My latest post for Bethanny House Bloggers is A Plain Leaving.
A Plain Leaving is the story of Jessica Bachmann who decided to leave her Amish faith for an Englischer life years ago and now must return home for her father's funeral. Her shunning split the loyalties of her family. Her sister Leisel and brother Amos are more sympathetic - Amos also left the Amish community for life on the outside and Leisel is contemplating the same - but sister Marie is still bitter about Jessica's decision, as is her brother Arden and her mother. Jessica carefully navigates the waters of family tensions as she returns to the homestead; being forced to sit at the shunned table in the corner for family dining and dealing with her sister's and brother's cold attitudes towards her.
But Jessica has someone else in her corner - Silas, her old boyfriend, who is now involved with another girl from the Amish community. Jessica tries not to let his love for someone else bother her, and reminds herself that she was the one who decided to make her life elsewhere, and that she has a happy and fulfilling life in Harrisburg with her new Englischer boyfriend. But.....being home reminds her of the life that could have been.
Jessica spends time with her peace-loving Aentie Suz who tells her a long ago tale of a girl who originally lived on their family homestead - Ruby Bachmann - and her troubles during the Revolutionary War. The stories intertwine and Jessica finds answers to her own problems in Ruby's story's ending.
I loved that this book was not all pie baking and quilt making Amish perfection. It focused on some darker sides of being shunned and turned away by your own family. It presented a new angle to the typical Amish stories. I also loved the two overlapping stories of Jessica and Ruby, they were both equally enjoyable.
I recommended this for anyone.
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Friday, November 10, 2017
The MacGregor Brides by Nora Roberts
Here I go again, reading a romance I really don't care for.
The MacGregor brides concerns three women and one grandpa who desperately wants to marry them off. (This is set in the 1980's, not the 1880's) He finds three suitable bachelors and goes about manipulating these men into his granddaughters lives until they all fall in love and, naturally, make more MacGregor heirs.
Blech.
If you're a fan of cornball men enjoying seductive snowball fights and hair-sniffing-women-they-just-met then go for it. For me....
Recycled. Next!
The MacGregor brides concerns three women and one grandpa who desperately wants to marry them off. (This is set in the 1980's, not the 1880's) He finds three suitable bachelors and goes about manipulating these men into his granddaughters lives until they all fall in love and, naturally, make more MacGregor heirs.
Blech.
If you're a fan of cornball men enjoying seductive snowball fights and hair-sniffing-women-they-just-met then go for it. For me....
Recycled. Next!
The Book of Joe by Jeff Wilser
My latest Blogging For Books offering is The Book of Joe. The life' wit' and (sometimes accidental) wisdom of Joe Biden
If you're already a fan of Joe Biden (me!) you will find this little novelette a real treat. The book is filled with short Joe Biden stories, witticisms, and highlights of his political career.
I loved the tone of this book. It flows along with the right amount of commentary without being blithe. It's also the perfect size for a weekend read. It explained the history behind the plagiarism scandal of the 80's- which I've heard about but did not know the details of- the scandal ended up being a simple gaffe that got blown out of proportion - like Howard Dean's howl - during a brutal campaign season. There are also stories about the painful losses in his family and how he came through them, his bromance with Obama, and a glimpse at what he's really like when the microphones are off. (Not a spoiler alert: He's a great guy.)
Inspiration can be gleaned by other politicians on how to handle public office with dignity. He's always stayed classy, even in the face of a gaffe controversy. He actually owns up to them - a rare commodity in a politician nowadays - and tries to learn from his mistakes.
The stories of the loss of his son Beau are very touching, as is the sweet story about how he courted Jill. I also enjoyed the tales from his rebel rousing teenage years when sneaking off during spring break. With self-discipline he went on to accomplish great things when he just as easily could've took a path to self-destruction.
Little book, Big read. I definitely recommend this for everyone.
If you're already a fan of Joe Biden (me!) you will find this little novelette a real treat. The book is filled with short Joe Biden stories, witticisms, and highlights of his political career.
I loved the tone of this book. It flows along with the right amount of commentary without being blithe. It's also the perfect size for a weekend read. It explained the history behind the plagiarism scandal of the 80's- which I've heard about but did not know the details of- the scandal ended up being a simple gaffe that got blown out of proportion - like Howard Dean's howl - during a brutal campaign season. There are also stories about the painful losses in his family and how he came through them, his bromance with Obama, and a glimpse at what he's really like when the microphones are off. (Not a spoiler alert: He's a great guy.)
Inspiration can be gleaned by other politicians on how to handle public office with dignity. He's always stayed classy, even in the face of a gaffe controversy. He actually owns up to them - a rare commodity in a politician nowadays - and tries to learn from his mistakes.
The stories of the loss of his son Beau are very touching, as is the sweet story about how he courted Jill. I also enjoyed the tales from his rebel rousing teenage years when sneaking off during spring break. With self-discipline he went on to accomplish great things when he just as easily could've took a path to self-destruction.
Little book, Big read. I definitely recommend this for everyone.
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Full Circle by Danielle Steele
I don't know why I keep reading romance novels because it's not my favorite genre...yet here I go again.
Full Circle by Danielle Steele is the story that begins with a mother and her daughter-Jean and Tana- and follows them through the next 40 years.
Jean is a single mother after her husband dies in World War II until she raises a rich, handsome man. The only problem is he is not interested in marrying her. As a teen, Tna grows disgusted with her mother for not telling Arthur to marry her once and for all even though her mom is perfectly happy with the arrangement.
Tana goes to college and grows more radical. Suddenly she's the one who has no interest in marrying, yet she's still harping to her mom to tie the knot.
Tana goes through man after man after man until finally chosing one, then she deecides...marriage is what she wants, and of course her life is nothing without a bunch of babies.
Eh.
I'm not crazy about this one. Jean is a harpy, then her daughter is one too, only less likeable and more bossy. Then Tana comes 'full circle'....I could've lived without reading this one.
Full Circle by Danielle Steele is the story that begins with a mother and her daughter-Jean and Tana- and follows them through the next 40 years.
Jean is a single mother after her husband dies in World War II until she raises a rich, handsome man. The only problem is he is not interested in marrying her. As a teen, Tna grows disgusted with her mother for not telling Arthur to marry her once and for all even though her mom is perfectly happy with the arrangement.
Tana goes to college and grows more radical. Suddenly she's the one who has no interest in marrying, yet she's still harping to her mom to tie the knot.
Tana goes through man after man after man until finally chosing one, then she deecides...marriage is what she wants, and of course her life is nothing without a bunch of babies.
Eh.
I'm not crazy about this one. Jean is a harpy, then her daughter is one too, only less likeable and more bossy. Then Tana comes 'full circle'....I could've lived without reading this one.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picault
I finished this book last week and what a gem it is. Books like this are what make Jodi Picoult one of my favorite fiction writers. The story is unique, gripping, and features emotionally charged scenes.
The story is about thirteen year old Anna who was born for a specific reason-so she could be the medical match for her older sister who suffers from a rare form of cancer. Anna spends her childhood in and out of the hospital as she donates marrow and goes through painful medical procedures with the hope that her older sister will be cured. When Anna is finally asked by her parents if she'll donate a kidney, she decides she's had enough and tries to stop the surgery by contacting a lawyer.
The book touches on controversial topics like: is it morally right for Anna's parent to conceive her for the pure reason of using her to keep her sister alive? While they love Anna, how much of a sacrifice can they keep asking of her? At what age is Anna able to say no to her parents? How does she accept doing this to her dying sister?
The only negative I had to the story was my usual complaint-I didn't see any reason to add the romance between Anna's temporary guardian and her lawyer. It's as if every book written needs to find a way to jam in a love story, even when it's not necessary. The love of the family and their complications carries the story without needing any romance.
The second thing is the surprise ending which I'm still pondering on whether it was the right way to end the book or not. Without giving it away, you'll just have to read it for yourself.
Definitely recommended-romance and all!
The only negative I had to the story was my usual complaint-I didn't see any reason to add the romance between Anna's temporary guardian and her lawyer. It's as if every book written needs to find a way to jam in a love story, even when it's not necessary. The love of the family and their complications carries the story without needing any romance.
The second thing is the surprise ending which I'm still pondering on whether it was the right way to end the book or not. Without giving it away, you'll just have to read it for yourself.
Definitely recommended-romance and all!
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