Here a few of the books I have read recently.
The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
The White Queen is the story of Elizabeth Woodville, a woman of
extraordinary beauty and ambition, who secretly marries the newly
crowned Edward IV. Elizabeth rises to the demands of her exalted
position and fights for her family’s dominance, but despite her best
efforts, her two sons become pawns in a famous unsolved mystery that has
confounded historians for centuries: the lost princes in the Tower of
London. In this dazzling account of the deadly Wars of the Roses,
brother turns on brother to win the ultimate prize, the throne of
England.
I really loved this book and am now on the the second book in the series. I really didn't know much about the cousins war and found it really interesting.
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for
leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken
by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are
destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’
most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi
must accompany him to Paris for winter break.
PARIS: Alexandrine
Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on
the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France
cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.
Two
girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi
finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is
moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for
Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through
the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time,
and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.
This was a pretty good book. It is worth reading.
The Matheny Manifesto by Mike Matheny, Jerry B Jenkins
Mike Matheny was just forty-one, without professional managerial
experience and looking for a next step after a successful career as a
Major League catcher, when he succeeded the legendary Tony La Russa as
manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. While Matheny has enjoyed
immediate success, leading the Cards to the postseason three times in
his first three years, people have noticed something else about his
life, something not measured in day-to-day results. Instead, it’s based
on a frankly worded letter he wrote to the parents of a Little League
team he coached, a cry for change that became an Internet sensation and
eventually a “manifesto.”
The tough-love philosophy Matheny
expressed in the letter contained his throwback beliefs that authority
should be respected, discipline and hard work rewarded, spiritual faith
cultivated, family made a priority, and humility considered a virtue. In
The Matheny Manifesto, he builds on his original letter by first
diagnosing the problem at the heart of youth sports−hint: it starts
with parents and coaches−and then by offering a hopeful path forward.
Along the way, he uses stories from his small-town childhood as well as
his career as a player, coach, and manager to explore eight keys to
success: leadership, confidence, teamwork, faith, class, character,
toughness, and humility.
I would recommend this book to anyone with young children. It is so much more than a youth sports book. Matheny offers a great perspective on raising children to have a strong character and good values. I really like his direct approach and old school views on life.
What have you been reading?
Salted Caramel Pudding by Portuguese Girl Cooks
