Good evening, all! I hope you’re enjoying National Coffee Day. It’s been almost a month since my last Cup of Joe—since I’m trying to cut back—so I decided to make an iced coffee at home. Whether your day consists of reading a good book, writing, taking it easy, etc., treat yourself.
A mesmerizing and courageous memoir: the story of two sisters uncovering the depth of their love through the life-and-death experience of a bone marrow transplant.
Elizabeth Lesser always took an interest in finding out what it means to be true to oneself and to be truly connected with our loved ones. Then she receives a phone call from her sister, Maggie. Maggie is dying and is in need of a bone marrow transplant. When Lesser finds out she’s a perfect match to be Maggie’s donor, she starts to question what it really means to love.
While Maggie goes through the transplant, the sisters eventually become more open regarding their relationship—as well as with their other sisters—to clear a path to unconditional acceptance. They examine their family history, difficult conversations, old assumptions, etc. Within time, they offer forgiveness and love.
Even with the transplant and additional treatments, however, Maggie’s body becomes too weak to fight the illness. Lesser takes on more than she can handle, all to give Maggie a longer life. Despite the struggles, the sisters become closer, their blood cells a symbol of the bond they share.
I’d just finished reading this book today and I enjoyed it. Not only does the author talk about family and sisterhood, she talks about getting more in touch with ourselves, accepting ourselves, loving ourselves, including the importance of letting go.
Marrow: A Love Story is available now. Feel free to post your comments. Happy reading!
*I received this copy from Shelf Awareness’ giveaway, in exchange for an honest review.
About the author: Elizabeth Lesser is the New York Times bestselling author of Broken Open and the cofounder of the Omega Institute, an organization recognized internationally for its workshops and conferences focusing on health and healing, psychology and spirituality, and creativity and social change. Prior to her work at Omega, she was a midwife and childbirth educator. She attended Barnard College and San Francisco State University, and lives in the Hudson River Valley with her family. For more info on the author, click here.
An inspirational, upbeat memoir sprinkled with advice and encouraging stories from the founder of the hugely popular website POPSUGAR.
Lisa Sugar spends her days creating content about pop culture, must-have handbags, makeup, healthy recipes, and recommended sweets on Instagram. Her company, POPSUGAR, is rapidly growing and has hundreds of employees who enjoy what they do. At home, she and her husband, Brian, have three daughters. Lisa enjoys attending their soccer games, as well as reading bedtime stories to them every night.
In this book, Lisa tells her readers about how she did it all, how she had to figure out what her dream job was, including taking risks, and having confidence in herself. Because of that, she wants to motivate others to live life, to figure out what their dream jobs are, and to take risks, as well.
While sharing her personal and business stories, she provides advice on creating your dream. She shares the pros and cons of when it comes to working to achieve your goals, such as starting a company to ditching a relationship that isn’t working, etc. Working toward our dreams is hard work, after all, and it takes a lot of patience and experience.
This is quite an interesting memoir and I enjoyed reading it. In fact, it got me to think more about getting back into my novel-in-progress, which is now a second draft. Perhaps before the end of this year—or the beginning of this coming year—it’ll be ready for the world.
I recommend this book for those who love motivational reads, especially for those who are fans of POPSUGAR. Power Your Happy: Work Hard, Play Nice, and Build Your Dream Life will be available on September 20, 2016. Feel free to post your comments. Happy reading!
*I received this copy from Dutton Books, in exchange for an honest review.
A riveting novel of four women forever linked to the notorious assassin, John Wilkes Booth. The mother who cherished him. The sister who was his friend and confidante. The devoted sweetheart whose love he betrayed. The Confederate widow who conspired with him to bring down a president.
Fates and Traitors is a story based on John Wilkes Booth, who was the son of an acclaimed British stage actor, Junius Brutus Booth, and a Covent Garden flower girl. Like his father, John Wilkes Booth went on to become a stage actor. He was one of the best, adored by many. In the end, however, he’d put his career and reputation at risk only to commit one of the most infamous acts in American history—the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
Each chapter tells the stories of the four women Booth loved and who also loved him: Mary Ann, his loving and patient mother; Asia, his sister and confidante; Lucy Lambert Hale, the senator’s daughter who loved him, yet refused to see him for who he was; and Mary Surratt, the Confederate widow who was sworn to secrecy of Booth’s plot.
I was ecstatic when I’d first picked up this book. During the middle of it, however, I found myself at a slump and wasn’t sure whether or not to continue reading. At the same time, though, something was telling me to continue; perhaps I’ll like it. It started to get a little better when I got to the chapters on Mary Surratt. Now I’m glad I read the whole thing. I didn’t really know about John Wilkes Booth until I started reading this book, so now I’m curious to read up on some of his history. It was a bit of a sad story of a man risking his career and family’s name, all because he claimed to love his country.
For the history enthusiasts, including fans of historical fiction, this book is highly recommended. Fates and Traitors: A Novel of John Wilkes Booth, will be available on September 13, 2016. Feel free to post your comments. Happy reading!
*I received this copy from Dutton Books, in exchange for an honest review.
About the author: Jennifer Chiaverini is the New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker, The Spymistress, Mrs. Lincoln’s Rival, and Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule, as well as the Elm Creek Quilt series and Christmas Bells.
Just a Thought 