What I'm Reading Wednesday: The Children's Blizzard

 Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres.  I would even go so far as to say it is my absolute favorite.  I enjoy seeing history come to life in a work of fiction.  And I love it, even more, when a novel introduces me to a historical event that I knew little to nothing about before I opened the novel.  This was the case with The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin.  

"The New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator's Wife reveals a little-known story of courage on the prairie: the freak blizzard that struck the Great Plains, threatening the lives of hundreds of immigrant homesteaders--especially their children.

The morning of January 12, 1888, was unusually mild, following a long cold spell, warm enough for the homesteaders of the Dakota territory to venture out again, and for their children to return to school without their heavy coats--leaving them unprepared when disaster struck. At just the hour when most prairie schools were letting out for the day, a terrifying, fast-moving blizzard struck without warning. Schoolteachers as young as sixteen were suddenly faced with life and death decisions: keep the children inside, risk freezing to death when fuel ran out, or send them home, praying they wouldn't get lost in the storm?

Based on actual oral histories of survivors, the novel follows the stories of Raina and Gerda Olsen, two sisters, both schoolteachers--one who becomes a hero of the storm, and one who finds herself ostracized in the aftermath. It's also the story of Anette Pedersen, a servant girl whose miraculous survival serves as a turning point in her life and touches the heart of Gavin Woodson, a newspaperman seeking redemption. It is Woodson and others like him who wrote the embellished news stories that lured immigrants across the sea to settle a pitiless land. Boosters needed immigrants to settle territories into states, and they didn't care what lies they told them to get them there--or whose land it originally was.

At its heart, this is a story of courage, of children forced to grow up too soon, tied to the land because of their parents' choices. It is a story of love taking root in the hard prairie ground, and of families being torn asunder by a ferocious storm that is little remembered today--because so many of its victims were immigrants to this country."  (synopsis courtesy Goodreads.com )

The Children's Blizzard, or Schoolhouse Blizzard, hit the Great Plains on January 12, 1888.  The days preceding had been brutally cold, but this morning dawned pleasant and mild.  As a result, many left their homes without their usual heavy winter clothing and coats - leaving them unprepared for the storm that would unexpectantly arrive during the late afternoon.  The blizzard suddenly began just as children were being released from school for the day.  Teachers (many of them still teenagers themselves) faced the life or death decision of whether to send out into the storm or try to wait it out in school houses ill-prepared to provide shelter through such a vicious storm.  Hundreds were caught out in the storm. It is a riveting and tragic story.  

Unfortunately, I found many of the main characters lacking in dimension and unlikable.  While well written, the story drags in several places, especially when focusing on the non-relevant personal dramas of the characters rather than the storm and its aftermath.  However, if you press through those portions of the novel, it is an interesting - although sad - story.

⭐⭐⭐

What I'm Reading Wednesday: The Quiet Girl

Have you ever read a book that was just completely messed up and insane - but in all the right ways?  For me, that book was The Quiet Girl by S. F. Kosa.

"When Alex arrives in Provincetown to patch things up with his new wife, he finds an empty wine glass in the sink, her wedding ring on the desk, and a string of questions in her wake. The police believe that Alex's wife simply left, his marriage crumbling before it truly began. But what Alex finds in their empty cottage points him toward a different reality:

His wife has always carried a secret. And now she's disappeared.

In his hunt for the truth, Alex comes across Layla, a young woman with information to share, who may hold the key to everything his wife has kept hidden. A girl without a clear recollection of her own past. A strange, quiet girl whose memories may break them all.

To find his wife, Alex must face what Layla has forgotten. And the consequences are anything but quiet." (description via GoodReads.com)

A lot was going on in this novel.  I mean, a lot!  For the first third of the book or so, I couldn't figure out what was going on.  OK, that's not true.  I knew exactly what was going on.  I just couldn't figure out how the two narratives were related.  Once that was cleared up,  I still found myself thinking "Wait... WHAT is going on here??" every few pages.  

I could have done without the entire portion involving Alex's work and the drama going on there.  I'm not sure what the point was or how it added to the story in any way.  For me, it just added a lot of unnecessary extra goings-on that distracted me from the main storyline and could have been left out.  

All in all,  there was plenty of suspense and twists to keep me guessing right up until the very end. Another case of "stayed up too late to finish this book". 

What I'm Reading Wednesday: The Plot

I have read a lot of good books this year.  I guess perhaps a year of quarantine was good for authors and for getting the creative juices flowing.  But, I am going to say that in my opinion, The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz is one of the best of the entire bunch.  

"Jacob Finch Bonner was once a promising young novelist with a respectably published first book. Today, he's teaching in a third-rate MFA program and struggling to maintain what's left of his self-respect; he hasn't written--let alone published--anything decent in years. When Evan Parker, his most arrogant student, announces he doesn't need Jake's help because the plot of his book in progress is a sure thing, Jake is prepared to dismiss the boast as typical amateur narcissism. But then... he hears the plot.

Jake returns to the downward trajectory of his own career and braces himself for the supernova publication of Evan Parker's first novel: but it never comes. When he discovers that his former student has died, presumably without ever completing his book, Jake does what any self-respecting writer would do with a story like that--a story that absolutely needs to be told.

In a few short years, all of Evan Parker's predictions have come true, but Jake is the author enjoying the wave. He is wealthy, famous, praised, and read all over the world. But at the height of his glorious new life, an e-mail arrives, the first salvo in a terrifying, anonymous campaign: You are a thief, it says.

As Jake struggles to understand his antagonist and hide the truth from his readers and his publishers, he begins to learn more about his late student, and what he discovers both amazes and terrifies him. Who was Evan Parker, and how did he get the idea for his "sure thing" of a novel? What is the real story behind the plot, and who stole it from whom?" (description via goodreads.com)

I enjoyed this novel so much!!  

It was unique and refreshing.  It brought up a lot of thoughtful internal debates with myself about intellectual property, the theft of ideas, and plagiarism.  I loved the characters.  And maybe I also sort of hated them.  But those are some of my favorite kinds of characters, the ones you love and hate all at the same time. 

Maybe I was slow to get on the train, but I did NOT see the twist coming in this one.  Which, usually I have at least some sort of an idea or at least a guess.

This story kept me awake late into the night while reading it.  And stayed in my thoughts for days after.  I still find myself thinking about parts of it.  I am quick to name it if anyone is brave enough to ask me for a book recommendation.  And it has me adding more of the author's works to my To Be Read list.

What I'm Reading Wednesday: We Begin at the End

If you're looking for a feel-good, happy ending sort of book, We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker isn't it.  However, if you're in the mood for a novel filled to the brim with loss, remorse, revenge, redemption, and love -  then you've found it!

"Walk has never left the coastal California town where he grew up. He may have become the chief of police, but he’s still trying to heal the old wound of having given the testimony that sent his best friend, Vincent King, to prison decades before. Now, thirty years later, Vincent is being released.

Duchess is a thirteen-year-old self-proclaimed outlaw. Her mother, Star, grew up with Walk and Vincent. Walk is in overdrive trying to protect them, but Vincent and Star seem bent on sliding deeper into self-destruction. Star always burned bright, but recently that light has dimmed, leaving Duchess to parent not only her mother but her five-year-old brother. At school the other kids make fun of Duchess—her clothes are torn, her hair a mess. But let them throw their sticks because she’ll throw stones. Rules are for other people. She’s just trying to survive and keep her family together.

A fortysomething-year-old sheriff and a thirteen-year-old girl may not seem to have a lot in common. But they both have come to expect that people will disappoint you, loved ones will leave you, and if you open your heart it will be broken. So when trouble arrives with Vincent King, Walk and Duchess find they will be unable to do anything but usher it in, arms wide closed"  (synopsis via Goodreads.com)

I'm still not sure how I felt about this book.  It was an intricate and compelling story.  But, it is also incredibly sad. 

There were many characters, and sometimes it could feel like a bit much to keep them all straight and figure out what was going on with who and what part they might be playing in the main storyline.  Duchess is a 13-year-old girl, forced to grow up and take on far too much responsibility at a very early age, leaving her angry and closed off from others. Her mother, Star, is a woman lost and unable to take care of herself or her two children.  Walk is the chief of police who seems bound and determined to take care of everyone except himself.  Vincent is constantly going to extraordinary lengths to punish himself for a horrible mistake from his youth.  And that's just a few of the players in this tragic tale.

This novel had my emotions in a twist.  I was as angry as Duchess as I read one page, and then as full of hope as Walk on the next.  And sometimes I was just confused. 

Although it starts slow, and a more than a bit confusing at times - once it starts rolling, it's a novel well worth the time. 

5 Reasons Adult Colouring Books Could Improve Your Life

Adult colouring books are the latest craze. Once exclusively the domain of young children, more adults are getting creative with colouring books that help them de-stress and improve concentration. Here are 5 reasons adult colouring books could improve your life

1. De-stress
Studies show that adult colouring books can help you to de-stress. Colouring in intricate designs on paper can help you relax after a long day at work and provide you with some much-needed relief. These books are available with various designs that provide a calming influence when you need it most. You'll feel more relaxed and refreshed!

2. Improve concentration
Research also shows that colouring in books for adults
can improve your concentration and help you focus. If you feel like your brain is racing or you have too much running through your head, an adult colouring book can provide you with a few minutes to unwind after a particularly stressful period in your life.

3. Pass your time
If you've got a long train or plane journey coming up, colouring in can provide you with a relaxing pass time. You'll be able to get creative and use an array of colouring pencils to complete elaborate designs.

4. Provides an alternative from consumer electronics
Studies suggest that consumer electronics like computers and smart phones can have a negative effect on your body. Not only can they have an effect on the quality of sleep you receive every night, but frequently using electronics, especially late at night, can cause your stress levels to skyrocket. There is an alternative. Swap electronic products for colouring books instead to improve your sleep and relax your mind. You'll feel less stressed in no time at all!

5. Improve creativity
Need some creativity in your life? Colouring in can help! Even if you're not the best artist, you'll be able to colour in different designs and create dynamic, eye-catching illustrations. You can even cut out and frame your favourite designs!

*This is a sponsored post.  Compensation was provided by colouringbooks.org.uk and the post contains links to their website. Opinions expressed here may not be those of  My Really Real Reality or the blog owner.