Holly Hodder Eger (Author of Split Rock)

Holly Eger rated a book it was amazing Romancing the Dark in the City of Light by Ann Jacobus (欧宝娱乐 Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This is the second one of Ann Jacobus' books that I have read, and I can't wait for the third. As with the first, I read it in two days. This is actually her debut novel, written a few years before The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent and, like that one, ...more
May 17, 2024 04:42PM · like · see review
Holly Eger rated a book it was amazing Washed Ashore: Family, Fatherhood, and Finding Home on Martha's Vineyard by Bill Eville	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
If you鈥檝e been fortunate enough to get to enjoy Bill Eville鈥檚 essays in the Vineyard Gazette over the years, reading his new book is a wonderful catch-up with an old friend. Bill Eville is a father and husband who happens to be an uncommonly gentle s ...more
Sep 20, 2023 02:36PM · 1 like · like · see review · See a Problem? We鈥檇 love your help. Let us know what鈥檚 wrong with this preview of Washed Ashore by Bill Eville. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you鈥檙e looking for? Preview 鈥� Washed Ashore by Bill Eville <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Holly Eger liked Dianne C Braley's review of Split Rock: A Martha's Vineyard Novel: "I was drawn to this book being a part-time Vineyard resident and writer. The island is a magical place, and capturing its setting in words is no easy feat; however, Eger makes it seem so. The realness and complexities of the characters and the emotio" Read more of this review 禄
Sep 07, 2023 09:35AM · see review
Holly Eger and 1 other person liked Kyle McAndrews's review of Split Rock: A Martha's Vineyard Novel: "I read Split Rock right before a trip to the Vineyard, and I was amazed at how much the book gave me a sense of place on the island. The characters are memorable and entertaining, and I loved how the different landmarks within the vineyard are memori" Read more of this review 禄
Sep 02, 2023 07:08PM · see review
Holly Eger rated a book it was amazing The Silence in the Sound by Dianne C. Braley (欧宝娱乐 Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I loved this novel and loved the heroine. I was cheering for her so much that I could not put the book down, wanting to make sure everything turned out all right. Spoiler alert: It does, and now she is a famous author! What a great premise for a book: ...more
Aug 28, 2023 12:24PM · like · see review · See a Problem? We鈥檇 love your help. Let us know what鈥檚 wrong with this preview of The Silence in the Sound by Dianne C. Braley. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you鈥檙e looking for? Preview 鈥� The Silence in the Sound by Dianne C. Braley <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Holly Eger rated a book it was amazing The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent by Ann Jacobus (欧宝娱乐 Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Ann Jacobus' brilliant Young Adult novel, The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent, is a brave, important book different from anything I have ever read. The compassionate depictions of lovable, struggling characters enhanced my view of our world and made me ( ...more
Aug 18, 2023 08:50AM · 1 like · like · see review
Holly Eger and 20 other people liked Destiny's review of The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent: "In The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent, eighteen-year-old Delilah ("Del") is recovering from her own suicide attempt, getting treatment for her depression and anxiety, and most importantly, maintaining her newfound sobriety. Living with her beloved aunt " Read more of this review 禄
Aug 17, 2023 03:03PM · see review · See a Problem? We鈥檇 love your help. Let us know what鈥檚 wrong with this preview of The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent by Ann Jacobus. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you鈥檙e looking for? Preview 鈥� The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent by Ann Jacobus <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Holly Eger rated a book it was amazing The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent by Ann Jacobus (欧宝娱乐 Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Ann Jacobus' brilliant Young Adult novel, The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent, is a brave, important book different from anything I have ever read. The compassionate depictions of lovable, struggling characters enhanced my view of our world and made me ( ...more
Aug 17, 2023 03:03PM · 1 like · like · see review

Holly Eger rated a book it was amazing

Romancing the Dark in the City of Light
by Ann Jacobus (欧宝娱乐 Author)

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1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

This is the second one of Ann Jacobus' books that I have read, and I can't wait for the third. As with the first, I read it in two days. This is actually her debut novel, written a few years before The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent and, like that one, ...more

Holly Eger rated a book it was amazing

Washed Ashore: Family, Fatherhood, and Finding Home on Martha's Vineyard
by Bill Eville

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1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

If you鈥檝e been fortunate enough to get to enjoy Bill Eville鈥檚 essays in the Vineyard Gazette over the years, reading his new book is a wonderful catch-up with an old friend. Bill Eville is a father and husband who happens to be an uncommonly gentle s ...more

Holly Eger liked Dianne C Braley's review of Split Rock: A Martha's Vineyard Novel:

"I was drawn to this book being a part-time Vineyard resident and writer. The island is a magical place, and capturing its setting in words is no easy feat; however, Eger makes it seem so. The realness and complexities of the characters and the emotio" Read more of this review 禄

Holly Eger and 1 other person liked Kyle McAndrews's review of Split Rock: A Martha's Vineyard Novel:

"I read Split Rock right before a trip to the Vineyard, and I was amazed at how much the book gave me a sense of place on the island. The characters are memorable and entertaining, and I loved how the different landmarks within the vineyard are memori" Read more of this review 禄

Holly Eger rated a book it was amazing

The Silence in the Sound
by Dianne C. Braley (欧宝娱乐 Author)

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I loved this novel and loved the heroine. I was cheering for her so much that I could not put the book down, wanting to make sure everything turned out all right.

Spoiler alert: It does, and now she is a famous author!

What a great premise for a book: I loved this novel and loved the heroine. I was cheering for her so much that I could not put the book down, wanting to make sure everything turned out all right.

Spoiler alert: It does, and now she is a famous author!

What a great premise for a book: devoted daughter of alcoholic falls in love with and marries tortured, charismatic drug addict while working as a nurse for famous novelist who wrote Sophie鈥檚 Choice. Nurse reads Sophie鈥檚 Choice for first time while taking care of said novelist (William Styron) until, as she is spiraling into the same toxic co-dependency for which she chastised her mother, it one day dawns on her that she, unlike the doomed Sophie, has a choice. She can leave her husband and save herself. Unfortunately, this also means leaving William Styron as he is dying, but he tacitly understands what is happening, understands the choice she must make, and heroically gives her permission to leave. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not your fault,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou can go.鈥�

The story is set in the heroine鈥檚 hometown of Revere, Massachusetts, and her adopted home of Martha鈥檚 Vineyard; the contrast between the two places makes for a colorful backdrop against which the author masterfully weaves the novel鈥檚 themes. Getting inside the mind of a 鈥渘on-elite鈥� (author鈥檚 words) on Martha鈥檚 Vineyard is interesting. Getting to know William Styron (鈥淪ophie was someone,鈥� he says) is fascinating; if anything, I would have liked more of him, more insight into his soul as he lay dying. And being part of the many dynamics surrounding Mr. Styron鈥檚 family and household staff is simultaneously amusing and cringe-inducing.

But mainly, this story is about love, the excruciating heartbreak of addiction, and one woman鈥檚 rare resilience. It is about how, if one is strong and lucky enough, it is possible to break free and take charge of one鈥檚 own destiny. The heroine of Silence in the Sound realizes that while Sophie had an impossible choice, she does not, and she acts.

The author鈥檚 style is very raw and real, perfect for the story she tells. Her writing depicts anxiety and terror in such original, almost onomatopoeic ways that my heart kept racing. It is painful to watch the heroine make so many mistakes 鈥� at times you wish you could scream at her to turn around 鈥� yet this is what makes her ultimate triumph so gratifying.

I learned a lot about addiction, co-dependency, and denial from this amazing book. I also found spending time with the author and heroine, simply by reading the pages, inspiring. Strongly recommend! ...more

Holly Eger rated a book it was amazing

The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent
by Ann Jacobus (欧宝娱乐 Author)

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Ann Jacobus' brilliant Young Adult novel, The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent, is a brave, important book different from anything I have ever read. The compassionate depictions of lovable, struggling characters enhanced my view of our world and made me ( Ann Jacobus' brilliant Young Adult novel, The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent, is a brave, important book different from anything I have ever read. The compassionate depictions of lovable, struggling characters enhanced my view of our world and made me (I hope) a better, more empathetic person. While everyone may be dealing with something difficult, modern pressures seem especially intense. We need to be mindful.

Written from the point of view of the mature-beyond-her-years 18-year-old Delilah (Del), the narrative is hard-hitting and inspirational at the same time. Del is a strong, bad-ass heroine for the 21st century, entirely original and convincing. I loved her. There were moments when I had to put down the book because I felt so sorry that she had to endure so much alone, moments when I was really uncomfortable (when she goes on a dangerous nighttime "bender"), and moments when I was downright anxious (when she contemplates jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge). As a na茂ve older woman, I felt a sobering new appreciation for how difficult it is to be growing up today with so many unreliable adult figures and temptations. As if baseline teenage angst isn鈥檛 enough, teenagers today are clobbered.

The suicide prevention line theme was fascinating to me. I didn鈥檛 know that the key to success for counselors talking to people struggling with suicide is to name their fear by immediately asking, 鈥淎re you suicidal?鈥� Just naming it, being heard and seen, can make relief seem possibly within reach. Ignoring it, or talking indirectly around the problem, does not work.

And just naming it is what makes this book so important and necessary. Nothing is swept under the proverbial carpet in these pages. I hope suffering teenagers will find solace from this book and be able to use it as a starting place to initiate conversations with adults, counselors, and other kids who might help them.

The cancer theme with Del鈥檚 beloved aunt (an awesome character, by the way) really resonated with me, as I have unfortunately been in Del鈥檚 position 鈥� but as a grown-up, not as a teenager. I don鈥檛 know how Ms. Jacobus so believably got into the mind of a teenager acting in what should be an adult caregiver鈥檚 role, but she nailed it. I was blown away by how much Del handled, with guidance only from angelic hospice helpers, but because she still thinks like a teenager while acting like an adult, the story line is entirely plausible (also infuriating that she was forced into this position). The intimate scenes with Del鈥檚 aunt dying are painfully drawn, and Del鈥檚 grief and gradual process toward acceptance are lovingly, compassionately rendered. I think these scenes could be helpful for everyone, as they rang so true for me. I wish I had read this book before, so that I could have been a little prepared to witness my mother's death. No one tells you what it is like.

Ms. Jacobus does not slink away from anything in this story. It is not for the faint of heart, which is why young adults will appreciate it so much: the book tells it as it is with no phony BS. We adults need to be aware of how exposed today鈥檚 youth are to realities which we might prefer to ignore, so that we may figure out ways to help them. ...more

Holly Eger and 20 other people liked Destiny's review of The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent:

"In The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent, eighteen-year-old Delilah ("Del") is recovering from her own suicide attempt, getting treatment for her depression and anxiety, and most importantly, maintaining her newfound sobriety. Living with her beloved aunt " Read more of this review 禄

Holly Eger rated a book it was amazing

The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent
by Ann Jacobus (欧宝娱乐 Author)

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Ann Jacobus' brilliant Young Adult novel, The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent, is a brave, important book different from anything I have ever read. The compassionate depictions of lovable, struggling characters enhanced my view of our world and made me ( Ann Jacobus' brilliant Young Adult novel, The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent, is a brave, important book different from anything I have ever read. The compassionate depictions of lovable, struggling characters enhanced my view of our world and made me (I hope) a better, more empathetic person. While everyone may be dealing with something difficult, modern pressures seem especially intense. We need to be mindful.

Written from the point of view of the mature-beyond-her-years 18-year-old Delilah (Del), the narrative is hard-hitting and inspirational at the same time. Del is a strong, bad-ass heroine for the 21st century, entirely original and convincing. I loved her. There were moments when I had to put down the book because I felt so sorry that she had to endure so much alone, moments when I was really uncomfortable (when she goes on a dangerous nighttime "bender"), and moments when I was downright anxious (when she contemplates jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge). As a na茂ve older woman, I felt a sobering new appreciation for how difficult it is to be growing up today with so many unreliable adult figures and temptations. As if baseline teenage angst isn鈥檛 enough, teenagers today are clobbered.

The suicide prevention line theme was fascinating to me. I didn鈥檛 know that the key to success for counselors talking to people struggling with suicide is to name their fear by immediately asking, 鈥淎re you suicidal?鈥� Just naming it, being heard and seen, can make relief seem possibly within reach. Ignoring it, or talking indirectly around the problem, does not work.

And just naming it is what makes this book so important and necessary. Nothing is swept under the proverbial carpet in these pages. I hope suffering teenagers will find solace from this book and be able to use it as a starting place to initiate conversations with adults, counselors, and other kids who might help them.

The cancer theme with Del鈥檚 beloved aunt (an awesome character, by the way) really resonated with me, as I have unfortunately been in Del鈥檚 position 鈥� but as a grown-up, not as a teenager. I don鈥檛 know how Ms. Jacobus so believably got into the mind of a teenager acting in what should be an adult caregiver鈥檚 role, but she nailed it. I was blown away by how much Del handled, with guidance only from angelic hospice helpers, but because she still thinks like a teenager while acting like an adult, the story line is entirely plausible (also infuriating that she was forced into this position). The intimate scenes with Del鈥檚 aunt dying are painfully drawn, and Del鈥檚 grief and gradual process toward acceptance are lovingly, compassionately rendered. I think these scenes could be helpful for everyone, as they rang so true for me. I wish I had read this book before, so that I could have been a little prepared to witness my mother's death. No one tells you what it is like.

Ms. Jacobus does not slink away from anything in this story. It is not for the faint of heart, which is why young adults will appreciate it so much: the book tells it as it is with no phony BS. We adults need to be aware of how exposed today鈥檚 youth are to realities which we might prefer to ignore, so that we may figure out ways to help them. ...more

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