Long Bright River

"Being a mother is about learning the strengths you never new you had and dealing the fears you didn't know existed." - Unknown

"In a Philadelphia neighborhood rocked but he opioid crisis, two once-inseparable sisters find themselves at odds. One, Kacey, lives on the streets in the vise of addiction. The other, Mickey walks those same blocks on her police beat. They don't speak anymore, and the police department has no idea of their connection, but Mickey never stops worrying about her sibling. Then Kacey disappears, suddenly, at the same time that a mysterious string of murders begins in Mickey's district, and Mickey panics over her sister's safety. Risking her job, and maybe even the welfare of her four-year-old son, Mickey becomes dangerously obsessed with finding the culprit - and her sister - before it's too late."

The hard-life streets of Philadelphia are the setting that has stayed with me from his story. This hard-life doesn't discriminate by age, race, gender or walk of life. It swallows people up whole and often spits them out just in time for their family members to mourn what remains. An amazingly well-told story of family, devastation, loss, drug addiction, crime and community. Although this is well over 450 pages, it was an addictive page turner! I fell into the optimism that this might be the time 'they' change, this could be the time rehab works and the story pulled me back in with each twist and turn.

Do not miss this one! It's fantastic!

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Comments

Every Note Played

⭐⭐/5 "An accomplished pianist, Richard received standing ovations from audiences all over the world in awe of his rare domination of emotional resonance and flawless technique. Every finger of his hands was a finely calibrated instrument, dancing across the keys and striking each note with exacting precision. That was eight months ago. Richard now has ALS, and his entire right arm is paralyzed. His fingers are impotent, still devoid of possibility. The loss of his hand feels like a death, a loss of true love, a divorce - his divorce. He knows his left arm will go next. Three years ago, Karina removed their framed wedding picture form the living room wall and hung a mirror there instead. But she still hasn't moved on. Karina is paralyzed by excuses and fear, stuck in an unfulfilling life as a piano teacher, afraid to pursue the path she abandoned as a young woman, blaming Richard and their failed marriage for all of it. When Richard be...

Me Before You

⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 5 "Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life - steady boyfriend, close family - who has barely been farther afield than her tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex-master of the universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair-bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life - big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel - and he is not interested in exploring a new one. Will is acerbic, moody, bossy - but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns Will has shocking plans of his own, Lou sets out to show him that life is still worth living. Me Before you brings to life two people who couldn't have less in common - a heartbreaking romantic novel that asks, 'what do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?' This book has been out for quite a while now yet it has somehow escaped me. I've s...

March windfall

Had an awesome experience at Half Price Books today finding both a signed, first edition and a note card between giver and receiver inside one book as well. This stack is completely from the clearance section (between $2 - $3 per book) and contains titles that have been on my 'want to read' list for quite a while. I also found a women's daily devotional from 2013. It really fell into my hands because of it's gorgeous leather cover and warm red color. I'm a softie for a daily read. Something to look forward to, build routine around and the daily experience of finding a quote or a passage intended for that day truly resonates with me. Atop this stack is a recent clearance mug find as well. Its for tea with its rounded base and smooth finish. When I drink tea I tend to cradle the mug so it works as a hand warmer as well as a beverage receptacle. This is a good one! March came in like a lion with the cold winds and overcast skies. Here's to...

Book Love & Coffee Mugs

Search This Blog