Almost Home by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Hello everyone.

I hope you had a nice weekend and have sprung forward successfully. You might be feeling a bit sorry for yourself because you're tired after losing that hour. Time changes can sometimes make you feel "off" for a few days. The fact is, however, that few of us should be feeling sorry for ourselves. Seriously, just look around the world. So many people in pain for so many reasons. Heck, look to our own past. Let's take the 1940's for example. Money is scarce, certain foods and supplies are rationed, not to mention the people dying in WWII. Now THOSE were some trying times. Several years ago we bought and restored an old Victorian home. In the 1940's it had been divided into apartments. It had started as a single family house with a ballroom, butler's bells, elaborate stairs, servants, the works. Sadly during the war families needed money and were often forced to either move in together or rent out parts of their home to make ends meet. That is what had happened to our old Victorian. As a side note, one day inside a false wall we found a staircase wall of raised paneling, many small panels still with picture hooks in place.  We found so many things behind walls and under floorboards, huge paintings, needlework, tin types, love letters, booze bottles, button-up shoes, a corset and more. I felt like we were on our own HGTV show. It was amazing! We even found a drawing from a National Gallery Artist, who used to live in our house and teach art classes there. We were younger and much more limber not to mention brave to take on such a large project. I will never forget it. The whole experience was "haunting" in so many ways. (You'll just have to wonder about that until some later date.)

This hardship is exactly what happened in the book Almost Home by Valerie Fraser Luesse. A couple, Si and Dolly, live in a small town in Alabama during WWII and are trying to raise money to pay the property taxes on their home. They've dug a lake to charge for swimming, built a roller-skating rink, and are renting out rooms in their house. This story is about the people living under the same roof and their challenges of making it through that time period. It is sweet, funny, comforting and so touching. While it is not a page turner like a thriller it will still draw you in like a warm hug.  The novel has a strong central plot with several twists along the way. The author does a wonderful job getting the reader to connect with each character and hope for their happiness. In short, Almost Home is lovely and really shouldn't be missed. If you liked Fanny Flagg's Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, you'll love this. Definitely one of my favorites for the year and it's only March!

By the way, our Victorian was later used as the set for a famous haunted house tv show! If I went back to that house now, the ghosts would probably ask to borrow my copy of Almost Home, it is that good!

The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg

Hello everyone.

I hope you are all well and had a fun New Year's celebration. We, of course, were sick. I hope you don't catch this "thing" that is going around with a cough that just will not leave. Poor hubby is starting to sound like a seal when he coughs. I want to tease him, maybe toss a beach ball for him to spin on his nose, but I feel so horrible for him. It actually breaks my heart to hear him in distress. No, those of you that are medically inclined, he does not have whooping cough or pneumonia, but thanks for your concern. Doesn't it seem like every winter there is some stubborn virus going around? Luckily we usually avoid it but guess it was our turn. Oh well, we've seen lots of Netflix and Hulu (both I am angry about the story lines but that is for another day).

Anyway, while plopped firmly in a chair with a blanket on my lap, hubby safely recovering on the sofa, fire in the fireplace and Christmas tree lights on, I finished another great book. I just completed The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg. I received an advanced copy but the actual release is this coming Tuesday on January 8, 2019. If you like wonderful stories that span a lifetime, this is the kind of book you would like. It tells the story of a ninety-six year old woman, Doris, who is writing her life story for her niece. Doris is using her address book as a prompt for her memories. The story is lovely, moving from Sweden to Paris to New York...you get the picture. This is nicely paced, thoroughly telling the story but not lingering on any one part for too long.

Now I am about to be nitpicky and most likely completely wrong, so take this for what it is worth....which is probably a negative amount. One of the people listed in Doris' address book is someone that is in her life a short time. She would never have an address or phone number or need to contact them. So why are they in the address book at all? It just left me wondering why. The author is from Sweden, I am in the USA. I have no idea how address books work in Sweden so having this character listed may well be completely normal. In any case, this does not distract from the story and, again, the character is necessary. Also, like when I have objections to certain things Stephen King does, please remember Sofia Lundberg, has a major hit novel that is going global and I have a cold and dirty kitchen floor. Judge for yourself!

Seriously, The Red Address Book is wonderful. If you like good stories, this delivers.