Laura A

I enjoyed Abbi Waxman's "Other People's Houses". I liked that it told the story of several different neighbors and how we never really know what is actually going on in the private lives of people we may see almost daily. I could relate to many of the characters and their struggles with raising children, keeping their relationship with their partner flourishing and just dealing with the whole small town everyone knows your business drama.

The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen is a true story of a young slave girl in Richmond, VA who spends her life (most of it being done in complete secrecy) fighting for freedom for the slaves. And in doing these things she is risking her own freedom and even life. This book was an amazing and sometimes sad story but definitely one worth reading. Mary was an incredible woman.