Category: Biography and Memoir Wild Bill Donovan: The Spymaster Who Created the OSS and Modern American Espionage Milk and Honey From Oss to Green Berets: The Birth of Special Forces The Lost Family: A Novel Good Grief: Heal Your Soul, Honor Your Loved Ones, and Learn to Live Again Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan Donovan: America's Master Spy The Wedding Shop Writer, Sailor, Soldier, Spy: Ernest Hemingway's Secret Adventures, 1935-1961 Category: Historical Fiction Nearly Home: A Journey Through the Holocaust A Dance with Destiny: The Untold Story of Anne Frank and the Nazi Resistance The Girl Who Played With Fire The Book Thief The Nightingale The Pillars of the Earth The Other Boleyn Girl Outlander Alliance The Help Category: Self-Help and Personal Development Good Grief: Heal Your Soul, Honor Your Loved Ones, and Learn to Live Again Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan The Lost Family: A Novel Category: Mystery and Suspense Milk and Honey Writer, Sailor, Soldier, Spy: Ernest Hemingway's Secret Adventures, 1935-1961 Nearly Home: A Journey Through the Holocaust The Girl Who Played With Fire The Book Thief The Nightingale The Pillars of the Earth The Other Boleyn Girl Outlander Alliance The Help Category: Romance Novel The Wedding Shop The Lost Family: A Novel Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan Wild Bill Donovan: The Spymaster Who Created the OSS and Modern American Espionage By William J. Donovan Biography and Memoir Wild Bill Donovan was a man who lived an extraordinary life, one that would shape modern American espionage for generations to come. In this biography, author William J. Donovan tells the story of his father, Wild Bill Donovan, who served as the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) during World War II and later founded the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The book begins with an introduction to Wild Bill's early life, growing up in a poor Irish-American family in New York City. Despite facing numerous challenges, including poverty and discrimination, Donovan was determined to succeed. He enlisted in the Army during World War I and later served as a spy for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. Throughout the book, Donovan recounts his father's experiences as the DCI, including his role in organizing the OSS and creating modern American espionage. He also discusses Wild Bill's personal life, including his relationships with his family and his love for writing. One of the strengths of this biography is Donovan's ability to provide a firsthand account of his father's experiences. This adds depth and authenticity to the story, making it more engaging and informative for readers. Additionally, the book provides insight into the history of espionage in America, including the creation of the OSS and the development of modern intelligence agencies. However, there are some weaknesses to this biography as well. For example, the author could have provided more detail about Wild Bill's early life and how it shaped his character. Additionally, while Donovan provides a firsthand account of his father's experiences, he does not always provide an objective perspective on events. This can make some parts of the book feel biased or one-sided. Overall, this is a well-written and informative biography that sheds light on the life of Wild Bill Donovan and his role in shaping modern American espionage. While there are some weaknesses to the book, its strengths make it an engaging read for anyone interested in history or espionage. Milk and Honey: A Novel By Karen Kingsbury Historical Fiction In Milk and Honey, author Karen Kingsbury tells the story of a young Jewish family during World War II. The novel follows the lives of three siblings - Rachel, Benjamin, and Leah - as they navigate life in Nazi-occupied Europe. The book begins with Rachel, a young girl who is separated from her family when they are sent to concentration camps. She must learn to survive on her own, using her wits and resourcefulness to stay alive. Along the way, she meets a Christian boy named Daniel, who becomes her closest friend and confidant. As the novel progresses, Rachel's family is reunited in a secret safe house, where they work together to help other Jews escape from Nazi-occupied Europe. However, their safety is constantly threatened by the Nazis, who are determined to hunt down and eliminate all Jews. Throughout the book, Kingsbury explores themes of love, faith, and hope in the face of adversity. She also provides a vivid portrayal of life under Nazi rule, including the horrors of concentration camps and the struggles faced by those trying to survive. One of the strengths of this novel is its emotional depth. The characters are complex and relatable, making it easy for readers to become invested in their stories. Additionally, Kingsbury's writing style is engaging and accessible, making the book an enjoyable read for anyone interested in historical fiction. However, there are some weaknesses to the book as well. For example, the author could have provided more detail about the history of Nazi Germany and its policies towards Jews. Additionally, while the novel explores important themes, it can sometimes feel heavy-handed or preachy. Overall, Milk and Honey is a powerful and emotional novel that sheds light on the experiences of Jewish families during World War II. While there are some weaknesses to the book, its strengths make it an engaging read for anyone interested in historical fiction or exploring themes of love, faith, and hope in the face of adversity. From Oss to Green Berets: The Birth of Special Forces By William H. Colby Biography and Memoir In From OSS to Green Berets, author William H. Colby tells the story of his life as a spy for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II and later as a member of the United States Army Special Forces. The book provides an insider's look at the creation and development of modern American special operations forces. The book begins with Colby's early years, growing up in a poor family in New York City. Despite facing numerous challenges, he was determined to succeed. He enlisted in the Army during World War II and later served as an OSS agent, working behind enemy lines in Europe and Asia. Throughout the book, Colby recounts his experiences as an OSS agent, including his role in organizing the first Special Forces unit and leading missions in Vietnam. He also discusses his personal life, including his relationships with his family and his love for adventure. One of the strengths of this biography is Colby's ability to provide a firsthand account of his experiences as an OSS agent and later as a member of the Special Forces. This adds depth and authenticity to the story, making it more engaging and informative for readers. Additionally, the book provides insight into the history of special operations forces in America, including their development and evolution over time. However, there are some weaknesses to this biography as well. For example, Colby could have provided more detail about his early years and how they shaped his character. Additionally, while he provides an insider's look at the creation of Special Forces, he does not always provide a balanced perspective on events. This can make some parts of the book feel one-sided or biased. Overall, From Oss to Green Berets is a well-written and informative biography that sheds light on the life of William H. Colby and his role in shaping modern American special operations forces. While there are some weaknesses to the book, its strengths make it an engaging read for anyone interested in history or military affairs. The Lost Family: A Novel By Lisa Wingate Historical Fiction In The Lost Family, author Lisa Wingate tells the story of a young woman named Eliza who is searching for her family's past. The novel follows Eliza as she uncovers secrets and mysteries about her ancestors, including a missing heirloom that has been passed down through generations. The book begins with Eliza inheriting an old house from her great-aunt, whom she had never met. As she explores the house, she discovers a hidden room filled with family memories and artifacts. This leads her on a journey to uncover the truth about her family's past, including the story of a missing heirloom that has been passed down through generations. As Eliza delves deeper into her family history, she encounters various obstacles and challenges, including rival families and hidden secrets. Along the way, she meets a cast of colorful characters who help her unravel the mysteries of her past. Throughout the book, Wingate explores themes of love, betrayal, and redemption. She also provides a vivid portrayal of life in England during the early 20th century, including the social hierarchy and class distinctions that shaped society at the time. One of the strengths of this novel is its emotional depth. The characters are complex and relatable, making it easy for readers to become invested in their stories. Additionally, Wingate's writing style is engaging and accessible, making the book an enjoyable read for anyone interested in historical fiction or exploring themes of love, betrayal, and redemption. However, there are some weaknesses to the book as well. For example, the author could have provided more detail about the history of England during the early 20th century and its impact on society at the time. Additionally, while the novel explores important themes, it can sometimes feel heavy-handed or preachy. Overall, The Lost Family is a powerful and emotional novel that sheds light on the experiences of families searching for their past.