REVIEW: A Flower Travelled in My Blood by Haley Cohen Gilliland

 

I remember hearing about the abuelas in my Spanish classes so when I saw this book, I requested it from my library. This  book tells the story of the women  who spent years looking for answers regarding the disappearances of their children and for the whereabouts of their grandchildren. They spent decades piecing together evidence and clues regarding their whereabouts and to date, have found approximately 140 grandchildren.

The central figure in this narrative is Rosa Rosinblitt, who died at 106 by the way, whose daughter Patricia and son in law Jose became one of the disappeared in 1978. Gen. Jorge Videla and his junta targeted them for their role in a subversive group that had been protesting his very brutal regime. Gilliland weaves many other stories of many other families into the narrative and also provides us with a history of the coups and political climate when this was all going on. She does so in  a way that breaks down the extreme complexities of the climate in which the abuelas were operating in.  

The best parts of this book were the stories of the individual players involved in investigating the disappearances. I loved learning about them and their hopes and struggles in both finding family members and then reuniting. While I understand and appreciate the historical narrative and explanation of the political climate in Argentina, those parts were less interesting to me, although I learned a lot from them.  This is, also, very much a book filled with hope and, ultimately, finding joy in reunification in spite of a terribly horrific situation.  

Definitely a must read.

Links I love

 

Last weekend was supposed to be our first regatta but the conditions were very windy and rough and the boats were either flipping or taking on too much water so it was cancelled.  The kids were upset but understanding, given that safety is of paramount importance.  I have officially started watching scary movies, with Halloween (my fav scary movie from that era!). I'm in a walking boot on my right leg. About 15 years ago, I broke my ankle and on T u esday, it blew up and began to hurt in the front.  I have to see the orthopedist this week. 

1. 8 Aldi brands that are better than the name brands.
2. Maine's food pantries are dealing with a volunteer shortage.
3. The best historical crime novels.
4. 8 Halloween reading lists based upon vibes.
5. Bad Bunny is headlining the Super Bowl.
6. There's a new Reading Rainbow host.
7. This type of walking is helpful.
8. 25 best picture books of the last 25 years.
9. Twenty years of Capote.
10. Notable novels of Fall 2025.
11. If you like short stories, this list is for you.
12. 8 bizarre deep sea creatures.
13. Archaeologists find both a medieval dungeon and roman burial ground under a market square.
14. China has new innovative bookstores.
15. 596 books banned by defense department schools.
16. 5 must read Appalachian non fiction books.
17. The best adventure novels of 2025.
18. Who decides what goes on bookstore shelves?
19. October is breast cancer awareness month. My mom is in remission from breast cancer, as is my aunt and former sister in law.  Check your boobies! This is what a lump feels like,
20. Can you match the book to the movie it inspired?

I am very behind in reviews - I have at least two that I will be working on in the upcoming week!  

Enjoy!

REVIEW - the River is Waiting by Wally Lamb

 

When we meet Colby Ledbetter, he is not doing well.  He hasn't worked in a year and he has stopped looking for work because there doesn't seem to be any jobs out there that actually want to employ him. He is the stay at home dad to Niko and Maisie, two year old twins, and has depression that has led him to abuse alcohol and substances, often taking more pills then prescribed with alcohol (which he has started drinking in the morning). When tragedy strikes (early in the novel -first chapter actually), Colby finds himself staring down a three year prison sentence, where the vast majority of the book takes place. I read This Much is True many years ago and thought it was ok so I picked this one up. 

There were several things that were familiar in this - Dr. Patel, the plight of the Native Americans and prison systems played major roles. I was captivated by some aspects of this book - the tragedy and some parts of the prison sentence had me unable to put the book down and look away. Colby's relationship with Emily, his wife, was as much an important character as the prison system, the tragedy itself and 
Colby and Lamb did a good job in crafting the relationship in a way that was realistic given the circumstances. The book itself is a quick read, which is a good thing for me.  I don't like to feel like I'm walking in wet sand or in a swamp when I read. 

Having said that, I felt like there were a lot of predictable tropes in this novel - many of which I found myself thinking "this? you couldn't come up with something better than this?"  It was predictable in this manner. I also didn't like how it ended and also felt empty as a result, not fulfilled, which is what a good book will leave me feeling.  I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters, although that could be because I simply couldn't relate to any of the experiences that they were having.  

Generally entertaining if you don't have high expectations but don't add to your library. 

Links I love

 

Last weekend, we went up to Littleton, NH. We stayed at the Sunset Hill House and I took the above picture there.  That's Cannon Mountain in the background. This was sunrise. It looks like I ha ve a cyst in my sinus so I'm headed to an ENT and likely endoscopic surgery but hopefully I'll feel better!

1. America's best coffee cities.
2. Ten best books based on horrifying true stories. 
3. The Booker shortlist has been announced.
4. Crime novels should be set in Boston?
5. Five best historical novels set in India.
6. These recipes look interesting.
7. What science says about walking 10,000 steps a day.
8. Eight books that explore friendship.

Enjoy the week!

REVIEW First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

 

A friend and co-worker lent me this novel and the timing was good - it was a nice break after the heaviness that I had been reading.  In this fast paced novel, we follow Evie Porter as she navigates deceit, multiple identities and a manipulative boss. When we first meet Evie, she's living in the South with a doting boyfriend, a fancy house with a white picket fence and a solid group of friends. We learn relatively quickly that her identity is a constructed facade. The novel is really about the facade falling apart and how Evie handles it.

I really enjoyed how Elston told the story with two different timelines, eventually having them come together towards the end of the novel. In doing so, we learn about Evie, her background and her future. I found myself being drawn into this world effortlessly - which is a testament to the author's deftness and abilities. She also did a masterful job in making Evie a compelling protagonist with a compelling life and story.  The book itself moves briskly and so was a good and timely palate cleanser for me after reading the much slower (but lovely) book Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo. 

Definitely a good, fast and easy read.  It's a nice break from heavy literature and well worth it. 

REVIEW The Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo

 

I've always been a fan of Russo - particularly since Empire Falls - because he writes about upstate/central NY, a place I spent some time in young adulthood.  He also has focused on the lives of blue collar workers in his books. This novel continues in that theme.

The book itself seems to focus on people that are seemingly unexceptional. They don't really stand out but their relationships with each other certainly do and that's what makes the book so good. We meet Louis Lynch (Lucy to his friends after an incident in school when they were young) when he is 60 years old and living with Sarah, his wife, in the town that he has lived in for his entire life. It's in the Mohawk valley of New York. The couple is preparing to go to Italy to visit Lou's oldest friend, who is an artist living in Venice. Lucy is writing the story of his life in the town and that narrative is the meat of the book, occasionally interspersed with modern views of both Lucy's life and his friend's life in Venice. 

The book's themes really hit home for me.  The book strove to answer the question of whether it is better to love or be loved and whether the comfort of family is better then actually leaving and heading out. The length of the book can be daunting - it's 528 pages. Every page is worth it - Russo paints an intimate and vivid portrait of the people in this novel and the town that they're in, as well as the workings of their emotions and minds.  It is completely intriguing and just lovely.

Highly recommend.

Links I love

 

I have been trying to figure out what is going on with my ear and sinuses this week and it has taken out a lot of my time. Unfortunately, it is also taking a lot of space in my mind, rent free.  Hoping to get down to the bottom of things soon.  I have two reviews upcoming this week so stay tuned!

• Why are British police officers called Bobbies?
• An author reports on gun violence and almost dies.
• 7 Hobbit themed books on Hobbit day.
• Romantasy vs. fantasy romance: is there a difference?
• 12 books NPR editors can't wait to read this fall.
• 5 ways to catch up on sleep on weekends. 
• Must read memoirs from this year. I love a good list.
• Toxic empathy is a thing.
• What happens when a cemetery runs out of space?

Enjoy your week!