Sisters by Kathleen Thompson Norris

Sisters was a good read, not one of my ultimate favorites, but the story kept me clicking to the next page. The writing style of the author was a little odd, but as I said, the story kept my attention. Most books will identify the character speaking, but this author/editor team allows the reader to keep up with who is speaking by knowing the story and 'supposing' who is speaking. Several times I wound up reading back over a paragraph or two and putting a bit of thought into determining who is saying what. It's not that big of a deal, but something that kept me from reading uninterupted.

This is another period piece and takes place in the late 1800s. Two sisters raised in the same home as their elder cousin (raised as sisters.) The youngest is married first, eldest marries second leaving the middle daughter to the neighbor man/friend of her father's. Trouble is the neighbor friend is in love with the youngest of the sisters.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

I have tried and tried to get into this book, but can't make it beyond the first couple chapters. I'll give it another try after the book I'm reading now.

The Kindle

The last book I read, Letters of a Woman Homesteader, was read via my birthday present - the Kindle eReader. I love it! I have always adored the smell and feel of a good book and my home is filled with them, but the Kindle allows me much easier reading and is especially nice now that I'm growing older and sometimes have troubles like comfort and vision. The Kindle is easy to position while in sitting position or lying down. I read five books since the week before Thanksgiving. I'm won over!

Letters of a Woman Homesteader by Elinore Pruitt

After deciding that city life as a laundress wasn't for her, Elinore Pruitt, a young widowed mother, accepted an offer to assist with a ranch in Wyoming, work that she found exceedingly more rewarding. In this delightful collection of letters, she describes these experiences to her former employer, Mrs. Coney. Pruitt's charming descriptions of work, travels, neighbors, animals, land and sky have an authentic feel. The West comes alive, and everyday life becomes captivating. Her writing is clear, witty, and entertaining. The 26 letters are brief and tell about her life on the ranch in the early 1900s. On occasion, language reflects the racial prejudice of the time. Many times, Pruitt attempts to portray the culturally diverse characters she meets by writing their various dialects as they sound.

Troublesome Creek by Jan Watson

A charming historical novel set in the late 1800s. Born and raised in the hills of Kentucky, Laura "Copper" Grace loves the wilderness of her home in Troublesome Creek. But when her stepmother threatens to send her away to boarding school to become a lady, Copper faces the possibility of losing everything that is precious to her. Copper must come to terms with her family and discover the true meaning of home. Nothing can drag her off the mountain, until the day she realizes that God has other plans for her life.

Discussion Questions:

1. Troublesome Creek is a work of historical fiction. Do you often choose this genre? If so why? I enjoy historical works (even fiction), but have never read this genre per se, until recently. This is my second read from this time era. I think I have enjoyed reading them because it feels as though I am reading of my roots. Being from the deep south I feel a particular kinship to such stories. They are easy on my heart and mind to read and that's a nice change of pace.

2. Julie’s unwed pregnancy set the stage for her estrangement from her sister Grace. How are unmarried mothers viewed differently today? Sadly, it seems almost a popular fad to be not only single and pregnant, but a teenager and pregnant.

3. Granny believed in “signs.” How do you feel about foreshadowing? Is it scriptural? I am not a Christian as defined by most Christians. I do claim to believe in signs, but think it is more my making fun and light of uncanny coincidences. The signs that Granny believed in I account to as superstition and I do not give much energy to their attention.

4. Both Will and Grace blamed themselves for JulieÂ’s death. How were they at fault, if at all? Julie's death was not anyone's fault, she was merely a victim of unfortunate circumstances. Her path may have been different if her sister, Grace, hadn't been so cold to her when she became pregnant and perhaps her death 'may have' been prevented by Will taking the buckboard instead of the buggy, but her death isn't either of their faults.

5. Why was Grace so reserved? Why was she so hard on Copper?

6. How did her stepmotherÂ’s expectations help to shape the young woman Copper was to become?

7. Have you ever known a social outcast like Remy? Did this person make you uncomfortable? Did you befriend them?

8. The snake handling service was a pivotal point in Copper BrownÂ’s life. Do you believe God would cause a serpent to bite Daniel in order to answer GraceÂ’s prayer to get Laura Grace off the mountain? No, I do not. I do believe that if God had anything at all to do with the snake bite it was Daniel's lesson to be learned, not Laura Grace's.

9. What did you think of John Pelfrey? Should Copper have married him? I'm torn. It wouldn't have made for a hot love component as the wiley Simon, but John is solid and familiar and probably would have remained loyally by her side until the end of time. I don't think Simon will stand by her. I have the impression that Dr. Corbett will use Copper up until the novelty has worn off and then he will shelf her for another.

10. How would CopperÂ’s life be different if she had married her childhood friend?

11. Was it realistic that Will would leave the mountains to please his wife? Do you think Grace would finally be happy if they moved? No, I don't think a mountain man of that time period would have ever considered leaving his own holler must less crossing the country where he will be totally outclassed.

12. In this book the eastern Kentucky mountains becomes almost a central character. Have you ever loved a place as much as Copper loved her home? How did you feel if you had to leave it? No, not really. I have no attachment to places because when the north wind blows I usually hop upon my magick carpet and let the wind decide the next stop. I have no home other than where I am now.

13. Copper was very young to be married. Why was that so easily accepted in those times? Life expectancy wasn't that long back then. Mostly because women were hitting their prime child bearing years, able to work hard with consistency. Girls were married off early because they were one less mouth to feed.

14. How would your life be different if you lived in the 1880Â’s. Would you like to? What modern convenience would you most miss? Hot shower.

15. Do you look forward to the next book in this “Romance of Life” series?Absolutely!

Fireflies In December by Jennifer Erin Valent

“The summer I turned thirteen, I thought I killed a man.”

So begins the story of Jessilyn Lassiter, a young girl whose world is torn apart the summer of 1932. When Jessilyn’s best friend, Gemma, loses her parents in a tragic fire, Jessilyn’s father vows to care for her as his own, despite the fact that Gemma is black and prejudice is prevalent in their southern Virginia town.

It doesn’t take long for the Lassiters to attract the attention of a local band of Ku Klux Klan members, who make increasingly violent threats on Jessilyn and her family.

As she struggles to navigate a complex world of first crushes, loyalties, and betrayals, Jessilyn ultimately discovers what it takes to be a bright light in a dark world.

This story and the books in the series that follow were beautifully written and lovely stories. Time set in the times of Klu Klux Klan and racial biggotry.

In this the first of the series Jessilyn Lassiter introduces us to her best friend Gemma who comes to live with Jessie's family after her parents die tragically in a house fire started by lightning. Life becomes complicated when the town folks get wind of the living situation and the Lassisters wind up gaining the attention of the KKK.

Great character development and a story well expressed that keeps the reader turning the page.

Discussion Questions:
1) The townspeople seemed to have a problem with Jessilyn and Gemma’s friendship primarily after Gemma came to live with the Lassiters. What made the difference in their minds? Could you relate to Sadie’s mixed emotions about keeping Gemma? Blacks and whites did not cross relate back in those days without grief, especially in the deep south. On one level I can understand Sadie's need to be weary for her family's safety, but on another level I find it impossible to relate to Sadie. I wouldn't think twice before making the same call that Jessilyn's father did. If any child lost their only living relatives I would scoop them up and bring them in from that darkness in a moment; without hesitation - the rest of the community be damned if they will. What I find totally contrary is that our elders teach us to treat others as you would have them treat you. The Golden Rule have an addendum that states you should treat others as you would have them treat you 'if it is convenient or easy for you'. This is a prime example of the hypocracy that helped me decide the faith I was raised in wasn't the only way to come to know the Divine. Not because I didn't know love and faith that our Father exists, but that if His followers could be so self-righteous and hypocritical they were not my flock. This book touched a lot of sensitive areas and brought back a lot of painful memories.


2) Take a walk in Gemma’s shoes. How would you cope with her combination of loss, fear, and feeling out of place? There were several times in the book I cried for thinking of what Gemma must be going through. To lose your parents at such a young age and in such a tragic way is unimaginable, but to stand idle while watching the people who came to your rescue be persecuted on your account has to be the second most worst time in life. The author wrote Gemma beautifully though... with grace, humility, and so much inner strength.

3) Explore the sisterhood between Jessilyn and Gemma. In what ways did their tragedy make their bond stronger? When two people traverse trial and tribulation together it is bound to bring them closer together. Jessilyn and Gemma didn't know they were colored differently. They didn't see one another as those outside their heart did...

4) How do the Lassiters personify the title, and how can we do the same? Why is it so necessary in our day and time to stand up for what is right and true? If we each do not stand up to this type wrong in the world what is the world worth? There were so many people who witnessed the attrocities of our wrongful past, but who turned an idle ear and blind eye to the wrongfulness. If we do not stand up for what is right we will continue to traverse the same course - and that is unspeakable.

5) Despite the closeness of her family, Jessilyn feels alone in her guilt over Cy fuller and in her struggle with Walt Blevins. Why? In what way would a relationship with Jesus Christ have eased Jessilyn’s burden of loneliness? I respectfully decline to answer this discussion question.

6) How does Jessilyn’s persistent questioning of her faith point to God’s sense of timing and purpose in all things?

7) In what ways does Luke’s presence provide a stabilizing force for Jessilyn?

8) Do you think Jessilyn and Luke are drawn together by being the only non-believers in their tight little circle?

9) How did Miss Cleta’s courage inspire the girls? How did it inspire you?


10) In what way do you feel that Otis Tinker’s belief in his “cause” enabled him to lead a double life? How are we capable of letting this sort of double life creep into our own lives?

11) How do the “band of angels” bringing help to the devastated Lassiter farm show that even the smallest acts of selflessness can make a strong impact?




12) How did the Lord use the tragedy and fear of that summer to teach Jessilyn and to bring the characters together?