Hadley Books

Anna K A Love Story

April 30, 2020

Love, family and drama are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading “Anna K A Love Story” By Jenny Lee. A novel that reflects the rollercoaster ride of high school. Never leaving out the unexpected twists.

These group of high schoolers from New York elite families are held to the highest of standards. Especially the girls. This makes the events in this book ever the most shocking. And the decision that Anna K makes ever the more complicated knowing not only her reputation was on the line but her entire families as well.

Keeping a clean family reputation is most important to Anna’s parents. Making the right choices harder. That leads to Anna K turning to her incredibly supportive, loving older brother Stephen. Their brother, sister relationship is one thing that Anna K can count on in the worst of times.

Falling in love is almost impossible to avoid in high school. However, when Anna K finds herself wrapped up in a love triangle with her current boyfriend with the most perfect reputation and a bad boy with the reputation of dating every high school girl in Manhattan. She does not know where to turn.

This book does not fall short in the drama department either. It is like very modern-day version of Gossip Girls at its finest. Never leaving a bridge unturned. It will leave the reader wondering how life could be so cruel or maybe thinking these group of teenagers got what they deserved.

I would recommend this book to any high schooler looking for a book to get through this quarantine. A great book of life, love and coming of age.

Hadley Books (Trailer)

April 29, 2020

Summary

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Valentine

April 23, 2020

Fear, division, race, and compassion are the words that I think of after reading “Valentine” written by Elizabeth Wetmore. A story of a town dealing with the aftermath of a heinous crime that took place on the evening of Valentine’s day.

Valentine is set in the mid 1970’s in Odessa Texas and chronicles the events that occur after a rape of a young girl takes place at the hands of a popular teenage boy in town. When a young mother that found the girl is set to testified at the trial what will happen? Will the young girl’s story be heard and taken seriously? Will justice be served? What is the leading impact this crime will have on a town like Odessa?

Valentine is a compelling story of how in the 1970’s a crime of this magnitude plays out. The fear that a crime like this leaves on the young women and especially the young mothers in town. The division of race and class that ripples through a town. Whether it is a he said, she said situation, or the real truth of events gets to be told. Lastly, the compassion that is felt between the women in the neighborhoods and how they all come together for each other in the most desperate of times.

I recommend this story to any reader who has an interest in knowing the 1970s perspective of the southern way of life.

The Reckless Oath We Made

April 16, 2020

Loyalty, Love and family are 3 words that come to my mind after reading “The Reckless Oath We Made” A story of Zhorzha or Zee, a young women at the lowest point in her life as she struggles with the recent disappearance of her beloved sister. When a Knight Sir Gentry that has been following her for the past two years shows up and rescues her.

This books takes you along as Zee and her Champion Sir Gentry embark on the journey of finding her sister. Between the loyalty that Sir Gentry shows Zee throughout the book, to the love that the two of them develop and the family unit Zee tries to maintain for her nephew. This book is a captivating whirlwind of emotions.

I believe the loyalty that Sir Gentry has towards Zee show his true character. The love that blossoms between these two teaches us to except each other for our strengths and weaknesses. Also just like myself, maintaining a healthy family dynamic is important for both Zee and Sir Gentry

“The Reckless Oath We Made” is romantic, medieval thriller that will have you at the edge of your seat. It is full of twists and turns that will surely not disappoint. As Zee and Sir Gentry sent out to find the LeReigne the truth will be told. From what exactly occurred the night of the prison escape. To truth behind the two sister’s past will be revealed.

From The Ground Up

April 9, 2020

Inspiring, Dedication and Passion are just 3 words that I think of after reading “From the Ground Up” By Howard Schultz. The story of Howard Schultz the former CEO and Chairman at Starbucks who took a business trip to Italy and came back to build on one the most well-known coffee shops in the world Starbucks.

Inspired by how much Starbucks has done in not just in this country but throughout the world. Through the Starbucks Foundation, Howard Schultz and his team at Starbucks have been able to create several programs to help out the communities they serve such as: reach out to the youth with setting goals of hiring the underprivileged youth. Create Jobs USA is intuitive that sets up job fairs around the country with a goal of setting up the youth with tools needed to land a successful job.

I am also inspired by the dedication that Howard had with creating a benefit that have allowed full-time and part-time employees to received health insurance. As well offering employees the ability to further their education. By partnering up with Arizona State University and paying their employees tuition with no mandate of staying with the company afterwards. Even many have and have been able to grow throughout the company. This ensures a level of trust and loyalty between Starbucks and their employees.

His dedication in other areas such as veterans’ affairs, refugees, and race will inspire people to look more closely at the problems this country and world still faces. Yes, Starbucks and Howard Schultz have made mistakes, some public and others not so public but he will be the first one to admit them and take responsibility for them. He admits that he is not perfect and his is always looking for ways of learning. He reminds us all that given the right tools and a passion for something anything is possible.

This quote below is what embodies our wonderful country. Not the hate and division that has filled the current state of America. I hope that one day our leaders will come together again and continue to spread this beautiful message. It is especially important during times like these that we need to come together and support one another. There is no other way to get through such terrible times.

This message is talking about the refuges fleeing their war-torn countries and coming to America for their American Dream.

“They come for an idea. An idea so powerful, so inherent to humanity, that it transcends time and geographic boarders: the idea that all people are created equal and have the right to live, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” ~ From the Ground Up, Pg. 297

Lovers & Writers

April 1, 2020

Heartbreak, grieving, love and perseverance are just some of the words I think of when it comes to “Writers & Lovers by Lily King. A novel of hope and courage that will keep the reading turning the pages.

“Lovers & Writers” by Lily King is a novel that follows a young inspiring writer Casey Peabody as she tries to cope with the recent unexpected loss of her mother and tries to complete her novel. That she has been working on for the pass 6 years.

Lovers & Writers

Casey has spent many years of her young adult life traveling and exploring the world. Trying to get inspiration for her novel but at the same time trying to run away from her childhood. A childhood that had seen many triumphs from winning golf tournaments to many heartbreaks. As in the secrets from both parents and the messy divorce that followed.

Now Casey must find a way to pay off loads of debt from college and credits cards. Whiling still finding time to write “The Great American Novel”

She meets many guys along the way in hopes of blocking out the anguish she feels with her mother’s death.

Will Casey ever able to sort out her feelings towards both of her parents and the guys she has been seeing? And will Casey ever be able to finish what she calls “The Great American Novel”

“How’s the Novel?” ~ Lovers & Writers

The Matriarch

March 25, 2020

The Matriarch, The Enforcer, First Lady, First Mom, Mom, and Ganny are just some of the names that the famous Barbra Pierce Bush went by. However, her most endearing and one of the more important to her was the wife of Former President George H.W. Bush.

“The Matriarch” ~ Susan Page gives the reader an inside look at the life of our “Nation’s Grandma.” Starting with growing in Rye, New York the 3rd of four children, to meeting a young George Herbert Walker Bush at a school Christmas party, to becoming not just the First Lady but also First Mom just 8 years later. Through it all never loosing track of what matter most to her raising beautiful, independent, self-sufficient children with her precious George by her side.

A few years after I was born in 1996 George W. Bush took the oath of office 2000. Back then I thought it was common that a son would follow in his father’s footsteps and become president. Come to find out it wasn’t as common as I once thought. In fact, beside George W. Bush there was only one other person to take the oath after his father and that was John Quincy Adams in 1825. His father was our 2nd president in 1797. Between the two families Barbara Pierce Bush was the only one to see both her husband and son start and finish their presidencies.

Before starting this book, I knew very little about the women that the nation nicknamed “Nation’s Grandma” and I only learned what I knew due to her passing just about 2 years ago. I had learned about the epic love story of George and Barbara Bush, and the family dynasty they had created together. The sad truth is that you always seem to learn about the greats after it is too late. Through this book I learn so much more about the women who deserves in my eyes more credit for the success of both her husband and son’s then she was given before her death.

I learned how devastating the diagnosis and loss of their 2nd child Robin of Leukemia at the age of 3 resulted in severe depression for the first lady. It was with never ending love and support that they had for each that they got through that tough period in their 73-year long marriage.

I also learned about the impact that she had while living in the White House. She was not just her husband’s biggest adviser and a big supporter of breaking the stigma with HIV/AIDS. Her work with literacy is something that I hold close to my heart as well. I feel that as important it is for this nation to grow in the world of technology, medicine and other areas, we won’t be able to do so without the key skill of learning how to read! Reading is what will get this nation to the next biggest discovery!

Even after leaving the White House Barbara was learning about the ever-changing world and learning how to except people for who they are. By learning about more about the LGTQ and transgender society. Also suggesting to her granddaughter and namesake (who had recently broken up with her boyfriend at the time) that there were other ways of starting a family on her own. Whether it would be through adoption or medical intervention. This taught me that even the older generations and have a newer outlook on life.

It was with the everlasting nurturing love, compassion, and trust that Barbara and George had for their family that the Bush family remains as close as ever. All the way up to the end Barbara was denying her family was a dynasty. Barbara was just humbled and incredibly proud of the family that she and the first boy she ever kissed created together!

“Somewhere out in the audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my foot steps and preside over the White House as the President’s spouse. I wish HIM well” ~ Barbara Pierce Bush (Wellesely College, 1990)

Firefly Lane

March 18, 2020

Joy, love betrayal and heartbreak are just a few of the emotions felt throughout the story of “Firefly” by Kristin Hannah.

Firefly lane pic

This story follows the unexpected friendship of Kate Mularkey and Tully Hart as their paths first crossed as neighbors on that little old country road to adulthood and every up and down struggle in between.

Firefly Lane highlights the importance of remaining true to not just your friends and family but remaining true to yourself first. Kate Mularkey struggled with is throughout this story as she grows up in the shadows of her best friends dream of becoming a TV reporter.

Once the truth comes out and Kate finds her one true passion in motherhood. The friendships begin to change. When Kate’s daughter Marah becomes an unbearable teenager and chooses to follow and listen Tully instead of her own mother. The jealousy grows and turns into depression for Kate. When Tully tries to bring Kate and Marah back to together is what is truthy the turning point in their 30-year long friendship.

Now will happen to the unbreakable bond of what was TullyandKate? What will happen to the mother and daughter relationship of Marah and Kate? Will these two girls from Firefly Lane keep their promise of remaining best friends forever?

My Love For Reading

March 4, 2020

Hi Everyone, my name is Bridget Rose Hadley and I love reading!! My passion for reading had started at a young age. You see, I was born with a condition called Noonan Syndrome. It is a genetic disorder that effects many systems in the body. This often leads to several developmental delays such as: walking, talking etc. I was so busy catching up with many of the basics I got left behind in the smaller areas such as reading and counting etc.

In the first grade is really when I really began to read. Once I began I couldn’t stop. Reading opened up so many doors for me. I learned so much about everything from the history of our country to what happen to Romeo and Juliet and everything in between.

Fiction books takes the reading on a journey. They allowed me to escape the worries of the world and create a whole new one in my head. They help me expand my imagination in ways I didn’t know was possible.

There are books that have made my laugh, smile, cry and throw it against the wall by the way it ended.

I hope one I will right a write that will inspire just like so many other books have done for me!

START UP

March 2, 2020

My first thought starting this book is that it will have a predictable ending. A story would be published by the media company and the main character’s business going under. In one way it did and on the other it didn’t. Yes, the young reporter trying to prove to herself and to her boss published a “Breaking News” story. It will just have to be seen how that all play out. Mixed in with inter-generational conflicts and sexual harassment allegations.This book chronicles to the stories of two companies and their employees lives both personally and professionally. One company is a magazine company and the other is a startup app company headed by no other than Mack McAllister. Who is like the biggest guy in the Tech world. It is how these two companies intertwine with each other that is what makes the book interesting.It also touches on the millennial generation and how they are all go getters. They won’t stand around and watch things happen. They will make things happen themselves. As showed by the many Startup companies in this book. Many of them start their own companies since they don’t agree with the way “old fashioned” companies run. Also, this generation will tell it how it is and won’t hide anything. Having the ability of having social media at the tips of your fingers lets you have the ability to let you tell your own story. This could either be a good thing or a bad thing. You can judge for yourself.This story also touches on the very sensitive subject of sexual harassment in the work place. How important it is for the victim to be able to be free and able to tell their story the right way. How people should be picking up and supporting the victims instead of cheering on the often rich and powerful suspect. “Startup” showed women empowerment beautifully in this way.This book was certainly not the deepest book I have ever read. However, it made quite a good few points about the business world and how the world looks at the millennial generation.

The Best Leaders Are Readers

Summary