Book Review: Spinning Silk

My enjoyment of “Spinning Silk” by Taya Cook began with the beautiful cover and ended with the satisfying journey of a young Japanese girl from orphan to more than anyone ever imagined. 

I love reading stories based on re-imagined fairytales and folklore. This story was particularly intriguing because it is based on Japanese folklore, which I knew nothing about, including legendary spider-warriors. 

Woven in with the folklore is the solid character arc of Furi, raised a slave, coveted for her talent in weaving silk. Her journey crosses paths with a mysterious gardener, a selective illness and a generous provider with selfish motives. Danger and death seem to follow Furi with no easy explanation. All these experiences are filled with mystery and plot twists and turns that lead Furi closer to a destiny beyond worldly understanding. I enjoyed this journey with Furi and became invested in her drive to survive and also to create beauty where ever she went and in whatever circumstance she found herself in.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for diversity and a peek inside Japanese folklore. A huge bonus is that the plot and character development are definitely worth investing in as well.

Book Review: The War I Finally Won

"The War I Finally Won" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is a fantastic sequel to "The War That Saved My Life."

Once again, Ada endears herself to the reader with her vulnerability. World War II continues to rage and the aftermath is horrendous. Homes are lost, friends are lost, comforts are lost, lives are lost. Even hope is lost. 

But new friends come, in the form of Ruth, a Jewish German. No one is welcoming or accepting of her at first but soon a sweet friendship grows as well as a new understanding.

I love how this book introduces complex situations and emotions to young children, challenging them to explore and consider situations they may never be in themselves. Things like learning to accept someone different than you. Challenges of living without normal necessary comforts. Loss and death. Loneliness. Emotional and mental frailty. It is through reading books like this that children learn empathy for people and situations that foreign, scary and untouchable.

Another strong part of this book is the historical aspect. I love viewing the war from this perspective. I don't think it is one that is used very often, especially from a child's point of view. 

A couple of my favorite parts are:

example #1:
(Ada is at the top of the church in the middle of the night with Susan looking for fires)
"...I don't believe you're in danger up here, not any more than anywhere else. Think about it. You don't have to feel safe to actually be safe.'
I supposed. I'd never felt safe, so how would I know?"
I love that concept - You don't have to feel safe to actually be safe. That is something that Ada struggles with from the first novel and throughout this one. It demonstrates the power of the story we tell ourselves, what we allow ourselves to believe. Sometimes we are safe, or worthwhile, or beautiful, or whatever else, even though we don't see or believe it. 

example #2:
Mrs. Thornton has the most difficult time accepting Ruth. But in the end, she learns to look at the individual and open herself to understanding.
"I knew about the part of the world I grew up in,' Lady Thorton said, looking directly at me. 'You knew about the part you grew up in. Now we both know more."

This is one of the most valuable lessons of the whole book and why I think young people should read it

Why write?

I enjoy writing. I really do. 

But sometimes I get burned out. 

I lose inspiration

and direction

and confidence.

Getting started again is the hardest!

But I've had some stones in my shoe, 

spurs in my boot, 

kicks in the rear.

For starters, I've decided to create a special writing space for myself. 

Here is what it currently looks like:

Its going to take a litte lot of work. :)

But look at all those books!

HEAVEN!

Another motivation is this cute poster my daughter and her friend put together for me. 

"For the MOTHER" 

(hahaha!)

I just love that they recap the writing process for me and then tell me "Mom your AWESOME Believe in YOURSELF!!!!!"

I needed to hear that. Thank you!

Motivation #3:

Bryce wrote this awesome story in class. 

"Jack was in his bed. The doll had blue and red cracks all over. A bucket of blood and it was from people. The dolls eyes turned blood red. the doll started running at Jack. He raced out of his room. He saw blood eyes, red and blue..." (I took a little editorial privilege)

Ok, so maybe weaving a tale runs in the family and maybe someone wants to hear it. 

And that brings me to my final motivation - 
hoping that people want to hear what I write.

Whether its fiction or nonfiction, I write because I want to tell a story, but I also write because I want to be heard. 

I love the song "You Matter To Me" from the broadway show "Waitress." 

"Its addictive the minute you let yourself think,
the things that I say just might matter to someone."

So, its time to get serious about writing again. I need to clear thoughts and experiences from my mind so I can make sense of them, grow from them and be heard. I also need to finished a couple of middle-grade stories for my children before they aren't children anymore. 

Book Review: Peace Like a River

Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger, is one of the most beautiful books written. It is very poetic and a little slow to begin and for some in my book club, it was hard to get into. But for me, its like swimming in a beautiful ocean of words. 

If you give yourself a little time to immerse into the story, you will fall in love with 11-year-old Reuben and his family. Beginning with severe bullying and a drastic reaction by taking things into their own hands, the family is propelled into a cross-country trip to save their family. 

One of the best parts of this book for me, besides the beautiful writing, was the religious undercurrent throughout the entire novel. I just loved it. Miracles and prophets and the drive to do the right. Also, the character development and family development were so deep and meaningful. The relationships between Reuben and his sister and brother. And the role of his father as the bedrock of the family. Heart-breaking at times but always real and honest. 

Also, the setting is almost a character in and of itself. From the long stretches of road, to the snow, to the fiery crevasse. And the characters that come on scene to help and to hinder are drawn with distinct characterization. 

This is a wonderful book for young adult/adult. If you find it hard to get into, don't give up. It is worth reading! 

Book Review: The Third

Isn't this the craziest cover. I sort of love it and am creeped out by it at the same time. 

The Third is a fantastic book written by Abel Keogh. The story starts by immediately immersing you in the setting of a not-too-distant future that is focused on recycling and saving the earth. Laws of rule and order are passed and families are granted only two credits for children. Having a third or more is against the law. 

Right off the bat, Ransom saves a woman and her child from impending violence on a bus and in the process puts his own life in danger. This would be enough to keep you reading but when the twists and turns start flying, I couldn't put the book down. 

The best part of Keogh's writing is the way he envisions the future and puts his characters in impossible positions where the line between right and wrong is blurred. He does a good job of exploring the issues from every angle. I even found myself agreeing with a character that was in opposition to my own opinion. 

The plot is tight and intriguing and the characters are spot on. I couldn't stop reading and when the book ended.... well, I just can't wait for the next book to come out. 

This is a great book I highly recommend for new adult/adult readers. 

Book Review: Finding Beauty in the Best

"Finding Beauty in the Beast" is a beautiful fairy tale re-telling. Author Jessilyn Peaslee borrows characters from her first novel, Ella (and its companion book, Ella's Will) and turns the fairy tale on its head. In the best way possible. Princess Rose is a monster. Some call her a beast. Corbin escapes heartbreak at home and finds himself in Rose's kingdom and forced to present himself as a suitor. Every suitor is required to present a gift and his, though simple, is the one Rose picks. And so begins the tale of transformation, for both of them.  Certainly the best part of this book is the character development. Peaslee does a wonderful job of bringing Corbin and Rose to life and making them completely relatable. Corbin is kind yet still flawed in his interaction with difficult Rose. And Rose is difficult yet vulnerable at the same time. Their love grows at a slow simmer until it can't be denied.I also appreciated the sweet poetic word-smithing that is so fitting for a fairytale. Peaslee is a master at understanding the workings of the heart and the intricate complications of relationships. You can't help but learn something about yourself when you read one of Peaslee's book. This is a sweet fairy tale I would recommend for any age.

"A Three Dog Life" is a beautiful memoir by Abigail Thomas. Her husband was in a horrible accident which left him with severe brain damage. His body is still there but his mind is lost. Abigail is his wife and caregiver.

This book, written in essay form is so beautiful. If you know someone with memory loss, this book will speak to you. It certainly did to me. She delves into the realities of living with someone who can't remember one moment to the next. And openly admits to the difficulties in putting your loved one in a care facility and all the complicated feelings that accompany that. Thomas writes in such an honest way, it made me feel like I was sharing a drink with her in a small restaurant and there was not a care in the world. It's reflective and beautiful and heart-rending.  

Another great thing about this book is that because it is written in essay form, it is easy to read and much or as little as you need. And it gives you time to think and reflect. It's a book I could read more than once.