WHAT THE OTHER THREE DON'T KNOW by Spencer Hyde

WHAT THE OTHER THREE DON'T KNOW by Spencer Hyde. This story still leaves me with an unsettled feeling. Three teens are thrown together for a school trip that I didn't quite understand. It was for a class but I have never heard of a class that required that type of trip in high school. I realize it's fiction, but . . . The different groups that each of the kids came from sure made for an interesting group. Then the secrets each of them had added to the mix. It showed very well that we don't know what the person standing next to us is struggling with or what guilt they may be hiding or what they don't want others to know. I though it showed very well what can happen when we open up to those around us and the different support we can give one another. This is not a book for a younger audience. In fact, I'd say they need to be in high school to really understand the nuances and social dynamics presented. Then again, if it's read with an adult who can help kids grasp what is being talked about, then it would be appropiate, in my opinion.

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If Indie had it her way, she would never choose to river raft with three other high school seniors, mostly strangers to each other, from her journalism class.

A loner, a jock, an outsider, and Instagram influencer. At first they can't see anything that they have in common. As the trip unfolds, the unpredictable river forces them to rely on each other. Social masks start to fall as, one-by-one, each teen reveals a deep secret the other three don't know.

One is harboring immense grief and unwilling to forgive after the death of a loved one. One is dealing with a new disability and an uncertain future. One is fearful of the repercussions of coming out. One is hiding behind a carefully curated "perfect" image on Instagram.

Before they get to the end of Hells Canyon, they'll know the truth about each other and, more importantly , learn something new about themselves.

What the Other Three Don't Know is a poignant and gripping young adult novel about the unlikely friends who accept you for who you really are and the power of self-acceptance.

THE MILKMAN'S SON by Randy Lindsay

THE MILKMAN'S SON: A Memoir of Family History by Randy Lindsay. I have a hard time reading memoirs. They tend to lean toward a slower paced story that I struggle to dive into. Then add family history into the mix and I was sure it would be a bomb. Hence why I was skeptical about this one, and the couple of chapters had me wondering what I had gotten myself into. However, I should have known better with Randy Lindsay as the other. The few times I've met him has been interesting. You never know where the conversation will go and I always left a conversation (which usually I just listened as part of a group) smiling. His book is no exception. After the first few chapters, I found I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen. His DNA journey was fascinating. I began wondering what I would find in my DNA and where my story would go. I understand that can lead to some heartache for some people and excitement for others, but I found this memoir inspiring me to see what surprises are in my family tree. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is all very appropriate for anyone, and be careful. You just might be bit by the Family History bug.

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Raised in a family he bore little resemblance to, Randy was jokingly referred to as "the milkman's son." This warm and candid memoir chronicles the unraveling of a family secret, which begins with Randy's dad having dreams about deceased relatives urging him to complete their family tree. Randy agrees to help with the genealogy, but after his searching leads to a dead end, he takes a commercially available DNA test. The results reveal a possible genetic match to a sister, which begins a familial quest that forever changes the author's life.

Featuring a cast of vivid characters richly drawn from two distinct families, The Milkman's Sonreveals one man's family tree, pulling back layers of new information as he gets closer to the truth—a biological father, siblings, and family members he never knew about.

This is a story of accepting, forgiving, and reuniting. Most importantly, it's about the bonds that connect us and the unconditional love that makes us feel like we belong.

HER QUIET REVOLUTION by Marianne Monson

HER QUIET REVOLUTION by Marianne Monson. This was an incredible read. I was very surprised. Normally I have a difficult time getting through novels such as this, but HER QUIET REVOLUTAION had me captivated from the first few pages. I will admitt that I wasn't quite sure how the first chapter fit in until I realized it was the little girl that the story was about. At first, I expected the story to be about the mother in the first chapter. Once that connection was made, I was fascinated with what Martha accomplished and how she went against the norm of the day. She did so much for so many people. She helped so many people, and then after making the choice of whom she would marry, how that lead her down a different road. It was a fantastic read that I've already told many people about. I highly recommend it to everyone. 

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Based on the life of a pioneer woman who overcame tremendous odds, Her Quiet Revolution tells the true story of Martha Hughes Cannon: Wife. Mother. Physician. Senator. Suffragist. Polygamist.

When her baby sister and her father die on the pioneer trail to Salt Lake City, Mattie is determined to become a healer. But her chosen road isn’t an easy one as she faces roadblocks common to Victorian women. Fighting gender bias, geographic location, and mountains of self-doubt, Mattie pushes herself to become more than the world would have her be, only to have everything she’s accomplished called into question when she meets the love of her life: Angus Cannon, a prominent Mormon leader and a polygamist. 

From the American Frontier to European coasts, Martha’s path takes her on a life journey that is almost stranger than fiction as she learns to navigate a world run by men. But heartache isn’t far behind and she learns that knowing who you are and being willing to stand up for what you believe in is what truly defines you. 

Her Quiet Revolution is the story on one woman’s determination to change her world, and the path she left behind for others to follow.

PROMISED by Leah Garriot

PROMISED by Leah Garriot. This was a good, clean read. I smiled as Lord Williams so obnoxiously pushes his way into Margaret's life, and tries so hard yet hard enough to roll your eyes. He reminds me of some people I know who are the best of men but may not go about it in a subtle way, just as Lord Williams turns out to be. I think will be a book where everyone will enjoy rolling their eyes and loving the process of Margaret unfolding her heart. I would recommend it to anyone.

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Margaret Brinton keeps her promises, and the one she is most determined to keep is the promise to protect her heart.

Deceived by love once before, Margaret vows never to be played the fool again. To keep her vow, she attends a notorious matchmaking party intent on securing the perfect marital match: a union of convenience to someone who could never affect her heart. She discovers a man who exceeds all her hopes in the handsome and obliging rake Mr. Northam.

There's only one problem. His meddling cousin, Lord Williams, won't leave Margaret alone. Condescending and high-handed, Lord Williams lectures and insults her. When she refuses to give heed to his counsel, he single-handedly ruins Margaret's chances for making a good match. With no reason to remain at the party, Margaret returns home to discover her father has promised her hand in marriage—to Lord Williams.

Under no condition will Margaret consent to marrying such an odious man. Yet as Lord Williams inserts himself into her everyday life, Margaret is forced to realize that Lord Williams is exactly the type of man she'd hoped to marry before she'd learned how much love hurt. Margaret is faced with her ultimate choice: keep the promises that protect her or break free of them for one more chance at love. Either way, she fears her heart will lose.