Circling the Sun by Paula McLain

Circling the Sun is a historical fiction story about Beryl Markham, a woman who as a child moved with her family from England to Kenya in the 1920s and grew up there.

Paula McLain uses careful imagery and suspension to move the reader through this exciting story. The core of Circling the Sun is Beryl and her coming-of-age/feminist triumphs. She befriends a Kipsigi boy, trains race horses, wears pants, and defies convention at every turn. Beryl carries the story, but Kenya moves from a lovely setting to a deadly character through McLain's skillful writing. Start saving now, because you will want to visit Kenya by the time you finish this book.