Echoes of Family

"You're never truly lost if someone cares enough to come find you. Lost is waiting to be found." 

This was the line that moved this book from a four to an enthusiastic five star rating.  I have never read an account of bipolar disorder that brought me inside the storm as thoroughly. 

Marianne Stokes grew up in a village in England, viewed as troubled but not fully diagnosed until her first suicide attempt as a teen.  While many believe they know the reasons, it is not until she returns as an adult that the story reveals itself fully. 

Fleeing her adult life in the United States, Marianne finds herself in her childhood village in the throes of mania.  A chance encounter with her past brings the story to a cataclysmic pitch, and only finding her own strength can tame her ghosts and bring redemption.

Put this book way at the top of your to read list.  You won't be sorry.

Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray ~ Dorothy Love

This story follows the friendship of a General's wife, and a young girl born into slavery in the Civil War south.    Spanning a wide range of history and covering many aspects of civil and political unrest, this story touches on what it meant to be a woman at the start of the Civil War, as well as, the risks to having an opinion of one's own, regardless of skin color.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and fell in love with the characters.  Told in the viewpoint of Mary, granddaughter to Martha Washington and heiress to the Washington estate, Arlington, and in the voice of Selina, a young girl taught to read and write by Mary and her mother, who yearns for freedom, knowing that it comes at the cost of what she has known of life at Arlington.  This bittersweet yearning, gives the book a tremendous ability to reach its readers.

 Adding to this already enjoyable experience, the author's notes at the end, along with the list of references provide information about which elements are factual throughout the story.   This author appears to have put an appreciable amount of research into this book and it shows in the strong response this book is able to evoke.

This book was received as an ARC digital edition through NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.

When We Meet Again - Kristen Harmel

I have rarely read a book that made me as curious and hopeful, sad and wildly emotional.  Part mystery, part romance, with a dash of history thrown in, this book had me hooked within a few short pages.

Emily is the self-isolated, unattached, and lonely main character of the present day portion of this story.  She receives a message and a package that reveal what she has known of her life is not necessarily true.  Her family history may not be as bleak and dysfunctional, loveless and damaging, as she believed.

Set in Florida during present day and World War II, this book will keep you turning pages long after the hour has passed to go to sleep. 

This books was received as a digital ARC through NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.

Not Buying It- Brett Graff

As a parent I vacillate wildly between buying too much on impulse, or out of guilt, and then trying to do penance by streamlining, de-cluttering, and scaling back. It has been a vicious cycle.

This book hit some solid notes for me about how little changes and one time decisions can spiral into either enormous amounts of money spent or saved, but where this book failed to reach me was in the decision highlighted throughout most of the chapters.

The savings suggested largely come from places that are not my reality to begin with. I am not deciding whether to hire the $300 per hour instructor or the $100 per hour instructor. I am not trying to decide which prestigious and pricey preschool program I will send my child to, ( if I am chosen) as a means to guarantee a feed into extremely private secondary school and university systems. I am not represented in the majority of these pages. Nor are the majority of people I would recommend this book to potentially. Sadly.

I'm glad this book exists for the audience it targets, however I will continue to look for the book that speaks to the parent living on a tight budget and trying to save for incidentals and the ability to assist my child with higher education.

This book was received as an ARC digital edition through NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.

The Rarest Bird in the World~ Vernon R. L. Head

This book was written with a loving eye to the Ethiopian landscape and all that dwells within. The search for the "rarest bird in the world" was perfectly balanced against stunning descriptions of place and time, with sensitivity to environmental and social portrayal of the time period. 

 The search for an elusive species, previously identified by only a wing, unfolds in a engaging narrative that takes on a contemplative quality regarding the nature of being "rare".

 I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is a departure from my typical reading preferences.

This book was receieved as a digital ARC through NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.  Thank you for the opportunity.

The Smell of Other People's Houses ~Bonnie Sue Hitchcock

Everything about this book was amazing, with raw and heartbreaking circumstances, challenging decisions with lifelong reach and characters that enter your heart with stealth and tenacity. 

 It is 1970 in Alaska, and Dora, Ruth, Hank and Alyce are all facing demons of life, love, and learning. Being a resident of Alaska, in its nascent statehood, is not easy. There are political, cultural, and ethnic divides that grip each young life. How each of the characters evolve and engage with one another is beautifully woven together, coming to an ending that leaves you wanting a sequel. (Hint, hint....)

This book was received as a digital ARC through NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.  Thank you for the opportunity.

 

The Adventures of Lettie Peppercorn ~Sam Gayton

Amazing! If only there were more stars to give. 

This story, featuring alchemy, mystery, adventure, and a liberal dash of hope and love will work its magic on your heart. Lettie Peppercorn is a young girl who lives out her days in her house on stilts in a harbor town. She cannot go outside, her Ma has told her so in a letter carried to her by pigeon from afar. Right before her Ma disappears forever. 

Thus our story opens. Plagued by the drab life of "landlady", acting in her father's stead while he drinks and gambles away the meager earnings, Lettie is intrigued by a mysterious stranger who appears one evening, known as only as "Snow Merchant". He claims to be the greatest alchemist ever to have lived and wishes to sell her something not seen before; snow. But what is his intention? And what is his connection to Lettie's long lost Ma? 

 I can't recommend this book highly enough. Enjoyable for adults and children, read it aloud to someone you love as soon as possible.

This book was received as a digital ARC through NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.  Thank you for the opportunity.