I started this day out earlier than I usually do, I was invited to speak to a group of gifted 14 year olds at the middle school this morning for 30 minutes at 8 A.M. They had all written books as their final project. I talked to them about the writing process. Five of them indicated they wanted to be writers and would keep writing even if they received more than one hundred rejections - they would keep on writing. I congratulated them because that’s the dedication needed to be a real writer!
We went from winter to summer with only a few days of spring this year. I love the change of seasons but I never experienced a season as short as our spring was this year! I finally finished my flower planting today, and the predicted rain poured as I stubbornly stayed on task to finish. I was totally soaked to the skin, but the rain is so good for the plants.
We’ve had a super busy May with family and friends. Our fourth granddaughter graduated last Sunday afternoon and we celebrated her and her best friend’s transition with a lovely garden party, hosted by her parents and lots of help from her friend’s parents. The rain held off except for about an hour late in the afternoon … and most of us welcomed the rain since it had been such a hot humid day. A huge tent in the back yard helped. Her college sister was home for a week and helped with all the preparations. Wonderful to see the girls grow up to be such awesome young people. Two more years until the youngest sister graduates. It’s almost enough to make me feel old!
My book club, Book Friends, meets tonight. It should be a good discussion, The Alice Network was such a well written and exciting novel.
My review of Twilight Empress by Faith L. Justice is posted on Story Circle at: http://www.storycirclebookreviews.org/reviews/twilightempress.shtml
Good books I have read this month: Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan. 2011. Historical/contemporary fiction. Started out a bit slow for me, but picked up soon enough to keep my interest. Wonderful story of how three generations of the women in an Irish Catholic family deal with guilt, obstinacy, alcoholism a, sibling rivalry and irrational love. I ‘ve read many of her books and find her climbing closer to the top of my list of favorite writers!
Sweet Hollow Women by Holly Tierney-Bedord. 2017. Fiction. This book was sent to me by Story Circle for review. The review will be posted next week. It is a southern novel, and the characters are well developed. The plot is full of twists and turns. I felt sad while reading, it deals with poverty, child neglect, and alcohol abuse. But the ending is more uplifting and hopeful.
The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith, a.k.a. J.K. Rowlings. 2013. Crime fiction. I read this book out of curiosity.It crime fiction is not my favorite genre. It was a satisfactory read, very detailed as one would expect form this author, if you’ve a ever read a Harry Potter book, you know what I mean. The characters were well developed with surprise plot twists. The ending pleasantly surprised me.
The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah. 2018. Fiction. A remarkable novel. I love this writer’s books. It is an unforgettable story of human frailty and resilience. Her flawed and human characters make choices time and time again that you want to shout at them NOT to make! Moving to Alaska as homesteaders in early fall with no preparations for winter is a recipe for disaster. Domestic abuse, alcoholism and loneliness are the back drop as the well developed characters fight for survival in the beautiful and bitter Alaska wilderness. A real page-turner! Loved it.
Born A Crime by Trevor Noah. 2016. Memoir. “This is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist.” — per jacket of Born A Crime. It is enlightening to the customs of South Africa where he was born and grew up. He was an exceptionally bright child; he shared a deep confidence and hope for his future with his mother. He is now a successful comedian in the USA, as well as internationally. At times this is a laugh out-loud kind of story, often followed with gut-wrenching sadness. Well worth reading.
We are still struggling and enjoying 24.
Till next time, please keep reading my friends.
Later, Ann