The Milestone Tapes by Ashley Mackler-Paternostro

The Milestone Tapes by Ashley Mackler-Paternostro
CreateSpace
ISBN: 978-1468150063
Published Feb 19, 2012
Trade Paperback, 346 pages

The Milestone Tapes is one of those books that really touched me because it is about the journey of love between a parent and child. Jenna Chamberland loves being a mother, but after a 3-year battle against breast cancer, she is dying. She makes the decision to stop treatment so that she can spend the most quality time left with her family, especially her 7-year-old daughter, Mia. Jenna records a set of ten audiocassettes that her daughter can listen to as she grows older and goes through different milestones in her life that her mother would have helped her through had she been alive, such as her first love, college graduation and her wedding day. What a loving provision and legacy from a mother to her daughter!

As I began reading this book, I realized there were several similarities between Jenna and myself. Jenna was married for about twenty years, had a loving husband, Gabe (who reminded me so much of my own hubby!) and had a child later in life. So in this respect I could really relate, and my heart broke time and time again as she tried to deal with her situation. I kept asking myself how I would have dealt with dying had I been in the same situation.

The novel is divided into two books. The first part is Jenna's story and the second, taking place nine years later, is Mia's. The novel flows well and Jenna is very much alive even in the second part through the milestone tapes she leaves for her daughter. I loved reading this part the most. It read like a YA novel and I liked Mia, who was then a sixteen year-old teen. The first part was very emotional and I was in tears as Jenna's illness progressed.

I was surprised how well the author dealt with the sensitive topics of dying and motherhood. She has no children of her own, but captured the love and complex bond between mother and child. The characters were real to me, especially Mia and Ginny, with her words of wisdom. The only relationship I found underdeveloped was that of Jenna and her sister, Sophia. At the onset, Jenna has a strained relationship with Sophia who harbours resentment from childhood, but this gets quickly resolved within a few pages. It wasn't realistic to me. This could have been better explored, while some mundane everyday dialogue and scenes eliminated.

I think the beautiful book cover captures the essence of this novel. It is haunting and symbolic. Better editing was needed, however, as I caught many typos, missing words and repetitions, especially in the latter part of the book. Barring this, I think this is a beautiful and well-told story. Ashley Mackler-Paternostro is an author to watch out for, having shown talent by writing a story that pulled at my heartstrings. I look forward to reading her next novel.

Note: This book is rated P =Profanity for 8 f-words, some religious expletives and crude words, and S = one sex scene between a married couple.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to the author and Pump Up Your Book Promotions for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

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Mariana by Susanna Kearsley

Mariana by Susanna Kearsley
Allison & Busby, 2nd edition
ISBN: 978-0749007065
Published: Oct 3, 2009
Trade paperback, 400 pages

After reading The Rose Garden, (read my review) I just knew I wanted to read Mariana. When I spotted it on the shelf of a used book store I nabbed it. Susanna Kearsley's novels tend to evoke mystery and romance with the element of time travel, and Mariana is no different. I can't say that I loved it like I did The Rose Garden, but I did enjoy it a lot.

Julia Beckett moves into Greywethers, a sixteen century farmhouse, where she senses she belongs. She befriends the locals and enjoys interacting with Vivien, Iain and Geoff de Mornay, the handsome and wealthy owner of Crofton Hall. Then Julia starts having episodes where she goes back in time but as Mariana, a woman who lived at Greywethers three hundred years ago. With each episode back in time she lives what happened to Mariana until it all comes full circle in the present.

The ending was totally unexpected for me. Parts of it were brilliant, but I must admit the love story of Mariana touched me so much that when it came full circle through Julia in the present it was a little disappointing, the revelation too abrupt. For some reason, I have an easier time with the concept of time travel than time slip, where a character goes back in time and lives someone else's life.  However, like I said, I really enjoyed the whole journey, especially the historical one that involved treachery and danger. Kearsley has a way of immersing the reader in the mystery of the past and making it all come together in the end.

This was a compelling read, pulling me in to find out who Mariana was and why Julia became her as she slipped through time. The cast of characters are intriguing and all play an important role in the plot, so much so that if you miss a few details, you may miss an essential piece of the mystery. I also enjoyed the setting of Exbury, a small village in England. For fans of time travel and romance, this one is not to be missed. I can see why it's still a favorite since having been first published in 1994.

Reviewed by Laura

Note: This book is rated P = profanity for religious expletives.
I will count this book toward the following challenges: Time Travel Reading Challenge, TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Disclosure: I bought this book at a used book store. I was not told how to rate or review this product.

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Winner of Blue Asylum!

Congratulations to our winner!

# 19 Margaret has won the book Blue Asylum by Kathy Hepinstall

The winner was chosen using Random.org and has been emailed. The winner has 48 hours to claim the prize. Library of Clean Reads would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and TLC Book Tours for offering this book to give away. Thanks also to all the participants and followers!

Laura

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Mailbox Monday for May 14

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Martha will be hosting for the month of May at Martha's Bookshelf. You can also view the touring blog list at Mailbox Monday blog for the upcoming months.

Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff

On May 13, 1945, twenty-four American servicemen and WACs boarded a transport plane for a sightseeing trip over “Shangri-La,” a beautiful and mysterious valley deep within the jungle-covered mountains of Dutch New Guinea. Unlike the peaceful Tibetan monks of James Hilton’s bestselling novel Lost Horizon, this Shangri-La was home to spear-carrying tribesmen, warriors rumored to be cannibals.

But the pleasure tour became an unforgettable battle for survival when the plane crashed. Miraculously, three passengers pulled through. Margaret Hastings, barefoot and burned, had no choice but to wear her dead best friend’s shoes. John McCollom, grieving the death of his twin brother also aboard the plane, masked his grief with stoicism. Kenneth Decker, too, was severely burned and suffered a gaping head wound.

Drawn from interviews, declassified U.S. Army documents, personal photos and mementos, a survivor’s diary, a rescuer’s journal, and original film footage, Lost in Shangri-La recounts this incredible true-life adventure for the first time. Mitchell Zuckoff reveals how the determined trio—dehydrated, sick, and in pain—traversed the dense jungle to find help; how a brave band of paratroopers risked their own lives to save the survivors; and how a cowboy colonel attempted a previously untested rescue mission to get them out.

Travelers Rest by Ann Tatlock

Jane Morrow has a dilemma. She's engaged to Seth Ballantine, a member of the National Guard's 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, and he's returned from Iraq severely wounded. Jane hasn't seen him for nearly a year, and with trepidation, she heads to the VA hospital in Asheville, North Carolina, where he is being treated.

Seth isn't happy to see her. He'd asked her not to come. He wants to end the relationship. But Jane loves him, and despite his injury, she's determined to convince him that they can have a life together. Her faith has never beenstrong, yet she hopes God will answer her prayers and tell her what to do.

Flame of Resistance by Tracy Groot

Years of Nazi occupation have stolen much from Brigitte Durand. Family. Freedom. Hope for a future, especially for a woman with a past like hers. But that changes the day American fighter pilot Tom Jaeger is shot down over occupied France. Picked up by the Resistance, Tom becomes the linchpin in their plan to infiltrate a Germans-only brothel and get critical intel out through Brigitte, a prostitute rumored to be sympathetic to the Allied cause.

D-day looms and everyone knows that invasion is imminent. But so is treachery, and the life of one American pilot unexpectedly jeopardizes everything. He becomes more important than the mission to a man who cannot bear to lose another agent and to a woman who is more than just a prostitute, who finally realizes that her actions could change the course of history.

Norman Mailer: The American, a film by Joseph Montegna (DVD)

The life and times of Norman Mailer as told by those closest to him and by the man himself...

A provocateur, a rebel, a performer, and a true American, Norman Mailer never stopped giving people something to talk about. This documentary goes beyond the Mailer of the book shelves and NY Times best seller list to Mailer the social critic, family man, filmmaker, and lover. Here's a look into the life of a complex, intellectual, working class hero.

Cyber Bullying No More: Parenting a High Tech Generation by Holli Kenley

Cyber bullying is rampant. Every day children are being humiliated, violated, and degraded through the use of electronic devices. Young people are frightened and don't know where to turn. Parents are frustrated and unsure how to help or how to protect their children. Although there are dozens of excellent books, videos, websites, and resources addressing cyber bullying, this book will give parents/guardians a manageable number of effective parenting strategies to incorporate into their lives and their children's.

Have any of you read any of these books? What did you get in your mailbox last week?

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Kid Konnection: "Seeds" by David Ankrah

"Seeds" by David Ankrah
Evolu-Sol Publishing
ISBN: 978-0957145702
Published April 14, 2012
Paperback, 32 pages

About the book:
If you would like to help children understand some of the benefits of using money wisely from an early age then this is a story that will inspire them…

Without actually mentioning the word money until after the story ends, this story is designed to show them some of the choices they have in life when it comes to looking after not only their money, but their friends and family. In fact, you should find that this story has parallels in your life whether you are 6 or 60.

So find out what happens to Palooko and Greecho as they go through life and one mysterious day an event takes place that would change their lives forever…

Our thoughts:
"Seeds" is a fable that teaches a lesson regarding money. It's a short story that takes place in the beautiful land of Zoniye. I read it to my 11 year-old daughter and my 8 year-old son. They were both listening carefully as I started out, taken in by the fairytale beginning.

My daughter quickly figured out the story was about how to make use of money. Half-way through, my son seemed to lose interest because the story got into the concept of borrowing with interest. If the book contained more illustrations (there were only two), I think his interest would have held out longer. My daughter on the other hand thought it was a cool story.

Even though the story is simple, its message is universal and can be read by every culture. I took the opportunity to discuss with my kids the importance of using their money wisely, the way Palooko did as opposed to Greecho. The themes of saving money, helping others, and living a simple life shine through in this unique fable.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura 

Disclosure: Thanks to the author and Pump Up Your Book Promotions for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Every Saturday, Booking Mama hosts a feature called Kid Konnection—a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, visit Booking Mama.

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