Charlotte Rogan’s debut novel The Lifeboat restores your faith in 21st century writing. In this historical novel, two narratives intertwine: the more dramatic one being the story of the shipwreck of the Princess Alexandria during the first months of WWI on a voyage from England to America. The second story is about Grace, a young woman whose family has suffered a financial collapse. Suddenly, needing to make her own way in the world, Grace’s choices are narrow: to become a governess or find a rich husband—Grace being resourceful and not wanted to be tied down by a job with long hours and little pay chooses the latter.
She finds her husband material in an unlikely place: the engagement listings of a London society paper. Henry Winter, an American financier, is handsome and rich and works for a company rapidly increasing in power and influence. Amazingly, this part of the plan works. They marry and set off for America. On the ship, as a sign of her newly altered status, Grace and Henry are invited to sit at the captain’s table.
But there Grace’s good luck ends. For one thing, Henry has not cabled his parents about the marriage, and seems reluctant to do so. His parents send him telegrams about his “former” fiancée but does she even know that she’s become history to him? In the middle of the night the Empress explodes—mysteriously—and the new bride finds Read more »
"My father, James Witherspoon, is a bigamist" is the shocking opening line of 
This is exactly what I am looking for in a travel book. Frazier does an excellent job in combining extensive historical research and personal travel details and interweaves them into an immensely enjoyable book. Ignore the fact that 
Earlier this week, the 2013 One Book, One Bloomington Community Read title was announced on WFHB's Interchange radio program. All of the nominated books for 2013 have been banned or challenged.
Adult, high school and middle school readers are encouraged to participate in our annual Winter Reading Program. It's easy to enter - read a book, submit an entry. Every week, winning names will be drawn to receive prizes, and a final prize will be given at the end. The more books you read, the more chances you'll have to win.