The Red Daughter by John Burnham Schwartz

This is one of my favorite books of the year so far, and I have read a lot of books!  I had heard about it a while ago but never reserved it. So glad I went back to my want to read list and found it. Right up my alley, of course, dealing with Russian history.
It is a fictionalized account of Svetlana Alliluyeva's life as a Soviet defector, mother, daughter, wife and troubled person. And I can certainly understand why after reading this book. It makes me want to read more about her.
It's a great story, most of it true (the author's father is the person who met her in Zurich for her defection), but the author adds some romance to the story. Probably thought that people wouldn't be so interested without it.
The Washinton Post's reviewer says, "“The Red Daughter” is a meditative novel about regret, trauma and the unenviable fate of history’s castoffs." So true.
This is a great review. so if you are interested in this book, read this and you will be compelled to read it!

Conversations with Friends (Take Two) by Sally Rooney

I re-read this book as it's the choice for my book club in October. I welcomed the chance to read it again because I recall not loving it the first time, but really liking her next book, Normal People.

So I read it again and liked it more but I still can't say it is at the top of my list.  But Normal People still is.

I read it more carefully, more observant of the characters (mainly Frances) and trying to like her more.  And understand her more and I can say that I do with the second reading.