'Mothers & Daughters' by Rae Meadows

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When a box of Iris's belongings arrives on Sam's doorstep, she discovers links to pieces of her family history but is puzzled by much of the information the box contains. She learns that her grandmother Violet left New York City as an eleven-year-old girl, traveling by herself to the Midwest in search of a better life. But what was Violet's real reason for leaving? And how could she have made that trip alone at such a tender age? In confronting secrets from her family's past, Sam comes to terms with deep secrets from her own. Moving back and forth in time between the stories of Sam, Violet, and Iris, Mothers and Daughters is the spellbinding tale of three remarkable women connected across a century by the complex wonder of motherhood.

First thoughts after finishing this book: You think because you're family that you know everything about each other, but the truth is you really don't.

What I liked about the book:

• The characters and how the author gave each one their own voice and the chance to tell their story. I loved how it all started with a box that contained items from a loved ones past.
• The mother/daughter relationship. We are strange creatures aren't we? At times we are each other's best friends and other times could find us bitter enemies.
• The Orphan Trains....I read a children's book, Rodzina, which I highly recommend, and this was my first exposure to the fact that this happened to many orphan children in the cities. Makes me want to delve a little bit more into that period of time.

Personal Thoughts:

Vyola & Joe
My Grandparents

While I was reading this I realized how lucky that my Grandmother Vyola and her siblings escaped the fate of those that were put on the orphan trains. Her father died first and then almost a year later her mother passed away. No one from the family stood up to take my Grandma and her four brothers (I'm getting very emotional here...this breaks my heart) and so they were sent to a Catholic orphanage in Fort Wayne, Indiana. My Grandma and her younger brother stayed until they aged out, but her other three brothers ran away and joined the service as soon as they could. I lost my Grandma 5 years ago but I never knew about her childhood until it was too late as she had Alzheimer's by the time I was "interested" enough to find out about my loved ones lives. With that personal story in my family this book really resonated with me and touched my heart.

Recommend? Without hesitation. It may spur you to start asking questions about what life was like for your parents growing up and if you're lucky enough to still have your grandparents, take some time today to talk to them...really talk to them!

Rating: 8.5/10


Author: Rae Meadows
Published: April 2011
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Henry Holt and Company
ISNB: 9780805093834


Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

'Things We Didn't Say' by Kristina Riggle

Synopsis from TLC:

What makes up a family? For Casey it’s sharing a house with her fiancé, Michael, and his three children, whom she intends to nurture more than she ever took care of herself. But Casey’s plans have come undone. Michael’s silences have grown unfathomable and deep. His daughter Angel seethes as only a teenage girl can, while the wide-eyed youngest, Jewel, quietly takes it all in.

Then Michael’s son, Dylan, runs off, and the kids’ mother, a woman never afraid to say what she thinks, noisily barges into the home. That’s when Casey decides that the silences can no longer continue. She must begin speaking the words no one else can say. She’ll have to dig up secrets—including her own—uncovering the hurts, and begin the healing.

First Thought after finishing this book: Life is such a messy thing isn't it?

What I liked about this story:

• The different POV's that Riggle presented. Each character was able to really come to life because the reader was able to read their thoughts first hand. I think this made the story work for me because I enjoyed getting to know each one a bit better and to learn what made them tick.
• The younger characters Dylan, Angel, and Jewel. They actually had a lot more common sense than the adults and really put into perspective the effects divorce and blended families have on the children.
• The father being portrayed as the caregiver for the children and doing ANYTHING to keep them safe from their off-balanced mother. It was quite refreshing to see a dad portrayed in a more positive light!
• Michigan author and Michigan locations- love that!!!!!!

What I didn't like about this story:

• The overwhelming weakness of each of the adult characters. Not one of them had a bit of common sense about them and that drove me crazy!!! I thought Casey was a wimp frankly and really needed to take charge of her life. Michael was a pushover when it came to his ex-wife. Even though I think he was a great dad trying hard to keep it altogether, he caved way too often to his ex-wife and her whining!! Mallory, the ex-wife, just drove me crazy with her neediness and her continual blame game. 

Personal Thoughts:

While reading this book I was instantly reminded of what my brother went through when his first marriage ended. He was the one who stayed in the home and kept his girls. He was the one that made sure that they ate, did their homework, chores, and tucked them into bed. He was the one that was there for the tears, the sadness, and the bad days. He's remarried and with the help of his wife they have blended their two families into a seamless unit. He is the type of Dad to be applauded but gets very little accolades for his role as the main parent. Thanks to this book we may see more stories that portray fathers in a much better light!

Recommend? I absolutely would recommend this book to friends. This a chaotic family story and that's what really happens in real life- crazy people, impetuous teenagers, scared children, hurt feelings, secrets, and that fear of someone knowing the real you and deciding you're not good enough to be loved. 

Rating: 8/10

Author: Kristina Riggle

Published: June 28, 2011

Publisher: William Morrow

Genre: Family Fiction

Source: William Morrow and TLC

Pages: 332

ISNB: 9780062003041

About Kristina Riggle

Kristina Riggle lives and writes in West Michigan. Besides her debut novel, Real Life & Liars, she has published short stories in the Cimarron Review, Literary Mama, Espresso Fiction, and elsewhere. She is also a freelance journalist writing primarily for The Grand Rapids Press, and coeditor for fiction at Literary Mama. Kristina was a full-time newspaper reporter for seven years before turning her attention to creative writing and freelancing. As well as writing, she enjoys spending lots of time with her husband, two kids, and dog.

Real Life & Liars is set in Charlevoix, Michigan, a town close to Kristina’s heart as the home of her grandparents where she has visited often over the years. Some recognizable Charlevoix landmarks appear in the novel, as well as fictionalized versions of real places. The home of the Zielinski family on Dixon Avenue is based loosely on the house where her grandmother grew up.

Visit Kristina at her website and like her on Facebook.

Disclaimer:Thank you to TLC Book Tours for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MYexperience while reading this novel.


© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

'Silver Girl' by Elin Hilderbrand

Teaser Synopsis:
Meredith Martin Delinn just lost everything: her friends, her homes, her social standing - because her husband Freddy cheated rich investors out of billions of dollars. Desperate and facing homelessness, Meredith receives a call from her old best friend, Constance Flute. Connie's had recent worries of her own, and the two depart for a summer on Nantucket in an attempt to heal. 

First Thoughts after finishing book: I'm glad that I didn't end up hating Meredith!!

What I liked about this book:

• The story is very relevant to what has been occurring in corporate America and Wall Street. Greed, selfishness, and amassing "things" is the main agenda for many in this country.
• Meredith's best friend Connie- if not for this character I would have stopped reading this book as I really couldn't take another minute trying to feel sorry for someone who wouldn't think twice about dropping $20,000 on linens and candles!! Connie is the best friend that I think a lot of women would love to have. She came across as a genuine and caring person.
• The setting was pretty awesome...I would love to visit Nantucket, but I'm sure they wouldn't let me in!!
• The meaning behind the title Silver Girl....I'd tell you more but I would never spoil the story for anyone!

What I didn't like about this book:

• Meredith! I realize that the author wanted to convey to the reader how materialistic Meredith had become but geesh.....I'm sickened by the excess of her spending and how she never blinked once about spending tens of thousands of dollars on stupid stuff!! That part that really galled me is that this is so prevalent in our society. I'm disgusted at how the average person believes that in order to be happy they must ACQUIRE things...the more you spend the better you are. I almost bailed on this one just because of that and the name dropping on clothes...IMHO, I could care less what designer shoes you have on. Uh oh...I think I just went on a rant. Sorry...........
• My other beef is that this is a Reagan Arthur book and I've read a few from this division and have thought it to be more literary fiction. To me this was a good beach read but nothing more than that.

Recommend? I would recommend this one to friends but I'd give them a heads up on how I really had a hard time liking and/or feeling sorry for Meredith. But I'm pretty sure that was the author's intention!!  

Rating: 7.5/10


Author: Elin Hilderbrand

Published: June 21, 2011 eBook

Publisher: Reagan Arthur/Little, Brown & Company

Genre: Beach Chick Lit

Source: NetGalley

ISNB: 9780316175579

 

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

'Never Knowing' by Chevy Stevens

Long Synopsis from Goodreads:
All her life, Sara Gallagher has wondered about her birth parents. As an adopted child with two sisters who were born naturally to her parents, Sara’s home life was not ideal. The question of why she was given up for adoption has always haunted her. Finally, she is ready to take steps and find closure. 

But some questions are better left unanswered. 

After months of research, Sara locates her birth mother—only to be met with horror and rejection. Then she discovers the devastating truth: her mother was the only victim ever to escape a killer who has been hunting women every summer for decades. But Sara soon realizes the only thing worse than finding out about her father is him finding out about her. 

What if murder is in your blood? 

Never Knowing is a complex and compelling portrayal of one woman’s quest to understand herself, her origins, and her family. That is, if she can survive…

First thought after finishing this book: OMG...she did it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book had me in its clutches from the very first page and did not let go of me until I closed it at the end. Heck, I'm lying that it let go of me....I've had nightmares two nights in a row and it all goes back to the riveting, chilling, and damn scary book!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved how Chevy used the same style of writing as in her first book having Sara tell her story as she's talking to her therapist. This works for me and she used it very cleverly once again. There were more than a few times where I wanted to smack Sara and tell her don't pick up the phone, grab your kid and run far far away, but overall this story kept me on the edge of my seat. The whole idea of finding out that your birth father is a serial killer scares me to death...and Chevy twisted and turned the story so much that you were never quite sure what he was going to do or say. My anxiety level kept going up and up while I was reading this one and now I can't wait for her next book!!

Scare me again, Chevy!!! Please!!!

Recommend? Oh yes!! Especially if you enjoy a real thriller!! But I don't recommend reading this one too close to bedtime...or else you may have nightmares like me!!! If you loved Still Missing then run to the bookstore and buy this one immediately!!!

Rating: 9/10

Author: Chevy Stevens

Published: July 5, 2011

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Genre: Fantastically creepy Thriller fiction

Source: St. Martin's Press (*uncorrected ARC)

Pages: 418

ISNB: 9780312595685

 

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday....What Are You Reading?

Mailbox Monday

is a gathering place for readers to

share the books that came into their house last week 

and explore great book blogs. 

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Hosted this month at

A Sea of Books

The First Husband- courtesy of Mary @Bookfan Mary. Such a generous friend!!

Stay- unsolicited review copy from Plume/Penguin

Lady of the English-review copy from Sourcebooks (fave HF writer!!)

Almost Home- won @ Pudgy Penguin Perusals

----------------------------------------------------------

Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

We discuss the books that we've read and what we're planning to read for the week.

Read and reviewed last week:

Skyward- great book that takes place in South Carolina's Lowcountry 8.5/10
Down From Cascom Mountain- great debut book from an author to watch!! 9/10

Reviews for this week:

Never Knowing- Tuesday

Silver Girl- Wednesday
Things We Didn't Say- TLC Tour Stop Thursday

Mothers & Daughters- Friday

On my nightstand:

I've been playing this by how I'm feeling that particular day and what strikes my fancy!

 © 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Saturday Snapshot- Killdeer Mama and eggs

Saturday Snapshot 

is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. 

It’s easy to participate – just post a picture

that was taken by you, a friend, or a family member and add your link on Alyce’s site.

I was mowing the lawn the other day and this killdeer went crazy trying to get my attention and make me think that she was hurt so I would follow her and not find her nest. I love these nutty birds and knew right away that I had to stop the mower and find out where her little bundle of joy was so that I didn't run over them!!!!

It took me a while because as you can see they really blend into the dirt, rock, and grass! After making a little border around them with sticks I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that soon I will get to watch 4 little Killdeer run around my yard!!!