Liz
Liz's Current Recommendations
Of course I loved this latest book by Kristin Hannah! It is another amazing, informative read. Set in Texas in the 1920's, Elsa and her family hope the promises of moving west to California will enable them to escape the economic and physical hardships of the Dust Bowl. Elsa is persistent and courageous; giving in is NOT an option. She is a mother willing to sacrifice, facing economic inequality, social stigma and teenage rebellion. She inspires me to be a better person!
Cal Hooper, retired Chicago police officer, is fixing up the farm house on his rural property in Ireland. He picked this place with tranquility and remoteness in mind. He enjoys the wide open space, manual labor and the local pub. He’s content; he thinks he’s blending in and doesn’t stand out as a “Yank”. But little, weird events are building up around him and he feels vulnerable. I felt it too. Creepy, spooky story! I loved the descriptions of the Irish people and countryside. Erin go bragh ;)
By definition, matter is the basis of all substances. This story explains "you, dear child, matter." Young (and not so young) readers hear the author teaching her son about his family heritage with pride and love. I found this book to be so gentle, so enduring and so perfect for peace driven, socially concerned educators/parents such as myself. Additionally, the illustrations are a tapestry within a book - a must have.
An Irish woman sets out on her life's most significant journey, following Artic terns on what she fears is their last migration south from Iceland to Antarctica. I was apprehensive about reading this book - is it a story told in the future, after many, many animals are extinct, but I loved it; it written so well and I related to the conflict that the characters faced. It is a fantastic read for conservationists, ornithologists and especially adventurers (like me)!
