WooReads Patron Book Reviews: History Buff Edition

Check out these nonfiction book reviews written by our patrons as part of the WooReads: WPL Adult Reading Challenge. The more book reviews you share on WooReads the more likely you are to win one of our random drawings!

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Lincoln's Last Trial : The Murder Case That Propelled Him To The Presidency

By Dan Abrams

The true story of Abraham Lincoln's last murder trial, a case in which he had a deep personal involvement--and which played out in the nation's newspapers as he began his presidential campaign. It was very insightful. Interesting and a fast read. I didn't want to put it down.😀

~Valdajean J.

Jefferson's Daughters: Three Sisters, White and Black, in a Young America

By Catherine Kerrison

A nonfiction scholarly book about Martha, Marie and Harriet Jefferson- lots of new information about the family- reads like a novel.

~Agnes W.

Operation Columba: The Secret Pigeon Service

By Gordon Corera

An interesting, but at times confusing, story about how homing pigeons were used to carry secret messages, rescue downed pilots and support the French and Belgium resistance during WWII.

~Mary R.

WooReads Patron Book Reviews: Fiction Best Sellers

Check out what your fellow WooReaders said about these critically acclaimed novels! Like what you read? Click the title to link to our catalog.

Share your reviews on WooReads and keep logging those books. We have read 1,172 books so far. Help us to reach 5,000 before the end of May 2019.



There There

By Tommy Orange

A well-written and well-crafted debut novel of contemporary identity seeking. This story of multiple characters claiming some relationship to the urban Native American experience (modern day Oakland) tightens as the novel draws to a dramatic overlapping ending that echoes the tragic narrative behind the story being told.

~William C.

Lincoln In The Bardo (Audiobook)

By George Saunders

Just finished the audiobook of Lincoln In The Bardo.

It was an amazing 7 1/2 hours. I listened in chunks of half an hour to an hour, often intending to stop at the next chapter break, but being compelled forward.
It gets very intense.
If you like Nick Offerman's voice, there's plenty of that. There are also 165 other voices.

Heads up:
Strong language (including slurs)
There's a description of a slave being raped.

~Marguerite B.

*********************SPOILER ALERT**************************

In The Woods

By  Tana French

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It grabbed my attention quickly. I was very interested in Rob and his story-line. I loved his partner Cassie. She was my favorite character. I'm still questioning whether Rob was a reliable narrator or not. He did warn us, he's a liar. The book could be a little slow at times, but I felt it picked up in the second half. Then, I couldn't put it down. There were many times I wondered if Rob and Cassie would solve the murder or not.

The only thing that I did not like was (SPOILER) that the first mystery of Rob and his friends was NOT solved. This definitely irked me. I was more intrigued by this mystery than the murder mystery that the book followed. I desperately wanted to know what happened to Rob in the woods. I wanted to know what happened to his friends.

So, overall good. I would recommend to those looking for a good murder mystery. However, if you are easily frustrated by some mysteries not being solved, this may be one to avoid.

~Cynthia O.

WooReads Patron Book Reviews: Tear Jerkers

Grab a tissue folks. These books will bring tears to your eyes.

White Oleander

By Janet Fitch

A bestseller, but mostly sad. A young girl whose mom goes to prison, and she goes to foster care. She braves it out and manages OK, but your heart aches for her.

~Karen S.

Hey Kiddo

By Jarrett Krosoczka

This is a great book. Highly recommended. The story made me cry and I loved the pictures of Worcester. His grandparents reminded me of my parents and their contemporaries so much.

~Patricia A.

Maybe In Another Life

By Taylor Jenkins Reid

Stepped out of my reading comfort zone by reading this (contemporary romance novel). Highly recommend; got teary eyed at the end. Really made me thankful for all that I've accomplished, have and the people I've met in life. I sometimes wonder "what if," but have to remember that the steps I've taken brought me to where I am today. I'm right where I'm suppose to be.


~Mary T.

Lily And The Octopus

By Steven Rowley

** spoiler alert ** The ending of this book had me crying and there were some tender parts in the book, but I became annoyed with the overuse of the octopus symbol, particularly during the battle scene. Ok! I get it ! This was your epic tale and the octopus was your white whale, but, as my mother would have said, "Enough already!!"

~Jeri G.