Julia by Heather B. Moore

Julia
By Heather B. Moore
Published by Shadow Mountain

Publication Date: September 2nd, 2025

Synopsis from the publisher:
Before she stepped into the spotlight as a master of French cooking, Julia Child navigated the shadows as a WWII intelligence officer.
On the sunny shores of California, Julia McWilliams is poised to embrace a life of comfort and financial security, with a marriage proposal from a wealthy man to consider. But as World War II erupts in the US, her patriotic fervor compels her to abandon her secure future. Trading country clubs for covert codes, Julia joins the Office of Strategic Services, where her sharp mind aids the Allied cause in the shadowy realm of espionage.
Amid strategic missions in Ceylon and China, Julia crosses paths with Paul Child, a fellow OSS officer whose delight in art, culture, and cuisine awakens a new hunger within her. Their chance meetings ignite a spark that blossoms into romance, leading to a proposal that Julia eagerly accepts. Together they embark on a new chapter in postwar Paris.
In the City of Light, Julia grapples with a different kind of challenge: she refuses to be confined by the societal expectations of a married woman. Drawn to the tantalizing world of French gastronomy—a pursuit her peers deem superfluous—she enrolls at the famed Le Cordon Bleu, and with Paul’s unwavering support, Julia immerses herself in her new passion.
Facing skepticism and prejudice in the male-dominated kitchens of Paris, Julia’s resolve never falters. Her relentless pursuit of culinary mastery not only transforms her own life but also introduces a revolutionary change in kitchens throughout America. From intelligence officer to beloved chef, Julia takes readers on an extraordinary journey.

My Review:
Having never actually watched Julia Child or so much as peeked inside any of her cookbooks, the WWII tie in was the biggest draw for me going into this book. I really liked learning about Julia's war work ad well as her blossoming romance with Paul Child. I really liked how she and Paul supported each other. It was also interesting to see all of the work that went into her first cookbook--all the cooking and revising and changing things to work for American cooks with different ingredients and resources available. Although I went into this book knowing very little about Julia Child, I was quite impressed with her and how her determination and optimism shone through the pages.

4 stars.

I read a DRC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

We Hope for Better Things

We Hope for Better Things
By Erin Bartels

Elizabeth Balsam is a reporter in Detroit who is approached by James Rich, a man who says he wants her to return a camera and photos from the riots of 1967 to a relative of hers--a relative she didn't even know existed. When she's fired from her job, Elizabeth goes to visit her great-aunt Nora for an extended stay, hoping to build enough of a relationship to tell her about James Rich's request. While staying with Nora, Elizabeth starts to find out a lot more about two women in her family--Nora, who married a black man in the 1960s, and Mary, who took in escaped slaves during the Civil War.

So, when I saw this title available on #NetGalley, I was really drawn in by the plot synopsis, and despite the fact that I didn't really have time to squeeze in a book by a new author (since I have enough books by authors already love that I need to read), I couldn't pass it by and requested a review copy--and I'm glad I did. It was really interesting to read a book with three different time periods and three different strong female characters. It as also really interesting to look at racism in all of those time periods, and I think it would be a good choice for a book club discussion. Very well-written, thought-provoking book.
4 stars.
I read an ARC via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Rocket Men

Rocket Men by Robert Kurson

In August 1868, NASA, intent on getting ahead of Russia in the space race and hoping to overcome demoralizing rocket failures, made the dramatic decision to push to send men to orbit the moon in December--giving them way less preparation time than usual. Engineers, astronauts, and everyone at NASA worked together to get astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders prepared for whatever would come on their unprecedented mission.

This narrative nonfiction is superb. Robert Kurson does a great job taking readers into 1968--to see the unrest in the United States, with protests of the Vietnam War, the assassinations of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., and more. It was really interesting to see how this mission brought people together and brought a good ending to an otherwise rough year. It was also really interesting to see the different personalities of the three astronauts as well as their wives and families. It's jammed with interesting information--mind-blowing numbers (like the weight of the rocket!), the realities of space life (like what happens when one crew member gets diarrhea!), and what Walter Cronkite announced on TV during their orbit. It really takes the reader back in time, and it's an engaging and informative read. Really fantastic piece of nonfiction.

I read a copy of the book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Glory Be

Glory Be
By Augusta Scattergood
Scholastic Press, 2012. 202 pgs. Middle Grade Fiction

Glory is living in Mississippi in 1964, and while all she is initially concerned about is why her older sister doesn't want to hang out with her anymore and whether or not she'll be able to have her twelfth birthday party at the local pool, which has been closed because it needs repairs. Except, it doesn't need repairs, Glory is sure of it--and she comes to realize that there's something much bigger going on the "broken" pools, as the townspeople are determined to keep segregation out of their town. Soon, Glory has to decide what she thinks about larger issues than birthday parties and pools.

This is look at the Civil Rights movement is good, but having read it a couple weeks ago, I'm finding that it isn't particularly memorable. I liked it when I read it--Glory is a spunky, strong girl who knows her own mind--but now that it's been a little while, it's not one that I'm still excited about. It's good, and fun, and it's one I'd certainly pass along to readers but it's not one of those ones that I'm just dying to talk about.

3.5 stars. Clean read.