The Codebreaker's Daughter

By: Amy Lynn Green

Hennepin County Library hardcover 371 pages plus author's note and discussion questions

Published: 2025

Genre: Christian historical fiction

 

This was a delightful book set during both WWI and WWII. Lillian (Lily) and her daughter Dinah are the main characters. 

 

Page 38: "War isn't romantic."

 

I loved this curt comment by Lily to young Maud back in 1917. It reminded me of Stephen Crane's Red Badge of Courage.  I think young people are especially prone to having mistaken notions of the heroism, glory, and "romance" of war.

 

Page 42: Lillian tried to work up a convincing smile. "That was . . . thoughtful of you."

 

Oh, my heart went out to her! Her mother-in-law had rearranged her kitchen and done her baking for her! Good intentions but awful results. I don't think I could have forced / faked that smile.

 

Page  67: But sometimes, life was so very far out of one's control, and there was no one to appeal to but God.

 

When Lillian offers to pray for William to get better soon (1944), Elizebeth's heartfelt reaction surprises her. It's interesting how your mindset can change when you become accustomed to turning to the Lord in times of trouble and others are surprised or grateful for the grace that comes with trusting God.

 

Page  77: "On the contrary. I'm a journalist first, Miss Kendall." . . . "As such, I believe truth is the most powerful force on this earth."

 

It was interesting that one of the discussion questions dealt with if the reader would prefer working in the codebreaking unit or the Morale Operations (basically, making up lies that sound realistic to demoralize the enemy troops). Like Mr. Agnew's character, I value truth. So how could he effectively do his job at MO? I liked Mr. Agnew. He was a well-written character.

 

Page 88: Mama's terrors were back again, surfacing, as they often did, in moments of stress or exposure to the unknown.

 

Lily is such a sweet, tortured young woman in 1917. I loved that she had Elizebeth and Margot as friends. I loved that she learned to take deep breaths to calm herself down. I loved that she taught herself to focus. This author did a very nice job dealing with issues of mental illness.

 

Page 127: "You see . . . mental neurosis runs in William's family as well. Two of his brothers have sought treatment for debilitating melancholic moods, with varying success. It's a rather difficult subject, isn't it?"

 

It was great that both Elizebeth and Lily had someone to talk with about their struggles related to living with someone with mental illness.

 

Page 158: "He's a religious fellow - aren't you, Kendall?" the captain asked, a note of derision in his voice. "Can't stomach the idea of lying, or even withholding the truth."

 

I loved this scene! And right from the get-go, I really liked Lieutenant Roger Kendall. What a wonderful man! I'm so glad he and Lily got together.

 

Page 164: "But I guess I'm old-fashioned. My father taught me that when you're not sure what's right, do the most honest thing you can and let God sort out the rest. So that's what I aim to do."

 

I liked that even though Roger's philosophy was "simplistic," it worked well for him. As Lily was tormented by whether or not to tell the Friedmans what she had overheard, Roger was straightforward and unconflicted. (I don't care that that's not a real word. It says what I want to say.) Nice.

 

Page  184: No one glancing at the photograph would realize the rows of students and teachers spelled out a secret message - alternating side and front views of their faces arranged carefully to form, in a bilateral cipher: "Knowledge is power."

 

I love that these smart codebreakers did this! The codes, ciphers, crossword puzzles, . . . I loved it.

 

Page 193: "For the next generation," Elizebeth always said, though Margot insisted the next generation would be so sick of war they wouldn't dream of starting another.

 

That's a lovely idea. I wish we would get sick of war and learn to work together. How sad that so many of those who haven't had to risk their own lives are the ones eager to fight them? I can't imagine having lived during both world wars, especially when so many people called WWI "the war to end all wars."

 

On page 253, when Lily shared (though obliquely) that she had been sterilized at age 14 along with her mother, Roger is horrified that anyone would do that to a child. I loved that he remained 100% on her side. She was so worried that he would reject her because she couldn't have children. (On page 285, we get more info on what happened to her.)

 

Page 267: "But our lives and all of history are made up of small things done by small people."

 

I love that Elizebeth is helping Lillian accept that her role as mother and wife is just as important as a job breaking codes. So many of us feel that our worth is diminished if we aren't doing "big" things.

 

Page  371: The future was a cipher for everyone, really, a jumble of unknowns.

 

Yes! There were a number of places in the book that I thought about the dangers of putting too much trust in our own plans for the future. There are so many unknowns we may face.

 

There were lots of other post-its I decided not to blog about. I liked the character of Winora, though I thought she and Dinah were a bit foolish to play detectives the way they did. I was so glad that Lillian and Dinah finally had a good conversation about their relationship after too many years of strain. I loved Mrs. Agnew and her sneaky way of helping Dinah! This was a delightful book. 

 

Save Me a Seat

By: Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

Libby audiobook 4 hours

Read by: Vikas Adam and Josh Hurley

Published: 2017

Genre: Juvenile realistic fiction

 

The protagonists Ravi and Joe are fifth graders. Ravi ("Rah-VEE") is newly arrived from India and used to being one of the popular kids. Joe is big, blond, and has APD (auditory processing disorder). It seemed to me that he was a bit autistic. A third child, Dylan Samreen is a bully. Ravi initially admires him and wants to be his friend even though he's an ABCD (American-born Confused Desi - an Indian who's more American). 

 

The vocal work for each character was wonderful. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I typically would have . . . though there were many good qualities about it. The relationships between ten-year-old boys and their parents was interesting. The fact that they are fifth graders and Ravi is not yet interested in girls made me chuckle. (As did the fact that an 11:30am lunch was ridiculously early to Ravi.)

 

Dylan being a bully was hard for me to listen to . . . even though Mr. Barnes had told Joe in fourth grade that "the world is full of Dylan Samreens," (true), it seems that Dylan's treatment of other students was never really addressed. Did the adults in that school not see and understand what was happening? When he yanked out Joe's earbud and crushed it underfoot . . . Joe didn't report him. His calling Joe "Puddy Tat," "Pud," and other names (and other students picking up the nicknames) just because his last name was Sylvester.

 

Honestly, Dylan's awfulness was what I noted the most about this book. Report him! Challenge him! Save evidence! Record incidents! I struggled with his horrible behavior continuing (and the fact that he'd been treating Joe this way since kindergarten . . . heart breaking.)

 

When Ravi finally realized who Dylan really was AND that he himself had been the Dylan of his school in India . . . that was a nice turning point. The observation by Joe that he and Ravi were the zebras and Dylan was the crocodile was nice.

 

The school *would* have contacted Ravi's parents about the injury he got in Phy Ed. If you go to the school nurse with a painful bruise (whether it was an accident or Dylan's abuse), they would have contacted home.

 

I did NOT like how Ravi's grandma kept trashing her daughter-in-law! Her cooking, her parenting, her decisions . . . I get that there's a cultural element here, but it was awful and maybe didn't make a lot of sense in a book for elementary aged children.

 

There was a glossary at the end of the book. Of course, most of the Indian terms were helpful for me to hear (who knew that coriander is dried cilantro? Not me!). But I liked that there was also a glossary of Joe's terms. 

 

 

The Picture of Dorian Gray

By: Oscar Wilde

Libby audiobook 8 hours

Read by: Simon Vance

Published: 2008 (this version)

Also the Libby ebook shared via Project Gutenberg (2010)

Originally published: 1890 (as a novella) / 1891

Genre: Gothic novel, historical fiction now! also a bit paranormal. . .  

 

This is one of those "classic" books I've often seen referenced but wanted to read for myself. I mostly listened (and Vance's vocal work is excellent) but almost wish I'd read all the text. You just get more and different meaning by looking at the words.

 

My initial reaction was that the book was mostly about the artist, Basil Hallward. Then Lord Henry met Dorian Gray and the story just spiraled. Lord Henry's philosophies ran toward the glory of hedonism and his comments on the "hideousness of age" impacted Dorian's sense of self-worth. His beauty was more precious than anything. When Basil presented him with the painting of himself, Dorian wished that he would keep his youthful looks and the portrait would age. Ugh. Deal with the devil . . . 

 

Dorian turns on his young love, Sibyl Vane, when she is so distracted by her love for him. His cruel rejection of her starts his downward trajectory in life. His portrait shows his moral downfall while Dorian stays youthful in appearance for years. Wikipedia has an excellent summary of the story.

 

As I listened / read, I came to see Lord Henry as more and more of a villain. Yes, Dorian is responsible for his own choices, but what an awful "friend" Lord Henry Wotton is! He definitely gave poor advice, always encouraging Dorian to be selfish and wicked.

 

*** Stop Here to Avoid Spoilers!!!***

 

When Dorian runs into Basil before his trip to France, I had hoped that it might be a turning point for the young man. Instead, he ends up murdering his former friend. Then he coerces another former friend into helping him get rid of the body. That friend is later dead from suicide. I actually was glad that Dorian killed himself when he finally tried to stab the picture. His choices led him from one evil to the next. Yuk!

 

I had thought that I might get the movie version to watch after reading the book. The 1945 version interests me . . . but I may just skip it. The love of debauchery isn't really my thing. 

 

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert

By: John Gottman

Hennepin County library paperback 284 pages plus index

Published 1999 (this revised, updated edition from 2015)

Genre: non-fiction, relationships, marriage

 

I didn't actually read this book, but I skimmed it. I had heard about it during the Equip conference and contemplated buying it for two nephews who are getting married in 2026. It looks interesting and even valuable for someone interested in enhancing their marriage. 

 

I've decided not to buy copies of it as gifts because I'm not sure if these couples are readers. It's kind of pointless if it isn't used. The seven principles start on chapter four and each of the sections includes questionnaires and activities. 

 

I'm blogging it because then I can do an easy search if I change my mind about buying it. We're celebrating our fortieth wedding anniversary and get along well, so I didn't feel a need to read it carefully. There was a waiting list and I'm still playing catch-up on all my library books. 

The Four Loves

By: C.S. Lewis

Libby audiobook 2 hours

Published: 1960 (this edition 2011)

Genre: non-fiction, theology

 

This was recommended by a speaker at April's Equip conference. I'm a fan of Lewis' writing, so I was curious to "read" it. I loved hearing Lewis read his own work, but I was less thrilled about Chuck Colson's commentary. Whenever I hear his voice, I think of Watergate and people in power who lie and cheat. I know he has his own story and strives to glorify God, but just the sound of his voice is repellent to me.

 

Lewis identifies four different types of love: storge (affection), philia (friendship), eros (romantic), and agape (charity - unconditional "God" love).  I confess I took very few notes, mostly just listening to his voice.

 

storge - (pronounced "store - ghee") - affection, especially between parents and children / family / pets! 

 

I liked his explanation of  "charity" as a kind of love. I love the sound of his voice.

 

At one point, I thought he was being old-fashioned (eros - that's fair), but then he talked about sex and sensuality as different from true eros love. It was fascinating. 

 

Eros - face to face / Philia - side by side

 

philia - NOT homosexuality / Inklings as an example

 

"I do not like Colson's blurbs between the different sections. Am I just too hard-hearted and judgmental?" (one of my notes)

 

philia - talked about less because some people do not experience it!

 

I'm so grateful for all the love in my life - all four types of love! I don't really have anything profound to say about this book, but it was interesting. The fact that he wrote this over sixty years ago and yet it is very much relevant says a lot.

The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

By: Timothy Keller

personal copy, hardcover, 133 pages plus acknowledgments and notes

Published: 2008

Genre: Non-fiction, Christian faith

 

I'm a big Timothy Keller fan (RIP), but this book has been on my shelf for a while. I really, really enjoyed it. I underlined a LOT, but quickly decided this book is a "keeper," so I don't have too much to blog.

 

In sharing the familiar story of the prodigal son from Luke chapter15, Keller dives in to how BOTH brothers had a wrong relationship with the father. So much is preached about the prodigal son and the father's forgiveness, but less is taught about the elder brother. Keller has something to say about that!

 

I confess, I've always connected with the elder brother's frustration and anger. "I've done the right thing and I've never been celebrated!" That sense of being wronged . . . oh my. Keller really opened my eyes in this book. I love how he teaches and preaches. 

 

I did put one post-it note in place. In chapter 1 within the section titled, "Why People Like Jesus But Not the Church," Keller writes:

 

He is on the side of neither the irreligious nor the religious, but he singles out religious moralism as a particularly deadly spiritual condition.

It is hard for us to realize this today, but when Christianity first arose in the world it was not called a religion. It was the non-religion.

 

There is so much that I have underlined, starred, noted, etc. in this little book. I already look forward to re-reading it! Turning every thought captive to the Lord Jesus Christ and examining my own heart . . . these are things I need to be actively working at.

 

 I loved the reference to Babette's Feast and I'm so glad I've read that story. I love that Jesus and salvation are experiential, material, individual, and communal. (I know that last bit seems contradictory, but it's not!)

 

I highly recommend this book (and am willing to loan out my copy). 

Counting by 7s

By: Holly Goldberg Sloan

Libby audiobook 7 hours

Read by: Robin Miles

Published: 2013

Genre: YA realistic fiction / coming-of-age

 

This book was intriguing! Willow Chance is an extraordinary 12 year old, probably on the autism spectrum as a very high-functioning intellectual. Initially, I wasn't a huge fan. But as we get to know Willow and the people in her world, the big life-changing event and how she navigates it becomes more and more fascinating. Ultimately, I loved this book and would gladly read it again!

 

Dell Duke - the pathetic counselor / therapist hired by the school district to work with at-risk kids

 

Patty Nguyen - manicurist / business owner / mom

 

Mai - Patty's strong teen daughter who loves fashion

 

Quang-ha - Mai's sullen, troublemaker brother who's also a gifted artist

 

Jairo - taxi driver who becomes Willow's friend

 

 Lenore - social worker who's determined but overworked and rules-oriented

 

I don't want to give too much away, but there are so many different themes and ideas in this book: botany, classifying people, living your dreams, belonging, honesty, . . .  

 

I recommend this book but wonder if it would appeal to middle schoolers (presumably the target audience, given the protagonist's age). 

 

The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar (from Reading Log)

By: Robert Alexander

Published: 2003

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

I  wrote this back in 2005:

 

The story of the imprisonment & execution of Tsar Nicholas Romanov and his family, told by the kitchen boy who served them and saw their last days.

 

Every time I read a fiction book based on a true story, I itch to dig into the facts and find out what really happened! This incredible book fueled my curiosity about the end of the Romanovs. I liked it despite the contrived twist at the end about the kitchen boy's true identity.

 

<Above written October 2, 2005. Below added 5.24.2026.>

 

I remember being really impressed with this book. I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy a re-read, but I have too many books going right now! 

 

 

Running with Scissors (from Reading Log)

By: Augustin Burroughs

Published: 2002 

Genre: memoir 

 

 I read this in 2005 and wrote the following:

 

True story of a boy whose mother gave him away to be raised by her unorthodox psychiatrist.

 

What a sad book! Some of the promos described it as "hilarious" and "as funny as it is twisted." It just made me so sad that this boy grew up with such horrible experiences and a lack of normalcy. His homosexual awakening and the bizarre things he experienced saddened me. He was used for others' purposes instead of nurtured and loved.

 

 

<Above written September 2005. Below added 5.24.2026.>

 

I vividly remember how horrified I was that his memoir was so painful to me to read, yet it was promoted as humorous. I've avoided other books by him since then. (But I'm still working on moving reviews from my old Excel sheet into this blog, which I had started before I knew what Goodreads was.)

Hello, Universe

By: Erin Entrada Kelly

Libby audiobook 5 hours

Read by: Ramon de Ocampo and Amielynn Aberllera

Published: 2017

Genre: Middle Grades realistic fiction, coming-of-age

 

I thought I had read other books by this author, but I just checked and can't find any that I'm familiar with . . . odd.

 

I didn't love this book. My primary issue is with the bully, Chet Bullens, and his father. Their awful, over-the-top behavior and language toward others is clearly meant to show how NOT to be. But Valencia being the only one to really stand up to Chet is disheartening.

 

I also didn't love the focus on the supernatural. Kaori Tanaka and her astrological signs, consulting the omens, advertising herself as a psychic, . . . just got to be a bit much. (In my notes, I wrote "Cowrie" for her name because that's what it sounded like. That makes me grin.)

 

I really liked Valencia Somerset, a deaf girl who has a strong sense of self-worth and what she wants. I also liked her love of nature and her study of the zoological world.

 

Virgil's grandma "Lola" is a fantastic character. Virgil Salinas himself is so timid as to be called "Turtle" by his own parents and older brothers - as in "come out of your shell, Turtle." He doesn't even tell his own family to stop calling him that even though it really bothers him! Naturally, he is a prime target of Chet's bullying.

 

Kaori's little sister Ghen (?) was an irritating little sister. Virgil's Gulliver the hamster was cuter when we learned that the hamster Valencia used to have was called Lilliput!

 

It's really bugging me that I don't have record of reading other books by this author, yet I felt certain I had read at least one book by her previously . . .  

The Life God Blesses: The Secret of Enjoying God's Favor

By: Jim Cymbala with Stephen Sorenson

Personal hardcover 128 pages

Published: 2001

Genre: non-fiction, Christian faith

 

My dear friend Jeremy Stasiowski gave this to me quite a long time ago (twenty-ish years?) and I've just recently read it! 

 

I loved this book so much! I underlined a lot. One section I took a picture of is on pages 70-71:

 

What a blessing it is to have a Zechariah in your life! Do you have a spiritually minded friend who reminds you or the greatness of God and his promises? Do you have someone who stirs within you a spiritual hunger for more of God?

 

(Yes, I need to send him a letter of thanks and recognition of the role he and his wife Lydia played in my spiritual growth.) 

 

I love the inscription Pastor Jeremy put inside the front cover, but don't feel a need to post it. I also inscribed a new message and gave the book to a friend. Praise God for blessings!
 

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 1

By: Beth Brower

Libby audiobook 

Narrated by: Genevieve Gaunt

Published: 2019 (this version 2025)

Genre: historical fiction

 

I loved this so much that I wanted to re-listen to it, but it auto-returned before I could. I may just have to get the physical, print books (in order? to purchase?) to enjoy. Set in 1883 London, the story is told through journal entries. Emma M. Lion has been orphaned and misused by her relations. She goes to live in the Lapis Lazuli House, the home she will inherit once she comes of age.

 

 I have some quick notes:

Aunt Eugenia Spenser  and cousins Damian and Arabella (mother's side). Cousins Mathilde and Archibald (dad's side - nasty, awful people).

 

Vicar Young Hawkes - I'm super curious about him!

 

The Scar / Maxwell / The Great Burning of 1882 . . . we learn some of this, but much of it must be revealed in later volumes.

 

Trewartha! Made me think of my friend Deb.

 

"Gossip is as catching as the Plague ever was."

 

Lapis Lazuli - brilliant blue

 

St. Crispian's / Whereabouts Lane / Traitor's Road / - I wonder if the print books include a map. I wonder how much is factual about this neighborhood and how much is creative. 

 

I've requested the print book of volume #1 from the Scott County library. It will probably take me most of the summer to read these (with long waits on holds). Ah, well. I can be patient. I'll update this entry after reading the print book. 

 

The Women of Oak Ridge

By: Michelle Shocklee

Libby ebook

Published:  2025

Genre: Christian historical fiction

 

Set in 1944 and 1979 Oak Ridge, Tennessee, this story follows Mae Willett from a Kentucky coal miner's family to the very secret Oak Ridge for a job to support her family. In the 1979 sections, her niece Laurel is trying to learn more about the experiences of women who worked at this top secret government facility, enriching uranium for nuclear weapons. Only Aunt Mae is beyond reticent to talk about the war years and her experiences.

 

I bookmarked a LOT but will try to just "hit the high points" in this entry.

 

Prologue: "I am sure that they will cheerfully help to pay a large part of its financial cost while it goes on. I am sure they will cheerfully give up those material things that they are asked to give up. 

And I am sure that they will retain all those great spiritual things without which we cannot win through." 

 

Theoretically, this is part of a speech that President Roosevelt gave, I wasn't curious enough to search for it, but his repetition of the word cheerfully seems incongruous to the message.

 

Chapter 1: "No one wants to talk about those days. The past is in the past. Best to leave it there."

 

 It's interesting that Laurel went to spend time with her aunt, intending to do research for her PhD, but didn't realize that Mae did NOT want to talk about it. This caused some ongoing tension for the two of them.

 

Chapter 1: "Not every secret needs to be told. Some just need to be forgotten."

 

I guess it depends on what the secret is and what might come about from revealing it, but in general, hidden secrets tend to cause damage to someone.

 

Chapter 1: My friends tended to label me as driven. Whether or not it was a compliment depended on the situation.

 

Yes! I think most character traits can be negative or positive, depending on the situation and the degree to which they are exercised.

 

Chapter 2: She'd saved our shoe ration coupon for a special occasion, but I was familiar enough with the greedy practices of the company-owned store to know the exorbitant price would be added to the already enormous debt Pa owed.

 

I hate greed, especially when greedy people prey upon needy people! Mae's Pa had already given his health and life to the coal mine owners . . . yuk.

  

Chapter 3:  "I don't get to talk about those days much, and unlike your aunt, I believe there's value in telling our stories. After all, no one on the planet experienced what we did."

 

I didn't like how nosy Georgeanne got as the story went on, but I appreciated her willingness to be interviewed by Laurel and the information she shared. I also value telling stories.

 

Chapter 3: My generation and generations to come need to hear those stories. We can't change the historical facts or the outcomes, but we can learn from them."

 

Laurel sums up a part of the reason she wants to hear about these stories. Learning from the past is a noble goal.

 

Chapter 3: "The whole thing was upsetting, but people didn't have any choice. If the government said they had to go, they had to go." 

 

Laurel is still talking with Georgeanne here. I can't imagine the government telling me to get out because they need the land where my house is more than I need it. Sixty thousand acres and only short notice to vacate!

 

Chapter 4: "You stand in long lines, ride in crowded buses, and walk through mud every day. I don't see how being in a Hollywood movie can even compare to this, do you?"

 

I loved the humor in this as young Mae and Sissy are becoming friends.

 

Chapter 5: "I was happy, then I was sad. There were days when I couldn't stop thinking that I had a part in killing all those people. It bothered me. It bothered me for a long time afterwards, but there wasn't anything I could do about it. I ultimately had to stop thinking about it and move on, so that's what I did. That's what we all did."

 

The moral dilemma of realizing what their work was leading to was well written about. I think the author handled sensitively the issues of sorrow and thankfulness regarding atomic weapons.

 

Chapter 7: "The average age of Oak Ridgers was twenty-five, which was fun and strange all at the same time."

 

That sounds like a lot of fun! If there were tens of thousands of young workers there, that would be a ripe situation for lots of interactions.

 

Chapter 7: That is a terrible, heartbreaking fact. It's easy to look back on history and make judgement calls about what should or shouldn't have been done. We can debate the decision to use the bomb from now until eternity, but it won't change things. All we can do is learn from it and pray a weapon like that is never used again."

 

 Elliot Tyson has granted Laurel an interview and sharing his honest perspective. Jonas Tyson is protective of his father and clearly interested in Laurel.

 

Chapter 9: "I imagine most of us take for granted what we see every day. The familiar doesn't usually leave a lasting impression on us." 

 

This is an interesting idea. I'm often guilty of not being observant of what's around me. I love the idea of mindfulness and paying close attention to what I can currently hear, see, smell, taste, feel . . . 

 

Chapter 10: " . . . He said the Bible tells us we've got to trust the Father with everything, including the people we love. The hard part is letting go of control."

 Tears swam in her eyes. "I hardly pray for Joe anymore, because when I do, I start to cry. I want God to promise that Joe will come home and live to be an old man, but that promise never comes."

 

Mae and Sissy are talking about their lives, their families, their fears, their faith. I loved the friendship between these young women.

 

Chapter 17: We called what Aunt Mae was doing a defense mechanism, a key concept of psychoanalysis. People often use repression, usually unconsciously, to protect themselves from anxiety-producing thoughts and feelings related to internal conflicts and outer stressors.

 

Defense mechanisms can definitely be a strategy for coping with conflict and stress. I prefer freedom in Christ!

 

 Chapter 22: The kindness of these people meant more than they would ever know.

 

I love that Velvet and Roonie showed up at the hospital and in separate cars! They were there for Mae AND for Laurel. Velvet was probably my favorite character in the entire book, followed closely by Jonas.

 

Chapter 23: . . . it occurred to me I had no idea the depth of suffering Velvet and her family had endured because of hatred and ignorance.

 

Mae has accepted Velvet's invitation to come over for coffee and realizes how very differently black people are treated than white people, even on the "Reservation."

 

Chapter 26: "My sister has always been a woman of high morals. Our mama instilled biblical principles of honesty, integrity, and faithfulness in us from the time we were born."

 

Laurel's dad (Mae's little brother) has trouble thinking that his big sister may have acted in criminal activity during the war. 

 

Chapter 28: "Life is too short to be set on one certain idea and miss all the wonderful surprises that come along. Surprises that can alter what we thought was the right path for ourselves but actually ends up being the very thing we needed to make us happy."

 

Laurel's dad is both making an observation about his own life and giving some fatherly wisdom to his daughter. He's right. Life is too short to get stuck on a preconceived path and miss out on wonderful surprises. 

 

Chapter 30: "Guilt has a way of making us think God is too angry to forgive our sins. That we're too far gone to be saved, but grace says otherwise."

 

There are LOTS of great lines from Velvet in this chapter! She is really preaching it! 

 

I had about twice as many highlighted passages than I've blogged here . . . but nothing incredibly profound. I enjoyed this book except I kept yelling at young Mae to NOT get in the car with Clive and to tell someone (like her boss) the complete truth! Clive was a truly nasty character. I love that she was able to reconnect with Garlyn in the 1979 part of the book. I'm always sad when a person (fictional character or real life person) misses out on decades of life because of guilt, secrets, fear, shame, . . . it just seems such a waste!

 

We have book club in a few hours and this book is due back, so I'm glad to have blogged it!