The Sheepish Scribe

Sofia's Secret by Sharlene MacLaren

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Set in 1930, the stigma of her pregnancy keeps Sofia Rogers quiet as much as the threats from her attacker.  When handsome young doctor Eli Trent shows up and starts poking around, Sofia works harder to keep her secret and protect her young brother.  An unlikely romance threaded through with a mystery, this story is engaging and entertaining.  Highly recommended for older high school and above due to the subject matter - which is very well handled.

The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism by Paul Kengor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Loved this story as it focused on just one aspect of Ronald Reagan on his presidency.  The book is about his personal war against communism and the Soviet Union. Truly an inspiring read!  Even if you were not a fan of Reagan, you can appreciate his dedication to what he felt was an egregious human rights violation.

The most shocking thing - to me - was the information about Ted Kennedy and his attempts to contact Yuri Andropov to help sway the American Presidential Election in 1984.  Incredible.  I'd never heard that before but Paul Kengor presented plenty of evidence from the Kremlin, no less. 

If you're at all interested in the history of the Berlin Wall and its historic fall - this is a book for you!