Beautifully written mother love story
923512
Lisa See never disappoints.  She is a fantastic storyteller who can make you feel a wide range of emotions. Ms. See makes China something so familiar and different at once.
2776277
This is beautifully written. Maggie has a heart for others, and to point them to Christ, to look up and be amazed at the creation He has given us. She is a lover of creation, but more importantly, the Creator. Each 'chapter' is more like an essay, easy to read, especially for moms who have a thousand things to do...but you can find time to pick it up and read a little 'story', ponder on it, and keep about doing the other things you have to do.  Her own story of redemption and being adopted, how it's not reallly 'time healing wounds, but love' is really woven throughout her story. Its a beautiful jewel.... the words,and the beautiful photos taken by her, really come together to make a profound impact on whoever reads it. you might want to find the tissue box first.
1013096
Character development was wonderful. You feel the mother's grief, and her unanswered questions. You revel in her self-awakening and rejoice with her new love, albeit a bit unorthodox. Kudos for creating a love story that doesn't fit into a neat little box, but takes the reader on a journey...with of course, a happily ever after.
3917332
I must say I tried reading this story without thinking of the author's personal life, but it was not possible, which made the hopeful and grateful tone even more heartbreaking.
This is the story of two families, that spans two generations starting just before the outbreak of WWI and continuing until 1940, just two years before the author died at Auchwitz. The focus of the story is love and family, it starts with a couple marrying despite their family's disapproval, and subsequent disowning of man the family patriarch. The story unfolds quickly, through the war, children, and their trials and tribulations. Eventually the various members of the families come in contact again when faced with dealing with the invading Germans and the outbreak of WWII.
This is a beautifully written, touching story, made all the more heartfelt knowing that 2 years after it's completion the author herself was overtaken by forces outside her control and could only appreciate her worldly goods for a short time longer.
2858629
Love Lives Here is one of the most beautifully written books that I've read. The most appropriate word I can think of to describe Goff's style and tone is simply "lovely." She has a magical way of telling even the most difficult parts of her life in a way that is relatable and allows the reader to use her experiences as a path their own stories.

One of the best parts of this book is the way that she gives the reader freedom to be the kind of mother that best fits their individuality while fully embracing love for those around them. She strips hospitality and family down to the parts that matter the most and truly allow us to thrive. It's liberating to hear her give us freedom to be different, to create a family rhythm that values togetherness, peace, and rest.

All the while it feels like she is sitting beside you with a cup of tea cheering you on to be the best for your family.

I received an advanced copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
2078894
A beautiful, personal essay on the experience of losing a mother.  Becker's writing is flawless, deeply emotional and brought tears to my eyes several times.  Fascinating to be so close to a daughter's experience of losing and burying a mother.
4239167
My daughter and I read this book yesterday at bed time. We smiled, we cried, and we laughed calling the author "Debbie Downer".

Our jokes aside though, the book is a very touching story of love between moms and their girls over the years. This is the repeated story of love, pain, suffering and devotion that every mother lives while watching her baby girl grow up and become independent.

This book demands a special place in your library
1506995
Loving Frank is a treasure. This book is more than the story of Frank Lloyd Wright and his mistress, Mamah Borthwick, it is the story of a woman, who could be any one of us, trying to make her peace with her life, her surroundings, and her relationships.  The text is beautifully written, there is not a word written that does not have a reason for being there.

I found both lead characters completely believable and sympathetic.  It gives me tremendous hope that a contemporary writer, Horan, can write so generously on the subject of a woman's struggle with the role of motherhood.  For those of the reviewers who dare to suggest that Mamah, in her time, would not have felt what Horan portrays her as feeling, I say, "hogwash."  Don't think for a minute that the women of every generation have had and continue to have the feelings expressed by Mamah Borthwick.  It was the women from her generation, thinking outside their roles as mothers, that got women the vote for goodness sake?!

Agree with Mamah's decisions or not, you can clearly understand the reasons she does what she does as well as her torment over the results of her choices.  Mamah makes no apologies to society for her choices nor does she ask for any sympathy, she clearly just wants to BE.  She's even enlightened enough to know that although she aches for her children, it is best to leave them to their daily life without her.  She will have them in her life as they allow and will not place her own needs above theirs.  Truly enlightened, if you ask me.

Do not this miss the beautifully written, thought-provoking triumph.
2368561
This book examines a family that has unraveled - mom and dad are living alone in a home, their adult son living a completely separate life from them (for example, the parents have no idea that their son has a girlfriend, let alone that he has moved in with her or that she is pregnant).  Most fundamentally, their 13 year old daughter has run away from home, and allows the family only small periodic peaks into her life.  Mom and dad barely speak, and they are all clearly lost.  And yet these flawed characters are lovingly fleshed out and shaped by Abu-Jaber, and by the middle of the book you begin feeling for them.  By the end, you are rooting for them.  By the very end, you can barely restrain your hope that it all works out for them.

The book follows this broken family through a difficult time in their lives. I found the end of the novel to be the most engaging and well drafted, especially when events start taking place in the store (I won't say more to avoid spoilers).  I found some of the sub-plots unnecessary diversions (the entire Solange part of the story was relatively worthless to me).  I also found the book to be slow to keep my interest, but once it did - wow.

The author writes beautifully, and has a clear love for the locations she sets her novel in and for fine food.  I really enjoyed the book, and I must say that as a parent of three children the book really got to me when it turned to the discussion of the relationship between these two parents and their children.

A wonderful book, well worth a read.  I hope she writes more novels for many years to come.
4500533
There are few writers who can keep my attention from the first word to the last but I always find myself wishing her stories lingered on.  Even though many of these tales were previously shared in her other works, this showed a different angle and the touching, evolving relationship between a mother and daughter.  I love this so much that I gifted copies to my own mother, and my mother in law, on Mother's Day.
2881520
This book has drama, suspense and mystery, but it's also a beautifully written story about a mother and her daughter.  It kept me reading late into the night and guessing until the end. It's definitely memorable.
2913673
This is an amazing story that really got me involved - emotionally and consciously - between a mother and son. I have had similar experiences and it was amazing for it to comeback in technicolor. I loved the book with all its passion and insight! Loved how the author had done some really unique writing and formatting of her book. A great read!
2099095
Stories about Mother's and their offspring hold my attention.  Philomena was one of those stories.  Beginning with the early years of Anthony in Rosecrea,a convent in Ireland that welcomed unwed mother's with the intent to put these babies up for adoption  to American families.  It  was the perfect way to see the love between Mother and son and the heartbreak that occurred at the time of their separation. This separation lasted throughout Anthony's  life.  His name was changed to Michael at the time of his adoption and Michael lived through highs and lows, joys and depression always wondering if his Mother loved him or not.  Through his entire life, this was a constant question.  It was the question when he was a boy, as an outstanding lawyer.  he accomplished himself in the political arena as well. There are many surprises in this wonderful, well written book. Read it and be mesmerized.
1929063
I found My Two Mothers to be a delightful surprise. It's a heartwarming story that immerses the reader into the life of a Sicilian family who migrated from Italy to America. I felt a part of that family as the author recreates the vivid description of her Italian upbringing. Wonderfully written, very enjoyable, I fully recommend this book.
3954193
A Mother's Secret is a beautiful tale of love and passion, deceit and lies, secrets and memories. It is about the decisions we take in life and their consequences on ourselves and on those around us.

Every time I read a book by Renita D'Silva, I feel as though I'm transported through time, to faraway locations, dreaming with my eyes open. I also always learn new things about Indian culture and traditions.

In this book, we encounter some very strong, determined female characters - much stronger than their male counterparts actually. At times, these women made me love and admire them, at others I felt I almost hated them, but then I would imagine myself in their shoes, and end up wanting to hug them tightly to me again.

A madwoman... A cursed mansion...

Following a tragic accident, young Durga is sent to live with her 'ajji' or grandmother in a huge, ruined mansion. There lives Kali too, the old madwoman everyone fears. This woman was once a happy girl, a ruthless mistress of the house, so what made her lose her mind?

"... her mother a sealed chest of secrets, Jaya had never managed unlock."

Riddled by guilt and grief, Jaya is trying to come to terms with the loss of her mother Sudha. Jaya had never known her father and has always resented her mother's silence on his identity and on her past. Why did Sudha never divulge his identity? Who is/was he? Why aren't there any photos in their house of Jaya's father or of Jaya's first years? Who was really Sudha? Why did she shut the door on her past and never opened it again?

But now Jaya has found her mother's diaries and hopes that through her mother's writing, she could solve the riddle that was her enigmatic mother. What will she discover? What surprises will there be waiting for her? Will her questions be finally answered?

Renita D'Silva's rich and poetic prose makes reading an incredibly joyful experience. She has the ability to vividly paint scenes and describe feelings through an explosion of colours, smells and tastes that make you long to be there in the story. In Ms D'Silva's books, feelings have smells and voices have colours.

"The air that brushes Jaya's cheeks is the crushed mauve of regret, flavoured with the deep gold of yearning."

"A gentle voice, like the raindrop-jewelled breeze caressing the tops of mango trees."

"The darkness is syrupy brown, molasses thick."

I highly recommend this wonderful, emotive tale. It kept me engrossed till the end and I even missed my daily walk in order to finish it as I was desperate to find out what was this Mother's Secret.

With thanks to Bookouture for approving my request to read and review this book through Netgalley.
4160733
Yes, the underlying issue of this book is the opposing viewpoints and ideologies of one mom against another--in this case the SAHM versus the mom going back to work.  But Gwendolen Gross also hits the nail on the head about the way that other women size each other up--in looks, husbands, children's behavior, volunteer work, and gardens to name a few.  She also perfectly captures a mother's love, from the beauty of a newborn baby to the tender release of your firstborn into adulthood and everything in between.

This book is not only beautifully written, but the human drama creates tension that causes this book to be a real page-turner.
2275688
It is a rare and beautiful thing when you find a book that touches your heart so deeply. This book spoke out loud my deepest fears about being a wife and a mother. I cried real ugly tears for Elizabeth and her struggle to live after the death of her husband. I cheered for each of her successes and I found myself praying that she would allow herself to feel happiness and love again.

This wasn't the same as what you've come to expect from Rachel Higginson, but an even more beautifully crafted complex piece. Buy this, read it, and the go hug your loved ones.