What Chicks Are Reading

Finding Laura Buggs by Stanley Gordon West

I love reading books by this author. Stanley West graduated from Central High School in St. Paul, MN in 1949. I graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis in the early 50's. West tells stories in his books that were taken from his high school years and so many of the names and places and even actual events from those years are familiar to me. This book tells of a high school girl from Central, who, during those high school years, finds out she was adoped as a baby and spends much time and effort trying to find her natural parents. Much of the story takes place in Minneapolis----trolly cars, street names. parks, and buildings are familiar to me. I earlier reported on his first book, Until They Bring the Streetcars Back, and will be soon reading this third book, Amos. Even if you come from a different part of the country, you will definitly enjoy Mr. West's writing style; it is an uplifting read, written with great insight and compassion. Chick Jeanette
  

The Fourth Perimeter by Tim Green

Kurt Ford, billionaire owner of a high tech computer company and former Secret Service agent, learns that the apparent suicide of his son was actually a murder. His son, Collin, also a young Secret Service agent had provided protection for the president at a clandestine meeting at a Maryland farmhouse along with 3 other agents. Ford's son along with 2 of those 3 agents have either disappeared or died under mysterious circumstances. Ford gets inside information from among others a former colleague, David Claiborne, a Secret Service bigwig, implicating the president in the murder and subsequent cover-up. Thirsting for revenge and using his vast resources, technical skills, and knowledge of the workings of the Secret Service, Ford concocts a plan to assassinate the president. Ford lures the president into a fishing trip, in the Finger Lakes of New York, by offering a five million dollar political contribution. This book was both fast reading and very predictable. It made for entertaining reading but would not be considered particularly memorable. Chick Susie
  

The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman

I chose this book because I know that both JFK and George W had it on their reading list and who doesn't want to know what the President knows. This is the story of the first 30 days of World War I. It shows how leaders can easily and often make the wrong decisions (often costing many lives) simply because they refuse to believe the truth that is staring them in the face. Germany obviously wanted the war and was looking for any excuse to start it. This is an excellent read both for its history of the first month or W.W.I and for its look into the leadership of the various countries involved. Chick Susie
  

Kentucky Rich by Fern Michaels

Here's a story set in the world of horse racing. This one is about Nealy Coleman Diamond who slipped away in the middle of the night with her illigimate child, Emmie. She becomes rich, sophisticated, and renowned in the racing world. Secrets from her past become known and she faces great challenges that test her courage. A fun read. Chick Jeanette

This book was the first one Kelly Ripa picked for her book club. She's the cohost with Regis on Live with Regis and Kelly. This book is very ordinary. It starts out okay with a murder to be solved but doesn't have any real action and becomes boring after a few chapters. I would not recommend this book as a "must" read. Chick Julie
 

This was another chilling story of murder -- the life of the murderer, and the life of the woman who helped convict him. It is the story of a 15 year old girl who was murdered in a small New York town. Her 7 year old sister finds the body and led her parents to the hide-out where her body was found. There were three suspects in the case -- a nineteen year old son (whom the 15 yr. old had been secretly dating) of a wealthy, prominent family, a local handyman in his 40's and another 16 year old schoolmate. One is convicted. When it's time for this person to be paroled, the woman who was the 7 yr. old sister at the time of the murder is now an investigative reporter for an Atlanta newspaper and she protests his release. She develops a Website and writes a book that will conclusively prove his guilt . Interesting and fast reading book, as is most every Mary Higgins Clark story.. Chick Susie