TALK GREENVILLE
Poignant paperbacks
"When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself." ― Wayne Dyer
"Sometimes I feel like relationships consist of telling your same life stories to different people until someone finally appreciates them."― Kate Rockland, "Falling Is Like This"
Each of the three books profiled this month are examples that one cannot judge others by appearances. Delving deeper into people's lives is not only revealing, but can be eye-opening. Molly would never have guessed that the wealthy old lady who lived in a mansion once had traveled to the Midwest on the "orphan train" after she lost her entire family to a fire. Laurel and her siblings could not picture their mother as anything but the perfect homemaker. Grace could never imagine the kind, attentive man she married being anything different. All of these stories uncover secrets and subplots that keep the reader turning the page!
"The Secret Keeper" —by Kate Morton
The author of "The Forgotten Garden" is incredibly adept at creating meaningful characters and intriguing plots. The book alternates between the present and the past, many of the flashbacks occurring during WWII during the Blitz. The four grown children of Dorothy Nicolson help comfort her during her last days. They return her to the large farmhouse in the English countryside where they had lived an idyllic childhood. They did not know her secrets. They could not imagine their mother as a young woman. Nothing is truly as it seems. This book stayed with me days after I read it.
"Orphan Train" —by Christina Baker Kline
Between 1854 and 1929, thousands of abandoned children were boarded onto the "orphan train" in New York City to be taken to the farmlands of the Midwest. Some were lucky to be taken in by a loving family. The majority of the children, especially the older ones, were picked to be workers or servants. During present time, troubled 17-year-old Molly must help 91-year-old Vivian clean out her attic. They find more than forgotten memorabilia…they discover they share the bond of being abandoned children. As they learn each others' stories, they learn to find peace.
"The Perfume Collector" — by Kathleen Tessaro
Grace Munroe is newly married and adjusting to life in 1955 London society. Her world is turned upside down when she is summoned to Paris and receives an inheritance from a woman completely unknown to her. As Grace discovers the history of her benefactor, she learns about her own history. Grace also begins to question every aspect of her life. Besides learning about the secrets behind making the perfect perfume, Grace learns secrets that may lead to a completely different life.