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Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Pennsylvania. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Pennsylvania. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Highly Anticipated 2021 Release a Disappointing Read
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When her documentary becomes instrumental in freeing a man she feels was wrongfully convicted of murder, filmmaker Tessa Shepherd is thrilled. She spent countless hours interviewing Oliver Barlow, even coming to think of him as a friend. Tessa believes—beyond a shadow of a doubt—that he's innocent, a victim of bungled policework. After fourteen years in prison, Oliver Barlow can finally return to his wife and kids. And he has Tessa to thank.
Eighteen months later, Tessa is shocked when Oliver posts a video online. In it, he confesses that he has kidnapped a young woman and plans to kill her. It's not long before a stunned Tessa is being vilified by the outraged public, all of them wondering how she could have been hoodwinked by a monster like Oliver. When he mentions her name in a subsequent video, Tessa feels not just trapped but also hunted. After the will of her recently deceased mother reveals that Tessa and her sister have inherited an old family home they didn't know existed, she decides to hide at Fallbrook. The crumbling mansion is the site of an old, mysterious tragedy. Now, it's inhabited only by ghosts. Its elderly caretakers know what really happened there, but they're not talking. Tessa is determined to unearth Fallbrook's secrets, no matter what it takes. What went on in the isolated home? What are the caretakers hiding? Tessa has always been adept at reading people, but she was oh so very wrong about Oliver ...
As you can tell from the plot summary, there's a lot going on in The Caretakers by Eliza Maxwell. I went into the book thinking it would be an intriguing family drama with a little mystery thrown in along with a lot of creepy Gothic atmosphere. So, I was a bit confused when the story seemed to center more on Tessa's investigation of Oliver Barlow. Frankly, I cared little about anything happening in her present; my interest was in Fallbrook. Unfortunately, Maxwell just couldn't seem to decide whether she was writing a cat-and-mouse mystery/thriller or a spooky drama/ghost story. The mash-up didn't work for me. The Caretakers ended up feeling unfocused, melodramatic, and weirdly paced. I still whipped through the novel in a day because I wanted to see what would happen next, but overall, the tale felt dissatisfying to me. This was one of my most highly anticipated novels of 2021, so I'm bummed.
(Readalikes: The Gothic-y bits remind me of novels by Carol Goodman and Emily Carpenter)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (two F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Caretakers from the generous folks at Lake Union Publishing via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Saturday, December 12, 2020
Snowy Thriller Doesn't Quite Live Up to the Promise of Its Premise
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A student at a special arts high school in San Diego, 18-year-old Mira Hayes is heading home to Pittsburgh to spend the holidays with her mother. Christmas Day will be the first anniversary of her mom's twin sister's death and Mira knows her mom's anxiety and depression will be through the roof. Mira needs to be there for her. As her plane descends into Newark, however, Mira gets some bad news: worsening winter weather has grounded all flights out. Phoning home only increases her worry about her mother's mental health, so when Mira's glamorous seatmate from the plane offers her a ride home in the car she and some friends are renting, Mira accepts.
It doesn't take many hours on the road for Mira to realize that something is not right with the situation. Not only are her four fellow passengers not friends with each other, but they're actually complete strangers. As the weather grows increasingly stormy and important items—like cell phones and laptops—go missing from the car, Mira finds herself more and more cut off from the outside world with people she's finding harder and harder to trust. With no way to contact her mother or anyone else, she's not just nervous, she's terrified. Discovering alarming secrets about each of her traveling companions only increases her fear. Although the storm outside is nasty and threatening, it's nothing compared to the danger Mira faces inside the car ...
The premise of Five Total Strangers, the newest YA novel by Natalie D. Richards, is a simple but compelling one. When I first read the plot summary, I knew I had to read this book. Unfortunately, the promise of the premise didn't pan out as well as I wanted it to. The novel is definitely atmospheric, with a tense, unsettling vibe that makes the story deliciously suspenseful. That's what kept me reading. It certainly wasn't the characters, who are almost wholly unlikable. As far as plot goes, the tale is engrossing and compelling, even if a lot of it feels contrived. Not all of the plot elements make logical sense—some of them go nowhere at all while others never come full circle. In spite of these irritants, Five Total Strangers sucked me in and kept me turning pages. I didn't end up loving it like I wanted to, but I liked it well enough to keep reading. Overall, it was just an okay read for me.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a bit of No Exit by Taylor Adams)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Five Total Strangers with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Gut-Wrenching Murder Mystery a Hard But Heartfelt Read
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Police officer Michaela "Mickey" Fitzpatrick is well-acquainted with the toll opioid addiction takes on not just its victims but also on their families and communities. Abandoned by their junkie parents, she and her sister, Kacey, were left to be raised by their cruel, resentful grandmother. Now 33, Mickey works a high crime beat in Kensington, one of the worst neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Not only is she on the lookout for dangerous behavior, but she keeps her eyes constantly peeled for Kacey. An addict who pays for her habit by turning tricks, Kacey no longer keeps in touch with her sister. Which doesn't stop Mickey from worrying about her every day.
Mickey's used to not seeing her sister for weeks on end, but when a spate of murders are committed against street women in Kensington and Kacey is nowhere to be found, Mickey starts to fear the worst. Mickey's frantic search for both the killer and her sister becomes a dangerous obsession that puts her right in the path of a vicious murderer. No matter the cost, Mickey refuses to back down. She knows all too well how dispensable street junkies are—she won't let her sister and others like her slip through the cracks. Even if it means risking everything to save Kacey.
As you can imagine, Long Bright River by Liz Moore is not an easy read. Not at all. It's raw and disturbing, heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. It's also important and impactful. Moore has spent a lot of time in Kensington and it shows. The story rings with authenticity. While it tells a difficult tale, the novel is a heartfelt one, woven through with sensitivity and sympathy. Anyone who's dealt with a family member in the throes of addiction will identify with Mickey's plight. Told in chapters alternating between the past and present, Long Bright River is not just a gripping thriller, but also an engrossing family drama, which gives the story a layered depth that makes it more than just a murder mystery. Relevant and riveting, it's a hard but unforgettable read.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer, Heroine by Mindy McGinnis, and the Bell Elkins series by Julia Keller)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, blood/gore, disturbing subject matter, and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Wise, Heartfelt Family Drama a Rare Gem
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Family is complicated. Especially if you're a Miller. This becomes especially obvious when Helen Auerbach, the family's elderly matriarch, dies, bringing her three estranged grandchildren back together under one roof. Birthed by Deborah, a mostly absent mother, Beck, Ashley, and Jake were raised by Helen, who "was more than a grandmother; Deborah was less than a mom" (24). When Helen's will is read, the grandchildren are all shocked to discover their ancestral home has been given to their unstable mother. Beck, the grandchild who has spent the most time doting on Helen over the years, is puzzled by her inheritance—a gaudy brooch. Was Helen completely out of her mind when she drafted her will?
When a jeweler friend spies Beck's new bling, he's certain it's more valuable than it seems. Like $10 million more. Authentication shows one of the brooch's gems is actually the famous Florentine diamond, a 137-carat stone that went missing from the Austrian Empire over 100 years ago. As much as Beck tries to contain the news, soon everyone knows about her stunning inheritance. Not only are various government heads vying for possession of the diamond, but Beck's family members are wrangling to get their piece of the proverbial pie as well. Looming above it all, though, is the very intriguing question—just how did Helen Auerbach acquire the Florentine diamond? Did Helen's family even know her at all? As Beck and her siblings search for answers, they uncover the shocking story their grandmother never wanted them to know. In the process, they discover that money can never buy what's most important in life.
The Imperfects by Amy Meyerson brings together some of my favorite fictional (and real-life) themes—family, genealogy, mystery, and history. I enjoyed learning about the real Florentine diamond (which is still missing), a subject I knew little about. The characters in The Imperfects are complex and intriguing. They're all flawed, with varying degrees of likability, which makes them feel authentic. Their complicated relationships also seem true-to-life. Plotwise, the novel remains compelling throughout, as Helen's past is slowly revealed. As the Millers grapple with their everyday dramas, plus those of the past, and the tantalizing possibilities of a glimmering future, they learn some valuable lessons about family, forgiveness, and where true fortune really lies. If you can't tell, I loved this wise, engrossing novel.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), sexual content, and depictions of illegal drug use (marijuana)
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Authentic and Compelling, Oakley's Latest an Enjoyable Read
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For years, Mia Graydon has had recurring dreams starring the same dark-haired man. A man who is not her husband. She hasn't thought a lot of it as her life has taken its own dream-like path toward fulfillment. With a strong marriage to a handsome doctor, a spacious house (picket fence and all) in a quaint new town, a private studio which will allow for hours of peaceful painting, and a baby on the way after two miscarriages, Mia is experiencing the joy of hope and possibility unfurling before her. It feels as if anything could happen in her happy, privileged life.
Then, the unexpected occurs—Mia sees the man from her dreams. To her absolute astonishment, Oliver is a real, flesh-and-blood person. A nice one to boot and one with whom she feels instantly comfortable. Even more amazing, he has been dreaming of her too. As the two puzzle out the meaning (or lack thereof) behind their odd connection, Mia's orderly life starts to veer off the rails. With things falling apart in her real life, her dreams of Oliver start to seem more and more appealing. When it comes to a choice between salvaging her reality and chasing what could be, what will Mia ultimately decide to do?
You Were There Too, a new novel by Colleen Oakley, explores the intriguing question of what if? It uses a unique premise to ruminate on common themes like marriage, infertility, grief, guilt, and familiarity vs. newness in romantic relationships. The characters come off as authentic (flawed, but relatable), the prose is engaging, and the story compelling. You Were There Too kept me guessing right up until the unexpected plot twist at the end which seems to come out of nowhere, but is actually inevitable and, when you think about it, not entirely surprising. Overall, then, I found You Were There Too to be an engrossing, funny, poignant novel about love, loss, and the strange "coincidences" of life that maybe aren't so coincidental after all.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of novels by Joshilyn Jackson and Katherine Center)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder expletives), mild sexual content, and violence
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of You Were There Too from the generous folks at Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, December 30, 2019
Acevedo Mixes Up Magic With Sophomore Novel
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"Home. I come from a place that's as sweet as the freshest berry, as sour as curdled milk; where we dream of owning mansions and leaving the hood; where we couldn't imagine having been raised anywhere else ... And me? I'm pure Fairhill, but I also got more than one city, one hood inside me. And anyone who wants to get to know me has to know how to appreciate multiple skylines" (87).
With her Afro-Puerto Rican heritage, 17-year-old Emoni Santiago is used to the looks that ask, "What are you, exactly?" That's a complicated question. Emoni's many things: a high school senior, a single mom to 2-year-old Emma, a granddaughter who looks after the abuela who raised her, an employee at the Burger Joint, a hood rat who's tough as nails, and a woman with some serious cooking woo-woo. Her many roles keep her busy and stressed. The only place where she feels truly free is in the kitchen, whipping up dishes that wake up not just people's taste buds, but also their memories.
Emoni knows dreams rarely come true, but the one thing she truly wants is to become a professional chef. That way she can do what she loves while providing for her daughter and her grandmother. She can't afford to frit away her time or her money (heaven knows, she has little of either), so when a cooking class taught by a renowned chef opens up at her school, Emoni makes herself avoid it. Her desire and talent can't be denied, however, and soon she's proving her place. With a thrilling travel opportunity on the horizon as well as the possibility of a new romance, Emoni has to find the courage and determination to make her dreams come true. Nothing has come easy for her and this won't either. Along the way she'll have to learn to swallow her pride, make tough decisions, and trust in her natural abilities not just to cook but to work hard and never, ever give up.
There's a lot to love about With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo. It stars a strong heroine, who's surrounded by other colorful, sympathetic, likable characters. The plot is engrossing, entertaining, and powerful. Acevedo's prose is lyrical (not surprising since she's a poet), but approachable. With themes of family, home, and community, it's a warm, moving novel that made for enjoyable reading.
(Readalikes: Hm, nothing is coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives) and I can't remember what else (sorry, I didn't take better notes!)
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, November 09, 2019
Younts' Newest Thought-Provoking, Faith-Affirming, and Hope-Filled
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Brighton Friedrich has never lived in a real home and has no idea what "normal" family life looks like. Born at Riverside Home for the Insane to a single, catatonic mother, she has lived in the facility ever since. Cared for by a nurse who has educated and reared her on the sly, Brighton has grown up feeling loved, but the older she gets, the more trapped she begins to feel. Along with her best friend—an albino who didn't have a name before she dubbed him "Angel"—Brighton longs to break free of the asylum and experience the world outside its gates. When she learns that her beloved "Nursey" has been keeping secrets about both her and Angel, Brighton no longer feels as if she has a choice. She and Angel have to leave Riverside. No matter what.
Completely unprepared for life on the outside, Brighton and Angel must find their way in a strange and terrifying new world. As they stumble along a perilous path from Pennsylvania to Michigan, they will find adventure, danger, and other heartbreaking obstacles that put their friendship to the ultimate test. Can two misfits who have never known "normal" find the answers they seek in a hostile world that threatens to tear them apart at every turn?
Ever since I read The Solace of Water last year, I've been a big fan of Elizabeth Byler Younts. Raised in an Amish community, which she remains close to even though her family left the faith when she was a child, Younts has written a handful of lovely, authentic, faith-promoting books featuring Amish characters. The Bright Unknown is a bit of a departure (although an Amish family does have a small cameo in the novel), but it still showcases Younts' trademarks—lush prose, sympathetic characters, and a gentle tone that makes her stories shine with empathy, humanity, and heart. As heartbreaking as this tale is, it's also thought-provoking, faith-promoting (without being heavy-handed or cheesy), and hope-filled. I adored it.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Bright Unknown from the generous folks at Thomas Nelson via those at Celebrate Lit in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
--
Want other opinions on The Bright Unknown? Follow along on the book's blog tour, hosted by Celebrate Lit, by clicking the links below:
The Power of Words, November 2
A Reader’s Brain, November 2
Living Life Free in Christ, November 2
The Christian Fiction Girl, November 3
Inspired by fiction, November 3
Fiction Aficionado, November 4
Genesis 5020, November 4
janicesbookreviews, November 5
Blogging With Carol , November 5
All-of-a-kind Mom, November 5
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 6
To Everything A Season, November 6
The Becca Files, November 7
Bigreadersite, November 7
A Baker’s Perspective, November 8
Connect in Fiction, November 8
Moments, November 9
Bloggin’ ’bout Books, November 9
Simple Harvest Reads, November 10
Betti Mace, November 10
Pause for Tales, November 11
Inklings and notions, November 11
Mary Hake, November 11
Texas Book-aholic, November 12
Hallie Reads, November 12
For the Love of Literature, November 12
Through the Fire Blogs, November 13
For Him and My Family, November 13
Remembrancy, November 14
mpbooks, November 14
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 15
Godly Book Reviews, November 15
Friday, October 04, 2019
In a Word: Meh
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When a body is found in the small town of Portland, Pennsylvania, it's obvious the dead man has been the victim of a brutal murder. The crime bears an eerie resemblance to a 20-year-old killing, a cold case that has never been solved. Since the locals are notoriously unwilling to talk to outsiders, Portland native Parker Reed is assigned as lead detective on the case.
Becca Kingsley, another native, returns to her hometown around the same time to care for her estranged father, who is now dying of cancer. As she rekindles her friendship with Parker, her best friend and unrequited high school crush, old feelings quickly surface. But with the murder investigation turning up old rumors and long-buried secrets, Becca begins to question everything and everyone she's ever known. The killer is likely someone local. But, who? The more Parker and Becca uncover, the more dangerous life in Portland becomes for them ...
I usually love thrillers like River Bodies, the first in a new series by Karen Katchur, but sadly, this one left much to be desired. The characters are mostly unlikeable, which makes them difficult to connect and empathize with. I found the motorcycle gang, both its members and its activities, especially cliché and far-fetched. In addition, since we know from the outset who the murderer is, the book lacks suspense—a key element in a compelling thriller. The novel's overall vibe is sad, depressing, and overall, kind of pointless. That being said, I did find myself invested enough in the story to finish the book, but I can't say it was a satisfying read because it just ... wasn't. Needless to say, I won't be moving on with the series.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other small-town mystery/thriller series, although no specific titles are coming to mind)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Indistinctive Characters + Dull Plot + 150 Extra Pages = a Meh From Me
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A legendary Hollywood agent and producer, Fritz Hudson amassed a fortune. When he dies, his three daughters come together for the first time ever for the reading of his will. Cara, Allie, and Des are shocked to learn that their father was married to two women at the same time and that he actually has three daughters, not two. They're even more stunned to discover that, while all of them are poised to receive a large portion of their father's money, the payouts hinge on the completion of a special project. The women are tasked with working together to restore a crumbling theater in Fritz's small hometown of Hidden Falls, Pennsylvania. If they fail to complete the job, none of them will receive a penny.
None of the three women are thrilled about putting their real lives on hold to spend months living in a tiny backwater with siblings they don't know and/or can't stand. Reluctantly, they dive into the project, vowing to get it over with as fast as possible. Working together becomes easier as they come to love the grand old theater, discover an intriguing mystery, and get to know each other in ways they haven't before. Can they keep up the camaraderie through their various challenges and dramas? Or will they come together only to be torn apart again?
The Last Chance Matinee—the first book in the Hudson Sisters series by Mariah Stewart—tells a gentle, heartwarming story about an unorthodox request that becomes a blessing in disguise. It's an uplifting, mostly clean novel that features a quaint, small-town setting and a group of likable characters. What it doesn't have a lot of is conflict. That, coupled with the fact that it has about 150 pages too many, makes The Last Chance Matinee feel very looonnnggg. I almost put it down numerous times. The fact that the spotlighted sisters lack both depth and distinctive personalities added to the novel's dullness. I did end up plowing through the lengthy novel, but it was definitely a slog. Needless to say, I'm not going to bother with the book's sequels. Oh, well.
(Readalikes: I'm sure there are a million novels out there with a similar plot, but I'm coming up empty. Suggestions?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs) and some sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Empathetic, Hopeful Historical A Memorable Read
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Struggling journalist Ellis Reed is in desperate need of a juicy story to propel him out of the society pages into the more prestigious world of investigative reporting. When he happens upon an arresting sight—two kids sitting on a sagging porch in rural Pennsylvania beside a sign reading "Two Children for Sale"—he snaps a photograph. It's a heart-wrenching scene that says volumes about the struggles people all over the country are facing in the midst of the Great Depression. Ellis never intends to publish the picture, but when it is inadvertently shown to his editor, the man in charge sees a golden opportunity. After the original image is accidentally destroyed, Ellis is sent to get another, which leads to a staged photograph and the subsequent destruction of an innocent family. As the situation grows increasingly out of control, Ellis is haunted by what he's done. He can't tell the truth without ruining his now successful career, but he can't live with himself if he doesn't.
Equally horrified by her role in the situation, Lillian Palmer vows to help Ellis reunite a family torn apart by lies and besieged by unwanted public attention. Risking her own position at the newspaper, she has to decide how far she's willing to go for redemption and for her developing relationship with Ellis. Can Lillian and Ellis put to rights a situation that gets more complicated every day? Or have they doomed themselves and a guiltless family to a lifetime of sorrow and remorse?
With a haunting premise and a compelling plot, Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris is an evocative novel about the sometimes long-reaching consequences of one split-second decision. Peopled with flawed, but authentic characters, it tells an empathetic story that highlights the abject desperation that characterized a devastating period in American history. Although this is a sad story, it's also a hopeful one. Sold on a Monday kept me reading, hoping, and yearning for a happy ending. I enjoyed it immensely.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Art History Thriller Not Quite Thrilling Enough
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As the daughter of a passionate collector, 19-year-old Paulien Mertens knows art. She especially loves the Post-Impressionist paintings in her father's collection and longs to turn the family's barn into a museum showcasing the genre. Those dreams turn to dust when her father—along with many other art lovers—become the victims of a multi-million dollar con game perpetuated by Paulien's fiance, George Everard. Implicated along with her lover, Paulien is forced to flee Belgium in shame. It's 1922 and she is penniless and alone. Not without a bit of pluck, she runs to Paris, where she reinvents herself as a French art critic named Vivienne Gregsby. When she's hired as a translator by an eccentric American art collector, Paulien is once again enfolded into the vibrant world of art that she loves so much. As long as she keeps her true identity well hidden, she can revel in the chance to travel and consort with exciting new artists while helping Dr. Edwin Bradley acquire interesting paintings for his museum in Pennsylvania. She encourages her boss to recover her father's precious Post-Impressionist paintings, which she vows to return to their rightful owner as soon as possible.
While Paulien schemes to make her long-held dream come to pass, she finds herself in George's clutches once again. He wants her to do him a favor in exchange for his silence about her real identity. Before she knows it, she finds herself in an even bigger quandary—she's being accused of murdering Dr. Edwin Bradley. Can Paulien clear her name? Or will she lose everything, once again?
I adored The Art Forger, B.A. Shapiro's 2012 debut, so I was excited to try another of her historical art thrillers. Unfortunately, I wasn't as enamored of her newest, The Collector's Apprentice. While Shapiro's depiction of the 1920s art scene in Paris is interesting enough, it gets a little too detailed for someone like me who isn't all that interested in art. The extra information weighed down the story for me, making it drag, especially in the middle. I also didn't care much for the cast of this novel. Paulien is not all that sympathetic; although she wants justice for her father, her pursuit of it comes off as greedy, calculating, and manipulative. Overall, I still enjoyed the book. It just dragged and didn't engage me nearly as much as The Art Forger did.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (one F-bomb, plus milder expletives) and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Collector's Apprentice from the generous folks at Algonquin Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
1957 Amish Novel a Sweet, Enjoyable Little Gem
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Esther Lapp loves life in her small Pennsylvania Amish community. Her days revolve around helping her parents on their farm, studying the Bible with her aunt, and socializing and worshipping with other Plain folks. Among others like her, the 9-year-old never gets mocked for her unusual lifestyle or stared at because of the simple clothes she wears.
Everything changes when community officials visit the Lapp's farm, informing them that Esther must comply with Pennsylvania's compulsory education law or else. Even though she's nervous about being out in the sinful world, Esther's excited to see what school is all about. Unlike her older brother, Daniel, she would never get herself Shunned by leaving her Amish community, but she soon finds herself amazed at all the outside has to offer! As Esther gains a new perspective, she starts to question the things she's always been taught and the way she's always lived. Trying to make sense of the two contradicting worlds in which she now lives, Esther must find her way in a strange, new existence that challenges her worldview, her beliefs, and her faith.
When I mentioned how much I enjoyed reading novels about Amish life, my writer friend Kimberley Griffiths Little recommended Plain Girl by Virginia Sorensen. Although the book was published in 1957, I'd never heard of it. A pity, because it tells a sweet, simple story that's deeper than it appears to be at first glance. It's a short novel, written for a middle grade audience, that asks some intriguing questions about tradition vs. change, faith vs. fear, tolerance vs. judgement, and forgiveness vs. anger. That might sound too "churchy" for modern MG readers, but really, the lessons Plain Girl teaches are subtle and universal ones about embracing one's own identity and not just accepting other people's differences, but also learning from them. Like Kimberley, I highly recommend this little gem of a book, which I very much enjoyed.
(Readalikes: Hm, I've never read another children's book about the Amish, so I'm not sure to what I can compare Plain Girl. Any ideas?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Plain Girl from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Christian Novel Surprisingly Raw, Authentic, and Moving
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In a time of grief and heartache, an unlikely friendship provides strength and solace.
Delilah's eldest daughter, Sparrow, bears the brunt of her mother's pain, never allowed for a moment to forget that she is responsible for her brother's death. When tensions at home become unbearable for her, she seeks peace at Emma's house and becomes the daughter Emma has always wanted. Sparrow, however, is hiding secrets of her own—secrets that could devastate them all.
With the white, black, and Amish communities of Sinking Creek at their most divided, there seems to be little hope for reconciliation. But long-buried hurts have their way of surfacing, and Delilah and Emma find themselves facing their own self-deceptions. Together they must learn how to face the future through the healing power of forgiveness.
Eminently relevant to the beauty and struggle in America today, The Solace of Water offers a glimpse into the turbulent 1950s and reminds us that friendship rises above religion, race, custom—and has the power to transform a broken heart.*
As you can probably surmise, The Solace of Water by Elizabeth Byler Younts tells a beautiful, touching story about the power of friendship, forgiveness, and faith. Although technically a Christian novel, it's surprisingly raw. There's no sap, no preachy-ness, just a gut-wrenching honesty that gives the story a refreshing authenticity you don't usually find in religious novels. With an Amish background, Younts uses her inside knowledge to create Plain characters that come alive just as much as their non-Amish counterparts. In fact, all her story people are complex and sympathetic, with struggles that are relatable and real. Although this is a character-driven novel, Younts doesn't skimp on plot. There's plenty going on in the story to keep the reader engrossed. All of this, coupled with the author's vivid, engaging prose, combines to weave a lyrical, memorable tale about grief and grace, suffering and salvation, fear and faith. I loved The Solace of Water and recommend it highly to anyone who's looking for a novel that's uplifting and hopeful while remaining honest and true.
(Readalikes: Hm, nothing is coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Solace of Water from the generous folks at Thomas Nelson via those at TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
*Plot summary from publisher
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For more reviews of The Solace of Water, please follow along on the book's blog tour by clicking on the links below:
Monday, July 9th: @hollyslittlebookreviews
Tuesday, July 10th: What is That Book About – author Q&A
Wednesday, July 11th: Write Read Life
Thursday, July 12th: Jenn Blogs Books and @jennblogsbooks
Friday, July 13th: Books & Spoons
Monday, July 16th: @createexploreread
Tuesday, July 17th: The Book Diva’s Reads – author guest post
Wednesday, July 18th: Cheryl’s Book Nook
Thursday, July 19th: All of a Kind Mom
Monday, July 23rd: A Chick Who Reads
Tuesday, July 24th: Bookchickdi
Wednesday, July 25th: Splashes of Joy
Thursday, July 26th: The Christian Fiction Girl
Friday, July 27th: Time 2 Read
Saturday, July 28th: Fiction Aficionado – author Q&A
Monday, July 30th: Broken Teepee
Tuesday, July 31st: @girlandherbooks
Tuesday, July 31st: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books
Wednesday, August 1st: Girl Who Reads
Thursday, August 2nd: @novelmombooks
Monday, August 6th: Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen
Thursday, August 9th: Patricia’s Wisdom
Friday, August 10th: Openly Bookish
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