The Sound of Glass by Karen White

Some mysteries take years to be solved and that is the case with Karen White's novel, The Sound of Glass.  A plane crash in a small southern town sets into motion a series of unlikely events that intertwine the lives of two families.  Through the use of flashbacks, White let's us see the dysfunction of these two families.  With subtle, disguised references to now dead men and women we are led down a path to discovery.  We slowly come to realize that  both families had long histories of abuse and cover up.  Both families were plagued by fierce feelings of a need for revenge and justice.  And both families sadly, had made misguided attempts at helping the victims of abuse.  The characters in this novel were well defined and the story revealed itself at a pace that was easy to follow thus satisfying readers.  In the end, good wins and isn't that what we need sometimes in a good read?

Circling the Sun by Paula McClain

Paula McClain's novel, Circling the Sun, is a retelling of the life story of Beryl Markham, a record setting aviator in the 1930's.  Markham was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic from Europe to America.  Her life story, however, is about much more than her flying exploits.  This extraordinary woman was raised in Kenya from the age of four.  Her father was a horse trainer and adventurer.  Her mother was not cut from the same cloth, and so she left Beryl and her father to fend for themselves after little more than a year in Africa.  The results of this unexpected abandonment changed or perhaps more likely, revealed the indomitable spirit of Beryl.  Throughout her entire life, she seemed to be willing to challenge any obstacle whether cultural or societal with little or no fear of the outcome.  Because of her determination she became the first licensed woman horse trainer in Africa  She also ensconced herself with the upper crust British colonials and consequently, she lived their sometimes amoral life.  The wealthy Brits and transplanted expats seemed to live above any prescribed rules or morays that would have been deemed necessary back in their homelands.  Infidelity was a sport it seemed.  Gossip was a conduit for entertainment.  Using the wealthy to support less than seemly lifestyles was the norm and all of this was done with the unwritten agreement that everyone would pretend it was not happening.  Beryl played this game when it suited her, but more often than not, she balked and went her own way.  Markham was a unique and independent and determined to live life as she saw fit.  She trained herself to be strong and fierce and able to handle anything life threw at her.  It is difficult to think of Beryl Markham as a woman who is warm  or accepting, but she is certainly one who is admired.  This is powerfully written historical fiction novel that reveals the extraordinary life and adventurers of a remarkable woman.