“The Long Flight Home” by Alan Hlad

Title: The Long Flight Home
Author: Alan Hlad
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp
Year: 2019
Genre(s): historical fiction, romance
Part of a Series: No
Rating: 

Why I read it: Once Upon a Book Club pick

Summary: As Nazi bombs rain down on London, Susan and her grandfather Bertie are pulled into the war effort when Source Columbia recruit their pigeons to carry important information between Britain and occupied France. A young American volunteer named Ollie Evans joins them and a relationship blooms between him and Susan. But when a mission goes wrong and Ollie ends up behind enemy lines, he and Susan only have her beloved pet pigeon Duchess to share messages between each other. Will they be able to make it back to each other? Or will their relationship be another casualty of the war?

My Books of 2021

 

I did not achieve my goal for 2021. Rather than reading 12 books, I only managed half - 6. But I'm going to try again this year. Can I do it? 

Let's find out!

"Remembrance" by Rita Woods

Title: Remembrance

Author: Rita Woods
Publisher: Forge
Year: 2019
Genre(s): historical fiction, supernatural
Part of a Series: No.
Rating: 

Why I read it: Once Upon a Book Club selection

Summary: Abigail has everything taken from her – her freedom, her real name, her husband and her children. In New Orleans, she discovers a power deep inside her that could give her back at least some of what she’s lost. She creates a safe place for Black people called Remembrance, which becomes home to Winter and eventually Margot, who runs away when her master’s death costs her her promised freedom. Together, they fight to preserve their way of life in Remembrance and as the 21st century continues on, another person may be called to continue their legacy.

“The Elite” by Kiera Cass

Title: The Elite
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year: 2013
Genre(s): young adult, romance, dystopian
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 2. You read review of Book1 here.
Rating: 

Why I read it: Because I enjoyed The Selection and wanted to see what happened next.

Summary: With the competition now narrowed down to eight contestants, America is torn between Maxon and Aspen. She needs to make a decision as she gets more enmeshed in court and the attacks by the rebels increase – does she want to be queen? And if she does, will she support the status quo or shake everything up?

“In a Holidaze” by Christina Lauren

Title: In a Holidaze
Author: Christina Lauren
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2020
Genre(s): contemporary fiction, romance, Christmas story, some fantastical elements
Part of a Series: No
Rating: 

Why I Read It: Once Upon a Book Club holiday box selection

Summary: Mae and her family has spent every Christmas with family friends in a cabin in Colorado her entire life. But this year, it’s announced that the cabin is going to be sold and it’s likely the last Christmas they will all spend together. As Mae and her family drive away, she feels nothing but despair as she feels just stuck in her life. She makes a wish to find happiness just as the car gets into a terrible accident.

Mae then finds herself on the plane to Colorado, ready to celebrate Christmas all over again. She is given a second chance to find her happiness – but will she be brave enough to grab it?

“The Lost Vintage” by Ann Mah

Title: The Lost Vintage
Author: Ann Mah
Publisher: William Morrow
Year: 2018
Genre(s): historical fiction, contemporary fiction
Part of a Series: No
Rating: 

Why I Read It: Once Upon a Book Club selection

Summary: Kate returns to her family’s vineyard in France to prepare for the prestigious Master of Wine test. While there, she discovers a family secret that dates back to the Nazi Occupation of France. As Kate digs deeper, will she be able to find the truth? And if she does, will it bring only shame…or much needed absolution?

“15 Minutes of Flame” by Christin Brecher

Title: 15 Minutes of Flame
Author: Christin Brecher
Publisher: Kensington
Year: 2020
Genre(s): mystery, modern
Part of a Series: Yes, book #3
Rating: 

Why I Read it: Once Upon a Book Club Halloween box

Summary: After agreeing to help the local Girl Scout troop with a Halloween fundraiser, Stella ends up biting off more than she can chew when she finds a dead body in the house she convinced a friend to let them use for it.  The body is determined to be a couple centuries old, reigniting interest in an old Nantucket mystery. It brings some newcomers to Nantucket and when a more modern murder occurs, Stella finds herself trying to figure out who is there for good and who is there for ill. Can she solved two mysteries before it’s too late?