Running Home
Clara and Sachin, as well as Clara’s father, Lord Reynolds, share a kindness and a wisdom that is edifying for all. Their self-reflections and corresponding actions throughout the book elevate what could be a mere love story to a treatise on kindness, fairness, and social justice. After meeting Sachin and witnessing his care for others, Clara reflects, “I realised that I was in that privileged position, too. That simple revelation was empowering but daunting – what was I doing to help anyone?” The reader sees Clara’s natural instinct to do good grow into self-assured assistance to others and defense of her beliefs, especially to her bigoted mother. In Lord Reynolds, we see an example of a man who sees beyond social convention, and transmits that openness to his only child. His love for Clara surpasses all else, and his reflections on parenting really stuck with me: “You know, when you are a parents, it seems like every action you take and every decision you make moulds your child. Then one day they are grown up, and you realise it was their personality all along.”
I have tried above to point out some specific example of what makes Running Home worth reading, but the biggest endorsement, I think, is how I just could not stop reading! I was so absorbed in this book that I read it in one day – something that has not happened since I had my first child over four years ago. More compelling, even, is that I was so wrapped up in reading that I failed to notice my two and four year old children unpacking the ornaments and redecorating the Christmas tree… I have no idea how long I stood reading at the kitchen counter, but I can tell you: it was worth every minute of having to repack those Christmas decorations!
Please read Lizzie Steel’s Running Home – you’ll be glad you did!
Five stars!
Find Lizzie online and on twitter.
***Thank you to Lizzie Steel, who provided a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
by Samantha Berger is one of my kids’ favorite books lately. It’s a short book about “Crankenstein,” a green-faced kid who says “MEHR” when he doesn’t like something: bedtime; long, long lines; cold Halloweens. They say “MEHHRRR” every time Crankenstein does, but I think their favorite part is when Crankenstein meets another Crankenstein: he laughs! And so do they: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
by Ann Girdharry. The story drew me in, held my interest until the very end, and then ended almost suddenly. I was left confused, a bit melancholy, and feeling overwhelmingly sorry for the central characters, Kim and Oliver. For about a week I was convinced that I didn’t like the story at all. I don’t often read short stories, and I don’t like when stories end without being neatly tied up; I’m still not sure what the author intended to convey. Ultimately I decided the lack of clarity may be part of the story’s genius. It can be interpreted any number of ways: the story could be about reincarnation, or love and loss, or even mental illness. I still don’t really like that it’s unclear, but it is a good and engaging piece of writing regardless of my personal taste. As I read, I truly felt like I understood Kim despite the story’s brevity, and I could almost feel her evolving emotions. The story is at it is described: if you like psychological suspense, you will surely like Written on the Apple Tree.
Kristin Houlihan, Writer 