I read this one years ago, but it was nice to catch up and re-visit it when the book was recently donated to my Little Free Library Shed. Catching up�
I read this one years ago, but it was nice to catch up and re-visit it when the book was recently donated to my Little Free Library Shed.
This story is based on a true one, about a man who was accepted as a member of a wild pack of wolves � his new, alternate family. And then, this same man is seen in a coma from a traumatic brain injury. This accident and status of the man becomes a difficult dilemma for his human family who aren’t sure whether to let him die naturally or keep him on life support. And, in typical form, Jodi has taken up another cause for readers to debate. Which makes this the ultimate story for book discussion groups.
As an author, she has a gift for taking controversy and mixing it up with strong-minded, likable, flawed characters wrapped in a plot that creates an emotionally stirring reading experience.
Readers will have the opportunity to hear multiple P.O.V.’s and tackle mysteries to be resolved. And, the story of the wolf which is beautifully woven throughout, allows nature to take a center-stage with its humans.
It may seem like too much to some readers, but it does give readers an opportunity to pause and consider that we are not the only life on this planet to be considered. We can learn a lot from our animal communities.
And of course, there is the message of the right to die, especially to those that are beloved by us.
Sometimes what we do for animals on the precipice of death, and how animals are towards each other when death is pending, feels more humane. Any way you look at the subject, it will most likely be a difficult and emotional debate/discussion to have with one another. ...more
“There is no wrong way to perform an act of kindness.�
I read this one years ago as I prepared to interview the author (CRH) as part of ouCatching up�
“There is no wrong way to perform an act of kindness.�
I read this one years ago as I prepared to interview the author (CRH) as part of our Library Book Discussion Group, Local Authors Series. It was one of my most memorable experiences as Coordinator of the program. I thought I had already posted my review of the book, but apparently not. So, here it is now.
This book probably became more memorable because it had been made into a successful movie in 2000, staring Haley Joel Osment, Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey.
The story revolves around 12-year-old Trevor who wants to improve the planet through public-spiritedness. When a teacher provides an extra credit opportunity to her students, on how best to change the world, Trevor decides to take advantage of the assignment.
Trevor’s plan…random acts of kindness on 3 strangers, and telling each to pay the favor “forward� by doing something good for another three people. The good news…it catches on, causing goodness throughout the world.
But it isn’t just the goodness this book brought forward, it was also CRH’s carefully crafted characters who added charm, a sense of realness, and sometimes discomfort and depth to the story. As an example, Trevor’s mother is alcoholic, his teacher is disfigured, and Trevor is racially mixed.
The story is thoughtful and compelling, and sometimes difficult to read, with so many complex characters who aren’t always likable. But CRH still provides a rich story with an important message that we could all be reminded of in today’s world.
Be kind to others.
And, as Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a German aviator once said�
“Let our hearts and hands be stretched out in compassion toward others, for Everyone is walking his or her own difficult path.�...more
“Write the truest thing you know. Dear reader, this is it.�
I have been a fan of this author for years. In fact, it was years ago, that our Library Boo“Write the truest thing you know. Dear reader, this is it.�
I have been a fan of this author for years. In fact, it was years ago, that our Library Book Discussion Group discussed, “Caleb’s Crossing� which was quite a compelling conversation. I loved her story, “People of the Book,� and was completely taken in by “Horse.� If you are interested in my reviews for any of these books, I have included the links below.
So, when I heard about her memoir, I was in.
What happens when your life partner dies unexpectedly? How does one cope? This is what faced the author. Suddenly, her husband of 35 years, Tony Horwitz, successful author/journalist and Pulitzer Prize Winner for National Reporting (1995), 60-years young, collapsed and died while on his own book tour.
“I stood there and suppressed that howl. Because I was alone, and no one could help me. And if I let go, if I fell, I might not be able to get back up. (Nearly 4 years later�) That howl has become the beast in the basement of my heart. I need to find a way to set it free.�
How many of us have ever wondered what we would do, or how we would be if we ever faced a similar moment? For me, I don’t want to go there. I value present moment living. I don’t want to project myself into an unknown future, that can create anxiety and angst.
But still, what if?
I have to believe for any of us, if faced with something similar, we would need inner strength. Resilience. The ability to cope. And, not some thoughts that would take us to a worst-case scenario.
And, yet, this was the moment in which a phone call created a reality Brooks was unprepared for � and perhaps any of us would be unprepared for, especially if we were miles away from our loved one.
What would happen next?
For this author, she needed to find a way to cope with her grief. Which comes nearly 4 years later, by way of a solo trip to Flinders Island, a remote island off the coast of Tasmania. Her husband died on the American holiday, Memorial Day in 2019, and this will be her opportunity to begin her own memorial days. (Hence the title of the book.)
“…to feel the immensity of his loss.�
And, part of her journey will be going back and forth in time in sharing that horrible phone call alert moment of loss, as well as her loving relationship that encompassed life with Tony. And, all the people touched by his loss.
And, we, her readers will be her calming, soothing partners as we thoughtfully hold her hand through this journey. She may not know we are there, but we do. Because we are in touch with her feelings and her experience and her thoughts, and we are moved. And, heart-broken along with her. We know loss in our own ways. We have experienced losses of partners, or parents, or friends, or important relatives, or pets. And, we know the heartache. So, we are with her. Feeling her words. Her sorrow. Her loneliness. Her love. Her disbelief. Her immense grief. And, need to help hold it together, despite it all.
In some ways, I am reminded of Amy Bloom’s devastatingly beautiful memoir, “In Love� where she helped her husband, Brian Ameche, achieve assisted death. Obviously, the circumstances were different, but the expression of love shared by both women for their husbands, was whole-hearted.
Still, as I kept reading, I couldn’t help but feel her words were personally relatable.
“Who will die first? Because I was older, because I survived cancer�, I did not ask that question. I just assumed it would be me.�
So, many times I will reflect with humor and truthfulness to my husband, who is 5 years younger, that it is a good thing he is younger. Because I honestly would not know what to do without him. I have enjoyed him being my partner, my protector, my caregiver during the cancer journey, my best friend, and my forever love who I appreciate beyond words. So, much of the simple tasks of life, like driving, or grocery shopping, which he prefers to do, and I prefer not to do. So, he does it for both of us. (I am still intimidated by our electric car.) As a senior software specialist during his career, even in retirement, he continues to be tech savvy. Where the simplest problem, has me shrieking out in frustration. And yet, he just comes in, and with a simple key stroke, it is fixed.
At the same time, I want to consider the tasks of shared living with my partner, so that if something were to happen, I would know how to cope in his absence. I know I avoid these thoughts, but I also know it is something I need to consider seriously. If I should suddenly be alone. And, before that should ever happen, if it does.
But I still assume it will be me going first. But what if it isn’t? Even if I am not ready to go there, Brooks had no choice. She was there.
“Instead, I am here. Missing him. Alone.�
How does one live within their sorrow?
For Brooks, it was to learn to return to the “complicated grief� and “relive the trauma of the death.� It may sound maudlin, but there was much to appreciate in the author’s journey of doing so.
Because what we are learning along the way is what she came to appreciate in feeling all her emotions � to “make more time for the beauty.� Notice everything. Experience everything. Feel everything. Celebrate the moment, because it has “the power to elevate us out of sadness.� Where those enveloped in grief can give themselves time and space to be with their feelings. There is no deadline for getting over grief. And, we shouldn’t expect one.
This is a beautifully written, thoughtful, heart-felt and deeply emotional memoir.
For those who want to understand the impacts of grief or are attempting to process their own grief, readers will appreciate her experience and thoughts. Lovers of this author will value her intimate telling of her love story and grief journey.
Lastly…Two things to do before leaving this book.
First, read the author’s Afterword.
Second, take a look at the back cover insert. There is a pensive picture of the author having coffee with her husband. It is a moment in time, with smiles, that appears precious and thoughtful. Reminding all of us to treasure all those moments we may take for granted. Because, we truly have no idea of what tomorrow will bring.
This book, and the author’s following series books, “Persons Unknown� and “Remain Silent� were donated to my Little Free Library Shed. I decided to reThis book, and the author’s following series books, “Persons Unknown� and “Remain Silent� were donated to my Little Free Library Shed. I decided to read this one, to see if I might be interested in continuing with the series. This book is the first in the author’s Detective Sargeant (DS) Manon Bradshaw series.
Readers meet DS Bradshaw as a single woman who listens to her police radio as a way to get to sleep. It also focuses on her loneliness as a 39-year-old who settles for one-night stands.
The victim is a 24-year-old Edith Hind, a Cambridge postgrad who was working on her PhD on fighting the patriarchy in Victorian literature.
The story is rich in character development for her leads. Readers will be able to feel DS Bradshaw’s sadness and loneliness as well as her cleverness as a policewoman. And, although Edith is absent because of her known status as “the victim,� readers will still feel a strong connection to her in the way she is described throughout the story.
Even as the story feels depressing and disturbing, it also is compelling and highly believable. But it is slow moving with immense details about police procedurals that lead to a weak solution to the mystery and a rushed ending.
So, what did I decide about Book 2 and 3? They will go out into my Little Free Library Shed unread by me. I’m not a fan of depressing and disturbing reading these days. Interestingly enough, it didn’t take long for others to “check-out� the books from my Little Free Library Shed. I’m glad others are appreciating this author. Maybe I am an outlier?
3.5 stars (strong character development of leads)...more
I saw this book when I was doing a library search for another one. I was attracted to the cartoon characters of a polar bear and a penguin.
The story I saw this book when I was doing a library search for another one. I was attracted to the cartoon characters of a polar bear and a penguin.
The story begins with Virgil, a penguin who found a polar bear and decides, “…I’m keeping him.� And, off they go on fun ice adventures with other animals. But as Owen, the polar bear had fun on every adventure they went on, Virgil did not. Why?
What happens when we become possessive? Do we deny others the opportunity for fun? Or deny ourselves this opportunity? Why can’t we share in the joys of discovery together and with others?
Eventually, we can learn that we are on this journey in life with others. And, perhaps even find enjoyment that can lead to friendship.
This story has wonderful teaching lessons for kids of all ages.
I had just finished a delicious rom-com called “First-Time Caller� by BK Borison with a character named Lucie that I absolutely loved. Review here: htI had just finished a delicious rom-com called “First-Time Caller� by BK Borison with a character named Lucie that I absolutely loved. Review here: /review/show...
And, I wanted to read this one, because I loved the pre-quel, “The Light We Lost.� Review here: /review/show...
And, as I was reading this one, I am reminded that the main character’s name is Lucy, too and she is still in the throes of grief over the loss of Gabe, almost 10-years later. So, what is happening here? To me. As I read this one.
Is reading 2 rom-coms in a row a good thing? Or not?
Well, I am grateful for short chapters as I read on. But I keep asking myself�
How am I really feeling about this one?
To be honest, I am feeling dreadful.
Lucy begged to “heal me, please.� And, yes maybe we wanted that for her, too. But her healing journey didn’t come naturally. For me.
I wanted to connect to this novel, because I loved the first story so much. And, it seemed like it was the author’s intention to have readers feel Lucy’s life through ‘love, loss, birth, death, marriage, divorce, success, and the character’s perceived failures.�
But for me, everything felt forced. Her actions. Her reactions. Even her endless discussions with “dead� Gabe. And, even the moment she met Dax, and what came after, didn’t feel natural and meant to be, but instead felt expected. Like, we as readers were just supposed to go along with it. And, be happy and excited and gushy for Lucy. And, that just didn’t happen for me.
I didn’t feel the chemistry. Or the heart. Everything just felt like words tumbling together, that we are supposed to swoon over. And, no matter how hard I tried to get in to those words, I couldn’t feel any of it. The “feels� just weren’t there for me.
With this book, I found myself detached, disappointed, disinterested and anxious to leave. I know I am an outlier here, so please read other reviews....more
“Sometimes, the stories we don’t tell people about ourselves matter even more than the things we do say.�
I first became aware of this author when I r“Sometimes, the stories we don’t tell people about ourselves matter even more than the things we do say.�
I first became aware of this author when I read her book, “Good Dirt.� Review here: /review/show...
And, several of you who read that review asked if I had read, this one. Since I had not, I felt it was time to request the book from my local library. So, here are my thoughts.
This is the author’s debut novel which was also selected as a ‘Read with Jenna� book discussion pick. It is a story about a brother and sister who learn truths about their mother, unfortunately after it is too late to ask for answers.
And now, she has something for them to do for her.
This is a book that finds ways to get readers and characters to explore the way we feel about family, food and the resentments we hold.
Most importantly…don’t read this one while hungry! Why? Well, consider the book title.
Black cake. What their mother enjoyed making. It is a “moist, loamy� confection, “essentially a plum pudding handed down to the Caribbeans by colonizers from a cold country.� It is a dense, rum-soaked, fruit-packed dessert. ...more
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