Hello fellow ghouls and goblins! Though it may not feel like it (if you are like me in the Midwest where we have been crashed by a heat dome) it is time for the Summerween readathon! If you aren’t familiar with my blog, this is a readathon created by _myfictionalworld (also known as gabbyreads) and oliviareadsalatte on Instagram and YouTube in which participants are encouraged to read scary, spooky stories in July to get into the fall feeling. It is one of my favorite reading events of the year and I’m so happy to be doing it again this year.
This year the readathon is taking place from July 3rd to the 9th but as with the previous years I will be changing the dates a little bit for me. I am starting it today, July 2nd, as I am off for the Fourth of July holiday and will finish July 12th. Since I have to work most days I like to stretch it out a bit, and also because I just have so much fun with this readathon.
Now, without further ado, what are these years prompts and which books will I be reading to complete them?
Prompts:
Read a horror/thriller book: The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
Read a book with pink on the cover: This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum
Read a book in the dark: Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft
Read a book that is less than 300 pages: The Grownup by Gillian Flynn
Read a book from a new author (either to you or a debut): I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones
I also have two backup books just in case one of these books don’t work out, Slasher Summer by E.L. Chen and Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven. Finally, make sure to swing back here after the end of the readathon for my Summerween wrap-up. Happy spooky reading!
Hello fellow readers! Today, I am here to share with you my Spring 2026 Wrap-Up. I read quite a lot during this season so let’s jump right into it.
Trespasses by Louise Kennedy – This historical fiction takes place in Ireland during the Troubles. Schoolteacher Cusla soon finds herself having an affair with a married Protestant named Michael. But as their relationship intensifies, Cusla becomes involved in an event that will force her to pick a side. The concept and overall story for this book was good. However, my biggest frustration (and granted this might be petty to some) with this story was that the author chose not to have quotation marks when characters were speaking. Unfortunately, this really brought down the reading experience to me.
Hot Wax by M. L. Rio – One of my most anticipated books in the last six months or so was the latest book from M. L. Rio who wrote one of my favorite dark academia books, If We Were Villains. This story centers around Suzanne who embarks on a road trip to find answers about her childhood. Flashbacking to the summer of 1989 when Suzanne was ten, we enter a world of drugs, sex, and rock n roll with Suzanne’s father at the center of it. As always, the story was excellently written by Ms. Rio but the story itself fell very flat for me. I do hope the next book Ms. Rio publishes harped more back to If We Were Villains than this one.
The Girl on the Platform by Ellie Midwood – This year I really wanted not only to read more historical fiction but also to get back to some of my favorites whose catalog of books I have fallen very behind on. Ms. Midwood has been pushing out great historical fiction books since she started and I knew I had to jump back into her world. This World War Two story tells the true story of Libby and Haro who resisted against the Nazis. As always, it is meticulously researched and a very fast read with a heart wrenching ending. Another well deserved 5 out of 5 stars for Ms. Midwood.
Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino – In the later part of March, starting with The Girl on the Platform, I hit a stride of reading one great book after another. This 2025 thriller, released at the end of the year, will be one of my favorite books I read this year. It follows Margo who, like many other Americans right now, is struggling to buy a home. She and her husband want to start a family, but feel that they can’t until they have a house of their own. When Margo’s dream home hits the market she decides she will do whatever it takes to get it, even if it means breaking a few laws. This was a super fast read that packed female rage and humor in a powerful package. I absolutely loved it!
The Radium Girls by Kate Moore – Speaking of books that blew me away, this nonfiction by Kate Moore was not only the perfect book to pick up during Women’s History Month but one that everyone should read. Telling the remarkable story of the radium girls, who were exposed to dangerous levels of radium while painting the dials on clocks during war, I could not put this one down. Despite it’s length, I managed to finish this one in record time. It is a story that will pull at your heart strings, make you cry and laugh at the same time, and leave you with a story that will remain in your mind for a very long time.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Even year I tend to read at least one book from Taylor Jenkins Reid and this time around I decided to pick up her newest release. Telling the story of female astronauts in the 1970s and 80s, Atmosphere was a solid read but not one of my favorites. There isn’t much else to say about this. If you enjoy TJD’s books this might be worth it for you but I would go in with lower expectations.
Seduction Theory by Emily Adrian – We have now come to my first DNF of the season. The low ratings on this one should have been enough for me not to pick up this short book dealing with two college professors but I thought maybe, just maybe, it might be worth it. Unfortunately it wasn’t and I can confirm the Goodreads ratings were right on this one.
Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry – Fellow reader, have I become a fantasy reader? That’s what I found myself asking when I finished this fantasy story. Odessa finds herself unexpectedly married off to Zavier, a prince whose country, Turah, is often in conflict with Odessa’s home. As Odessa braves this new country, serving as a spy for her father, she discovers some evil is lurking in the land. Working with her new husband’s top protector, the Guardian, Odessa attempts to discover what is happening. For someone new to fantasy, I thought this was a great introduction into the genre and I will be picking up book two.
Towards the Horizon by Gabrielle McMaster – April means I need to read at least one Titanic book and this year I was thrilled to pick up this new release from Gabrielle McMaster. Focusing on the ship’s Irish legacy and following a young female apprentice, I greatly enjoyed this new perspective. The ship’s legacy in Ireland has truly grown over the last few decades and I liked reading from that view point. The story read quickly and was a great addition to my Titanic book collection.
My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney – When it comes to the thriller/mystery genre, Alice Feeney is one of my go to. So when she released a new book at the start of this year I had to pick it up. Eden is an artist who has just purchased her dream home and is staging her first art exhibit in the small town. But when she returns to her home from a morning run, she discovers another woman there and is claiming to be Eden. I loved the premise of the book but I did find the twists at the end to be a little bit too unbelievable. Rock, Paper, Scissors is still my favorite Alice Feeney book.
The Storm by Rachel Hawkins – It’s hurricane season and the sleepy coastal town of St. Menard’s is preparing for another season. While hurricanes are not unusual for the area, many can’t stop talking about the one that hit in 1984. Not because of the storm itself but because Landon Fitzroy, the son of a political legend, was murdered during it. His young lover, Lo Bailey, was accused of the crime but was never found guilty. Now, decades later, Lo has returned, determined to set the record straight. This thriller was a very quick read and pretty short, which worked to its advantage. Sometimes Rachel Hawkins’ books run a bit too long but the page length for this was just perfect. It was a bit predictable but a fun read.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh – During the spring it has become a bit of a tradition for me to read one “weird” book, a story with an out there premise. This one focuses on a young woman living in New York City in 2001 who, tired of life (literally and figuratively), decides she wants to sleep through the year. Besides this, there isn’t much of a story and is more of a character analysis. I found it to be a step up from the “weird” book I read last year, Bunny by Mona Awad, but still not a favorite.
I Was Feeling Epic by Samantha Highfill – Another nonfiction I picked up this spring was this oral history about the TV show, The Vampire Diaries. I binged watched the series for the first time almost two years ago and loved it so I had to pick it. It was fascinating to read the behind the scenes information and hearing the casts’ perspectives on the show. I would recommend it to anyone who grew up with The CW shows or is just a fan of the series itself.
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali – A wonderful but unexpected 5 star read for me this season was this historical fiction set in Iran from the 1950s-70s. Centered around two friends whose actions result in them living vastly different lives, Lion Women is a heartful and emotional story that seems more important than ever. I will be reading more of Marjan Kamali’s books in the future.
The Whisper Man by Alex North – While scrolling through social media I saw that Netflix was adapting this horror/thriller by Alex North. Since I like to read the book before the movie (most of the time) I decided to grab this one from my local library. Following a widowed father who has a complicated relationship with his young son, the broken family relocates to a small town. While it is a picturesque community, the town holds a tragic past. Twenty years ago several young boys were kidnapped and murdered by a serial killer who not only stalked his victims but would also whisper through their windows. The man was caught and locked up but now children are disappearing again. This story had a very good, creepy atmosphere but the last fifty pages felt very rushed and didn’t leave a satisfying ending.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote – For my classics book club I got to read the book that is often credited with starting the true crime genre. I’ve heard a lot about this book and was excited to pick it up. While I think it is a good introduction to anyone wanting to dip their toes into the true crime genre, I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. I kept comparing it unfavorably to Ann Rule’s The Stranger Beside Me, which, in my opinion, was much better.
Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston – Following a somewhat mediocre classic I grabbed a somewhat mediocre thriller. Anatomy of an Alibi was one of the first big releases of the year and the premise sounded interesting. Two women’s lives become intertwined when one agrees to pretend to be the other, offering an alibi. But, when the woman’s husband ends up dead, they must work to keep their lies straight. Again, interesting premise but the execution fell flat and I didn’t feel attached to any of the characters.
It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica – I recently posted a full review of this one (check it out here: https://rachelrheil.com/blog/2026/06/its-not-her-by-mary-kubica-review/) but I LOVED it. A book I was able to finish in 24 hours, this thriller that is set in the woods of Wisconsin never lost my interest and I just couldn’t get enough of it. Easily one of the most addicting reads I’ve had this year so far.
Passion Project by London Sperry – The final book I read in Spring 2025 was this romance set in New York City. Though it has been several years since her boyfriend’s unexpected death, Bennet has been unable to move on in her life. Living in the city where they always planned to settle in once they graduated college, Bennet feels haunted by her boyfriend’s presence and feels she can’t go on enjoying life without him. Desperate to help her friend, Bennet’s roommate sets her up on a blind date. While that doesn’t go as planned, Bennet is introduced to Henry, a charming photographer who makes it his mission to help Bennet fall in love with life again. This was romance that had a lot more emotion than I expected, which I felt somewhat hurt the book. Yes, there is nothing wrong dealing with complex emotions in a romance book (looking at you The Wedding People) but it became very overwhelming after a while. I often switched from feeling sorry for Bennet to being upset with her and poor Henry was just along for the ride.
Hello fellow readers! Once again we find ourselves half way through 2026, which means it is time for the yearly Mid Year Freakout book tag. This fun tag was created by fellow book creators where you respond to a series of questions related to what you read so far in the year and what you hope to still get to in the future.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
1. How many books you’ve read so far. 35
2. Best book you’ve read so far this year. I’m happy to say that I really had to think on this one. I’ve already so many great stories this year! At the moment, the book hanging on to that spot is Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino. This one was way too good not to have it at the top of the list. Other notable contenders at the moment are The Radium Girls by Kate Moore, The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali, and It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica.
3. New release you haven’t read yet but want to. There have a been a TON of new and exciting releases this year but I think the one I’m most excited to dive into is Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke.
4. Biggest disappointment. This one really pains me to say but it has to be Hot Wax by M. L. Rio. After how much I loved If We Were Villains and Graveyard Shift this one really let me down. I applaud Ms. Rio for doing something different but I’m hoping her next release will be better. Writing is still gorgeous though.
5. Biggest surprise. An easy one! On the advice of my mom I reluctantly picked up The Women by Kristin Hannah. If you have followed me for awhile you know I haven’t mixed well with her books and I was pretty much ready to give up on Ms. Hannah’s books. But The Women really surprised me. It had a great story, read very quickly, and taught me something new about women who served in Vietnam.
6. Favorite new author (debut or new to you). Marjan Kamali! She wrote one of my favorite books of the year, The Lion Women of Tehran. Such a fantastic book and I’m hoping to read more of Ms. Kamali’s work in the future.
7. Newest fictional crush. I mentioned last year that this one is typically pretty hard for me since I like to have a visual. But, I will say, I did really enjoy The Guardian in Shield of Sparrows.
8. Newest favorite character. Frankie from The Women. Considering everything she endured, it was amazing Frankie was able to preserve and do good with her military service.
9. Book that made you cry. Like fictional crush, I don’t often cry when reading books. That being said, the closest I got was reading The Radium Girls by Kate Moore. I don’t see how anyone can read this story and not be moved by these women’s bravery.
10. Book that made you happy. You know it wouldn’t be a reading year if I didn’t mention Finlay Donovan. Book four, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, felt like a return to form for the series and it genuinely made me so happy after book three was a bit of a disappointment.
11. Favorite book to film adaptation that you’ve seen this year. Unfortunately I DNF’ed Hamnet and I’m Thinking of Ending Things. The only other book I read that is being adapted in the near future is The Whisper Man but that film isn’t coming out until August.
12. Most beautiful book you have acquired this year. I’m going to cheat a bit here but listing three but only because they came in a box set. Puffin Books collaborated with Rifle Paper Co. to create GORGEOUS covers for three Jane Austen books; Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility. I had to grab them and they are a beautiful addition to my classics collection.
13. Best sequel you’ve read so far. Since I don’t read too many series, this question is always answered with whatever Finlay Donovan book I read back in the spring. While Finlay retains the crown this year, I’m thinking next year might be different (looking at Rites of the Starling, sequel to Shield of Sparrows).
14. What books do you need to read before the end of the year? As always, far too many to count! However, as I previously mentioned, I will be prioritizing Yesteryear in addition to The Unknown by Riley Sager (coming out in August!), The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer, and, of course, more historical fiction!
Happy June, fellow readers! Summer has finally arrived and today I’m sharing with you ten books that I’m hoping to read during this sunny season. So pour yourself a lemonade and let’s get into it.
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier – Starting off my TBR I have a classic that I started at the end of last summer but never got to finish. Rebecca follows an unnamed female narrator who marries Maxim, a charming and rich man. But when she is brought to his home in the English countryside she finds herself surrounded by memories of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca. As our narrator attempts to discover what happened to Rebecca, she discovers that some things are best left buried. I was really enjoying this one and hope I can jump back into the story with no problem.
Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams – The newest thriller from Taylor Adams, whose book The Last Word became one of my favorite books of 2024, follows two girlfriends who become trapped inside a cave. I’m sure this will be a fast paced thriller with many twists and turns. I do hope that Mr. Adams learned how to give his book an actual ending and not two or three. Even if he does, I’m sure it will keep me on my toes.
Midnight is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead – Back in the fall I had picked up this horror novel with the intention to read it then. But when I discovered it takes place in Louisiana in June I realized I had to move it to my summer TBR. Taking place in a small town where there may be vampires was enough to hook me and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it (cliche I know but I had to).
The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren – Is it really summer if I don’t pick up a Christina Lauren book? The writing duo is back and while I don’t know anything about the plot, the pretty summer cover was enough for me to mark on my calendar the release date.
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager – Speaking of summer traditions, every year around the Fourth of July I participate in Summerween, a yearly readathon in which participants read spooky, scary books during the summer time. The last two years I participated I read a Riley Sager book and this year will be no exception. This is one of his early books and has great reviews on Goodreads so I’m hoping it will be a new favorite. It follows a woman who returns to the summer camp where, fifteen years earlier, three of her roommates went missing, and she becomes determined to find out what happened to them.
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune – While thrillers are always a must during the summertime, so is romance. I will admit, I mostly want to read this one because of the cover. I mean, it screams summer. Additionally, I have heard really great things about this as well. It is the second book in a series but each book is a stand alone. The story follows a young woman who returns to the lake where she spent many summers with her grandma. Of course, when she goes there sparks fly between her and one of the handsome locals.
The Wounded Generation by David Nasaw – So far, I’ve been doing very well in keeping nonfiction in my reading rotation. For the summer, I am planning on picking this 2025 release that deals with American World War Two veterans returning home after war. I expect it to be an insightful read.
Hunted by Darcy Coates – When twenty-two year old Eileen goes missing it isn’t long before the police yield no clues and give up the search. But her brother refuses to give up and, along with four of his friends, he heads into the woods to try and find her. This book is giving The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig vibes, which I enjoyed last year, and I’ve come to really enjoy Darcy Coates work. Additionally, since it is a Darcy Coates I expect the vibes will be immaculate.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke – Arguably one of the biggest books of the year, Yesteryear has been on my radar since it’s release. My local bookstore is hosting a book club centered on this book so now seems like the perfect time to pick it up. If you aren’t familiar with the synopsis, it follows a tradwife influencer who finds herself transported to 1854 where she must live the lifestyle she encourages her viewers to follow.
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig – My final pick for my summer TBR is one that my other book club has already selected for July. A few months ago I picked up my first fantasy book in decades and I greatly enjoyed. Hopefully this one will also hit. Like Shield of Sparrows I’m going into this one blind so I don’t have any expectations.
When Courtney sees her niece running from her family’s cabin to Courtney’s she is concerned. But that quickly turns to fear when she finds the little girl covered in blood. Soon, a horrific crime scene is revealed in which Courtney’s brother and sister-in-law are the victims. Worse still, while the couple’s two youngest children are unhurt, the eldest, Reese, is missing. As the story switches from Courtney’s perspective in the present to Reese’s in the past, a tangled web of secrets and lies are revealed with the killer coming from the most unlikely of places.
First and foremost I have to say that I loved that Ms. Kubica had this story take place in Wisconsin. As a native of the state I just loved that touch and found myself easily picturing the area where Courtney and her family are staying. So, star for that right off the bat.
Moving on the actual story…I loved it! Unlike many, I was not a fan of Ms. Kubica’s mega popular Local Woman Missing. But this one was fantastic. Almost from page one I was hooked and the shifting POV’s kept me entranced in the story. I was soon flying through it, eager to read the next revelation or twist. While I suspected I would enjoy Courtney’s POV, I was surprised by how much I appreciated Reese’s. Sometimes teenage characters can come off as a bit irritating and while Reese certainly falls into that category it was done in a way that didn’t drive me crazy.
I also loved how Ms. Kubica played with the idea how sometimes innocent mix-ups and misunderstandings can be terribly misconstrued when viewed by the wrong person without all the background knowledge. This led to some very good twists that, when you think about it, anyone could believe.
When it comes to weaknesses, I honestly can’t think of any. The ending and the revelation of the killer could be not as well received but I thought it worked well within the story and I found it to believable. Though, honest question to the readers who not only read the book but also got their hands on the Target special edition copy, which ending did you prefer? Honestly, I think I prefer the alternative ending and almost wished Ms. Kubica had gone with that one instead for the actual story.
Either way, this was a fantastic thriller that deserves to be read during the summertime.
5 out of 5 stars
In 1950s Tehran, Ellie’s life is flipped upside down when her father dies unexpectedly. To make matters worse, Ellie and her mother are forced to leave their luxurious lifestyle and settle in a tiny home downtown. Yet, when Ellie starts at her new school she becomes friend with Homa, a vibrant, outspoken girl. As the girls grow up and Iran becomes an epicenter of change and revolution, their friendship is put to the test in ways they couldn’t imagine.
This historical fiction has been on my radar for sometime now. Since it’s release, The Lion Women of Tehran has received some excellent reviews so I added it to the twelve books I wanted to read in 2026. to my satisfaction, this book did deliver on all the hype it had received.
The story is beautifully written and the relationship between Ellie and Homa is both comforting and heartbreaking at the same time. The way that one bad choice could lead to a domino effect of events that changes everything for the women was expertly crafted and very believable. The book also read quite fast and it is easily a story you can digest in one sitting.
Of course, there are several heartbreaking scenes (particularly around Homa, if you know you know). Despite this, the women’s resilience remains and the way the author was able to connect their stories to that of what women in modern day Iran are experiencing made it all the more impactful.
There is no negative to this story and I would highly recommend it. I expect that you will hear more about this great book at the end of the year when I do my ten best books of the year.
5 out of 5 stars
Artist Eden Fox is content in her life. After buying a new home in a small town with her husband, Eden is now putting on her first art show. While her relationship with her husband is a bit strained, Eden believes she is doing well. But when she returns home from a run she discovers another woman is at her husband, claiming to be Eden. At the same time, a woman named Birdy discovers a mysterious company that claims to successfully predict the day a person will die, including Birdy’s. As the two women’s stories become intertwined dark secrets come to the surface and no one turns out to be who they claim to be.
Over the last two years I’ve become a fan of Alice Feeney. Her book Rock, Paper, Scissors is one of my favorite mystery books so when I heard this newest release had more twists and turns than that one I knew I had to pick it up.
And boy does Ms. Feeney deliver on the twists and turns. Most of them are not revealed until the last 50 pages of the book – which is fine since I like a good buildup – and when they are told they come one after another. I don’t have an issue with this but this book really does pull your sense of disbelief to the very edge. While the main twist in Rock, Paper, Scissors was twisty it also seemed realistic while some of those in My Husband’s Wife didn’t seem very realistic to me.
The story itself is engaging but I didn’t become attached/invested in any of the characters and Eden’s story felt a bit convoluted to me at times. Nonetheless I did have a good time reading this and I got through it pretty quickly. Essentially, if you join books packed with surprises and reveals, I would recommend this one.
4 out of 5 stars
Odessa may be a princess but she never dreamed of marrying a prince and ruling a foreign land. But that is about to change. When the prince of Turah, Zavier, announces his intention to marry Odessa and not her sister, Odessa finds herself thrown into a world she hadn’t planned to ever join. To make matters more complicated, Odessa’s father tells her she must be a spy in her new homeland and report back to him what she has learned. As Odessa travels into Turah she not only has to contend with her new husband his odd behavior but his protector as well, known simply as The Guardian.
If you have been following my reviews for a while you’ll have noticed that I haven’t picked up fantasy in over a decade. It can seem like a daunting challenge and I wasn’t sure where to start. Thankfully for me, my book club picked this one out and within pages I was hooked.
The world building was good and easy enough to follow and the story itself caught my attention immediately. I also loved the relationship between Odessa and The Guardian. Their banter was well written and fun to read while also being believable. Additionally, both of their character development was flushed out with improvements made and more to be explored in future books. Odessa, in particular, was done well and she wasn’t the typical damsel in distress or “not like the other girls” type that can sometimes be a bit annoying to read about.
I did dock the book half a star for two reasons; one, The Guardian’s real name was so underwhelming that, based off all the buildup to it, I was expecting something much cooler. Two, I was really hoping for a love triangle but I didn’t get that. Both are minor critiques and shouldn’t deter you from picking up this romantsy. I enjoyed it very much and will be reading book two in the near future.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Ambitious publicist Margo lives in a small apartment in DC with her husband, Ian. For the last ten months they, like hundreds of others in America, is struggling in the current housing market. They are either too late to place in an offer or their offers are thrown up by others offering way more over asking price. Still, Margo refuses to give up. She deserves the house of her dream and, once she has it, she can finally focus on getting pregnant and creating the family she always dreamt of. When a gorgeous home in the couple’s dream neighborhood comes up, Margo knows she has to have it. And she’s willing to do anything to get it.
This satirical novel has, so far, been the best book I have read in 2026. It was hilarious, unbelievable, and a nonstop ride the whole way. As someone who has gone to battle in America’s current housing crisis, I could relate to Margo and Ian plenty of times (though I would like to mention I would never go as far as Margo to get my dream home!)
Ms. Kashino gets the challenges home buyers are facing right now and is able to not only provide commentary on it but also show how far people will go to get a home. Margo is a very unlikeable character but also you can’t help but agree with her on some things. She is extremely smart, crafty, and filled with rage. In essence, she is a great character to read about. You never quite know what she is going to do next and that’s half the fun.
If you need a good laugh or want a story filled with feminine rage, this is absolutely a must.
5 out of 5 stars
During World War One, many young women found themselves in a unique job. It was simple enough, painting dials on clock but what made it unusual was that the substance used to do this was radium. Since it’s discovery by the Curies at the beginning of the twentieth century, the worldwide public has been fascinated by the substance and the public’s hunger for it has fueled companies to put in everything.
After all, it is perfectly safe.
Until the girls who painted the clocks found out it wasn’t.
I don’t often write reviews on nonfiction books. For the most part, if they are well researched and written I give them either a 4 or 5 stars and then move it. But, for this book I couldn’t just do that. I needed to speak on this and particularly on the women whose story is told.
I had heard of the radium girls before I picked up this book but my knowledge was extremely limited and, with it being Women’s History Month, I decided to give this book a go.
And I’m happy I did.
From the start, Kate Moore makes sure that the women’s stories are told. This might seem obvious but Ms. Moore makes sure you truly come to know the women at the center of this horrible tragedy. You learn about their families, their dreams, and the strength that carried through their illnesses and lengthy court battles. For that, I can not praise Ms. Moore enough. I felt like I grew to know the women and that is the real strength of the book.
Yes, it is well written and one can tell that Ms. Moore was extremely thorough in her research. But the fact that she brought these women to life and didn’t merely mark them off as simply names on the page is what made this book stand out. I’m sure there are other texts discussing this particular event in history but I highly doubt any of them will get you as close as this one to understanding the women.
This story is painful to read, especially the farther you go but it is well worth it. It is thanks to the radium girls that we have more protections for workers. They ensured that their suffering was not done in silence and something positive would come out of all the pain and hardship they endured.
In a world where there seems to be less and less positive stories, I would highly recommend you pick up The Radium Girls, if nothing more than to honor the women whose impact in history is still felt to this day.
A resounding 5 out of 5 stars
