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An intriguing historical account of the beginning of America's war for independence. Very well written, it not only details the events, but also the conflicting ideals of the people and nations involved. America ultimately won its independence, but had cooler heads prevailed that independence may never have been fought for, or even desired. A worthwhile read.

I did not expect to like this one as much as I finally did. I liked seeing Kenzie & Gennaro as parents. Even though the 16 years-old doesn't much act like that, I think after what she went through we all would age faster. That said, it's still a Dennis Lehane book. It's still dark, messy and sometimes uncomfortable.

While slow in places, this is a very beautiful book, reminiscent in ways of Agee's A Death in the Family--not in terms of the story, but in the way it reveals so many characters. I love that Patchett doesn't resort to chapters headed by the characters' names but just shifts seamlessly through the hearts and minds of the different family members.

“On a hot, almost windless afternoon in June, a seven-year-old boy stood beside his mother and looked out across the green islands of Boston Harbor.”

That 7-year-old was John Quincy Adams, and they were witnessing the Battle of Bunker Hill from at least ten miles away.

#history #RevolutionaryWar #BunkerHill
#FirstLineFridays

@ShyBookOwl

August #bookspin

I didn‘t complete July‘s pick yet but the good news is I‘m close to finishing!

Deep dive into the lead-up and start of the American Revolution. So far, so good.
#history #AmericanRevolution #TBR #TBRstack

I love Laurie Halse Anderson.
That is all.

I don't think I've read any other books that were set around not only the fighting and revolution but also while smallpox was also raging and how communities were trying to get ahead of it. Although this book was middle grade it did not gloss over the brutality of the disease in any way. This book would be an excellent addition to any history lesson set around the 1770s.

(2012) So this is actually a #ReadYourEbooks pick from June that I started but wasn't feeling so figured I'd abandon it. But it hung around on my phone beckoning Come on, you know you want to know. So I gave in and finished. It's a historical technothriller set at the birth of MIT, heavy on “historical,“ light on “thriller“. Several things didn't work for me, but a book that refuses abandonment gets my respect.

@Bookwormjillk I‘m sorry for the delayed opening! Just got back from Portland and ripped right into it. The books both look so good, and I love the little seashells and seed papers! Also that is my FAVE candle company and I haven‘t tried Sm‘oreos, I‘m super excited for both. Thank you for a great New England beach trip (that postcard took me right to Watch Hill ❤️❤️) #staycationswap