Book Review: 'Indigo Hours: Healing Haiku' by Nancy Stone

✰✰✰✰✰ When the author's husband was diagnosed with "likely Alzheimer's," Stone turned to poetry and art to try to make sense of it all. In this book, she covers five years of challenges in the role of caregiver as she lays bare her feelings of sadness, grief, anger, fear, and sometimes little joys along the caregiving journey. Told with brutal honesty, humor, and compassion, the author shares little snippets of their life together post-diagnosis.

The Bottom Line: Caregiving is a role most of us wouldn't choose. Unfortunately, many of us, including me, are finding ourselves doing just that. Artist and author Nancy Stone has channeled both the joys and the challenges of caregiving into a beautiful book of haiku poems. Although based on her experience of caregiving for her husband, who has "likely Alzheimer's," this book would be helpful to anyone struggling with long-term caregiving regardless of diagnosis. Stone's haiku cover the entire spectrum of emotions that one faces as the loved one's illness progresses: anxiety, fear, compassion, care, kindness, anger, grief, frustration, sadness, loneliness, and resolve. Highly recommended for anyone who finds themselves in this situation and in search of wisdom. Stone's inspirational poetry, along with her playful illustrations, will simply soothe your soul.

Details: Indigo Hours: Healing Haiku written & illustrated by Nancy Stone. Paperback published by Rootstock Publishing in 2023. 104 p. ISBN: 9781578691425 [NOTE: I received a free, uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the publisher and the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.]

Book Review: 'Ordinary People' by Judith Guest

✰✰✰✰✰ Cal and Beth Jarrett are the All-American dream couple. With successful careers and two outstanding teen sons, the Jarretts are comfortable in their lives. Unfortunately, life can change in an instant. After a tragedy leaves the family with only one son, the Jarretts must learn to move forward, but how? The loss of their oldest, Buck, is too much for them to process as each turns inwards. 

Without the support and attention of his parents, Conrad, the remaining son, attempts to take his life. The aftermath of this second tragedy is an even bigger struggle for Cal and Beth as they continue to deal with the loss of Buck. As Conrad returns to high school and tries to navigate his classes, Cal & Beth are at odds with how to help. Will they be able to find the support they need to heal as a family or will the aftermath of tragedy be too much for the Jarretts? Whether you are reading this book for the first time or the tenth time, the ending will haunt you.

The Bottom Line: Although first published in 1976, this novel still deserves a place on your bookshelf. It's a quick read that immediately connects and stays with the reader. Guest has an innate understanding of the internal dialogue people experience when faced with personal loss, grief, and depression. Each character expresses their grief differently, and Guest did a superb job tackling a tough subject. Highly recommended for teen, new adult, and adult readers. This novel would be perfect for discussion groups. Additionally, this book was made into a movie with a stellar cast you won't want to miss.

Details: Ordinary People by Judith Guest. Paperback published by Penguin Books in 1982. 272 p. ISBN: 0-14-006517-2 

Book Review: 'Bug in a Vacuum' by Mélanie Watt

✰✰✰✰ A little bug just happens to be flying along and minding its own business, when it ends up in a house. Just when it begins to get comfy...whoosh! One minute the little bug is innocently just sitting there, and the next minute, it finds itself trapped inside a cavernous metal container. What is a bug to do? 

With nothing but dust bunnies to talk to, the little bug starts wondering why. This can't really be happening...or can it? After a bit of questioning, bargaining, sadness, and lots of drama, the little bug must make a choice. And just when it accepts its fate of being stuck inside a vacuum, the unexpected happens.

The Bottom Line: Have you ever wondered what happens to the little spiders and bugs that get swallowed up by the vacuum cleaner?  Well, this clever picture book takes you along the journey of one trapped bug. With a little bit of humor, Watt illustrates the stages of grief that we all go through at some point in our lives with this thoughtful and sensitive picture book featuring bold artwork in mixed media. Highly recommended for kids ages 5 - 9  going through unexpected turmoil or loss.

Details: Bug in a Vacuum written & illustrated by Mélanie Watt. Picture book published by Tundra Books in 2015. 96 p. ISBN: 978-1-77049-645-3

Book Review: 'Snowflakes Fall' by Patricia MacLachlan

✰✰✰✰✰ Every single snowflake is different. Each one is unique and beautiful in its own way, just like children. As the snowflakes fall, they cover the gardens. As the seasons change, the snowflakes become the rain that makes the flowers bloom again. And the children remember the snowflakes. No two are ever the same, but all are beautiful, just like children.

The Bottom Line: This story of renewal was inspired by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. MacLachlan’s powerful words and Kellogg’s vibrant and dreamy watercolors combine to convey a message of hope as the seasons change and the cycle of life begins again. Very highly recommended for helping children understand loss. This picture book also emphasizes the beauty of each unique individual.

Details: Snowflakes Fall written by Patricia MacLachlan & illustrated by Steven Kellogg. Hardcover picture book published by Random House in 2013. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-385-37693-8

Book Review: 'Amish Grace' by Donald Kraybill

✰✰✰✰ Ten years ago, a local milkman invaded an Amish schoolhouse and took hostages. Before the day was over, ten girls between the ages of six and thirteen had been shot. Five would die, and Charles Roberts committed suicide. As the world watched, at first in horror and then in amazement, the Amish responded to what became known as the Amish 9/11 with grace and forgiveness instead of rage and vengeance.

This is the story of how these grieving families responded together as a devoted Christian community. While many non-Amish observers admired the Amish for their strength and convictions, others criticized them. Did they forgive too quickly? Was their forgiveness authentic? The issues raised in this book illuminate the many different acts of grace that can be found in the most unexpected places. 

The Bottom Line: Amish Grace is a book that inspires the reader to explore their faith. By recounting this tragic incident in the history of the Amish and exploring the acts of grace in the months that followed, the authors raise many questions. This is a story of forgiveness that has been shaped by the history  and culture of the Amish. Recommended for clergy, historians, psychologists, and those interested in personal reflection and religion. 

Book Club Notes: A dedicated group of book club members gave up watching a Cubs game and braved foul weather to attend. They were ready to tackle the topics of religion and forgiveness. By taking an inside look at what the Amish can teach us about forgiveness, grace, healing, and moving forward, each of us reflected upon our own experiences. We all come from different backgrounds, and while we sometimes disagreed, this book brought out a thoughtful, engaging discussion. There is a discussion guide available in the book or you can download a PDF copy here. For those who have taken it a step further and also viewed the movie, you can find sermon outlines here. Also, here is a thoughtful study guide from GodChicks. While this book and the topic of forgiveness were a more challenging read, it provided us with a new perspective. Overall, the ratings in the group averaged 4.5 stars, and we would highly recommend it for book clubs interested in learning about Amish culture, Christian living, faith, and religion.

Details: Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher. Paperback published by Jossey-Bass in 2007. 288 p. ISBN: 978-0-470-34404-0 

Book Review: 'Wenny Has Wings' by Janet Lee Carey

✰✰✰✰✰ When eleven year old Will North wakes up in the hospital, he is confused and sad. You see, he died along with his little sister, Wenny, when a truck ran them over. He remembers dying and speeding through a tunnel towards a light. He also remembers flying through the air with Wenny. However, only Will came back. Suffering from serious injuries, Will begins to write letters to Wenny as he recuperates in the hospital. As Will uses a journal given to him by a church youth leader, he learns to express the feelings he can’t share with anyone else.

Not that anyone is listening. His parents can barely stand to look at each other let alone talk to Will. Unable to talk to his parents and friends about his near-death experience, Will finds comfort in writing to Wenny. As time passes Will writes to Wenny less and less. He returns to school and helps his friend, Gallagher Krumley, face the challenge of going through the Tunnel of Death. During this time Will’s father seems to struggle the most with Wenny’s death and his feelings of guilt. However, with a new baby on the way, the family must learn to move on while still holding Wenny’s memory dear to their hearts.

 

The Bottom Line: Wenny Has Wings is a beautiful story of love, loss, grief, and acceptance told in the form of letters written by the surviving sibling. Author Janet Lee Carey's writing is magical as she takes the reader through one boy’s journey to come to terms with his sister's death. Highly recommended for kids in Grades 4 and up, especially for those coping with grief and death issues. This is a very quick read. Also, highly recommended for writers looking for an excellent example of an epistolary novel. I hope to read more of Carey’s books in the future.

Details: Wenny Has Wings by Janet Lee Carey. Hardcover published by Atheneum Books in 2002. 240 p. ISBN: 0-689-84294-5

Book Review: 'Green Angel" by Alice Hoffman

✰✰✰✰ Fifteen-year-old Green is a quiet and shy teen. When Green’s family goes into the city to sell their goods, Green is left behind to tend the gardens.  Unhappy at the prospect of being left behind, Green doesn’t even bother to say goodbye to them. Little does she know it’s a decision that will soon haunt her.

When the unthinkable happens and the city is destroyed along with all the people in it, Green is left alone to deal her grief and her guilt. In a way, a little part of Green died the day her family died. With only her sister’s dog, Onion, for company, Green doesn’t even bother to heal her damaged eyes. She retreats into a protective shell by wearing black clothes, cutting off her long hair, and putting nails in her boots.  She even covers her body with black tattoos. Thus, Green loses herself for a while and becomes Ash, a girl who doesn’t care.

Partially blinded and unrecognizable as Ash, she must learn survival skills. Then something amazing happens, the girl who refused to heal herself begins to heal others. There's a hawk, baby birds, a greyhound, and more; one by one they come to Ash for help. As she begins to take care of others, Ash learns how to care about herself and becomes Green once again. 

The Bottom Line: This very brief tale of loss and love is haunting and has a dreamlike quality. Alice Hoffman’s writing is very descriptive and appeals to the senses; it is full of symbolism and imagery. Hoffman manages to pack lots of emotion into this slim little book. Told from the viewpoint of fifteen year old Green, this story of survival uses little dialogue. 

Teens who have suffered a loss will relate to Green. Hoffman expertly guides the reader through the grieving process by following Green’s journey from loss and despair to anger, acceptance, and finally hope. Green discovers that by losing herself, she finally finds herself.

Highly recommended reading for teens. The contemporary setting evoked images of 9/11 making this a possible pick for a YA book club. (You can find discussion questions here.) Green Angel is sad and enchanting all at the same time.

Note: I received this as a gift from the SantaThing program at LibraryThing. It’s different from the types of books I usually choose for myself, which is why I love the program.

Details: Green Angel by Alice Hoffman. Paperback published by Scholastic Inc. in 2010. 144 p. ISBN: 978-0-545-20411-8