During the spring of 1942, German U-Boats made their way to the East Coast, stalking the Outer Banks in North Carolina. This was part of an operation implemented by Rear Admiral Donitz to take advantage of the United States while they were still unprepared for war and reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor the previous December. A weakened United States Navy was a prime target. They sank merchant vessels carrying resale goods, foods, and supplies without care. By June, they had sunk nearly 400 merchant and civilian vessels. United States civilians watched these ships explode from the shore. This area was named Torpedo Junction for all of the activity it received. Eventually, long range air patrols were started to detect submarine movements, anti submarine vessels were sent out with depth charges, and a coastal convoy was started. Rear Admiral Donitz recalled his submarines when his success in torment began to wane.

I had never heard about this place. I knew that there were U-Boats spotted around New York and New Jersey, but I had no idea they were as far south as North Carolina. I did learn that Cape Hatteras National Seashore is part of Torpedo Junction, so you can actually visit this location. There is a lot of other historical and cultural significance to this park, but I had no idea it was a World War II site as well and now have to add that on my travel list. I cannot imagine how wild it would be to go to the beach and just see ships blowing up. It's so scary to think about going down to the beach for a nice day and having submarines lurking offshore. This was a really informative book, and I am really glad that I found it. 

 In this book, Scarpetta returns to Virginia to help with a case, though she should not have due to the shenanagins that occurred in a couple of books previous. She does not get along with the medical examiner in this book, nor with the FBI agent she has to work with. Lucy is still annoying and is now being stalked. Benton is still being mute about things. Marino is still being Marino. They eventually uncover a plot, however. Her former office is in the process of being demolished and is in a state of disarray, complicating matters. This wasn't a terrible book, but probably was my least favorite to date. 

 In this recent installment in the saga that is Augusten Burroughs, he starts off by telling us about all the supernatural things he does not believe in. He follows that up with saying he certainly believes in witchcraft, witchcraft is natural as opposed to supernatural, and he is, in fact, of the witchy variety. He goes into detail about how he has known he was different and the journey he took to find himself and be comfortable in his skin. All of Augusten's memoirs are candid and hilarious. I was so excited for this book, and I am glad that I was able to pick this one up so quickly. 

 Every time I read a disaster related book, I am struck by the things that were allowed to go on. It was mentioned several times in this book that the school building was "legally safe" though the list of things that were wrong grew as the pages went on. The school was terribly overcrowded. I cannot imagine having that many kids in one classroom. The lack of sprinkler systems and other fire alerts were striking. It is sad that it takes huge events like this with so many lost lives and untold suffering to implement real changes. I have taken for granted that all the schools I have attended were brick and concrete, with sprinklers, fire extinguishers in every room, and only 20 or 25 kids in the room. I also never thought about how emergency services were contacted prior to 911 being the universal number for all emergency services and being dispatched out from the call center. The kids in this book died in a horrific way. I cannot imagine going through that. This was a difficult book to read at times, though it was worth it. It really made me thankful or the changes in fire code and building construction that took place in the wake of this fire. 

 Betty Schimmel had a lost love, thanks to the events of World War II. She was sent to Mauthausen concentration camp, enduring all manner of torment, and even surviving the death marches that the Nazis forced so many people on. She thought her love, Richie, was dead. She wound up marrying someone else and living her life, but she had no idea that Richie was still alive. This book was so moving for so many reasons. I really enjoyed it. 

 This book was included in the Audible Plus catalouge for free, otherwise I would not have selected this book. Perez Hilton was always on television or radio in the early 2000s. I remember him being on MTV a lot. I never did care for him, as he was utterly vicious and disparaging. He was the gross TMZ reporter before TMZ was a thing. I cannot sit here and say I do not enjoy a celebrity anecdote or have never gotten wrapped up in celebrity gossip, but I cannot understand attacking people constantly. This book was exceptionally boring. Perez Hilton seems to want to portray himself as a redeemed villain who is now a super nice person, but it doesn't come off as very genuine to me. This book was only about three hours long, which was probably the only reason I forced myself to finish it. This is probably the least liked book I have read so far this year. I think I have said that on another review for something I read this year, but I was wrong when I said that. This takes the cake. I do not suggest wasting your three hours to listen to this. 

 Ron Chernow put together another well researched, in depth portrait of a historical powerhouse. It was very interesting learning about the Rockefeller dynasty, especially all of the things they had a hand in. Obviously, Standard Oil is what a lot of people think of when they hear the name, but I had no idea how many foundations and charities the family later became involved in. This was an awesome book! 

 I wanted to love this book as much as other people, but, unfortunately, I did not. It was a decent, tolerable read, but it was presented to me in a way that made it seem like it was an essential classic. I just did not feel that way. 

 This is the personal memoir of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, wife of Joseph Kennedy. She was born in 1890 to John Francis "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, a prominent member of Boston society and a member of the Boston Common Council. She met her future husband, whose father was a rival of her father, and they began a relationship that ended in marriage in 1914. Together, the couple had nine children. Three of her children wound up being politicians, the Senators Bobby and Ted Kennedy, and President John F Kennedy. This memoir tells interesting stories about her personal life, as well as letters and memoirs from her family, friends, and children.

It was neat to see the perspective on some events that are well publicized from the matriarch of the family herself. Based on some other books that I have read, her memory on some things differ from others. I like memoirs and I am very interested in family dynasties, so this book was right up my alley. Plus, I got it for a dollar at the used book store. 

 I always enjoy anything by Erik Larson. He is one of my favorite historians. This particular book is about Marconi, who came up with the wireless transmitter, and Henry Crippen, a murdering skeeze. Marconi's invention was used to track the whereabouts of Crippen. It was a very informative book, and written in Larson's engaging style.