Blind Hope: An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued

This book has been patiently waiting for me to read it this entire month. It is part of a blog tour by Multonmah/Waterbrook Press, a book I thought might be inspirational, and perhaps humorous since one of the main characters is a dog named Mia.

Blind Hope is a fast read. Meeder writes of her friend Laura's relationship with her dog, Mia, drawing parallels along the way to Laura's relationship with God. Most of these parallels were so obvious that I didn't need them spelled out for me, yet Meeder does spell them out. While I know the audience this book is intended for is adult, I felt as I was reading that perhaps a young adult might enjoy this book more, or even someone a bit younger than that. Meeder's writing is so easy to understand, that this reminded me of some of the Christian devotional books my local grocery store carried during my childhood that I eagerly devoured.

While this story is about Mia, a dog that Laura adopts despite initial reservations based on appearance, and grows to love, it is very obviously a book that is trying to teach about faith and having a personal relationship with God. There are a lot of helpful lessons in this book, but it is certainly not the humorous, inspirational story I was expecting. I am happily passing on my copy to my church, suggesting my minister may find a good use for it when he works with our youth.

To purchase your own copy of this book, visit WaterBrookMultnomah.

Crunch

I loved Leslie Connor's book Waiting for Normal, so I was anxious for Crunch by Connor, yet somewhat skeptical. The premise of the book - that there is not just a shortage of gas, but no gas at all to be had - leads to the Crunch. Dewey and his family run the Bike Barn, a bike repair shop, and since people have been relegated to riding their bikes as a means of transportation, the Bike Barn is seeing a lot of business. I absolutely loved this book. I felt like I was reading a Fanny Flagg book written for children. The quirky characters, the way in which Dewey handles things...it is all just such a good, unique story. To further complicate things during the crunch, Dewey's parents are away, unable to return because they also can't get any gas. This leaves Dewey and his brother to run their shop while their older sister, Lil, creates art on the barn wall. The five year old twins must also be cared for, and when the line of bike customers goes on as far as the eye can see, Dewey starts to feel the crunch himself. Because things are so tough, he has also started to get a bit careless about making his nightly deposit from the money they take in and locking up their business. When things start disappearing slowly, Dewey doesn't want to admit to Lil what is going on. Instead, he sets out to catch the thief himself. As predicted, when people are desperate, they may resort to things - like breaking the law- that they would never have considered before.

I really enjoyed Crunch and can happily recommend this to teachers this fall for a read aloud. While the book looks long, at 300 + pages, the reading is fast, and the story so enjoyable, it will hold kids attention as they root for Dewey and his family to make it through the crunch.

Book Blogger Hop - Here's What I've Discovered

These past few weeks I have discovered some more amazing blogs. I will admit I am not great about becoming a follower, but I have added, or will add, these blogs to my blogroll. For me, that is how I constantly keep updated on new posts. I go through my blog roll daily - this summer I go through it many times a day- and look at the new posts people have written.

So, here are some more great places to find book recommendations and discussions:

The Window Seat Reader

The Reading Life

The Prairie Library

The Perpetual Page Turner

Gerbera Daisy Diaries

Eloise and Her Books

Caribou's Mom

Books Are My Best Friends

The Blue Bookcase

The Book Bee

The weekend isn't over, so I hope to have a little more free time to get these blogs on my blogroll and explore the other blogs taking part in the Blog Hop this week.

Pray for Silence

I knew when I read Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo that her mystery series was going to be one that I looked forward to reading, waiting anxiously for the next installment. This summer Pray for Silence, the second book in Castillo's series, was published, and after devouring it in just a day, I can attest to this book's appeal.

I loved this mystery, despite the fact that the details were grisly. Chief Kate Burkholder must investigate the massacre and torture of an entire Amish family - all seven members. Because Kate grew up Amish she is unable to accept the initial scenario: that the father killed his wife and children and then killed himself. Eventually, evidence leads Kate to investigate further, and in typical mystery fashion, there is more to the story than originally meets the eye. The story centers around Mary, the fifteen year old daughter who is beginning to be influenced by the outside world, experiencing her first love, and wanting to leave the Amish community.

Pray for Silence takes place not quite a year after the first mystery Kate was involved in. She is still seeing Tomasetti, a state agent, who is grieving the murder of his wife and two young daughters two and a half years ago. Their relationship is characterized by a lot of baggage they each bring with them. And while it seems the odds are stacked against them having a lasting relationship, I keep rooting for this pair. While this is only the second in this series, I enjoyed the familiarity already established with Kate and the supporting characters in this book, learning even more about the members of the Millers Kill police department and in the community.

I will be watching for Castillo's next Kate Burkholder mystery, ancious to see how this series develops.

Book Blogger Hop

It's Friday - time for the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Jen at Crazy for Books. Head on over to her site to check things out. It's a great way to find other awesome book blogs.

This week's question: Who is your favorite new to you author this year?

I love debut authors, and this year some of my favorite books have been by first-time authors. I hope these three women keep on writing because absolutely loved all three books.

Robin Oliveira - the author of My Name is Mary Sutter

Jean Kwok - the author of Girl In Translation

and

Beth Hoffman - the author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

The Cookbook Collector

The Cookbook Collector is a novel by Allegra Goodman that I have been waiting to read. Lucky me that it was just sitting on the library shelf when I visited a few weeks ago. However, when people ask me what it is about, I have a hard time coming up with a good synopsis. When I started reading, I thought the book was going to be about two sisters, Emily and Jessamine. And it is. But it is also about the people that they encounter and care about in their lives. Emily and Jessamine grew up with their father. Their mother passed away when Jess was just five, and Emily was ten. Each year on their birthday they are given a letter that their mother wrote for them prior to their death. While Emily seems to take their mother's words to heart, Jess does not take her advice as quickly. Set in Berkley, Jess takes up with a tree hugger type, getting a job at a bookstore. George the bookstore owner finds Jess fascinating, irritating, impossible to ignore. Meanwhile, Emily takes a more conventional route, climbing the corporate ladder, making millions then losing it all when the dot.com bubble burst. The events of 9/11 change Emily's life forever, and Jess becomes the sister who assumes the role of caregiver, helping Emily through her personal crisis. There is so much more to this book that this synopsis doesn't even touch on. The romance between George and Jessamine. The secret history of Emily and Jess' mother. The relationship the girls have with their father. The other people in Emily's life- her co-workers- who are affected by 9/11. The cookbook collection that draws George and Jessamine closer. This book is multi-faceted and I struggled to give friends a synopsis when they asked what I was reading, and I struggle now a day after finishing this book to develop a synopsis to do this one justice.

The Cookbook Collector was an absorbing read and a great women's fiction selection. I expect I will be hearing of many book clubs discussing this one in the future.

Heart of a Shepherd

Finally at the end of July, just a few weeks out from the start of another school year, I have managed to read my second book I brought home from my school library for the summer of reading I had planned. My summer has been full of reading, but there is no way I can get through as many books as I would like to.

Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry is the author's first novel. While this book started slowly for me, I really liked it and the wonderful male role models Parry created. Brother, as Ignatio is called, is the youngest of five brothers, growing up on a ranch. His father has been called up to go to Iraq, something that many of the men in his community have been asked to do, leaving many farms and businesses in the area short staffed. Brother continues to live with his grandparents, helping out on the ranch. The book is divided up by months, moving along chronologically, sometimes skipping a month or two before the story continues. When Brother's father originally ships out, he is expecting to be gone fourteen months- leaving a lot of work for Brother and his aging parents to do on the ranch. There is a strong sense of family loyalty and I marveled at Brothers' work ethic and need to do what is right.

Grandpa is also a wonderful role model - a wise man, willing to share what he knows with Brother. While Brother is learning the ways of the ranch, still wondering what his future holds, Grandpa counsels him about finding a path of his own - perhaps not the path anyone else in his family has chosen. It is obvious that Brother is a gentle soul, hurting each time he loses an animal. And despite Dad's absence in this book, the way he cares for his sons from afar, and is able to eventually speak with Brother about why serving his country is important to him shows his character as well.

Parry also throws in a bit of suspense as a wildfire that started from a lightning strike threatens the farm and its animals. In addition, Ernesto, the hired hand that cares for their sheep is out somewhere tending the sheep as the fire approaches. Grandfather and Brother must make an heroic attempt to save him.

Although I was impressed with the male role models in this book, Brother's grandmother was an interesting female character. She had served in World War II and was an independent woman, able to fix anything with a motor.

This is Parry's first novel, one that I hope many of my students will pick up. I loved the story, I loved the characters, and I hope that Parry continues to write more books for tweens.

Visit Rosanne Parry's website.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

This week's pick: Up from Blue by Susan Henderson

Due out September 21, 2010

When Tillie Harris goes into labor with her first child, nothing is right. Her husband is
away on business, the boxes in her new home aren’t unpacked, and the telephone
isn’t even connected yet. Forced to reach out to her estranged father for help, their
first contact in years, Tillie must face the painful memories she’s been running from
since she was a little girl—the memories of her own mother and the year that
changed everything.
As a child, Tillie’s home was a manic and messy world with her mother, Mara, at its
center. While some days brought dancing, dress-up, and laughter, others became
long hours of listening to Mara cry, depressed and unable get out of bed. When
Tillie’s father takes a top job at the Pentagon and forces the family to move, and as
Mara’s worsening condition can no longer be ignored, Tillie’s life spirals out of
control.
When the family arrives at their new home in Washington, Tillie’s mother has
vanished—a stunning development made even more disorienting by her father’s
refusal to discuss what happened.

Every Little Thing In The World

Oh, I had such high hopes for this book! de Gramont's Gossip of the Starlings received a lot of press, and I was excited to see that Every Little Thing in the World was a YA book by this author.

Sydney and Natalia are sixteen year olds sent away for the summer because of a string of bad behavior on their parts. For six weeks they are taking part in a wilderness camp in Canada that will remove them from some of the bad influences they have in their hometown. Sydney also has a secret: she is pregnant, the result of a hook-up with a boy she is not really that interested in. Natalia has also just discovered that her parents are really her grandparents. Her mother, Margit, was a teenager when she had Natalia, and so the two girls were raised as sisters.

There are a few things I enjoyed about this story: the wilderness survival aspect was interesting, as were the cast of characters the girls came to know during their time at camp. Both girls learned about themselves during their time away. Sydney's voice felt authentic, and her lack of addressing her pregnancy is something I can see many teenagers acting out themselves. She has a hard time even believing she is pregnant initially, and from time to time contemplates her options, often forced into thinking about these things by Natalia. Natalia is going through her own trauma after discovering her sister is really her mother, and is preparing for seeing Margit for a visit, full of questions about what led her to have a baby and then give her to her parents to raise.

However, I was very disappointed with the end of this novel and the choices Sydney made as well as her mother's part in things. Which ultimately means, I was very disappointed with de Gramont. Last night after I finished the book I was very angry about this book. After a good night's sleep, I don't think anger is the right word anymore. I feel let down. I didn't love this book at all, even halfway through, but I stuck with it. And for what?

After reading the reviews on Amazon, I can see I am in the minority with my feelings on this one. Other readers gushed about it. Not a single review commented on the issue of abortion that comes up at the end of this novel. Maybe no one else thought it odd that de Gramont presents abortion as the only option, an easy solution, and certainly obvious. Maybe no one else thought it inappropriate that Sydney's mom thought this was fine, did not offer any other solutions, did not suggest counseling to her daughter before or after this, and did not ask who the father was or if he knew. While writers certainly have the freedom to write what they want, I can't help but feel that as a young adult author, there should be some sort of responsibility a writer feels for creating characters that teens can relate to and gain some insight from.

I have tried to imagine what I would have thought about reading this as a teen and just can't quite come up with much. I don't believe in censorship, and I am sure this book will have an audience. But as an adult, I just can't quite appreciate this one very much.

Bird In Hand

Bird In Hand by Christina Baker Kline is my first experience reading this author. (I still have The Way Life Should Be on my TBR stack). This was an interesting women's fiction novel, exploring the marriages of Alison and Charlie, and Claire and Ben.

Claire and Alison grew up as best friends, and it was through Claire that Alison met Charlie. Charlie had always been infatuated with Claire, but by the time they met, she was already engaged to Ben. Now Alison and Charlie have two children and he and Claire are having an affair. When Alison is involved in a car accident on the way home from a party for Claire's new book, and the boy in the accident dies, things start to go downhill quickly. Even though the accident is not her fault, she finds it difficult to go on as before. And Charlie, because of his entanglement with Claire, is distant and emotionally cold toward her.

To tell more, would give too much away, but I will tell you that the ending was not surprising to me. I enjoyed Kline's portrait of these marriages, and even though Charlie and Claire were not very likeable because of the damage they did to their spouses, I could still see where they were coming from. The part of the novel that confused me the most and seemed to be extraneous was the car accident that Alison was involved in. While it created some initial drama in the book and a starting point for the marriage to unravel, little was ever really made of it.

This was a fast read, a book I sat down with and quickly became engaged in. I enjoyed that Kline also told the stories of all four adults in this book. While I viewed this as mostly Alison and Charlie's story, there were chapters about Ben and Claire as well, providing background information about their childhoods and allowing readers to develop an understanding of why they became the adults they are.

Bird in Hand would be a great book club book - full of discussion topics. Women's fiction lovers will also enjoy this one.

Picture Book Saturday

Amanda at A Patchwork of Books always writes a great post each Saturday featuring a few picture books she has enjoyed during the week. This week I have read several cute picture books at bedtime to my daughters. Instead of returning them to the library without writing about them, a bad habit I have gotten into, I am going to blog on them today and try to do a better job in the future of sharing about picture books as well as the other books I am still reading and reviewing.

The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood was an Indie Childrens Summer Book Pick, one I was excited to get from the library. I liked the muted colors and cute animals depicting all the things that quiet is. This book showcases all the many ways to experience quiet. From "best friends don't need to talk quiet" to "making a wish quiet" and many others, this book could elicit some great conversation with kids, too.

The Sandwich Swap by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah is a cute picture book. I loved the illustrations by Tricia Tusa, showing two very different girls who became friends. I am always somewhat skeptical when celebrities write books, but I did enjoy this story. The two girls are friends despite their differences. However, when a fight breaks out between the girls because of the different foods each girl eats, the girls learn an important lesson about appreciating each other for our differences. This is a story that could be used by many a classroom teacher to foster good relationships within the school and beyond.

Put It On the List by Kristen Darbyshire was a delightful read aloud - especially for my youngest daughter who enjoyed this story about a family who runs out of essential food items, but forgets to buy things when they are at the store. I am sure she was especially delighted because she can relate well to this frequent occurrence in our house.

Seven Year Switch

Several years ago I discovered Claire Cook's first novel, Must Love Dogs, and really enjoyed it. Since then I have made it a point to read anything more she has published- with her books coming out in the summer, they have always been marketed as good beach reads. While I loved Must Love Dogs, I have felt a little let down each time since, not ever connecting with the characters or plot in subsequent books. This summer Seven Year Switch has proved again to me why I have continued to read Cook's books.

Jill is a single mother, raising her ten year old daughter Anastasia. Seth, her ex-husband, who abandoned the family seven years ago, unexpectedly shows up after having no contact with them for this entire time. While Jill feels anger toward her ex, she does not want to deny her daughter a relationship with her father, and welcomes him back into their lives. While Jill has never really moved on with her life, harboring bad feelings toward Seth, she meets a client through her work as a travel guide, who she is interested in.

While this story has romance in it, I wouldn't classify it strictly a romance. There are so many other elements - Jill finding herself and what she wants out of life being a main focus; the romance is only part of the story. I also had a hard time deciding who I wanted Jill to end up with. Bill, who she met through work, seems like a fabulous guy, but her ex, Seth, despite his deserting the family, has come back and worked hard to make amends. In the end, Cook finds a resolution that satisfies readers.

This was a fun read, enjoyable and entertaining. A perfect book to take to the beach.

Visit Claire Cook's website

Random Friday

Just some random thoughts from the week:

* I'm still deciding what I think about my new background. The Cutest Blog on the Block needed everyone to grab a new background this week, and my old one is still there, but I thought I would give this one a try. We'll see.

* Overnight my town received 7.5 inches of rain. We are soaked. Luckily we live in a high and dry location, but others aren't so lucky. It is always amazing to drive around and look at how high the rivers and creeks are. And the thunder. Oh, my. I think I spent much of last night listening to it rumble and rumble and rumble. I should have actually got up and read for a while because there certainly wasn't any sleeping going on.

* My oldest two daughters and I stopped at my school - which I will get to go back to in a few weeks- and then went out for lunch. We also had a nice shopping trip. I made the mistake of taking them to Bath and Body Works, a store they have never gone into. Now they will always insist on it, I'm afraid. The salesgirl was so nice to them and helped them smell lotions and let them test out different lip glosses. Luckily this is a store that always has "deals," so each girl
(plus my daughter who was napping at daycare) got a lotion, small hand sanitizer, and lip gloss.

* My school is instituting a more stringent dress code. Most of it is common sense, but the part that is killing me is the "no open toe shoes" rule. What will I wear with capris? I can understand no flip flops, but there are so many gorgeous, dressy, professional looking sandals that this rule I am just really sad about. I am slightly less sad after buying two new pairs of shoes today, but I will miss getting to wear my summery shoes.

* We have no weekend plans aside from church, something I am looking forward to. On my "to do" list is cleaning my bedroom and going through my stacks of books - something my husband will appreciate. I am also hoping that we can get to see Ramona and Beezus in the theater. We should finish up Ramona the Pest, our bedtime book, and then begin the next in the series.

Happy Weekend!

Book Blogger Hop

It's Friday - well, almost! Jen at Crazy for Books is hosting her weekly Book Blogger Hop, a place to find some great new blogs!

Her question this week: tell us about the book you are reading right now.

Right now I am in the middle of reading several books:

Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook is the book I am going to read tonight - Cook usually has a book published during the summer months that I can enjoy on my time off. I have barely begun this one, but am enjoying it. Jill, a single mother, struggling to make ends meet, is furious when her ex-husband returns after a seven year absence, trying to make up for lost time. I can hardly wait to see how Jill decides to deal with Seth and her feelings about his return.

Bird in Hand by Christina Baker Kline is another women's fiction novel. This one was put on the backburner so I could quickly read Seven Year Switch, but it is centers around two couples: Claire an Ben and Allison and Charles. Only Charles is having an affar with Claire. I can already guess this isn't going to end well.

And, if I didn't have enough to read at once, I also started Lynn Rae Perkins book , As Easy as Falling off the Face of the Earth, a new YA book that is getting a lot of press, but one I know absolutely nothing about.

I am thinking perhaps I may have to pull an all-nighter to get a few of these done!

As part of the hop I have found a number of great blogs to visit. Here is a partial list of ones I have discovered in the past few weeks:

My Cozy Book Nook

On A Clear Day I Can Read Forever

Books From Bleh to Basically Amazing

Booking Mama

Age 30+...A Lifetime of Books

The Betty and Boo Chronicles

Linus' Blanket

Bookend Diaries

Between Two Worlds

Roxana Saberi was a journalist working in Iran when she was taken prisoner by the Iranians and became a worldwide figure (unbeknownst to her) as her parents and boyfriend drew attention to her case, pleading for her freedom.

Saberi had spent six years in Iran, initially having no intention staying for such a long time. Yet as the years passed, Saberi enjoyed her time in the country her father had been born in, and had begun work on a book focusing on the Iranian way of life that she wanted to share with the West. Saberi always knew that the way things worked in Iran didn't always make sense and rules seemed to shift depending on the mood and administration. Yet, she enjoyed her life there.

Her arrest came unexpectedly, and Saberi was taken away and questioned repeatedly. Finally, after continued threats by her captors, Saberi gave in and gave false information in an attempt to gain her freedom.

Saberi's book is her recollection of the events that took place after her arrest, as well as those leading up to it. While in captivity she was allowed no pencil or paper, and therefore had to reconstruct events according to her memory.

When Saberi failed to send her daily email to her parents or return home to her apartment, her family and boyfriend were alerted to her disappearance. While she was unaware of what was going on in the outside world, efforts were being made to obtain her release, and Saberi was featured in newspapers around the globe. Relying on her faith, Saberi spent her months in prison praying for her release, but at peace with her decision to eventually recant her initial testimony and tell the truth.

Today Saberi lives in her North Dakota hometown and speaks to groups about her experience in Iran. As she promised a fellow inmate in Evin prison, the message she conveys is not just about the Iranian government and their corrup court system, but about the wonderful people she met along the way: citizens looking for a way to live their lives, have families and hold jobs, awaiting some of the freedoms that we take for granted.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

This week's WoW pick:

The Four Ms. Bradwells by Meg Waite Clayton (author of the Wednesday Sisters)
Due out: March 22, 2011

Description from the author's website:

Mia, Laney, Betts, and Ginger, best friends since law school, have reunited for a long weekend as Betts awaits Senate confirmation of her appointment to the Supreme Court. Nicknamed “the Ms. Bradwells” during their first class at the University of Michigan Law School in 1979—when only three women had ever served full Senate terms and none had been appointed to the Court—the four have supported one another through life’s challenges: marriages and divorces, births and deaths, career setbacks and triumphs large and small. Betts was, and still is, the Funny One. Ginger, the Rebel. Laney, the Good Girl. And Mia, the Savant.But when the Senate hearings uncover a deeply buried skeleton in the friends’ collective closet, the Ms. Bradwells retreat to a summer house on the Chesapeake Bay, where they find themselves reliving a much darker period in their past—one that stirs up secrets they’ve kept for, and from, one another, and could change their lives forever.Once again, Meg Waite Clayton writes inspiringly about the complex circumstances facing women and the heartfelt friendships that hold them together. Insightful and affecting, The Four Ms. Bradwells is also a captivating tale of how far people will go to protect the ones they love.

The Map of True Places

Brunonia Barry's The Map of True Places was a fast read - a book I could easily pick up and get into immediately. While some of my friends didn't enjoy her first novel, The Lace Reader, I liked that book and have enjoyed this one as well.

Zee (Hepzibah, but who wouldn't shorten a name like that?) is a psychotherapist, engaged to be married, when she returns home to check on her ailing father, Finch. She has lost her first patient, Lilly, who committed suicide by jumping off a bridge, and Zee is in need of a break, anyway. However, her father, who suffers from Parkinsons, needs a great deal of care, and Zee's time is consumed by his needs. In order to deal with what is going on, Zee flees her current life, and ends up creating a new one for herself in the place she grew up. There are several things that Zee has yet to deal with - especially the suicide death of her mother when she was a child, and her return home has forced her to re-examine an event she thought she understood.

There were a few times while reading that I wondered where Barry was going with her story. There wasn't some great mystery to solve or really much of anything to resolve, and yet, I really did like this book. And, when a few little twists are revealed near the end, I was happily surprised and enjoyed the suspense that was created. Barry has created a solid sophomore novel; I'm hoping she has a few more stories she plans to tell.

My Children's Summer Reading

This summer we have visited the library many, many times - sometimes stopping at 2 or 3 libraries a day. This is not helping the state of my TBR pile at all, and while I have contemplated making the decision to work on what I have already checked out, it is so much fun to get a new stack of books to dream of reading.

And my daughters have enjoyed picking out a few new things to look at and read, too. Right now we are finishing up Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary, anxiously awaiting the release of the movie. While my oldest daughter has read all the Ramona books to herself already, even she is listening attentively as we re-read something familiar to her. Who can resist hearing about Ramona putting her doll Bendix in the oven in Beezus' birthday cake and destroying her sister's special day? We have made the decision to keep reading through all of Ramona's adventures because she is so entertaining, and I am looking forward to this happy stroll down memory lane for myself.

My oldest daughter happily enjoyed reading Best Friends Forever: a World War II Scrapbook by Beverly Patt. Set up like a scrapbook, my daughter has learned so much about the plight of Japanese Americans and their time spent in internment camps. We have had good discussions about an event in history that I did not learn about until I was much older than my daughter's eight years. She has proudly proclaimed this the best book she has read "in the past six months - at least."

One of my goals this summer was to introduce my girls to some classics. Heidi by Johanna Spyri was one of my favorite books when I was in third grade. When I announced I would be reading this book, I was met with resistance initially, but my two oldest daughters loved Heidi and would beg for me to read more each night.

Today my middle daughter found a book that will give her hours of looking pleasure: Collector's Guide to Lunchboxes by Carole Bess White and L.M. White provides pictures of many lunchboxes I remember from my youth (and a few others besides). There was much exclaiming over these beautiful treasures, and lots of inquiry as to which ones we could buy. I was happy to explain that these pictures were just for looking, although she and my husband have had fun perusing lunchboxes on eBay this evening.

This hardly touches our summer reading, but it is what we are currently thinking about at our house. I should finish up The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry this evening and have two more books I have already determined to read next.

A Mountain of Crumbs

Growing up during the Cold War, I have always had a fascination with Russia/the Soviet Union and life there. After all, Samantha Smith, the girl who became famous for writing the Russian leader, Yuri Andropov, expressing her concern about a possible war between the two countries, was my age and I can vividly recall watching her visit the USSR on television. A Mountain of Crumbs: A Memoir by Elena Gorokhova is set a few decades before Smith visited the Soviet Union, but I was eager to read an account of life within the Iron Curtain by someone who experienced it firsthand.

Gorokhova writes of a life that may seem restrictive by US standards. She is amazed when she encounters foreigners that Americans can go to the store and buy strawberries in winter- out of season. Or that there are an abundance of books to be had whenever a person may want to read one. She finds it remarkable that prisoners in the US are able to wear denim - a luxury item - as she owns only one pair of jeans purchased on the black market. These are the types of things that I envisioned for people in Russia. Lives filled with hard work and not a lot of reward. At times Gorokhova feels this way, too, and yet, her mother is fiercely loyal to her country as are the other adults in her life.

Gorokhova comes from an educated background and is able to learn English. Because of this opportunities are provided to her that many others do not get. Gorokhova is able to find employment translating and teaching Russian, and one job leads to meeting Robert, an American who is willing to help Elena come to America by marrying her.
This memoir covers Gorokhova's life in Russia, only providing a brief update on her life now in the United States in an epilogue at book's end.
Gorokhova's memoir is well written, reminding me a bit of Azar Nafisi's Things I've Been Silent About: Memories of a Prodigal Daughter. A wonderful choice for memoir lovers.

My Name is Mary Sutter

Today I have a bit of a reading hangover. This is what happens when I finish a really good book and just don't know what book I will turn to next. My Name Is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira has been a great, engaging read - so hard to put down, so easy to get lost in.

Mary Sutter is a young midwife in pre-civil war Albany. She is following in a long line of midwives, unlike her twin sister, who is not called to this field of work, and is more delicate and feminine. While Mary enjoys her practice as a midwife, she is also hoping to eventually become a surgeon, something unheard of in this time period.

When the Civil War breaks out, Mary is more determined than ever that she will assist the wounded soldiers, and continues in her plans to be trained by another doctor. There is much resistance to her plans, but Mary is nothing if not very persistent. And unfortunately the lack of planning for those in need of medical care during the war, does provide her the opportunity to learn much - even the skill of amputating injured limbs. Conditions during the war were horrendous at best, and Mary is often encouraged to return home, as this is no place for a woman, and yet she persists.

I was fascinated by the medical aspect that is shared - how during the Civil War doctors did not yet know that washing hands in between patients would have reduced the risk of infection. And that Mary was taught to use the same water while washing out wounds, that the pus coming from them was a good thing. (This has also been a great topic for discussion in our house over the past day of my reading). Mary is acquainted with two doctors, Dr. Stipp and Dr. Blevens, both horribly under-trained for the tragedies of the war, but both continue to try their best, truly "practicing" medicine, learning skills as they went. And, finally, there is a bit of research that comes from the different events - slides are studied and they try to make something positive come from the loss of so many lives.

In addition to Mary's quest to practice medicine, Oliveira also develops several subplots:

Jenny, Mary's twin marries a man that Mary was interested in, and becomes pregnant, creating a desire in Mary to remain far from home; Christian, Mary's brother, enlists, and their mother, Amelia, and the rest of the family wait anxiously for news from him; and Bonnie, a patient whose baby Mary helped deliver, moved in with the Sutters after her baby dies suddenly.

This is a wonderful book - an interesting plot, full of historical information, superb writing, with plenty to discuss. Finding a book to follow this one will be difficult.

Book Blogger Hop

It's time for another Book Blogger Hop! Hop on over to Crazy for Books and visit some new blogs.

This week's question:

RIGHT THIS INSTANT, WHAT BOOK ARE YOU DYING TO GET YOUR HANDS ON (PAST, PRESENT, OR FUTURE)?

I am waiting for a ton of books. The following five are ones I am eager to get my hands on

This Is Where We Live by Janelle Brown

Cars From a Marriage by Debra Galant

Sugar and Ice by Kate Messner (tween)

Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord (tween)

and

I Still Dream About You, Honey by Fannie Flagg

Never Blame the Umpire

Never Blame the Umpire by Gene Fehler is a tearjerker of a story. I read the inside flap when I checked it out and knew that there was going to be some form of tragedy in the family. However, when I finally knew what the tragedy was, I could barely keep reading.

Kate and her brother Ken are in the midst of baseball season, enjoying the sport. As the story opens, Kate is upset because her parents missed their first game. When she and Ken arrive home they can tell their dad has been crying and their mom has gone to bed early because she is sick. Yet, life seems normal the next day and things carry on. Kate senses from time to time that there may be more going on, especially when her mom calls her and tells her to come home from her friend's house so they can go on a family picnic together. During this picnic Kate and Ken are told that their mother has terminal cancer.

Fehler writes this book from a Christian perspective, sharing Bible verses and creating a friend for Kate who also shares her faith. Kate's mom is able to find comfort in God and, despite knowing she is leaving her family behind, is able to accept what is to come.

I appreciated the religious views shared in this book. I liked that Kate and her friends also were able to talk about religion and find comfort in God's word, as did Kate's mom. I also enjoyed how Fehler was able to bring religion and faith into his writing without it sounding too preachy. Kate attending a summer writing school during the time period of her mom's illness and death. She was able to find great solace in her writing as a way of expressing her feelings - another part of this story I enjoyed.

Kate's mom is able to talk to Kate about her dying and her own acceptance of God's will by using an analogy - comparing an umpire to God. While we may not agree with an umpire's call, they are in charge of the game, and we have to live with the decision he has made. So, too, with God, who makes the decisions about certain things in our life. We don't have to like some of the things that are in God's plan, but we must also find a way to live with them.

While the ending is tragic, Fehler allows Kate and her family to look forward to the future here on earth, and also in heaven where they will be reunited. I don't usually cry during books, no matter how sad, but this one was hard to read without shedding a tear. Such a sad, yet hopeful story.

The Last Time I Saw You

I have begun to count on Elizabeth Berg's books as rewarding and enjoyable reads. Years ago I was introduced to Berg through Oprah's book club and have made it a point to read everything she has published since. And Berg has done her part by continuing to churn out women's fiction books almost on a yearly basis.

Her latest book, The Last Time I Saw You, centers around a group of fifty-somethings who are getting ready to attend their fortieth class reunion. Through the lives of a few main characters Berg is able to accurately depict what life is like for most people at this point in their lives.

Mary Ann Mayhew is planning on attending her reunion, despite the fact that she was often ridiculed in high school. While at first I felt sorry for Mary Ann, I quickly changed my mind, realizing how much Mary Ann had going for her that was not appreciated by her peers. NEver married, she moved back into her parents' home after their deaths and has a close friendship with an elderly gentleman who she agrees to take with her to the reunion.

Peter, one of the high school guys that managed to often be the center of attention, attracting many girls in his youth, is hoping to attend his high school reunion with his estranged wife, Nora. Peter is trying to win back his wife after having cheated on her. Peter was likeable at times, and at others, showed his shallow character. Truly, Peter was a character still learning about himself and making changes to his life.

Candy Armstrong was the girl that many a high school boy found very attractive. While she had a promising social life in her teen years, her marriage has left her feeling very alone. Her husband is able to provide for her nicely financially, allowing her many material posessions, but he lacks any real emotional ability to be in a marriage. When Candy is diagnosed with ovarian cancer just days before her reunion, her husband's reaction seems to be one of annoyance at this inconvenience.

Lester, much like Mary Ann was often ridiculed by his peers while in high school. However, the intelligence many determined to be nerdy or uncool in their youth, allowed Lester to attend vetrinary school. After losing his wife and unborn child at an early age, Lester remains alone, not against the idea of finding companionship, but not looking for it actively, either.

Just as with many high school reunions those who attend want to look their best and impress the others who are there. While some of Berg's characters still seem stuck in the glory of their youth, others have moved on and become much more caring and mature adults. I so appreciated the way Berg was able to write about an experience that many have had and capture the feelings that these events elicit.

This is another winner by Elizabeth Berg, a great choice for book clubs and other women's fiction readers.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week's pick: My Teenage Werewolf: A Mother, A Daughter, A Journey Through the Thicket of Adolescence by Lauren Kessler

Publication Date: August 5, 2010

Product Description from Amazon:

A veteran journalist navigates the mother-daughter relationship at its most crucial moment With the eye of a reporter, the curiosity of an anthropologist, and the open (and sometimes wounded) heart of a mother, award-winning author Lauren Kessler embeds herself in her about-to-be-teenage daughter's life. In seventh- and eighth-grade classrooms, at home, online, at the mall, and at summer camp, Kessler observes, investigates, chronicles- and participates in-the life of a twenty-first-century teen. As she begins to better understand and appreciate her mercurial daughter, their relationship-at first a mirror of the author's difficult relationship with her own mother-lurches in new directions. With the help of a resident teen expert (her daughter), as well as teachers, doctors, therapists, and other mothers, Kessler illuminates the age-old struggle from both sides, gracefully interweaving personal experience with journalistic inquiry. Funny, poignant, and insightful, My Teenage Werewolf explores the fascinating and scary world of today's teen as it comes to grips with the single most important relationship in a woman's life.

This week I had a hard time picking....I was planning on posting on Fannie Flagg's new book, but as I visited Breaking the Spine to begin my post, I saw that Jill beat me to it. :) I've had to go to Plan B. I'm still looking forward to this one; my girls aren't teenagers yet, but they will be all too soon.

My Name Is Memory

I had such high hopes for My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares. I enjoyed the two Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants books I have read (the other two are still on my TBR pile), and I have seen some favorable reviews about My Name is Memory. However, before I started reading it I knew nothing about the plot at all. And I am just someone who really doesn't like fantasy/make believe books. There are exceptions - like Harry Potter or Madeleine L'Engle, but overall I like realistic fiction. So, when this book begins and it moves from time period to time period and I figure out that Daniel, one of the main characters has been reincarnated in various times, I know I am not really getting into this one. But still I continue reading, hoping that despite my lack of interest, things will somehow come together in the end in some type of breathtaking way so that I will just instanly fall in love with this book and the time I have spent not loving the beginning and middle will be forgotten once I read the ending. Except that didn't happen. Maybe this book worked for lots of other readers, but the ending, which others may have enjoyed because it is the first time that Daniel and Lucy (who is Sophia from other times) finally get to consummate their love after eliminating the evil element that has been after them in various lives, was just weird to me. I feel bad I can't rave about this one. I know I am in the minority on this. I am also in the minority for not raving over The Time Traveller's Wife, which is sort of what I felt Brashares was going after, but neither of these books appeal to me. This is probaby one of the few books I have said "meh" about this summer. I'd love to hear from others who have read this one and loved it...what am I missing?

The Sweet Life of Stella Madison

The Sweet Life of Stella Madison by Laura Zeises is a sweet YA read.

Stella's separated parents own and operate a restaurant that Stella works at. She is saving to buy a car of her own. She is also dating the super-nice guy, Max, while lusting after her parents' new intern, Jeremy. And, she has recently been hired to write a food critic article for the local paper. Whie most of Stella's problems are usual high school fare, Zeises has done a great job of writing a nice young adult novel that I could recommend to many a junior high girl looking for some interesting and fun contemporary fiction.

Husband and Wife

Leah Stewart's book Husband and Wife is a look at a marriage up close after one spouse has broken their marriage vows. Nathan, a writer, is about to have his novel (aptly titled Infidelity) published. One night as he and his wife are getting ready to attend the wedding of a friend, he decides to admit that his novel, while not based on his own infidelity, does have some basis in fact. Sarah, his wife, tries to go about life as normal, keeping her daily routines, yet after a short span of time passes, realizes how different she feels about things. She begins to reflect on their past as well as what may have led them to this place in their marriage. Stewart's ability to convey the way Sarah's mind works - at first keeping up the front of normalcy, then becoming angry, followed by desire to "get back at" her husband- are feelings that many women in this situation may be able to identify with. While Sarah tries to decide whether she should stay with Nathan or move on, we can see the various reasons she uses while making her decisions. To go or stay is not revealed til novel's end; for me it was less about what Sarah chose than the way she thought about how her decision would affect her family.

Promises To Keep

It wouldn't be summer without a Jane Green book, so I was excited to be the first to check out Promises to Keep from the library.

While Jane Green's book are what I consider chick lit - rather fluffy, fun reads, this latest work was one that many a reader may shed a tear or two over. Green dedicated this book to her friend, Heidi, who died in 2009. Upon seeing the dedication I turned to the back which included a picture of Green with someone whom I presume is Heidi. Heidi died of breast cancer, and Promises to Keep features a main character, Callie, who also dies of breast cancer. (I don't think my telling you this will spoil anything because this is a fairly likely outcome in this book). I will admit that I had to walk away from this book for a few days. I just was not in the mood for a depressing story. Green writes at book's end that Callie's story is not Heidi's, but some of the things that happened to Callie were taken from experiences from Heidi had. In addition to Callie, as usual, Green has a host of other characters with their own stories that help round out this novel.

Fans of Green will enjoy this latest book, and Promises to Keep delves into an important topic that is truly not the normal fare for Green.

Handy Dad by Todd Davis

My oldest daughter has been reading up a storm this summer. She can often be found with a book in her hand, and will disappear for long stretches of time to her bedroom to have some quiet reading time. The other day while at the library she picked up the book Handy Dad, a lovely book showing many projects dads could work on with their child, or complete for their child. She found several projects that appealed to her, but as she was rattling them off I began to feel rather sorry for my husband. He doesn't really enjoy these handyman projects at all. He has become much more skilled at these types of things over the years, but to think that he would just plan on doing a project like this for fun? I'm not thinking so. Later that day when I was getting ready to go to sleep, I saw my husband reading Handy Dad in bed. Apparently it was shared with him along with the comment that really the only thing my daughter really wanted was a rope bridge! A rope bridge?! Nothing like picking one of the trickier projects out! I am not holding out much hope for a rope bridge at our house in the near future. But, Handy Dad is a cool book with lots of nifty ideas.

To Come and Go Like Magic

One of the things I enjoy the most about reading is finding new books and authors that are not yet well known. There are a lot of talented writers out there that aren't famous, who are writing and rewriting in order to make every single word absolutely perfect in their work.

To Come and Go Like Magic by Katie Pickard Fawcett is a first novel for tweens/young adults and Fawcett has done an amazing job with her story. Set in Appalachia in the 1970s, Chili narrates her story in short vignettes, sharing what life in her small town is like. Fawcett has created a family of interesting characters who all march to the beat of their own drum. Chili dreams of leaving her small town, of seeing the world. Chili's substitute teacher, Miss Matlock, grew up in Mercy Hill, but left for many years, returning in her old age. Having Miss Matlock there to talk to, to share her adventures with her, makes Chili all the more convinced that she will leave Mercy Hill someday and go somewhere more exciting. While Chili's family has enough money, there are many people in Mercy Hill who are "welfares." Mining is the major employer, and there are no longer enough jobs to keep everyone employed. Chili's family plans on preserving the mountain they live on from those who plan on strip mining to make a profit. She is also curious about Miss Matlock's background and what led her to come back to Mercy Hill, having heard her parents and other relatives speak around some issues in Miss Matlocks' past.

There was a lot for me to like in this book. I loved the setting and time period. I loved the way Fawcett set this story up, using vignettes of Chili's life. I loved Chili's friendship with one of the "welfares," Willie, and how it developed over time. I loved the quirkiness of the characters. I loved the lessons Chili learned.

I so hope that somehow this gem is discovered and we see it receive some publicity. It is truly deserving of high praise. Fawcett has created a wonderful debut novel.

"

Book Blogger Hop

It's time to do the Book Blogger Hop again! If you are interested, stop by Crazy for Books, the hop's host.

This week's question: Tell us about some of your favorite authors and why they are your favorites!

I know I will be leaving out some of my favorites in any list I make, especially since I enjoy reading debut authors' work, but some of my favorites are:

Donald Harstad, the author of a great mystery series featuring Chief of Police Carl Houseman

Adriana Trigiani, who first attracted me with her trilogy beginning with Big Stone Gap

Sue Miller, Chris Bohjalian, Elizabeth Berg, Jane Hamilton who were introduced to me by Oprah Winfrey and her book club

Jennifer Weiner, Allison Winn Scotch, Jodi Picoult, and Katherine Center are also favorites.

Mostly what attracts me to certain authors is their ability to create characters that are real people, that are multi-dimensional. I also enjoy plots that feel authentic and not contrived.

Who are your favorite authors? Let me know whose work I need to become familiar with!

Armchair Travel

The Lost Girls by Jennifer Baggett, Amanda Pressner, and Holly Corbett is a memoir chronicling the "girls" year they spent traveling the globe together. All three ladies were in their late 20s, deciding what their next move should be in life. While they enjoyed their careers, they felt at a crossroads, not sure if the next step would be to marry and start families. Recognizing how a year away would be a once in a lifetime opportunity, all three decided to seize the opportunity. Together the girls visited four different continents, finding some interesting and unique travel destinations, staying in hostels and finding cheap accommodations for themselves. Their adventures were a blend of interests among the girls, reflecting personal goals and desires.

I have always enjoyed reading about other countries and cultures, and appreciated the viewpoints of the three authors. While Amanda, Holly and Jennifer take turns narrating the chapters, each chapter flowed together and it never felt as though there were a different voice telling the story. While I might dream of taking such a trip, it is doubtful that something like that will ever occur in my life, and it was obvious early on in the book that all three girls are far more adventurous than I will ever be (one example is their participation in bungee jumping).

This is a great entertaining read. The one discouraging factor in this book is it's length. At 537 pages, there are many people who will not even want to attempt such a lengthy read. And while I did enjoy it, I am not sure I needed to know every single detail of the entire year. Certainly Lost Girls is well written, but perhaps a bit too detailed. However, it has given me a chance to glimpse some different cultures and do a bit of pleasurable armchair traveling, which will have to do for me right now.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week's pick: Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay

Due out September 7, 2010

From the author's website:

Set in both modern-day Boston and post-WWII Moscow, RUSSIAN WINTER tells the story of Bolshoi ballerina Nina Revskaya as she becomes a member of Stalin's cultural elite before escaping to the West following a terrible betrayal. Decades later, she has decided to auction off her famed jewelry collection—including the rare set of amber that a Boston professor, Grigori Solodin, translator of the works of Revskaya's late poet-husband, believes may hold the key to a long-kept secret. The literary mystery Grigori sets out to solve—with the help of Drew Brooks, a young associate at the Boston auction house—reaches much deeper: to the cost of making art and trying to live and love under circumstances of enormous repression.

The Sky is Everywhere

Jandy Nelson's The Sky is Everywhere is a YA book that got quite a bit of buzz this spring. After reading it, I can see why. Jandy Nelson has provided a well written, perhaps even cleverly written, novel dealing with the serious topic of grief.

Lennie's sister Bailey has just died unexpectedly of an undiagnosed heart condition. The two girls had grown up with their Grandmother and uncle Big, always motherless. From an early age they had been told by their Gram that their mother was an explorer, someone who enjoyed going with the wind, but that someday she would come back. Their fathers were also unknown to them, men their mother encountered on her adventures. Because of this Lennie and Bailey have an incredible bond, and promise to always be there for each other. Until Bailey dies. The Sky is Everywhere is Lennie's story of coping with her loss. There are other things that happen in Lennie's life after Bailey's death. Lennie falling in love with the new boy, Joe, being the biggest thing that has happened to her in her life that she is unable to share with her sister. And always Lennie is grieving, writing down notes and feelings for Bailey on scraps of paper tucked away, placed around town. Despite her newfound love, Lennie's grief is everpresent, and there were several passages I marked that really resonated with me:

"How will I survive the missing? How do others do it? People die all the time. Every day. Every hour. There are families all over the world staring at beds that are no longer slept in, shoes that are no longer worn. Families that no longer have to buya particular cereal, a kind of shampoo. There are people everywhere standing in line at the movies, buying curtains, walking dogs, while inside, their hearts are ripping to shreds. For years. For their whole lives. I don't believe time heals. I don't want it to. If I heal, doesn't that mean that I've accepted the world without her (168)?"

"With each day that passes, there are longer stretches when I don't think I hear Bailey's heels clunking down the hallway, or glimpse her lying on her bed reading, or catch her in my periphery reciting lines into the mirror. I'm becoming accustomed to The Sanctum without her, and I hate it. Hate that when I stand in her closet fumbling from piece to piece, my face pressed into the fabrics, that I can't find one shirt or dress that still has her scent, and it's my fault. They all smell like me now (218)."

As time passes, Lennie's grief also changes. Her life continues to move on despite the loss of Bailey.

"My sister will die over and over again for the rest of my life. Grief is forever. It doesn't go away; it beomes part of you, step for step, breath for breath. I will never stop grieving Bailey because I will never stop loving her. That's just how it is. Grief and love are conjoined, you don't get one without the other. All I can do is love her, and love the world, emulate her by living with daring and spirit and joy(257)."

This book has a profound message for teen readers, Nelson has found a way to convey the message of grief and loss, while still creating an interesting and creative character in Lennie who marches to the beat of her own drum while navigating these strong emotions of loss and sadness.

Fourth of July Accomplishments

Today I did finish reading a book - review tomorrow, I promise- but also had a few other summer firsts:

Little Sister slept so late this morning I had to have my husband check on her to make sure she was still breathing. I managed to get to church and back and sit around for a while before she woke up. Guess her cousin's birthday party last night (and perhaps some allergy problems) really wiped her out. It was 11:10 AM before she got out of bed!!

We made our first family trip to Dairy Queen this evening. Something we like to do, but haven't had a chance yet this year because we have been busy with outdoor projects like shingling our house, laying more dirt and replanting grass after the skid loader we used to move shingles made a few deep tracks in our yard. Even though it was cold and rainy here, the kids enjoyed their icecream....I am feeling quite virtuous because I didn't even order anything for myself.

Had my longest treadmill run - perhaps ever! 12.10 miles. Feeling good, although there is a reason I didn't order any ice cream at Dairy Queen.

Tomorrow we are off to Des Moines to visit my sister and brother-in-law and eat some P. F. Chang's for supper. Tuesday will be an eventful day at Adventureland with some friends. I am planning on posting a review tomorrow, but we will have to see about Tuesday. I could use my sister's computer, but my internet addiction is really getting in the way of housework and real life, so I am going to try and be technology-free until we return home.

Hope everyone had a Happy Independence Day!

The Language of Secrets

I really enjoyed Dianne Dixon's The Language of Secrets. It is suspenseful and entertaining and a quick read.

Justin is moving back to the United States after many years abroad. He is now married with a son of his own and with his wife's encouragement, decides to make contact with his long estranged family. When he attempts this, Justin is stunned to find his home is inhabited by strangers and his father has passed away. When he visits the cemetery, he finds gravestones for his father and mother, and one that has his own name on it, for a child that died at the age of three. What unfolds is a suspenseful, pscyhological story of how Justin has managed to block certain events from his memory. To tell you more would give too much away, and this is a book that I want others to read for themselves.

However, with that said, I had one little thing about this story that I just had a hard time getting past. The story changes time periods frequently, alternating between the 1970s and the present. In one chapter set in the early 1970s Justin's sisters are playing and talking about the Smurfs. I actually had to stop and read this again. The 1970s? Smurfs? As a child of the 80s, I distinctly remember the Smurfs on television in the early 80s, not the early 70s. I even tried to find out a bit more about the Smurfs and when they were created. Yes, this is nitpicky, but I wonder why this wasn't caught when the story was edited.

I didn't let this ruin the book for me, which is a great read, and I hope that Dixon has a few more stories in her, because The Language of Secrets was well worth my time.

If You Knew Suzy: A Mother, A Daughter, A Reporter's Notebook

Katherine Rosman's dedication in her memoir reads "To my mother's grandchildren, so they may know her." First of all, I use the word memoir to describe this book with some reservation. Rosman's book reads like a memoir, but it is really not meant to chronicle her life so much as her mother's. The dedication lets readers know from the outset what this book's purpose is. What it doesn't tell readers is how heartbreaking and touching Rosman's efforts are. I predict that many a reader will wish they had someone willing to research and chronicle the lives of someone they love to preserve a part of them for future generations.

Rosman and her sister Lizzie shared a strong bond with their mother - much like many mother daughter relationships, full of ups and downs, shopping trips, fights, lunches together, phone conversations, advice given, ignored, and taken. When Suzy is diagnosed with late stage lung cancer, her daughters rally around her, providing support. They attend doctor's appointments, spend time in the hospital with her, and even help her place winning bids on eBay to further her collection of rare and beautiful glassware. For two and a half years Lizzie and our author put their own lives on hold to be there for their mother.

We know from the moment we begin reading that Suzy will eventually die from lung cancer and that her daughters will go on living without her. However, in order to do this, Rosman decides she wants to know more about her mother. Perhaps it is only to leave a record behind for her children and nephews and niece, that they may know their grandmother through her writing, yet part of this writing project also helped Rosman come to terms with her mother's death. By contacting people her mother knew (who Rosman may have known of, but did not know personally) she is able to paint a better picture of her mother. She is able to see her as other's saw her: as a dancer, a mentor, a golfer. How interesting it would be for everyone if we were to truly know someone by finding and talking to those people acquainted with them in various settings and walks of life.

If You Knew Suzy was well written. After reading it I feel as though I know Suzy personally, wishing I really had met this woman to compare what I have read of her with the real life version. And Rosman has been able to provide a well chronicled account of her mother, a special and unique woman, proving to everyone that each person's life, no matter how ordinary is truly extraordinary.

Visit Katherine Rosmans' website.