If you're a fan of historical fiction, The Poppy Field is a must-read. This book didn't just meet my expectations; it inspired an unforgettable journey to Ypres, Belgium.
Set shortly after the end of World War I, the story follows three remarkable women—an American sister, a young British bride, and a German mother—each returning to Ypres to unravel the mysteries of their loved ones' deaths during the brutal, four-year siege that devastated the city. Their paths nearly intertwine as they search for meaning amid the senseless destruction. The warfare was relentless, the losses immeasurable.
So moved by the narrative, I visited Ypres this summer. The town's meticulous restoration is awe-inspiring, with graveyards scattered across the countryside and a plot of land reclaimed to recreate the war trenches. Walking through these trenches, you can truly grasp the sheer brutality of a war with no winners and countless victims.
Read the book, and if you can, visit Ypres. The experience will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.
'A beautiful, heartbreaking novel of war and loss and the resilience of the human spirit' Rosemary, Netgalley Reader
The USA Today bestseller!
Young nurse, Gemma, is struggling with the traumas she has witnessed through her job. Needing to escape from it all, Gemma agrees to help renovate a rundown farmhouse in Doullens, France, a town near the Somme. There, in a boarded-up cupboard, wrapped in old newspapers, is a tin that reveals the secret letters and heartache of Alice Le Breton, a young volunteer nurse who worked in a casualty clearing station near the front line.
An amazing book! Kristin Hannah accurately explores the world of female army nurses who served in forward deployed medical units in Vietnam. Yes, there were women stationed in Vietnam. The book continues the story when the protagonists come home and struggle to adjust and make sense of 1960's America. As a veteran, I found the military references accurate and authentic. I loved this book so much, I read a second by Hannah, The Nightingale, another historical novel from a woman's perspective. This time it was about women resistors in France who subtlety and not so subtly supported France to defeat the Nazi's. This too is a wonderful read.
From master storyteller Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds, comes the story of a turbulent, transformative era in America: the 1960s. The Women is that rarest of novels—at once an intimate portrait of a woman coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided by war and broken by politics, of a generation both fueled by dreams and lost on the battlefield.
“Women can be heroes, too.”
When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these unexpected…
Another tour de force from Adam Grant, the brilliant mind behind Think Again. His books, renowned for their meticulous research, dive deep into how we often misjudge potential based on first impressions, only to realize someone's true value later. Listening to this book, narrated by Grant himself, was an absolute delight. His blend of humor, insight, and self-deprecation makes for an engaging experience. Even if non-fiction isn't usually your thing, this one will win you over.
“This brilliant book will shatter your assumptions about what it takes to improve and succeed. I wish I could go back in time and gift it to my younger self. It would’ve helped me find a more joyful path to progress.” —Serena Williams, 23-time Grand Slam singles tennis champion
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again illuminates how we can elevate ourselves and others to unexpected heights.
We live in a world that’s obsessed with talent. We celebrate gifted students in school, natural athletes in sports, and child prodigies in music. But…
In an ever-shifting world, many leaders wrestle with transitioning from operational to strategic thinking. Clinging to their past achievements, they find it challenging to rise above daily tasks and lead with vision, aligning their teams with broader organizational goals and staying ahead of industry trends.
The Strategic Leader's Mindset serves as the beacon these leaders need. It outlines seven transformative ways of thinking essential for effective leadership at the highest levels. It guides leaders from tactical execution to strategic thinking, from directive communication to active listening, from passive tolerance of poor performance to decisive action, from internal focus to external engagement, from caution to courageous, and from certainty to embracing uncertainty.
Packed with interviews from successful strategic leaders, this book offers actionable strategies to foster each mindset shift, providing practical solutions and a clear roadmap for leaders ready to transform. Dive into this compelling guide and begin your journey toward true strategic leadership.
