A story of love, hope, and memory; impossible to put down.
922481
You probably know the story by now: Saroo Brierly was only five years old when he got stuck on a train and found himself alone in Calcutta. After surviving on his own for several weeks, he was taken to an orphanage and then was fortunate enough to be adopted into a loving Australian family. But he never forgot his early childhood. More than twenty years later, he used Google Earth to track down the train station where his journey began.

It's an amazing story. The book's not flawless -- for one thing, it's pretty clear that Brierly has minimized any difficulties he's had with both of his families, although he never denies them -- but it's such a gripping and well-told story that I found it impossible to put down. I finished this book filled with admiration for Saroo and his Australian and Indian families, and sorrow for all the lost children who don't find loving homes.
1662813
This is a beautifully written story of heartbreak and hope that can only be told by those who have experienced great love and loss. Sarah is that person. Through her deep love for her husband and the profound loss that followed, she dared to risk love again by choosing to have a daughter from her deceased husband, only to face a mothers worst fear - the loss of a child. Through miraculous intervention her daughter survived against all odds. This is a captivating story of great faith in the midst of deep suffering; a story of life in the midst of death. A story of hope in the depths of despair. Now we need to read the next chapter of the story from this woman of great faith and love of how she willingly chose to open her heart again to a new man and family. I greatly anticipate the sequel.  God bless you, Sarah.
1046074
This is the true story of love, desperation, courage, and relentless hope in a family that overcame tremendous circumstances to make a difference. From the very beginning of the book you can feel the commitment of the author to document the history of a family through researching from original sources. We get to know the background of William Still who gave us an eyewitness account of the Underground Railroad. In a time when keeping records could get people killed, Still carefully recorded the stories of the fugitives he helped in the hopes that families could be reunited. At that time it seemed impossible that slavery would ever be destroyed, but when it was, Still published this priceless piece of history lest we ever forget the price of freedom. One of my favorite stories he told was when a southern lady tried to recapture her slave who had escaped to a free state and was working a job. The townspeople hid him and ran the master out of town. They literally posted Deuteronomy 23:15-16 ("you shall not return an escaping slave to his master.") all over the town and continued harassing the master until she gave up and left the town.

It was such a treat to read this well-researched biography of a true American hero. We also appreciate the extra attention that the author paid to the faith of these characters whose reliance on God helped them keep going through extraordinary circumstances. We hope that this author will continue contributing more superb biographies like this one.
819514
The Crooked Path chronicles the life of Lettie, her friends and family in Europe and South Africa during and post WWII. It is also about Marco, an Italian left with serious health issues after his experiences in WWII. Lettie has insecurities about her looks and uses academics to become a doctor form her life. Marco moves to South Africa to be with his brother and hopefully recover his health. It is a story of love found in unexpected places and times. Along with the love and joy comes unbelievable pain and loss. The secondary characters are memorable. (Read Joubet's The Child of the River first. That will enrich reading this book.) There is lots of history intertwined in the story. You may know about Europe during that time, but probably not as much about South Africa.  A quote from the book summarized it perfectly: "Years ago my mom told me life sometimes leads you along a strange crooked path, but in the end it will always take you where you're supposed to be"
1894527
The characters come together in a well pieced quilt of love, loyalty and hope. Spanning generations the "magic" each character holds blankets the pages. I laughed cried and wondered, involving all of my senses as I walked through this book. I am hoping for a sequel as I did not want this story to end.
3960767
It's hard to put this book down.  One wants to read it from cover to cover.

At first it seems another story of a concentration camp survivor, but then it becomes much more.  How does one atone for crimes against humanity?  Who can forgive such crimes?  An oh yes on top of everything else there's a love story.
2503666
THE LOCAL NEWS is notable for being impossible to put down, and for following a family impacted by violence through many years. Trauma doesn't end in a year or two--it haunts a family forever and this book does a magnificent job of taking the reader on the journey. Though heartbreaking, this story has so much humanity and honest, one sinks deep and thoroughly into the read.
2045518
I loved this book!  The historical theme entwined with a touching love story was endearing.  I cannot wait for the sequel.  I wholeheartedly recommend this book (& it's sequel when available) as a engrossing and poignant testimony to how much times have changed and how our ancestors endured so many hardships.  It is a humbling and accurate portrayal of a life we can only, remotely imagine.  Read the book and feel the trials and tribulations our ancestors have endured.  Bask in their bonds of family ties and love everlasting (I hope)(the sequel, please!).
4284667
"In Our Quiet Village" is a hard book to put down.  Rich with the details of small town life in America at the turn of the last century, the author has captured an atmosphere which perfumes the pages of the book.  The true story is the tragic tale of a German immigrant, whose suicide, the murder he had attempted, and the circumstances surrounding these violent events, reverberate through several generations. His daughter Minna (the author's mother) emerges as a strong heroine, with perseverance and idealism.  The characters are three dimensional,  flawed and admirable, and portrayed empathetically.  Particularly noteworthy is the author's ability to get inside the minds and intense personal feelings of these real characters. In the historical context of the wave of idealistic German immigration, the beginnings of organized labor,  the assassination of McKinley, the introduction of the automobile, the tentative emergence of feminism, and much more detail, the era is captured with substance.  Compelling and touching, illustrated with photographs of the real people who lived this dramatic story, "In Our Quiet VIllage" is a suspenseful and emotional read.  I give it my highest recommendation.
10120
The book is a testament to love, faith and the determination to live life to the fullest by a woman who faced illness and tragedy many times over. Mary Alice never gave up, never gave in and the love she shared with her husband seems like something few ever find.  John's telling of the story of his wife's life, and their life together, is touching and endearing.
4477579
This is a story that will stay with you long after "the end". While it's about the loss of a child, and how a family deals with the aftermath...or rather the way they don't deal with it for a long time, it's also a story of hope.

I got so caught up in the story that I stayed up much later than I meant to. I really identified with Abby. Ann Marie Stewart really captured the thoughts and feelings of an eleven-year-old. In fact, she captured each member of the family perfectly. Sometimes, watching the brother in the story was like watching a train wreckabout to happen.

I greatly admire Stewart's ability to pull the reader into the world of the McAndrews. Great story, extremely well-written and an ending that fits perfectly. I highly recommend it.
2064172
This story has everything. There is love, death, grief, renewal, new love, leaps of faith, new beginnings, it runs the gammit of feelings. I loved it.  Was I reading my own history? Please read it. You won,t put it down. I didn,t
4832720
Song of the Mountains is a work that comes from the heart. The authors connection to her dearly departed is keenly felt on nearly every page  not only her loss, but also her love and her cherished memories. Each scene is rendered in beautiful detail, transporting the reader to the mountains to witness their serenity firsthand.

Song of the Mountains is a tale of loss, but it is also a tale of perseverance and rebirth. Even though the author is over 70 years old, her strength is evident from the start: both the outer strength to complete this grueling pilgrimage through the Himalayas, and the inner strength to seal this chapter of her life, bid farewell to her beloved, and begin anew.

This is where the story becomes more than just one womans journey; it becomes an incredible source of inspiration. For if the author can overcome the obstacles that she has, and find the will to put one foot in front of the other with a smile on her face, what excuse can the rest of us possibly have?
462474
I rarely cry when reading books, but this story touched me deeply. The consequences of impossible circumstances, poor decisions, and the cruelty of fate are paired against deeply rooted characters who hold unswervingly to the memory of abiding love. With just a little serendipity thrown in, the result is a moving story of unimaginable loss, long-time healing of deep wounds, and eventual reclamation of the essence of that which was lost. I would love to see this story made into a movie.
3181762
What a wonderful story of loss, war, love, and remembrance.  There were tears...
A must read and one you can't put down!
2441363
Vivid, alluring, and unforgettable. I couldn't put it down.
1114003
I received a free Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher.  The review was optional.  I sat down to read a few chapters but couldn't put this memorable book down. The writing gives voice to the heartbreaking reality of the vulnerability of love while celebrating  the resilience of the human spirit to mend and heal.  Artis opens herself to loving completely.  In doing so she opens herself to unfathomable grief and pain as well.  The book sheds light on the military/government process as she struggles for answers and justice for her husband.  The reader follows  Artis Henderson's journey from meeting the love of her life, grieving the loss of him and on to surviving such a loss.  In the telling of her story I felt she was right in the room with me.  The book begins with a dream her husband has of his impending death then moves the reader back through time to when the courtship began.  We then follow the life of Artis and Miles through heartbreak, joy, death, grief and healing.  The end of this book  found me shedding more tears and wanting for more!  Her journey has not ended.  I hope the author will publish a follow up on where her journey is taking her now.  I applaud her for taking us into the intimacy of her heart.