"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
