Impactful read that captures the love and beauty of camp.
590770
I'm so proud of my friend Meera Ramamoorthy for putting together this book! My copy arrived today and I've been reading as much as possible. If you love any camp, love giving money to good causes, and/or want to check out a short story that I wrote (included in the book) you can find your own copy on Amazon. All proceeds go to charity.
Meera, I've said it a million times but I'll say it once more. Thank you for encouraging me to keep camp in my life and bringing me to Camp Joy. Not sure what my life would've been like without it!
1763919
This book certainly lives up to its title, taking readers on a journey into the heart of orphans in China and beyond. Author Amy Eldridge beautifully and candidly shares her journey of starting out as an adoptive mom to become the founder of an international organization working to help provide orphans with medical care, education, foster homes, and adoption services. She vividly retells the stories of many of the children she's met along the way, introducing readers to the individual children behind the staggering and often overwhelming statistics of child abandonment.

Each chapter tells real children's stories, struggles, heartbreak, smiles, resilient hope, sometimes tragic endings, and the many happy endings. It is a captivating read, one that grabs hold of your heartstrings straightaway, making it hard to put it down. Though the stories are often replete with tragedy, Eldridge writes from her heart, filling each page with a contagious hope that leaves the reader brimming, not with tears, but with overwhelming compassion and unswerving belief that "every life counts" and that we can, indeed, make a difference in the lives of orphans. It's love on every page.

This book touched my heart deeply with the stories of these beautiful children. By getting to know the heart of an orphan, my heart was transformed by the power of a love that transcends boundaries. I highly recommend this book to anyone who desires to grow in love and care for not just orphans, but all people everywhere.
2984079
Reading a memoir is like being invited into another persons world and experiencing their life first hand. A good memoir shares a universal trutha takeawayfor the reader. The main takeaway in this memoir is how letting go of a beloved mother can be an opportunity to celebrate life and every precious moment left. The major themes are parental loss, the mother-daughter bond and letting go.

In Lisa Goitchs memoir, we meet her mother, Millie Goich who has been sent home from the hospital to prepare for her final days.  A foreward by bestselling author, Mitch Albom and by Millie sets the stage for the heartwrenching letting go process told from the authors point of view. What happens in those two weeks turns out to be an extraordinary celebration of Millies life.

Goichs writing is honest, empathic and engaging and is reflective of a great love for her mother. I appreciated how she wove in humor to provide some light moments. Her little dog, Angie even comes alive on the page. Her characters are fully developed, especially Millie, to the point where I could see her, hear her and sense her larger than life persona, make sure you take cookies home when you leave  often being her parting words to visitors.

The authors reflections about the letting go process were stunning in their breathtaking clarity and raw emotions. They reconnected me to the memory of being at my beloved fathers bedside where I was so privileged to hold his hand for hours as he left us. I felt consoled by my own memory as well as by the authors ability to gracefully let go in the end.

I admire the authors ability to share her deepest feelings so clearly and openly and I feel very honored to have met Millie Goich.  In sharing her story of love, loss and letting go, Lisa has touched us all. I highly recommend this book not only as a poignant and powerful story but as a guidebook for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one. A beautiful tribute to a beloved mother.
2468342
The book opens with Olivia Dunne, a twenty- four year old with big dreams, being forced into an arranged marriage after succumbing to the advances of a handsome solder in 1944.  It turns out her husband is a good man, but Olivia has nothing in common with the farmers that now surround her, and she befriends two girls, Japanese- Americans who were interned in a camp nearby.  Their story culminates in a politically charged incident, based on actual events, involving the girls and German POWs from another camp. Olivia eventually begins to love her new home and even her husband, as she learns to make the best of what life has given her.  Through Livvy's eyes, we feel the camp and the isolation of rural life only to discover an unexpected enchantment.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially the sweet, often heart- wrenching dialogue between Livvy and Ray, and the vivid description of life on a farm in Colorado in 1944.  As I read I felt I was there; the author creates a strong sense of "place."  The incident between the Japanese- American girls and the German POW's is a bonus and made me turn the pages even faster.  From a historical perspective, I learned of Japanese internment camps and German prisoner of war camps in Colorado and the impact they had on the people there.
1305641
I have a friend whose grandson has autism, and one of the things he has a very keen interest in is music.  So as I began to read this I thought of him, although my friend's grandson and the main character--Holden--are far apart on the spectrum.  I really loved how Karen wrote from Holden's perspective throughout the book.  I often found myself quite choked up when reading Holden's thoughts.  And as each of his quirky behaviors came to be more understood for their true meaning, it was beautiful to see the transformation of those around him as they saw his behaviors in a new light.

I also appreciated that although Ella "looked" like she had everything going for her, she too was not what she appeared.  Here was a lonely teen, looking for meaning to her life beyond the trappings that seem to bring those around her satisfaction and pride.

Sweet story.  I'm sorry for the reviewers who  didn't like it, especially those who have a loved with with autism.  I don't think Karen Kingsbury would ever mean to offend or hurt any of those parents, but rather make her readers think about looking inside the people we meet to see the true beauty there.
4389125
Coming of age, sweet read with great summer camp love story.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
1400541
You will want to while away the sweet summer days at the Ohio lake hotel of the Wayfair. Sweet Lake is that great summer read. Christine Nolfis opening line Coconuts bouncing down a bowling lane. The auditory imagery right on.

This read will fill you with empathy for not only the main character Linnie but the entire town. You get a great sense of Linnies problems, her mindset, the millstone around her neck. I could identify with Linnie, her daily life, the way she takes care of the people who work for her and her friends. I am a home healthcare worker and can see how she feels about the Wayfair in her decisions.

Her cast of characters fill the town with life and vibrancy.  I love her inner circle of friends Jada and Cat are awesome support characters. When are you going to share Jadas recipe for brownies? I long to read their individual stories. I can see these three women grow into amazing pillars of the community. Quite like the reigning Sirens. The Sirens are a great addition the way they mentor the town. Their behind the scenes schemes are I love Lucy perfect. I love the differences between the two leaders of the Sirens and how they complement each other.

Within the first chapter, the world of this small Ohio lake town is so real. I couldn't help but immerse myself in these lives and want them to succeed. Christine does an amazing job setting up the goals and desires of the whole town.

Linnies arc is cleverly presented. You long to help her through her struggles and empathize with Daniel as he does his best.  Her struggle to find a place inside her own family is both heartbreaking and triumphant. The greatest journey can often be to find ourselves.

Buy Sweet Lake today and slip into a story worth reading.
72846
Eisner's book is a wonderful reflection of his experiences over many summers at a prominent northeastern "sleepaway camp." Being a northern Californian, I was not exposed to this particular genre of camp experience, but my brothers and I were fortunate to attend a wonderfully similar enclave three hours north of us called Camp Beaverbrook, which featured most of the same experiences (save for the wonderful natural lakes) that Mr. Eisner recounts. Our camp directors, "Amee and Niha" (Bob and Marion Brown from Orinda, California) built the place by hand and created a wonderful place for young people ("Beaverbods," we called them) to grow up and learn to live with others. Mrs. Brown even wrote her own reflective book called "Past Tents," which is unfortunately out of print. If you enjoyed Mr. Eisner's book, you should also see the movie "Indian Summer," which never ceases to bring a tear to my eyes.
2546440
This isn't the kind of book I would normally read but I wanted something different than usual and this I got. There's some truly beautiful, captivating episodes and character descriptions to be found within the chapters and I particularly enjoyed the camping scene which really came alive on the page. Author really gets inside her character's heads to portray emotions that we all feel sometimes but would not want to admit. Parts made me cry but mostly I just enjoyed the story. My only criticism is that I found the ending rather weak but this could be expanded by a sequel! I would buy it for certain.
267646
I picked up this relatively short book one morning at a book store and started reading it in the park.  I quickly took it home and finished it before the sun had set.  Absolutely beautiful.  I had tears in my eyes and a smile on my face as the sun finally set; I know it sounds silly, but this book honestly touched me.  Paulo Coelho weaves common truths, ageless parables, a boy's wanderlust, the hidden magic of the world, and the meaning of life into one engrossing, thoroughly enjoyable tale.  Predictable, maybe, in retrospect; although I was too entranced by the rythmn and beauty of the story to make any predictions or think about anything else; I could only follow along like a kid by a campfire gazing at the flames.
3172097
A parcel is being jockied down our long dirt driveway by my mob of children emotionally peaked by anticipation. It's a children's book and right there I knew, our day won't move on until we shared it together.

At the first page, they are drawn in by the beautiful colors and images. The story will have to wait until they are finished absorbing what they see. There is so much to read even before we start with the words.

And when the words start, they aren't disappointed either. Andy Andrews takes us on a journey of four generation of boys, stacking their lives like blocks, he allows us to wonder at the strenght and significance of the wall that is built from their lives meshing together, it's legacy fed by the fruit of good choices. As Susan Carver says in the story .. "little things make a big difference".

Following this construction of lives through the story and the butterflies through the pictures, these little things we do illustrate the 'butterfly effect' our lives have. Just like the butterfly's wing makes such a small movement of air, we can offer our small fishes and loaves confidently that our lives will and can make a big difference.
3087418
The cover of this book is exceptional, so do not think for one minute that it is just "one of those coffee table books".

The beauty of this place, Echo Lake, will stun you and the photos will knock your socks off.  Plus there is a sentimental connection with the author --four generations--of love and environmental caring that comes through very strongly.  If you have any interest in saving and protecting our planet this book will delight you.

 This area presented many challenges to bringing comfort and  pleasure to this pristine place without intruding on its natural beauty. It offers many outdoor activities to those who love nature.
3552021
Fun, informative and a pleasure to read. I've always loved camping and fortunately knew not to feed the wildlife, but the stories told in this book reinforce all of the whys and the appreciation one should have for the bold and beautiful.
2469243
This is a rather personal review, in that I am a small part of this story, and it details an extremely sad and stressful period of my life, albeit with a message that is uplifting and perhaps comforting.  It can be viewed as an allegory since there is nothing as awesome and terrifyingly beautiful as the flames of a forest fire, the full fury of Nature sweeping its destructive scythe across the most beautiful landscape, and yet somehow, after the fury and horror of its effects, it is Man as a part of Nature who can emerge to continue working, and growing, building and loving, recovering from disaster, and affirming the possibilities and the beauties of Life.  Melissa captures that duality in her narration, the devastation of loss, and the promise of rebirth that for me included the death of my mother, and the comfort of her memory in work that one must do to continue, to move positively in the pursuit of what is meaningful.

The book is beautifully printed, with pictures, paper, typeface that mirrors the beauty of the story --- her life of Zen contemplation and work being suddenly interrupted by the power of a massive forest fire, threatening all of the mountain with complete destruction.  She starts with her identity as a mother of two vibrant young girls and her relationship with leader of the Zen Center.  And as quickly as one gets to feel her aspirations, you are interrupted by the reality of the Mountain Fire, a massive forest fire started by a malfunctioning well pump, and growing to one of the biggest in the history of the San Jacinto mountains where the Zen Center had been established over many years of careful and beautiful work. As she and all were evacuated, one senses the possibility of utter and complete loss, yet even as the fire rages, Melissa and her extended family move with a calm determination to do what can be done, to comfort each other, and prepare for what must be.  And so, as all watch the possible destruction of the mountain, wait for the results of the battle by Man to direct or mitigate that destructive force . . . much as I watched my mother (Melissa's close friend) in the last days of her life of beauty, and then, after we were able to return to the mountain, note the efforts to recover and rebuild. The pictures that are in the book show the destruction and the beauty.  The story establishes the truth that love and beauty can be recovered even in the face of utter loss.  And the Zen Center is being rebuilt with the sureness that Life prevails, even after a massive forest fire.  And the loss of a dear friend.  The story is a love story, and how one must love the Life that can inspire us, in the rocks and trees, in the mud slides, and the heat of a fire, in the efforts and success that hard work can deliver, in the beauty of a painting or a beautiful structure,and even in the death that must claim us all.  Thank you Melissa, for this book of Beauty and Love.
3883106
This book was adorable, funny, and heart-warming! Perfect for preteens who love camp (or maybe are nervous about going, and need to get excited!) and fun for older people who want to reminisce. The characters are all sharply defined and the themes of dealing with loss and family troubles were handled well. I wish I could have gone to a camp like the one Davidowitz writes about!
436903
What is more powerful than being in your early teens and trying to be accepted and being in 'like' (or love) and at the same time having to deal with parents you don't understand?  Mary Hamilton takes us into all of those emotions as she takes us to summer camp for a week.  From 'frustration' to 'abandonment' to 'trying to prove yourself' to 'rage' to 'fighting' to 'deep friendships' to 'a powerful personal quest'  - you will join in all of those as you read "Hear no Evil".  The camp staff is a group a quirky group of characters who you would expect and they provide some comic relief.  But the story of these kids will touch your heart and inspire your faith - and in the end you will look forward to a week at camp next summer (hopefully!)  I received a free e copy of this for an honest review and I have since ordered a paper copy to give as a gift to my church library!  I want others to be able to go to camp too!
873593
Zach Cooley's Hazel's Little Bud is a one-of-a-kind book--I've never encountered a memoir that put together the history of a place and a personal history in such an affecting form.  Both stories are emotionally compelling, and Cooley's narrative makes it clear why they belong together.  I think Cooley's art is very much of the place where he grew up and the community where he lives.  And his book captures the spirit of its author and the spirit of the place and the people he writes about in an illuminating work of art.