If you like historical fiction, this Kindle book is on sale today.

If you do find it, I hope that you enjoy it.

I read The Best We Could Do - 5 Stars - I loved this graphic memoir. The illustrations are gorgeous, the story grabbed me right away, and the pain of the author and her family’s past was beautifully depicted. They were refugees who moved to the U.S. after the Vietnam War, but that’s not all that the story is about. There is far more to it than that. It’s a story of a family, rather than just the Vietnam War. This has to be one of the most emotionally-gripping books that I have read in a while. My favorite quote: “Proximity and closeness are not the same.” I also read The Lost Symbol - 3 Stars - This was entertaining and a fairly quick read. It was enjoyable enough, but nothing incredible, which is what I expect with Dan Brown. Some of my favorite quotes: “To live in the world without becoming aware of the meaning of the world is like wandering about in a great library without touching the books.” “Darkness feeds on apathy.” “The more man learned, the more he realized he did not know.” “Google' is not a synonym for 'research'.” “Imagine how different a world might be if more leaders took time to ponder the finality of death before racing off to war.” “Knowledge is a tool, and like all tools, its impact is in the hands of the user.” MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

I love egg cups!

I read The Girl with Seven Names - 5 Stars - This is the third book that I’ve read about North Korea. My favorite is still “Nothing to Envy” by Barbara Demick, and one that I highly recommend. “The Girl with Seven Names” is a close second. I could barely put this book down. It’s beautifully written, so moving, the type of book that you can’t stop thinking about. Some quotes that I thought are worth sharing: “Kindness toward strangers is rare in North Korea. There is risk in helping others. The irony was that by forcing us to be good citizens, the state made accusers and informers of us all.” “It is mandatory from elementary school to attend public executions. Often classes would be cancelled so students could go.” “Sadly, as the historian Andrei Lankov put it, a regime that’s willing to kill as many people as it takes to stay in power tends to stay in power for a very long time.” “Kind people who put others before themselves would be the first to die. It was the ruthless and the selfish who would survive.” “Dictatorships may seem strong and unified, but they are always weaker than they appear.” MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

Kindle book on sale today - true crime.

Kindle book on sale today - mystery/thriller

If you like historical fiction, this Kindle book is on sale today.

Kindle book on sale today if you like history/non-fiction/tudor period.

Kindle books on sale. Churchill and Orwell: The Fight for Freedom How to Find Love in a Bookshop The Children of Henry VIII

Robin, thank you for this thread, as always. I read Maeve's Times - 3 Stars - I’ve been a huge fan of Maeve for many years and was looking forward to reading this compilation of short stories and articles that she had written for “The Irish Times” through a few decades. Some of the pieces were enjoyable and others not so much. I ended up skimming through those. I would only recommend this book for Maeve fans, if that. One of my favorite quotes: “Last year I had a friend who was given three months to live, and I asked him to tell me what were the best things people could do and what were the worst. He said the very worst thing to do was to send Get Well card, one with bunny rabbits crying into spotted handkerchiefs and saying, ‘Sorry to hear that you are not so well.’ He used to look at those cards blankly and knew that they were the conditioned response and automatic reflex of people who meant desperately well, but who had to hide behind totally inappropriate greeting cards. He wanted to reply on another card, saying, ‘I’m trying, God damn it.’ But he didn’t. And he didn’t because he knew that the idiotic bits of card with hospital beds and sexy nurses and thermometers and bad puns hid the real message of sympathy and huge distress. He said that he really didn’t like people urging him to get another opinion and saying that it couldn’t do any harm. It would do harm, he thought, because it would waste time, the one thing there wasn’t much of left. He preferred people to call it cancer if they spoke of it at all, rather than use some euphemism, and he also wished that he didn’t have to spend so much time thanking people politely for their suggestions of healing crystals, prayers Never Known to Fail, or the laying on of hands by someone who lived half a continent away. Those of us who knew him well and asked him how he wanted to do it were told. He wanted to remember the good, laugh at the funny, hear all the gossip, and try to be as normal as possible. Even though he could no longer eat, he wanted to come to restaurants with us and didn’t want to see anyone wince when he told the waiter he was on a diet. He did love to hear from the many people he had known during his life, saying briefly that they had heard about his diagnosis and that they were sorry. Letters that then went on to say things he could hold on to, things about time well spent, marvelous places seen, and memories that would live forever. All this brought a smile to his face and made the tapestry richer and less laced with regret.” MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

Kindle books on sale today. The Shell Seekers - which I read years ago, but am considering re-reading. Churchill: A Life The Winter King: A Novel of Arthur

Quill, I don't recommend it, I only recommend "The Force of Reason" for die-hard Oriana fans. "The Force of Reason" is the second book in a trilogy. I do, however, recommend her first book if you're interested. Her books are not for all. I've read two so far. Here's my review for her first book, "The Rage and the Pride."

I read Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story - 5 Stars - I’m so happy that I read this. Carson’s story is wonderful and uplifting. He experienced so many struggles and yet became a better person and his faith in God has been strengthened. I love how grounded he remains despite all of his incredible contributions to the field of neurosurgery. He attributes most of his success to God, his mother, and his medical team. His perseverance and humility are truly admirable. To me, this book should be required reading for all high school students, as well as all those who like to focus so much on blaming one’s circumstances and personal situation. Some of my favorite quotes: “I have strong feelings on the subject of American youth and here’s one of them. I’m really bothered at the emphasis given by the media on sports in the schools. Far too many youngsters spend all their energies and time on the basketball courts, wanting to be a Michael Jordan. Or they throw their energies toward being a Reggie Jackson on the baseball diamond or an O.J. Simpson on the football field. They want to make a million dollars a year, not realizing how few who try make those kinds of salaries. These kids end up throwing their lives away. When the media doesn’t emphasize sports, it’s music. I often hear of groups – and many of them good – who pour out their hearts in a highly competitive career, not realizing that only one group in 10,000 is going to make it big. Rather than putting all their time and energy into sports or music, these kids – these bright, talented young people – should be spending their time with books and self-improvement, ensuring they’ll have a career when they’re adults. I fault the media for perpetuating these grandiose dreams.” “I came to realize that if people could make me angry they could control me. Why should I give someone else such power over my life?” “Success is determined not by whether or not you face obstacles, but by your reaction to them. And if you look at these obstacles as a containing fence, they become your excuse for failure. If you look at them as a hurdle, each one strengthens you for the next.” I also read The Myth of the Andalusian Paradise - 3 Stars - A while back, I was watching a well-known travel show on You Tube about the Andalusian area of Spain. Once they started going on and on about wonderful it all supposedly was under Muslim rule, I was about ready to pop. My blood pressure went up a couple of notches, I’m sure! I kept mumbling to the screen, “Brother, please!” I’m tired, so tired of hearing the same old narrative about that period of time, the supposed multiculturalist paradise, the so-called “Golden Age”. I’m just not buying into all that political correctness. As a Persian, I know what they did back in my old country. I recently read “The Force of Reason” by Oriana Fallaci. While reading that, I became interested in reading this one. Oriana addresses the truth about history in Europe during the time of the Muslim invasion and the Crusaders. She says it like it is, as opposed to some romantic version of a time when everyone supposedly lived in a time of tolerance, harmony, and peaceful coexistence. “Whoever believes in the myth of ‘peaceful coexistence that marked the relationships between the conquered and the conquerors’ should reread the stories of the burned convents and monasteries, of the profaned churches, of the raped nuns, of the Christian or Jewish women abducted to be locked away in their harems. He should ponder on the crucifixions of Cordoba, the hangings of Granada, the beheadings of Toledo and Barcelona, of Seville and Zamora. (The beheadings of Seville, ordered by Mutamid: the king who used those severed heads, heads of Jews and Christians, to adorn his palace). Invoking the name of Jesus meant instant execution. Crucifixion, of course, or decapitation or hanging or impalement. Ringing a bell, the same. Wearing green, the colour of Islam, also. And when a Muslim passed by, every Jew and Christian was obliged to step aside. To bow. And mind to the Jew or the Christian who dared react to the insults of a Muslim. As for the much-flaunted detail that the infidel-dogs were not obliged to convert to Islam, not even encouraged to do so, do you know why they were not? Because those who converted to Islam did not pay taxes. Those who refused, on the contrary, did.” This book does a fabulous job of setting the record straight on all the propaganda. The amount of research and evidence is amazing. I only wish that it had been written in a more engaging style, and definitely with less repetition. This book is not an easy read, but I don’t think it was meant to be either. It was written by an academic and is quite scholarly. Some of my favorite quotes: “Professional self-preservation as well as political correctness and economics has affected academic research in certain fields of study, in contrast to the fearlessness demonstrated by professors when unmasking horrors in such dangerous areas of investigation as Christian Europe (the burning of witches! colonialism!) and Catholic Spain (the ubiquitous Spanish Inquisition!). Islamic Spain is no exception to the rule. University presses do not want to get in trouble presenting an Islamic domination of even centuries ago as anything but a positive event, and academic specialists would rather not portray negatively a subject that constitutes their bread and butter. In addition, fear of the accusation of ‘Islamophobia’ has paralyzed many academic researchers.” “Those who portray Islamic Spain as an example of peaceful coexistence frequently cite the fact that Muslim, Jewish, and Christian groups in al-Andalus sometimes lived near one another. Even when that was the case, however such groups dwelled more often than not in their own neighborhoods. More to the point: even when individual Muslims, Jews, and Christians cooperated with one another out of convenience, necessity, mutual sympathy, or love, these three groups and their own numerous subgroups engaged for centuries in struggles for power and cultural survival, manifested in often subtle ways that should not be glossed over for the sake of modern ideals of tolerance, diversity, and convivencia.” “It is significant that Muslim leaders punished their own if they suspected a lack of Islamic zeal. Muslim warriors could be punished with death for apostasy, which contributed to the fervor of the invaders. According to al-Qutiyya, when Musa Ibn Nusayr’s son was named governor, he married the wife of King Rodrigo and began adopting Christian ways—and military leaders cut his head off in the mihrab of a mosque and sent his head to the caliph.” MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

Kindle book on sale today - the 5th book in the Harry Hole series - mystery/crime/thriller

Two Kindle books on sale today. The 3rd book in the Karla Trilogy by John Le Carre. The first two books are: "Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy" and "The Honorable Schoolboy". Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power

You said it perfectly. It is definitely freeing. I have a hard enough time, although I am getting better at it with age, forgiving for what I later think to be trivial. Again, getting better at it! It would be so difficult for me to forgive the monsters of such a genocide. I admire those who can. Robin, you are so kind. Thank you. Dennis Prager's book "Think a Second Time" is wonderful. Some of it is a bit dated, but still so interesting. I don't know if I'll ever be able to see "Hotel Rwanda". Again, too painful and too close to home for me.

I read Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust - 3 Stars - When I first came across this book, I couldn’t make up my mind as to whether I would be able to handle all the pain. I kept picking it up and putting it back on the shelf. After all, it is about the Rwandan genocide and I’m not particularly strong when it comes to these things. I still haven’t been able to watch “Hotel Rwanda” and am not sure if I ever will. The pain and trauma hit a bit too close to home for me. No, I haven’t experienced anything like what this book describes, but I have experienced other events that I would really rather not think about anymore: political instability to the point of great fear in two countries that I’ve lived in, as well as a major hurricane. This is one of those books that really got me thinking. Immaculee suffered immensely and her story is truly riveting. Painful, horrific, and still so amazing – this book reminded me of the incredible power of prayer and trusting in God. Although her faith in God is beyond measure, there are a few points that come to my mind that I disagree with. First, she equates prayer with positive thinking. I do not believe that they are one and the same. Second, although her ability to forgive is incredible, it’s also a bit difficult for me to comprehend. When it comes to unlimited forgiveness, for sure she is in a different place than me. I take issue with automatically forgiving murderers and believe that true forgiveness, especially when it comes to such atrocities, can only come from God. I feel quite certain that the publisher of this book has a definite bias in favor of automatic forgiveness. Finally, in one part of the book, I recall her describing the monsters that were murdering everyone left, right, and center, and saying that they weren’t bad people. Here, I will quote from one of my all-time favorite authors, Dennis Prager. This is from a book that I need to read again and again, “Think a Second Time”. This is from the first chapter in his book. I would quote the entire chapter if I could! “The belief that people are basically good is one of the most widely held beliefs in contemporary society … To believe that human nature is basically good – after Auschwitz, the Gulag, Rwanda, Armenia, and Tibet, just to mention some of the horrors of the twentieth century alone – is a statement of faith, as nonempirical as the most wishful religious belief. Whenever I meet people who persist in believing in the essential goodness of human nature, I know that I have met people for whom evidence is irrelevant.” Regardless, I am so happy that I read this. It is filled with love, compassion, and resilience. Reading it has inspired me to improve my own relationship with God and to learn to trust in Him more. Some of my favorite quotes: “The love of a single heart can make a world of difference.” “I knew that my heart and mind would always be tempted to feel anger--to find blame and hate. But I resolved that when the negative feelings came upon me, I wouldn't wait for them to grow or fester. I would always turn immediately to the Source of all true power: I would turn to God and let His love and forgiveness protect and save me.” “But I came to learn that God never shows us something we aren't ready to understand. Instead, He lets us see what we need to see, when we need to see it. He'll wait until our eyes and hearts are open to Him, and then when we're ready, He will plant our feet on the path that's best for us...but it's up to us to do the walking.” “Whenever I prayed, I immediately felt His love around me, and the anxiety eased.” and 90 Minutes at Entebbe: The Full Inside Story of the Spectacular Israeli Counterterrorism Strike and the Daring Rescue of 103 Hostages - 3 Stars - Growing up in the 1970s, I remember constantly hearing about hijackings and hostages. We were at Heathrow Airport once, about to check-in for a flight, when there was a sudden mad rush and everyone was ordered to go and wait in the parking lot because of a possible terrorist attack. Another time, we were in the London Underground and everyone had to rush out because of terrorist fears. Knowing my love for Israel, my dad has often enjoyed telling me the incredible story about how back in 1976 the Israeli Defense Force secretly flew into Entebbe, Uganda to rescue hostages from a hijacked plane. This was known as Operation Thunderbolt. When I came across this book, I was eager to read it. The story is amazing, but I do so wish that someone else had written it. The writing was choppy in many parts and I felt that it was detached and dry. For such an amazing event in history, this book was underwhelming. My favorite quote: “Other nations preferred to shy from taking precautions and collaborating in the frustration of terrorism. Too many governments were afraid of offending Arab, African, and Asian sensibilities.” MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

I read: I Heart Rome: Recipes and Stories from the Eternal City - 4 Stars - We visited Rome a few months ago and while there, we went on an evening food tour, something that I highly recommend if you do get the chance to visit Rome, or really any destination. Food tours are such fun. You not only get to go on a tour of places that you may not have found otherwise, but you also get to have some amazing food. Our tour stopped at a “biscottificio”, a biscuit shop. The people here are as sweet and lovely as their biscuits. While sampling all their delicious goodies, I asked our guide if he can recommend a good Italian cookbook. He asked the owners. They happened to have a whole stack of cookbooks piled up on a stool. After much animated Italian back-and-forth, they reached for this book and told me that this is the one that I should get. We took note of it and ordered it later. When the book arrived, while skimming through it, I was thrilled to see a recipe for her “Brutti Ma Buoni” (“Ugly but Good”) biscuits, which are just the best. There’s also a double-page spread on her and her shop. This book is nostalgic for me and it’s also gorgeous. The photos are incredible. If you’ve been to Rome or are about to go there, skimming through this book and reading the stories and quotes is an absolute delight. I tried out a few of the recipes, since I don’t think that I am in any position to review a cookbook if I don’t try out at least one of the recipes. I tried the Mascarpone Mousse. This recipe was an absolute and utter disaster. I think that it’s either missing some ingredients or some steps. The following evening, I tried the Cacio e Pepe (spaghetti, cheese, and pepper). I was the only one in the family that thought it was okay, not good, just okay. No one else liked it. Finally, I tried the Stracotto (slow-cooked Jewish beef stew) and the Pollo alla Romana (Roman-style chicken). Everyone liked both of these, much more so the latter. As far as cookbooks go, it’s not the most practical. Many of the recipes have ingredients that are hard to get, at least hard for me anyway. That is disappointing. For example, I cannot get cured pork cheek or calf intestines. Many other recipes have far too many steps and look quite intimidating. As far as attractive books go – beautiful photos, stories, quotes, layout, and recommendations for the best places to eat in Rome – I would give this book 5 stars, but since it’s a cookbook and not the best when it comes to recipes, it’s a 4-star book for me. I also read This is Rome - 5 Stars - My daughter and I often joke that although we love visiting museums when we travel, one of our favorite parts are the gift shops. When we were in Rome recently, I came across this book at a museum gift shop. Although this is a children’s book and my children are now young adults, I took one look and knew that I just had to have it. I wish that I had known about this series earlier. I would love to have the entire series. Yes, they are children’s books, but adults can enjoy them also. The retro illustrations are such fun. The text is superb and quite informative. I just love this delightful book. And finally Fatwa: Hunted in America - 4 Stars - This book is an eye-opener. The only reason that I am not giving it 5 stars is that it is quite repetitive and reading it after a certain point becomes tedious. I really can’t say much about it, other than sharing some of my favorite quotes. “America is not the only good thing in the world, but it is the best thing in the world.” “In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man.” “The media operate under the narcissistic assumption that if they don’t report it, it didn’t happen.” “Freedom of speech doesn’t apply only if you like the message; it applies to everyone. And if it is gone, so is a free society.” “The United States of America is the most charitable nation on earth.” “While Islamic Spain is held up today as a proto-multiculturalist paradise, in reality non-Muslims there suffered under the discrimination prescribed in Islamic law for dhimmis, non-believers who were subjugated as inferiors and denied equality of rights.” MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

Kindle book on sale today - historical fiction/mystery/crime

Kindle books on sale today. Young Titan (biography) A Mighty Heart (autobiography/memoir)

You've probably heard that Kelli has some health problems and they're taking a hiatus from making more videos. I hope she feels better soon. I'm still very new to all their videos and have bookmarked all the ones that I still want to try. I've heard of Five Parks Yoga. Thank you for the reminder. I'm now looking at their You Tube page. You've given me some homework and I love it!

I think there are some on You Tube. I haven't had time to watch them yet. I do plan on reading her other book eventually.

You are so sweet. So many of the books on my wish list are from you also! I often smile at how we tend to have similar tastes, even with workout videos! I'm pretty sure that it was you who would often recommend Fitness Blender. Was it you? Anyway, if so, I've been meaning to thank you for the longest while. I love all their workouts so far, except I can't do anything high intensity (HIIT). Thank you for that!

Robin, Happy Birthday to James! Also, as always, thank you so much for this fabulous thread. I read The Force of Reason - 4 Stars - There are a few authors that I would love to meet. Those that come to my immediate mind: Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Brigitte Gabriel, and the author of this book, the late Oriana Fallaci. Let’s just say that she wasn’t exactly the most loved individual, but she was certainly fascinating and led quite an exciting life. When reading her books or reviewing them, I believe that it’s helpful to know some background information about her life. As a teenager in Italy, she fought Nazi-fascism. She would cycle around the hills of Tuscany, delivering messages and transporting explosives in her bike, hiding them in a basket among lettuce and other vegetables. Then later as a war reporter, she covered major conflicts throughout the world and interviewed many public figures. She was probably the only Western journalist to have interviewed Ayatollah Khomeini twice. I love how she called the chador, “a stupid, medieval rag”. She also interviewed Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), whom she walked out on after he rudely belched in her face; Yasir Arafat, whom she despised; and Qaddafi, whom she also hated. She spent her final years, while succumbing to cancer, between her native Tuscany and New York City. The U.S. was her adopted homeland and she loved it dearly. “The Force of Reason” is the second in a trilogy of books that she wrote following the horrific 9/11 attacks. She was living in Manhattan during that time. As a result of her writing, she made many enemies and received numerous death threats. There were cries of outrage and demands to burn her books. Overall, this wasn’t as good as her first book, which I truly loved. Her writing style may be difficult to appreciate at times, since she insisted on translating them herself. It is Italian English and reading it takes a bit of patience. I would only recommend this book for die-hard Oriana fans, like myself. This is an excerpt of my review. My full review is here. I also read The American Miracle - 4 Stars - My knowledge of American history is embarrassingly limited. I did not grow up in the U.S. and when I finally arrived to Oregon as a young college student, my major didn’t require any history courses. I’ve always loved history, but taking it in college didn’t interest me. When my husband and I were newlyweds living in Southern California, we would usually go to the movies on the weekends. My husband would often recommend that I look up movie reviews by Michael Medved. I think that he was reviewing movies on PBS at the time. It turns out that he’s also written many books. This is the first one that I have read by him. It’s meticulously researched and although there were a few parts that were a bit on the dry side for me, all in all I enjoyed it immensely. It’s an absolutely fascinating and deep theory about how so many events in American history have been the result of the hand of God and were not accidents. He describes specific incidents where God has worked miracles starting with the Pilgrims and ending with Abraham Lincoln. And no, the book does not claim that America is perfect, but after reading this, I realized that it’s a country that’s incredibly blessed with an exceptional history. There were two parts that I most loved about this book. One was his amazing description of how he met his wife. The other is his reminder that although God has intervened in American history, Americans should act nobly and have an attitude of gratitude and humility. In other words, they should not forget how blessed they are, what a truly exceptional and unique country they have, and finally, they should remember to honor Him. I wish that this book would be required reading in high schools or colleges. It would be such an inspiring and refreshing change when compared to all the negativity these days. MY RATING SYSTEM 5 Stars Fantastic, couldn't put it down 4 Stars Really Good 3 Stars Enjoyable 2 Stars Just Okay – nothing to write home about 1 Star Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.