Book Reviews
This book was recommended by someone in the same business as I am. She is a vendor in the vintage antiques world. She is also a fellow lover of the south and thought that I would enjoy this book. I did...to a certain extent. I loved all the details about all things vintage and southern. That was the problem. I wanted more details about those things and less about the characters and the story. It just didn't hold my attention.
From Goodreads:
Teddi Overman found her life’s passion for furniture in a broken-down chair left on the side of the road in rural Kentucky. She learns to turn other people’s castoffs into beautifully restored antiques, and eventually finds a way to open her own shop in Charleston. There, Teddi builds a life for herself as unexpected and quirky as the customers who visit her shop. Though Teddi is surrounded by remarkable friends and finds love in the most surprising way, nothing can alleviate the haunting uncertainty she’s felt in the years since her brother Josh’s mysterious disappearance. When signs emerge that Josh might still be alive, Teddi is drawn home to Kentucky. It’s a journey that could help her come to terms with her shattered family—and to find herself at last. But first she must decide what to let go of and what to keep.
I enjoyed the book's southern setting and charm. I liked the eccentric characters and flowery descriptions and I didn't even mind the somewhat slow pace. I can handle a slow pace if it actually takes us somewhere. But I don't feel like the author really took us anywhere. We wandered around and around and around and ended up pretty much where we began. I kept thinking, Okay! Now we are really going to get going in the story and then sadly the story would splutter out. Why did Josh leave? Heck if I know. Where is he now? Heck if I know. Plus, what was all that business about "everyone has their secrets"? Heck if I know. I kept waiting for some secrets to come out and they never did. Frustrating. I liked the theme of forgiveness and letting go of the past. I just wish more of the loose ends could have been tied up or that a tad bit more action occurred.
My Rating: Okay
From Goodreads:
March 1912: Twenty-four-year-old Elspeth Dunn, a published poet, has never seen the world beyond her home on Scotland’s remote Isle of Skye. So she is astonished when her first fan letter arrives, from a college student, David Graham, in far-away America. As the two strike up a correspondence—sharing their favorite books, wildest hopes, and deepest secrets—their exchanges blossom into friendship, and eventually into love. But as World War I engulfs Europe and David volunteers as an ambulance driver on the Western front, Elspeth can only wait for him on Skye, hoping he’ll survive.
June 1940: At the start of World War II, Elspeth’s daughter, Margaret, has fallen for a pilot in the Royal Air Force. Her mother warns her against seeking love in wartime, an admonition Margaret doesn’t understand. Then, after a bomb rocks Elspeth’s house, and letters that were hidden in a wall come raining down, Elspeth disappears. Only a single letter remains as a clue to Elspeth’s whereabouts. As Margaret sets out to discover where her mother has gone, she must also face the truth of what happened to her family long ago.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the setting. Any book set in Scotland instantly grabs my attention. My ancestors come from the Isle of Skye so I was even more intrigued. I liked the epistolary style of writing. I liked both of the main characters, Elspeth and David and each of their back stories. What I didn't enjoy was the infidelity and adultery. It cheapened the love story in my eyes unfortunately. The writing was beautiful and in all other respects I really enjoyed the novel.
My Rating: Good
It really kind of pains me to say this but I didn't really like the book. I admire Elizabeth Smart tremendously; she is an incredible person. Unfortunately to me, the book felt so detached and strange that I ended up sort of skimming the whole thing.
From Goodreads:
For the first time, ten years after her abduction from her Salt Lake City bedroom, Elizabeth Smart reveals how she survived and the secret to forging a new life in the wake of a brutal crime.
I used to live in SLC and have actually had a run in with Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee. They were actually fairly well known among the local panhandlers. Most everyone living in SLC around the late 90's has probably seen them from time to time. We always just referred to him as "the guy dressed like a shepherd". One particular time Tyler, Reilly, and I were at the Super Target in Ft. Union. Reilly was just a toddler and we were there late one night. We happened to be in the checkout line right behind Brian David Mitchell (with his shepherd's staff in hand) and Wanda Barzee. They were buying a bag of oranges. The bag holding their oranges broke and oranges scattered everywhere. I instantly began helping them pick up all the oranges. We piled them up on the conveyor belt and the checker began to ring them up. When she gave them their total, it turned out that they didn't have enough money to pay for them. They were short by about $1.50. I began digging in my wallet for the money to make up the difference for them. I remember feeling so sorry for them. As I began to offer... Tyler grabbed my arm and told me "No. We aren't helping them." What ensued was one of the most nasty fights we have ever had. I had never known Tyler to be unkind or unhelpful to someone...anyone...especially someone in need. That was absolutely reprehensible to me. Plus, I did not take kindly in being told what to do. During our muted and hissed argument another checkout line opened up and we moved over there to ring up our purchases. I was furious. Our argument lingered for days. It was referenced for months. It was bad. Tyler never did have a good reason for not helping them besides a gut feeling and that infuriated me.
Well imagine years later when Elizabeth was found and the kidnappers mug shots were shown on TV. I was FLOORED. I remember that I was at the gym working out when the news broke that she had been found alive. I was in tears of joy. I had been following this case very closely and praying for her safe return. My joy turned to horror when I recognized her abductors. The shepherd guy and his wife. Whoa. I must say that Tyler felt quite vindicated for his unexplained reluctance to help two local panhandlers and, needless to say, I have never doubted Tyler's gut feelings again. .
All that aside... the book felt flat. I was particularly interested in how she recovered afterward. I wanted much more than she gave and clearly much more than she received. I kept putting myself in the place of her mother and wondered what I would say to her if she was my daughter. Her reentry into her family and normal life HAD to be more difficult than was related. It just isn't possible for it not to be. Even sharing Elizabeth Smart's faith, I don't know how she could have coped with all of that without some serious and intense counseling. It doesn't make sense to me. The book left me feeling blah and somewhat confused.
Best wishes to this amazing young woman and the good work that she continues to do. I am so glad that prayers were answered and that she was returned home.
My Rating: Okay
I'm not going to lie. These books are fluffy and cheesy but I really like them. I can't say quite why. There are parts that truly irritate me; but they are so darn enjoyable!! This one was no different. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it and I read it in one day. I would classify this series as a "guilty pleasure".
From Goodreads:
Melanie is only going through the motions of living since refusing Jack’s marriage proposal. She misses him desperately, but her broken heart is the least of her problems. Despite an insistence that she can raise their child alone, Melanie is completely unprepared for motherhood, and she struggles to complete renovations on her house on Tradd Street before the baby arrives.
When Melanie is roused one night by the sound of a ghostly infant crying, she chooses to ignore it. She simply does not have the energy to deal with one more crisis. That is, until the remains of a newborn buried in an old christening gown are found hidden in the foundation of her house.
As the hauntings on Tradd Street slowly become more violent, Melanie decides to find out what caused the baby’s untimely death, uncovering the love, loss, and betrayal that color the house’s history—and threaten her claim of ownership. But can she seek Jack’s help without risking her heart? For in revealing the secrets of the past, Melanie also awakens the malevolent presence that has tried to keep the truth hidden for decades.…
My Rating: Very Enjoyable
From Goodreads:
How do you do it all?”That’s the question that wife, mom, actress, and best-selling author Candace Cameron Bure is often asked. And it’s a question that women everywhere are asking themselves as we seek to balance all of our roles, responsibilities, and opportunities.
So, how do we do it? Working since the age of 5, Candace has been in a balancing act for nearly her entire life. She is the first to tell you that there is no miracle formula for perfect execution in every area of your life, but there definitely are some lessons to be learned, lessons that come to life in Candace's story.
Come along and dig into Candace’s story from her start in commercials, the balance-necessitating years on Full House, to adding on the roles of wife and mom while also returning to Hollywood. Insightful, funny, and poignant, Candace’s story will help you balance it all.
I watched Candace's interview on the Blaze TV after reading all about her alleged "controversial" beliefs. It boggles my mind that believing in the Bible is now controversial but alas it appears it is. I liked her interview and how she handled herself. I found her very refreshing in a Kim Kardashian world. She mentioned that she was on Instagram and I checked out her account and enjoyed what I found...this was all prior to her being on Dancing with the Stars. I appreciate those who stand up for what they believe and actually live what they profess. Candace Cameron Bure does just that and I applaud her.
As far as the book goes... it was just good solid common sense. Nothing earth shattering. Good info on time management, putting family first, and allowing God to guide you in your life. Nice. All the behind the scenes information about Full House was just icing on the cake.
My Rating: Not Bad
I've already explained my odd fascination with this family...no need to go there again. These days I just find myself drawn to people who live their faith out loud and weave it into everything they do. I crave positivity in an increasingly negative world.
From Goodreads:
In this second book from the Duggars, they focus on the principles that equip them to face life's challenges—drawing from their most recent challenge with the 3-month premature birth of their newest child, Josie. They also share the new challenges their older children are facing as they prepare for adult life.
This book was much better than the first. More heart felt, more depth, and less gruesome recipes. Win, Win, Win. I enjoyed reading it. How they manage their family never stops fascinating me.
My Rating: Not bad...if this family interests you.
I love this book!! It is so much more than a cookbook. Ann Romney is a class act and a mother after my own heart. I loved her memories and stories about her marriage, parenting, family traditions, and family management. She is funny, warm, and realistic about what in involved in raising (and feeding) a large family and what goes into a marriage. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times...while reading a cookbook!! How great is that?
From Goodreads:
Ann Romney, wife of former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, invites readers into her home and kitchen, combining some of her favorite foods with memories of raising a family. Featuring more than 80 family recipes and mouthwatering photographs and menu ideas.
This is a book to be enjoyed on many levels. Good traditional home cooking. Recipes that are easy to prepare and still delicious. Sunday dinners, holiday meals, summer lake BBQ food all interwoven with funny and touching stories, gorgeous pictures, and family traditions. I was inspired. I love that all the proceeds go to charity...the Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston.
I love the Romneys and I love Ann!! She is a wonderful representation of motherhood and womanhood.
My Rating: Excellent.
