Play Book Tag discussion

Have you ever read a beautiful book in just one day? My first book of 2019, traveling from Colorado to Boston, had picked up from the "owned" pile, Joshilyn Jackson's A Grown Up Kind of Pretty. I just loved it! I was drawn in instantly. Three (family) women, each 15 years apart, Ginny/Big - 45, Liza (Little), 30, and Mosey (15), as each struggles to figure out who Mosey really is and what happened. And of course, at the center of it is love and loyalty, and a search for identity and second chances. These characters are compelling and you love each and everyone of them. You gasp, you cheer, you cry, and you cannot put it down.

Now I won't give any spoilers of any kind, I never do. I often don't even go as far as I did here with any kind of plot. But I do have a piece to add that I found so incredibly compelling. And here, i add only what's on the back cover, and my reaction to it. The 30 year old Liza is recovering from an unusual and unexpected stroke, that keeps language and movement at bay. I must admit, that I wasn't initially drawn to her storyline, although it made for a good vehicle, that the mystery had to unfold without her telling us directly what had transpired over the years. Naturally, Liza herself, her past and her present becomes part of what helps the story one forward. I admit - the idea of a vibrant 30 year old woman with a 15 year old daughter having such a life altering stroke - not my cup of tea. But here what really got me by the throat far more than I had expected. Liza, vibrant Liza, who was still in there somewhere - whose mischievous personality and incredible resilience and deep love shone through - she was incredible! And when she took steps, or first began to utter words as she recovered, I literally gasped with the beauty of the simple words, of the steps, of the way she expressed herself. How unexpected that her story line moved me to the extent that it did, and that it was a storyline of hope, and dignity, of family loyalty, and love. A perfect book to start the new year.

Wonderful review!! Sounds like the characters were amazing. I love that Liza had that personality. I love characters with resilience.

Well apparently I am a snowflake - and this book and writer is meant for that kind of uplifting tearjerker, where impossibly and always love and resilience prevails. Very proud to be a snowflake. Our world desperately needs an uplift. My prayer for 2019, is that we all see the light pouring through.

Amy wrote: "Well apparently I am a snowflake - and this book and writer is meant for that kind of uplifting tearjerker, where impossibly and always love and resilience prevails. Very proud to be a snowflake. O..."

You are one of the tough snowflakes-the kind that hang on til the last day of April!