After reading Sipsworth, Simon Van Booy's newest novel, and hearing him speak at Booktopia last weekend, I needed to read his backlist. I started thisAfter reading Sipsworth, Simon Van Booy's newest novel, and hearing him speak at Booktopia last weekend, I needed to read his backlist. I started this and could not put it down. Stories connecting the lives of 4 people. These connections are slight yet change their lives. The writing is just beautiful. This is one of those stories that you finish and immediately start it over!...more
I had the great pleasure to hear Caroline Leavitt speak at the Booktopia event in VT. As I waited for my plane home I began Days of Wonder. I continueI had the great pleasure to hear Caroline Leavitt speak at the Booktopia event in VT. As I waited for my plane home I began Days of Wonder. I continued it on the plane and finished it by the time I was home in Chicago! A beautiful story of choices, love and circumstances beyond our control. It is also a story of perseverance and hope. ...more
A DNF for me. I was curious about this memoir but short of halfway through this listen I just couldn't listen anymore. A DNF for me. I was curious about this memoir but short of halfway through this listen I just couldn't listen anymore. ...more
A beautifully written story about a Mi’kmaq family from Nova Scotia. Every summer they head to Maine to pick blueberries. The whole family is involvedA beautifully written story about a Mi’kmaq family from Nova Scotia. Every summer they head to Maine to pick blueberries. The whole family is involved and join other families to work. One summer the youngest, Ruthie, disappears. They search and search. Her 6 year old brother Joe is the last to see her and carries the guilt of leaving her alone for the rest of his life. Told in 2 voices, Joe and Norma (Ruthie) we see where their lives take them. An absolutely amazin debut novel!...more
I listened to this very informative explanation of the birth and life of American Democracy. I learned so much of the beginnings of our democracy and I listened to this very informative explanation of the birth and life of American Democracy. I learned so much of the beginnings of our democracy and how things have changed or not change to present day....more
I had just finished the Emily Wilson's translation of the Iliad and had read her Odyssey as well, when the Goodman Theater in Chicago announced the peI had just finished the Emily Wilson's translation of the Iliad and had read her Odyssey as well, when the Goodman Theater in Chicago announced the performance of The Penelopiad. I hadn't heard of this novel by Margaret Atwood. So I purchased my theater tickets and picked up this book. Margaret Atwood takes us into the world of Odysseus in the eyes of Penelope and the maids around her. The prose and choruses are just outstanding. I cannot wait to see this come to life!...more
This is an incredible portrait of all the lives that were changed during the building of the Panama Canal. We are taught in school that the Panama CanThis is an incredible portrait of all the lives that were changed during the building of the Panama Canal. We are taught in school that the Panama Canal was the greatest engineering fete of all time. But, what were the costs? We never hear about that. Cristina Henriquez creates vivid characters that give us a look into those lives that are caught up in this project. We meet the young girl from Barbados who has heard all the talk of the multitude of jobs available in Panama. Her sister needs a surgery and she sets out to earn the money to pay for it. A young Panamanian boy who is isolated in his little fishing village with his father wants to go out and help build this canal. Many other faces are brought to us to make us truly feel we are in the heart of this time. I was lucky to see Cristina speak about this novel and to hear about her research throughout the writing of this book. She has put her heart and soul into this story. ...more
This novel truly caught me by surprise. With mountains and a river in the center of this beautifully written book Shelley tells Victoria's story. It iThis novel truly caught me by surprise. With mountains and a river in the center of this beautifully written book Shelley tells Victoria's story. It is heartbreaking but full of hope. ...more
I read this in one sitting. It is a little novella but the story is beyond its pages. A young girl is left with relatives while her mother has a baby I read this in one sitting. It is a little novella but the story is beyond its pages. A young girl is left with relatives while her mother has a baby adding to their large family. She experiences a different family life. She finds warmth and love. ...more
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this beautiful story. I have always connected with Anna Quindlen's novels. This novel did as well and hitsThank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this beautiful story. I have always connected with Anna Quindlen's novels. This novel did as well and hits right at the heart. What happens to each family member and friends when a person dies suddenly? Annie, who is the center and the rock to her husband, 4 children and her best friend Annemarie. When she dies suddenly each of their lives is sent into a tail spin. This novel is so different from others which deal with death. Anna Quindlen digs deep into each of these characters to show their grief, their fright and their mother, wife, friend through each eyes. This is so beautifully written and so vividly true to life. ...more
I just loved this quiet story of Helen who returns to England, her birth place, after being gone for many years. She married and raised her son in AusI just loved this quiet story of Helen who returns to England, her birth place, after being gone for many years. She married and raised her son in Australia but now her husband and son have passed away and she feels there is nothing left for her. She returns to England to live out her few remaining days. But she finds a mouse. Through this mouse she finds a reason to care. As she reminisces the stories are told to the mouse. Friends enter into her life and she finds out that she is cared about. Beautiful....more
This was a hard listen for me. I had to put it away for a bit but picked it back up to the end. Stephanie Foo is incredibly courageous sharing her lifThis was a hard listen for me. I had to put it away for a bit but picked it back up to the end. Stephanie Foo is incredibly courageous sharing her life story. She has suffers from Complex PTSD. She had survived incredible physical and psychological abuse by her parents. How Trauma invades your entire self - physical as well as mentally. Stephanie touches on family trauma being passed down by DNA, hunting for the right therapy, and trying to pursue her career and love. ...more
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