Stories That Bind Us

Whew! I hardly can begin to describe this book. I do believe it is my new favorite historical read, and I will definitely reread it often. These characters simply touch your heart and soul.  Regardless of the fact that they would have lived in the much different era of the forties to sixties, you soon begin to feel as if you've always known them as a good neighbor or friend. Betty and her sweet (a little wordplay there) nephew Hugo in particular were very endearing to me. I loved their selfless acts of kindness, fierce strength of heart, and imaginative, adventurous spirit. Her stories were uplifting, original, refreshing, thoughtful and from the heart. It honestly made me wish to step back into their time and spend a day seeing life through their eyes. This book would be perfect for anyone who is looking for a small sprinkle of hope in their life. Everyone can use a little boost of encouragement here and there, another push to keep trying your best, and this book is just the thing for it. I recieved a copy of this book from Revell free in exchange for an honest review, and the opinions listed above are my own.

Stories that Bind Us is another amazing story from Susie Finkbeiner--a story of a family who has captivated this reader's heart and will not easily be forgotten. It is a story that is heartbreaking and yet, oh so heartwarming too. The author infuses a little humor throughout the story that keeps the hard parts from becoming dark and desolate. The richness of the characters and their emotions is genuine and deeply moving, resonating within the reader. Betty, an all too young widow, and a wonderful auntie-mama; Pop Sweet who made everyone feel as if they were God's gift to him; Marvel, a woman who knew just what to do at just the right time, and each of the other characters that bring so much into the story. The author tackles the gritty subjects of depression and mental illness, death and grief, and does it well. Readers will get caught up in the lives of these characters and their stories. The author has captured well the setting and era of Stories That Bind Us as she has expertly written the distinctive dialogue and descriptive scenes of the book. Having lived in Michigan for much of my life, I loved the references to places I know and have visited. Poignant and intense, this character-driven story takes the reader into the heart and soul of a family and their hard journey to a place of hope. Don't miss the chance to fall in love with the Sweet family as they find the power and beauty in stories--the power of stories that can change a life, can bring healing, and beauty in the words that can work their way into one's heart to bring wholeness. I received a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.