Archive | August 2023

Every Tree Has It’s Place by Zach Wilson

Aug5

Simply Beautiful

Every Tree Has It’s Place by Zach Wilson is a beautiful book for the under fives. It is based on Ephesians 2:10. “For we are God’s handiwork. Created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

The story has a simple message – we were created for a purpose, to help others and each one of us is special. This is reinforced throughout the book. The story is easy for little ones to follow and to join in.

The characters are Paw Paw Bear and his grandson Bridger. We see the unique relationship built across the generations, united by love and shared experiences.

All the book is beautifully illustrated by Mutiara Arum. The bears are appealing to all with their friendly faces. Each page is simply drawn but detailed that enable us to have discussions with our children.

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The Girl Who Survived Auschwitz by Sara Leibovits & Eti Elboim

Aug4

Powerful, Inspiring & Horrifying

The Girl Who Survived Auschwitz by Sara Leibovits & Eti Elboim is a powerful, inspiring and horrifying account of a sixteen year olds year spent in Auschwitz. Sara Leibovits was her name. This is her story, interspersed with memories by her daughter Eti Elboim. This is a journey to hell and back.

Sara Leibovits spent three days with eighty four people crammed into a cattle car, destination Auschwitz in May 1944. Already so much had been lost living in the ghetto, but far worse was to come.

Sara Leibovits is an amazing lady. She showed strength of character, resilience and maintained a kind heart, as she shared what little she had with those around her in Auschwitz. Her experiences make difficult reading but the reality would have been far worse – something we cannot even imagine, it’s so awful.

A loss of dignity and identity for all in Auschwitz as they were no longer known by name but by a tattooed number. Eti Elboim as her daughter affirms, “You are no longer a number.” The strong mother-daughter bond is clear for all to see.

In later years Sara Leibovits has visited Auschwitz and also spoken of her experiences to others. She has survived.

The reader hears from Eti Elboim what it is like as the second generation of an Auschwitz survivor. It was a perspective I had not read about before. I had not realized it could mean no grandparents, aunts, uncles… whole generations wiped out. Just your parents. Eti Elboim’s words are powerful and heartfelt.

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Those People Next Door by Kia Abdullah

Aug3

Out Now In Paperback – It’s Top Notch!

Those People Next Door by Kia Abdullah is a totally gripping contemporary crime drama that consumed me from the start.

Kia Abdullah is a marvelous author whose novels are always top notch. She writes gritty fiction that is always heart breaking.

In Those People Next Door we witness, with horror, the lengths that some people will go to in order to destroy others. Instead of offering olive branches, it is bitter barbs. These barbs sink in, destroying characters from the inside out as we see the damage that hurt and bitterness can do. Characters lose their morality incredibly quickly.

Once more Kia Abdullah introduces the reader to an urban neighbourhood. It is supposed to be a safe haven but proves more deadly than the estates the family left behind.

The reader sees the tensions that simmer and boil over, as tolerance is a thing of the past. There appears to be a role reversal as we witness teens acting more grown up than the adults, as they unite over common ground.

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The Women Who Wouldn’t Leave by Victoria Scott

Aug3

Delightful

The Women Who Wouldn’t Leave by Victoria Scott is a delightful contemporary novel that made me smile.

It is a novel about friendship, love and community as a group of neighbours come together to fight the authorities for what is theirs. The community pull together.

Over the years the neighbours exchanged polite greetings but as needs are identified, friendships begin and isolated lives begin to open up.

You never know what private battles people are fighting. Some residents have hidden secrets for years. They feel safer hiding from the world. If they do not let others in, they cannot be hurt – but we all need friends.

Animals and being in nature promote healing. The animals offer pure love, expecting nothing in return.

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