Clare Hobbes is set to marry Zach, despite some strong misgivings. However, on the morning of the wedding day, Clare runs into an older woman on a park bench, who gives her some good advice: “No one should live with someone who scares her.” And Zach does in fact scare Clare with his intense emotions, anger and need to be almost in her head. As the older woman, Edith, relates her story of her own loving husband, Joseph, who was her “blue sky” or safe place, Clare finds the courage to call off the wedding. As the story progresses, she discovers some amazing attributes of Edith, although unfortunately, not until after Edith’s death. The novel flips back and forth in time between Edith’s and Clare’s stories, which is a perfect fit for this novel. I found it to be a wonderful read about relationships and life choices, penned by the author Marisa De Los Santos.
Month: July 2018
‘The Dependents’
‘The Dependents’ debut novel appraises the life of Gene and Maida Asher and their 49-year long marriage. The story begins with Maida’s recent death and her funeral. Dion has Gene evaluate his life with Maida and their close friends, Ed and Gayle, who married at the same time and remained lifelong friends. With Gene now alone, he embarks on his solitary life seeking confirmation that theirs was a good marriage. Without any alarming plot twists, ‘The Dependents’ enthralls with its examination of the everyday rituals and interactions Gene recalls looking back over his own life as he moves forward as a widower.
The Fallen
David Baldacci’s latest novel concerns the exploits of Amos Decker and his FBI colleague, Alex Jamison. There is “something rotten” in the town of Baronville, PA, where Alex’s sister has just moved with her family. Six strange murders have occurred recently, 2 during Amos’s & Alex’s so-called vacation to the town. The pair are soon enmeshed in trying to help DEA agents and the local police solve these deadly crimes. Baldacci writes a well-paced mystery, which holds the reader’s interest right from the outset. Highly recommended for mystery lovers who don’t mind some dead bodies…
Hildafolk
I want to highly recommend a YA (or Children’s!) Graphic novel series called Hildafolk by Luke Pearson.
The show is currently being developed as a Netflix series that will premiere this fall. I’ve read all of the volumes of the series so far and they are AMAZING. They are funny, witty, and good for any age.
The series centers around Hilda who lives with her mother and her pet Twig. She often goes on adventures and has hilarious encounters with odd mystical creatures. The folk-story world that Pearson has created is so brilliant and touching and clever!
Homemade Cleaners
For those of you who would like some simple cleaning solutions that don’t damage the planet, this book contains many different ideas, including cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, flooring and walls, furniture and maintaining a healthy yard. The authors, Mandy O’Brien and Dionna Ford list many toxic free recipes, using soap and water and just a few basic ingredients. It is a handy book to have around…
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