There's something about The Columbia River Gorge that just seeps into your soul. Having been raised in the area, with its rugged beauty and postcard-worthy vistas, I have a deep, abiding love for the place of my birth. Despite the crowds of hikers and windsurfers who flock to it every summer, the Gorge is not a super well-known tourist destination, so when it's mentioned in the news, I pay attention. In October of 2016, the media reported the disappearance of Annie Schmidt, a 21-year-old from Utah who had been living in Portland, Oregon. On the 16th, the nature lover had gone hiking alone in the Gorge and hadn't been seen since. When Annie failed to meet her mother at Portland International Airport on the 19th for a planned pick-up, Michelle Schmidt grew concerned. Then panicked. Where was her daughter?
What ensued was a frantic, month-long search for the missing hiker. Because of the Gorge's rough terrain, it wasn't easy to scour the area, even with trained rock climbers, divers, and dog teams. Using the power of the media (Annie's father is a member of the musical group The Piano Guys), the Schmidts begged for information and help. Volunteers from the family, their church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), search and rescue groups, and more joined the effort to find Annie. On November 11, her remains were finally discovered. Her death was determined to be an accident, the result of a fatal fall while hiking.
Carried by Michelle Schmidt (Annie's mother) and Angie Taylor (Michelle's sister) is the recently-published account of the tragedy. Although the book talks about what happened to Annie, it's not really a blow-by-blow recollection of the incident. Instead, the volume centers on Michelle's faith—how it developed in childhood, was sustained throughout adulthood, and how it carried her through the most devastating days of her life. Schmidt is open and real, talking candidly about her struggles with motherhood, family finances, self-confidence, grief, etc. What results is an affecting book that is uplifting, faith-promoting, and inspiring. It's a slim volume that provides a quick read, but one that will stay with you as you contemplate your own challenges and sorrows and how God carries us through it all. I highly recommend this tender memoir, especially if you're dealing with heartache and loss right now.
Also, check out this beautiful, touching video made by The Piano Guys and dedicated to all who are experiencing these emotions this Christmas:
It is difficult not to put ourselves into stories like this; losing a child is beyond my comprehension. I think faith and one's church community can be a real help as people deal with these tragedies.
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The Children's Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2021
- About a war other than World War II
- Takes place before 1800
- Set in a country you do not live in
- Main character travels on a ship, train, or covered wagonEsperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
- Set in a decade you don't usually choose to read about
- A major holiday is celebrated
- Takes place in a city or region where you have livedThe Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
- Features time travel to the past
- About a historical disaster, natural or otherwise
- With a proper noun in the title
- Features a real female hero from the past
- Book that relates somehow to your own family history (the main character emigrates from the same country your ancestors did, the MC participates in a historical event your family member did, about someone you're related to, etc.)
- Written by a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) author
- Features a main character with a different ethnicity, religion, or culture than your ownThe Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman
- Has an animal on the cover
- A ghost story
- Features a castle or an old house
- Set in South or Central America
- A mysteryThe Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill
- Set in the decade that one of your parents was born in
- Concerns an event of historical significance that happened during your lifetime (or your parents' lifetimes if you were born after 2000)
- Features a search for gold or other kinds of treasure
- A person in period clothing on the cover
- Based on a true story
- A main character who is Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian
My Progress:
4 / 25 books. 16% done!
2021 Popsugar Reading Challenge
- A book that's published in 2021The Caretakers by Eliza Maxwell
- An Afrofuturist book
- A book that has a heart, diamond, club, or spade on the cover
- A book by an author who shares your zodiac signThe Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner
- A dark academia book
- A book with a gem, mineral, or rock in the titleMurder at Marble House by Alyssa Maxwell
- A book where the main character works at your current or dream job
- A book that has won the Women's Prize for Fiction
- A book with a family tree
- A bestseller from the 1990s
- A book about forgetting
- A book you have seen on someone's bookshelf (in real life, on a Zoom call, in a TV show, etc.)Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
- A locked-room mystery
- A book set in a restaurant
- A book with a black-and-white coverDeath in the Family by Tessa Wegert
- A book by an Indigenous author
- A book that has the same title as a song
- A book about a subject you are passionate aboutThe Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
- A book that discusses body positivity
- A book found on a Black Lives Matter reading list
- A genre hybrid
- A book set mostly or entirely outdoorsAlone by Megan E. Freeman
- A book with something broken on the coverStrike Me Down by Mindy Mejia
- A book by a Muslim American author
- A book that was published anonymously
- A book with an oxymoron in the titleDark August by Katie Tallo
- A book about do-overs or fresh startsThe Midnight Library by Matt Haig
- A magical realism bookBeginners Welcome by Cindy Baldwin
- A book set in multiple countriesIn the Deep by Loreth Anne White
- A book set somewhere you'd like to visit in 2021Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower
- A book by a blogger, vlogger, YouTube video creator, or other online personality
- A book whose title starts with "Q," "X," or "Z"
- A book featuring three generations (grandparent, parent, child)Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
- A book about a social justice issue
- A book in a different format than what you normally read (audiobooks, ebooks, graphic novels)Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling (audiobook)
- A book that has fewer than 1,000 reviews on Amazon or GoodreadsThe Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman
- A book you think your best friend would like
- A book about art or an artistVeiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green
- A book everyone seems to have read but youA Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins
- Your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading ChallengeWhen the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
ADVANCED:
- The longest book (by pages) on your TBR list
- The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list
- The book on your TBR list with the prettiest coverShadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green
- The book on your TBR list with the ugliest coverOn These Magic Shores by Yamile Saied Méndez
- The book that's been on your TBR list for the longest amount of time
- A book from your TBR list you meant to read last year but didn'tEgg Drop Dead by Vivien Chien
- A book from your TBR list you associate with a favorite person, place, or thing
- A book from your TBR list chosen at randomThe Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
- A DNF book from your TBR list
- A free book from your TBR list (gifted, borrowed, library)The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill
My Progress:
24 / 50 books. 48% done!
2021 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
Books Read:
1. Murder at Marble House by Alyssa Maxwell 2. The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman
3. The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill
4. The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
5. When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
6. The Stills by Jess Montgomery
7. Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
8. The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner
9. A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins
10. Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green
11. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
12. Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green
13. The Family Ship by Sonja Yoerg
14. The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
2021 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge
Cozies Read:
1. Murder at Marble House by Alyssa Maxwell
2. Egg Drop Dead by Vivien Chien
3. Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower
4. To Kill a Mocking Girl by Harper Kincaid
The 52 Club's 2021 Reading Challenge
1. Set in a school
2. Featuring the legal profession
3. A dual timeline
4. An author that is deceased
5. Published by PenguinWhen the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
6. A character with the same name as a male family memberToxic Toffee by Amanda Flower
7. An author with only 1 published book96 Miles by J.L. Esplin
8. A book in the 900's of the Dewey Decimal System
9. Set in a Mediterranean country
10. Related to the word "fire"Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green
11. Book with discussion questions insideThe Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill
12. Title starting with the letter "D"Dark August by Katie Tallo
13. Includes an exotic animalThe Missing One by Lucy Atkins
14. Written by an author over 65 (when published)
15. A book mentioned in another book
16. Set before the 17th Century
17. A character "on the run"Egg Drop Dead by Vivien Chien
18. Author with a 9-letter last nameThe Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths
19. Book with a deckled edge
20. Made into a TV seriesThe Cold Dish by Craig Johnson
21. Book by Kristin Hannah
22. A family sagaThe Family Ship by Sonja Yoerg
23. An ending that surprises youDeath in the Family by Tessa Wegert
24. A book you think they should read in schools
25. A book with multiple character POVStrike Me Down by Mindy Mejia
26. An author of colorOn These Magic Shores by Yamile Saied Méndez
27. First chapter ends on an odd page numberTo Kill a Mocking Girl by Harper Kincaid
28. Includes a historical event you know little aboutThe Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
29. Featuring the environment
30. Watch out for dragons!
31. Shares a similar title to another bookA Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins
32. A selfish characterMurder at Marble House by Alyssa Maxwell
33. Featuring adoptionThe Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman
34. A book you'd rate 5 stars
35. Set in a country that starts with the letter "S"
36. A nameless narrator
37. An educational read
38. Recommended on BookBub
39. An alternate history novel
40. Found via #bookstagramHome Before Dark by Riley Sager
41. An endorsement by a famous author on the cover
42. An epistolary
43. A character with a pet catThe Midnight Library by Matt Haig
44. Includes a garden
45. A coming of age novelEsperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
46. Winner of the National Book Award - any year
47. A character with a disabilityInsignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
48. A cover with a woman who is facing awayThe Stills by Jess Montgomery
49. A flavour in the title
50. A shoe on the coverAlone by Megan E. Freeman
51. Published in 2021The Caretakers by Eliza Maxwell
52. Re-do one of the previous 51 categories from this 2021 challengeThe Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner (#48 - Woman on Cover Facing Away)
My Progress:
28 / 52 books. 54% done!
Booklist Queen's 2021 Reading Challenge
1. A Productivity Book
2. Book Becoming Movie in 2021
3. Goodreads Winner in 2020The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
4. Biography
5. About a Pressing Social Issue
6. A Book About BooksTo Kill a Mocking Girl by Harper Kincaid
7. Set in the 1920sThe Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill
8. An Author Who Uses Initials
9. Poetry
10. A 2020 BestsellerHome Before Dark by Riley Sager
11. Recommended by a ColleagueDeath in the Family by Tessa Wegert
12. With a Number in the Title96 Miles by J.L. Esplin
13. Bottom of Your To-Read List
14. Reread a Favorite Book
15. Own Voices StoryOn These Magic Shores by Yamile Saied Méndez
16. Published in the 1800sLittle Women by Louisa May Alcott
17. Local AuthorInsignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
18. Longer Than 400 PagesDark August by Katie Tallo
19. A Book Turned Into a TV SeriesThe Cold Dish by Craig Johnson
20. A Book That Makes You Think
21. A WWII StoryThe Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman
22. A Highly Anticipated BookThe Caretakers by Eliza Maxwell
23. Eye-Catching CoverThe Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
24. A Summer ReadA Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins
25. Coming of Age StoryAlone by Megan E. Freeman
26. Bestselling Memoir
27. Book Club Favorite
28. A Book About FriendshipBeginners Welcome by Cindy Baldwin
29. An AudiobookEsperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
30. Set in AustraliaIn the Deep by Loreth Anne White
31. By a Nobel Prize winner
32. About an ImmigrantThe Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner
33. Time Travel Novel
34. An Author You LoveEgg Drop Dead by Vivien Chien
35. Childhood Favorite
36. Classic Read in High School
37. Borrowed from the LibraryMurder at Marble House by Alyssa Maxwell
38. Nonfiction New York Times Bestseller
39. From an Indie Publisher
40. Fantasy
41. A SequelThe Stills by Jess Montgomery
42. Recommended by a Librarian
43. Psychological ThrillerThe Missing One by Lucy Atkins
44. Oprah Winfrey Book Club Pick
45. A Book About Technology
46. Title with Three WordsStrike Me Down by Mindy Mejia
47. Debut Novel of Famous Author
48. Genre You Don't Usually Read
49. A Book Everyone Is Talking About
50. You Own But Haven't Read
51. Borrowed from a Friend
52. A 2021 New ReleaseWhen the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
My Progress:
26 / 52 books. 50% done!
Medical Examiner Mystery Reading Challenge
Books Read:
1. Murder at Marble House by Alyssa Maxwell (2 toe tags)
2. The Caretakers by Eliza Maxwell (11 toe tags, 1 unknown COD)
3. Egg Drop Dead by Vivien Chien (1 toe tag)
4. Strike Me Down by Mindy Mejia (3 toe tags)
5. The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill (4 toe tags)
6. When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain (8 toe tags)
7. Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower (3 toe tags)
8. Dark August by Katie Tallo (14 toe tags)
9. The Stills by Jess Montgomery (7 toe tags)
10. The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner (6 toe tags)
11. To Kill a Mocking Girl by Harper Kincaid (2 toe tags)
12. A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins (8 toe tags, 1 unknown COD)
13. Death in the Family by Tessa Wegert (9 toe tags)
14. Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green (3 toe tags)
15. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager (6 toe tags)
16. In the Deep by Loreth Anne White (2 toe tags)
17. The Family by Louise Jensen (4 toe tags)
18. The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson (5 toe tags)
19. The Missing One by Lucy Atkins (5 toe tags)
20. The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths (4 toe tags, 1 unknown COD)
Pioneer Book 2021 Reading Challenge
- Popular book published in 1981 - Modern Library 100 Best (fiction) - Bestseller non-fiction display* - Pulitzer Prize winning author - Philosophy book - Green coverBeginners Welcome by Cindy Baldwin - Customer Pick* - Re-read book from high school - TearjerkerLittle Women by Louisa May Alcott - Travel guide/memoir - Popular book published in 1991 - Banned book list - Wildcard upstairs (500+ pages)* - Native American author - Poetry book - Title starts with letter 'A'A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins - New arrival display upstairs* - Reese's Book Club pick - Nature/ecology book - Science book - Popular book published in 2001 - Newbery winner or honor book - Bestseller fiction display* - Nobel Prize winning author - MysteryToxic Toffee by Amanda Flower - Book from your to-be-read pileDeath in the Family by Tessa Wegert - Employee pick* - Pioneer Book all-time bestseller list - Something intimidating - US History - Popular book published in 2011 - Hugo and/or Nebula winner - Wildcard downstairs (500+ pages)* - Author from southern hemisphereIn the Deep by Loreth Anne White - Historical fictionThe Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner - Translated from another language - New arrival display downstairs* - Book recommended by a friendInsignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling - Topic you know nothing about - Cookbook (make 2 recipes)
* Must be purchased from Pioneer Book
My Progress:
8 / 40 books. 20% done!
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It is difficult not to put ourselves into stories like this; losing a child is beyond my comprehension. I think faith and one's church community can be a real help as people deal with these tragedies.
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