Friday, June 30, 2017

Friday Linkups: No River Too Wide















It's Friday linkup time!  I'm linking up with the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer, Book Beginnings of Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, and the Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice

This Week's Book Blogger Hop Question:
Name a book that changed you life.

My Answer:
There are a lot of possible answers to this question.  There's the first book that really pulled me into reading as a child or my first mystery or first romance or first grown up book.  All of those qualify as life changing.  However, I'm going to go with 2 I've read in the last 10 years or so that changed how I think or act.  The first book is The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom which is a heartbreaking book about a woman who survived her time at a concentration camp during World War II.  There's so much hope and love in the face of such stunning loss and cruelty.  It's wonderful perspective and reminds me to be kind and to look for the best.  The other book, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, is a bit more self involved but it helped me focus on the things that make me happy which is something I tend to forget in my endless piles of to do lists.

Earlier this month I read The Swallow's Nest by Emilie Richards and it reminded me just how much I enjoy this author's work.  She tackles some really rough topics but manages to bring the characters to life and not trivialize what ever issue is happening but never becoming to grim or angsty.  I went on a bit of a library binge of her books and this week's is No River Too Wide from 2014 involving the reunion of a mohter and daughter under some difficult circumstances.   So far I'm loving it which is pretty much what I expect when I read a book from Emilie Richards.

The Beginning:
In an Oscar-worthy performance, Harmony Stoddard put all the enthusiasm she could muster into her voice, "I just know you're going to love spending time with your grandma, Lotttie."

My Thoughts:
Since the child Harmony is speaking too is 9 months old I'm thinking that Oscar-worthy performance is mostly for herself which I think is something we can all relate to doing when we have to visit someone we're supposed to see but really aren't looking forward to visiting.

The 56:
"No, I don't." Janine bit her lip.  "Because if he had figured out I was going to leave him..." She didn't have to finish.

My Thoughts:
Janine is the grandma mentioned in the beginning.  Too say she's in a rough spot is a serious understatement.

So what do you think?  Keep reading?

21 comments:

  1. Ooh that's a great question. I'd have to think about that one bit! The two you mention sound great- it's so amazing how words on a page can affect our lives in so many ways. I can't imagine not having books. :)

    Happy Friday!

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  2. I'd like to continue and yes we have all been in that position, where we talk to ourselves to convince ourselves to go ahead with a fairly unpleasant situation!

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  3. Good question this week. I like the books you highlighted too.

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  4. A book that changed my life... Maybe rather my perspectives. The chronicles of Narnia. Mr God, this is Anna. It had a massive influence on me and how I see God and religion.

    I didn't do a blogger hop - but I will work on this one for a blog post maybe!

    I need The happiness project! Will see if I can get hold of it.

    Hope you will have a good weekend Katherine!

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  5. Your current read reminds me that I have one or two of Richards's books on my shelves. I haven't read anything by her yet, but your comments make me want to.

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  6. I also loved The Swallow's Nest, and now want to read more from this author. Thanks for sharing...and reminding me. Here's mine: “ANY DAY NOW”

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  7. Love your answer to the Blog Hop.

    WWII survivors and all who were a part of that horrible time in history make me thankful for what I have.

    What makes us happy is something we all need to think about.

    Both books sound good. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

    Happy Hopping!!

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Blog Hop Answer

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  8. I wish I could remember my first mystery (Encyclopedia Brown, maybe?) or fantasy novel or what have you. I have such a terrible memory when it comes to stuff like that. I loved The Hiding Place. It's such an inspiring book.

    I like the sound of the book you are reading right now! I'm reading a book club book right now that I just want to be over. Haha. Hopefully today.

    Have a great weekend, Katherine. Thank you for sharing!

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  9. I don't know either of the books you mentioned. I'll have to look them up. Enjoy your new read.

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  10. Kathryn @ Book Date has read all her books and highly recommends them. Until you started mentioning The Swallow's Nest I didn't know anyone else who also read this author. Now I'm really thinking about buying one of her titles if my library doesn't carry them (haven't checked yet). I feel like reading this very genre right about now.

    Do you have any one of hers that is a favorite, or that I should start with? Thanks!

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  11. Sounds like a great beginning, and love the Friday56 line.

    Hi there

    Here's my entry for #Friday56 and #Bookbeginnings : http://bit.ly/2tusEQ5

    Have an ab fab weekend!

    Luv from Sassy x

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  12. I'd always keep reading Emilie Richards. She's so good. Have a great weekend!

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  13. The Time Traveler's Wife didn't exactly change my life, but it did impact it. Have a great weekend and happy reading!

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  14. Glad you are enjoying your read. I had a hard time with the book that changed your life as I couldn't really think of anything...lol.

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  15. Nice BBH answer, Katherine! I've heard of "The Hiding Place", but have actually avoided reading it, because I am unable to get through books having anything to do with the Holocaust. I never finished "The Diary of Anne Frank", for instance.

    The second book you mention, "The Happiness Project", sounds very interesting, and I will check it out, as it's entirely new to me.

    Thanks for commenting on my own BBH post!! Happy Fourth of July!! <3 :)

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  16. Thanks for sharing your Book Beginning and Friday 56. Glad you are enjoying Emilie Richards. I hope you are having a great weekend :)
    Jo-Ann at Inspiration Pie

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  17. I will have to check out The Hiding Place. I love books about WWII.

    Terri M., the Director
    http://secondrunreviews.com

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  18. Ohh great answer on the blog hop and now I have too check out the books you mention because they all sounds absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog hop and have a great Sunday.

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  19. I didn't get to a Book Blogger Hop this week. I love your answer. :)

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