It's Monday, but I have nothing new to add to this blogging week.Life is still crazy, busy.
And I'm still reading Testament of Youth & The Brain's Way of Healing.
ToY is extraordinary - moving & desperate, beautifully written, but it's a slow, thoughtful read and I usually only manage to read a couple of chapters in one sitting.
Friday night, though, found me tired & emotional. I needed something easier to read so I pulled out a slim teen book, Back to Blackbrick to slide me gracefully into the weekend.
I've finally had some time to write its review tonight.
You are now seeing the sum total of my reading and blogging week!
I hope your week has been more bookish & bloggish than mine.
When I first read Fitzgerald's The Apple Tart of Hope last year I knew I had found a new-to-me author to love and enjoy.
Part of that enjoyment involves tracking down the backlist.
Back to Blackbrick (first published in 2013) is her first book and I fervently hope and pray that there are plenty more to come. But right now it is true for me to say that I love everything that Fitzgerald has ever written!
Back to Blackbrick grew out of Fitzgerald's experience with her own father's Alzheimer's diagnosis. In her afterword she writes,
"the magic of writing is that you start out being dominated by your own experiences and feelings, (but) you end up being able to occupy other people's heads and hearts....They have helped me to remember that no-one who has loved you ever really goes away."
To this end she has created a lovely time-slip story that deals with young Cosmo's distress as his beloved grandfather slips into memory loss.
Curiously, the actual time-slip section of the book doesn't work as well as the current day story line. The character of Cosmo remains strong throughout, but the younger grandfather is less convincing. I found myself skimming through the time-slip section very quickly. Perhaps because I've read A LOT of time-slip books over the years it takes something stunningly different to grab my attention.
As with Apple Tart there are some mature themes - this time death, grief & loss, sexual harrassment & teen pregnancy. But just like Apple Tart, Blackbrick is infused with hope, love & memory.
Highly recommended for mature 12+ readers.
What an awesome saying in regards to writing! That statement alone makes me want to read the book so thanks for sharing! I hope to see you around my blog
ReplyDeleteKatelynn
www.literarychameleon.blogspot.com
I had an exhausting week (60+ hours) last week and this week won't be any better. I ended up reading a small children's book to get my reading mojo up to par. And drawing. Drawing is quite refreshing.
ReplyDeleteYour drawing post has inspired me - I found the book I mentioned - it's called The Artist's Way: A Course in Discovering & Recovering Your Creative Self by Julia Cameron. Once I wipe off the dust, I'll jump in!
DeleteIn the meantime I have The Mindfulness Colouring Book: Anti-Stress Art Therapy for Busy People to amuse me :-)
Back to Blackbrick sounds like an emotional one. The one other book I've read focused on Alzheimer's tore me to pieces!
ReplyDeleteLots of people had slow reading last week. Maybe it's the snow in the US finally getting to so many people mentally. Glad you're enjoying your books, a slower read is sometimes necessary.
ReplyDeleteSometimes reading a teen book or even a beloved childhood book is just the thing you need! I hope you find some more time to read this week. :)
ReplyDeleteI love hunting for back lists! Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteYvonne
http://adarngoodread.blogspot.com.au
I just finished up a couple of 1000+ page chunksters. I'd been working on one since November and the other for 5-6 weeks. I know what you mean about slow blogging weeks for sure! I'm ready to tear through some easy, quick reads now too. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteI've read both of her books too and thought they were both really good reads. I'm glad you liked them too.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we all have slow blogging weeks, it's part of the ebb and flow. I haven't heard of this author, or either of her books. It's always good to find a new author- glad you liked both of them.
ReplyDelete