by Kathy Harrison
Kathy and her husband Bruce are foster parents in Massachusetts. They have fostered many kids, and adopted their three daughters as a result. Harrison tells the stories of various kids that have come through her home and the families they came from.
I don't read a lot of non-fiction. But this one has been on my shelf for a while now and I finally decided to tackle it when I saw the dog chewing on it last week. I am generally hesitant to read books like this because it is disturbing how horrible some people can be to children. While Harrison doesn't shy from the terrible details regarding the backgrounds of the children she describes, she also shows the reader how wonderful these kids are. She doesn't sugar-coat anything, and is the first to admit that some kids were beyond her ability to save or even help.
This is a story about one foster family doing their best to help kids in terrible situations. Harrison doesn't have the space to write about every child who came through her house, so she writes about those who changed her the most. Their stories will change you too.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Light on Snow
by Anita Shreve
When 12-year-old Nicky Dillon and her dad find a baby in the snow in the woods near their home, the following few days are a whirlwind of activity. And when a young woman shows up at their house, Nicky and her dad struggle with doing what is legally right and what is right for everyone involved.
Anita Shreve always presents a good read and good characters. Told in retrospect by a grown-up Nicky, the story mostly focuses on the couple of days that Nicky, her dad and the baby's mother are snow-bound in the Dillon's home. How did the baby end up in the snow? Why did the mother come back? What will happen to the baby? The mother? And how will all of this change the relationship between Nicky and her widowed father?
When 12-year-old Nicky Dillon and her dad find a baby in the snow in the woods near their home, the following few days are a whirlwind of activity. And when a young woman shows up at their house, Nicky and her dad struggle with doing what is legally right and what is right for everyone involved.
Anita Shreve always presents a good read and good characters. Told in retrospect by a grown-up Nicky, the story mostly focuses on the couple of days that Nicky, her dad and the baby's mother are snow-bound in the Dillon's home. How did the baby end up in the snow? Why did the mother come back? What will happen to the baby? The mother? And how will all of this change the relationship between Nicky and her widowed father?
The Doctor's Wife
by Elizabeth Brundage
Michael and Annie Knowles have it all. He is an OB/GYN and she is a college professor. But Annie is tired of always coming in second to her husband's career, which becomes even more hectic when he volunteers at a women's clinic run by his college girlfriend during his free time. Simon and Lydia Haas are a troubled couple - he an artist, and she his much younger muse and model. When the lives of these two couples intersect, a nightmare erupts.
This book was very intriguing. The four main characters are complex and deep, and even though it seems like on the surface that the intersection of their lives would be unbelievable, it actually flows very well. Lydia is especially deep and dark, with a family history the reader only learns about in pieces. The book starts with an accident and then goes back to show us how it came to that point. This is a very interesting and gripping novel that will keep you reading late into the night.
Michael and Annie Knowles have it all. He is an OB/GYN and she is a college professor. But Annie is tired of always coming in second to her husband's career, which becomes even more hectic when he volunteers at a women's clinic run by his college girlfriend during his free time. Simon and Lydia Haas are a troubled couple - he an artist, and she his much younger muse and model. When the lives of these two couples intersect, a nightmare erupts.
This book was very intriguing. The four main characters are complex and deep, and even though it seems like on the surface that the intersection of their lives would be unbelievable, it actually flows very well. Lydia is especially deep and dark, with a family history the reader only learns about in pieces. The book starts with an accident and then goes back to show us how it came to that point. This is a very interesting and gripping novel that will keep you reading late into the night.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
A Girl Named Zippy
by Haven Kimmel
In 1965, Haven Kimmel is a little girl in an even littler town. With stories from her small town childhood, "Zippy" tells the reader about all of her neighbors, family and friends.
A series of anecdotes really, Kimmel tells random stories about her life in a town where everyone knows everyone else. This book is about a happy childhood, something that probably doesn't sell a lot of books these days, but it was fun and entertaining to read.
In 1965, Haven Kimmel is a little girl in an even littler town. With stories from her small town childhood, "Zippy" tells the reader about all of her neighbors, family and friends.
A series of anecdotes really, Kimmel tells random stories about her life in a town where everyone knows everyone else. This book is about a happy childhood, something that probably doesn't sell a lot of books these days, but it was fun and entertaining to read.
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Memoir Club
by Laura Kalpakian
Joining a University Extension class called Writing Your Memoir, six women come together and learn about each other's lives through their writing. But when tragedy strikes their tight-knit group, they find their bond strengthened and draw support from each other.
This book was funny and wise, which it promised on the cover. The women who show up at the class all have pasts or secrets they want to rid themselves off by writing them down. Francine discovers that her husband, and thus her life, were not actually as she remembered it. Jill realizes that her past isn't as important as her future. Rusty and Caryn and Nell find that you can't get away from your past. It's not unbelievable to watch all their lives come together.
There is a surprise ending, which I obviously won't spoil for you, since that's not my way. But I honestly didn't see it coming and usually I have these things figured out by the time I get there. It adds another layer to this book, which I didn't expect.
Check out this book for a heartwarming read.
Joining a University Extension class called Writing Your Memoir, six women come together and learn about each other's lives through their writing. But when tragedy strikes their tight-knit group, they find their bond strengthened and draw support from each other.
This book was funny and wise, which it promised on the cover. The women who show up at the class all have pasts or secrets they want to rid themselves off by writing them down. Francine discovers that her husband, and thus her life, were not actually as she remembered it. Jill realizes that her past isn't as important as her future. Rusty and Caryn and Nell find that you can't get away from your past. It's not unbelievable to watch all their lives come together.
There is a surprise ending, which I obviously won't spoil for you, since that's not my way. But I honestly didn't see it coming and usually I have these things figured out by the time I get there. It adds another layer to this book, which I didn't expect.
Check out this book for a heartwarming read.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Mockingjay
by Suzanne Collins
The final book in the Hunger Games trilogy has finally arrived! Katniss has been rescued from the Quarter Quell at the end of "Catching Fire" to become the Mockingjay, the face of the rebellion against the Capitol. As she struggles to come to terms with her unwanted responsibility, she worries about Peeta, who has been captured by the Capitol.
I've been waiting for this book to come out to find out what happens and who Katniss chooses - Peeta or Gale. Although this is considered a teen book, I really got into the story in "Hunger Games" and "Catching Fire". Most of the characters from the previous two books are back and play their part in helping (or hurting) Katniss as she works to reconcile what is expected of her versus what she expects of herself.
If you haven't checked out this series by Suzanne Collins, I suggest you do so. Some say it's a popular as Harry Potter or Twilight, and it does have quite a following. It has the Harry Potter fantasy realm, but also has some older teen themes, like Twilight. But all three books are very well written and I'm just sad there aren't going to be any more. I look forward to seeing what Suzanne Collins comes out with next!
The final book in the Hunger Games trilogy has finally arrived! Katniss has been rescued from the Quarter Quell at the end of "Catching Fire" to become the Mockingjay, the face of the rebellion against the Capitol. As she struggles to come to terms with her unwanted responsibility, she worries about Peeta, who has been captured by the Capitol.
I've been waiting for this book to come out to find out what happens and who Katniss chooses - Peeta or Gale. Although this is considered a teen book, I really got into the story in "Hunger Games" and "Catching Fire". Most of the characters from the previous two books are back and play their part in helping (or hurting) Katniss as she works to reconcile what is expected of her versus what she expects of herself.
If you haven't checked out this series by Suzanne Collins, I suggest you do so. Some say it's a popular as Harry Potter or Twilight, and it does have quite a following. It has the Harry Potter fantasy realm, but also has some older teen themes, like Twilight. But all three books are very well written and I'm just sad there aren't going to be any more. I look forward to seeing what Suzanne Collins comes out with next!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Possible Side Effects
by Augusten Burroughs
From the bestselling author of "Running with Scissors" and "Dry" comes a collection of essays about his life, with flashbacks to his childhood. Generally humorous and always poignant, Burroughs opens up about the mishaps of his life.
With titles like ""Try Our New Single Black Mother Menu", "Mint Threshold" and "Killing John Updike", these essays are amusing and insightful. Burroughs walks a careful line, telling you more about his life than regular people would, but never more than you need to know. From alcoholic to bestselling author, life never seems to flow smoothly for Burroughs. Lucky for us too because his experiences become fun reading.
I feel like I have read "Running with Scissors", though can't be sure for some reason. I'll be reading it for sure, along with his others, in the future.
From the bestselling author of "Running with Scissors" and "Dry" comes a collection of essays about his life, with flashbacks to his childhood. Generally humorous and always poignant, Burroughs opens up about the mishaps of his life.
With titles like ""Try Our New Single Black Mother Menu", "Mint Threshold" and "Killing John Updike", these essays are amusing and insightful. Burroughs walks a careful line, telling you more about his life than regular people would, but never more than you need to know. From alcoholic to bestselling author, life never seems to flow smoothly for Burroughs. Lucky for us too because his experiences become fun reading.
I feel like I have read "Running with Scissors", though can't be sure for some reason. I'll be reading it for sure, along with his others, in the future.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Icy Sparks
by Gwyn Hyman Rubio
In 1950s rural Kentucky, orphaned Icy Sparks lives with her grandparents. But her life changes for the worse when she is suddenly overcome by violent tics and uncontrolled cursing that remains a mystery to everyone around her. She finds solace in her grandparents and her fellow outcast Miss Emily, but loses out on most of her childhood while her afflication goes undiagnosed.
This is an Oprah's Book Club book. I thought I had read them all, but must have missed this one. I enjoyed about 3/4 of this book, as Icy struggles with her disorder and spends time in a mental institution for children. However, I felt like the last 1/4 of the book dragged as Icy returns home, where she has no one but her grandparents and Miss Emily. The bottom line is that Icy isn't diagnosed until the Epilogue, which leaves her twisting in the wind so to speak with a disorder that no one, least of all her, understands.
In 1950s rural Kentucky, orphaned Icy Sparks lives with her grandparents. But her life changes for the worse when she is suddenly overcome by violent tics and uncontrolled cursing that remains a mystery to everyone around her. She finds solace in her grandparents and her fellow outcast Miss Emily, but loses out on most of her childhood while her afflication goes undiagnosed.
This is an Oprah's Book Club book. I thought I had read them all, but must have missed this one. I enjoyed about 3/4 of this book, as Icy struggles with her disorder and spends time in a mental institution for children. However, I felt like the last 1/4 of the book dragged as Icy returns home, where she has no one but her grandparents and Miss Emily. The bottom line is that Icy isn't diagnosed until the Epilogue, which leaves her twisting in the wind so to speak with a disorder that no one, least of all her, understands.
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