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Rachel's spent 15 years in an institution for killing her mother, though the truth is about to set her free. The visions of holding the gun are so real, though the forensics seem to tell a different story. In a flashback narrative, a young Diana is a troubled child, so much so that her parents are forced to isolate themselves after a freak accident with the neighbour. Diana shows no remorse and is keen to cause pain.

Wilkerson continues with this fascinating exploration of caste systems, with a hefty commentary about the American example. She is thorough in her analysis of how Blacks have not only faced racial issues, but the way in which their 'Blackness' has been utilised to create a caste system. This subjugates them and has left society scrambling to rectify it, without getting to the heart of the matter. Eye opening, indeed!

Wilkerson tackles some of themes interesting and resonant topics in America today, particularly as they relate to race and social standing. Her exploration of how America has been shaped along a tiered (caste) system is not only plain to see, but disturbing to examine. Much is right there before our eyes, and the truths are hard to digest. What is most chilling is how this system was modelled by other countries.

In the third novel from this fast-paced series, Simon pulls the reader in with more information surrounding the plot to murder Alex Michael. While Michael has traced the killer to a Vatican connection, he soon learns there is more to the story and that it reaches to the very top. With Alex’s help, they find a crooked Vatican official pulling all the strings, but it only puts a massive target on Michael’s back.

The stunning narrative continues with more revelations that substantiate much of what has been circulated in the media. The authors use their private interviews to offer great backstory and behind the scenes on the chaos that took place on a daily basis. From sycophantic scrambling to outlandish demands for loyalty that would make 1930s Germany shudder, there is much about Trump for the reader to discover. Onwards!

Rucker and Leonnig preface the book to explain that they were seeking an in-depth look into the Trump presidency and had POTUS willing to work with them, due to their high journalistic standards. However, as things began to get more chaotic the interview fell apart and answers to questions never came through aids. This piece is mostly told through anonymous interviews, but over 200 of them. People fear... no more!

One of those books I have been waiting to begin, Mary Trump sheds some insider light on the family and all its bruises. Told not from the tell-all some would have you believe, I feel this is the invitation behind the curtain from someone who lived it and wants to get past the #fakenews to share truths that many would have us never know. The Trump name holds many negatives, beginning with Father Fred. Oh my goodness!

In this interesting study, the authors explore women and their role in the US Judiciary, with a major focus on SCOTUS. How were women treated in a profession that was run and populated by men? Who rose to make it into the discussion of nominee to the major courts and who was shortlisted (on a list but never chosen)? The authors develop some great arguments and use detailed research to tell a story of mass struggle.

An apt read to begin today, for my election prep reading challenge.

In this wonderful sequel to Joyce’s wonderful novel about a man on a mission, Queenie Hennessy has penned the note to Harold and hopes she can rest peacefully. As she tries to come to terms with her life, she begins to pen a second, much longer, letter. In it, she hopes to tell Harold her true feelings, something that she has kept hidden. As news of his trek up to see her reaches Queenie, the letter expands for him.

As Michael continues to play clean up for his departed brother, odd things continue to take place. After meeting with one of Alex’s friends, Michael learns of a secret laptop, something that will prove to be a game changer. Michael must stay calm and collected, as he is led down a twisting path. The killer is still out there and could easily topple the apple cart. As Michael learns more, he realises what must happen.

To date, this may be the book of my challenge that rocks the core of what I am trying to get across. Conspiracy theories are nothing new, though the conspiracism that Trump has helped create is one based on open-ended vapid assertions that seek not to offer support. Rather, anything that he does not like must be FAKE or LIES, and his followers leap on it, lapping it all up like nothing else. Is there help? Read this!

Alex Nicholas enjoys his fast-paced life as a New York bookie. He rubs elbows as much as he racked up debts, but has no cares in the world. However, someone obviously had a beef with Alex, as he ends up on the wrong side of a gun one night. When his brother. Michael, arrives, the contrast between them becomes apparent. Michael is a put together CEO with everything he could want. Alex’s killer is out there, but where?

At the crux of the upcoming US election is the vote. Without it, the election would be something short of the democratic act that it hopes to be. Erin Smith tackles voting in this short book, educating the reader about the history of obtaining the vote and how some groups were quite disenfranchised, as well as how to GET people to vote. There is more than showing up and placing your X on the ballot. Quite thorough!

While Kamran feels that he has the world at his feet, after attending a party at his boarding school, he is left to wonder what’s happened. Feeling as though he’s been sexually assaulted by a fellow student, he seeks help, knowing that there are many taboos that must be admitted, should he come forward. It won’t be easy, but that’s where Zara comes in, having working with young people who seek redress for assault.

Kaplan continues his exploration of SCOTUS with more background and biographical pieces on the sitting Justices of the time, sharing some insight into their respective backgrounds and confirmations. This offers the reader with some needed context ahead of the second part of the book, cases heard and interpretations made that have shaped the country. From election laws to gun rights, the recent Court shows its flare!

David A. Kaplan’s book crossed my path at the perfect time, as he opens by talking about the (now infamous) GOP stall tactic in 2016 when President Obama tried to fill a Supreme Court vacancy. If only the likes of Sens. McConnell and Graham could read this. Kaplan begins his argument about how the election of Trump ushered in a new and voracious extreme conservative sentiment on the Court, one that will long remain.

Still on a personal mission to find out the truth about his father, Daniel Pike is surely that Conrad Sweeney, local philanthropist, has something to do with it. During a public skirmish, the two trade barbs and Pike decides to engage Sweeney in a civil suit. This opens up many cans of worms, but will hopefully put an end to the rumours about the elder Pike's past. Meanwhile, a cartel is eyeing Pike for his actions.

One fine morning, Harold Fry receives the most unexpected piece of mail. It is a letter from a long-ago acquaintance, detailing that she is dying and wishes to say goodbye. Shocked, Harold is not sure what to do, so he pens a fairly empty reply and sets off to send it by post. Along the way, he encounters a young woman who convinces Harold to see his friend one more time. So, off Harold sets, by foot, 500 miles!

Even from the opening pages of this book, David Rothkopf does not hide his distain for President Trump. In this tome, he seeks to explore some of the other traitors in American history and show how their actions stack up to those of the current president. Taking the narrative all the way back to the opening years of the Republic, Rothkopf pushes his argument about how Trump is but one of a handful of vile traitors!

In this powerful piece, former US Sec. of State shows her academic side with an analysis of fascism in the modern world. After a brief background on the ideology, Albright discusses its early emergence in both inter-war Italy and Germany, where Mussolini and Hitler honed it to pull themselves up. Usually a far-right approach, things morphed, as Albright examines leaders of more modern times who exhibit terndancies.

The name Terry Fox is synonymous with ‘hero’ to many Canadians. His Marathon of Hope in 1980 served to unite a country around cancer research. This book is a collection of thoughts and memories of a variety of Canadians, touched in their own ways by Terry’s miraculous efforts. While Terry was forced to hang up the sneakers before he could finish, his legacy continues, with over $800 million raised to date!

In this insightful political memoir of sorts, Sarah Huckabee Sanders offers readers an inside look at her life in a political family. Feeling as though she was living in a Clinton shadow, Sarah sought to pave the way to her success by working with Trump in ‘16. Going in with all she had (and the Lord offered), Sarah served as the face of the Administration, never batting an eye. Loyal to the end... and then some.

Erik Larson comes out swinging in this piece, as he explores the world of gun ownership and its foibles. Using a random school shooting from 1988, Larson explores the ease with which people can obtain weapons and how the system prefers the 'look away' technique, rather than staging an effective screening process. Looking at the laws, the enforcers, and societal norms around guns, the debate gains momentum herein.

As the drama heats up, Larson delivers a fabulous depiction of events leading into the morning of May 7, 1915. The Lusitania inched towards the Irish coastline, while the U-20 lurked in the water, as the fog lifted. A torpedo launched and it hit the target, only to begin a horrible set of events aboard. People panic, bodies litter the water, and lives are torn apart. All while a German sub slinks back, hunting anew!

As Jo continues to follow leads, she cannot help but wonder if there is a connection between the students and this game, something deeper than a school assignment. A Quinn remains somewhat aloof about the whole thing, Jo cannot help but think she’s been kept from seeing the full picture. After a second death in this small town, there seems to be an overwhelming need to cover something up. Jo needs to get answers now!

In another gripping piece by Erik Larson, the reader is taken aboard the Lusitania, one of the most majestic passenger ships of the era. Having made many trips across the Atlantic, people were flocking to purchase a ticket, the sinking of the Titanic already a hazy memory. Even as the German navy posted threats to sink the boat, few heeded the warnings and chose to sail in the midst of the Great War in Europe. Eerie!

Jo Wyatt works in a small Colorado town, serving as one of its detectives. When she is called to the scene of an apparent suicide, Wyatt is not sure what to make of it. The young man appears to have been enrolled in a class, creating computer games of some sort. Something does not seem right, particularly when one of the other students is sure something's going down. As Wyatt digs deeper, she learns some dark truths.

In this powerful piece, Jon Meecham seeks to offer the reader some insight into the life of the (now late) John Lewis, one of MLK Jr's closest advisors during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Lewis grew up very poor, but always had a passion for speaking and passing along his message. When he saw what was going on in the South, Lewis joined the movement and helped to shape things in the early 1960s. A saint!

An interesting collection of short pieces by the pride community. Mostly about their struggles with lifestyle acceptance, peppered with some interesting takes on medical triumphs (as well as losses). What makes this even more interesting is that each contributor has entered middle age or later, adding the lens of ‘a well-lived life’ to the writing. Raw, at times, with some insights sure to appeal to some readers.