Book picks similar to
Chasing Butterflies: The True Story of a Daughter of 9/11 by Ashley Bisman
memoir
summer-21
adult_nonfiction
book-club-reads
The Golden Shot: British Detective Jonathan Roper Investigates
Michael Leese - 2020
Beamed from the Dark Web, it boasts millions of anonymous “fans” getting their kicks from real-time murders.The people behind the depraved show are running rings around Interpol as they cut a swathe through Europe. Now they've pitched up in London and launched a fresh killing spree.It’s almost as though they are setting a challenge. Catch us if you can.Scotland Yard Commissioner, Julie Mayweather wastes no time in sending for her top team. With the maverick autistic detective, Jonathan Roper, and his boss, Detective Chief Inspector Brian Hooley, on the case, you can expect a roller coaster of a ride.It is this “special relationship” that makes the Roper series stand out. It provides unexpected warmth and genuine humour at even the darkest moments.The Golden Shot is a dark, page-turning thriller that grabs you by the throat from the beginning... but don’t be surprised to find yourself laughing out loud.
Go Tell It!
Debby Efurd - 2015
Fairy tales, fables, stories from her youth … they swept Debby away to another world. As one story ended, Debby would beg for more.When she was older, Debby fell in love with Bible stories and was eager to hear stories in Sunday School about Joseph or David or Moses. Then one day she heard the Greatest Story Ever Told and met and fell in love with the Main Character – Jesus Christ. That made all the difference.Somewhere along Debby’s life journey, though, Debby forgot who was in charge. That’s when life turned upside down. Decades later, after many trials and triumphs, she turned control back to the One who provides hope and transformation. Yes, stories can inspire, motivate, spur you to action … like an arrow right at your heart. Go Tell It! provides compelling stories of hope and transformation of lives who have each made a “180” by finding and sharing their voices. Whether your personal story revolves around one moment, one ministry, or a multitude of life events, the key is to point to the One who makes your transformation possible. All it takes is a willing heart and the courage to be honest … one story at a time.
Summary: Where the Crawdad Sings | A Comprehensive Summary to the Book of Delia Owens (Epic Summary Books 3)
Epic-Summary - 2019
Sеvеn-уеаr-оld Catherine “Kуа” Clаrk lіvеѕ іn a ѕhасk іn thе ѕwаmр wіth hеr mоthеr, fаthеr, аnd ѕіblіngѕ. Hоwеvеr, one dау, Kуа’ѕ mоthеr lеаvеѕ thе ѕhасk fоrеvеr іn оrdеr tо еѕсаре thе рhуѕісаl аbuѕе іnflісtеd by Kуа’ѕ fаthеr. Kya’s ѕіblіngѕ ѕооn leave оn thеіr оwn аѕ wеll, lеаvіng оnlу Kуа аnd Pа. Pа ѕреndѕ increasingly mоrе tіmе аwау frоm thе ѕhасk оvеr thе уеаrѕ, аnd whеn Kуа іѕ аbоut tеn уеаrѕ оld, Pа lеаvеѕ fоrеvеr. Kуа hаѕ bесоmе thоrоughlу ѕеlf-ѕuffісіеnt by thіѕ tіmе, lіvіng off of thе land аnd оссаѕіоnаllу trаdіng іn tоwn fоr nесеѕѕаrу ѕuррlіеѕ. Whеn Kya іѕ 14 уеаrѕ оld, a kіnd lосаl bоу nаmеd Tаtе Wаlkеr bеgіnѕ tо vіѕіt Kуа, аnd he teaches hеr hоw tо rеаd. Hе іѕ аbоut fоur уеаrѕ оldеr thаn Kуа. Hе аlѕо gіvеѕ Kуа hіѕ оld tеxtbооkѕ frоm school. Whеn Kуа іѕ 15 уеаrѕ оld, ѕhе аnd Tate fаll іn lоvе, but Tate іnѕіѕtѕ thаt they dо nоt have ѕеx untіl Kуа іѕ оldеr. Tаtе ѕооn lеаvеѕ fоr college, аnd аlthоugh hе рrоmіѕеѕ tо lоvе аnd rеmеmbеr Kуа, Kуа fееlѕ аbаndоnеd. When Kуа іѕ 19 уеаrѕ оld, ѕhе ѕuddеnlу becomes аttrасtеd tо a уоung local mаn nаmеd Chаѕе Andrеwѕ. Chаѕе begins vіѕіtіng her оftеn. Chаѕе ѕауѕ thаt hе lоvеѕ hеr аnd іѕ еаgеr tо hаvе sex wіth hk
Resumed Innocent
Rene Fomby - 2017
But as dawn breaks over tiny Blair County, a guilty verdict is the least of her concerns. The Texas justice system has taken dead aim at getting her off the case - even if it means taking dead aim at the back of her head.And Samantha Tulley is in way over her head. Starting a career as a small town criminal attorney would be tough enough, but as a widowed mother with no income and very little in the bank, Sam never seems to catch a break. From court appointed clients who rarely show up for court to pro bono clients with seemingly unwinnable cases, every day is a new struggle to figure out the subtle intricacies and intrigues of the criminal justice system. And then suddenly the system turns against her, and Sam and her daughter are left running for their lives.Torn from the author's own case files, Resumed Innocent offers a revealing and sometimes frightening inside look at just how our fractured justice system works to punish the innocent and reward the wicked. And for the poor there simply is no justice at all.
To Be Fair: Confessions of a District Court Judge
Rosemary Riddell - 2021
A Girl Raised by Wolves: An inspiring memoir of one woman's journey through sex trafficking, cancer, murder and more.
Lockey Maisonneuve - 2018
town, an adolescent girl is unwittingly handed a one-way ticket by her mother to allegedly "visit" her estranged father in Florida. Young and vulnerable, Lockey Maisonnueve has no idea she is being abandoned and sent to live with a vile and dangerous pedophile who would spend the next several years violently raping, abusing and mercilessly selling his daughter's body into childhood prostitution to other adult men. After being rescued by her naive, but well-intentioned, grandparents, her troubled life is further devastated by cancer and ravaged by the subsequent brutal murder of her mother, in which Lockey is briefly considered a suspect. "A Girl Raised by Wolves' is the inspirational memoir of a survivor of the darkest circumstances one can endure in a single lifetime and still emerge with a sense of humor and to defiantly proclaim "they didn't break me!"
Your Lives in Our Hands: Based on true stories from a retired hospital doctor
Dr. Jay - 2014
Would you believe the one about the man who got stuck with half a paintbrush in a delicate area? The medical ethics of a woman using the hospital like a babysitting service? The day when two surgeons almost came to blows after a squabble over theatre space? After reading this brilliantly realised medical nonfiction collection of short stories you will no longer doubt the strange and sometimes tragic circumstances doctors face in medical diagnosis and treatment. From humourous stories about misbehaving patients to short biographies to moving medical stories with tragic ends, Dr Jay weaves a tale of over thirty years’ experience and relates some of the most interesting medical diagnosis and treatment of patients from his career. His narrative voice is rich and compelling and each of the patients’ short biographies is treated with the solid medical ethics we have come to expect from our doctors. Forthright and entertaining, this medical nonfiction collection of short stories comes directly from the horse’s mouth and includes humourous stories as well as short biographies that reveal some of the least pleasant aspects of life as a Surgeon.
Hinch Yourself Happy, How To Clean Your House 2 Books Collection Set
Sophie Hinchliffe
Description:- Hinch Yourself Happy: All The Best Cleaning Tips To Shine Your Sink And Soothe Your Soul Cleaning - aka hinching - doesn't have to be that job you dread, not when Mrs Hinch is here to show you her sparkly ways. At over 2 million followers and counting, she has taken the nation by storm with her infectiously addictive charm, clever tidying tips and passionate belief in cleaning. Mrs Hinch invites you into her home and while inside you'll discover how a spot of cleaning is the perfect way to cleanse the soul. She'll even share the story of Mr and Mrs Hinch and their 'dorgeous' boy, Henry.With the help of her cloth family, Mrs Hinch will help you turn your house into a home. Whether you're a daily duster or looking for a monthly makeover, Hinch Yourself Happy shows you how to create not only a cleaner house, but a calmer you. How To Clean Your House: Easy tips and tricks to keep your home clean and tidy up your life Lynsey Queen of Clean, Instagrammer, businesswoman and busy mum of three, has done all of the work so you don't have to. Featuring her make-at-home cleaning products, easy step-by-step guides and all her recommendations for toxic-free and eco-friendly products, this book is the ultimate guide to keeping on top of your house, and having fun while you do it. Lynsey shares her daily and seasonal routines, motivating and encouraging you along the way with so that you are left with the will, and the skill, to take on even the most seemingly insurmountable tasks and end up with a clean, calm and happy home.
Walking to Maine: A Scoutmaster's Journey on the Appalachian Trail
Glenn Justis - 2019
When the challenge of hiking the entire 2,190 mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine called out to him, he knew he had to show his scouts and others he had the perseverance to accomplish a dream. On a cold January morning, he set off alone from Georgia and started his nearly 5 month adventure to Maine. The challenges and tragedies he faced before and during his hike tested his resolve and changed his life. In Walking to Maine, readers join Glenn on the Appalachian Trail as he battles the mountains and the weather through 14 states seeking to push himself out of his comfort zone and to learn more about himself. He will meet interesting people from all walks of life and discover the goodness that stills exists in the hearts of total strangers. Along the way he will encounter brutal conditions and personal tragedy. Through it all he will follow the same lessons he taught his scouts and keep pushing north towards his goal. He will learn that the trail provides those who hike it everything they need and he will learn to enjoy the simple pleasures that we all take for granted in our daily lives.
Love and Fury: The Magic and Mayhem of Life with Tyson
Paris Fury - 2021
Missing
Shelley MacKenney - 2014
An inspirational tale of her journey through extreme personal crisis."You can run, but you can't hide from yourself."Abandoned by her mother as a young child and with a father constantly on the run, Shelley's life was never normal. Her family's involvement with South London's criminal underworld left her isolated, vulnerable and lonely. Falling deeper and deeper into depression and despair - she snapped.Shelley got on the first coach out of London with only the clothes she stood up in and £30 in her pocket. She didn't care where she was going, as long as she could disappear completely from her oppressive life. For years, she lived anonymously in refuges, hostels and on the streets. It would take something remarkable to bring her back to the real world.
My Love Affair With Italy: Memoir of a single woman's travels to Italy spanning 45 years from a teenager to retirement
Debbie Mancuso - 2017
Friendships form with another American student, and with Cesare, an Italian medical student living in the same "hotel." But what transpires is something no one ever expected, especially her mom. Over the next 45 years, Debbie returns 11 more times, mostly alone. Other trips include her two best friends, another with her father, and horseback riding adventures in the Chianti Region of Tuscany with cousins. Some of the places visited include Rome, Tuscany, the Almalfi Coast, Sicily, Capri, and a 2,500 year-old village in Umbria where the only mode of transportation allowed is a moped or donkey. One hundred years after her great grandmother migrated to America, Debbie locates her family in the most unusual way, culminating with a heartwarming reception. Rarely staying in hotels, My Love Affair With Italy describes each of the trips, all the types of accommodations such as the agriturismi (farmhouses), the apartments, vineyards, the medieval villages, monastery, villas, and horseback riding centers she stayed in addition to the romances and friends met along the way. At the age of 50, Debbie learns how to horseback ride English style and takes a 100-mile tour cantering through Tuscany, something she was not nearly qualified to do. Within a year, she becomes an exchange student and enrolls in school in Siena, one of Tuscany's most magnificent cities, to learn Italian and moves in with a local family, she not knowing Italian and they not knowing English. While in school, she befriends a German woman who invites her to stay at her home in the beautiful Bavarian Alps during her next visit to Europe, and Debbie accepts in an attempt to practice Italian with her former classmate, but the trip becomes a shocking revelation. The book also details the "jewels" of Rome not mentioned in brochures such as The Scala Sancta, the Holy Stairs, holy because they are said to be the stairs that Jesus climbed on his way to his trial before Pontius Pilate, and the Aventine Keyhole, a nondescript-looking door on the Aventine Hill, neatly placing the dome of St. Peter’s right in the center. Each trip also details why she returns each time, the struggles endured at home after becoming a caregiver, the 50-year friendships that get her through it all, and the shocking way her father shows his presence in Piazza Navona. Lastly, four decades after it all began, there are very surprising reunions and the most unusual romance.
The Marble Faun of Grey Gardens: A Memoir of the Beales, the Maysles Brothers, and Jacqueline Kennedy
Jerry Torre - 2018
The book is a behind-the-scenes look at “Big Edie” and “Little Edie” and their bizarre and reclusive life of squalor amidst the tremendous wealth of East Hampton, the family bond that developed between Jerry and them, and the afternoon everything was turned upside down forever with the arrival of documentary filmmakers Albert and David Maysles.What begins as a teenager coming upon what he assumed was an old, abandoned house takes on new dimensions when suddenly Edie appeared on the porch draped in a shower curtain with an apron tied around her head. “You must be the Marble Faun,” she told the stunned Jerry. Rather than chasing him away as he at first feared, she invited Jerry to meet her mother upstairs.So begins a strange and unusually close friendship with the two women as Jerry takes on the task of volunteer gardener of their estate, often sleeping nights in their living room and staying out of the way of mother-daughter arguments. The Marble Faun of Grey Gardens is Jerry’s look back on the filming of Grey Gardens but also how the notoriety the movie achieved changed his life along with the Beales’s as their private world was shared with audiences everywhere.
Kicker
R. Grey Hoover - 2012
Based on actual experiences and official records from World War II, Kicker is a thrilling war novel of a man’s journey into hell. From the pleasant hills of Pennsylvania to the torrid jungles of Burma, Sam endures relentless enemy attacks against his unarmed aircraft while his family struggles with shortages and rationing at home. This is the tale of "the forgotten front", the bloody, grueling campaign to push the Japanese out of Burma.Although Kicker is an epic work of historical fiction, this World War 2 thriller is based on official military aviation history records and the real experiences of United States veterans who fought in the China-Burma-India Theater (CBI) "the forgotten front". Through unforgettable scenes in Burmese skies filled with monsoon storms and enemy fighter planes, Kicker tells the story of the brave Army Air Corps soldiers who risked their lives in unarmed aircraft to drop supplies to Merrill's Marauders and over 750,000 allied soldiers fighting in the perilous jungles of Burma.In effort to keep Japanese forces occupied in China, the Allies flew unarmed supply missions over the treacherous Himalayan Mountains between India and China. Their route, known as The Hump, saw the loss of over 1500 airmen and 2000 planes due to endless attacks by Japanese Zeros and some of the world's worst flying conditions. The Hump became known as "the skyway to hell" and "the aluminum trail" from the large amount of aircraft wreckage strewn across the Himalayan slopes.Allied soldiers in the jungles of Burma fought everyday just to survive. They faced elite, fearless Japanese soldiers and man-eating beasts. The Allies were surrounded by poisonous snakes, insects, and plants. These brave men suffered through monsoon seasons, so wet and humid, their uniforms rotted off their bodies as they fought fanatical Kamikaze armies through jungle and swamplands.From the Forgotten Front to the Homefront, Kicker brings you the story of America's Greatest Generation through the eyes of the men and women who would be forever haunted by their experiences.Reviews from fans of Kicker:"I could not put this book down, as the story of Sam, the young volunteer and aspiring pilot, unfolds. The author delivers his story telling with a rich back drop of historical details reflecting a thoroughly researched knowledge of the subject matter." Elray"Would recommend this not only to history buffs and WWII aficionados (like myself) but to any reader interested in being transported to another time and place, one that shaped all of our lives and fortunes today, worldwide." W.M. Driscoll"What an interesting story! I learned so much about heroes not mentioned in history books." Jacquie Rhoades"History made real through the telling of one soldier's story. This book made me miss my father and all of the stories he never told me." Linda S. Browning"Hoover leaves nothing out. He shows the sacrifices made on the battle front, as well as sacrifices made on the home front." Candi Silk
Sailing to the Edge of Time: The Promise, the Challenges, and the Freedom of Ocean Voyaging
John Kretschmer - 2018
And that is the overarching theme of this chronicle of a sailing life. Often amusing, sometimes poignant, occasionally terrifying but always inspiring, his deeply personal account is a welcome reminder of the good life waiting at sea. With hundreds of thousands of nautical miles under his keel, John's adventures have taken him several times around the world, with challenging crossings of the Atlantic and the Pacific, a narrow escape from a coup in Yemen, an unlikely deliverance from a coral reef off Belize as well as more serene, introspective passages where trade winds are blowing and stories are flowing. His crew has included CEOs, actors, writers, teachers, kids – in essence, everyone. John's narrative is interwoven with practical tips and advice in seamanship, but also, and just as importantly, his hard-won insights about making the most of our lives. He truly believes we find out who we really are, and what we are capable of, far from the shackles of land, when we find a place where time changes shape – days may merge into one another, but minutes are memorable. To live adventurously is to live more fully, and that is the life John Kretschmer continues to live. In this book he shares his simple profundities that will inspire those who live to sail, and those seeking something more rewarding from life.