One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow by Olivia Hawker

 

One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow, by Olivia Hawker

4 stars: Deep, thoughtful, moving.

Cora Bemis and Nettie Mae Webber have lived as neighbors for years, out on the Wyoming frontier. Though never friends, per se, they have been decent neighbors. That is, until Cora and Substance Webber have an affair, and Ernest (that would be Cora's husband) fatally shoots Substance. 

Now Ernest is in jail, and winter is coming on. Neither household has a man to help with all the farm chores. Nettie Mae's son Clyde and Cora's daughter Beulah, both teenagers, work hard to help get ready for the long months ahead. It's a good thing, too. Nettie Mae is consumed with bitterness and anger, Cora with regret. 

 It is a bitter pill to swallow when the women realize that they will have to combine their households in order to survive the winter. It takes too much time and energy going back and forth to care for both places. Accordingly, Cora and her 4 children move in with Nettie Mae and Clyde. The animals share a barn, and all must learn to live together.

Over the long winter months, cracks begin to appear in the attitudes of the women toward each other, and in their perceptions of themselves. A new life; a different, more joyful and authentic way of moving through the world awaits, if they can just break through the prison of the past.

* * * * *

I enjoyed this one. It was heavier than what I usually read, but there were quiet moments of wonder tending toward magical realism that brought me out of the heaviness --particularly the chapters from Beulah's point of view. The tone starts out pretty bleak and depressing, but more and more hope is allowed in as the book goes on. Tense and exciting climax, and satisfying ending.

These women are in desperate straits, and they know that. Their very survival depends upon their working together, but how would it be to have to bring your worst enemy into your life so closely? Hawker's answer was compelling and kept me reading to the very end.

Content: Occasional swearing, references to the affair but not graphic descriptions, some thematic stuff--Clyde's burial of his father is written in detail, some butchering of animals. I was so relieved that the relationship between Beulah and Clyde stays innocent throughout. Thank you, Ms. Hawker for that!

Companion Reads: Longitude, and Carry On, Mr. Bowditch

 We read two books back to back in our morning reading time (for homeschool), which proved to be great companion reads. They both had to do with sailing and in particular, navigation at sea. Longitude, by Dava Sobel, was nonfiction, while Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, by Jean Lee Latham, was historical fiction. We understood the troubles of Nat Bowditch so much better, having just read an entire book about finding "lunars" vs. other means of calculating longitude, and even knew some of the technical terms.

If you have access to both of these books, give it a try and let me know if you liked it too!

 

Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Kind, by Dava Sobel

3.5 stars: Thorough and meaty. 

This one has been on my shelf for at least 5 years. I finally decided to read it to my kids as a way to make it first priority for me as well. Ha! It worked! We made it our way through it, a little each day.

For hundreds of years, the "longitude problem" was the bane of every sailor and captain's existence. It was easy enough to determine which latitude your ship was at, while at sea, but longitude was a whole different beast. Many, many ships sunk and thousands of lives were lost over the centuries due to mistakes in calculating longitude.

Finally the British throne came up with a competition, complete with a hefty award for whomever could solve this problem in a satisfactory way. There was a board overseeing the competition, which ended up going on for a couple of decades. The board members not only received the entries, but they were in charge of testing their accuracy and viability, and perhaps most importantly--doling out the prize money.

For a very long time, prevailing opinion was that the longitude problem would be solved by astronomy. Calculating "lunars" and/or the positions of certain stars became the basis of that school of thought. Then there was another idea completely: using a clock. It would have to be a clock like no other, however. It would have to keep nearly perfect time at sea, despite the constant motion of the ship, and have to be impervious to moisture and salty air.

As far away from astronomy as the workbench from the observatory, this idea was looked down upon by the Board as being almost too practical. Longitude was the realm of mathematicians and scholars, not something that could be solved with raw materials and rough hands--no matter how intricate the arrangement of gears and springs. It took the clockmaker in question--John Harrison--most of his life to perfect his creation and receive his just rewards.

* * * * *

This was actually a good read aloud for school mornings. I mean, I definitely felt smarter after reading it each day! Ha! Truly, though, it gave us some great fodder for discussion. We took it in smaller chunks, and although my kids weren't necessarily clamoring to keep reading each day, it got our minds working first thing in the morning, which was a good thing. That being said, this is definitely geared towards adults. I am fairly certain none of my kids would have picked it up to read on their own--or stuck with it, for that matter. It's well written, but it's got a lot packed in there.

Fascinating subject, really. There's so much that we take for granted about our modern life. GPS systems, anyone? Amazing how one person can make such a difference. One person approaching a problem differently, seeing a unique solution to the problem, then using his skills toward the solution, persisting through setback after setback. 

That was the biggest takeaway for me: do what you do best, persist through failure, and you will make a difference. It may not be solving the biggest problem of your time, but then again, maybe it will be. 

Now we want to take a field trip to go visit the sea clocks! 

   

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, by Jean Lee Latham

* Newberry Medal winner in 1956

3.5 stars: Great way to visualize and bring to life the history we read about it Longitude.

Nat Bowditch grows up in a family that has fallen on hard times. His father, Habbukuk, used to be a sea captain until his ship was dashed into pieces. Since then he has become a cooper, but has never gotten past his failure at sea. There are many children and only just enough food and clothing to go around. He learns early (from his big brother Hab) to pretend like he doesn't feel the cold in the winter when he doesn't have a coat to wear.

Nat loves mathematics, which makes him unique in his family and at his school. His mind just takes to it, and he can understand and work out complicated problems from a young age. He has dreams of going to Harvard after school. Then his father indentures him to the ship chandlery in town for 9 years. Nine years! His life is over!  Or so he thinks. He doesn't realize it is the start of a lifetime of learning and opportunities. Also, he finally gets enough to eat and warm clothes to wear.

* * * * *

We read this book right after Longitude. It was a great tie-in to all the history we learned about in that book. The problem of finding longitude is one of the central themes of the book. Apparently this was the time period when chronometers (sea clocks) were available, but still very expensive, so most ships still used lunars--which involved taking the position of the moon in relation to certain stars and calculating longitude based on that. Nat's mathematical skill enables him to work "lunars" with extraordinary accuracy, and he even ends up teaching all the men he's sailing with how to work them as well. We highly appreciated the digs at Nevil Maskelyne, who was the rival and enemy of the clockmaker in our nonfiction book. So that part was fantastic.

I feel like the book was probably as accurate as historical fiction can be, so it was good to get a feel for what it would have been like to live back then, in a sailing town.

Here's the thing: so many people died! At first, it was a bit of a blow as we read along. By the end, my kids were taking bets on who was going to go next. It was so bad! I will not name names, but I will just say--do not get overly attached to any of the characters, particularly those who are closest to Nat. Since it was the story of a good portion of his life, the deaths are mentioned in a rather abrupt or cursory manner, then after a paragraph or two we're moving on.

Edited to add: We are not as heartless as we may seem. None of us realized as we read that Mr. Bowditch was a real person. That poor man! Wow. He overcame a lot of suffering. I can't imagine the author would have included all of those deaths if they hadn't really happened. It makes his accomplishments that much more incredible.

Favorite sayings: 

"sailing by ash breeze" --this comes up throughout the book, but it's explained early on. When a ship is becalmed, the only way to move forward is by "ash breeze," meaning--get out the oars and row! The oars were usually made of ash wood. Nat spends most of his life sailing by ash breeze, finding his own chances for learning, and studying on his own--everything he can get his hands on--as his hopes and dreams take a very long time to realize.

"she has eyes in the back of her heart" 

"I'm just like a chair you stumble over in the dark," Elizabeth said. "It isn't the chair's fault, but you kick it anyhow." ... "Your brain. It's too fast. So you stumble on other people's dumbness. And--you want to kick something." 

Carnegie's Maid, by Marie Benedict

This would be a good one for book club!

Carnegie's Maid, by Marie Benedict

3.5 stars: Upstairs, downstairs, and a bunch of secrets to hide.

Clara Kelley is the oldest daughter in a family of tenant farmers in Ireland. Though they had big enough acreage to survive the Potato Famine, their family lands are slowly getting chipped away by the landholder, who disagrees with her father's political views. So she is sent off to America to earn money to send back to them.

As she finally gets off the boat and is beginning to make plans to find a second cousin, she hears a man calling her name. She ignores him at first--it is a fairly common name, after all--but after some time passes and no-one has responded to his calls, she decides that this could be a Chance. He is obviously wealthy (she is obviously not), but the other Clara must have not made it through the voyage if she hasn't answered yet.

So Clara takes on a new identity, with the same name. She is now from Dublin, Protestant (NOT Catholic), and slated to be a lady's maid to a Mrs. Carnegie. She manages to bluff her way into the position using her wits, brash courage, and determination. Then she has to figure out how to make herself indispensable and keep her secrets buried deep.

Meeting the older son of her lady, a Mr. Andrew Carnegie, may be the undoing of everything--if she lets her guard down.


* * * * *
This one was touted as great for fans of Downtown Abbey. Actually, I have never seen that, but I did still like this book. Clara was a survivor and as such, she did what she felt she had to in order to provide for herself and her family back home. That included taking this other girl's identity and running with it. She would never have succeeded (where many other, better qualified girls had failed) if it hadn't been for her quick mind and ability to figure out what her employer needed.

Was it right for her to do that? No, probably not. I could see where she was coming from, though. I think this would be a great one for a book club discussion, so you could really get into the ethics of it. Her family probably would not have survived without the money she made from this job and sent to them. Living a lie vs. saving her family....read it and tell me what you think!

The romantic side of it was interesting. Probably realistic in most respects. I appreciated that she kept it clean. The portrayal of Carnegie himself made me want to find a nonfiction biography to dive into for another perspective. He is always courteous and a gentleman to Clara, but it does show some of the uglier sides of his personality in his business dealings. Which was the true man?

Anyway, I liked it.


Content: Clean, despite an insinuation in the beginning that had me wondering.

(06/18/19)

Featured Author: Melanie Benjamin

I was really happy when I realized that there were more books I haven't read by Melanie Benjamin. All 3 of hers that I have read so far have been hits for me: historical fiction about real people. Then, always at the end, she talks some about what are the "facts" and what she extrapolated from that--which I am always so curious to know.

Overall, they are clean. They don't have language issues. She handles marital intimacy with care and isn't graphic in her descriptions.

In each book, I have been fascinated by the life of the woman I'm learning about, and feel as though I know them by the end of the book.

If you need a summer read with a bit more substance to it than the usual fluff, give one of these a try!

* * * * * *

The Aviator's Wife, by Melanie Benjamin

4 stars: Warm and understanding look at an iconic lady.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh was never one to seek out the spotlight, as a child. She much preferred to blend into the background and let her pretty, vivacious older sister Elizabeth be the center of attention. Then she met Charles Lindbergh, a young aviator who had just become famous for his solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.

Much to her surprise, he sought her out, and eventually even asked her to marry him. She could hardly believe it--that he would prefer HER above anyone else. Granted, his proposal seemed more practical than lovey-dovey, but that was just details, really. Wasn't it? She said yes, and overnight, the shy girl who sought the shadows was thrust into the blinding light of fame and publicity.

Though the country was going through the Great Depression, the Lindberghs never really felt the pinch. They were arguably the most famous couple in the world, given special attention by kings, presidents, famous actors and actresses, and hordes of hyper-interested fans.

This is the story of their life together and their marriage, told from Anne's perspective. The ways their marriage changed as little Charles Jr. was born, and again when his horrific kidnapping and murder happened. How they went on from there, and raised several more kids, amidst World War 2 and everything else.

* * * * * *

I happened upon this one at the library last week. As soon as I realized who the author was, I immediately snatched this one up!

This is one of my favorite types of historical fiction. I enjoyed learning more about the Lindbergh's, while getting some insight into what Anne may have been feeling and thinking throughout all that went on.

Content: A couple of intimate scenes--not graphic. For adults.

6/13/19




Alice I Have Been, by Melanie Benjamin

4 stars

Based on the life of Alice Pleasance Liddell Hargreaves, the little girl who was the inspiration for Charles Dodgson's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."


Benjamin brings life to Alice's story, far beyond a sunny afternoon on the river with her sisters and some grownup friends. Her personality as a child was a delight, even as I feared for where it would lead her. Her personal triumphs and tragedies felt very real. Side characters were also well-developed: Dodgson and her mother, in particular.

I appreciated her notes at the end about her research, including what was fact as far as we know it, and what she interpreted. I want to read more by Melanie Benjamin!

* Originally reviewed Sept. 2013

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb, by Melanie Benjamin

4 stars

Based on the life of Mercy Lavinia Bump Stratton.

"Vinnie" was born normal-sized, but after reaching toddler-hood, simply stopped growing physically. Her parents tried to protect her from life--wheels, horses, other children--but Vinnie would have none of it. She had big dreams; she wanted to make a difference; she wanted to see more of life than there was available in her bucolic home town.

As a teenager, when the chance came to join a showboat, she jumped at it and never looked back...much. From there on to P. T. Barnum's American Museum, to meeting and eventually marrying the world-famous small man, General Tom Thumb (Charles Stratton), her life was much bigger than her family had ever dreamed it could be. But at what cost to those she loved?

Benjamin does an excellent job portraying the inner life of this intelligent, ambitious woman, who just happened to be 32" tall. This could be a fun one for book club.

Originally reviewed Sept. 2013.



* * * * * *
Looking on Goodreads, I've got more of hers to catch up on, as well. I'm happy about that! The ones I haven't read yet are The Swans of Fifth Avenue, Mistress of the Ritz, The Girls in the Picture, plus a couple more.

Have you read any by her? What did you think?

The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick

I just read this one a few days ago, on the morning it was due to go back to the library. My daughter had been trying to tell me about it, but the details were getting a bit mixed up, so I decided to just read it for myself. I'm glad I did. It has been awhile since I've read middle grade fiction, actually, so it was a nice change of pace.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick
2008 Caldecott medal winner

4 stars: Nice mix of narrative in picture and word forms.

Hugo is a boy who lives in a train station in Paris. His father repairs clocks and anything mechanical at a museum. There's an automoton that his father comes across in the attic of the museum. It's broken. Together the two of them begin to fix it, excited to see what it will do once it's back in working order.

Then his father dies in an fire at the museum. Hugo is left on his own, under the care of his drunken uncle, who is the timekeeper at the train station. Eventually, the uncle leaves too, so Hugo is truly on his own. He knows enough about the clocks (from his uncle) and has enough mechanical know-how (from his father) that he is able to keep the clocks going himself. He has managed to salvage the automaton from the ashes of the museum, so he does his best to start repairing it again as well. He steals food every day and tries to stay out of sight and away from the Station Inspector.

Then one day he steals something from the toy shop booth in the station, and the old man who runs the booth catches him. Piece by piece, his carefully constructed world comes crashing down. What arises in its place will surprise him.

* * * * *
This book is at least half illustrations. Many sections of the story are told entirely in pictures, then the narrative picks back up in words. The book itself is very large for a middle grade book, for that reason.

I enjoyed the mix. Selznick did a great job of integrating the two forms, so that it was fairly seamless. There didn't seem to be any holes in the plot from going back and forth. It was interesting to see what the pictures conveyed vs. what the text said. Obviously, with the text you get to "hear" what the character is thinking, and understand more of their backstory, and the motivations behind their actions. The pictures are more visceral, bringing the emotions to the forefront, and leaving quite a bit as a mystery.

It was very well done. I can see why it won the Caldecott. It would be especially great for kids who aren't very strong readers. It's such a huge book, but goes by so quickly with all the pictures, I would bet they would really feel proud of themselves for finishing it. I can imagine they would be that much more motivated to read the words, too, to find out what's going on in the pictures.

I really liked the ending.


Now I need to check out Wonderstruck again! (I got it for my daughter after this one, but she's already read it and sent it back to the library.)

Do you have a favorite of Selznick's books?

A Little Magic, and a Bit of Mystery

I have fallen far, far behind on my book reviewing. These two are from last year (!), so it is high time I got them posted and sent out into the world. :)  Not that I've stopped reading--on the contrary. So here's to getting caught up, little by little.

Flecks of Gold, by Alicia Buck

3 stars: Modern teenage girl has adventures and falls in love, in a faraway magical land.

Mary Margaret has always been more responsible than her mother, so when yet another relationship goes bad for her, Mary is the one who gets them moved to a new town for a fresh start. Things are going okay, until Mary meets a mysterious boy named Kelson at school. He seems to make her mind go numb. Though she's never been one to flirt or hang out with the boys much (her mother's relationship choices having a lot to do with that), it's a mighty struggle to say no to Kelson's advances. Then things really get weird.

Kelson kidnaps Mary's mom and takes her...somewhere. They vanish in a big flash of light. So, something else you should know about Mary is that she's always seen flashes of gold in her peripheral vision. Sometimes patterns flash into her mind.. When Kelson and her mom disappear, Mary notices a new, complicated gold pattern flash into her mind. She does her best to reconstruct in her mind, giving it a mental twist at the end as she saw him do.

This bit of magic transports her to the world of Iberloah, and straight into a chicken coop. In a few short hours, she has learned all kinds of new things about herself and this different world she is now on (in?). It won't be enough to rescue her mother, but it's enough to start on her journey in that direction.

Along the way she meets a man who becomes her travelling companion: Breeohan. One or both of them is being targeted by assassins, so that keeps things interesting. Her journey will take her to the heart of the kingdom and surprisingly, solve some of the mysteries of her own past.

* * * * *
There were a lot of things I liked about this one. The pattern magic, with different colors signifying different things, was interesting and consistent. Mary's growing relationship with Breeohan was well done, with lots of teasing and lighter moments to balance some of the action.

The plot lost much of its momentum once she reached the castle. There were meetings and political maneuvering, and even a ball or two. Some development of the love triangle. She eventually got back on the road to find her mother, but here again, the action seemed stuck on slow. She and her little band of supporters would make a small amount of progress, argue about what to do next, do what she wanted in the end, get into trouble, get back out, repeat, repeat, repeat.

I have a hard time with these feisty independent heroines, who make impulsive, stupid decisions--which put themselves and everyone who cares about them in danger. It just bothers me. Why can't we have the independence with some rational planning, rather than "Who cares what you say (even though you know more than me about every aspect of this plan?) I'm going to do what I think is best. See ya!" Arg. It's frustrating. This one was a teenager, so that made me tolerate it a little more.

I liked the ending.

Despite the issues I mentioned, I enjoyed it for the most part. I would read a sequel, if one came out.

Content: clean. Ages 12+.

(12/11/17)

Maids of Misfortune, by M. Louisa Locke

2.5 stars: Okay, but I don't plan to read the rest.

It's 1879, and Annie Fuller is a widow during a time when women don't get much say about anything in their lives. She runs a boardinghouse to make ends meet and also runs a profitable side business as clairvoyant Madam Sibyl. She wears a disguise for her appointments as Madam Sibyl. After all a respectable woman would never be seen associating with someone like that. Her social standing is already precarious enough as it is. She doesn't need to add scandal or rumor to that.

When she receives a threatening letter from one of her late husband's creditors, an odious man who has his eye on the boardinghouse property, she is not sure how she's going to pay him off. Then one of her favorite clients dies--Mr. Matthew Voss. The police are calling it a suicide, but as he was a regular customer and Madam Sibyl was privy to many of his business and private plans, she doesn't believe it. She is fairly certain he was murdered. Why, though, and who would do such a thing?

She aims to look into it. Then Nate Dawson comes along, the Voss family attorney, and he has a few things on his agenda as well. Neither Annie Fuller nor Madam Sibyl were who he expected them to be and yet he finds himself drawn to Mrs. Fuller even as they face-off.

* * * * *
This one was just okay for me, which was a disappointment, because based on the setting I was hoping to really like it. The sparring between Annie and Nate never really captured me. The mystery was fine, but didn't stand out.

(10/11/17)


* * * * *
Onward and upward! Feels good to get those 2 crossed off the list!

The High Mountains of Portugal, by Yann Martel

I read and liked The Life of Pi some years ago. So I've been wanting to read this one for quite some time (same author.)  This one, well, it was different. Let's talk about it. It really needs discussing.

The High Mountains of Portugal, by Yann Martel

2 stars: This one was a bit strange.

Told in 3 sections, each with different characters in a different time period. The first is the story of Tomas in 1904. He works at a museum in Lisbon, and has come across an old journal that has him transfixed. It is the journal of a priest who carved an utterly unique crucifix, that he sent to an obscure church in--you guessed it--the high mountains of Portugal. Tomas, who has taken to walking backwards ever since losing his lover, son, and father, is determined to find this crucifix. The only trouble is that to do so he must drive a new invention--the automobile. He'll do whatever it takes, though he has no idea the toll this journey will take on him.

The middle section is about a pathologist, who performs autopsies at a large hospital. It is mid-century by now. The pathologist's wife comes to visit him late one night, with the newest Agatha Christie novel (they are both big fans) and some fascinating conversation. Strangely enough, she is not his only visitor that night. The next is also a woman, but there the similarity ends. For one thing, she has brought along the body of her husband in a suitcase for him to autopsy.

Finally, we get the story of a Canadian senator in the 1980's who has lost his wife, but who makes a connection with a chimpanzee. It is such a strong connection, that he ends up buying the animal. One thing leads to another and he ends up moving to the high mountains of Portugal, with the chimpanzee. He searches for his roots (his ancestors came from this village.) He experiences life without modern technology or schedules, and comes to recognize many things about himself and his life.

* * * * *
I kept reading this one, thinking that it would all be tied together at the end. All of these very different stories would suddenly make sense. There was some of that. The connections, though a bit tenuous, did show up, but not in a linear way.

There are some big overarching themes throughout the three sections, that would make great book club fodder, like loss and grief, the importance of intentions vs. reality, the role technology plays or doesn't play in the lives of the three men. Also, chimpanzees, the Iberian rhinoceros, the making of a religious icon, and so on.

The middle section was magical realism. It was my least favorite of the three. I felt like there were perhaps hidden meanings that were sailing over my head. The way it all happened left me unsettled, particularly the end.

I will say this for it--I thought about things that have never before crossed my mind. So there's that.


Content: Some talk of sex.

(5/03/18)


I truly am eager to discuss this with someone, while at the same time feeling reluctant to recommend it to any of my friends. It's a rather awkward position to be in. Have you read it? Please talk to me!

Wolf Hollow, by Lauren Wolk

By the way, I do have more gardening posts coming. I've been dying to get out and do more work outside, but we've had crazy weather over the past week! It has snowed several times and been clear and cold the other days. Hey, on the one nice day last week, I did help a friend weed her flowerbed. It was good for the soul, I tell you!

So. This book. After putting it off for a long time, I finally sat down and read this one! I knew it would not be an easy read and I was right. This is one that begs for discussion. In fact, I think discussion should be mandatory for any kids reading it, just to help them process what happens.

Wolf Hollow, by Lauren Wolk
2017 Newberry Honor

4 stars: Deeply piercing.

Annabelle's life is just kind of going along, as the oldest of 3. Her little brothers, Henry and James, pretty much do their own thing, though she watches out for them in the schoolyard. Their neighborhood has its share of people who are different. Among them, is a man named Toby, who lives by himself in a shack in the woods. He's a WWI vet and isn't quite right in the head. At least, that's the general consensus. Though he doesn't say much ever, and is out in all weathers on his own, Anabelle's family has given him food from time to time and he has never harmed anyone. In fact, they discovered that he had a gift for photography and since then their family's camera has been on permanent loan to him.

Then Betty Glengarry comes to town. She immediately singles out Annabelle as the object of her bullying. At first, it's nothing too bad--threats to hurt Annabelle if she doesn't bring Betty something. Annabelle smashes her piggy bank, but decides that she's not giving any more than the few precious coins inside.

However, when Annabelle stands up to her, Betty gives her a bruise "the size of a cucumber" on her upper thigh, beating her with a stick. Then Betty falls in with an older student named Andy, who has always been a troublemaker. The two of them skip school or spend the whole time whispering together.

Things start to get out of hand when Betty begins to threaten Annabelle by saying she will hurt Henry and James if Annabelle doesn't give her what she wants. The kids all walk home from the one-room schoolhouse, leaving ample opportunity for such threats to be carried out. It's a constant worry for Annabelle, but she's not sure what it will take to stop Betty.

Then there's the day of the rock. Ruth, one of Annabelle's close friends and classmates is hit by a rock--possibly intended for the German fruit seller who has pulled up to the school. In any case, Ruth is seriously injured. No-one knows who threw the rock.

Betty starts rumors going around that it was Toby. She offers convincing evidence--she says she saw him to do it from the belfry of the school, where she was skipping class with Andy. Her accusations stir up a hornet's nest of trouble in the small community. Then Betty goes missing. So does Toby. This does not look good for anyone.

Annabelle, who may know more than anyone else about the truth of things, is the only one who's going to be able to put things right again. What can she do, though? She's just a kid.

* * * * *
A story about bullying and kindness; about insiders and outsiders; about good and evil. I think every kid who reads this book will relate on some level. We have all been bullied to various degrees. We have all seen others be picked on. Senseless acts of violence have affected us all, directly or indirectly. On the other side, we have all given or received kindness as well. We have seen those who needed our kindness, whether or not we've stepped up to give it.

There was a growing tension in the story, as the violence escalated, and as Annabelle saw the path before her would require courage and probably some sacrifice of her own well-being.

You know, I didn't know what to make of Betty. We never really got her backstory. I wish we had. Rather, she was painted as this one-dimensional Bringer of All the Bad Things to Annabelle's peaceful life. And the thing this kid does--I mean really, a sharpened wire? How is she still roaming around in free society?

I was glad Annabelle did talk to her parents eventually and that they were all a part of the solutions--the temporary and the attempt at more permanent ones. It's the kind of story I read with a pit in my stomach the entire time, as I wondered what other awfulness was coming around the bend.

Annabelle's friendship with Toby was a bright spot. The way she got him to open up a little and participate in some things brought a ray of hope to a dark time. She was very mature for 12. At one point as Toby was telling her some things about the war, she listened, but realized she had no way to process it all yet, so sort of packed it away in her mind until she could truly understand it and deal with it at some point.

The ending was tragic but true to life, unfortunately. Wolk did a masterful job portraying Annabelle's mixed emotions when she realized where Betty must be. Did Betty deserve what happened to her because of her previous actions? Do any of us deserve what we get, good or bad?

I'm having a hard time pinning down the age for this one. The ages of the characters would make it seem to be written for middle graders, but the themes and situations are better suited to teens or even adults. This is one that would be a good one for an adult book club. A quick read, but depths and layers to explore.

Content: Intense situations; bullying.

(2/24/18)

Find a New Favorite Clean Romance Author

Yes, I know that Valentine's Day is already behind us, but we can celebrate love the entire month of February, can't we? Our library here has a whole section for LDS (i.e. Mormon)/Christian fiction. As I discovered when browsing through it earlier in the month, a sizeable proportion of it is romance. Most of the authors were new to me. So, if you're on the hunt for a new clean romance writer, check out this list!  Many of them are series, or the author has written several stand alone books.

Chances Are, by Traci Hunter Abramson

2.5 stars: Rather predictable.

As a teenager, Maya Gupta fled to America with her grandmother, in order to escape an unwanted pre-arranged marriage. She's a survivor, and has managed to find success and happiness, even though her grandmother passed away a few years after they arrived. Then in college, she finds out she has cancer. It seems pretty hopeless; not just because of the disease itself, but because without family support, she is chronically low of funds.

Her tumor is inoperable, and she only has about a year to live. Her only chance of survival at this point (barring a miracle) is to participate in a clinical trial in Washington D.C. However, in order to do that, she will need a place to live and food to eat while on the drug regimen. Rides to and from the hospital would be nice--even necessary--as she grows weaker.

Enter Maya's friend, Kara. Well, enter Kara's brother, actually. He's a baseball player who's recently made into the Major Leagues, and just happens to have an apartment in D.C. that sits empty most of the year. Kara is certain that her brother won't mind if Maya uses his apartment for a few months. It's not like he is using it. Plus, she is a very responsible and trustworthy person.

So Kara gets Maya set up in Ben's apartment...without actually telling him about Maya. She figures Maya will be done with the treatment and gone before Ben would even think to check in on the place, and also, he might say no--which would be a death sentence for Maya. Unfortunately, after a breakup, Ben decides a relocation to D.C. will clear his head and help him get focused on preparing for the upcoming baseball season. Imagine his surprise to find a woman he barely knows living in his apartment.

* * * * *

I liked seeing the way Maya and Ben slowly came together, as far as acceptance and then tolerance, then helping each other out here and there, and finally friendship, then love. That part was well done. The description of Maya's cancer and treatment added a level of interest there, as well.

It just seemed like many of the major plot elements were rehashed stereotypes. Ben's girlfriend in CA just wanted him for his money, was jealous and controlling; Maya's almost fiancé from India was much the same; miscommunication caused the whole thing and could have been cleared up with one phone call, and so on.

It was okay, just not my favorite of hers.

Content: clean

(12/13/17)

Becoming Lady Lockwood, by Jennifer Moore

3.5 stars: A fun, light read.

Amelia Beckett is newly a widow, and honestly, feels a freedom she never had before. Her father forced to marry a business associate of his by proxy. She shuddered to think what type of man her husband would be, if he was a friend of her father's, but there was no way out of the deal, so she did it. She signed her name to the document and dreaded her husband's return. Except that he never did return. She inherited her mother's Jamaican sugar plantation and is quite happy to settle down there and run it for the forseeable future.

Than Captain Sir William Drake walks into her parlor. Amelia's late husband was his brother, and Drake is certain that the whole marriage was a sham just to get her hands on some of his family's estate. He has come all the way to Jamaica to bring her back to England and to court, to prove that the marriage was all a fraud. She goes, albeit unwillingly.

While on the ship, Amelia is surprised to find friends amongst the crew, and even learns how to repair sails and does some cooking. In fact, she lends a hand in all sorts of unusual places, including the ship's surgery. As the Captain and Amelia get to know one another better, a friendship reluctantly sparks to life, which over time may deepen into something more. Unfortunately, neither one of them can afford to forget the court date looming over them once they get to England. In fact, the ruling becomes more important than ever, but for entirely different reasons than either would have guessed at the beginning of the voyage.

* * * * *
Like many in this genre, this one was a bit predictable. OF COURSE Amelia and the good Captain Drake were going to fall for each other. How could it be any different? Seeing their friendship and then relationship develop was enjoyable, though.


Content: Clean.

(01/04/18)

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells, by Sarah M. Eden

4 stars: Different, in a good way.

Paisley Bell loves being sheriff in her tiny western town. It's too bad she's only the "fill-in" sheriff. The other one left town and since she had been his deputy, she naturally stepped in to fill the position. Savage Wells has more than it's share of eccentrics, but she knows all their quirks and just how to handle their "emergencies."

The only problem is that the Town Council has decided that a sheriff's badge truly only belongs on the shirt of a man. So they advertise for a new sheriff. Cade O' Brien is one that shows up for his shot at the position. Not that he has any doubt he'll get it, and that's not because he's arrogant. He has just seen far more than his share of bloody battles, brought in more criminals than he cares to remember, and put many more 6 feet under. He's ready to be done with all of that. All he wants is a quiet little town with emergencies that don't require a revolver. Savage Wells is certainly that.

However, Paisley isn't about to just roll over and give up this job that seems made for her to someone else. Not only does she love what she does, she needs the money. Her father's health and mind have been failing for some time and she is their sole support. So much to the surprise of the town, she throws her hat into the ring of applicants as well.

Paisley and Cade aren't the only two who want the job, but let's be honest--they're the only two who matter. It's really too bad that they find each other so darn attractive. Gets in the way of taking care of business. When that business turns ugly, they're both going to need all their attention to take care of their town.

* * * * *
Quite a break from Eden's Regency romances; this one was a lot of fun. The characters in the town were great! From the ribbon lady who has taken over the jail to the PTSD war veteran who spends his time up in a tree, there were many side characters that I was rooting for just as much as the stars of the show. The contests were a hoot. Believable? Eh, maybe not so much, but fun anyway.

I especially liked the way Cade was willing to learn how to best help the town residents, and the way his different perspective was able to bring some of them around that Paisley's tough-edged kindness couldn't.

There's definitely sparks flying between our two sheriff contestants, but Eden keeps it clean. I was interested to see how she was going to resolve the plot, while keeping within the social conventions of the time. She did a good job of it.


Content: clean.

(01/16/18)

Don't You Marry The Mormon Boys, by Janet Kay Jensen

3 stars: Can this couple overcome their differing religious beliefs?

Andy McBride and Louisa Martin meet in medical school. Over exams, study sessions, and sanity-saving breaks from studying, they fall in love. There's really only obstacle to them riding off into the sunset, but it's a big one: Louisa is from a fundamentalist polygamist sect, while Andy has been raised in the mainstream Mormon church his whole life.

Louisa has been allowed to attend medical school, but always with the understanding that she will return home afterword, get married, and take her place in the community. She insists that it's not as bad as it has been made out to be, and that the abuses so publicized from other groups don't happen in the one she was raised in. In any case, Andy is strong in his faith too. Neither one is willing to bend far enough to be together.

So they separate, with broken hearts on either side. However, as they're apart, they both have some eye-opening experiences that make them more ready to overcome the challenges that have kept them apart.

* * * * *
This one was a bit slower moving than some. The descriptions of the polygamist community were especially interesting for me, given some of the other reading I've done in the past few years. (In particular, Escape and Triumph, by Caroyln Jessup.) The plot seemed to just float along until the end, until all at once you realize that this lazy river you're on actually goes over a waterfall! Not too big of one, though, so hang on tight and you'll be fine.

Content: Clean.

(01/18/18)

The Heiress of Winterwood (Whispers on the Moors #1), by Sarah Ladd

2 stars: What will it take to keep her promise?


Amelia Barrett is determined to keep the deathbed promise made to her friend Katherine, no matter the cost. Amelia will raise baby Lucy; she will be a mother to the infant. The baby's father is a sea captain and was out on a voyage when Lucy was born and his wife passed away. Although Amelia is the heiress of her father's grand estate, she only inherits it on the condition of being married by the time she is 24. She will certainly need money to raise this little girl, and she is engaged to be married to one Edward Littleton.

Her plans have a run into a snag: Edward. He utterly refuses to allow Lucy to remain with them once they're married, insisting the she is her father's responsibility and will siphon away money that should be spent on their own family someday. Amelia was already beginning to have her doubts about Edward prior to this, but now she is really thinking the whole engagement is a mistake.

Okay, then: plan B. She will propose to the sea captain then--what was his name? Oh yes. Graham Stirling. Captain Stirling. It will be awful and humiliating, but she's not about to let sweet little Lucy grow up motherless; not when she promised her friend otherwise.

So she does. Propose to the Captain, as soon as he returns home on leave. It--er...doesn't go so well. Maybe she'll have to employ plan C: simply convince Edward (and the Captain) that Lucy must stay with her. Except that doesn't seem to be going so well either. Time is growing short! What is she going to do?

* * * * *
A bit on the melodramatic side. Nearly every character had their bit of drama and/or secret vices unveiled. I'm a little surprised no-one ended up dueling--not excluding Amelia! Interesting that even a wealthy woman back in those times usually had to be married to access her own wealth. That seemed to true to other things I've read.

Also, while I understood Amelia's utter determination to keep her promise to her friend, it did seem odd that she would insist on that even when the baby's father had returned, and had other ideas. Doesn't it seem like his ideas and plans for his own baby should take precedence over hers? I actually sympathized a bit with Edward in that regard. Not sending away the baby so she wouldn't use up the money--that part was a bit ridiculous and over the top (more drama) but his point that figuring out who should raise Lucy was really the Captain's concern, not Amelia's or Edward's, deathbed promises notwithstanding.

I wonder what the book would have been like if the Captain truly wanted nothing to do with Amelia, and yet she continued to insist on keeping Lucy and raising her. Then Amelia would have become the villainess, wouldn't she? Would she have kidnapped the baby and run away with her in the name of keeping her promise? We'll never know. It's just interesting that what was made out to be a virtue in this story could easily have gone the other way.

Along those lines, I was a bit put out with Amelia's stubborn ways (I believe back then the word was "headstrong"). As most bookish ladies tend to do, for instance, she insisted on going with the Captain on a certain journey, when her presence most certainly caused more problems for everyone--as he predicted it would. And yet, he loved her all the more for it. That's the part that made me wonder, because I think in real life, most men would stay far away from a woman who was so insistent on getting her own way that she put others and herself at risk to do so--but hey, what do I know?  It made for a more exciting ending, so there was that.

This was a Christian romance, so there were inserts of scripture here and there, and talk of faith and praying. I didn't mind it all. It was woven into the story well and not just straight up preaching at you.

Content: Clean

(2/10/18)

Sense and Second Chances, by Brittany Larsen

3 stars: Obstacles to love for 2 sisters.

Emily Carter suddenly finds herself in charge of her 18 year old sister Annie and 10 year old brother Bryce, when both their parents are killed in an airplane accident. Suddenly her life plans look drastically different. Between trying to keep her bipolar sister on her meds, and her little brother going to everything he needs to--like school, for instance--she doesn't have the time or desire for dating.

Then her stepbrother Jason drops a bombshell: he's getting married and they plan to move into the house that Emily and the other 2 are living in. He inherited it; and it's not like he's being a jerk about it, but still--they've got to now find a new place to live on top of everything else. His fiancée's brother Joel is a contractor, who comes over a few times to measure the kitchen for remodeling changes. Emily and Joel start to hit it off a little bit, but there are some serious obstacles in the way of their relationship. Namely, he's Jewish and she's Mormon, and both believe their religion to be true.

There is this ranch in Utah that Emily's dad had purchased awhile back. She was thinking of just selling it, rather than fixing it up and turning it into a high-end getaway lodge according to his plans, but now that they have nowhere else to go, it's looking better and better. Not only that, Annie's got a lead on a part. Her acting career has been in a downward spiral ever since she did some ads for the Stop Porn campaign, so this could be huge. The only trouble? She would have to move to Utah. Things seem to be falling into place.

Once they get out to Utah, however, they are going to have a whole new set of challenges to face. Emily has to decide how long she's willing to date Joel, even when it seems to be going nowhere fast, and Annie has a couple of guys showing interest in her--one of whom seems a bit shady to Emily. Since she's not the mom, and her sister is 18, what can she do about that?

* * * * *
It's always fun to see a modern twist on an old favorite. Satisfying growth in the characters, particularly with Annie.

Content: Clean.

(2/12/18)

A Match of Wits (Ladies of Distinction #4), by Jen Turano

3 stars: An entertaining story with lots of talking.

Our story starts off in 1883, with our heroine Agatha Watson, off to the Wild West on a newspaper assignment. She is a journalist--quite a good one, actually--and had to be sent out of New York City for her own safety. Let's just say some of her articles exposed criminals that didn't take kindly to the coverage. Multiple death threats later, here she is Colorado, male bodyguard and female traveling companion in tow.

While she's trying to find a story to report on in Colorado City, whom does she run across but her old flame, Zayne Beckett. My, but he has changed since they parted ways. He had gone to California to marry someone else, and Agatha had buried her broken heart in her work. Now she can be forgiven, perhaps, for having mistaken him for a mountain man. He is grizzled, apparently lame in one leg, and drinking. A lot.

Miss Watson does not know why her old friend would be in this state, but she is determined that he won't stay in it. She will get him back to the comforts of home and family in NYC however she can. As trouble tends to follow her, she will try to stay out of it for awhile--forthwith. Besides, she cannot be expected to take the blame for wild outlaws and dynamite mishaps, can she?

* * * * *
I've got to say, this book is around 75% "witty banter" and 15% action. Or maybe more like 90/10. You know you're an introvert when all the talking IN A BOOK wears you out. Every situation had to be discussed and sharp or amused retorts made back and forth over it. There were some funny, or exciting moments, then back to more talk, talk, talking. Then at least 2 or 3 attempts to make things right between Zayne and Agatha, but alas, the wrong words were said, so then more words had to come about from both parties. An abundance of words.

Other than all being on the loquacious end of the spectrum, the characters had their quirks and endearing qualities. The action that did happen was entertaining.

If you enjoy conversations, many of which were witty--I can grant it that--then you will adore this book. As for me, I may try some of her others, after I've recuperated from this one a bit.

By the way, I didn't realize this was 4th in a series until I looked it up on Goodreads. For the most part I was up to speed, though there were some family relationships that obviously had backstories I was missing out on.

Content: Clean.

(2/13/18)

Picture Perfect, by Beverly King

3 stars: A cozy little winter romance, just right for this time of year. 

Jillian Taylor is the big time model from tiny Quail Creek, Idaho. At least, she used to be. These days she drifts from party to party; the jobs have long since dried up, and so has the money. She's too embarrassed to admit that she's washed up, let alone return home or ask her dad for help. Then he dies, and she must go back for the funeral. She has to borrow money from a friend to even get a ticket back for that.

She is hurt by the hostility and resentment aimed toward her back home in Quail Creek. Apparently her dad had been sick for some time, though he had never told her as much in the their monthly phone conversations. Too add another huge shock, he didn't leave her any assets. She thought she would be able to sell the house, at the very least, but that has been put up for auction to pay off his debts. Now she really is at rock bottom. No parents, no house; she's not allowed to even save a few  mementos from growing up. She's not sure what she's going to do, but she is good at putting on a brave face, so she starts with that.

Her friend from high school days, Randy Prescott, seems like he would like to rekindle a romance with her, even though he is currently engaged. Meanwhile, Luke Prescott--Randy's older brother--is still his critical, distant self. It seems like every comment he makes to her has a barb hidden in it somewhere.

When her situation seems darkest, Jillian decides to go talk to the Bishop in her dad's ward. Maybe he can get her the money for a ticket back to New York, or something. Anything. What he suggests, however, is far beyond her comfort zone. It turns out that Luke has been taking care of his elderly housekeeper/nanny for some time, but really could use a hand. He's got so much to do running his 12,000 head sheep ranch, that he doesn't have the time he would like to be with Emma.

Jillian takes on the job out of sheer desperation. It comes with free room and board, plus weekly pay. She's determined to make this work; at least until she can earn money to move back to New York. She doesn't expect to love Emma, and certainly doesn't expect Emma's warmth and love in return. Perhaps everything her starving heart and life have needed can be found right here...in Luke Prescott's kitchen. If only she can put up with him in the bargain...

* * * * *
A bit formulaic, starring Luke as the brooding hero with hurt in his past, and Jillian as the beautiful but broken heroine.  Hey, you do get some good distinguishing details, and the romance develops slowly over time, which is the way I like it. Emma was a gem; a great example of how kindness and love will bring someone back to God much more quickly and effectively than accusations and anger. Amazing how that works, isn't it? :)


Content: Clean

(2/15/18)

Summer of the Midnight Sun (Alaskan Quest #1), by Tracie Peterson

3 stars: Love, intrigue, and faith, way up North.

Leah and her brother Jacob have lived in a tiny village in the Alaskan bush since they were children. Their father brought the family up for the Gold Rush, and though they never expected to stay, they have. They appreciate and are accepted by the native villagers, and run a one-room supply store, which they restock whenever Jacob is able to get over to Nome.

Leah's one regret is that she is getting older now--30 in fact--and there are zero prospects for marriage on the horizon. The natives aren't interested in marrying a white woman, and there are no single white men within miles (not counting her brother, of course.) She had a chance at love ten years before, but Jayce Kinkaid had turned her down flat. Worse, he had not even taken her seriously.

So when her brother returns from a trip to Nome, bringing along none other than Jayce Kinkaid, Leah is not only furious, she is afraid. She's spent the past decade mulling over what had happened between them, and now here is the man in the flesh. He doesn't even seem to know why she's so mad. She knows she should have gotten over it all long ago, but just hasn't. Maybe she would have if she had found someone else in the meantime.

Now Jacob wants to join Jayce on a polar expedition. Jacob knows everything about dogs and running sleds, and his help would be invaluable on the trip. At least that's what Jayce is saying. Leah is not too happy with the plans, but after all, they are both adults and can make their own decisions.

Then Jayce gets in an accident with the dogs and must be taken to Nome to the doctor. Leah goes with Jacob, as she has had some experience with healing and if he doesn't stay stabilized, he could die. Once in Nome, they meet a woman with a secret, Ms. Helaina Beecham. None of them can quite figure out her angle, but they're sure she has one. She seems very keen on getting Jayce to Seattle, for some reason, and has even lied to them in her attempts to do it. Very odd.


* * * * *
I was drawn into this one by the Alaskan setting. I enjoyed reading about life in the village and coming across some of the words I grew up with: kuspuk, and mukluks, for example. This is set in 1915, so of course there were many differences from when I grew up there. For instance, I learned in school about the native people building sod huts, but by the time we were there, everyone lived in frame houses.

The mystery wasn't very urgent, but it kept things moving at a nice pace, when emotions, scripture, and romance alone were about to bog things down. I had a hard time relating to Leah. She wallowed a bit, when I wanted her to just buck up and be a little more--well, headstrong. Sure, she got mad from time to time, but it took her a really long time to have it out with Jayce. (I'm hard to please, aren't I? When the heroines are too feisty it bugs me and when they're not enough that bothers me too.)

Some of the characters struggle with faith in God, and others try to help them with it. Jacob and Helaina have many interesting conversations about justice and mercy. It was right on that line of being too much, but just managed to keep it all pertinent to the story.

It's not that I mind when stories have Christian themes--I am Christian, after all. I enjoy that and find it interesting, usually. I just don't like it when I'm completely pulled out of the story to read long passages of scripture that are only tangentially related to the plot or characters at hand. I like it much better when the characters are Christian and their religious practice is brought in simply as part of who they are and their normal daily life. So yes, if they turn to their scriptures or pray to help them gain insight for a particular problem, great! If they spend half a chapter quoting scripture; not my favorite.

Anyway...

This one does leave you with a cliffhanger ending, so be aware of that. Just check out number 2 at the same time, so you can avoid the letdown.

Content: Clean.

(2/16/18)

* * * * *
Do you have a favorite clean romance author not listed here? Do tell!

3 Winter Gardens

What is it about a winter garden that stirs the imagination? Perhaps it is the sense of buried hope and possibilities, or the stark beauty of things as they are. Perhaps it is the surprise of finding the soft, bright little face of a blossom, when all else is cold and gray.

[West side apple tree.]

In the winter, forms are exposed; structure laid bare. It's ideal for pruning most things, because you can see precisely what needs to go. There are no leaves or flowers to distract the eye or get in the way.

For a gardener, it takes work and a different perspective than the norm to design a winter garden. Instead of thinking about leaf form and colors and bloom times of blossoms, you must instead think about colorful stems, evergreens, structures and lines that would be accentuated by a covering of snow. Even hardscaping comes into play--how would a path or the gate lend itself to adding interest in the winter?

[Echinacea, or purple coneflowers, with a touch of frost.]

[Beautiful red stems of 'Arctic Fire' dogwood, or cornus.]

So it's intriguing to me that so many authors have taken this idea and incorporated into books. I don't just mean nonfiction to help gardeners incorporate winter interest into their landscape, either, but pages of novels listed on Goodreads with similar versions of this title. Here are two of them.

The Winter Garden, by Johanna Verweerd

3.5 stars: A thoughtful portrait of a woman coming to terms with her past.

When Ika Boerema receives a letter from her sister, to tell her that their mother is dying, she hardly knows what to do about it. She has distanced herself from her family for the past 15 years. Why on earth would Nelly expect her to come home now? And yet.... and yet. What if her mother had actually been the one asking for her to come? Even after all these years, she can't help but hope for some glimmer of love and acceptance from her mother.

She thought she had put her painful childhood behind her, but this letter brings it all back. She was the older sister, and always the scapegoat for every harsh word, stern rebuke, and raised hand. Her father couldn't stand the sight of her, it always seemed, and her mother's affections wavered greatly. Nelly was always the favorite--of them all, including Ika. She swore she would protect her little sister from whatever their dysfunctional family could throw at her. Somehow, though, it wasn't sweet Nelly that needed protecting, but Ika, and there wasn't anyone around to protect her most of the time.

So now. The letter. What to do? She finally decides she must return home, to deal with the pieces of her past the best she can and attempt a reconciliation with Nelly. In order to keep herself grounded in the present, in the life she has painstakingly created for herself over the years, she brings her current work project: designing a Winter Garden for the Plaza Hotel. She hopes it will be life preserver enough to keep her from drowning in the ocean of hurtful memories that will certainly surface as she returns.

* * * * *
This one was slow-moving. Entire worlds of nuance were embedded in every look, sigh, silence, and conversation. Liberally sprinkled with flashbacks, we got to know Ika the daughter and older sister before we got to know the Ika the woman very much. It was all about the characters and finding out what made them tick--in the past, and present.

Ika's mother was an interesting character; hard to understand. The daughter of a prominent minister, she had to endure a lifetime of disgrace when she became pregnant out of wedlock. Perhaps the weight of that shame was too much to carry. (Ika's full name was "Ikabod" meaning "shame"--named by the Grandfather.) There were Christian themes interwoven throughout the story, along with scriptures.

It wasn't all heavy and depressing. There were bright spots here and there. Ika's friendship with her boss, Simone, was one, as were her growing relationships with her sister, and the brother-in-law and nephews she had never met.

If you like character-driven books, this one should be right up your alley.

Incidentally, Ika's plans for the Winter Garden sounded completely lovely.

Content: Emotional, verbal, and some physical abuse toward Ika as a child.

(2/11/18)

Winter Garden, by Kristin Hannah

4 stars

Meredith and Nina grew up together, both seeking for their mother's love and approval, and each ultimately giving up the search. Anya was just too cold, too unreachable--except to their father. There was much they didn't understand about their mother, and it didn't help that she was never one to talk.

With their father's death, things were brought to a head emotionally in the family. His deathbed request, that the girls listen to their mother's Russian fairytale--all the way to the end this time--seemed foolish and pointless. But as their mother tells the story; haltingly, and just a bit at a time; a strange thing happens: it starts to heal their relationships. As the girls begin to finally understand their mother, it changes their whole outlook. And their understanding and forgiveness may finally be what thaws her frozen heart.

* * * * *
Parts of this book were painful to read--perhaps because they were brought to life so well. Like the sisters, I was drawn into the "fairy tale" more and more each time it was told. As a mother, I imagined myself having to make the kinds of choices the Russian mothers had to make and wondering how I would have done it. You see, Anya was a mother in WWII Leningrad, during the siege on the city that blocked any food or supplies from coming in.

One part that really stuck with me was when the young mother must leave her children, ages 4 and 2, locked in their apartment alone & crying, while she and her mother went to wait in line for food for an indefinite period of time. She told her mother that it was impossible--she couldn't do it. And her mother said, "You will have to do many impossible things now." And she did.
Then it got to the point that even survival seemed impossible, yet somehow, she did that too.

I was first going to give this one 3 stars, but as I think back on it more, I'm upgrading it to 4.

(Reviewed on Goodreads March 2016.)

* * * * *

I guess you could say this post actually includes 4 winter gardens, since all but the first photo above were taken in Washington. I am working hard to add all kinds of beautiful plants to our home here in Utah, but it is definitely a process that takes some time.

Today felt like spring, and my daughter and I were able to spend some time in the afternoon digging out a new flowerbed in back. It's going to be a big one, so even with the progress we made there is still far to go. It felt so good to be out in the sunshine, though, that it was totally worth it!

We're supposed to get 6 inches of snow tomorrow, so it may be awhile before we can get back to that project again.