Holly Quick Backlist Reviews, Bookman!: Week 44

Just to get through some backlog of books I've read, I'll post 4 super short reviews of backlist titles every Wednesday. 

1. Thornyhold by Mary Stewart (William Morrow & Co, 1988): Fun read. A bit of a mystery, some hints of magic, and the life story of a lonely child who eventually grows up and finds love. 4 stars.
2. The Greatest Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy by Rick Beyer (Harper, 2003): Do not recommend. While there were some interesting stories in there, it was not written well. 2 stars.
3. American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee by Karen Abbott (Random House, 2010): Really interesting history of a famous stripper. Abbott compellingly tells history and is honest about how she tries to bridge gaps in knowledge. And if this quote (directly from Gypsy Rose Lee) doesn't make you want to read about her, then I don't know what will: "Mother says I'm the most beautiful naked ass—well, I'm not. I'm the smartest." 5 stars.
4. Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book) by Julie Falatko (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2016): Hilarious picture book. Snappsy is annoyed with the narrator the whole time and the humor is very approachable. 5 stars.