I can't recommend this book highly enough. The minute I finished it, I went online and immediately bought two more books by Hampton Sides. This book covers a TON of information, from the legend of Kit Carson to the displacement of the American Indians to the various wars that took place during westward expansion in the U.S. Yet it flows effortlessly. Truly one of my top nonfiction reads ever.

Simply written, yet quite powerful. While it will only take you a couple hours to read, Heather Morris's account of Lale Sokolov will remain with you long after you turn the last page. It's a story of triumph, tragedy, and what it means to find love even in the darkest places.

Picked up a few new books today. A mix of fiction and nonfiction. I really liked The Half-Drowned King so I'm looking forward to its sequel, The Sea Queen.

Just grabbed this book today. I've heard great things and can't wait to dive in.

This is one of my favorite books ever. It's about a nineteen-year-old girl, Sugar, who is a brothel worker in 1870s London. After meeting William Rackham, she begins an improbable ascent though the strata of Victorian society. This is a remarkable book that is Dickensian in scope and tells one the richest stories I've had the privilege of reading. Yes, it could be used as a doorstop (clocking in at ~900 pages), but it reads quite quickly.

The story of the Pilgrims does not end with the First Thanksgiving; instead, it is a fifty-five-year epic that is at once tragic and heroic. Philbrick is an absolute master of his craft, and this book is no exception. The story related in Mayflower is an electrifying account that answers a supremely loaded question: How did it all begin?

A tight-knit miner‘s family struggles against poverty and racism in Depression-era Alabama. In her first novel, Gin Phillips alternates between four points of view, and she does it skillfully. The family in the book is wonderful to meet, and the book relates their tale in a quiet, unobtrusive manner. Highly recommended!

King of Heists is a spellbinding and unprecedented account of the greatest bank robbery in American history, which took place on October 27, 1878, when thieves broke into the Manhattan Savings Institution and stole nearly $3 million. This book was an engrossing tale of the Gilded Age, unforgettable personalities, and one of the most audacious crimes in history.

This is a unique story of many layers. It's a book within a book within a book that reveals itself in minute fragments. It's a risky strategy, but Williams pulls it off gloriously. This seems to be one of those "love it" or "hate it books." But I'd recommend it.

This is the classic exposé of the Federal Reserve. Sound boring? It's anything but. It reads like a detective story - which it really is, but it's all true. This book is about the most blatant scam in history. And it all starts with the secretive creation of one of the most powerful institutions in the world today.

The Buried Giant is set in a misty, primordial England populated by feuding Saxons and Britons and haunted by traces of a great age just gone by: the ruins of the collapsing Roman Empire and the shadow of the late King Arthur, a few of whose sworn knights still roam the landscape in rusty armor. This story is yet further proof that Ishiguro is a master. For me, this was an instant classic.

Soerine, a deformed female dwarf from Denmark, is given as a gift to the Russian Tsar, Peter the Great because he is taken by her freakishness and intellect. This is a sneakily complex book which explores a variety of topics, the most prominent being the endurance of the human condition. It is superbly written and is a tough book to put down.

The Last Crossing is a sweeping tale of breathtaking quests, adventurous detours, and hard-won redemption. Englishmen Charles and Addington Gaunt are ordered by their tyrannical industrialist father to find their brother Simon, who has gone missing in the wilds of the American West. And so begins a tale unlike any other. The prose is beautiful, the characters are incredible, and the storytelling is extraordinary.

Egan tells an extraordinary tale in this visceral account of how America's great, grassy plains turned to dust, and how the ferocious plains winds stirred up an endless series of "black blizzards" that were like a biblical plague. A truly eye-opening book. I was blown away by the intensity of this time period and the persistence of those living through it.

A riveting narrative look at one of the most colorful, dangerous, and peculiar places in America's historical landscape: the strange, wonderful, and mysterious Mississippi River of the 19th century. This was an absolutely enthralling read. From river pirates to war battles to natural disasters, this book is a captivating account of one of the world's most famous rivers and the people that tried to tame it.

Rinker Buck‘s The Oregon Trail is an epic account of traveling the 2,000-mile length of the Oregon Trail the old-fashioned way—in a covered wagon with a team of mules. It's a must-read for any fan of history. The book is by turns hilarious, tragic, and illuminating.

A rollicking tale of monarchs, murder, and mayhem in long-ago Norway. The book is an emotional historical fiction that centers on revenge. The story is entertaining and vivid, though the characters could have used a bit more work in my opinion. Still, it was certainly a worthwhile read.

A rural mystery series chronicling the tragic lives of the Grass Kings, three brothers and rulers of a community living off the grid and outside of the law.

I was really pleased with this book. The watercolor art is beautiful. And the storyline is great. Highly recommended if you like the graphic novel format.

History comes alive in this textured account of the rivalry between Harry Houdini and the so-called Witch of Lime Street, whose iconic lives intersected at a time when science was on the verge of embracing the paranormal. This is a wonderful account of a truly bizarre time in history. I couldn't put this book down once I started it.

A very thorough history of one of the most famous streets in American history. More happened on this three-block stretch in New York's East Village than almost anywhere else in the city. It's also about the continual death of the street and its culture, though it's soldiered on for generations. A remarkable read.

Hit the thrift store today, and I found some cool old copies of a few books. The Golden Bough is high on my list of intriguing books, so I can't wait to get into it. That's is, after I start running through my stack a bit.

This was an excellent read. Joyce Johnson delves into the beat generation and the personal relationships she shared with several writers from that time (Kerouac primarily). I've always been a fan of the beat writers, and Johnson sheds new and fascinating light on them as she unravels her story. A highly recommended memoir.

What can I say? I'm a sucker for magic tricks. And for my birthday, my wife has encouraged me to up my game for future get-togethers. She thinks my tricks are great. I don't have the heart to tell her I stink 😊

This was one of my favorite books as a kid. And I enjoyed it again, albeit in a much different way. It's inarguably one of the classics in the fantasy genre, and it's stood the test of time. So if you've been on the fence about rereading this gem or haven't yet given it a read, there's no time like the present.

I've been on a nonfiction kick, and this was one of my recent reads. It's a fast, interesting book that sheds light on the darker side of one of America's most heralded architects, Stanford White. From a chance encounter to cold-blooded murder, Baatz details a largely forgotten saga of lust and lunacy.

I laughed. I yelled. I cried. This book brought out almost every one of my emotions as I devoured Kate Moore's masterfully told story of one of the most important groups of women in U.S. history. Through their ups and downs, their anguish and their triumphs, Moore reports on a tale of courage and fortitude that should impact anyone who reads it. A compelling read that's written at a breakneck pace. One of my favorite recent non-fictions.

Amazing book! This is the absolutely impressive narrative biography of Grace Humiston, one of the most prolific female detectives in history. She broke ground in so many different ways, and Brad Ricca truly does her justice. From her humble beginnings as a nighttime law student to her game changing career in the NYC spotlight, this book covers it all. Plus, there's the added mystery of her tackling one of the most riveting cases of all time.

Fascinating. If you're a fan of true crime, pick this book up. This story is a touch different in that the author reveals her own detective work alongside that of those involved in the actual case. The narrative style is reminiscent of Erik Larson and every bit as intriguing.

Doing a few reviews at once here. Been lazy about posting lately.

This was a real page-turner. It took me a couple chapters to get into it, but once I did I was hooked. Really a solid book overall, and I wasn't disappointed after liking Everything I Never Told You. This is another great beach read.

The book explores quite a few avenues, and it handles them all quite well. Coming of age, motherhood, and our greatest secrets and fears.

This was the first Kristin Hannah book I've truly enjoyed. As unpopular as it is, I wasn't a huge fan of The Nightingale. But this book I found quite compelling. It's a good story with characters I rather liked. Hannah did a really nice job with the sub-stories while not losing sight of the story at large. This is a light, fun read overall and would make for an ideal beach book.

How is this book not in the Litsy library? Anyhow, I found this at a used book shop in Baltimore. One of my favorites from my middle school years. If you're a fan of Watership Down (which is what I tagged), I highly suggest checking out Wood Magic.

My wife was on a business trip, so I had to wait until tonight to give her these. We don't really do Valentine's Day, but I can't resist getting her a little gift each year. We ate some Korean BBQ and learned about evil bugs (and some amazing plants).

Well, this was serendipitous. I'm almost finished with book 11 in the Wheel of Time series, and my local thrift shop had books 12, 13, and 14 just sitting there. All for $3. It's like someone dropped them off just for me 😂

Picked up a signed copy of Hiddensee today. Love when I find these hiding on the shelves.

How come I every time I get a gift card, it ends up costing ME money? 😆

This book has gotten several less-than-great reviews on here, but I have to disagree with them. Is this the best book ever? No. But it's certainly a worthwhile read. I loved the poetic bent of the writing, and the story was quite compelling. I can understand why some say the author overindulged in description of minutae, but I can't say it hindered my reading experience. If you've been on the fence with Elmet, I say go for it. I give it a 3/5.

I didn't know the first thing about stamp collecting when I dug into this book. It didn't matter. It was incredibly interesting, and there's very little "fat." It's very well written, and you're given only what you really want to know. It's a fast read, and I definitely recommend. You'll surely lose yourself among the interesting characters who've made it their ultimate goal to own the most valuable stamp in the world.

Brooks is one of the most powerful voices in poetry. I've been a fan for years, so I was thrilled to get my hands on a signed copy of Riot. As you can see the book was well-loved before it hit my collection 😊

Always excited to add some Murakami to my shelf.

It took me a bit to get into this book, but once I did... I was hooked.

On the surface, this book is about Selection Day - perhaps the most important day in the life of a hopeful, young cricket player. But underneath, it's a book about choices. Both those we make for ourselves and those that are made for us. And the outcomes of these choices often differ from what we've ever imagined.

Added this to my small (but growing) orange Penguin collection. The cover has a piece missing, but I can't complain for less than a buck.

Some truly fascinating tales from the botanical dark side. I read this book over time, digesting a new evil plant story every few days.

Found these gems at an estate sale today.

IMO, some of the most underrated fantasy writing out there.

Two of my favorite things. This book is beautiful and couldn't have made a better present. I can't wait to read it!

I've read most but not all. Need to tackle the "unreads" this year.

Some of my favorites.

Picked this up today. I'm a huge fan of The Atavist, so I'm excited to dive in.

Just finished this one. Excellent read. Can't recommend it highly enough. Though its SOC style has turned some people off (as seen in other reviews)

A wonderful - and incredibly readable - day-by-day expose on one of the most important cholera attacks in world history. What sounds like "dry" material is brought to life in a way that made it almost impossible for me to put this book down.