more than letters on a line today

The Book of Boundaries Melissa Urban 3.5 stars         First let me say that if I'd read this book two decades ago, I probably would have given it 4.5 stars. There is much to be learned in the pages. The chapters are broken down well - work, mother, family, partner etc with acknowledgement that the divisions is fluid for our personal needs.  I liked the offering of different strategies depending on the 'levels of threat' perceived, although I didn't always agree with them! Some of us take a much softer approach and can still get the result we need/want. There are some fundamental teachings that give a reader a deeper understanding of why we behave a certain way and why we react accordingly. Good stuff! - 'some of us have a deep belief that we're not worthy of setting limits around how others treat us.' - don't let fear of another person's reaction (to your boundary) prevent you from setting it. The Book of Boundaries reminds us that we have agency ov...

  The Diamond Eye Kate Quinn 4.5 stars Pub March 2022           Kate Quinn does it again with her combination of historical WWII and her creative license. The mix is seamless and the amount of research is definitely to be applauded. Quinn traces the true story of Mila from a university student studying history into a Russian sniper. The book moves at a riveting pace covering the invasion by the Germans but also spends time on the complexity of a woman who was also a mother, a student, a lover, a sniper and a hero. Mila's friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt is a touching part of the story, one's dedication to her husband, the other's to the motherland. Each one appreciating the strength the other displays. A truly well-told historical story, although no more ironic words could have been written in light of the current situation between Russia and the Ukraine.  I will never apologize for fighting the war that came to our doorstep in 1941. Germany invaded u...

  The Thread Collectors Shauna J. Edwards  and  Alyson Richman 4.5 stars Pub date Aug 30, 2022         Four wonderful characters share their lives with us in this Civil War setting. Stella and William, their love story set amidst the brutality of slavery in New Orleans; Lily and Jacob, also in love in New York and separated during the war. Each showing their courage and determination to reunite using their individual skills. Be sure to read the Author’s notes, this writing duo pulls from their individual family stories to write of life as Black and Jewish outsiders in a white world. Their insight brought the emotional impact needed to tell this story. 'He knew he wore his background quietly, never fully revealing himself, but his sense of vulnerability and foreigness was always with him, a trait born into him from his first breath.' (Jacob) Stella’s embroidered maps, the love of music that binds the men, and Lily’s determination to 'not just sit and ...

  The Light We Give Simran Jeet Singh  solid 4 stars Simian Jeet Singh gives an informative and emotional description of the Sikh faith. Explaining through personal experiences how he and his family adhered to the essential tenets of love, forgiveness, oneness and service in their lives. Singh shows how with the belief in the divinity of oneness, they were able to see the goodness in people and feel gratitude for the kindness they received in spite of the discrimination and brutality suffered from strangers. Singh and his family (with many examples of a strong, incredible mother) live the difficult words which many of us ignore in our own lives: bring light to the darkness. To know our differences and yet to respect our fellow human being because it is the right thing to do. Especially when it is difficult. I highly recommend this book for its ease in reading (although at times wordy!), the truths it holds, and the overall optimistic, caring attributes it encourages each of ...