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Spring Reading Recommendations: Resiliency Blooms Anew

22 Monday Apr 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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AJ Finn, All We Ever Wanted, As Bright as Heaven, book recommendations, book review, books, Daisy Jones & The Six, Emily Giffin, female, historical fiction, How to Walk Away, Irene Hannon, Katherine Center, Lisa See, mystery/thriller, Pelican Point, reading, resiliency, spring, strong, Susan Meissner, Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Island of Sea Women, The Woman in the Window, women's fiction

As spring flowers bloom, we remember how they survive the cold, dark season to return and thrive again. We too need a reminder of our resilience. These books feature strong female characters who endure loss of family members, accidents that alter the body’s abilities, trauma, career obstacles, military occupation and more. Taking place during different time periods and in different areas, they offer a variety of people and places. Consider picking up one of these recent novels.

 

Katherine Center’s How to Walk Away introduces Margaret just as she graduates from her MBA program and gets engaged to her longtime boyfriend. Then her dreams literally crash as her new fiancé loses control of the plane and they land in flames. Margaret finds herself in the hospital without the use of her legs, the job she accepted and her fiancé. As heavy as this sounds, the strength she gains as she goes through physical therapy and adjusts her life to meet new goals shows such an admirable resiliency.

Lisa See’s latest novel The Island of Sea Women shares so much historical and cultural research through Young-sook’s life as a haenyeo on the Korean island Jeju. Continuing the tradition of the women in her family, Young-sook learns how to dive to earn a living so she can contribute to her family’s household and later her husband’s and children’s educations. Witnessing the dangers of the sea and the horrors of military occupation, she carries the weight of loss as she cares for her family. Most importantly, her lifelong relationship with her childhood best friend Mi-ja carries the themes of female friendship and forgiveness.

Emily Giffin’s All We Ever Wanted revolves around a privileged community in Nashville community and a couple families whose high school aged children end up at the center of an inappropriate photo scandal. Differences in age, gender and class come into play as each character protects their reputation and values. The mother of the boy who took the photo gives a nuanced look at the long term effects of such situations and serves as a catalyst for progress.

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s runaway spring sensation Daisy Jones & the Six flows as an interview that tells of the formation, fame and fade of a successful band in 1970s Los Angeles. Though it has the usual expected elements of rock n roll, it has an unexpected spine to its antics. Band leader Billy Dunne’s marriage exemplifies a relationship with a solid foundation and staying power. His wife Camilla and Daisy show the spectrum of struggle with maintaining a sense of self, purpose and connection when it comes to career and marriage.

 

Susan Meissner’s historical fiction novel As Bright as Heaven takes place during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918. The Bright family moves to Philadelphia to join the family business at a funeral home. As war and flu threaten to tear families and communities apart, the three sisters learn how to survive and how to stay connected to each other. The ladies mature faster than normal due to their circumstances, but they still fulfill their dreams. Rich in history and familial themes, this story shows the depth and timelessness of strength.

 

Irene Hannon’s Pelican Point, the fourth installment in the Hope Harbor series, sweeps its characters right off the page in its small ocean town setting. Ben Garrison returns to Pelican Point to inherit a lighthouse that he intends to sell so he can move on with his life. He meets Marci, who wants to save the lighthouse, and tensions arise. As they get to know each other and their neighbors, they see healing happening as issues get brought to light. Ultimately, Marci shares her strength with those around her so they can all progress.

 

AJ Finn’s The Woman in the Window pays homage to Alfred Hitchcok films in his debut mystery/thriller. Anna Fox lives alone, and she doesn’t leave the house. Struggling with illness, her she connects to an online group where she offers support to others. She witnesses a murder at the house next door but no one believes what she saw. Anna’s story demonstrates strength in the face of fear and doubt.

Springtime Reading Recommendations

13 Wednesday Mar 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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books, family, How to Walk Away, Katherine Center, Lock and Key, Maggie O'Farrell, middle grade March, relationships, RJ Palacio, Sarah Dessen, spring, strength, The Language of Flowers, This Must Be the Place, Vanessa Diffenbaugh, wonder, YA

Springtime makes a perfect setting for growth as the green returns to the land and love and floral scents fill the air. I have compiled a list of books that feature a lot of character growth, particularly within family dynamics. Let these stories inspire us to develop ourselves and to connect with our family on an authentic, deep level.

Lock & Key by Sarah Dessen: Ruby starts in a dysfunctional family situation. After her mother disappears, she finds herself in a more stable home with the sister she hasn’t seen in years. Ruby learns how to adjust to a healthy, structured life as she makes new friends and reconnects with her family. Trust serves as a focal theme.

Wonder by P.J. Palacio: August embarks on his first year at a public school, and he and his family brace for how the other students will respond to his differences. The entire story reminds us of the importance of kindness. August’s parents and sister learn how to support him while he gains some independence, and August learns how to connect with those around him who have genuine relationships with him.

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center: This story mostly revolves around resiliency as Margaret heals from a plane crash. As she adjusts to living her life in a new way and discovers new ways to achieve her goals. Her parents and sister support her physically and emotionally, even as Margaret and her sister reconcile after a prolonged disconnect. Margaret thrives as we see her emotional, mental and physical strength, and she makes it with the help of her family coming together for her.

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh: This heartrending novel follows orphan Victoria as she goes through the foster care system her whole life and ultimately ages out. She sees what family means as she seeks familial connections. The characters have to conquer deep insecurities and learn how to trust as they navigate their relationships. The flowers and characters hold deep meaning and growth.

This Must Be the Place by Maggie O’Farrell:  A sweeping family saga, this story follows Daniel as he develops, and sometimes fails, his familial relationships. Covering multiple time periods as well as multiple continents, it shows the long term effects of Daniel’s choices. He grows as a man, father and husband as he faces triumphs and disappointments in life. This shows an authentic look at the struggle and importance of keeping a supportive family together.

Top 10 Books I Read in 2018

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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2018, A.J. Finn, angst, Anne of Green Gables, authentic, best of, books, career, Christian fiction, Circe, classic, connection, dreams, faith, family, Fiercehearted, Greek mythology, growth, healing, high school, Holly Gerth, How to Walk Away, imagination, innocence, isolation, Jenny Han, Katherine Center, kindness, L.M. Montgomery, literature, Madeline Miller, Maggie O'Farrell, mental health, mystery, obstacles, opportunities, perspective, progress, R.J. Palacio, Rachel Hauck, relationships, resiliency, strength, The Woman in the Window, The Writing Desk, This Must Be the Place, thriller, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, wonder, YA

Happy New Year! As we begin a fresh calendar year, I want to share my top reads from 2018. That way we can start our reading lists with good titles and a reminder of the plethora of wonderful reads awaiting us.

 

  1. How to Walk Away by Katherine Center: This book follows a woman my age as she finishes her MBA program. As she anticipates starting her new job and accepting her fiancé’s proposal, her dreams literally go up in flames in a plane crash. Margaret must learn to heal physically, emotionally and mentally as she learns a new way of life and builds new dreams. Talk about a reminder of human resiliency. This book demonstrates hope and holds a wonderful sweetness.
  2. Wonder by R.J. Palacio: This read also reminds readers of human strength. It proves the power of kindness, especially in small actions. Little boy August constantly deals with obstacles in life, some seen by others and some not. He faces ridicule and misunderstanding by his peers, but he maintains strength in character. I highly recommend to readers of all ages as we all need to show more kindness.
  3. This Must Be the Place by Maggie O’Farrell: A complicated family tale, this story delves into the depths of familial relationships. Daniel Sullivan encounters tragedy and triumph as he navigates his life and looks back on his mistakes and accomplishments. Through it all, we see the core of a family and how it holds together, sometimes in unexpected ways.
  4. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han: This YA gem hits the mark! It makes such a sweet, fun story, and it even introduces a character with a Korean background. Not to mention, it involves a teenage girl with admirable qualities (I find it especially refreshing to see a realistic and innocent perspective on sex). The book takes you to the thrills of high school while also exploring the angst and growth experienced during that sometimes tumultuous time. *The movie did a great job capturing all this on screen too. I’d consider Peter for a Valentine nominee this year.
  5. The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck: This has introduced me to Hauck, and I wholeheartedly look forward to reading more of her books (I have a couple in my birthday book stack). The story goes back and forth in time between two young women embarking on writing careers and struggling to find mutual understanding with their mothers. Each one faces obstacles and yearns to stay true to her values and to develop her faith. The issues are relatable, and the women likeable.
  6. Circe by Madeline Miller: Circe serves as my pleasant surprise for the year. Getting my first deeper look into Greek mythology, I find myself more interested after reading this book. The themes of isolation, abandonment, love, connection and more play out in unique ways. I have enjoyed getting pulled into such a different story and learning some of the characters’ background.
  7. The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn: Finn’s debut also goes outside my typical realm as it fits into the mystery/thriller category. However, to my appreciation, this book doesn’t involve gory violence or other sick scenarios. In an homage to Hitchcock style movies, it explores the real pitfalls of isolation and mental health. It sends a positive message of the importance of connection. Now I want to watch some of the movies that inspired Finn.
  8. Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center: A release coming later this year, Center’s next book continues her sweet stories with positive outlooks. It explores building new relationships and forgiving people who have caused significant harm. Again, it reminds us of the power of human connection and a strength and hope to move forward.
  9. Fiercehearted by Holley Gerth: Gerth feels like a kindred spirit in her devotional style book with short chapters. Each anecdote carries such an authentic tone, and she has a unique perspective always open to learning. Seemingly ordinary details in life become opportunities to grow. She reminds me that God speaks to us at all times, willing to guide us at every step.
  10. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery: I can now say I’ve read this classic, and I love it. Anne has such a contagious positive outlook on life. Orphaned and learning from her adoptive mom Marilla how to lead a more civilized life, Anne’s imagination both gets her into trouble and keeps her head up. She takes her lessons in stride and makes so much progress.

 

Cheers to another great year of reading!

Two Movies and a Book: Resiliently Thriving

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in Uncategorized

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books, Cast Away, endure, entertainment, hope, How to Walk Away, Jerry Maguire, Katherine Center, loss, movies, obstacles, resilient, setback, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, weekend

As wine connoisseurs pair their drink with the right cheese or meal or Anne Bogel selects book flight picks to pair with her monthly Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club selection, I have paired a couple movies and a book for your entertainment pleasure. They can fill a weekend with a united theme or be stretched over a couple weeks, whatever way you enjoy it. I just aim to pair some selections that may unify a theme or thought for you.

 

Just in time for the holiday shuffle, this trio reminds us we have more resiliency than we think and that we can overcome obstacles.

 

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center: This book ties with Wonder by AJ Palacio as my favorite read this year (and wins for book published in 2018 I’ve read). It follows a woman in her late twenties on the brink of transitioning into the adult life she worked hard to acquire. After graduating from her MBA program, her boyfriend proposes to her while showing her his piloting skills. Then the plane crashes. Margaret lands in the hospital facing an entirely different life than she planned. Due to her paralysis and long hospital stay, she loses her job offer. She also loses her fiancé. As she goes through physical rehabilitation, she reconsiders how her values fit into her new life and discovers she has the strength to overcome her losses.

Cast Away: Coincidentally, this movie also involves a plane crash. Tom Hanks plays Chuck Noland, a FedEx man who lets time deliver not only his team’s packages but his success. On a last minute business trip on Christmas Eve, his plane crashes and leaves him stranded on an island. He must fight to survive and does not have the support Margaret had with her. The years pass, and he remains steadfast on his mission to get back to the woman who held the engagement ring he left as a Christmas gift.

Jerry Maguire: Tom Cruise stars in this critically acclaimed Cameron Crowe film. While he doesn’t survive a plane crash to necessitate his resilience, he loses his job as a top sports agent. He uses that blow as an opportunity to start his own business from the ground up. In the process, he learns how to treat his stars humbly and how to have deeper connections with others. His famous “Help me help you!” line shows how he too needs others to move forward successfully.

 

All these characters endure significant losses and obstacles. Yet they find a way to cling to hope and to keep their lives centered on their values so resilience pulls them to the other side. Not only do they make it through their setback, they find a way thrive.

 

Bonus: I am fortunate enough to have an advance reader edition of Katherine Center’s upcoming book The Things You Save in a Fire, and I enjoy what I’ve read so far. The review will come soon.

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  • Starlit Darkness 
              As it felt like I continued to fall deeper into darkness, I reminded myself to keep dreaming positively. My stars matched my pajamas to encourage my sleeping dreams as well.  The following weekend I ventured out with my friends to attend a Taking Back Sunday and The Used concert. Surrounding […]
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