Review

Seven Perfect Things. Catherine Ryan Hyde

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Published by Lake Union

Date: 4th May 2021

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Thirteen-year-old Abby Hubble lives in an unhappy home in the Sierra Nevada foothills where her father makes life miserable for her and her mother, Mary. One day Abby witnesses a man dump a litter of puppies into the nearby river. Diving in to rescue all seven, she knows she won’t be able to bring them home. Afraid for their fate at the pound, she takes them to an abandoned cabin, where all she can offer is a promise that she’ll be back the next day.

To grieving widower Elliot Colvin, life has lost meaning. Looking for solace, he retreats to the hunting cabin he last visited years ago, before his wife’s illness. What he discovers is not at all what he expected: seven puppies and one determined girl with an indomitable heart.

As Abby and Elliot’s friendship deepens, Abby imagines how much better her life—and the puppies’ lives—would be if her mother were married to Elliot instead of her father. But when Abby’s father moves the family hundreds of miles away, Abby and her mother must decide how long they’re willing to defer happiness.

Catherine Ryan Hyde has written another delightful, heart warming story. Its full of kindness and courage on the part of most of the characters.

Abby is one perfect person herself. When she sees a bag that seems to be alive thrown in the river she follows through, rescues them and then ensures that they are safe and cared for and that takes some doing for a thirteen year old. She can’t take them home because she has a father who is controlling and lacking in anything to do with fatherhood. 

Elliot is a middle aged man, he has just lost his wife – it was a good marriage and he is so sad and lost. Spending a little time in the country at his cabin, his life and Abby’s life and the puppies intersect. 

Mary – Abby’s mother is in a very unhappy, controlling relationship. Her husband is mean and really is the pits. When Mary discovers Abby’s puppies and Elliot she begins to see how things could be different. She gathers courage as time goes by. Plus Abby is so plucky, it must have come from somewhere, and there is a lovely relationship between mother and daughter.

The puppies of course provide a lot of joy and life, although seven puppies. I can’t even imagine looking after them! But Abby is nothing but determined.

So great characters, the plot moves along and a good steady pace and it wasn’t long before I was wishing for the very best for Abby, Mary, Elliot and the puppies.

Rating: 4 out of 5.
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It’s Easter Monday! What Are You Reading?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.
 
Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

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Hope you all had a great Easter break. We turned our clocks back this weekend, and even though we get an extra hour it always seems like we miss out. However I do like the extra evening hours in summer so not complaining. We have about 6 months of each.

Trying like some of you to sort out WordPress, obviously going to have to study up a bit as things are different!! Just trying to put a gallery in and size the pictures, has been a major try out.

What I read last week:

 
 

What I am reading now:

I am reading a couple. Surviving Savannah is good but I need a little bit of lighter reading in-between .

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So I am also reading

Buried in a bog

And I am listening to

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Up next:

Most likely as I have it from the library.

treacherous is the night 

Last Week’s Posts

Listening is Reading.

The Bookstore on the Beach.  Brenda Novak

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It’s Monday! What Have You Been Reading?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.
Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

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Hope you are all doing well. I had a good week of sunshine and some Autumn tidy up and cleaning. Today I have rain, but as we haven’t seen any for weeks I am hoping it will revive the garden a little.

What I read last week:

A great week for reading. Loved them all. So pleased A Bad Day for Sunshine sat on my shelf for so long so now I don’t have to wait too long for #2 in July.

What I am reading now:

My next book for review.

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Up next:

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Last Week’s Posts

Recent Books for Review

The Path to Sunshine Cove  RaeAnne Thayne

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Month in Review

November Reading Wrap.

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Total books read this month: 10

New to me authors:

Matt Haig
Janice Hadlow
Danielle Hawkins
Lauren K Denton

Top Book for November

Hard choice to make, didn’t really have a top read this month. They all almost rated 4 stars. One 3 star. However the one I was most taken by was The Other Bennet Sister, mainly because it surprised me at how much I enjoyed it.

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Looking forward to reading in December

Already started reading Archangel’s Sun and I don’t have my sight set on anything else in particular.

Main Reading Goals for November were.

  • read three books from my actual TBR shelf.   I read  one!
  • read one lurking book from my Kindle TBR Yes – Almost Just Friends.
  • keep up with the library reserves that land my way Pretty much, a few I put back after deciding after looking a bit more at them I didn’t want to read them just now.
  • read some of the annotated Pride and Prejudice.  I read a very small amount of it.
  • reread a book ! Yes, by accident because I’d forgotten I’d read it but it still counts because I realised and kept going.

Main Reading Goals for December

  • See if I can start off a cozy mystery series that I’ll keep reading. I have a first book to pick up from the library.
  • read on actual book from my TBR print shelf and one from my Kindle
  • think about some reading goals for 2021 and write them down.

Incoming Books for November

Purchased

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Library Books

From NetGalley

Audio Books

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Linking up with Nicole from FeedYourFiction Addiction.

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Review

My Name is Anton

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Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Date: 1st December 2020

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

t’s 1965, and life has taken a turn for eighteen-year-old Anton Addison-Rice. Nearly a year after his brother died in a tragic accident, Anton is still wounded—physically and emotionally. Alone for the holidays, he catches a glimpse of his neighbor Edith across the street one evening and realizes that she’s in danger.

Anton is determined to help Edith leave her abusive marriage. Frightened and fifteen years Anton’s senior, Edith is slow to trust. But when she needs a safe place to stay, she lets down her guard, and over the course of ten days an unlikely friendship grows. As Anton falls hopelessly and selflessly in love, Edith fears both her husband finding her and Anton getting hurt. She must disappear without telling anyone where she’s going—even Anton.

If keeping Edith safe means letting her go, Anton will say goodbye forever. Or so he believes. What would happen, though, if one day their paths should cross again?

Catherine Ryan Hyde writes an emotional story, with characters I always find myself taking into my heart. My Name is Anton totally lives up to this expectation I have of her books.

Anton is a wonderful young man at the beginning of the story, dealing with challenging life events. He has this amazing grandmother – Marion and a great uncle too. They know how to be with and for Anton. The same cannot be said of his parents. They seem to have checked out.

So there is a strong theme of family running through this book, and an exploration of love that is unselfish as opposed to love that is centred on “what’s best for me”.

Anton makes choices along the way. One I had some difficulty buying into but I did find it stretched me to examine my attitude and allow the choice to play out. It worked out and I was able to see the rightness of it.

Catherine Ryan Hyde explores some tough issues in this book, but with great gentleness and in a way that makes a reader believe in the goodness of the human heart. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.
Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

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Wishing everyone in the USA a Happy Thanksgiving. I know many of you won’t be able to have a big Thanksgiving celebration, however I think the important thing at this point is for you and all your family to stay Covid free. And here’s to 2021 in a years time being far better.

What I read last week:

What I am reading now:

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And still reading my non-fiction book by Kamala Harris and I also hope to finish my Tradd St audiobook this week.

Up next:

 

Last Week’s Posts

Fugitive.  Emilie Richards

My Non-Fiction Reading in 2020

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.
Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

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I seem to have had a good reading week. The weather hasn’t been great – I want more sun!

On Saturday I went up to my sister’s place in Wanganui for a family night. I travelled up with my sister and brother-in-law and another sister so the few hours flew. A brother and sister-in-law also came up so a lovely group for the night and my sister is a great cook! They are just outside the city and it feels like you are in the country but you aren’t. It made a lovely break.

What I read last week:

The Other Bennett Sister was for me and I really liked how this was handled. The Midnight Library was different and a good read as well. Jill Shalvis book is a Jill Shalvis book!

What I am reading now:

Just started this one

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And mid way through this one

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And still listening to my Tradd Street book.

Up next:

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Last Week’s Posts

The Last Correspondent.  Soraya M. Lane

Goodreads Choice 2020

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Review

Brave Girl Quiet Girl. Catherine Ryan Hyde

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Published: Lake Union Publishing
Date:19th May 2020
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Brooke is a divorced single mom, financially strapped, living with her mother, and holding tight to the one thing that matters most: her two-year-old daughter, Etta. Then, in a matter of seconds, Brooke’s life is shattered when she’s carjacked. Helpless and terrified, all Brooke can do is watch as Etta, still strapped in her seat, disappears into the Los Angeles night.

Miles away, Etta is found by Molly, a homeless teen who is all too used to darkness. Thrown away by her parents, and with a future as stable as the wooden crate she calls home, Molly survives day to day by her wits. As unpredictable as her life is, she’s stunned to find Etta, abandoned and alone. Shielding the little girl from more than the elements, Molly must put herself in harm’s way to protect a child as lost as she is.

It was difficult to start into this book as a young child disappears in a car and away from her mother. I was almost reading with my eyes shut!

However as it turns out she is found by Molly a young sixteen year old homeless girl. Molly is amazing with Etta and eventually all is well. Or almost well.

We get to know the mother – Brooke as well as Molly and of course little Etta who is quite a character on her own. Brooke is really on hard times and living at her own mother’s house, while supporting her young daughter. When her daughter is taken off with the car her world falls apart and those around her wonder if it will ever get back together.

The story explores mother / daughter relationships, the best and worst. It explores homelessness and the foster system. It explores what real relationships are like  and promises and trust.

It’s an emotional ride, it tugs at a reader’s heartstrings. Brooke and Molly have so much to take on and grow through and they do and it made the story a really good read.

 

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.
Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

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Hope you are all doing well and for those celebrating Memorial Day, hope you have found some good way of remembering.

Yesterday I returned my books to the library as they are taking them again and are open except on Sunday. I then ventured into local bookshop but new bookshelves had no new ones much since the virus outbreak so I wandered out. My own bookshelves have plenty!

Hope you are all doing well.

What I read last week:

I enjoyed all these books. Feels Like Falling was my audiobook.

What I am reading now:

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And I started listening to

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Up next:

Will decide later! While standing at my bookcase this morning to choose a book we were hit with a 5.9 earthquake. No damage but shook me up!!  Centre not far from here. We are on sand and we roll!!  If you are familiar with earthquakes you’ll know how you shake along with the quake!

Last Week’s Posts

One Perfect Summer Brenda Novak

The Best of Friendships

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Book Connections

The Best of Friendships

When reading I love coming across really good friendships, doesn’t matter who they are between. There is something both inspiring and wholesome about it. These are five books where I came across that kind of friendship.

 

book cover We watch the unlikely friendship of a ninety two year old woman – Mrs G, and Raymond a seventeen year old, develop.  And its a meaty friendship – genuine and full of caring. I loved both these characters and how they related to each other.  Mrs G is blind, she has lived a full life and has a lot of wisdom. But she is in need of help big time. Raymond is a lonely seventeen year old – one who feels he has never been “seen” or understood. Mrs G really sees him! Loved this relationship.

 

book coverIn One Summer in Paris we see the friendship between Grace – in her forties and a teen Audrey. Grace has come to Paris to escape the fact her husband has left her for a “new version” about the same age as their daughter! Audrey has come to escape the alcoholism disease that her mother has. Due to various circumstances they form a great friendship that helps both of them move forwards in their lives.  Loved the two of them, loved the book.

 

book cover The beautiful friendship that develops between Arthur and Maddy. An old man who visits his wife at the cemetery every day, and Maddy an eighteen year old teen who really is very alone.

 

book coverThere’s more than friendship in this book, but.. there is some examples of wonderful, positive friendship. Especially the one that develops between Gray and Diana. Gray is divorced and 34. Diana is about 40 and is really down on her luck. Diana ends up working for Gray who is a reasonably wealthy woman who needs some good organisation and Diana is your one. They both have big challenges in life but the bond that forms between them, moves each of them forwards and into what is likely to be a life long friendship.

book coverI’ve mentioned this book before in terms of an author I now want to read everything he writes. But here I want to mention the theme of friendship where it makes a huge difference in some lives. It’s between an old woman and a young child and the old woman and the little girls parents. I really loved seeing how it all developed.

 

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