January 2022 Books Read

 

I likely rang in the new year with my "nose stuck in a book" but that pretty much sums up winter in the cozy book nook.  Reading is how I keep my brain moving and not going crazy during the shorter, darker days of winter.  This year 800 days of January was offset with some really fantastic books and the first of my 2022 Audiobook Challenge.  Here are some musings on the plot and my handy dandy rating for those who may not enjoy the swearing, sex or blood and guts.  Have you read any of these books?  What did you think? 

*Audiobook Challenge 2022*: The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant: This book has remained in my Top Five Favorites since I read the hard copy and it has sweet memories attached to it as well.  After I wrote about the book on my previous blog I shared the review on my Twitter feed.  I was really in to learning social media at that time and learned that sometimes a person could get lucky and find and tag the author in the original tweet.  What I didn't expect was to receive a personal message from Ms. Diamant and then her willingness to send me an autographed placard for my used copy out of appreciation for my review.  It meant the world to me during a really dark, sad time of life.  The audiobook was absolutely wonderful.  I listened to it during a trip for work and I hardly noticed the hours go by.  The tragedy and triumph experienced by a pre-WWII Jewish family in Boston was still just as poignant.  There were elements of the story that made my heart hurt more now than before.  I think that has a lot to do with 7 years of life experiences since I read it and having a narrator say it out loud with the emotion the author intended. If you'd like to read the original blog post click on this hyperlink.  This is a solid PG-13 due to thematic issues and sexual content.  

The Elephant of Belfast by S. Kirk Walsh: This was a gripping book about the Nazi invasion in Budapest and how it affected a local zoo.  The main character is a young woman who connects well with a young elephant named Violet.  Throughout the book we read about the sadness, danger and adventure that came with war and how it affected the zoo animals and those caring for them.  This is a solid PG-13 read due to gore related to wartime.  

Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd: I really had high hopes for this book and read it after The Elephant of Belfast to have a side of funny after a lot of sadness.  It was dumb.  It was low budget Hallmark movie dumb.  I finished it and was drawn in enough to finish, but it was nothing to write home about and promptly went in the "Back to the Thrift Store" box in the corner book nook.  This is a PG due to mild adult themes and lack of brain cells used to write it.

The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce: I absolutely ADORED this book.  It really spoke to my musical hippie, Beatles-loving, avante-garde heart. The story centers around a record shop owner in the 1980s and the day-to-day experiences he has with people and their quest to find the right soundtrack for their life.  In the course of his journey as a small business owner he has met many people with their own tales to tell that often include music.  His shop is on a quirky street along with other vibrant shopkeepers doing their best to stay afloat.  Then one day a beautiful and mysterious woman faints in front of the record shop and his life changes forever and ever. The writing style in this book was outstanding and the author did a very good job at building a voice for each character that came alive for me on the page.  Definitely a 5 Star Rating! This is a PG read due to some language, but it's pretty tame.  

The Secret Gift of Lucia Lemon by Celia Anderson: This was a darling book about an older woman who takes a trip in Europe and finds herself through following the footsteps of a dear family friend.  This book was a great escape for the bleak winter outside and the characters all had delightful personalities.  Lucia seeks out answers of where to go next in life after a dead end marriage to someone she likely never loved anyway.  She learns that it's never too late to start over and there is always time for an adventure.  I gave this 4 stars.  This is a mild PG-13 for adult themes and some sexual content.  

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadow: Hear ye, hear ye, you must read this book! My friend from college recommended this book after her book club read it in 2021. She said the reviews were mixed among the members of her book club but she loved it.  When I read the description on Amazon I was instantly hooked.  Just the sarcasm of the book synopsis had me laughing.  And laughing I did not stop.  From page one until the word "the end" I laughed my guts out.  This is a clever and hysterical re-telling of Jane Grey who is married off at 16 to a guy she really detests and then finds out he's actually a horse and that makes their wedding night super awkward and then they magically save the kingdom (and her cousin) and they all live happily ever after.  Read. it. today. Just hilarious and in the #1 spot for best book of 2022. Rated PG which was refreshing and it is mostly because it's technically youth fiction.  

Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy: This book has been on my wish list for years and I'm glad I only listened to it on the audiobook from the public library.  It was a disappointment and there is no way around it.  I am a diehard Anne Shirley fan and when I read about this book I was so pleased that someone had taken the time to tell Marilla's story and why she was such a sour soul until she had Anne.  I think the author wanted that to be her outcome, but for me it felt like regurgitating Anne's story that was already masterfully written by L.M. Montgomery.  The writing wasn't terrible and she did attempt to develop the characters which kept me listening, but the majority of the time I felt like I was being unfaithful to the OG Anne with an E.  Rated G.  Not a bit of scandal.  

So there you have it, my nerdy book friends! I'm so happy to be back on the blog train o' crazy and look forward to sharing my musings about the books I'm reading and listening to in 2022.....oooh that rhymed.  I would love to hear from you about the books you're reading and especially if you've read any of the books I mentioned.  Bombard my comment section, peasants! I welcome ye!

The moral of the story: January is over. Hallelujah.

Until next time, my lovelies,

-R

For Whatever Time We Might Have: "The Witch's Daughter" by Paula Brackston

#Rayloween2018 has been long-anticipated in my world. First and foremost, I HEART Halloween. It is my favorite holiday besides my birthday and the 4th of July. This year I knew that I needed to make it super special because last year was ultra sucky. So, as a part of my Halloween festivities (which started in the last week of August) I decided to broaden my reading horizons and tackle a witchy thriller.  Little did I know that "The Witch's Daughter" by Paula Brackston would fit this description well beyond my imagination I would love it so dang much all the while being a bit scared out of my knickers.  But, it wouldn't be Halloween without a little adrenaline rush, right?

The main character of "The Witch's Daughter" is Bess Hawksmith. Bess comes from a very tightly knit family from early 17th century England.  Her mother is a dedicated healer and by any other definition a witch, but chooses to use her powers only for good. She and Bess experience great sadness when 3 of their family members die from the Black Plague.  Bess' mother can't bear to lose her only daughter and she sacrifices herself to a local warlock who in turn gives her the powers to save Bess from dying. The trade off for this decision is ultimately death because she is discovered to be a witch and is hung. It's really intense from page 1 and I knew If was headed for a really gripping plot once Bess' mother was hung for witchcraft. In exchange for the warlock giving Bess' mother the power to save her, she is required to turn herself over to him and become immortal and a witch herself.  The remainder of the book is sections of her life as she is living in present day and as alter-egos in other time periods.

What I didn't expect was not only some solid time travel, but time travel that would ultimately connect to present day in such a way that had my mind reeling for days.  This entire book was exceptionally written and I found myself making time to read more because I didn't want to leave in the middle of a time travel section because I might miss something good.  Probably my favorite time travel section was set in late 19th century London. Bess' is a doctor who works in a local teaching hospital by day and in the evenings she runs a back-door entrance female clinic for women who have become pregnant through illegal means. The majority of her clients are prostitutes and she shares really intimate and tragic details about her interactions with these women. This section really touched my heart because she knows that she can't change their outcomes, but she also knows that they need the medical help more than anyone because of their chosen professions.  This section gave a very real description of how the lives of women have drastically changed over the years. This was also the section that I was drawn in the most emotionally so when the gripping element manifested itself I almost threw my book across the room because I was so shocked at how everything transpired. Let's just say the laundry didn't get done that afternoon because I was too busy reading 75 pages in one sitting.

One of the many elements I loved about "The Witch's Daughter" was Bess' commitment to using her powers for good. She never sacrificed dignity and honesty for the sake of being a witch. I liked that a lot.  How many times do we have the opportunity to use our voice or our powers for good and perhaps take advantage of it in a bad way? How often do we see this manifested in the public arena, especially with politicians.  I'm always so inspired by people like Will & Kate and Harry & Meghan because they know they are popular, but use their influence for the absolute best they know how.  That is what life should be all about. We should do our best to make use of whatever time we have in life. Doing good should be our primary goal always. This ongoing theme in "The Witch's Daughter" was so inspiring. We see throughout the book, that Bess struggles to do good in the face of evil and almost pulls away from showing emotion because she knows she might hurt mortals.  In spite of the difficulties though she still lets herself be vulnerable and it was moving to read.

This book was probably so intense and gripping for me because I literally experienced all emotions while reading it. The author explored some really heavy themes along with witchcraft and it was some goooood reading. Towards the end of the book I had to take a time-out or two because I was stepping into plot that might lead to some overly vivid dreams. But, it ended in a powerful manner that I loved. I'm also happy to report that their is a sequel and I plan to read it in the next couple months. It will most definitely be featured on the blog as well.

My recommended reading group would be age 18 and above.  It's a Rated R read with heavy adult themes including sex, execution by hanging, prostitution and witchcraft.....isn't that a depressing line-up all in one sentence? I promise it's not all together at the same time, but if this stuff bothers you, just know that each of these topics are legit and come up multiple times in the book.

The moral of the story: Make the most of the time you have. Be kind and use your power for good. Good will always win over evil. Always.

Happy reading, my amazing, geeky lovelies!
-R

Missed last week's book review? Click here to read it!

Like what you read above - purchase this book by clicking the Amazon link below! Thank you for reading The Thrifting Ginger.  

Spoonfuls of Secrets Best Kept: "The Sugar Queen" by Sarah Addison Allen

Before summer got a bit overwhelming, I finished a book that was probably the biggest surprise of this year. It was quite the secret in terms of the plot line, especially since the author usually writes upbeat and magical books, not a bit dark and twisted.  While I didn't LOVE "The Sugar Queen" by Sarah Addison Allen as much as her magical, happy books like "The Peach Keeper", I could not stop reading it. Sarah Addison Allen is quite easily on my list of Top 5 favorite authors, but this book was her total curve ball for me and one that I would love to pick her brain about the reasons for choosing this type of plot line.

"The Sugar Queen" takes place in a mountain town in North Carolina.  The main character, Josey Cirrini, is a woman with a long list of struggles including mom issues and emotional eating at the top of the list. She spends much of her time in her bedroom closet hiding from her mother and eating sugary treats. One day she comes home to find a mystery woman in her closet. She is startled and tries to make her go away. The mystery lady is someone who Josey has known for much of her life and it's odd to her that she would hide in her closet.  She never leaves and her mother always complains about the extra noises upstairs. We soon find out that the mystery woman is in hiding from an extremely abusive partner.

Some of the themes addressed in this book are domestic violence, mental health, difficult family dynamics and self esteem. One of the absolute best parts of the book is the relationship that builds between the mystery lady and Josey. The mystery lady becomes a bit of a fairy godmother figure for her and really tries to help her step outside of her comfort zone and try new things. She also kicks her out the door to meet new people and have a social life.  The dialogue between the two women was really fantastic once they decided they could find common ground with each other.  This element of the plot is probably what kept me reading because it really showed the importance of solid girl friends in our lives.  Josey had no one, but this mystery woman knew she needed a friend and so it happened.

I was quite shocked at the details shared regarding domestic violence and when the book came full circle, I had to stop and take a deep breath and figure out where I had missed some key clues to the ending.  I honestly believe that I would have liked this book more if I hadn't expected a happy, fluffy magical plot line prior to reading it.  As is always the case with Sarah Addison Allen's work, she has an element of magic and romance in each of her books.  This book wasn't any different, but it was dark. The other element of this book that made it difficult to enjoy was my own issues with mental health, difficult family dynamics and self esteem. I wouldn't jump right to this book being a trigger, but there were times when I thought, "yep......felt that.....like yesterday." If you are sensitive to details of domestic violence and it might be a personal trigger for you, I'd definitely caution you in reading this book.

Overall, it was really well-written and the structuring of build-up, climax and ending were on point.  The ending was a total surprise and I didn't see it coming. I like those types of ending because I feel like the author took the time to write in such a way that it wasn't obvious from Chapter 2.  When authors make it obvious that early in the book, it is just lazy writing, in my opinion.

My recommended reading group would be age 16 and above.  It's a solid PG-13 read with themes of domestic violence, mental health and self-worth struggles.

The moral of the story: Sometimes the most unexpected person becomes your most critical ally.

Happy reading, my amazing, geeky lovelies!
-R

Missed last week's book review? Click here to read it!

 

More Books by Sarah Addison Allen

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Little Shop of Happy-Ever-After: "The Bookshop on the Corner" by Jenny Colgan

Not many people know that my main reason for reading is to calm the crazy in my brain. Especially during the winter months, I really have to keep my brain waves moving or my bestie depression moves in for the season.  It sucks if she invites herself over any time of the year, but especially in the winter. Because of this, I go back and forth between books that are heavy and books that are happy, depending on my current mood.  No matter what, the book has to transport my mind into the plot in such a way that I feel like I'm watching a movie in my head.  When this phenomenon occurs, it's truly magical. I create my own little world and envision the characters and how they interact with each other.  That is why I read. When I purchased "The Bookshop on the Corner" I was drawn to the endearing synopsis, but I had NO idea how much this book would transport me in to my own little happily-ever-after world.  And did I mention it includes a dishy Scotsman? Be still my heart....especially when he looks and sounds like my boyfriend Gerard Butler....

"The Bookshop on the Corner" by Jenny Colgan takes place in Scotland.  The main character is named Nina Redmond. Nina is faced with some hard luck in her career and decides that she is going to move to the north country, buy a massive van and start a mobile book store.  That might sound like a relatively simple task, but Nina soon finds out it is not.  Nina is a bit of a hot mess when she starts her journey and gets herself in a situation with the local train. Every train must have a conductor and Nina becomes overnight-smitten with the young train conductor. She is convinced he is her forever, happily ever after and makes excuses to see him on a regular basis.  To pay homage to her "true love" she names her mobile shop the "Little Shop of Happy Ever After." The shop is a sweet success and Nina begins to learn powerful life lessons from the members of her new community.

As I mentioned earlier, this book included a dishy (but super grumpy) Scotsman that I fell head-over-heals for after a bit.  Yet again, the quiet, complicated male character is my favorite.  Lennox is Nina's newly-unattached landlord and a gruff, local farmer with a few of his own secrets.  Nina rents a high-society-style loft (inconveniently decorated by Lennox' newly ex-lover) over the barn of Lennox' farm so they are in very close proximity a LOT. Lennox lives a mysterious, quiet life and Nina is annoyed by his demeanor and blunt attitude toward her infatuation for the train conductor. He sees her sneaking out at night to go meet the train and calls her out on it and the tension just builds. I loved their interactions together and they have some really sweet scenes.  As Lennox starts to open up to Nina she starts to feel things in her heart that leave her confused and wondering if she might actually have feelings for this grumpy lad.

There were so many unexpected, yet happy elements of this story. As Nina starts to befriend locals she is also introduced to their children. She begins having story time and has a bond with two particular children that really struck a chord for me. She takes these two children under her wing and helps them feel loved and cared for in ways that they aren't getting at home. I loved the dialogue between Nina and these children because it reminds me of the amazing little humans I get to work with every day.  Nina has a way of bringing out the best in these children and it's really sweet to notice their progression throughout the story.

As it is in non-fiction world, Nina comes to a point when she has to face the reality of life not being perfect no matter how hard she tries. She will still have heartbreak even when she's doing what she loves. This was something I could relate to as well.  I've experienced some big life changes in the last 12 months that came with their own set of trauma and heartache, but I've also found so much peace with where I'm working and living currently.  There is so much power in knowing that you're in the right spot.  That's how Nina feels and she eventually finds solace in the right people and activities.

This book had the most delightful ending....like I may have hugged the book when I finished reading it. ...maybe. The author did such an amazing job at subtly leading up to the climactic event and I was so pleased when it finally happened.  Just plain magic. This book was 100% happiness for my brain and I was so grateful to have found it in a used book store in Helena, MT.  The cover was a little "meh" but the book was completely the opposite.

My recommended reading group would be age 16 and above.  It's a PG-13 read with adult relationships and their challenges.

The moral of the story: Happily ever after is what you make it and that will always include a LOT of work, but it's worth it!!

Happy reading, my amazing, geeky lovelies!
-R

Missed last week's book review? Click here to read it!

Other Books by Jenny Colgan

The Magic of Second Chances: "Lost Lake" by Sarah Addison Allen

I've never been one to go to Barnes & Noble just to window shop for books.  Why, you ask? Because as soon as I start swooning over all the beautiful book covers then I want to buy all the books. And, let's be perfectly honest, I am so not a fan of paying full price for anything unless I know it is a book I will love forever and ever.  However, once upon a time, while I lived in Utah, I did camp out and scope books and that is how I stumbled upon books by Sarah Addison Allen.  I can't tell you the specifics, but I remember seeing the cover for her book "Garden Spells" (P.S. - AMAZING!) and decided I should give her books a shot.  That was the best decision ever and today I'm sharing book #2 by her that I've reviewed for this blog.  "Lost Lake" by Sarah Addison Allen was such a sweet story and it really gave me a new hope in giving people the benefit of the doubt and letting those you once loved have a second chance.

The thrifting story behind this book is one of second chances as well! One of my last adventures in Helena, MT during my training was "dropping by" a massive thrift store in another part of town than my hotel.  At first glance it seemed I wouldn't have much luck finding good books until I turned the corner and saw a massive book corner. Two hours and $25 bucks later I walked out of the building with quite the collection of books.....again.....The second chance element was this-- I had almost paid nearly full price for this book a few days earlier at another used book store and decided not to buy it.  I was very glad I had made that choice because the second time around it was $2. It's safe to say I'd go back to Helena just for the thrift stores, mountains and Chili's, but I digress.

As is customary with Sarah Addison Allen's books, "Lost Lake" takes place in the Deep South.  We are introduced to Kate and Devin, a mother-daughter duo, living in Atlanta, Georgia, who have recently lost their husband and father in a tragic accident.  Kate is waking from a year-long haze of emotional grief and her overbearing mother-in-law, Cricket, is packing up their home so they can move in with her.  Kate realizes that the future holds nothing that she wants for herself and Devin, but she's not sure how they are going to escape the wrath of someone who has been their saving grace for the past year.  Devin and Kate end up in the attic together as they pack their belongings and find an old postcard from Kate's Aunt Eby sent over a decade earlier.  The postcard is sent from a magical place called Lost Lake, a vacation property owned by Eby and her husband George. The postcard is inscribed with a note that strikes Kate as odd and spurs her to pack up for a road trip.

The reader soon discovers that George & Eby's love story is one that tugs at the heart strings.  They were star-crossed lovers, but from two completely different backgrounds; one wealthy and one middle-class.  They can't face the pressure of their families quarreling and invest in a magical oasis in the mountains.  Lost Lake becomes a refuge for all ages and Kate's last happy memory of her childhood was spent at Lost Lake.  The author did a fantastic job weaving both stories together (she's very good at that in her books) and brought so much emotion to life on the pages.

When Kate and Devin arrive at Lost Lake completely unannounced they find a sad, rundown property on the brink of being sold.  Kate is still unsure why she's felt the pull to Lost Lake after so many years, but she soon starts to figure it out. Her personal second chance includes a sweet love story that reminded me of some personal events in my life. It was really cute.

The supporting characters in the book are all really deep and truly delightful to read about. One of my favorite characters is the cook at Lost Lake who is mute.  Her name is Lisette. She has known Eby for a very long time and only communicates by writing on a notepad that hangs around her neck on a piece of string.  In spite of her inability to speak audibly, Lisette, is a really powerful force at Lost Lake and she brings an element of second chances that was very moving.  She has a story hiding in her past that has paralyzed her in her present which means she can't think about her future.  It was really sweet to watch her move forward with her insecurities and gave me a lot of food for thought about the power of love and the heartache of loss.

As I talked about in my last review of a Sarah Addison Allen book (LINK HERE), there is always an element of magic in her plot lines.  This book is no different, however, the magic is more the magic of imagination and the magic of healing in their hearts.  I thought it was very endearing that the magical element of the plot was given to Devin because it was a very child-like perspective and so sweet.  Devin is a free spirit who lives life in her own, mismatched way and she eventually convinces the family that she does have the answers to a few mysteries of life.  She is also the person who reminds each of the characters that the future is, in fact, bright and shouldn't be taken for granted.

My recommended reading group would be age 16 and above.  It's a good PG read, but does address mental health, death and grieving which may be a bit much for the younger audience.

The moral of the story: Never lose hope in saying good bye to someone you love because it just might be a true "see you later". Second chances happen.

Happy reading, my amazing, geeky lovelies!
-R

Missed last week's book review? Click here to read it!


More Books by Sarah Addison Allen

Extraordinarily Beautiful & Flawed: "Museum of Extraordinary Things" by Alice Hoffman

According to Alain de Botton, "There’s a whole category of people who miss out by not allowing themselves to be weird enough." I couldn't agree more, and many times I find myself gravitating toward the quirky, weird people because they're so much more interesting.  We are lucky to live in a day when weird is embraced a lot more. However, there was a time in history when those who were weird or different were thought to be cursed and a reason to exploit, mock and make a few bucks while in the process.  This week's book, "Museum of Extraordinary Things" by Alice Hoffman, was one that showcased the twisted oddities of this time in history and was a creepy, fascinating and oddly inspiring read.

First, I will admit that this book was well out of my comfort zone at times, but I was fascinated by the author's writing style.  When I found the book at Goodwill in Helena, MT, I kept going back to it on the shelf and thought this story sounds ultra creepy, but also ultra interesting.  I sent a screen shot to my sister (super cool librarian chick) and got her opinion on it before I purchased it.  Needless to say, we both agreed that this book was coming to the cozy book nook.  Interestingly enough, she is reading the book this week and loves it.

The title is self-explanatory of the setting for the book.  The Museum of Extraordinary Things is a multi-faceted "freak show" on Coney Island, New York during 1911. It is owned and operated by Professor Sardie and his daughter, Coralie, is the resident mermaid.  The story is primarily told from Coralie's perspective, but the author really does an incredible job at weaving in the stories and oddities of each of the characters of the book while connecting them to Coralie's life as the daughter of the Professor and member of the cast.  Each character is deeply flawed, not by choice, and they know it, but also know they need to be employed by the Museum to survive.  The Museum is a popular place and Coralie becomes the center of attractions for her superhuman abilities to breathe under water for long periods of time and her naturally-webbed hands. She too is caught in a place of ethical dilemma, personal pride, but also a need for survival while facing struggles with the demands set by her father. 

Probably the most beautiful connection in this book was that made to Charlotte Brontë's book, "Jane Eyre." Many of you already know this, but "Jane Eyre" is, without a doubt, my absolute favorite classic novel. I read it as a teenager and it spoke to me on numerous levels.  I've read it multiple times since then and have always felt such a connection to Jane and her independence, in spite of her circumstances. However, in "Museum of Extraordinary Things," the author shares a perspective that I never, ever considered. She shares the perspective of what it must have been like to be Mr. Rochester's exiled wife.  Woah. That alone might stop a few of you in your tracks if you've read the book. Bertha Rochester is incredibly crazy and she ends up committing suicide by jumping out the window after she's set the manor on fire. It's tragic because Mr. Rochester is blind, but Charlotte Brontë focuses on him, not Bertha.  But, did you ever think that perhaps Bertha did what she did because she felt like there was no other choice because she was different?

In the book, the author introduces us to a character called the "Wolf Man." He has hair all over his body and, at times in his life, has felt like killing himself would be a better option because he is so ridiculed. The Wolf Man and Coralie become good friends and she sees that there is so much more to this man behind the "fur." He shares with her why he relates to Bertha Rochester because she was the person who was exiled because she was crazy and different and the isolation made her worse.  He shares that because of the Professor he was able to come out of his personal exile and make something of a life for himself.  Eventually he gains the confidence he needs to find a better situation for himself, but in the meantime, the interaction he has with Coralie is a very important piece in the story.  I was so touched by this sub-plot and I think it's what kept me reading the book in spite of the creepy, disturbing stuff.  It was powerful for me personally because I knew exactly how Bertha was portrayed in "Jane Eyre" and could connect those lines far more than someone who had not read the book.  Pure. Genius.

One of the oddities of the book itself is an excessive use of italics.  My sister and I have a theory that the author uses this to indicate the thinking of the person that is speaking. The use of italics serves as a way for the reader to differentiate between Coralie's voice and point of view to that of the museum cast members.  It took me a bit to adjust my brain to reading pages and pages of italics (similar to last week's book with no quotation marks), but I eventually caught on and my brain got used to it.  Don't give up on it. 

When I started this blog, I promised myself that I would read different genres to test my own reading capacity, but that I would also be completely honest and transparent about things in the books I read that were potentially unacceptable or uncomfortable for some of my reading friends. So, I will share with you that this book had one element that really rocked my boat and I had to skip some sections because of my personal book boundaries.  There is some forced voyeurism by the Professor for Coralie to appear in her mermaid tank in the nude.  It was disturbing to be sure, but it was the point of the book that triggered some questions about the remaining story line and that proved to support my theories. If you are sensitive to this type of activity in your reading, I would not recommend you read this book.  I will also share that it's only discussed in approximately one and a half chapters. 

Ultimately, this book ended in such a way that I felt resolve. I wouldn't go straight to happy-ending-mode, but it closed up in a well thought out manner by the author.  She gave lots of time from the climax of the book to the end to tie up the loose ends and I appreciated that very much. 

My recommended reading group would be age 18 and above.  It's a Rated R read for the reasons I listed above as well as some violent behaviors shown towards characters in the book.

The moral of the story: Being extraordinary and flawed doesn't mean we aren't beautiful. It is quite the opposite.  We are beautiful because we are extraordinary and flawed.  Never lose sight of your purpose on earth. We ALL have one.

Happy reading, my amazing, geeky lovelies!
-R

Missed last week's book review? Click here to read it!



Other Books by Alice Hoffman

The Stitches of Life: "The Wishing Thread" by Lisa Van Allen

In February & March I spent three concurrent weeks in Helena, MT for training for my new job.  To say it was difficult is an understatement.  I learned a lot of new information and was exhausted at the end of every day and pretty much lived the hermit life in my hotel room.  However, one of the afternoons I ventured to a local used book store in the historical district of Helena.  It was a bit higher priced than I'm used to, but I still found a couple of fantastic books to add to my collection.  The first book was "The Wishing Thread" by Lisa Van Allen.  The plot intrigued me, and at the time, I was ready for a book that mixed magic with happy.  I learned while reading this book that sometimes the way our lives are stitched together is completely out of our control....hello, most of the time. Who are we kidding here?

The book takes place in Tarrytown, New York.  The main characters are the Van Ripper sisters named Bitty, Audrey and Meggie.  They have been blessed with the ability to weave magic spells into pieces of clothing they knit.  The magic has been present for generations and the book opens with the matriarch Aunt Mariah passing away.  Aunt Mariah has been the keeper of the magic knitting needles and the family's yarn store called The Stichery, all while raising her nieces.  Aubrey is the only sister who has remained in Tarrytown as an adult as well as kept with the tradition of magic and knitting. The other two sisters reluctantly find their way back to Tarrytown to pay their last respects to Aunt Mariah and the crazy begins.  We soon find out that these sisters are all very different from each other and they kind of resent their heritage and magical powers.

One of the things I really loved about this book, was the rebuilding of friendships among the sisters. Bitty has come to visit with her children and neglects to tell her sisters that she's also left her husband and their stay is a to-be-determined gig.  She's emotional and tired and trying to navigate her next steps in life while her daughter is starting to catch on that magic lives in this family.  She slowly opens up to Aubrey about her marital problems and eventually decides that it's in her family's best interest for her to stay in Tarrytown.  Meggie is all over the place and knows she should stay with her sisters to help settle the estate, but doesn't want to face her past either.  She reconnects with one of her friends from childhood and together they rekindle their friendship and mend their own broken pieces.

The second thing I liked about this book was it's beachy-read, happy nature.  Sometimes I just need to be able to get lost in a book and this definitely fits the bill.  I enjoyed knowing that when I picked up this book that it wouldn't leave me feeling down or drained emotionally.  While I was reading this book, I was still in a lot of transition in my personal life with changes continuing to be thrown at me from all directions.  This book was a nice escape from the adulting that forced me to have all the feels when I was just too tired to deal.

The end of this book was really sweet and had an ending that added to the pleasantries of reading it. It wasn't Hallmark-movie-cheesy, but it definitely warmed my heart and reminded me that there is always a bit of magic in our own lives, if we will look for it.  The plot of this book takes the reader through an interesting conflict and ultimately, the town comes together with the sisters to stand up for this magical place that has blessed so many lives.  I definitely think that can apply to real life  Sometimes, we just need to know that we have those people in our community and family who will stand behind us even when we might be a little bit different and/or crazy.

My recommended reading group would be age 12 and above.  It really is a great PG read that would appeal to multiple audiences because of the magic, family unity and knitting.

The moral of the story: Life has a way of changing courses and knitting new plot lines for us. It's our job to make the best of it and turn to those who know us best and will always be there when we need them.

Happy reading, my amazing, geeky lovelies!
-R

Missed last week's book review? Click here to read it!



Other Books by Lisa Van Allen