“Memories are like heartbeats � they keep things alive. They make us who we are.�
“Mom taught us a lot about poems growing up. She always said the best“Memories are like heartbeats � they keep things alive. They make us who we are.�
“Mom taught us a lot about poems growing up. She always said the best example of that rhythm. Is a heartbeat. Hearts are iambic experts � like a poem, reciting inside of us, without us ever even thinking about it. Until something makes that poem stop.�
Olivetti by Allie Millington is one of the most incredible middle grade books that I’ve read in quite some time. It is a fantasy, mystery, and contemporary fiction all rolled into one of the most heartfelt stories. Middle grade novels pack so much heart into a beautiful package. Olivetti is a story of unconditional love, grief, friendship, and family. When 12-year-old, Ernest and his family are stunned, hurt, and worried over the
More favorite quotes …�
“typewriters do not have the luxury of moving on. remembering is the very language we speak. i’m a patchwork of pasts, stitch together with stories, a tapestry of tales, …�
� I always thought memories are what kept us alive. Now I saw that without someone to remember them, Without someone to keep them alive, they would fade Into nothing.�
� by now, I was an expert at reading the ink in his eyes. They filled with a story like. letters spilling down his cheeks.�
“Maybe the only way to get unstuck is to remember.�...more
Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey is a women’s fiction novel that deals with divorce, grief, friendships, depression/anxiety, and sprinkled with Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey is a women’s fiction novel that deals with divorce, grief, friendships, depression/anxiety, and sprinkled with bits of humor. 29-year-old Maggie is newly separated and attempting to move on with her life as she becomes friends with a divorcee named Amy. Despite her friendship with Amy, support from her group of close friends, and help from her academic advisor, Merris, Maggie spirals out of control the year following her separation. Maggie attempts to focus on her self care, dating, and some partying, all the while obsessing over social media and sending her soon to be ex husband texts and emails. I normally wouldn’t read this kind of story but found Really Good, Actually to be a compelling story. I really liked Maggie’s character and rooted for her throughout. If you’re looking for a compulsory read with whit, heart, and shock factor, this is the book for you. I gave it 5 stars.
I highly recommend the audiobook. It is read by Julia Whalen...more
**spoiler alert** “I wish you enough,� she whispered in my ear. “Enough sun to light up your days, enough rain that you appreciate the sun. Enough joy**spoiler alert** “I wish you enough,� she whispered in my ear. “Enough sun to light up your days, enough rain that you appreciate the sun. Enough joy to strengthen your soul, enough pain that you can appreciate life’s small moments of happiness. And enough friends that you can manage a farewell now and then.�
Wow! I’m going to say first off, if you haven’t read The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg and translated by Alice Menzies, you need to do so. Readers will experience all the feels. My heart is full. This book is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It is full of family love, family heartbreak, love and heartache., and grief. But one thing is for sure, The Red Address Book wil teach you some life lessons about the power of love and a life well lived. It will also inspire you to dig deep into your own life and preserve memories for those you love and for future generations. Lundberg’s writing is beautiful and has an urgency to it that propels readers to continue forward, until, all at once the story has culminated. In this book, readers will get to know 96-year-old Dorris, as she relives her life’s journey through her red address book and her stories she both writes and tells to her great niece, Jenny. Highly recommended.
“It’s the most beautiful thing when you can see the life in people’s eyes.�
“Love, it’s just one word but it holds so much. In the end, all that matters is love. Did you love enough?�...more
“our energy is guided by the focus of our intention.�
Your Perfect Year by Charlotte Lucas and translated by Alison Layland, is the story of both Johna“our energy is guided by the focus of our intention.�
Your Perfect Year by Charlotte Lucas and translated by Alison Layland, is the story of both Johnathan and Hannah, whose lives are very different and separate. Told in both of their points of view. When Johnathan finds a planner that has been filled out for the upcoming year ahead, he is intrigued and is inspired to make some changes in his own life. Hannah and her best friend are new business owners and she is set on her own journey. Your Perfect Year is brilliantly told through the lives of two very different characters and moves through the year in a character driven plot. It deals with themes of love, life’s journey, grief, and friendship. I’ve never read a book like this before and highly recommend it....more
“Faith, hope, love, and luck, the recipe for a charmed life.�
I loved Recipe for a Charmed Life by Rachel Linden! It’s a lovely women’s fiction with a“Faith, hope, love, and luck, the recipe for a charmed life.�
I loved Recipe for a Charmed Life by Rachel Linden! It’s a lovely women’s fiction with a perfect amount of magical realism sprinkled throughout. It includes themes of family drama, grief, love, all wrapped together with the overarching theme of food and cooking. When American chef, Georgia, (who cooks in high end Parisian restaurant), is devastated by her cheating boyfriend, she heads to San Juan island (in the Pacific Northwest), to reunite with her estranged mother. Georgia tries to understand her mother, Star’s decisions and life choices. Georgia grapples with her own choices in her life and career. I found Georgia’s mentor, Julia Child’s advice to her, to be so charming. This book is entertaining, sweet, and at times difficult but it is a truly great read.
Literary Cooking Inspiration: * pan aux chocolat * croissant. * honey on toast...more
Wow! I originally thought about DNF-ing this book but because it is a bookclub pick, I kept reading. I then began to understand the glimpses into GracWow! I originally thought about DNF-ing this book but because it is a bookclub pick, I kept reading. I then began to understand the glimpses into Grace’s story with more clarity. As I read the final third of The Amazing Grace Adams, I was overcome with a sense of utter despair and empathy for Grace. Finally, when I had read the entire book, I had to sit with it for a time. After some thought and reflection, I came to the realization that Fran Littlewood is an absolutely brilliant writer. She has so meticulously crafted Grace’s story, as she led the reader on a journey through her grief and coming undone. If you are a reader that loves stories of family, loss, grief, attempts to find hope and healing, and characters who struggle with emotional/mental well being, consider Fran Littlewood’s Amazing Grace Adams. It is the perfect book for rich bookclub discussion. Be forewarned that this book does include heavy topics that may be triggers for some readers. Highly recommended. ...more
The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman is truly a delightful book for anyone interested in reading a sweet story of friendship, with themes of The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman is truly a delightful book for anyone interested in reading a sweet story of friendship, with themes of family, love, and grief, with a whole lot of gardening sprinkled throughout. I really enjoyed the plot and characters, especially lily and seeing her growth through her grieving process. I loved the cast of characters from the gardening class and the unlikely friendships that are formed. Waxman has a knack for telling a story and I’m eager to read her other books (I have read one other). One of my favorite extras in the book are the gardening tips and tricks that begin each chapter. Highly recommended. ...more
“To every story, we bring the story of ourselves.�
Harry’s Trees is absolutely magical, heartbreaking and heartwarming. When tragic accidents occurr in“To every story, we bring the story of ourselves.�
Harry’s Trees is absolutely magical, heartbreaking and heartwarming. When tragic accidents occurr in Harry’s and Amanda’s lives, they each suffer a survive the next year. That year is when the two meet because of Amanda’s daughter, Oriana. Each of them, dealing with grief in their own way. Because of one library book, forest trees, a small Pennsylvania community, and some magic, unique connections are made, grief begins its healing process, and the three’s lives are changed in magical ways. I love the stories of the small town characters that all play a role in the story’s events. I especially love Olive the old, librarian. There is so much to enjoy in Harry’s Trees, characters, character development, plot, and, of course the forest and its surrounding community. I especially love the setting, as it’s just a short drive from where I live. Jon Cohen is a masterful storyteller. Harry’s Trees is now one of my most favorite fiction stories. If you enjoy getting lost in a fairytale-like story, then pick up a copy of Harry’s Trees. Highly recommended.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“Every story had something to teach her.�
“The best of the stories, the most important ones, took place in the forest.�
“And as long as she has a book with her, she will come to no harm.�
“Everything is a story.�
� What else is a library, but a temple of truth. What other functions do books have, the great ones but to change the reader. Books to comfort, but most of all. books to disturb you forward.�
“To every story, we bring the story of ourselves.�...more
The Shore of Forever is a heartbreaking story of tragedy, loss, family, love, and resilience. It is the story of 3 very different people’s lives that The Shore of Forever is a heartbreaking story of tragedy, loss, family, love, and resilience. It is the story of 3 very different people’s lives that are tragically connected by the sinking of the SS Andrea Doria ship in 1956. A Compelling plot moves forward through the perspectives of the 3 main characters, in different timelines. Readers will be invested from the beginning all the way through to the end. I had never heard of this ship’s sinking and found myself researching the history. If you are a historical fiction enthusiast and enjoy strong and resilient characters, you will want to read this book. Highly recommended....more
This is a beautiful story of family, grief, PTSD, healing, found family, and love all centered around gardens and the profound effects that gardening This is a beautiful story of family, grief, PTSD, healing, found family, and love all centered around gardens and the profound effects that gardening can have on the human spirit. An older woman who has endured the loss of her husband and daughter and a young family, whose husband/father returns from the Iraq war, and is suffering from PTSD, come together through their shared difficulties and traumas. Bonds are formed in heartache and pain but are healed through compassion and gardening. Whether you are interested in gardening or stories of found family and overcoming grief and trauma, you will want to read The Heirloom Garden. Fans of Viola Shipman will definitely want to add this one to their TBR. ...more
This is a beautiful and heartfelt story of a child and her grandfather taking a walk in nature and noticing that there is always something beneath whaThis is a beautiful and heartfelt story of a child and her grandfather taking a walk in nature and noticing that there is always something beneath what is visible. Together the pair are able to begin to acknowledge their grief and understand that they are both feeling the same. Doerrfeld’s warm and charming artwork not only depicts the story that the grandfather tells, but also hints at so much more. Quiet and profound, Beneath is a picture book that should be a part of any collection. Be sure not to miss important details on the jacket, case cover, and endpages. ...more
I loved this book so much! I devoured it in a day. It’s a beautiful story about dealing with grief, friendships, and following your heart and doing whI loved this book so much! I devoured it in a day. It’s a beautiful story about dealing with grief, friendships, and following your heart and doing what makes your heart sing. Essentially it’s about Joan coming into her own, emerging from deep grief, and blooming as if she herself was a super bloom. I am now fascinated with super blooms! Highly recommended. ...more
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