"Woodrow Wilson Nickel died in the year 2025, on a usual day, in the usual way, at the rather unusual age of 105." But before Woody dies he hears that"Woodrow Wilson Nickel died in the year 2025, on a usual day, in the usual way, at the rather unusual age of 105." But before Woody dies he hears that giraffes have just become extinct, so he grabs a pencil and pens his story-- his life at 17 in 1938, when he flees the DustBowl of the Texas Panhandle to stay with his Cuz in New York City. But the Great New England hurricane (Long Island Express) takes the lives of 682 people-including his cousin. Alone and injured, Woody becomes fascinated by the story of two giraffes who survive the storm at sea as they come to America-destined for the San Diego Zoo. He is determined to go to California (the land of milk and honey) and decides he will follow the giraffes. As fate has it, the driver is a drunk, and the zoo keeper (the old man) hires Woody because he is "highly experienced with big rigs". Thus begins their adventure across country where desperate people do desperate things to steal the giraffes, where kind-hearted people help in unexpected ways, and where a red-headed photographer who claims to be with Life Magazine keeps showing up when they least expect it. I really enjoyed this coming of age, roadtrip bonding, animal loving story. It was a 2021 nominee for best historical fiction on 欧宝娱乐 and a great "escape from daily stresses" kind of book....more
If you've read the first three Hunger Games books, you know who wins the 50th Anniversary of the Games, but you don't know the story behind it. HaymitIf you've read the first three Hunger Games books, you know who wins the 50th Anniversary of the Games, but you don't know the story behind it. Haymitch Abernathy was District 12's mentor to the games when Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark were reaped. He was a drunken, disinterested former victor-but how did he get that way? What happened to him during his own time in the arena that shaped who he had become? I have been so anxious for this book to come out, I had to read it right away and it DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. Fans of the Hunger Games will devour this prequel-I literally could not put it down. It's also fascinating (and frightening) to see how authoritarianism can happen to a country so quickly and so devastatingly when people are afraid to speak up and speak out. Suzanne Collins may prove to be prescient one day....more
I read this book nearly 25 years ago and always wanted to reread it. When I remembered two of the characters were refugees from Guatemala I knew now wI read this book nearly 25 years ago and always wanted to reread it. When I remembered two of the characters were refugees from Guatemala I knew now was the time. It is the story of Taylor Greer, who grew up poor, but loved by her mother in Kentucky. She wanted to strike out into the world and decided she would stay wherever her clunker car finally broke down. But on the way a woman puts a young child into her car and leaves her. Taylor nicknames her Turtle, and together they end up in Tucson, Arizona. She becomes roommates with Luanne Ruiz, whose husband abandoned her and their newborn son Dwayne Ray. She finds work at Jesus is Lord Used Tires owned by Mattie, a kind woman who is helping a Guatemalan couple seeking asylum in the U.S. Together they form a makeshift family who realize everyone has struggles that aren't always apparent. Taylor will need all of their help if she has a chance of adopting Turtle with no paperwork or idea who her parents are. Some things are quite different today from the late 1980s, but it is clear some things are very much the same when it comes to poverty and asylum seekers. So glad I reread this classic-the first novel by Pulitzer Prize winner Barbara Kingsolver. ...more
Since my recent trip to Central America, and my layover in Panama, I became more curious about stories from that region. This historical fiction is seSince my recent trip to Central America, and my layover in Panama, I became more curious about stories from that region. This historical fiction is set in Panama in the early 1900's when the race to build the great canal was literally dividing the country. Americans came to build the historic canal, but it was the literal blood, sweat, and tears of Panamanians, and laborers from Barbados, Martinique, and Guadeloupe that brought it to fruition. An estimated 5,600 people died of injury and disease. This story explores the lives of fishermen, doctors, neighbors, activists, and others whose unsung history was never recorded. A "Read With Jenna" book from a year ago, but timely today. ...more
I like reading stories set in Maine-even fictional communities. This novella by Alice Hoffman was a nice "palate cleanser" between grittier novels andI like reading stories set in Maine-even fictional communities. This novella by Alice Hoffman was a nice "palate cleanser" between grittier novels and left me feeling good about people. Pick it up if you want a short and satisfying read....more
OH MY WORD! This is the perfect Valentine's Day novel. It is the perfect Warm-My-Heart novel as well. Eddie Winston is 90 years old and has never beenOH MY WORD! This is the perfect Valentine's Day novel. It is the perfect Warm-My-Heart novel as well. Eddie Winston is 90 years old and has never been kissed. He volunteers in a charity shop where he sorts through the donations of the living and the dead. One day he meets Bella, a pink haired girl who drops off the belongings of her recently departed boyfriend. They strike up a unique and heartwarming relationship in which Bella is determined to connect Eddie with his first kiss. Meanwhile, Eddie's first love (who was married and miserable when they met) is dealing with her loveless marriage and wondering "what if?". Readers will be cheering on Bella overcoming her crushing grief, Eddie desperate to find love before life is over, and Bridie who stays true to her marriage until she is widowed. I could NOT love this book more. Being a good person isn't always easy and we are drawn to those who persevere and look for love! If you are a hopeless romantic you NEED this book in your life!!...more
Love that Freida McFadden's latest book is set here in Maine! Tegan lives in Lewiston, Maine. She's is 8 months pregnant and going to visit her brotheLove that Freida McFadden's latest book is set here in Maine! Tegan lives in Lewiston, Maine. She's is 8 months pregnant and going to visit her brother after a difficult meeting that cost her a lot of money. She never makes it though-her car goes out of control and crashes in a blizzard. She's afraid she'll die in the storm since a broken ankle has her immobile. However, she's rescued by a couple who offer her a room until she can get to a hospital. She soon realizes she's in even more danger and now she needs to plot an escape for her and her unborn daughter. McFadden sure knows how to tweak those twist and turns to tie you up in guessing. And while I can often figure some out, there's always a zinger tossed in there to satisfy-this one is no different! I also love how she tells the story in first person with alternating narrators-this gives an 'unreliable' perspective when seen through one person's perspective at a time. FUN winter vacation read and it's available on Hoopla and Kindle Unlimited!...more
This book kept popping up as highly recommended in many online book chats and was also Goodread's winner of favorite historical fiction and debut noveThis book kept popping up as highly recommended in many online book chats and was also Goodread's winner of favorite historical fiction and debut novel in 2023 so I thought I'd give it a go. I LOVED IT!. Told in 3 alternating timelines of Weyward Women: 1619, Altha is imprisoned as a witch awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer whose cows trampled him to death. 1942, young Violet is molested by a cousin on leave from WWII and finds herself pregnant and outcast. 2019, Kate flees her abusive boyfriend and seeks refuge in an abandoned cottage her great aunt as left her when she discovers she is pregnant. As we read, we see how these 3 stories are woven together over 5 centuries and see how resilient women must overcome misogyny and fear of their strength-and how nature can be a source of healing and support when we tap into it. What's not to like? Nature. Strong women characters. Karma. This has it all!...more
If you have never read Octavia Butler's works, I urge you to check them out. Though she died in 2006, her vision of the future is so prescient. This iIf you have never read Octavia Butler's works, I urge you to check them out. Though she died in 2006, her vision of the future is so prescient. This is the first of a series (Earthseed) set in 2024 California. 15 year old Lauren lives in a gated community-sheltered from the chaos and anarchy all around them. She suffers from hyperempathy; a debilitating condition that makes her sensitive to the pain of others, and that pain abounds in her world. Climate change and political strife have polarized the citizens and helped the rich get richer and more powerful while the poor get poorer and more vulnerable. Maybe reading a dystopian novel warning about the apathy of the public to hold their leaders accountable may not be on your "must reads list" at the moment-but when you are ready to contemplate the stark choices ahead of us, you might want to have a cautionary tale encourage you to action. ...more
This graphic novel adaption was so true to the original telling by Octavia Butler. The illustrations are sometimes brutal and messy-just the way life This graphic novel adaption was so true to the original telling by Octavia Butler. The illustrations are sometimes brutal and messy-just the way life was portrayed in the novel. Definitely a grown up graphic novel and not at all intended for younger readers. I'm glad I read this right after reading the novel so the illustrations didn't usurp my own imagination and comprehension for the initial text. Definitely well done. ...more
I first heard of Mariann Edgar Budde when she spoke out about trump violently clearing Lafayette Square of Black Lives Matter Protesters in order to hI first heard of Mariann Edgar Budde when she spoke out about trump violently clearing Lafayette Square of Black Lives Matter Protesters in order to hold a bible upside down in front of her church and declared, 鈥淚n no way do we support the President鈥檚 incendiary response to a wounded, grieving nation. In faithfulness to our Savior who lived a life of non-violence and sacrificial love, we align ourselves with those seeking justice for the death of George Floyd.鈥� And then at the National Prayer service the day after his 2nd inauguration she urged the president to 鈥渢o have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,鈥� She WALKS THE TALK! I knew I had to read this book to learn more about her, about how people are called to do brave things in life, and to support her for this courage and character. Even if you aren't and Episcopal parishioner you can relate to her examples of real life 'heroes' who step up to do what's right and say what's right in pivotal and decisive moments in life. I would hope I could have courage when the moment calls for it. If you live your life with integrity and in service to others it should be easier. We are going to need people to be brave and to speak up for one another during these chaotic and dehumanizing days....more
I love birds, nature, drawing, and journaling so this book was a must-read for me. I knew author Amy Tan penned novels like The Joy Luck Club, but I hI love birds, nature, drawing, and journaling so this book was a must-read for me. I knew author Amy Tan penned novels like The Joy Luck Club, but I had no idea she was a skilled artist and birder. This book chronicles 5 years of what she calls her "obsession with birds". Over those years she filled 9 journals with sketches and handwritten observations of birds in her her back yard. She shares the birds' stories that are sometimes humorous and sometimes heartbreaking, all the while inviting us to become more aware of the beautiful natural world right outside our own windows. I was blown away by many of her bird 'portraits', admired her conscientious care of her feeders, and inspired by her curious approach to understand and appreciate every feathered visitor to her home. Beautiful book from a multi-talented author....more
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