On our two month spring travels, I amazingly managed to read 8 wonderful books. Writing full reviews seems a bit overwhelming so I am condensing them into two posts!
The Lake House by Kate Morton
I hadn't picked up one of Morton's novels in several years, but needed a good story to balance out my heavier non-fiction choices. An abandoned lake house, the 90 year old author's past secrets and regrets, the young investigator who "needed a story" to revive her career...all parts culminated in a very satisfying ending. How had it taken up so many years to re-connect with this accomplished storyteller?
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
I have been a great fan of Hannah over the years. She can elicit feelings from the deep parts of my soul, but her past two renderings have left me somewhat wanting. Perhaps both have been ambitious, lengthy projects that seemed to drag out a bit for me. I did very much appreciate the historical context of the post depression years and how it affected the "Dust Bowl". I really had no idea of the trauma involved, and the transition opposition they faced in moving to a more lush, productive state like California (where one would assume, people could start over). It was another reality check of the difficulties generated by greedy people in power, with racist tendencies.
Gay Girl, Good God: the Story of Who I Was and Who God Has Always Been by Jackie Hill Perry
Recommended by my daughter who heard Perry's story at a conference, this was an excellent read. It made me again evaluate my thoughts regarding the LGBTQ community in this very divisive climate. My heart broke over the author's deep longings and cravings for security, for love and acceptance in a society that shunned her; yet also made me hopeful when Perry relayed her joy and resolve in facing what God asked her to do. She does not sugar-coat this process. Her thirst and desire for the opposite sex was very real, making every day difficult to face. Not everyone would agree with her premise that it is possible to leave this lifestyle, that it is painful and involves choices every day that are similar to facing any other addiction choices (drugs, alcohol, abuse, anger, lying, power, greed); but her journey was definitely eye-opening to me.
All American Boys by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds
A great audio book listen, this is a story of what can happen in a high school when a young black student is mistreated by a police officer in his community; and how the school rallies around him to make a positive statement to the media and the civil authorities. The added storyline is the white basketball player who is an eye-witness, and also a friend to the police officer involved. Choices and consequences.
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