Could Use Some Editing

Imagine being in your elder years and suddenly being thrust into the role of guardian of a 10 year old, distant relative. That's the premise of this book. Through no fault of his own, this poor kid needs someplace to live, and the sometimes-crusty great uncle, Noah, is the only option outside of foster care. The unlikely duo embarks on a trip to France, the place of Noah's birth and very early childhood. While there, he digs up information on his mom, esoteric at best and suspicious at other times. Why did she voluntarily send her son to the U.S. and stay behind during WWII? Noah suspects the worst, and bravely pushes on to find out if he is right. The relationship between the two characters was charming and engaging, but the book spent much of its time in idle. Coulda chopped out 100 pages, easily, and had the same story.

Who Ya Rootin' For?

What is it about pirates that makes us love them? Despite their errant ways, they have tunneled into our hearts. This book won't change that. It's about a group of buccaneers in the 1680s and their adventures in the seas and coastal towns off/of South America. As the noose tightens, this amazing tale of scaliwags and survivors becomes more and more riveting. But as with everything else, all things must come to an end, and I found myself hoping that a British trial wouldn't result in the gallows for those who were ultimately caught. In this wonderfully researched book, you'll feel the humidity, and sweat the sweat of the chased. Yo-ho hurry up and read it!

Is Now the Same as Then?

In this fiction story (but based on true events, go figure), a journalist travels from Detroit to Birmingham to find out what events preceded her great grandfather's murder there in 1929. Moving back and forth between 2019 and the year of her great grandfather's death, we learn about the rampant racism of . . . well, just that. Rampant racism. Although there are plenty of disappointments there, the author keeps it upbeat and we see glimmers of hope too.