Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate

  This was the perfect story for someone like me. The farm where Katie and her husband go to, so resonated with my own life growing up on a small, lovely farm. The underlying current of the story was meaningful and poignant.
   Katie and Ben struggle with their priorities. The importance of earning a living and getting things you want versus spending time with family. Their son, Joshua, needed heart surgery as a baby, so suddenly their finances are not as stable as they were. Also, their is friction between family members, notably strained since the death of Katie's mother. There is tension in the marriage and exhaustion from caring for a baby and now a grandmother.
   Katie and Ben agree to go to the family farm and stay with Grandma Rose for a few weeks until a decision can be made as to what should be done about her. Now, Grandmother Van Gortler is a force to be reckoned with. Her preaching criticism has to be taken with a grain of salt. After Katie spends some time with her, she begins to learn what makes her like she is. Rose's difficult past has definitely shaped her. However, in her old age, Rose sees an opportunity to pass on to Katie sage wisdom gained from her own life...to enjoy the beautiful and simple things, to ask for help when you need it, to be patient, to except others for who they are, to forgive, to help those in need, to love your children.Through a series of short stories her grandmother leaves for her, at just the right times, Katie is given a legacy to cherish forever.
   I really enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it. Lisa Wingate is also the author of the well-known book Before We Were Yours.

Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard

Earning much recognition in 2019, this children’s book shows the myriad ways in which fry bread is interwoven in native culture in our country. The poetic text and illustrations share with the reader the importance of this traditional food in all kinds of Native American families, despite the vast diversity of native peoples. The picture book format is followed by a lengthy section of author’s notes, which works like a nonfiction complement, complete with citations. Although written for kids, it is age-appropriate for anyone interested in better understanding this culture… or anyone with fry bread memories of their own!

An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

 
During a blizzard, guests in an isolated resort dropped dead one after another. Among them were best friends Gwen and Riley, as well as a writer, a lawyer, a fighting couple and a separating couple. The heavy snow makes driving impossible, roads are closed, electricity is out, even police must postpone their arrival. The remaining guests are cloaked with fear and suspicion among themselves. Secrets form the past surface and friendships betrayed. How much does one really know someone? I was compelled to find out "who-dun-it."

Exhalation by Ted Chiang

This thought provoking collection of short stories will stretch your mind and give you lots to ponder.  Chiang covers topics from fixing past mistakes via time travel, to communicating with others in parallel universes, to virtual reality, all in a comprehensible way.  His earlier collection of stories, "Stories of your Life and Others", was equally as fascinating to me.  ("Stories of your Life" was the basis for the move "Arrival").  

Science fiction isn't my go-to genre, but I was intrigued with the ideas Chiang presents in both collections, and I liked his writing style.  I'd recommend reading the Story Notes in the back of the book after you finish each one. February can be a boring, gray  month, so why not change it up and read something different than your usual genres?

Noel Street by Richard Paul Evans

A heartwarming story of love, forgiveness, and kindness set in 1975 after the Vietnam War is the newest book by this popular author. Elle, who lost her husband in the war, is trying to make ends meet with a young biracial son to raise. Her parents rejected her after she married a black man and she is facing some racism in the small town she lives in. William, who recently moved to town, acts strangely at times and the two end up helping each other after initial dislike. When she learns that William is a Vietnam POW, she is more understanding and they become close but their pasts cause difficulties.  Set during the holiday season this book is a pleasant read for anytime of the year  I have read most of this author's books and this is another novel of his that doesn't disappoint.