Book Review: The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

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The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is a historical fiction novel that spans many years and tells of the friendship between former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. I don't know if I would have picked up this book if it hadn't been the August selection for one of the book clubs I belong to in my area because I don't read a lot of historical fiction. However, I am so glad that I read it and was able to learn many things I hadn't learned about in any of my history classes.  I don't recall learning anything about Mary McLeod Bethune, and she is an important part of American history. The things she helped spearhead to provide African American people equal rights is quite impressive. One of the things I was horrified to learn about is Franklin D. Roosevelt's resistance to stop lynchings because he was afraid of losing the Southern Democrats backing for his New Deal Bill. Another thing that I fo...
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Book Reviews 2023

The Running Bibliophile's 2023 Book Reviews

Are you looking for a book recommendation? Or, did you miss one of The Running Bibliophile's Book Reviews in 2023? Check out our book recommendations and book reviews below. You may just find a new favorite author or series.

And, as always, if you have read one of these books, we'd love to hear what you thought of the book as well, so don't forget to comment on the blog post. With that being said, please keep all comments respectful so everyone can have an enjoyable experience.

- The Running Bibliophile -

January 2023 Book Reviews

February 2023 Book Reviews

  • Finlay Donovan Jumps The Gun (Finlay Donovan, #3) by Elle Cosimano
  • Masquerade Party Murder (Juniper Holiday, #4) by Leighann Dobbs
  • My Fatal Valentine (Juniper Holiday, #5) by Leighann Dobbs
  • On Air with Zoe Washington (Zoe Washington, #2) by Janae Marks
  • I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
  • The Cabinet of Dr. Leng (Aloysius Pendergast, #21) by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

March 2023 Book Reviews

  • The Island by Natasha Preston
  • Leeva At Last by Sara Pennypacker, Illustrated by Matthew Cordell
  • Murder at the Bookstore (The Bookstore Mystery, #1) by Sue Minix
  • What Happened On Floor 34? by Caroline Corcoran
  • Don't Be A Bully, Little Tiger by Carol Roth
  • The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
  • The Little Scottish Ghost by Franze Hohler
  • Mother of the Bride Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #29) by Leslie Meier
  • This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham
  • The Get Along Gang and the Missing Caboose by James Razzi

April 2023 Book Reviews

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May 2023 Book Reviews

  • The Perfect Staging for Murder by Kathleen Bridge
  • The Museum of Lost and Found by Leila Sales
  • Poppy Harmon and the Shooting Star (A Desert Flowers Mystery, #5) by Lee Hollis
  • Witch Upon a Star (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries, #4) by Angela M. Sanders

June 2023 Book Reviews

  • The Murderous Type (The Bookstore Mystery, #2) by Sue Minix
  • Hidden Beneath (Maine Clambake Mystery, #11) by Barbara Ross
  • Monsters at Christmas by Laura Baker, Illustrated by Nina Dzyvulska
  • Princess Diana (Little People, Big Dreams, #98) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
  • Misfortune Cookie (Noodle Shop Mystery, #9) by Vivien Chien
  • Sick Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
  • The Shadow Sister by Lily Meade
  • I Am An Antiracist Superhero! by Jennifer Nicole Bacon
  • All The Lovely Bad Ones, A Graphic Novel by Mary Downing Hahn

July 2023 Book Reviews

  • Never Lie by Freida McFadden
  • How to Catch Santa Claus by Alice Walstead
  • Clammed Up (Maine Clambake Mystery, #1) by Barbara Ross
  • Scariest. Book. Ever. (Goosebumps House of Shivers, #1) by R.L. Stine
  • Death by Food Truck by Joi Copeland, Cynthia Hickey, Linda Baten Johnson, and Teresa Ives Lilly

August 2023 Book Reviews

  • The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson
  • The Inmate by Freida McFadden
  • Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena
  • Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger
  • Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
  • The Secret Sisters by Avi
  • A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert
  • The International House of Dereliction by Jacqueline Davies
  • Death of a Clam Digger by Lee Hollis
  • Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah

September 2023 Book Reviews

  • Mischief Nights Are Murder by Libby Klein
  • Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft by Ellery Adams
  • Read to Death at the Lakeside Library by Holly Danvers

October 2023 Book Reviews

  • Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
  • Halloween Cupcake Murder by Carlene O'Connor, Liz Ireland, and Carol J. Perry
  • Stinetinglers 2: 10 MORE New Stories by the Master of Scary Tales by R. L. Stine
  • Too Scared to Sleep by Andrew Duplessie
  • The Hike by Lucy Clarke

November 2023 Book Reviews

  • Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper
  • Avocado Magic by Taltal Levi
  • The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin
  • Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys by Liz Ireland

December 2023 Book Reviews



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