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MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Moments We Forget (Thatcher Sisters, #2) in Books

Nov 4, 2019

illian Thatcher has spent most of her life playing the family peacemaker, caught in the middle between her driven, talented older sister and her younger, spotlight-stealing twin sisters. Then on the night of her engagement party, a cancer diagnosis threatens to once again steal her chance to shine. Now, Jillians on the road to recovery after finally finishing chemo and radiation, but residual effects of the treatment keep her from reclaiming her life as shed hoped. And just when her dreams might be falling into place, a life-altering revelation from her husband sends her reeling again. Will Jillian ever achieve her own dreams, or will she always be just Jillian, the less-than Thatcher sister? Can she count on her sisters as she tries to step into a stronger place, or are they stuck in their childhood roles forever?

My Thoughts: This is a compelling story about three sisters who all have the difficulties that they are overcoming. Each one is on a journey that brings them back together again. This is a story that the readers can get lost in, that can connect and relate to in each of their own lives. The characters are real, with down to earth troubles that can happen at any time in our lives. This is a story about coming together, letting the past go, looking forward to the future and of course, there is an element of forgiveness.

I do like that the gospel is given in this novel, the fact that we do need God in our lives is foremost to living a life worth living. To those who don't know Christ, they can become lost or bitter during some of the circumstances that these sisters faced.

The writer has written a novel that is easy to read, the storyline flows well and she brings the reader into the story that makes it personal to the reader.

I truly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more from Beth K. Vogt.

Kudos

JT (287 KP) rated The Way Back (2020) in Movies

Mar 25, 2020

The Way Back (2020)

2020 | Drama, Sport

7.5

(6 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Fantastic central performance (0 more)

A film about more than basketball

Everyone loves an underdog story especially when it has a sporting theme – but this underdog story is a little different.

Ben Affleck plays Jack Cunningham a former high school basketball star who is battling alcoholism. In his younger days, he had the chance to go to the big time but instead turned his back on a promising career. He is still lauded in the town and is given the chance to coach at his alma mater by Father Devine (John Aylward), who runs the Catholic high school where Jack played.

He initially shows no interest but reluctantly accepts the position to coach a struggling team who haven’t been to the playoffs since he was at school. The team is not devoid of talent but lack discipline and team dynamics something which Jack can help them with.

There is more to Jack’s story and slowly we discover the reasons for his dependence on alcohol. He has separated from his wife and he opens up about the reason why he turned his back on the game. But there is another heartbreaking twist in the tale as to why Jack is bottling up his emotions and prone to bursts of anger, the majority of which spill over onto the basketball court.

Sporting films follow a tight blueprint which involves someone coming back from the brink to triumph. It’s the feel-good moment that makes us want to punch the air. But while there are a few inspirational sequences on the court I didn’t want to punch the air, not least when Affleck is on screen – I just felt sad.

His performance is brilliant as it is emotional and it might be one of his best yet. But the more we connect with Jack the less it becomes about winning basketball games and more about his road to recovery.