This is a beautifully written book that handles some tough issues and circumstances ...
934627
I don't normally write reviews, so the fact I am writing one for this book says something.  This is a beautifully written book that handles some tough issues and circumstances and I continue to think about it after finishing it.  If you are looking for a light, teen romance, this isn't the book for you.  The writing comes across more literary than romance (not a surprise considering the title) and it's not particularly fast-paced, but it will give you the full range of feels from laughing to crying and back again, all within a few chapters.  These are not one-dimensional characters, and I'm glad I spent the time in their world.
514444
I absolutely loved this beautiful book. It is filled with gorgeous prose, fascinating, complex characters, and a wonderful ray of hope through some terrible hardship. It is woven through with folk tales that will be fresh to most readers, and really examines the most difficult kinds of choices. This is firmly middle grade, though there is definite violence and an attempted rape early on.
2229772
There were things I loved about this book and things that I didn't like as much. It's still a solid 4 stars for me though. It's beautifully written. Similar to Salvage the Bones, this book is a lens into the lives of an African American family in the Mississippi Delta. It's raw and real and powerful. It also incorporates past stories of the family members to give a broader look at how this family has lived over decades, which touches on Jim Crow-era and today.

As many other reviewers have said, there is a lot of magical realism, so if that isn't your thing, I would not recommend reading this. I love magical realism. That being said, it was not executed as well as I would have liked. The chapters in which the main narrator was a ghost were really good. However, in the chapters of other narrators experiencing ghostly encounters, I was confused at times as to what was going on and who was saying what. This is because some of the characters had the sight while others didn't, so there were multiple people speaking at a time. I feel like this could have been better written, and it would have solved my confusion.
3041379
I really enjoyed this book, but this review is difficult to write. The writing in this book is almost poetic. Maybe musical is a better definition. It's beautiful. Contrasting this is a diamond hard story. Even when the writing becomes simple, and I believe intentionally so, the story is painful. It is a side of WWII not explored often. There are good and bad people here, but mostly it is a story of decent people led to do evil, and also reluctant people deciding to do good. There is triumph and sadness; destruction and resurrection. I won't forget this story and how it is told.
3150836
This is a beautifully written, honest, raw, account of a young woman's struggle with the important things in life - parents, giving birth, friends, staying true to oneself, holding a household together against terrible odds and succeeding despite the odds. Hilary Krzywkowski, is a writer, a poet, and an artist with talent. Do you want to read something original and unusual? Then this book is for you.
1213581
A beautifully  written story that takes the reader to emotional heighs and lows.
Really a series of events that, sadly,  tells the story of bad things happening to good people.
Well worth the read.
1669477
A beautifully written but difficult book about a very real situation too often repeated around the world. Ultimately, and somewhat surprisingly to some of us who discussed this in our book group yesterday (I highly recommend it for book groups!), is the redemptive power of love. And redemption is the operative word here.

Clement's poetic writing allows the reader to get through, indeed not put down, a book of intriguing pain.
2478052
This was a beautifully written book. It described the journey that Maria took after the horrific accident that took her young son's life 6 years ago until now. She shared the lowest moments and how she rose from the pain. It was raw and heart wrenching to read, but yet beautifully done at the same time. You really could feel her pain. She also made you realize that you truly can move on with your life and keep your loved one with you. That is how I would want to move forward as well. She will help so many with this heartfelt book. I highly recommend it and have sent it on to my family to read.
3564283
This is a beautifully written, thoughtful book, but as many of the reviewers have noted, it's not easy going. That is, unless you have some background not only in Judaism, but in continental philosophy and politics, it's not easy to get through.
82423
Ross Howell's writing is beautiful. This is a gem of a book that could be "dark" and depressing, but it is not. The spirit of Charlie, the  young reporter, permeates the book with his strong faith, commitment, compassion, and his quiet intelligence.  One is transported through Charlie's first person descriptions of the beauty of nature, life's inhumanity, and the triumph of  humankind , as well as the "forsaking" of the young woman--a theme re-enacted throughout history--the treatment of blacks. This story evolves during the evils of Jim Crow in l912 Virginia. Some of the great issues during the time this book covers remain today--100 years later. The strong characters are unforgettable
1809702
Highlands is the second book in the Journey of Dreams series, but is a stand alone book.  One does not need to read Prairie to understand and appreciate this book.  Ms. Havig does a wonderful job addressing real life issues that people struggle with in a realistic and enduring manner.  Another review spoiled these issues, so I won't share here.  The story is woven together in a way that challenges the reader to experience them with the characters in the book.  The story is a beautiful story of redemption and worth a read.  Because of the mature subject matter, I would not suggest this book for a teenager, unless they are mature beyond their years.

A quick and simplified recap.  Tony, a professional swimmer, gets dropped into Highlands.  He struggles with the Highland culture that believes that people with disabilities should accept them as a mark from God.  Tony finds the balance of trying to accept this concept and trying to fix these things.

I look forward to reading more in the Journey of Dreams series.

Abigail, 13
4458838
This is a wonderful book but be forwarned it is heartwrenchingly difficult at times for any one that has lost an infant, had difficulties with conceiving, or been through the foster/adoption process and lost a child they thought they'd be able keep.  This book ends with both sadness and a joyous HEA.

Sam and Rachel have been married for about 12 years and both are aware their marriage is seriously troubled.  After losing their newborn daughter in a tragic accident and then several attempts at adoption failing, neither can seem to find happiness in life together anymore.  It's just twelve days before Christmas when Rachel opens the door to a social worker who places a baby in her arms. She is baffled, scared and determined not to take her, for not only is there baby Grace but she is accompanied by her four year old brother and eleven year old sister, all in need of a home until their parents can be found.  Rachel is holding onto a thread trying not to slip completely into a deep depression but can she actually turn her back on innocent children in need of a safe and warm place at this time of year?

Sam and Rachel have always dreamed of filling their home with children but Sam no longer thinks he can make Rachel happy so he's making plans to leave after Christmas.  The repeated heartbreak they have both endured is more than either can take.

Reluctantly, they agree to take the three siblings, just until after Christmas.  During those twelve days many events from the past are revealed, Sam and Rachel are forced to deal with events from their past that brought them to this moment in their lives and both have several lessons that must be learned and dealt with if they have any hope of saving their marriage.  In addition, the three children are forced to deal with more grief and sadness than anyone would ever want to see a child endure.

This book is full of sadness and anger, hope and forgiveness, and sadly, the knowledge that sometimes someone must lose everything for someone else to find their dreams come true.  I cried, I even occassionally laughed, but be prepared to have the tissues handy, this one is a real tear jerker, but well worth it.
2277739
This book is beautifully written about the strength of  a wife/mother/friend who faced with the loss of her life at a much too early age does it with such grace.  We can all learn the importance of accepting the inevitable and deciding how we are going to face the end. I so admire the author's telling of the story as well as his own acceptance of what his wife's last wishes were.  The farm, as a third character, was a beautiful backdrop on the seasonal cycle of life. ML. Northrup, SC
118459
I found this book a challenging read. It dealt with issues that l felt deeply involved in and I had sympathies for all the characters in the story. A deeply engrossing story, well written with beautiful word pictures this story and its ethical dilemmas have stayed with me for days. There was never going to be a 'happily ever after ' ending for this story but it is certainly worth reading, pondering and sharing with others.
1488911
This is a truly beautiful and very sensitively written novel.  The author has captured the thoughts, the feelings and the constant worries and scares of people caught up in the frightening maelstrom of their land being occupied by a malevolent foe.  We sense the concern as well as the creativity of a father whose wise efforts to help his blind daughter Laurie grow and survive take precedence over all else.  And how the housekeeper and uncle also step up, not only to the challenge of the daughter's disability, but also to their desire to do what they can to thwart the occupiers.  It is too easy to forget how war brings out both the good and bad in people, and also how easy it is for those in power to bend many people to their will.  But in the end, I was not surprised at the young German Pfennig's humanity revealed in a beautiful though sad conclusion.
3483359
This memoir rings so true.  It is a beautifully written story about life's challenges, especially those dealing with mental illness, and the strength, courage and grit needed to meet those challenges head on.  An excellent read.
2659912
(This review contains spoilers.)

This book was recommended to me by a number of friends and colleagues.  I was initially excited to read it, and as the book went on and the family situation became more dire, it grew hard to read.  All along, the quality of the writing and the consistency of the author's even-handed reportorial voice made the book worth giving a 4 or 5-star review.  It's not really a flaw of the book that it's a struggle to read about children not having enough to eat, not going to school on a regular basis, not having health care, and living at the whim of their alcoholic and mentally ill parents.  Nevertheless I had to force myself to read the middle of the book, which muted some of this amazing story's impact.  It may have been my incredulity at the author and her siblings' seeming to let their parents off the hook too easily and not appearing to confront them or try to change their lives until they were nearly adults.  Unlike some of the negative reviewers, I do believe that this is a true story.  And it is has been meticulously and beautifully told.  As the story neared its conclusion, I was glad to have stuck it out to witness the resilience of (most of) the children as they became adults and the way that they were able to individuate from their now homeless and ne'er do well parents.