I loved Tess she made me laugh cry and cheer. She always found a way to make the best of the situation she was in, and she was not afraid to stand up for what she wanted or needed. Her mother in law Ruth does not intimate her, nor does the polio epidemic or her husband Henry. I loved this uplifting story about life, love and family.
Monthly Archives: October 2017
The Best Kind of People by Zoe Whittall
The woodbury’s have it all. Life in an affluent small town, beautiful children, and as a family they are well loved in their town. One night a police car arrives and takes George Woodbury, beloved science teacher and local hero away he has been charged with a very serious crime. This absence sends his family into a sea of emotion that will rock them and shift as the town turns against them and they must look to each other for safe harbor in the storm. Older son Andrew returns from New York to help. Joan the matriarch of the clan and a respected ER nurse will struggle with anger and fear as she tries to figure out if her husband is guilty and what to do about it if he is and if he isn’t. For high school senior Saddie she will go from a popular and sought out student to an outcast and she will seek counsel in odd places as she tries to find her way through her senior year. The woodbury’s are the family we want to be until the unexpected happens. A page turner with many points of view and relatable characters.
Right Handed Lefty by Ryan Coughlin
When two small town boys steal day old bread for their friend in need they end up getting more than they bargained for, they end up witnesses to murder, but the police don’t believe them and fearing for their lives the boys flee. I won’t tell you anymore of the plot than that but trust me that is just the start of the story. As things unfold we learn dark secrets and family history that holds things together and can tear them apart. This book does a beautiful job of showing small town life in the bright sunlight and the dark shadows. A story of growing up and becoming who you are meant to be.
The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse
Meet Nina, wife to a successful business man, mother of 2 wonderful boys who lives in a beautiful house and drives a nice car. Her family travels, her older son loves playing ruby at his prep school and Nina spends her days caring for the house and shuttling the boys around town. While she is watching her son’s ruby match Nina receives a phone call that will bring her devastating news, but as Nina will learn that call is just the tip of the iceberg. I loved watching Nina deal with issue after issue and ultimately reconstruct her life. Nina has more and more questions as her life changes and I don’t want to tell you to many plot details because I don’t want to ruin it for anyone, but I don’t feel like this review is truly giving Nina the review she deserves. She is a woman who is strong and fragile at the same time, and she is often lost and frustrated but she finds a way to keep going and I admire her for that. I found this story uplifting and honest and true. I hope you check it out and if you do that you enjoy it.
The Space between words by Michele Phoenix Out Now
When Jessica wakes in a french hospital after the terror attacks she can’t decide whether to get better or give up, she is so traumatized by what happened she is stuck. With help from her good friend Patrick she finds a way to heal and continue the trip they planned. While searching for antiques with Patrick Jessica finds a box with a story to tell that will lead her on a quest to find out what happened and introduce her to new friends along the way. I have to admit that it is eerie to be be reviewing this today in light of what happened in Las Vegas over the weekend, but this story is uplifting. Jessica is broken and lost but like all of us who end up in that place myself included she takes it one day at a time and things start falling into place. I felt for her as the story unfolded and I loved tagging along as she solved the historical puzzle she found. A great read that makes you glad for what you have and reminds you that you can move forward.
Books & Life 