries, which I enjoyed. Some topics were more intense or detailed, but overall it is a quick read. Footnotes provided explanation for unfamiliar context, so you don’t need a specific medical background to enjoy this.

This book could appeal to medical professionals as well as others interested in the medical field for an entertaining read.

As the stories are being told by a physician and include themes that are more grown-up and some crude language, would recommend this story for teenagers or older.

Buy it on Amazon here.

Eric is a clinical pharmacist who works in a hospital. He is also married to Jen and an accomplished ballroom dancer.

Book Review: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Age Range: Adult
Author: Gail Honeyman
Penguin Books
2018
ISBN: 978-0735220690
List Price: $9.69 (amazon.com)

During the week, Eleanor Oliphant works in an office. On the weekend, she enjoys pizza and vodka. And then there are her weekly phone chats with Mummy. She’s fine. But when she and Raymond, a somewhat sloppy co-worker, work together to help an elderly gentleman, her world gets a little less lonely. And that is exactly what she needs to come face to face with a terrible past to be able to move forward.

A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, this was a great success for Honeyman’s debut novel. I read this one on a MOMs Club Facebook post recommendation, and admit it wasn’t quite what I expected. The promise of “incredibly funny” had me expecting something a bit lighter. Despite that, I enjoyed Eleanor’s quirky and unique voice, and there was certainly some humor in the book. Be prepared for some dark history, however. The themes of the impact of loneliness and the meaningful impact simple, but real, human interactions can have on a person are noteworthy. I found them to be thought-provoking and worthwhile of consideration. As a side note, I found reading this book helped expand my vocabulary more than some of my recent reads have, as Eleanor is quite the logophile.

Buy it on Amazon here.

Buy it on Barnes and Noble here.

Book Review: Where’d You Go, Bernadette

Book Review: Where’d You Go, Bernadette?

Age Range: Adult
Author: Maria Semple
Little, Brown and Company
New York
2019
ISBN: 978-0-316-41585-9
List Price: $9.67 (amazon.com)

Bernadette lives in Seattle in a rundown old schoolhouse with her daughter, Bee, and husband, Elgie. When Bee decides to cash in her promised “trip to anywhere” for straight A’s on her report card and selects Antarctica, things get interesting.

The first half of this book is told via a collection of emails, letters, articles, and other documents, and the second is a narrative that picks up where the paper trail leaves off. The letters and emails really drew me into the story and seamlessly wove a multifaceted unveiling of the rather mysterious Bernadette. The technique was used with perfect effect and allowed the big picture to come into focus little by little.

Themes of family, love, forgiveness, and finding your passion are delightfully told. I found myself on some level relating to Bernadette as a mom and rather antisocial character. It had me laughing and cringing in the best way. I took a while to finish this one, but that is only because it was my designated “car/pick up line book.” Otherwise, it would have been a much faster read.

Definitely worth a read before seeing the movie.

Buy it on Amazon here.

Buy it on Barnes and Noble here.

Book Review: Tiger Queen

Age Range: 16+
Author: Annie Sullivan
Blink
Michigan
2019
ISBN: 978-0310768777
List Price: $17.99 (amazon.com)

I personally know this author, but that doesn’t change the fact that I loved this book!

Princess Kateri is strong, determined, and rather angry when the story opens. She has a goal, to prove herself the rightful monarch of Achra to be able to save her people from a terrible drought (and to dispatch those who are to blame for it). But when things don’t go as planned, she’s forced to consider help from an unlikely source.

This book was a captivating, fun, yet insightful read. I particularly liked the way Princess Kateri showed growth over the course of the story. The importance of the sand and dessert and the imagery related to these really drew me into the story and captivated my imagination. It has just the right mix of action, conversation, and introspection. The narration is perfectly descriptive – enough to help the reader paint a very clear picture in the mind without being dull in the least.

The idea that preconceived notions and biases may change when challenged (or perhaps, more accurately when we allow them to be challenged) is particularly worth noting in our world. Perhaps one of my favorite things about this book is that Princess Kateri is a strong, and believable, female hero without going overboard. As I wrapped up the book, I wished there were 100 more pages; not because it didn’t give a satisfactory story and ending, but simply because I wanted to keep reading it.

There is one intense kiss and several instances of violence of which parents should be aware, but overall no major concerns for the YA/adult reader.
Buy it on Amazon here.

Buy it on Barnes and Noble here.

Book Review: Bring Me Back

Age Range: Adult
Author: B.A. Paris
St. Martin’s Press
New York
2019
ISBN: 978-1250151346

Ten years ago, Finn mysteriously lost the love of his life, Layla, while on vacation. But he wasn’t entirely honest with the police back then. Now, Finn is engaged to Layla’s sister, Ellen. Just as their marriage is approaching, it seems like the past may not be what it seems.

Bring Me Back was a thrilling read with excellent suspense and unexpected twists. Personally, I did not find Finn to be a particularly likeable character. He seemed a bit self-absorbed and controlling. Despite this, I found myself caring about what happened to him. For the anyone who perhaps recalls the danger.com series, this book felt like a grown up version of those books. Almost like a 20 year later follow up. It was fast-paced and kept me saying “just one more chapter”! A good choice for a page-turning psychological thriller.

Buy it on Amazon here.

Buy it on Barnes and Noble here.

Book Review: The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity

Age Range: adult
Author: Matthew Kelly
Eucalyptus Media Group
ISBN: 978-1-63582-050-8

Themes of happiness, truth, lies, and the power to change the world are discussed in a simple, practical, and easy to read manner. In 114 pages and 15 quick chapters, Kelly provides real-world, everyday tips to overcoming the lie. Techniques including stories and parables, interesting facts, and straight forward directions are used to demonstrate the thesis of the book.

This is an easy read and well worth the time. Written by a Catholic motivational speaker and consultant, this book is not just for Catholics. It undoubtedly applies to all Christians. I would also argue that non-Christians would find valuable insights and practical ideas in this book. It challenges, but also leaves the reader an overall feeling of hope for the future. An excellent choice for a quick read with big impact.

What is the biggest lie in the history of Christianity? You will have to read it to find out.

Find it on Amazon here.