Where We Belong: An Orphan Train Novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer

(Thank you to WaterBrook & Multnomah for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Four lives from Kansas and New York cross paths in a joyful novel of love, determination, and the unbreakable bonds of family—from the beloved and bestselling author of Hope's Enduring Echo.

As a widow who never had children of her own, Hester Haak never imagined she'd open her home in Kansas to not just one but three kids from the bustling streets of New York. But when the Children's Aid Society unexpectedly allows her to take two sisters and a young boy her care, she rises to the challenge. Hester is determined to provide a safe, loving home for these children, even as the shadow of them potentially leaving looms over her.

Callum Holbrook struggled with despair after losing his wife. Grieving and unable to provide for his family, he made the agonizing decision to entrust his daughters to an orphanage, promising it was only temporary. Now, stable with a secure job, he is horrified to learn his daughters have been sent halfway across the country. With newfound determination, Callum sets out on an arduous quest to bring them back home.

Where We Belong is a poignant tale of resilience and redemption. As Hester and Callum navigate their paths, they discover that family and love can be found in the most unexpected places, and that the journey home is paved with hope.

my thoughts:

Whoa! What a remarkable story! I fell in love with Where We Belong: An Orphan Train Novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer. This book has everything: love, loss, faith, hope, family, a small town, and so much more. If you want a book with all of the feels, then this one is for you - it packs quite a punch after its slow start. I was turning pages faster and faster, because I had to find out what would happen next. I truly enjoyed every second I spent with this book, and I just know you will, too. 

Hester is a widower in Kansas and has always wanted a daughter. So she decides to check out the orphan train from NY and winds up taking in three children: two sisters and a young boy. Talk about a full house. The question is, can Hester provide a real home for these three kids? 

While Hester is becoming a mother, we have Callum, a widower who placed his daughters in an orphanage when he couldn't provide for them. Now that he is finally in a better position he wants his children back...except they are gone. Yep, the orphanage is closing and his daughters have been sent away on the orphan train to Kansas. Say what? Looks like Callum has quite a road trip ahead of him and a journey to get his girls back. 

I mean, c'mon, how amazing does that sound? Just from reading the book's blurb I was intrigued. I had to find out what would happen to Hester, Callum, and those three kids. Especially since all these people want is to be with their family, to be loved, to feel whole again. And their faith plays a huge part in their struggle to figure out what is next and how to get there. I loved getting to know this cast of characters and reading all about their journeys - Where We Belong is truly a gem. 

I would happily recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will fall in deep with Where We Belong. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP! 

Thank you to WaterBrook & Multnomah for providing me with a copy of this book!

Currently reading...

I just received my copy of Ronald Malfi's latest novel, The Hive. Woo hoo! I'm so excited. I'm a fan of Malfi's horror stories and have been looking forward to diving into this book for months. 

The book is about a small town called Mariner's Cove and the people who live there. There's been a horrible storm. And now, the town is cleaning up. Except, there are random objects scattered about and these items are calling out to people. Seems like there is something for everyone. And soon, the townsfolk of Mariner's Cove are obsessing over these objects and they are determined to protect these things, no matter what. Oh, and there's a kid, who's been exhibiting strange behavior that almost looks like some sort of power. Hmm...seems like Mariner's Cove is not exactly what it seems, eh? And, I am thrilled to read all about it. Especially, since the story is giving me Needful Things vibes - I love that Stephen King book! 

Alright, well, I'm off to dip into this book on my lunch break. Hope you are reading something great, too! Happy reading!

Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Pain Of Others: A Novel by Miguel Ángel Hernández

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

In this blend of police thriller and poignant autofiction, a writer revisits a tragic crime from his adolescence and reckons with a dark, underexplored side of Spain.

On Christmas Eve 1995, Miguel Ángel Hernández’s best friend murdered his sister and took his own life by jumping off a cliff. It happened in a small hamlet in the Murcia countryside. No one ever knew why. The investigation was closed, and the crime forgotten.

20 years later, when the wounds seem to have stopped bleeding and the mourning died down, Miguel decides to return to the countryside and, putting himself in the shoes of a detective, tries to reconstruct that tragic night that marked the end of his adolescence. But travelling in time always means altering the past, and the investigation will awaken ghosts that he thought he had left behind: a childhood marked by the Church, by sin and guilt; the constant presence of illness and death; the oppressive, closed world from which he managed to escape.

This raw, moving novel about the collision of two worlds and two ways of life is a reckoning with the past and, above all, a subtle and incisive meditation on the ethics of literature, which makes us aware that “writing isn’t always a triumph, that sometimes, we too may founder upon the pain of others.”

my thoughts:

A literary autobiographical novel - whoa, talk about the perfect mix of genres. The Pain Of Others by Miguel Ángel Hernández is an emotional and thought-provoking story that makes for quite a compelling read. We have a murder and suicide, a crime that has been shelved by the police. A writer who decides to confront the deaths of his sister and best friend, by exploring the town where it happened, the investigation  into the crime, the role of the Church, along with the history of that time in his life. It's like a true crime procedural with a personal twist. Talk about powerful storytelling. I absolutely LOVED this book!

I would happily recommend The Pain Of Others to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will fall in deep with this intriguing book. It's mesmerizing, chilling, and beautiful. It showcases the author's talent so clearly and honestly. This is one book you won't want to miss out on. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP! 

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

My Friday Five...

1. Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. The book comes out April 7th. It is terrific. I gobbled it up and loved every second with it. The book is clever and chock full of of absurdist humor. A definite must-read. 

2. Maisie Dobbs series. I'm thinking of rereading the whole lot of them starting this month. I'm craving a comfort read and these books fit the bill. 

3.  Bravo-sphere. Yes, I'm a Bravo fan. Yes, I try to quit watching the shows, because they are toxic. And yes, I am prone to follow the gossip surrounding these shows. So, I am definitely Team Ciara when it comes to the whole Amanda and West relationship. I mean, c'mon, how can you betray your best friend over a guy that you know broke hear heart twice. 

4. Tracker. I'm still watching this show and loving it. However, I do wonder if we are ever going to see Colter confront his mom over her role in his dad's death. Also, will all three siblings ever be in an episode together? Oh, and what is up with Reenie's assistant - I do not trust her at all. There is just something suspicious about her. Then again, Randy did look into her background, so I'm sure he would have found her skeletons. Hmm... And, Reenie definitely needs to see a therapist - she is traumatized to the max and needs help. Plus, Colter is acting more and more like a contract killer than a tracker nowadays, so I'm not sure where that story line is headed. All I know is that I definitely want to see what happens next. 

5. Mental health is still a struggle. I'm making sure to keep writing it out, which really does help. And, I do talk it out as well. It's just frustrating that I have to keep dealing with this. However, I am grateful that I do have a better handle on it, so that is a true blessing. 

And now, I'm off to tackle my to-dos. Wishing you all a lovely weekend. Happy reading!

Still Life: Ten Crime Stories by Malin Persson Giolito

Thank you Other Press for gifting me a copy of Malin Persson Giolito's new book, Still Life: Ten Crime Stories. I'm a huge fan of her work - ever since I read Quicksand. Her writing is smart, thought-provoking, and unforgettable. I just know that Still Life will be even better. Short stories are my jam and I am stoked to read Malin's. 

So, what is the book about: (summary from Goodreads)

These 10 sharp yet deeply human stories show how people from all walks of life can end up on the wrong side of the law, regardless of their intentions.

A compelling portrait of modern Sweden that speaks to universal questions about crime and morality, from the internationally bestselling author of Quicksand.

A police officer fresh out of the academy becomes acutely aware of the deadly consequences of prejudice and how biases color our actions, leading us to justify faulty choices. A teenager has lost her voice and resorts to violence to get heard, even against those she loves. A university student breaks a law on a night of youthful revelry, which soon has fatal consequences that plunge those involved into an abyss of remorse. A mother commits the very same crime her son is being prosecuted for, in order to protect him. A man extends a helping hand in defiance of state restrictions, keeping a refugee safe from the harsh Swedish winter and deportation.

With her unique and prominent voice in Swedish literature, Malin Persson Giolito sheds light on the lives of people at all levels of the society through these ten thought-provoking and emotionally charged stories. She delivers a poignant portrayal of societal failure, vividly illustrating that actions driven by good intentions may still be considered criminal in the eyes of the law, underscoring that the legal system doesn’t always shield those who need protection the most.

How fascinating does that sound? Like a definite must-read, right? I just know that it's going to hook me right from the start and have me jotting down so many questions as I ponder these characters predicaments, their 'bad' choices, the law's version of justice, and the concept of morality. Talk about short stories at their finest. 

I would definitely recommend Still Life, or any of Malin Persson Giolito's books to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will fall in deep with her writing. Make sure to check out her books!