The Last Place You Look by Kristen Lepionka

The Last Place You Look by Kristen Lepionka - 321 pages

This debut mystery is very compelling.  PI Roxane Weary is in a real bad place dealing with the aftermath of her Columbus, Ohip police detective father's murder in the line of duty along with a slew of personal issues.  Her brother throws her a bone with a case brought to him by a friend to locate a potential missing witness to save the friend's brother from the death penalty.  Roxane spirals through relationships with both sexes and alcohol to a very dark place as she tries desperately to find the truth as to what happened when a family was murdered and a young girl went missing so long ago.

This would be a great opener to a series and I'd definitely read more to follow Roxane and her struggles to find stable ground in her life.  

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough-320 pages

I thoroughly enjoyed reading McCullough's account of Orville and Wilbur Wright (and their immediate family, especially their father and sister). McCullough chronicles their lives leading up to the invention of the airplane, but focuses mainly on the brothers' invention of the airplane and escapades in flight. McCullough's writing flows well and is very readable, which is why it is so interesting and enjoyable. I knew that the Wright Brothers were the first to invent and fly an "airplane," but I learned so much more about them while reading this book. I wanted to read this book for three reasons (mainly). The first is that it is written by David McCullough who is a much acclaimed historian and author. The second is that I wanted to learn more about the Wright Brothers and their escapades in flight (which as I said, I did). The final reason is that I share the same birthday with both Orville and Katharine Wright (though I only knew about Orville before reading this book). I find it interesting, amusing that Wilbur really liked France and felt a kinship to/with the French, but did not like Rome at all. I would really like to visit Italy. In conclusion, I am glad to have read this book and have a better understanding of flight and the Wright Brothers.

A Secret Gift: How One Man’s Kindness – and a Trove of Letters – Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression

A Secret Gift: How One Man’s Kindness – and a Trove of Letters – Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression

By Ted Gup

364 pages

The Christmas of 1933 was a trying time for many families. America was in the midst of the Great Depression. The economy had grinded to a halt. Unemployment appeared to be everywhere. However in Canton Ohio, a newspaper ad offered a glimpse of hope in a small financial gift, to families in need. The sponsor called himself, Mr. B. Virdot. An alias, so the benefactor could remain anonymous.

These letters written to Mr. B. Virdot has surfaced after seventy-five years. In these letters are stories of suffering and grief as residents of the city and surrounding area wrote to Mr. B. Virdot hoping and praying for some relief.

The author, Ted Gup, is the grandson of the sponsor, Sam Stone. Ted was given the hidden letters by his mother in 2008. Ted investigated each family who received a five dollar check from his Mr. B. Virdot and wrote an inspiring account of these ordinary people during an era full of hardship.