Book Review: The Mermaid Collector

By: Erika Marks

Published by: NAL Trade October 2, 2012

Length: 368 pages

Source: Publisher




Lydia Harris was married to a lighthouse keeper, Linus. The year is 1877 and she was thrilled when he left his job as a fisherman and found this position, though it moved them to Maine and away from family they now had their own small home and he wasn't daily going out to sea and danger.  Lydia's fear of the water was well known to all.  She desperately wanted to have a child and create the kind of family she and Linus long for.  As time goes on they are both happy and content with their routines ,her with her gardening and cooking and Linus with the chores of a lighthouse keeper.  When Linus is asked to find a large boat for a wealthy man in town Lydia is a bit wary, but he assures her he will be safe.  What happens to Linus and the other men after a planned pleasure cruise is the stuff myths are made of. 

The other story within the book is that of Tess Patterson, her stepfather, Buzz and the town of Cradle Harbor Maine present day, the same town where Lydia and Linus Harris once lived.  Home now to the annual Mermaid Festival.  There is much history, legend and mystery surrounding the tale of the lighthouse keeper and his young wife.  Tess and her mom came to Cradle Harbor and her mom fell in love with Buzz.  Ruby was an artist, a painter who was regarded as a free spirit but who really was dealing with severe depression, perhaps even bi-polar disorder.  Tess has a hard time seeing all this, she misses her mother, she holds on to the wrong man, and is a suffering artist herself, a wood carver.  When a new man moves to town, one who arrives with questions and some animosity, he raises many eyebrows.   He is the recipient of a gift, the lighthouse keepers cottage from a recently deceased local man. The historical society wants it donated. Tom Grace has a secret, and  he'd like to keep it that way.

While this synopsis seems like oh so much is going on, trust me, Erika Marks has woven this tale so well you will be captivated in both developing story lines.  First I was absorbed in the historical story of Lydia and her husband.  Her pain in not conceiving a child is evident in all she does.  She loves her husband very much but feels she has failed him.  The continuing story and what happens to this small town and how others don't admit to seeing the change in the men who were with Linus on the boat that day.  I loved the legends of mermaids and the songs they sing to lure the men.  I loved the wind chimes, more legend of keeping the mermaids songs hushed. 

The town of Cradle Harbor is just teaming with activity!  Mermaid Festival coming, Tess carving a commissioned piece, really a nod to her artistic talent, and the new man in town....Tom.  They story of how he came to be in Maine is just wonderful, it takes you into the deep dark places that people hide from.  Tragedies happen and there are always those who survive, left to carry on.  Often there is guilt, questions of things that will never be, and these real life situations are played out in this book.  Erika has such a way with this story, one it takes a while to really put together in your mind, and leaves you feeling sadness and yet kindness and rooting for the underdog, the people still healing from their own wounds. 

I really enjoyed this book.  I want to visit Maine and an old lighthouse so badly now!!  I want to hear mermaid songs...and chimes.  I've given this a 4.5 out of 5 stars and I highly recommend this book.  It's one that will not soon be forgotten. 

Erika Marks first book LITTLE GALE GUMBO is also available in paperback and e book.  Please visit Erika's website and you may also find her on facebook and twitter.  I'm happy to add that Erika will be one of the authors in attendance at the UCF Book Festival 2013.  I can't wait to meet her and chat about mermaids and more!!

NEIBA Breakfast and Exhibit Experience

The Great Literary Vacation continues.

Thursday morning October 4 was an author breakfast at New England Independent booksellers Association, NEIBA, and when I learned the speakers I was certain I needed to be there. 

Lisa Genova, Dennis Lehane, Junot Diaz, and James Dashner were the breakfast speakers.  I've read all of Lisa Genova's books and have enjoyed and felt a bit educated after each one.  I spoke with Robin, and she changed her morning after event plans to purchasing a table for the breakfast.

James Dashner

 Dennis Lehane

Lisa Genova

 Junot Diaz

I beg your forgiveness for the lack of photo quality....I should likely just remove them...eeek so awful!! But I was there, and I was literally holding my breath I was so excited.  It wasn't enough to meet authors the night before, I was sitting in a banquet room with authors and booksellers and book lovers and I was thrilled to be included.  Robin invited the authors from her event, but only Amanda Eyre Ward attended, and Juliette Fay was also at our table.  Not sure where my head was because I was not all over Juliette, I think I was a bit dazed!  

James Dashner is the author of THE MAZE RUNNER and it's sequals, and was promoting a new series from Schoolastic, the first A MUTINY IN TIME: INFINITY RING #1, sounds like a great middle grade read.  He discussed books and kids and he was very endearing. 

I will now hang my head and admit I've never read a Dennis Lehane book.  It's true.   His latest book is LIVE BY NIGHT, and I've naturally heard good things.  Dennis is from Boston, the setting of many of his books like MISTIC RIVER, yea I've seen the movie(tsk tsk).  He talked about his youth, where he came from, the darker, seedier side of Boston, so interesting.  I loved his honesty and you could just see that spark in him when he spoke of how lucky he is to be paid for doing what he loves most.  I will be reading Mr. Lehane's books.

Lisa Genova was the third speaker and as I've said I've read all her books, and loved them all.  She was funny as she followed Dennis Lehane and showed her own Bostonian dialect off !Lisa was open, sharing her personal story of autism within her family. Her new book LOVE ANTHONY was inspired by her this. She spoke of not wanting to write this book, but how it she couldn't not write the book.  Trust me, not a dry eye at our table of women and mostly moms. 

Lastly Junot Diaz spoke.  I am only familiar with his work because of the books I've seen and sold.  I was surprised at his colorful language, but then I realize this is how he writes.  Junot talked about growing up in New Jersey, having a paper route at age 10, and seeing an ad for books--Free.  He had to work out a plan, to get them home, how he and his brother used two grocery carts.  Those were the first books he owned, his first library.  Listening to him speak I was taken by his humble beginnings and that he has worked so hard to achieve his dreams, prizes, rewards and accolades have been given to him for many of his works.  His newest book of short stories THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE HER is going to be a very good read.  

Post talks the breakfast wrapped up and I was lucky enough to have my books signed.  Lisa Genova was again endearing...so so kind.  Dennis Lehane was very nice, and he's easy on the eyes too.  Then there was Junot, he greeted me with a kiss on each cheek, and he then told me he loves book bloggers because we do it for just the love of books.  I adored how he said this.  I'd love to be able to sit down and talk to this man....he is so smart!!  

Guess who else I ran into? The lovely Dawn Rennert from Concord Books and the blog She is Too Fond of Books.  So thrilled to meet Dawn in person, but not nearly enough time to talk

I then made my way to the Exhibit Floor, where I was promptly overwhelmed.  I do not think I could handle BEA!!!  I was sort of on my on, as Robin had some errands to run.  I roamed around, carrying books, and then acquired a bag...thankfully.  I handed out business cards, introduced myself as a blogger and was given an opportunity to talk books, pick up a few galleys for 2013 books.  I met Ann Kingman from Random House and Books on the Nightstand.  She was very busy, but generously said hi and gave me a quick hug.  

I know this was long, but the day was unbelievable to a book junkie like myself.  I hope you enjoyed, and if you have the opportunity to attend a regional Indie book seller event, we have SIBA in the south,  you should really take advantage of it.  I certainly intend to do my homework and try to attend SIBA next year...in New Orleans no less!! 

Book Review: Close Your Eyes

By:  Amanda Eyre Ward

Published by: Random House Audio/Random House July 2011

Length:  7 hours/ 272 pages

Narrated by: Meera Simhan and Phoebe Zimmerman

 Source: Purchased with Audible.com credit. 


Lauren Mahdian has mixed memories and feelings about her childhood.  When she was six years old her parents were having a party and she and her brother, Alex, had gone to the tree house to sleep.  Lauren recalls waking in the night, hearing some noises and then going to the house.  She thinks she has seen her parents arguing, and she quickly retreats to the safety of her brother to sleep.  Their father brings them doughnuts the next day....and then suddenly her picturesque life is shattered with her mother being carried out on a stretcher, her father being arrested and she and her brother being moved and raised by other family members far away from the New York state suburbia they were living

All grown up now, Alex is Lauren's rock, her constant and when he decides to volunteer for doctors without borders she is anxious...and worried. He tells her has been researching their mother's murder, and he doesn't believe his father is guilty. He leaves her with contact names and numbers in NY, detectives who are still looking into their father's case. He also leaves her an earring, a single Jade earring found the morning they found their mother's body. When Alex goes missing Lauren  decides she must find out more...about that night, about the past. 

As Part 2 of this audio begins...there are totally new characters, and for a moment I thought my audible app had skipped to a new book.  Keep reading or listening dear friends....it just keeps getting better. 

There is much mystery  about Lauren's father, his life, his prison sentence, everything.  I was completely surprised by the twists and turns in this book.  I was unsure of where this story was going, I could not pinpoint where it would go.  I loved that it was so well done.  Amanda Eyre Ward did an excellent job of bringing in just enough information to make me think I knew what was going on...and then she twisted me again....so good!!  It was easy to feel empathy for Lauren, girl brought up with no mother, her father in prison for murder, on and on it goes.  Even as a grown woman she seems lost, unsettled despite the fact she is a real estate agent and lives with a man in a stable appearing relationship. 

The narration of this book was done with two people and it was very good.  I'm not familiar with either of these voices but they fit nicely into breaking the story down. 

This is the first book I've read from Amanda Eyre Ward...I will be reading more.  I gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars...I really liked it.  Please visit her website, and she's on twitter and fb too!!  Meeting her at Evening with Authors was such a pleasure, I wish I'd had more time to chat with her about Close Your Eyes.....how gifted she is to have woven this tale. 

Weekly recap

I keep trying to find a post title I like as a way of catching up or recapping my week.  Lots of book bloggers are part of TSS, The Sunday Salon, and many don't bother with any type of look back.  I kind of like it...as I don't really write about daily activities most weeks.  So suggest some good Post Titles for me if you've got any ideas!!

Last weekend found the whole family in Jacksonville for UNF Family Weekend.  We headed up Saturday morning and we toured some new buildings on campus.  Their new wellness center/fitness facility is so cool.  A 3 floor rock climbing wall, tons of machines and group classes.  We had a fabulous dinner at Ted's Montana Grill after we did some shopping.  Sunday we had lunch with the ladies of her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta.  We had a silent auction and I won some California Pizza Kitchen gift cards and cookbook.  There was a raffle for a quilt...so sad I didn't win that one. 

The week was so quiet!!  I wasn't scheduled to work at all...very odd, but kind of nice.  I did read quite a bit and I cleaned house.  I did my volunteering at the high school.  Speaking of high school, Nick has completed 9 weeks and after midterms he got all A's!  Yes I'm proud, while I know he's capable, he tends to take the easy way with much school work...lazy.  I baked pumpkin bread one day too....yummmm on that smell and thankfully I gave over half of it away. 

Friday Nick went off to school and I have been luxuriating at The Peabody Orlando while Kevin has been working with the management team and board of directors.  This planning meeting is an annual event, for me it's a chance to get away, stay in a nice resort and we eat way too much...ugh.  I've also finished another book, and enjoyed the sunshine outside and relaxed!!  Nick's been staying with a friend, his sisters too busy to make it home to help out. 

Our Sunday will be brunch, and then off to see Adrienne playing softball at Stetson University.  Friday afternoon they played Florida Tech and she hit a two run homerun!!  I was sad to miss it but my brother and sister in law were there and quite proud of her.  Our weather has become less humid and a bit cooler, mind you it's Florida, so it will still be 80 but that's so nice after a LONG HOT summer. 

Wishing you a wonderful week...hoping to post a couple of reviews this week and my final Rhode Island post...where I share my day at NEIBA. 

An Evening with Authors-Reading with Robin-Love Carol Foundation

 Chris Bohjalian and I

 The Lovely Emily Homonoff and I

 Robin and her Aunt Eileen

As most of you know I was in Rhode Island just two weeks ago in all my Great Literary Vacation glory!!  I have two fabulous friends who made this vacation possible, and one of those friends is the lovely Robin Kall.

For those not familiar Robin Kall hosts a weekly talk radio show in Providence RI, aptly named, Reading with Robin.  Each Saturday morning at 8am she chats with fabulous authors and shares her own love of books and little tidbits about writing with her listeners.  Robin is this ridiculously friendly and outgoing woman, she has a huge smile, you know the kind you can hear in a person's voice.  She can instantly make anyone comfortable in conversation, and she sincerely listens.  Robin and I met online, and we just felt this "click" or at least I did.  She has been a cheerleader for my blog and has introduced me to more authors and books---just what a woman like myself needs!  Robin was in Florida this spring with a friend and we were able to meet for dinner, and it was just as I suspected, like meeting an old friend and chatting like crazy!

Robin and her sisters lost their beautiful mom, Carol, to breast cancer when she was just 53 years old.  These three sisters have created the Love Carol Foundation, to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research.  An Evening with Authors has just celebrated it's 10th year.  I was so honored to be able to attend, to feel the love these sisters and families feel in honoring their mother.

The authors this year were an amazing trio that I was absolutely giddy to listen to.  Elizabeth Berg, Amanda Eyre Ward and Chris Bohjalian were there to chat books, the process, the ups and downs, the laughs, the gaffs and more. The style of the panel and talk was very relaxed and comfortable.  Robin had asked each author to suggest some questions and she casually asked the questions, and the authors fed off of each other and just made the evening so much fun.  If you are ever at a talk with Chris Bohjalian please have him share his underwear story...it's one you will never forget!! 

Before the event began I saw Bohjalian enter the room, I help myself back from running to gush all over him.  I did approach him and he immediately said "Anita!" I was amazed he recognized me, and he was so congenial and open.  We chatted a bit, my friend Pam came over to join our talk and it was one of the most amazing moments I've had with an author.  We also had a little one on one with Elizabeth Berg, she is so classy and calm.  This woman has written over 24 books and I've read most of them and talking to her about her upcoming trip to Italy and about her books was just surreal.

After their talk the authors happily autographed books, and because we are chatty my friend Pam and I were nearly last in line.  While waiting Robin brought over some other authors that had come to the event, Nichole Bernier, Randy Susan Meyers, and Juliette Fay.  We hugged and chatted and I thank twitter and social media and books for bringing these unlikely friendships to me.

Amanda Eyre Ward was a new author to me, but she was so much fun my friend Pam has jokingly named her, her new BFF, Mandy...ha ha!!  Amanda is young, with children at home, and clearly a wonderful husband who was holding down the fort in TX while she was in New England doing author talks.  I've just recently finished her book Close Your Eyes, and I couldn't wait to talk to her about it when I finished.  If you should meet her you will love her writing process....it's unusual, but she likes to write in hotels.  Remember she does have 3 small children, it makes sense.

 I know how lucky I am to have friends like Robin Kall, she is beyond generous.  I also spent Tuesday evening with her and her daughter Emily, and her Aunt Eileen.  Just four book loving women having a night in a cheese shop bistro.....with some of the best mac and cheese I've ever had.  My pictures are not great...but here are some shots of the fun!!

Book Review: The River Witch

By: Kimberly Brock

Published by: Bell Bridge Books, April 2012

Length: 246 pages

Source: Publisher and generous author



Roslyn Byrne is a woman broken in body and spirit, she's recovering from an awful car accident and the loss of a child. No longer able to dance professionally,she retreats to an island off the coast of Georgia, renting a house from a mysterious family...a family with as many or more secrets than herself.  Roslyn meets Damascus, a young girl whose mother has died and her father is running around lost...not being the father she needs, or not in a way that anyone can see.  Roslyn and Damascus appear to need each other, and to teach each other lessons that no one else has been able to make clear to them.  Damascus teaches her about alligators and the river she is named for.  Roslyn gives back to her a sense of belonging, a place to be herself and more.

The music and the imagery created in this book is both haunting and beautiful. Author Kimberly Brock introduced me to Sacred Harp music, a particular style of vocal music made popular in the Protestant South.  I had to search out some samples to understand the music more.  It was the music of Roslyn's Granny, the music of her past.  To appreciate the way Brock writes I've taken a selection of when she is watching Urey Trezevant, Damascus' father one morning. (page 68)

I knew the lines of the human form. I'd spent my life in the pursuit of unattainable perfection.  But the sight of this man was as purely beautiful  as I'd ever seen in his imperfect struggle against the current. He braced his legs wide, pulled the net in slowly, deliberately, and repeated the action again and again in a gentle rhythm that seemed to me to be the purpose for which his body was created.  

The colorful cast of characters in this book keep the story lively and we see there is much more to both these families. 

I was blown away by this debut novel.  The story sounds simple at first glance but there is so much more going on with the two main characters.  I loved how Roslyn who was so unsure about motherhood and herself became the love and strength that Damascus needed.  Others show Roslyn that her life is not over, that she has gifts and talents to share with others, and perhaps this theme is one that is shown with many characters in this book.  Urey needs to move on, his sister Ivey needs to do more with her life, Damascus needs a stable family, she is bright and eager to love. 

I "met" Kimberly Brock on twitter, and her kindness and sincere likability was what made me want to read this book so very much.  This book was a pleasure to read, and I've given it 4.5 out of 5 stars, I highly recommend to those who enjoy women's fiction, and coming of age stories. 

Please look up Kimberly Brock on her website and on twitter at @kimberlydbrock.  I know there are more beautiful book she will be sharing with us. 

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Rhode Island

State Park

Along the Atlantic coast Newport RI

The Harbor in Newport RI

Brick Alley Pub-Lobster roll

Lobster Mac n Cheese

Allowing the Fine "Juice Box" wine to breathe!

Book Review: Blackberry Winter

Written By: Sarah Jio

Published by: Plume/Penguin September 24 2012

Pages: 320 pages

Source: Publisher


In 1933 Seattle, Vera Ray is a working class single mother, she works hard to care for her young son, Danie, and occasionally it means leaving for her job while he sleeps.  Returning home in a bizarre May snowstorm, she is shocked to find her son missing.  Frantic and looking for help she is met with more judgement than help.
When a late spring snow storm occurs in May of 2010 Claire Aldridege is tasked with researching a similar snow storm and uncovers an unsolved and forgotten crime from the past.  What Claire begins to find could upset her marriage and much more in her life.  Claire becomes almost obsessed by learning more about Vera and her son, what was Vera's life like, what happened to her son, who would want to take him.  Claire and her husband have suffered their own loss, and their marriage is strained at best.  Will her undercover work bring her closer to understanding her own life?

One of the things I believe Sarah Jio does best is write a story from two points of view.  In this latest book she artfully alternates between the voice of Vera and Claire and as a reader I could empathize with both women.  Vera was really a working class woman when the classes were very divided.  She was witness to the haves and the have nots, and naturally she yearned for a different life.  Moving between the classes was not really done, and  she was naive to some of the more seedy realities when trying to find help in searching for Daniel. 
Claire is a woman broken after the loss of a child, her marriage a charade of what it was.  Her husband Ethan has thrown himself into his work, and buying things to ease his pain.  Claire is sad, and yet searching for the answers to this long unsolved crime seems to make her feel alive, important. 

This third book by Sarah Jio only seems to further renew my admiration for her work.  I've been loving her books since The Violets of March and The Bungalow.  Her research of the past is so well done, so detailed and eye opening.  How she weaves a story is beautiful, and heart wrenching.  This made me cry several times.  I've given this book a  5 out of 5 stars, I loved it!!  If you are a fan of Sarah Pekkanen or Elin Hillderbrand I believe Sarah Jio's books will pull you in!  Each time I finish one of Sarah's books I'm a little sad...waiting for the next one. 

Want to see more reviews of Blackberry Winter and more great books....please visit She Reads, where this book is the October Book Club Selection.

Catching Up

Wow, what a difference a week makes!! 

I spent most of five fabulous days in Rhode Island.   I flew in Tuesday morning, I was greeted by my friend Pam.  We met over three years ago in the blogging world.  She and her family visited Disney a couple of years ago and and we met, spent a day together looking at books and chatting, sharing food and having a great time.  We've kept in close touch, sharing our college daughters moving away, more books, her returning to college, my returning to work.  When I asked her about staying at her house, and attending some book events with me...she was willing and eager! Great friends can begin in the most unique places. 

I'll be going into more detail on my trip and the book events, but suffice to say, we did much sightseeing, and much eating!!  I don't think I'll ever be hungry again!!  Pam and I attended An Evening with Authors, an event for the Love, Carol Foundation, and the lovely Robin Kall Homonoff, of Reading With Robin,was our hostess.  A simple Wednesday evening was transformed into one of my gushiest fan girl moments.  Meeting authors I've admired for years is so humbling.  Also meeting a new author whom I've just begun to read and admire is also rewarding.  More to come.

I spent half a day at NEIBA, New England Independent Booksellers Association, a breakfast with more authors and then walking the trade floor taking to Publisher Reps and introducing myself as a book blogger....so much fun....details later!!

Pam drove me to Newport on Friday and I ate Lobster Mac and Cheese...TO DIE FOR....good grief it was some good stuff!!!  We drove on Ocean Drive, saw lots of mansions and all this in sunshine and fall colors and and moderate temps....lovely. 

I arrived home Saturday night about 5pm, and the real world was waiting for me!!  My girls both came home and we watched Caitie craft all her "Big Sister" hint gifts for her soon to be "little sister" sorority gifts.  So cute!! 

Sunday my son Nicholas was Confirmed into the Catholic Church.  Very proud of him, despite my own issues with the church, a work in progress.  We celebrated with a trip to Kobe Steakhouse and it was very good!! 

The new week is here.....volunteering, work, housework, reading, writing....and more!!  Never a dull moment.  Wishing you each a productive week. 

Mini Book Review: In The Pink

By: Susan McBride

Published by: William Morrow, Oct 2 2012 Ebook

Length: 100 pages

Source: E-galley from Edelweiss

I love the additional sub title of this book-- How I Met The Perfect (Younger) Man, Survived Breast Cancer, And Found True Happiness After 40.  How can anyone not feel positive and hopeful with a title like that?

I met Susan online, on the blog, Girlfriends Book Club--I read her posts and just immediately liked her.  We began to chat on facebook and shared a history of living in St Louis Missouri, where she still lives and her father and I are University of Missouri alumni, and I've almost forgiven Susan for attending University of Kansas...really??  I liked her immediately and then I had the opportunity to read her book Little Black Dress, I loved it. 

This short book is the tale of Susan's life in her forties, with much love and laughter.  While reading it I learned more details of her writing background, her mom's rush to have her married off and her finding Ed, the love of her life.  Her open and honest details of her battle with breast cancer is so touching, I teared up reading it.  Suffice to say I imagine no one will walk away with a dry eye after this read.  The beautiful icing on the cake to this story is the birth of Susan and Ed's daughter Emily earlier this year, Susan finally a mom at 46, a happy beautiful baby is now an amazing part of their life.  I've given this little book a 5 out of 5 stars!!  This book will also be available in print later in October. 

Susan also gives us a taste of her next book coming out in 2013, The Truth About Love and Lightening, I know I'm looking forward to it. 

Book Review: Heading Out to Wonderful

By: Robert Goolrick

Published by: HighBridge Audio June 2012/Algonquin Books

Length: 9 hours 30 minutes/ 298 pages

Narrator: Norman Dietz

Source: Audiobook Juke Box in consideration of a review


Charlie Beale just kind of shows up.  It's after World War II and most folks just assume he's a vet and has no where else to go.  He buys some land, a place he can call his own and then he starts meeting the people of Brownsburg Virginia  When he approaches the butcher, Will Hazelit, with a proposition to join him as a meat cutter he shows him just what what skill he has.  Sam Hazelit is a five year old boy, quiet and shy.  He becomes Charlie's little shadow, calling him BeeBo, and enamored of his newness in town.

Charlie is a nice person, he never seems to meet a stranger and Will and Alma Hazelit take to him like he was family.  Alma convinces him he needs to buy a house in town, it's not good for him to sleep out on his land, or always staying in their home.  So Charlie buys a home, and Alma helps him set up house.  Soon enough Charlie is buying up lots of old farmland, and pastures and just about everything he can get his hands on.

Sylvan Glass was a poor young farm girl, when Boaty Glass drove by her home and struck up a bargain with her daddy.  She married Boaty and went to live with him in Brownsburg.  Boaty Glass was much older, and had lots of money, but didn't really care for Sylvan much.  It almost seemed he wanted the appearance of a wife, rather than actually wanting a person to love.  Sylvan loves the movies, and magazines, and when she meets a seamstress who is able to sew just about anything, and she has an entire wardrobe of beautiful Hollywood type replicas made.  

Charlie is in love with Sylvan, it's first more secretive, but then everyone sees it, his affection becomes an obsession, and their relationship threatens all that is good and wonderful in Brownsburg.

I had no idea what to expect from this audiobook.  I'd heard others rave about it, and I was amazed at the way Goolrick took a much written love story, and yet gave it color and depth and such sensitivity that I was anxious to listen at each opportunity.  This book is so well written, and has so many back stories and  the result of each relationship has a ripple effect. I have to say the twists that the story took surprised me, and at times saddened me.  Love can be such a demanding and harsh emotion. 

The audio production was clean and I think that Norman Dietz did an excellent job with the different characters and voices. 

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars, I really enjoyed it.  I recommend it to all. 

Weekly Catch Up

This past week has been particularly draining.  I did read and I did finish an audio book...so that's something.  Look for a couple of reviews this week.

My son was sick last week, came home from football practice with a fever...103 fever!!  He refuses to take medicine, can't swallow a pill, so I hope he outgrows that fear soon.  I kept him home Wednesday, and his fever came down on it's own before he went to bed.  I kept him home half of Thursday to rest.  Viruses..ugh!

The stress of the last week is about the challenges of my parents.  As I've shared they are 87 and 85, and the changes they have experienced in the last few years is daunting.  My dad, my dad, he's not really the man I grew up with.  He was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease six years ago, he also has macular degeneration and so legally blind.  Call it dementia, or Alzheimer's but my dad also suffers from memory loss and his cognitive skills are diminished.  This combination is so devastating and difficult to witness.  While both my parents now live in a retirement community, and have lived together in independent living without my mom's constant care he would not continue to live there.  This past summer my dad has fallen a number of times, thankfully unharmed.  He also needs help with some personal needs and this and his cognitive issues and the care of him has really become too much for my mom.  She recently had hernia surgery...a result of helping my dad, and she really isn't that strong.
Sadly my siblings and I, along with my mom, have decided that my dad will remain in the assisted living, memory care unit of their complex.  He's been there since September 7, the day of my mom's surgery.  He'll move to a permanent apartment, which will be decorated and furnished with familiar belongings from their home.    Unfortunately he fell again Saturday and has some hairline fractures in his ankle.  This was like adding yet another odd shaped piece to a difficult puzzle...trying to explain to him the decided changes, he may require a cast now, on and on this goes.  I feel some guilt being so far away from my parents, and not being able to share some of the increasing day to day to weekly needs my siblings are able to assist with.  I'm sad because my parents who have been married for almost 68 years are now living and sleeping in different apartments.  No longer kissing goodnight, waking and talking over the Today Show and coffee.  I know many of their routines have been altered, but this is significant change.  I'm thankful they can afford the level of care they have.  I'm thankful for each day I still have them in my life too.

This week I'm traveling, heading to Rhode Island to visit two friends, and to attend some book events.  I'm feeling very lucky to have this get-a-way.  I'll be tweeting and doing some FB updates....so look for me!