Reading and Finding Joy in Sharing

"Reading was a joy, a desperately needed escape --I didn't read to learn, I was reading to read." 

                                              Christian Bauman

Books... whether sharing with my grandchildren, sitting in front of a classroom of  smiling faces anticipating a story or curled up with my reading buddy, reading has always been a favorite pastime ... my happy place. Now, as I navigate this unexpected journey, reading and sharing the love of reading has become not only a passion but a lifeline. 

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"There wasn't time for withholding, not in this short life when you were only given to know a few people, and to have a true exchange with one or two."

The book I am sharing today was one of my top reads of 2022. There was a lot of positive chatter and reviews for Fellowship Point, by Alice Elliot Dark when it came out almost a year ago. 

Here is a brief set up. 

Agnes Lee and Polly Wister are lifelong friends, and two of the three remaining property owners of Fellowship Point, a mostly undeveloped property in coastal Maine. Agnes, a celebrated children's book author, suffering from writers block, is being pressured to write her memoir. Polly a devoted wife and mother, is caring for her husband. When it is discovered the third property holder, Polly's nephew is wanting to teardown the vacation homes and destroy a sacred indigenous gathering place to build a resort, Agnes and Polly must join forces to protect the peninsula they love. Polly will be forced to choose between her sons and her best friend. Both women, in their late 70s, will face 

uncovered past decisions.

There is no other way to say it, this book wowed me. At almost 600 pages, I was not ready for it to end. Multi- layered, character driven Fellowship Point checked all the boxes for me.  Alice Elliot Dark masterfully weaves themes of love and loyalty, aging, caring for the natural world and owning the past, to create a beautiful story of a life and friendship. The ending was perfect!

If you've read Fellowship Point, I would love to hear your thoughts. If you haven't read it, it is worth exploring. I always want to hear what you are

reading and loving. 

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I know there are so many newly published , highly hyped books vying for our attention. There are books placed on the shelf to be picked up later, or missed  because it didn't have a celebrity endorsement. There are so many fabulous backlisted books to be picked up while waiting for that newly published bestseller everyone is talking about. 

 "If you haven't read it, it is new to you." Ann Patchett

                      Happy Reading!

                 Bonnie

Not What I Expected

 I have wanted to return to this space for awhile. I have played with content, trying to zero in on a direction, the right time. As often happens, life is saying now.

Whenever I have been away for awhile I begin my post with "it has been awhile; a lot has been going on around here." And, once again, it has been awhile and a lot has been going on around here. Little did I know what was going on then was the beginning of what is happening now.

My husband has been experiencing both mobility and memory issues for a while. He has been able to hide a lot.  I have been in denial. He has made excuses. I have spent valuable time angry. After countless doctor's appointments, tests and scans, we know what it is not. It is not a brain tumor, it is not a drug interaction and it most likely is not Alzheimer's. What is suspected is a Parkinson type disease. We are not in a battle, we are on a journey.

I am returning now because I find writing is both calming and healing. I have no advice to offer, but if sharing my questions, anxieties, and mistakes encourages anyone who suddenly discovers they have been moved from being the passenger to the driver,

 I will be happy. 

And friends, because, it is what I do, I am going to probably spend some time writing about books. What can I say?

So, for today... 

Look for the light... light will always conquer darkness.

Bonnie