It's the first Thursday of the month which means it's time to join with Joanne (My Slices of Life) and Dara (Not In Jersey) in sharing what we read the month prior. Here's how my January looked-
Climbing To The Sun by Shelley Burchfield
This work of historical fiction was our book club's January selection. The author, Shelley Burchfield, lives here and her novel is set in a nearby town. We all enjoyed recognizing and reading about familiar landmarks, towns, and the freed-slave settlement most of us hadn't known about prior to this book. Shelley, along with another well known local author, will be speaking at an event later this month and I look forward to attending.
Set in 1928 South Carolina Climbing To The Sun tells the story of Callie Beechum, a young herbalist who owns a shop in the town of Pickens, and makes a living treating people with plant based medicine and herbal therapies. Her life is turned upside down when she aids the people living in a freed-slave settlement known as Liberia (a real place not far from where I live) in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her decision to help the residents of Liberia angers the wrong people in town, people who know a secret about Callie, and who threaten her livelihood and her very life.
Themes of race, prejudice, family secrets, and resilience are explored in this very well written novel. Four stars for me.
Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
Still reading a classic piece of literature every month and in January it was Thomas Hardy's Far From The Madding Crowd. I landed on this one after a guest pastor at our church referenced a small passage from it in a message. There's an event early in the book where a shepherd discovers his overly enthusiastic dog has led part of his flock over the edge of a cliff, and then in true sheep fashion the others followed suit. There's a very real metaphor to be found here for life in America right now, but I'll stay on point. I'm sure you can figure it out.
In Far From The Madding Crowd (a title Hardy uses somewhat ironically) a flighty young woman learns her actions have consequence, and I will say right off the bat, the beautiful Bathsheba Everdeen is not the most likable of female characters. Set in 1800's Victorian England, this is the story of Bathsheba and the three very different suitors she attracts. They include a sheep farmer, a handsome Sergeant, and a prosperous older bachelor.
As I say at the conclusion of every classic I read, the language reels me in and keeps me reading.
The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White
Newly divorced Merilee Talbot Dunlap moves to a new town with her children, hoping for a fresh start. She forms an unexpected friendship with her elderly landlady, Sugar Prescott, and the two women bond over shared trauma and long-buried secrets. Meanwhile, Merilee forms a friendship with another mother at her children’s school, unaware the woman has an agenda of her own. When a man dies under suspicious circumstances and Merilee becomes the prime suspect, her past threatens to destroy her future.
I saw much of the ending coming fairly early on, plus this one went a little off the rails in terms of believability for me. I gave it three stars.
The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy
Denny Voss is a 30 year old developmentally delayed man who lives in Minnesota with his mother, Nana-Jo, and his blind and deaf Saint Bernard, George. Denny has a sister named Lydia he rarely sees and a cousin Angus who lives next door. Denny is gentle, sometimes stubborn, and sings the theme song to Toy Story when he feels too much pressure or anxiety in life. He makes a living clearing roadkill from the highway with his cousin.
When the local mayoral candidate is murdered Denny is arrested and charged with the crime. His lawyer brings in a therapist, Dr. Herald, to try and learn more about Denny's life. In talking with Dr. Herald about his recent and not so recent past many secrets are revealed and these secrets will impact the outcome of the trial.
The story is told in Denny's first person point of view and that takes some getting used to. Early on I found it a little bit wearing, but as the plot moved along I settled in and in hindsight would say it was the right way to tell his story.
Four stars for me
When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen
One of my favorite recent reads. A poignant, heartbreaking yet beautiful story of an old man, his beloved dog, and his son all trying to come to terms with the struggles and frustrations of aging, of family relationships, friendship, and what our life's journey look's like in hindsight.
This book feels so real. The author is Swedish and the book is a best seller there. The storytelling is so well done and the author shows great sensitivity in writing about something we'll all face. I found myself thinking about my aging mother and mother-in-law, and my own self aging too.
Bo is an elderly man living alone with his dog, Sixten. His wife, Fredrika, now lives in a care home and no longer recognizes him or their son, Hans. Bo’s days are shaped by visits from the care team, occasional calls from his best friend Ture, and now and then visits from Hans. In the quiet moments, of which there are many, he retreats into memories of the life and family he once had.
As Bo struggles to maintain his independence and resist outside interference, it becomes clear he is no longer coping. Hans grows increasingly concerned, and when he suggests Bo give up Sixten, Bo’s determination to cling to the life he knows hardens. His dependence on others as his physical body no longer cooperates with what his brain wants him to do is challenging for both Bo and Hans and is oh so relatable.
Five stars for me.
If you've read something great recently send it my way. Hop over to the host blogs if you want to see what others read in January.
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