What Chicks Are Reading

Breakdown by Bill Gertz

In his book, Bill Gertz, one of America's most accomplished investigative reporters, explains how since Jimmy Carter's term in office, liberals have torn apart the CIA & FBI until both were left almost incapable of effective clandestine operations. Using his plethora of sources within the government and his access to confidential and secret documents, Gertz also uncovers extensive evidence of how Clinton's Administration mismanaged our military and intelligence operations, which left us sitting ducks for 9/11.

This book offers a deeply disturbing account of how America's intelligence agencies failed to discern the elaborate plots Osama bin Laden's men were planning against us. There is also some very interesting reading in the 'revealing documents' included in the appendix of the book. Granted, much of the classified and revealing documents are blacked out in many places, but what we do see even still is an amazing amount of information. It reads like a novel... a mystery thriller almost. And the scary part about that is that this is a true story. Chick Susie
 

The Day the Word Came to Town by Jim DeFede

This is another September 11th book and it's hard to believe that anything written about the events of September 11, 2001, could be this amazing and uplifting. This book describes what happened when more than 250 aircraft were diverted to Canadian airports as US airspace was shuttered. Thirty-eight planes, bearing 6,595 passengers landed in Gander, Newfoundland, a town of barely 10,000. What happened next goes a very long way to restore the faith in humanity that was shaken by the terrorists. Without exception, the residents of Gander (They call themselves 'Newfies') opened their doors to welcome the unexpected refugees and poured out such warmth and compassion that one passenger later remarked, "I was on a flight from London to New York and landed in Heaven." It is a quick read and truly an amazing story of the best side of humanity. Chick Susie
 

Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner

Good in Bed was good everywhere. I read it in bed and out of bed. I read it in the car and on the couch. I read it before Dr. Suess bedtimes stories and after the morning newspaper. Jennifer Weiner has cracked my disease.

The book is about an oversize woman, Cannie, whose scorned boyfriend gets a job writing for a Cosmo-ish magazine. The subject of his columns -- his ex-oversize-girlfriend and their sex life. Nothing is sacred.

The story starts at the breakup and follows Cannie over the next year in which her life has more ups and downs than an Oprah diet. (So many dramatic turns that I had to keep the book in my purse.) In addition to satisfying my impatience, I was pleasantly entertained with the humor of both Cannie and the author. The way Cannie describes the skin in which she houses herself and the way Jennifer Weiner so accurately portrays men had me laughing all the way to the freezer for some Hagen Daas. Two feathers up from this Chick! Chick Karin
 

Let's Roll by Lisa Beamer

I picked up this book with mixed emotions, the advance reviews were very critical about the writing style and the message. If you were expecting David Halberstam or Tom Clancy, forget it. Lisa Beamer tells us who Todd Beamer was. She gives us insight into this modern-day hero. Lisa presents the Todd Beamer Foundation and the significance of the phrase, "let's roll" to her. She articulates the value of faith, hope, and love in her relationships and also encourages others to apply these principles. If you are not ready for a Christian message, pass on this one. Chick Susie
 

Never Change by Elizabeth Berg

I had read one chapter of this book, noted it was due back at the library today, was told I could not renew it so I have just spent the past 2 1/2 hours reading another one of this author's books. This one is the story of a fifty one year old spinster who is a visiting nurse. She has no relatives, few friends; only a dog. As the story progresses, she falls deeply in love with a man (one of the patients she regularly visits) who is dying from cancer of the brain. Truths about each of them surface, destinations are determined and decisions regarding life and death are made. Again, it is this authors way of presenting her stories that make it a definite "not-put-down" book. Read and find out! Chick Jeanette

One Day in September by Simon Reeve

No, this is not another September 11th book. This is a retrospect and the meticulously compiled story of September 5, 1972, when a small band of Palestinian terrorists (Black September) scaled the walls of the Olympic Village in Munich, Germany, invaded the apartments of the Israelis, and took eleven athletes hostage. One Day in September is based upon exhaustive research and thousands of official documents recently released as a result of the legal demands made by the families of the murdered athletes. This book is a reminder of one of the most politically explosive events of the late twentieth century and one event that many feel launched a new era of international terrorism and conflict in the middle east. At the end of the book is a description of the Israeli Operation, which set out to punish Black September for Munich. The personal stories of the bereaved relatives is worth reading in terms of understanding the effect which the attack had on the families of the athletes. Chick Susie
  

Personal History by Katharine Graham

This is the autobiography of Katharine Graham, publisher of the Washington Post. It takes you through the many dimensions of her life.. .lifestyles of the rich and famous, her celebrity and society friends and an inside look at one of the most powerful families in the 20th century. However, there is also the personal tragedy -- her marriage to a brilliant, manic-depressive cheater and his ultimate suicide. If this were fiction, it would be a made-for-television movie. She is very open and candid about her failings throughout the book.

I like the history that is woven throughout the book from the Pentagon Papers and Watergate to a different perspective on presidents and government officials up close. She truly was a remarkable woman. I found most interesting, and perhaps other Chicks will, too, the chapters on her relationship with Warren Buffett. Katharine Graham is one of the great CEO's of the 20th century and she left behind a legacy committed to a free press. Chick Susie
  

Thursdays at Eight by Debbie Macomber

Four women meet while taking a journal writing class. When this class is over, they decide to continue meeting weekly -- every Thursday at eight -- for breakfast as they truly enjoyed each others company. They come from various age groups, professions, and walks of life but as their meetings and friendships grow, they continue to learn from each other, seek advice, and share challenges. They offer each other encouragement and support through trials and sorrows of life of which they each have several --divorce, death of spouse, professional goals, new romances, and unexpected pregnancies at a late age are a few. Fun and fast reading. Chick Jeanette