Monday, February 27, 2017
[Book Reviews] Rainbow Cottage by Grace Livingston Hill
Fiction/Inspirational
Marilyn reviews RAINBOW COTTAGE by Grace Livingston Hill (J.B. Lippincott Company, 1934)
In this novel by legendary author, Grace Livingston Hill, the story revolves around Sheila. Unfortunately, our main character is facing danger. Sheila has encountered a man who has threatened her because he wants something that was only entrusted to her. Sheila needs a way to escape from this man but she thinks there is no one who can help her. Reaching out to a grandmother she has never met, because Sheila's own mother was a poor Western and the "black sheep" of the family, Grandmother sends a train for Sheila. She will be taken to Rainbow Cottage but will Sheila find acceptance and safety there? As the story progresses, Ms. Hill weaves a tale of love and forgiveness.
I found this book a pleasure to read of the believable characters and realistic emotions the author created. Grace Livingston Hill wrote over 100 novels during her lifetime. The Rainbow Cottage was actually written toward the end of her life, but is one of the most well-known books she has written.
Marilyn U., Staff
Labels: Book Review, Fiction, Gentle Fiction, Gentle Reads, Inspirational Fiction, Readers' Advisory Annotations, Reviews by Marilyn, Staff Reviews
Friday, December 07, 2007
[Book Review] FANNY AND SUE by Karen Stolz
Fiction/GentleAndrea Bledsoe reviews FANNY AND SUE by Karen Stolz (Hyperion, 2003)
It is no coincidence that I am reviewing Karen Stolz’s second novel right after reading and reviewing her first book, World of Pies. When I find an author I like, I usually try to read his or her other works. Author Karen Stolz did not disappoint me with her second novel, Fanny and Sue, either.
We are introduced to identical twins, Fanny and Sue Logan, in the novel. The twins are born in St. Louis in the year 1920, a decade before the Great Depression sweeps the nation. The girls are identical in looks and are often seen dressed alike, but their personalities are as distinct as night and day.
Fanny is the boisterous, boy-crazy twin with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, whereas Sue is reserved and compassionate. When it comes to family and especially one another, both the girls have hearts of gold.
Stolz intertwines world events and how families stick together in those times of adversity, just as she did in her first book. In Fanny and Sue, we read about the family’s compassion for strangers and one another throughout the lean Depression years, Sue’s isolated hospitalization when coping with scarlet fever, and a cousin’s bout with and eventual recovery from childhood polio.
I enjoyed this book because I could understand how important it is for families to rely upon and love another when times are hard and strained AND when times are joyful and victorious.
Andrea Bledsoe, Poplar-White Station Branch Library
Labels: Gentle Fiction, Reviews by Andrea King
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
[Book Review] THE PREACHER'S DAUGHTER by Beverly Lewis
Fiction/GentleLaura Bonds reviews THE PREACHER'S DAUGHTER by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House, 2005)
Annie Zook is a preacher’s daughter in her early twenties who has lived all her life among the people in her small Amish community of Paradise, Pennsylvania. Louisa Stratford, a modern woman and “Englisher” from Denver, Colorado, is a young art instructor engaged to be married, and Annie’s long-time pen-pal. During the friends’ written exchanges over the years, each has become fascinated with the vastly different life that the other leads. Annie loves to paint and yearns to be an artist full-time, but creating art is strictly forbidden by her church district, so she must keep her passion a secret from her community. Louisa has become disenchanted by the trappings of her hectic, modern-day life, and wishes to escape it all. When she decides to go to Paradise to experience a simpler life, Louisa’s influence could either push Annie closer to her home and church, or tempt Annie to pursue her own dreams against the established mores of her community.
Beverly Lewis’ The Preacher’s Daughter, the first book in her series Annie’s People, will appeal to anyone interested in learning about the Amish community and its traditions. The dialogue is filled with particular phrases and words unique to the Amish, and while never pedantic or preachy, the author takes great care to accurately describe the day-to-day activities and reasoning that support the values and traditions of this enigmatic American population. The writing style itself is very straightforward and uncomplicated, leaving the reader immersed in the quiet atmosphere of Pennsylvania-Dutch country. In addition to creating this specific mood, Lewis also succeeds in weaving intriguing storylines throughout the novel. Not only is the reader absorbed into the main plot of Annie’s moral dilemma, there are side plots of a mysterious kidnapping and domestic abuse that are propelled by a well-developed cast of satellite characters. Having never read anything classified as Gentle Fiction before and expecting not to like the genre as much as I do others, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this title. I was very taken by the characters that Lewis portrays and the world they live in, and I look forward to picking up the next book in the series (The Englisher) and reading what happens next to Annie and her people.
Laura Bonds, Circulation Department
Labels: Gentle Fiction, Reviews by Laura Bonds
Monday, January 22, 2007
[Book Review] SISTERCHICKS DO THE HULA by Robin Jones Gunn
Fiction/GentleWendi Glenn reviews SISTERCHICKS DO THE HULA by Robin Jones Gunn (Multnomah, 2003)
Hope and Laurie are best friends. While in college, they plan a trip to Hawaii but never make it there. They move on with their lives, but reunite over time and decide to take that trip to Hawaii to celebrate their 40th birthdays. The women are not alone. Hope happens to be seven months pregnant with her daughter. The women experience the calm tranquility that is Hawaii and find a connection to God while on this trip. Sisterchicks Do the Hula is a fast paced book with a story about enjoying God’s creation. Robin Jones Gunn does an excellent job of taking you away to Hawaii vicariously through her characters. She gives detailed descriptions of the setting and of the women’s experiences. If you want a fun, light-hearted and inspirational story about girlfriends and spirituality then I recommend this book. Look for other Sisterchicks books such as Sisterchicks Down Under, Sisterchicks in Gondolas, Sisterchicks in Sombreros, Sisterchicks on the Loose, and Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La all by Robin Jones Gunn.
Labels: Gentle Fiction, Reviews by Wendi Glenn
Friday, January 19, 2007
[Book Review] GLIMPSES OF TRUTH by Jack Cavanaugh
Fiction/Gentle
Dean E. Moore reviews GLIMPSES OF TRUTH by Jack Cavanaugh (Zondervan Pub., 1999)
This exciting book is the story behind the power struggle created by Wycliffe’s translation of the Bible. The plot involves a common family swept up in the severe winds of change during the Reformation. The power of Rome, the power of English nobility and royalty are all caught up in the brewing whirlwind ignited by Wycliffe’s followers known as the Lollards. This work of fiction was appropriately dedicated to the memory of Anne Askew (1520-1548.) At 28 years of age she was burned at the stake. What was her crime? She read from an English version of the Bible.
The dedication just mentioned sets the tone for the story. Thomas Torr is the main character. He was a commoner with an uncertain parentage. He has a bright mind and is a "scribe" for Wycliffe. He lives with a ploughman and his family. Thomas becomes a focal point in the great power struggle between Rome and England, nobility and the common man, the Catholic and Protestant churches. The plot moves along rapidly and is interwoven with infidelity, romance, deception, attempted murders, robbery, and cruelty. The hopes and aspirations of Thomas Torr, allow us to experience the conflict first hand.
This fast paced, gentle fiction novel includes strong character development, excitement and realistic history. Even though Glimpses of Truth is not written as a mystery, the social and political undertones provide rich anecdotes of multiple twists and turns. Sometimes the adventure becomes so powerful one can almost forget it is fiction. The historical realism could place this work in the "historical fiction" collection.
Dean E. Moore, Frayser Branch Library
Dean E. Moore reviews GLIMPSES OF TRUTH by Jack Cavanaugh (Zondervan Pub., 1999)
This exciting book is the story behind the power struggle created by Wycliffe’s translation of the Bible. The plot involves a common family swept up in the severe winds of change during the Reformation. The power of Rome, the power of English nobility and royalty are all caught up in the brewing whirlwind ignited by Wycliffe’s followers known as the Lollards. This work of fiction was appropriately dedicated to the memory of Anne Askew (1520-1548.) At 28 years of age she was burned at the stake. What was her crime? She read from an English version of the Bible.
The dedication just mentioned sets the tone for the story. Thomas Torr is the main character. He was a commoner with an uncertain parentage. He has a bright mind and is a "scribe" for Wycliffe. He lives with a ploughman and his family. Thomas becomes a focal point in the great power struggle between Rome and England, nobility and the common man, the Catholic and Protestant churches. The plot moves along rapidly and is interwoven with infidelity, romance, deception, attempted murders, robbery, and cruelty. The hopes and aspirations of Thomas Torr, allow us to experience the conflict first hand.
This fast paced, gentle fiction novel includes strong character development, excitement and realistic history. Even though Glimpses of Truth is not written as a mystery, the social and political undertones provide rich anecdotes of multiple twists and turns. Sometimes the adventure becomes so powerful one can almost forget it is fiction. The historical realism could place this work in the "historical fiction" collection.
Dean E. Moore, Frayser Branch Library
Labels: Gentle Fiction, Reviews by Dean Moore
Thursday, January 18, 2007
[Book Review] THE QUILTER'S APPRENTICE by Jennifer Chiaverini
Fiction/GentleJessie Marshall reviews THE QUILTER'S APPRENTICE: A Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini (Simon & Schuster, 1999)
In this first book of The Elm Creek Quilts series, the reader is introduced to Sarah and Matt McClure, who have just moved to the small college town of Waterford, Pennsylvania in order for Matt to start his new job with a landscaping firm. While Sarah previously worked in accounting, she is now hoping to find a more interesting job. Unfortunately, her interviews have not gone well, and she is becoming discouraged. On the other hand, Matt has just landed the challenging task of restoring the grounds and gardens of Elm Creek Manor, a large estate which has fallen into disrepair. The home was recently inherited by Mrs. Sylvia Compson, a seventy-five year old widow who grew up on the estate but who is now fixing up the property in order to sell it.
While Sarah continues the search for full time employment, Matt secures a temporary job for her helping Mrs. Compson organize and ready the large family home for its upcoming sale. At first, Mrs. Compson’s formal, fastidious demeanor makes Sarah uncomfortable, but their relationship begins to deepen and soften after Sarah discovers that Mrs. Compson is a master quilter. Sarah asks for part of her wages to be in the form of quilting lessons. The widow agrees and starts Sarah out with a sampler quilt, one made up of individual blocks from many different quilt patterns.
As the story unfolds, the friendship and trust between Sarah and Sylvia grows. With each new pattern block, Mrs. Compson opens up a bit more by telling stories about the family members who used that pattern. When the quilter reaches the point in the story where she reveals her decades-long estrangement from her sister and sister-in-law, Sarah begins to examine her resentment toward her own mother. As she considers reconciliation within her own family, Sarah and the ladies from the local quilting group secretly execute a plan to help Mrs. Compson resolve regrets and heal broken relationships from her past.
The Quilter’s Apprentice is primarily about the value of relationships. The author provides a great deal of interesting information on quilting and quilt patterns while telling the story of friendships between women of different generations. This book will appeal to readers because it contains familiar character types and is leisurely in pace. The story is set in a small town, and the ending provides resolution to the multiple plot lines. The characters do not have a great deal of depth, and the dialog seems awkward at times; however, the subject matter is not explicit or violent in any sense and would certainly not offend.
Jessie Marshall, Business and Science Department
Labels: Gentle Fiction, Reviews by Jessie Marshall
Saturday, December 16, 2006
[Book Review] A COMPANY OF SWANS by Eva Ibbotson
Fiction/Gentle
Heather Lawson reviews A COMPANY OF SWANS by Eva Ibbotson (St. Martin's Press, 1985)
Certainly, one has to accept coincidences to enjoy this warm and graceful novel, but getting past that is not too difficult. This is a slow-paced, gentle romance novel with a great deal of interesting details regarding the flora and fauna of the Amazon. At the same time, details on various ballets and life as a ballerina are a major part of the novel and may be appreciated by those who love this form of dance. So for those interested, here is the basic plot.
Harriet Jane Morton is ready to take any road that leads away from her father, a self-absorbed professor at Cambridge, when she agrees to tour with a ballet company destined to Manaus, Amazonia in 1912. Although her father and aunt care little for her, they are worried about how her departure will be perceived by society. So they enlist the zoologist who they hoped would marry Harriet to follow her and return her to Cambridge.
An important part of the story is what happens before Harriet runs away from her family. In the garden of a beautiful estate, a young boy asks her to find his uncle and send him back to the estate, his former home. He speaks of his uncle, "the boy," relates the courageous and daring stories he has heard about him over the years, and explains how his uncle can save the estate and his troubled mother. Harriet does in fact meet "the boy," a wealthy and celebrated rubber tree plantation owner in South America. Yes, coincidences aside, this novel has been chosen by Joyce Saricks as a "sure bet" for gentle fiction fans in The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction.
Heather Lawson, Adult Services
Heather Lawson reviews A COMPANY OF SWANS by Eva Ibbotson (St. Martin's Press, 1985)
Certainly, one has to accept coincidences to enjoy this warm and graceful novel, but getting past that is not too difficult. This is a slow-paced, gentle romance novel with a great deal of interesting details regarding the flora and fauna of the Amazon. At the same time, details on various ballets and life as a ballerina are a major part of the novel and may be appreciated by those who love this form of dance. So for those interested, here is the basic plot.
Harriet Jane Morton is ready to take any road that leads away from her father, a self-absorbed professor at Cambridge, when she agrees to tour with a ballet company destined to Manaus, Amazonia in 1912. Although her father and aunt care little for her, they are worried about how her departure will be perceived by society. So they enlist the zoologist who they hoped would marry Harriet to follow her and return her to Cambridge.
An important part of the story is what happens before Harriet runs away from her family. In the garden of a beautiful estate, a young boy asks her to find his uncle and send him back to the estate, his former home. He speaks of his uncle, "the boy," relates the courageous and daring stories he has heard about him over the years, and explains how his uncle can save the estate and his troubled mother. Harriet does in fact meet "the boy," a wealthy and celebrated rubber tree plantation owner in South America. Yes, coincidences aside, this novel has been chosen by Joyce Saricks as a "sure bet" for gentle fiction fans in The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction.
Heather Lawson, Adult Services
Labels: Gentle Fiction, Reviews by Heather Lawson
