children
I would rather have rated this a 4.5, but thought 4 stars was too low. With that being said . . .
Ezekiel "Zeke" Cooper, Clayton, Tennessee, at his 25 year class reunion, ponders his life. How could the the smart boy with a full scholarship to the University of Virginia, end up living like this? Divorced, his ex-wife's wedding the week end before, living in a shack behind his mother's house, and working on the line in an elevator plant? And the drowning death of his twin brother Carter, defining his life? Seeking refuge, he leaves Clayton, on a mission. To end his life. But events change, and he ends up at Cousin Georgia, and husband, Osbourne Lacey's home near Bailey, Virginia.
I thought it was ironic that I should finish it on Mother's Day, as a lot of the book focused on the relationship of Zeke and his mother. Zeke had a lot of issues with his mother, and they were not unfounded. He felt ambivalence towards her, but refused to even speak with her to try to resolve it. His entire adult life was spent shutting her out.
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A young girl's story of survival
A book worthy of 10 stars. An exceptional work.
This is a work of fiction, based on the real life of Odette Meyers. Facts are taken from Odette's autobiography, Doors to Madame Marie, and from the author's visits to the the places of Odette's childhood.
Odette is a Jewish girl living in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II. Her mother, in order to save her life, sneaks her into the French countryside, where young Odette must pose at a Christian.
I absolutely loved this book. Written in a lyrical prose that draws you in immediately. From the perspective of Odette, an 8 year old Jewish girl, it is poignant portrait of how things were for Jewish children in Paris. I can't begin to imagine what it was like, but the author, with her words, paints us a visual picture not only into the countryside, but into the heart and mind of a child in the throes of a horrific war, not fully understood by Odette, but knowing she has to keep "secrets".
This is a book that young children can read and comprehend, making sure that there is adult time to talk about the issues after the book is read. Abandonment is real to children, and Odette talks about it in this book, and addresses it with her child mind.
Even though this is may be a touchy subject for children to deal with, it is addressed in a sensitive and positive manner by the author with a message of hope.
I highly recommend this book.
I fell in love with Palisades Park!
I loved this book! 5 Stars +
Alan Brennert does an expert job at taking us to Palisades Park. As the story unfolded, he graphically describes the sights, sounds, and even the smells! I felt as though I was transported through time. Having grown up in an era where carnivals traveled through small towns and one got a glimpse into that magical and mystical world, it was reminiscent of childhood memories. I felt like I could go through the gate at Palisades and find my way to the pool, and my nose would then lead me to the delicious smells of the Saratoga Fries.
I enjoyed the characters and thought they were very realistic.
At the end of the book was the Author's Note. I wish it had been at the beginning of the book! It was very informative, and the author clearly did his homework.
With that said ~ one of my pet peeves are prochronisms. Although minor, for me they are distracting. One was a "carton" of milk in the 40's ~ milk was still in glass bottles, and the other, a "bottle" of water in the early 70's ~ bottled water wasn't around (unless it was a thermos or glass). But, this is just my little idiosyncrasy!
I would highly recommend this book. Mr. Brennert is an excellent author.
In the immortal words of Chuck Barris, "Last night I took a walk in the park, A swingin' place called Palisades Park... I fell in love, down at Palisades Park."
I was intrigued by the synopsis, but was disappointed in the content of the book.
Good at intrigue, and wondering how the process would unfold, I kept turning the pages, hoping for a little meat to the whole story. But mostly it was superfluous, a little too heavy on the"love at first sight" stuff, "instant sexual attraction" and "fairy tale endings". It wasn't difficult to figure out the story shortly after it started, I just kept thinking it would go a little deeper, thus my disappointment.
This is a very fast and light read, not heavy on addressing the real issues, but rather more a candy coating of it.
Just too much of a fairy tale for me!
Boys Adrift : The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men
If you have a son, READ THIS BOOK! I found this book to be highly informative about raising a son in this current world. The author hits on many studies that show males of today are achieving much less than they did previously and he gives the reasons for it- some including changes in schools, medications, video games and a surprising one- endocrine disruptors. I personally found this book fascinating and true from what I have personally seen in men and boys today. I read through it quickly because I found it interesting and easy to read. In fact, I read most of it while travelling as a passenger on a small road trip- continually interupting my husband's radio program to read him tidbits of information and studies from the book. I want to raise a better son than the world is seeing in so many males now so I am glad I read this book.
A story of love that transcends time
This was a fast and easy read. This was a well written, poignant tale of a slave and her charge that reached beyond the scope of slave/master. With a wide range of emotions running through the book, from extremely tense, to tender moments, there was always the undercurrent of how radically the life of a slave could change on the whim of a master.
The idea of human slavery/bondage is abhorrent to me, the reality and gravity of it hopefully never to be felt by anyone. But it was a reality for so many for too long. The brutality of slavery was horrendous, but there were people who were genuinely concerned and cared about there slaves, that they were not property. This story delved into the intimate relationship between a young girl and her nurse.
A story that still can be applicable in today's time, it is the story of a caregiver and the girl she cared for. There are many caregivers who provide more than just the element of taking care of children. They care for, nurture, and love the children. It is not about skin color, religious views, or political views, it is about something more fundamental. It is a heart issue; it is about love.
All I can say about this book is "WOW". This book touched me on so many levels that I can't even begin to describe the depth. This is a true story of Mary C. Neal, MD, a spinal and orthopaedic surgeon, and her "death" by drowning while kayaking in Chile, what happened to her during the many minutes she was under water, her experiences while in the ICU back in the U.S. at the hospital where she was serving as a physician, and how it impacted her life forever. Her desire to stay with the angels and with God would lead to a depression when she returned to her body to finish the work God had planned for her here. She wanted to be with God, and not dealing with day to day life of recuperation, pain, and well intended friends.
The story also covers a conversation she had with the angels in which she was allowed to ask many questions that we all ask, such as "why do bad things happen to good people" among others. In the book, she reveals their answers.
Her near death experience will also play a huge part later in her life when she deals with a tragedy.
Well written, touching, heart wrenching, and a great read. I highly recommend this book.
Never underestimate the power of determination!
This book, standing alone, without the comparison to Jane Eyre, was an exceptional book.
Gemma Hardy is orphaned at the age of three in Iceland, and is taken to Scotland by her uncle, where he lives. His love for her is limitless, but his untimely death six years later leaves her in the care of her vengeful aunt. Her aunt treats her as an outcast, and eventually her three cousins follow suit. Eventually, Aunt decides that Gemma is such a trouble maker, that she finds her a boarding school "on scholarship".
Gemma is a precocious ten year old who through sheer tenacity endures her years at Claypoole Boarding School. Because she is a "working girl" her contact with the "prefects" is forbidden and she is almost entirely on her own. Despite everything Gemma continues to learn and read at every opportunity.
Read more»The Stolen Child
Hobgoblins kidnap Henry Day when he is 7 years old, leaving an imposter in his place. Each Henry tries to adjust to his new life. Living in the forest with other stolen children who are also waiting to switch places, the 'real' Henry struggles to piece together fragmented memories of who he was. Meanwhile, the 'imposter' continually fears discovery and cannot forget that he is living a life that doesn’t belong to him; he eventually seeks out the truth of who he was before he too had been stolen and exiled to live in the forest as a hobgoblin (long before he stole Henry's life). Their quests to each recapture their true identities eventually converge.
Very interesting story of the Changeling myth and the struggle to discover and shape our identities as we move from childhood to adulthood.
The Stolen Child
Hobgoblins kidnap Henry Day when he is 7 years old, leaving an imposter in his place. Each Henry tries to adjust to his new life. Living in the forest with other stolen children who are also waiting to switch places, the 'real' Henry struggles to piece together fragmented memories of who he was. Meanwhile, the 'imposter' continually fears discovery and cannot forget that he is living a life that doesn’t belong to him; he eventually seeks out the truth of who he was before he too had been stolen and exiled to live in the forest as a hobgoblin (long before he stole Henry's life). Their quests to each recapture their true identities eventually converge.
Very interesting story of the Changeling myth and the struggle to discover and shape our identities as we move from childhood to adulthood.
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