The Lake of Dreams | Kim Edwards

For those who read The Memory Keeper’s Daughter and eagerly awaited for Edward’s next book, you will not be disappointed! This story is well written and seems effortless in the telling, the sign of a good author.

In this novel Lucy Jarrett returns to her hometown of Lake of Dreams to find many changes in the town and in her family. Her brother is settling down, her mother is starting a relationship with a local guy, after being a widow for a long time. The lakeside is being developed and mansions appearing. Wildlife is marginalised and the wetlands are in peril.

Interwoven with Lucy’s journey is her family history which begins with her ancestors coming from England to America and watching the passing of Haley’s comet. In her mother’s house Lucy discovers a finely woven blanket with a moon and vines motif woven into the fabric. The motif appears in stained glass windows in a small local church being renovated. For Lucy it is all part of the mystery of her family’s past and the women the family doesn’t mention. Her pursuit of these women leads Lucy to discover something about herself and allows the family to move on from secrets that bind it.

Very good read, enjoyable on many levels and satisfying.  

Buy at Fishpond.co.nz

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid | Bill Bryson

After the earthquake of February 22^nd (Christchurch, New Zealand) I found it very hard to concentrate on any reading, something quite foreign to me. A friend lent me this book, and having enjoyed Bryson in the past, I thought I’d give it a go.

It was perfect. In this book Bryson tells about his childhood in the 50’s middle class America. There are anecdotes and reflections on life, the new rich, the lifestyle that American’s settled into after World War 2. It is told in a delightful voice full of the innocence and insight only children have.

Anyone can enjoy this book and it helped to get back into reading. Bryson can be relied upon to tell a good story and make you laugh out loud. Thanks Bill!

Buy from fishpond.co.nz

Love Beyond Reason | John Ortberg

There is something bewildering about the human condition in that we all need to and want to be loved. And God has revealed himself as LOVE but we find it hard to grasp. Ortberg in this book deals with the misconceptions we have of God as an old man in the sky with a big stick ready to smack us for every misdemeanour. Ortberg writes this book in the hope we can understand the true and real nature of God’s love for us, which is beyond reason, beyond our expectations and can change our lives if we truly grasp it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s refreshing and well worth passing on once finished.

 He also wrote ‘The Life you’ve Always wanted’ which is also very good.