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The Saint of Lost Things
The Saint of Lost Things
Tish Delaney | 2022 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Saint of Lost Things by Tish Delaney was read wonderfully by Bronagh Waugh on the audiobook. Not just the accent - she gave the characters in the book their personalities, bringing them off the page and into my ears!

This isn’t a happy family by any means. Lindy’s Catholic-when-it-suits-him grandfather makes it clear that he only tolerates her. He punishes her for every minor infraction because she is “the wrong child”. He punishes her because she’s illegitimate and female, and what’s more, her mother is no longer alive to take her share of the punishment. Lindy is, of course, responsible for her fathers existence - he’s a gypsy, a tinker and a whole host of other unpleasant names that I could have done without learning. In fact, Lindy is responsible for a great many things that she doesn’t know about.

The writing makes this abusive family seem almost acceptable, and at the same time, shows it up for the horror show that it is. Bronagh Waugh’s narration adds more of a wry, dark humour to what would be a relentlessly sombre story otherwise.

I felt sorry for Auntie Bell, also held in low esteem by her own father and given no option but to look after her niece. To be fair, she’s not very nice about it, and is all too keen to tell Lindy that she was forced to look after her and in doing so, Lindy ruined her life.

Lindy’s life isn’t much better. She tries to have her own life away in London, but ends up returning to the farm and her awful grandfather.

Her life changes forever when the parish priest comes to her with news she never thought she’d have. This news changes everything. And what an earth shattering piece of news it is!!

I really enjoyed this, even though it wasn’t the happiest of books. I found myself thinking about it, even when I wasn’t listening. These are all fascinating characters and brought to life so well by the narrator.
Recommended.
  
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Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Horse Camp in Books

Feb 15, 2018  
HC
Horse Camp
4
4.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is read though the eyes of Percy and Penny. The twins take turns tell you about their lives and about their family and trouble though their eyes. They are staying with their Uncle Stretch for the summer, for their mother is sent to jail.

They are trying adjust to all the changes that are happening to their family. Percy and Penny and their little brother Pauly are sent to live with their uncle until their mom and dad try to work things out. Percy and Penny are living with an uncle they do not know.

Penny writes in her diary and to her mom and dad though out the book. She also writing to someone in Africa that she is sponsoring. Percy tell his story though first person and describes it as a book read it. It make sent though this point a view. As for Penny is always writing in diary or writing a letter to family member. You can see the the twins moods and see the changes though the book.

I really can not tell that plot of this story is? All I could get out the story is that the twins were trying to adjust a new life and new family members or people. I only could get is that it was being read though the twins perceptive or though there eyes. You can make your own decision.
  
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Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Horse Camp in Books

Aug 30, 2018  
HC
Horse Camp
4
4.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is read though the eyes of Percy and Penny. The twins take turns tell you about their lives and about their family and trouble though their eyes. They are staying with their Uncle Stretch for the summer, for their mother is sent to jail.

They are trying adjust to all the changes that are happening to their family. Percy and Penny and their little brother Pauly are sent to live with their uncle until their mom and dad try to work things out. Percy and Penny are living with an uncle they do not know.

Penny writes in her diary and to her mom and dad though out the book. She also writing to someone in Africa that she is sponsoring. Percy tell his story though first person and describes it as a book read it. It make sent though this point a view. As for Penny is always writing in diary or writing a letter to family member. You can see the the twins moods and see the changes though the book.

I really can not tell that plot of this story is? All I could get out the story is that the twins were trying to adjust a new life and new family members or people. I only could get is that it was being read though the twins perceptive or though there eyes. You can make your own decision.
  
Even If I Fall
Even If I Fall
Abigail Johnson | 2018 | Contemporary, Young Adult (YA)
8
4.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Stand alone YA novel that focuses on how family members are affected by one person's crime
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

In "Even If I Fall" by Abigail Johnson, Brooke's life is destroyed when her beloved brother confesses to killing his best friend, Calvin. Beginning about a year after the confession, the story focuses on Brooke, her family, and the struggles they have while trying continue with their lives.Brooke can not talk to her family so, because of a rainy day and a broken drown truck, she finds the one person she can talk to and who will understand, Calvin's brother.

I work in the criminal justice system and have seen how families are affected by one person's crime. They often can not talk to other family members because they are hurting just as much. One case sticks out among all of the others I have seen. At the beginning of the trial, two grandmothers, the defendant's and the victim's, sat as far away as possible from each other. By the end of the trial, when the verdict was read, they held each other up for support and said, "No one wins. Two young men's lives are ruined". The grandmothers left the courtroom still holding each other.

I have added both of Johnson's other book to my want to read list.
  
A(
Awaken (The A’vean Chronicles 1)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
84 of 235
Kindle
Awaken (The A’vean Chronicles 1)
By G.R. Thomas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SOME PEOPLE AREN'T DESTINED TO BE ORDINARY.
Sophia Woodville holds a secret gift close to her heart.
A 20-year-old nursing grad, she thought she had her future mapped out. However, destiny is about to intervene.
A night out ends in bloodshed with Sophia now hunted by an unspeakable evil. She is whisked away by her family, a family she thought she knew, a family who holds secrets more powerful and darker than her own.
Her secret is not so secret. Her gift just a hint of something far beyond her wildest imagination. Sophia is pulled, kicking and screaming, into an unseen, ancient world of angels and demons. A beautiful and terrifying world that challenges all that she thought to be true of herself, her family and the origins of humanity.
Sophia cannot simply visit this world... she must save it.
Original sin, forbidden love and her life in constant danger...
Will Sophia survive this dark twist of fate?
Will the devil be her saviour?

This was one hell of a book I don’t think I’ve read anything like it the amazing amount of detail gone into it is just extraordinary. Take everything you think you know about how the world was mad, angels and demons then add some. It was just so involved the characters were all so well thought out and intricate. Just loved it.