Today is April 19th. We are half way through the month that calls for April showers to bring May flowers. So what was the abomination that happened this afternoon? I will give you a hint – white stuff fell from the sky – fluffy white stuff. I am trying not to see this as a calamity. We have had snow in April before – I remember one time during April break (the last week in April usually) it happened. Today it was just one step too far, with the Sox losing.
This week I had the opportunity to read four advanced reader’s novels. The two that are sticking with me in the excellent category are Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth and Where the Sea Lavender Grows by Kitty Johnson. Both books offer great main characters that have stories to tell. Both books run dual timelines to tell the story of the past and present.
Sally Hepworth in her book Mad Mabel slowly drags a story out of the main character in her advanced age and her cantankerousness. People seem to die around Mabel starting when she was young starting with her baby sister. As she became an adult, Mabel has lived under a moniker for years. She is trying to live a life without a lot of drama but as the book slowly evolves we are drawn into her life. There is a kick at the end – so be prepared.
Kitty Johnson jumps right in the middle of her character’s life and allows her main character to face the loss of a child. Elise is an artist who finds herself drawn to the subject (Lilias Carter-Brown) as she redoes the paintings on the wall. The mystery of the two children and the sisters that show up in her work makes you want to demand answers instead of the slow reveal. There is a kick at the end – so be prepared.
Elise sent in a mystery about someone trying to stop a book being published, but the reader does not have all the information. She also sent in an interview with Patrice Lewis about two of her newest books. Each book focuses on one of the sisters finding their happily ever after.
I must remember that the Mets have lost 11 straight with the highest payroll. Maybe not all hope is lost with the Sox. Take time to read this week!
