I am clearly in the minority on this one. I have read and loved many of Diane Chamberlain’s books but alas this one never connected with me until the very end.
This story is told in alternating timelines, one with Kayla, a single mom who lost her husband in a tragic accident recently, in present day and one with Ellie, an activist who enrolls in a program to help Black citizens register to vote, in 1965. I connected with Ellie a lot more, especially once she was in the program. But, for me, there was something off in the dialogue and the characters from the very beginning. The dialogue felt a little too over the top and disconnected from the characters. Usually with Chamberlain’s books, I find myself immersed in the characters’ world as if I am there living with them.
In this one, I could not feel that connection no matter how much I tried.
I kept reading because I knew their lives would intersect and I wanted to know how. And there’s a mystery at the root of the story that starts in page one, so I also wanted to see how it came together. Near the end, the story’s heartbreaking plotlines intersected and I was grateful I stuck with it. I think this was an important story to tell and I am glad I read it, but, to me, it is not one of her best.
I look forward to reading the next one.
with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
We had parent-teacher conferences today and it was really wonderful to hear all the teachers had to say about the big boy.
But what was even more magical to see was how excited all of the teachers were to talk about the subject they teach and how excited they were to see how genuinely curious big boy is. The teachers all love teaching these kids and seeing them learn and think and grow.
When I moved to America one of my big dreams was for my kids to have an excellent education. To have their curiosity be met with excitement and encouragement.
Weekly Intention: My intent this week is to rest as much as i can and then to move through.
This month’s intention is:Yes to Connection: Reach out to others. Connect with your people. Make new connections. Say yes to more things.I didn’t end up doing enough of this for October. But that’s ok.
One way I will leap this week: just taking a vacation has been a leap.
One boundary I will set this week: i will take even more downtime, i seem to really need it.
One area where I will go deeper this week: still would like to do more art and journaling.
What do I need to sit with this week? understanding my feelings.
I am looking forward to: some serious downtime.
Focus onCore Desired Feelings (lighter, kinder, enough, magic, wild): feeling so much lighter and kinder. really grateful.
This week’s challenges: just staying with this quiet.
Top Goals:
Work: be present, go slow, don’t make up stories.
Personal: 2022, more journaling and art, find a class, exercise.
Family: climb with J, get david to do his class, find something for N, help the kids with school and J with work
This week, I want to remember: amazing how much can change in a minute.
It’s been raining cats and dogs all day today. I haven’t left the couch except to exercise.
Reading two lovely books simultaneously. Every time my mind interferes to remind me of something I have to get done, I acknowledge it, thank it and let it go.
It’s amazing how much can change when you decide to change your perspective. I made a big shift a few weeks ago and it’s changed my whole life. If someone had told me that I could do this I would have laughed at their face.
I am a big fan of feeling my feelings. I like to name my fears and worries out loud. I know they are there whether I acknowledge them or not and whether I say them or not. I believe that naming them, saying them out loud and putting them outside of me is key to reducing their power.
It’s an important way for me to connect to myself and not to numb.
It’s also a step toward connection with others who might feel similarly so I can feel less alone.
So I am not a fan of dismissing or diminishing the feelings when they are spoken out loud. I try hard never to tell my friends or boys that what they are feeling is not a big deal and that there are people much worse off in the world. Or that if they voice their fears, that voice might bring them forth so don’t say it. I disagree with both of these philosophies.
Our feelings are real whether we acknowledge or not. Our lives and worries and anxiety and blessings are not part of a comparison game. We are allowed to worry and be sad no matter what. And naming our fears does not make the universe send them our way. For myself, I try not to encourage wallowing because I don’t think it helps me. But acknowledging and being acknowledged absolutely does.
How can I work through my feelings if I am not even allowed to say them out loud?
