AKA the Book Challenge.
Yikes, March was not my best reading month ever. I'm okay with that though, because some things happened in March (one of which you can read about here, the other is very personal, sorry!) that kept me from spending lots of time alone with a book. That being said, here is March!
There are some books on one of our bookshelves that are not ours. They belong to my parents. Even being the book lover that I am, I rarely look over these books because I have so many to get through myself. One day in March, by chance, I was looking and found this amazing gem:
We Thought We Heard the Angels Sing by James C. Whittaker.
"The complete epic story of the ordeal and rescue of those who were with Eddie Rickenbacker on the plane lost in the Pacific" gives you a quick rundown of the content. But it is so much more amazing than that! This Wikipedia section gives a bit more detail. Frankly, if you read that and don't want to read the book... I just don't know what to do with you. While you're there, you might as well read the whole Rickenbacker entry because DAMN, that guy lived a life. I enjoyed reading Whittaker's description of him in Angels so much that I immediately got on Amazon and purchased this book:
Eddie Rickenbacker, An Autobiography (1967)
It came quickly and in mint condition. Haven't opened it yet, but I'm excited!
Now for the really cool part... The copy I read of Angels is signed by the author! It says:
To my friend, ________ ________ with my every best wish.
Sincerely,
Lt. James C. Whittaker
April 10 1947
AWESOME.
The second book I read in March was Killing Rage by Eamon Collins. I picked this book because it's a topic I don't know very much about and am interested in: The IRA. The author, Collins, planned hits (among other things) for the IRA in the 1970s and early 1980s. It took me a while to get through because I would set the book down and think, wow, this stuff really happens, I have so much to learn. I know it happens, but reading about the planning of the killing of an innocent person is a whole other deal.
Collins eventually broke away from the IRA and told his story on television and in the aforementioned book. He was murdered in a park near his home in 1999. I would say most people believe it was the work of the IRA.
Good book and easy to read (if not super fun).
I am planning on reading some historical books on The Troubles so I will have a foundation of knowledge on the topic. Probably should have completed that before Rage, but after I read the description I really wanted to read it first!
I traveled with my family my sophomore year in high school to Ireland for two weeks. We went to so many incredible places on that trip! Gorgeous scenery, amazing history and super friendly people. But, unless I want to leave my husband at home, there will not be a trip back anytime soon. As the wife of a former Royal Marine Commando, we cannot visit Northern Ireland or Ireland for at least five years after my husband leaves the Marines. It's for our safety.
Besides being a history major, that is what sparked my interest in the conflict.
My total is 2 for March.
Total so far this year: 11
Month of January
Month of February
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