Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamott is a slim volume of thoughts on prayer. This is the latest addition to her non-fiction writing since she became religious and started writing about faith. She breaks everything down here into what she considers the three essential prayers: Help, Thanks, Wow. If you are a Lamott fan, this is a nice addition to her previous writings, with her direct, honest and often hilarious approach to life. If not, you should still enjoy this…
The Stockholm Octavo by Karen Engelman is part historical fiction, and part mystery, intrigue, political conspiracy and divination. Engelman has woven a story full of interesting characters both real and imagined that populate late 18th century Sweden at the time of the assassination of King Gustav III. She cleverly combines the use of cards, and the mysteries of fans into the novel. The pictures of the cards are wonderful. A fun and engaging read.
The Orchardist is an incredible debut novel by Amanda Coplin. Set at the turn of the twentieth century in the Pacific Northwest, a peaceful and solitary man named Talmadge makes his living as an orchardist, caring for his apricot and apple trees and selling the fruit himself in town. When two runaway, pregnant teenage girls show up on his land stealing his fruit out of starvation and desperation, his world is forever changed. Coplin is an amazing writer, getting to…
The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell begins with two disparate stories alternating back and forth between present day London, and London in the 50’s. The story of Lexie Sinclair, working and living among writers and artists of post-war Soho, seems to have no connection with the story of Elina, a Finnish artist living with her boyfriend in modern day London.The only tie that binds them is that they are both new mothers, navigating their way through the…
Falling Leaves: The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah is a heartbreaking tale of one woman’s struggle for acceptance despite being emotionally abused by her family her whole life. Adeline’s mother died in childbirth when Adeline was born in the late 30’s into an affluent family in China. Her father then married an Eurasian beauty who become the children’s truly evil stepmother, yet none of them could seem to escape her grip for the rest of…
The Orchid House, by Lucinda Riley is a novel that sprawls across decades and continents, from England to Thailand. We meet Julia, a famous pianist suffering the terrible loss of her husband and young son. During her grieving, she finds herself back at Wharton Park, a grand English Manor where her grandfather was the gardener and she spent her summers when she was growing up. As her story unfolds, so does the true and secret story of her grandparents past….
Chosen by a Horse: How a Broken Horse Fixed a Broken Heart, is a memoir by Susan Richards. Richards writes of opening her heart up to love again after taking in an abused horse named Lay Me Down. This is an honest, sometimes heartbreaking tale of how one wounded, yet kindhearted horse helped a wounded woman heal. It is a good story, but as Richards is often not very likable, it was hard for me to care as much as…
I love all of Kate Morton’s books, and her latest, The Secret Keeper, is no exception. It travels back and forth from modern day London, to WWII England during the Blitz. On the eve of her mother’s 90th birthday, Laurel, now a famous actress, is trying to discover a secret her mother has kept for 50 years. Morton hooks us early on, and draws us into the story both past and present by creating full, rich characters and a plot…
Forever Lily: An Unexpected Mother’s Journey to Adoption in China by Beth Nonte Russell is the true story of one woman’s unplanned adoption of a baby girl from China. Russell relates the incredible story of her journey to China with her friend Alex, to help her bring her adopted baby girl home. Once they get there and get the baby, Alex has second thoughts and decides she doesn’t want to keep her. Russell struggles with her own strong attachment to…
The Journal of Best Practices: A Memoir of Marriage, Asperger Syndrome, and One Man’s Quest to Be a Better Husband, is a wonderful book by David Finch. At the age of 30, after 5 years of marriage and the birth of two young children, Finch is diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. Rather than being depressed by this diagnosis, the Finches are actually thrilled, as it explains so many things in their struggling marriage. From this starting point, David Finch sets out…