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Blessings from 2021. . .

12/28/2021

45 Comments

 
Hello dear blog friends! It's been quite the year, hasn't it? If nothing else, 2021 prompted many of us to read more. I'm not a prolific reader, but this past year I enjoyed almost seventy books - non fiction and fiction. Today I'd like to share a few of these blessings with you. 

The first four books are ones that deeply touched my soul. Each involves choices, each deals with threat and fear, and importantly, each underscores the resilience of the human spirit. 

The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger is a memoir of surviving Auschwitz. The circumstances are horrifying, but they bear relevance to today's embattled world and that is what grabbed my heart and wouldn't let go. This is a powerful and transformative book, one you will not forget. 

Simple by Anita Dawes is a very different story, but there are overlapping themes to The Choice. The setting is a backwoods family - a brutal and disfunctional family. Survival is tenuous at best. Dawes is masterful in drawing the reader into this complex situation. Her prose is almost poetic as she reveals a story of love and loss. 

​Telling Sonny by Elizabeth Gauffreau marks time through the pregnancy of the protagonist. This is heart-tugging story that again involves choices. There were no extremes, so startling revelations. Rather Gauffreau skillfully leads us to a decision that must be made. I was and am in awe of Gauffreau's beautiful writing ability. 

Maude by Donna Foley Mabry is a historical biography of the writer's grandmother. It is a captivating story of the early 1900s. The reader accompanies Maude through the Great Depression and the Pandemic of 1918 and follows her from her marriage at 14. The theme of choices is again prominant, even though often those choices were not freely made. 

These four books earned 5-stars from me and I highly recommend each of them. 

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The next two books are collections of short stories. I enjoyed both tremendously and gave them 5-star reviews.

​Life Is Like A Bowl Of Cherries by Sally Cronin is a collection focused on the everyday miracles of life, those unseen moments when a person makes a selfless decison to reach out to another person. The characters are ordinary folks. They are approachable, relateable...they are like you and me. This is a beautiful book, even a preicous one. 

Things Old And Forgotten by Mae Clair spans genres. From whimsical to chilling and poignant to heartening, there's something for everyone. I appreciated the focus on choices made and choices regretted, as well, the glimpses into the reasons for those choices. 

​Both of these books are gems!
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For the holiday season, I read uplifting Christmas novellas. Each of these short stories warmed my heart and I think they would yours as well. They also earned 5-star reviews from me. 

Oh Baubles by Harmony Kent is a love story between two struggling individuals, who in the process of finding love, also manage to heal their buried grief. Kent writes beautifully and powerfully. I found this book to be very life-affirming.

A Long Walk Home by D.L. Finn is a story of contrasts -- light and dark, good and evil, cold and warmth. Underlying it all is the theme of the book which is hope. If you love angels, magic, and tenderness, this one is for you. 

No Such Luck by Staci Troilo is a light romance involving a past attraction and a long-time childhood friend. This feel-good story is perfect for the holiday season, as you'll feel joyful at its conclusion. Well-written and beautifully crafted, this is a delightful read.

Mountain Laurel Christmas by Jan Sikes takes us through a lifetime of ups and downs, until  finally, there is a life-changing awakening. Hope abounds in this story, as we easily idenitify with the character and celebrate with him. 
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2021 was a busy, demanding year but through its hurdles, we grew stronger - and we met new friends through the books we read. I'm deeply grateful for all of you and pray that all of us experience increased joy in the New Year of 2022.
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45 Comments
Pete Springer link
12/28/2021 23:43:33

I've read several of the books you highlighted for 2021 and agreed with many of your compliments. Happy reading in 2022, Gwen!

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Gwen Plano
12/29/2021 04:40:04

Thank you, Pete. I'm looking forward to reading They Call Me Mom. It's waiting/beckoning on my Kindle. 😊

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Priscilla Bettis link
12/29/2021 03:44:22

You have some awesome reads on your end-of-year 2021 blessings! Have a wonderful New Year, Gwen!

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Gwen Plano
12/29/2021 04:47:21

Thanks so much, Priscilla. I have The Hale Bale preordered and look forward to reading it. All the best to you!

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Elizabeth Gauffreau link
12/29/2021 04:54:20

What a thrill to wake up to seeing Telling Sonny on your reading blessings list! Thank you!!

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Gwen Plano
12/29/2021 05:00:54

You're a marvelous writer, Liz. I'd love to be in your writing class. Happy New Year! 😊

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CS Boyack
12/29/2021 05:20:53

Sounds like you had a banner year in the reading department.

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Gwen Plano
12/29/2021 05:41:19

So true and my Kindle is still packed! I'm looking forward to reading Wreck of the Lanternfish, Craig, hopefully within the next two weeks. 😊

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Jill Weatherholt link
12/29/2021 06:16:22

You've read some great books, Gwen. I've read and enjoyed many on your list. Sadly, there are quite a few still waiting on my Kindle. In 2022, I'd like to take a week off from life and just read! Wishing you and your family a peaceful New Year. xo

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Gwen Plano
12/29/2021 06:24:31

Thank you, Jill. A week to read sounds delightful. I read the first two chapters of Searching for Home last night and love it. 💗 Big hugs 🤗

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Mae Clair link
12/29/2021 06:54:37

Gwen, I'm so flattered to have Things Old and Forgotten included with so many other stellar reads. I've read and enjoyed five of the books you've highlighted and the others all sound compelling. I'm particularly drawn to Maude because of the time period.
Best wishes to all the authors. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!

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Gwen Plano
12/29/2021 07:37:27

Thank you for your good wishes, Mae. I thoroughly enjoyed Things Old and Forgotten, as I've enjoyed every book I've read of yours. You're a wonderful writer. 😊

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sally cronin link
12/29/2021 08:26:30

Thank you so much Gwen and I am honoured to be included in the books you have featured today. Some books I have read and enjoyed very much, others are waiting patiently on my TBR.. soon to be read. A very Happy New Year and look forward to sharing 2022 with you... love and hugs Sally.♥

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Gwen Plano
12/29/2021 08:38:52

You are most welcome, Sally. You have a natural storytelling gift and it's truly a blessing to readers. 💗

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Jan Sikes
12/29/2021 08:59:15

What a lovely reading recap, Gwen. I've added two new books to my TBR list for 2022. :) Thank you SO much for including Mountain Laurel Christmas. I am truly honored. I wish you a very Happy New Year!

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Gwen Plano
12/29/2021 09:11:09

Thank you, Jan. 💗 Mountain Laurel Christmas was a lovely, heart-moving book to read over the holidays.

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Harmony Kent link
12/29/2021 09:28:25

A wonderful collection of reads for the year, Gwen. Thanks so much for including Oh Baubles in with these great books. Happy New Year! Hugs 🎄💕🙂

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Gwen Plano
12/29/2021 09:35:50

Happy New Year to you as well, dear Harmony. Oh Baubles rests warmly in my heart. 💗

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john Howell link
12/29/2021 09:30:32

This is an impressive list, Gwen. I have also read some of your mentions and agree with you. Thank you for sharing. Happy New Year.

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Gwen Plano
12/29/2021 09:38:36

Happy New Year to you as well, John. May 2022 be an easier journey for all of us. Thank you for everything. 😊

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Beem Weeks link
12/29/2021 10:48:13

A wonderful selection of stories, Gwen. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year!

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Gwen Plano
12/29/2021 10:55:35

Thank you, Beem. I'm looking forward to reading your WIP in the New Year. 😊

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Joan Hall link
12/29/2021 13:44:07

A great selection of books, Gwen. I've read most of them and agree with you completely. Happy New Year!

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Gwen Plano
12/29/2021 13:47:56

Thanks so much, Joan. Happy New Year to you as well. 😊

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Jacquie Biggar
12/30/2021 16:01:05

So many wonderful choices here, Gwen. I see many of my favorite writers and a couple of new-to-me authors I have to try after reading your beautiful reviews.
Happy New Year!

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Gwen Plano
12/31/2021 04:59:51

Thank you, Jacquie. I'm looking forward to reading two of your series, now restless on my kindle. Have a wonderful New Year! 😊

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Yvette M Calleiro link
12/31/2021 09:19:59

I've read five of the stories on your list and have another one on my kindle. I'm happy to see you highlighting them because I enjoyed them all. Happy new year, Gwen! :-)

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Gwen Plano
1/1/2022 07:28:30

Thank you, dear Yvette. I loved your book - Hype and hope school counselors embrace it in their work with students. Happy New Year!

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Diana Peach link
12/31/2021 13:38:54

I love these recap posts, Gwen. I haven't read all of these, but I've read a bunch of them and agree totally that they're wonderful. Congrats to the authors! Happy New Year!

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Gwen Plano
1/1/2022 07:29:14

Thank you so much, Diana. Wishing you a vey Happy New Year!

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Pamela link
12/31/2021 13:51:41

I've read many of these Indie books as well, Gwen. I love how you highlight them with great review blurbs. To lots of reading (and writing) in 2022!

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Gwen Plano
1/1/2022 07:31:22

Thank you, Pamela. I've read so many wonderful books this past year and look forward to lots more in 2022.

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Staci Troilo link
1/1/2022 07:11:26

What an amazing list, Gwen. I'm honored to be included on it.

Hoping you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you an amazing new year. ❤️

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Gwen Plano
1/1/2022 07:32:52

Thank you, dear Staci. I hope your family Christmas was especially heart-filling. I can't wait to hear! 💗

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Karen Ingalls
1/2/2022 05:18:52

A wonderful selection of books, Gwen. I liked the way you presented them and why they were meaningful to you.
Happy New Year!

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Gwen Plano
1/3/2022 08:25:47

Thank you, dear Karen. I hope you and we all have a very blessed New Year. 💗

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Jacqui Murray link
1/2/2022 08:00:06

We have much the same taste in stories. I've read at least half of this list and many are high on my list of favorites, also. I do have lots of thrillers and Westerns on my list, also!

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Gwen Plano
1/3/2022 08:27:05

Thank you, Jacqui. I've several others that deeply affected me. It was difficult to select just a few. Blessings!

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D.L. Finn
1/2/2022 10:51:29

Thank you for including A Long Walk Home with so many great stories, Gwen :) what a wonderful surprise to come back to! I've read several and have a few on my TBR list. There are a couple I will be adding. Happy New Year xo

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Gwen Plano
1/3/2022 08:27:54

Thank you so much, Denise. Happy New Year to you as well! 💗

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Alex Craigie
1/3/2022 04:21:22

Great reviews of some books I really enjoyed, too! Have a lovely 2022, Gwen. x

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Gwen Plano
1/3/2022 08:28:26

Thank you so much, Alex. Blessings to you and yours. 😊

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sally Cronin link
2/2/2022 15:51:57

Thanks Trish...hugsxx

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DGKaye link
1/3/2022 12:58:16

Love your reviews Gwen. You've alerted me to a few more books I must add. Thanks for the Kindle calories, lol :) x

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sally cronin link
2/2/2022 15:51:22

Thanks Debby... lost notifications in my spam folder...♥♥

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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