I must admit that I have read other books about Beryl Markam. Paula McLain's Circling the Sun is a unique novel in scope and perspective, as it introduces the reader to an early part of Markam's life experiences in Africa during the Victoria occupation of that region.

Who knew of the turmoil she faced as a small child, or her jaded attempt to reenter London's Victorian culture as a young adult? Her gift with horses was astounding aspect of her life that many are unaware of Circling the Sun is a refreshing account of the life of an incredibly talented and adept woman, who faced the challenges pitted against her in foreign county and was still able to live her life to the fullest.

I would recommend Circling the Sun to any reader interested in strong female characters, sweeping descriptions of beautiful African vistas, horses, or anyone who has succeed and failed and still able to retain their dignity until the end of their life.

This book is a huge step away from any book categorized as a biography. It is the true story of a man, who was also a dedicated doctor, and who suffers from bipolar disorder. He doesn't know what he suffers from or how to diagnose it, treat it or cure it. I was utterly spellbound by his descriptions of the indignities suffered by the doctor in an attempt to cure this undiagnosed and untreated mental illness.

Almost the entire narrative is written from the doctor's perspective, although the last part of the book is the story of his daughter's quest to discover more about her chronically absent father. The results are astonishing and uplifting.

Reader beware...this book is unflinchingly accurate in its descriptions of treatments, and not necessarily for the faint of heart. But if you can manage "He Wanted The Moon" is a wonderfully inspirational book.

First and foremost, I despise giving a book a less than stellar review, but...

I really wanted to be over the moon about this book. I loved the 3 stories, but the way in which they were interwoven made finishing it a bit of a chore. The writing was beautiful, but the ending seemed a little "I-saw-that-coming-all-along," and the novel might have been more intriguing if everything "didn't" work out in the end.

All in all, the stories were interesting and the history was fascinating, but the internecine quality of plot made this book more of a imposition and less of a pleasure.

Great for readers of Phillipa Gregory.

What more could you ask for? 'The Fortune Hunter' has it all. A sumptuous blend of all this British during the late 19th century, this book does not fail in its ability to weave the intricacies of royalty with the lives of British aristocrats.

The Empress of Austria is not to be trifled with. She has traveled to Britain, with her extensive entourage, to enjoy hunting season. When she falls in love with a "commoner," among the British hunting elite, her actions (and his) are deemed scandalous! The fact that the Empress is married and Captain Middleton is all but engaged makes the situation more shocking.

Enter Charlotte Baird, the heiress to the Lennox fortune. She is romantically linked to Captain Middleton, and her naivete about love and relationships is revealed when she mistakenly believes that the Captain is in pursuit of her heart, and not her fortune. Her devotion to the new art of photographer is a refreshing diversion for the reader, as the intrigue regarding the Empress and her Lothario swirl around as the center of the story.

If you are looking for is a rollicking ride through the countryside of Britain, replete with colorful characters, brilliant scenery and dubious shenanigans, The Fortune Hunter will not disappoint.

1727. Marshalsea, a debtor's goal in London. A gentleman who is imprisoned for outstanding debts. A mystery surrounding a death on the inside. Is it murder or suicide?

In a setting that is both chilling and disturbing, Thomas Hawkins' new life in Mashalsea depends on his ability to solve the mystery of the death of Captain Roberts, a former prisoner. Hawkins is supported in his quest for answers by a cast of characters who are vile, despicable, and as scheming as they are pathetic. Who is innocent and who is guilty?

The Devil in the Marshalsea is mystery that will keep you guessing until the last few pages. Not for the faint of heart, the story will thrill, fascinate, and horrify you – all in one story. If you enjoy mysteries that are enhanced by the environment in which they are told, The Devil in the Marshalsea will be "un-put-down-able!" But be warned, read with the lights on.

I read The Martian quite awhile ago, as a free Kindle book, and I was simultaneously riveted and blown away by this book.

The story is so unique, the POV is really readable, the science is "interesting" and the whole package is definitely worth your time.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes Jack McDevitt (Moonfall, The Alex Benedict books, etc).

The Martian will make you laugh, cry and be incredulous all in one read. I loved it.

The Housemaid's Daughter follows the life of the title character. From her birth into the household of ex-pat Irish immigrants through her life living with the social changes brought on by Apartheid, the Handmaid's Tale explores the ideas of love, loyalty, servitude, acceptance and discrimination. The novel is beautifully written and will transport the reader into a world not often explored.

I am not sure if this novel is supposed to be a set of short stories, or a novel that never really came together, and by the end, I wasn't sure I really cared. The characters never made an impact on me, so it was difficult to remember who was who. Also, the timing of the stories jumped forward (and back) in time with little to no warning, it frustrated me to distraction.

One thing that was very evident in this novel is the author's belief in (and experience with) the notion that those who suffer during a political revolution are not the only affected generation. In the end, violence and loss come full circle from the mothers in the beginning of the book to their sons and daughters, represented later in the book.