Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford

Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford 384 pages, Paperback Publishes June 2016, NAL Trade Paperback Source: From the publisher for review, Netgalley About the Book
London, 1926. American-raised Maisie Musgrave is thrilled to land a job as a secretary at the upstart British Broadcasting Corporation, whose use of radio- still new, strange and electrifying- is captivating the nation. But the hectic pace, smart young staff, and intimidating bosses only add to Maisie's insecurities.
Soon, she is seduced by the work- gaining confidence as she arranges broadcasts by the most famous writers, scientists, and politicians in Britain. She is also caught up in a growing conflict between her two bosses, John Reith, the formidable Director-General of the BBC, and Hilda Matheson, the extraordinary director of the hugely popular Talks programming, who each have very different visions of what radio should be. Under Hilda's tutelage, Maisiediscovers her talent, passion, and ambition.  But when she unearths a shocking conspiracy, she and Hilda join forces to have their voices heard both on and off the air... then face the dangerous consequences of telling the truth for a living.
My Review
Maisie was a great character to follow along through the halls of the BBC at this pivotal time in history. Young, ambitious and a hard worker, she was ready for the changes that came with the  women's right to vote and their increased presence and acceptance in the workplace.
This book mixed history with the drama of workplace romance and espionage. It was a lot of fun and a pleasure to read. Very interesting time in history and what a better place to see it all happening than from the BBC.
About the Author

Sarah-Jane Stratfor grew up in Los Angeles with a deep love of theatre and literature. After earning a bachelor's degree in history from UC Santa Cruz, she then obtained her master's degree in medieval history at the University of York in Britain, where she wrote a thesis about women in the manorial court system which gave her a new appreciation for the modern era.
Sarah-Jane has written articles and essays for a range of publications, including The Guardian, The Boston Globe, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Marie Claire, Bitch, Slate, Salon, Guernica, and BOMB.
In addition to theatre and activism, Sarah-Jane enjoys knitting ( when the project is submitting to her will) and wandering around interesting places. She currently lives in New York.
For more information about the author and the book visit her WEBSITE.
Happy Reading! _________________________________________

One True Love by Taylor Jenkins Reid

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid 352 pages, paperback and ebook Publishes June 2016, Atria/Washington Square Press
Source: From publisher for review, NetGalley
About the Book
In her twenties, Emma Blair marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They build a life for themselves, far away from the expectations of their parents and the people of their hometown in Massachusetts. They travel the world together, living life to the fullest and seizing every opportunity for adventure.

On their first wedding anniversary, Jesse is on a helicopter over the Pacific when it goes missing. Just like that, Jesse is gone forever. Emma quits her job and moves home in an effort to put her life back together. Years later, now in her thirties, Emma runs into an old friend, Sam, and finds herself falling in love again. When Emma and Sam get engaged, it feels like Emma’s second chance at happiness.

That is, until Jesse is found. He’s alive, and he’s been trying all these years to come home to her. With a husband and a fiancé, Emma has to now figure out who she is and what she wants, while trying to protect the ones she loves.

Who is her one true love? What does it mean to love truly? Emma knows she has to listen to her heart. She’s just not sure what it’s saying.
My Review
This story had me teary eyed a few times. Had me smiling and talking to the characters a few times...Ha. I don't know what I would do if this ever happened to me, and how I would go about choosing. Pretty crazy to think about. It was an interesting situation which I am sure has happened but still really hard to imagine. 
Now, the way Jesse disappears and the explanation of where he has been for three years was a little hard to believe, but that really isn't the main plot of the book so I didn't let it bother me too much. It really is all about Emma and how she handles his "death", finding herself and love again, and dealing with Jesse's return.
I was very happy with how the book ended.
I enjoyed it and read through it very quickly. It's another great summer read from Reid.
About the Author

Taylor Jenkins Reid is an author and essayist from Acton, Massachusetts. She is the author of Forever, Interrupted, After I Do and Maybe In Another Life. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Alex, and her dog, Rabbit. 

Website: www.taylorjenkinsreid.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taylorjenkinsreidbooks
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tjenkinsreid 
Instagram: @tjenkinsreid
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Happy Reading! _________________________________________

School's Out Readathon

I love this! A week of reading to celebrate the end of the school year. I am in! I will even get the little girl reading with me, too. She is done with school on the 14th, so the 15th and 16th will be our read along days. We are going to the library today, so will be sure to get some good ones.
As for me, I have some books all ready and stacked up that need to be read. For book group: Dead Wake by Erik Larson, for review: Since She Went Away by David J. Bell, and on audio: Bones are Forever by Kathy Reichs.
Happy Reading!

Summer Break is Upon Us

It's funny to not be cheering for summer break like I used to when I was a teacher. Now I am a parent and wondering what I will be doing to fill the little girl's summer days. Camps? Day trips? Play Dates? 
We are, luckily, in the perfect place to be able to do all of the above. Preschool friends and new TK friends are always ready to do something fun like go to the beach, go berry picking, head to a museum in the city and so much more. 
We have her enrolled in a couple week long camps this summer and all of June is basically filled with traveling. We seem to think we can manage a long road trip through the desert with a 5 year old. Ha! 
We shall see how that goes. 
We have fun stops planned, though. Sedona for a couple nights, Taos with friends, Holbrook on the way back to meet up with some family, Giants/Diamondbacks game in Phoenix. And stops at my parents both on the way out and back.
Any fun activities, ideas for keeping a 5 year old entertained on the road?
Happy Reading!

Current Read: Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Fit4Mom's Body Back

I just finished another session of Body Back with Fit4Mom. It is an 8 week session that includes two bootcamp-like workouts a week, nutrition guidance and meditation. A full body overhaul, if you will.
I have been taking these sessions pretty regularly for the past two years. The workouts are really great and a lot of fun when surrounded with other moms. Even better- I have seen results! 
I have lost over 15lbs. This might not seem like much for 2 years, but I find that losing slower is helping me to keep it off. However, what I am most proud of is the changes made in my strength, endurance and speed.
I couldn't run a mile without taking many walking breaks. I have now broken a 10m mile. I could't do more than a few push ups. I now can do 20+ in a minute. I could barely hold plank for a minute. I have held it for 3min.   
On to the next session!

Happy Wednesday! _________________________________________

Up All Night

We have all gotten very little sleep. Running on fumes here.
The little girl was up vomiting almost every hour from 8pm to 2am. Poor little thing. She was miserable and I feel like a zombie. Up munching on a bagel and having a cup of coffee while she finally sleeps, the poor girl. 
While up last night, I did finally finish reading Armada by Ernest Cline.  Have to say, I did't enjoy it as much as Ready Player One. It didn't have the same feel to it despite the inclusion of the SciFi pop culture references. It was a bit predictable and not as fun.
Alright, back to bed I go. For a little while, at least. I doubt the little girl will be asleep for much longer. 
Happy Napping! _________________________________________

Armchair BEA Day 5: Wrap-Up

Armchair BEA has come and gone. Always fun visiting new blogs and reading everyone's posts. 

In case you missed my posts this week, here they are, all in one place for you to peruse if you like. If not, at least go enter the giveaway. It's a good one, I promise. :)

Day 1: Introductions

Day 2: Books and Blogs Aesthetics

Day 3: Beyond the Books and Blogs

Day 4: Surviving Fictional Worlds and a GIVEAWAY

Thanks for another great year. I love participating in BEA from my armchair at home.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Armchair BEA Day 4: Surviving Fictional Worlds and a GIVEAWAY!

My book group just read Paolo Bacigalupi's The Water Knife. 

Have any of you read this?

It takes place in a not so distant future where climate change has really taken a toll on the US. Hurricanes and rising ocean levels on the coasts, unending drought in the southern states. States are fighting for water rights. Nevada is a dustbowl. Cities with water (heavily controlled and rationed water) are inundated with refugees from areas with no water. Northern states have closed off their borders to keep the people out.  

It is a very sad and scary look at what could happen if something is not done now to prevent it. It is so believable that this fictionalized look at our future is somewhere I would not want to find myself. 

Conserve water! Lower your carbon emissions! 

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GIVEAWAY

Would you like to read this book? 

Leave a comment below and let me know what you are doing to save the Earth for future generations.  A winner will be randomly selected to receive a copy of The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi. You have until Friday, May 20th to enter. US only.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Armchair BEA Day 3: Beyond the Books and Blogs

When I started MariReads 9 years ago all the books I read and reviewed were my own purchased physical copies. When I started getting requests to review books they were sent to me in the mail. Real hard copies. Things are a little different now. Most of my review reading is now done with ebook copies on my Kindle through NetGalley. 

I do buy physical copies, but not as many these days. Smaller house means less room for my many bookshelves of books. In fact I lightened our load of books by donating boxes of them to our library. 

Painful, but necessary. 

I have started listening to audiobooks which I didn't use to do. I have enjoyed them, especially when I am out for a run or walk or for long drives on my own. Always looking for suggestions for new audiobooks to listen to. Have any?

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My book obsession has escaped the confines of my house and blog and into a real life book group. 

Some friends and I started getting together a few years back. We read fun, light reads mixed with some nonfiction and popular lit. We lost some member and decided to merge with another friend's book group. It has been a lot of fun getting to read a much more diverse group of books. By that, I mean, more SciFi. :) We have some big time SciFi readers in our group. It's definitely expanded my reading. Surprisingly, it still doesn't overlap with my hubby's SciFi books. 

If you are on GoodReads, you can check out my book-group bookshelf list to see what books we have read.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________