My Next Breath: a memoir of a near-fatal accident and one man's miraculous recovery

My Next Breath: A Memoir by Jeremy Renner is a gripping and inspirational story of Jeremy Renner’s near-fatal accident on New Year’s Day 2023 and his miraculous recovery. Jeremy Renner is a renowned actor with memorable portrayals of an army bomb tech in The Hurt Locker, a Boston bank robber in The Town and Hawkeye in seven Marvel films. Yet his world comes to a halt when he is crushed by a fourteen-thousand-pound snowplow. With vivid details, Mr Renner recounts the struggle to keep breathing while help struggled to find their way to him. From the ICU to multiple surgeries and months of painful rehabilitation, Mr Renner's no-holds-bar account of his inner strength, endurance and hope as he set to recover, against all odds, with one breath at a time. In a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the amazing ability of the human body is to endure and recover. Writing with vulnerability and strength, despair and hope and redemption and renewal, Jeremy Renner invites readers on this journey with him. 

Jeremy Renner has been one of my favorite movie actors when I first saw him in The Hurt Locker and of course, I loved him as Hawkeye, the underrated Avenger. I remember hearing about his accident and feeling the dread of the pain he and his family were in and the long road his recovery would be. I followed his journey on Instagram. His memoir has been on my Wish List since its publication and yet, I hadn’t had the chance to read it yet. Recently, I was able to listen to the audiobook, read by Mr Renner, and what a journey it was. In fierce detail about his accident, the aftermath, and his recovery was extremely emotional. So emotional that tears welled up as I listened to Mr Renner recount every painful second and even more so when his own voice would crack with emotion. I laughed, I cried and I cringed with horror but in the end, I celebrate his amazing recovery. I highly, highly recommend My Next Breath, especially the audiobook. 

My Next Breath: A Memoir is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

The Unexpected Inn: an inspirational story of friendship, love, and faith

The Unexpected Inn is the second book in the Blessings Bay by Rachael Bloome. Abigail Preston never expected to own an inn. But here she is in Blessings Bay and preparing to open an inn and a very important guest is coming that could hinder her goal before it is even off the ground. When her best friend, Nadia Chopra, comes, she is the bright light in the gathering clouds. Nadia is fresh off a very public break up and needs a change of scenery for a time. One day at the local farmer’s market, she meets Evan Blake and can’t stop thinking about him. Evan had been so focused on continuing his mother’s saltwater taffy business as well as taking care of his hospitalized father. He’s not even thinking about dating and love. However, Nadia captivates him with her candid opinions and soft heart. With so many overwhelming odds, can love overcome their doubts and lead to their own happily ever afters? 

I have fallen in love with Rachael Bloome’s stories. With her Poppy Creek series ending, I was excited to read her new Blessings Bay series. With stories of hardship, friendship, faith and love, her stories are engaging and inspirational. The Unexpected Inn is another great example of her stories. From the opening chapter to the closing pages, I was on the edge of my seat. I loved all the storylines. With Abigail and the inn, Nadia and Evan, they all blended beautifully and did not distract from each other. Even though this is mainly Nadia and Evan’s story, I loved the continuation of Abigail's story from the first book, Blessings on State Street. There were twists and turns I wasn’t expecting and how I wish I could try Evan’s saltwater taffy! I am looking forward to reading future stories in this series. If you enjoy found family, small town community stories with faith and love, I highly recommend The Unexpected Inn. 

The Unexpected Inn is available in paperback and eBook

White Mulberry: one woman's determination to survive despite the racial tensions

White Mulberry by Rosa Kwon Easton is a moving story of a woman who lives between two worlds in order to survive. In 1928, Japanese-occupied Korea, eleven year old Miyoung has big dreams. When she is presented with the chance to pursue those dreams; however, she must leave her mother behind and live with her older sister and her husband in Japan. Knowing that Koreans are treated well in Japan, she must leave her name and culture behind. Once in Japan, she takes a new name and finds a new calling in nursing and finding solace in a local Korean church. What she never expects is to fall in love and find new purpose in her husband and their son. As war looms, she feels the racial tensions more than ever. Miyoung is faced with a choice: does she stay in Japan or does she find her chance to leave and provide a future for her and her family? 

White Mulberry was an Amazon First Reads choice for November. I loved the beautiful cover and was intrigued by the story as I have done a lot of research about Korea. I haven’t seen many historical books written from a Korean perspective. From the opening chapter to the closing author’s notes, I was deeply moved by Miyoung’s story. White Mulberry was inspired by the author’s Korean grandmother’s story which I love. I loved Miyoung as she struggles to hold on to her Korean identity and yet discovers a way to survive within the strict racial rules that the Japanese culture had put into place. I loved her resilience and determination to prove those against her wrong. It is a beautiful story about one woman, being caught between two worlds, who suffered the trauma of occupation, racism and displacement and yet still had the sheer determination to survive and reclaim her name and culture. I highly, highly recommend White Mulberry. 

White Mulberry will be available in paperback, eBook and audiobook 

on December 1, 2024

When The Day Comes: she lives two lives but must choose one. Which one will she choose?

When The Day Comes is the first book in the Timeless series by Gabrielle Meyer. Libby has a powerful gift. As she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other. She is the same person but leading very different lives. Libby lives one life in Colonial Williamsburg in 1774 amidst the early days of the American Revolution. She, along with her mother, is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor. She works to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. Henry Montgomery is the man she loves, a man with secrets of his own. She lives another life in the Gilded Age of 1914. A life filled with wealth, privilege and social standing. However, she is not destined to live the two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path. What was once a clear choice, as she nears her birthday, the choice becomes harder and harder to make.

I was intrigued by this premise. A faith based time crossing historical novel? Who would have thought of that combo? When The Day Comes is inventive and inspirational about our life’s decisions and the impact they have on the present and the future. The addition of faith and seeking God’s guidance in one’s decision was great to see. I could not put this book down and read well into the night to finish. I had to know what happened! There is so much that happens in this story that I cannot talk about due to spoilers! However, readers will not be disappointed. It is engaging with wonderful characters. I loved Libby and her fire and courage as she stands for what she believes in. I loved seeing various historical figures and hints at historical events we know that come. After I finished, I immediately added the other books to my wish list. I highly, highly recommend When the Day Comes. 

When the Day Comes is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Underground Library: three women trying to survive during the London Blitz

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan is the story of three women during the London Blitz trying to survive and save their beloved library. When Juliet Lansdown comes to the Bethnal Green Library as the new deputy librarian, she realizes that the library needs a bit more life. Katie Upwood loves working at the library as she prepares to head to university. After learning that her beau was killed in action and growing strife in her family, she finds herself with a life-changing secret with no help and no options. Sofie Baumann is a young Jewish refugee who came to London on a domestic service visa in order to escape the horrors in her home country. She finds herself treated horribly and her only solace is the beloved books of the local library. When the library needs to go underground where the city’s residents are sheltering during the nightly bombings, Juliet, Katie and Sofie find a community that come together for the love of books and friendships that only grow stronger with each bomb dropped.

Based on the true story of the Bethnal Green Library and the London Blitz, Jennifer Ryan weaves a story of survival, friendships and courage in uncertain times. Despite a bit of weariness of World War II stories, I was captivated by the stories of these three women and the strength they find to endure the uncertainty of their futures. Their world is changing around them and, despite the social rules, they fight back against racism, gender biases and finding love in the most unlikely places. Ms Ryan also brings to life the horrors and uncertainties of the London Blitz. I felt as if I were there with the characters, huddled in the underground shelters as the bombs exploded above them and in the aftermath as they searched for survivors and dealt with the unfortunate loss of life. My heart broke as the character suffered and I cheered for them as they rose above their circumstances and survived. If you enjoy World War II stories, I highly recommend The Underground Library. 

The Underground Library is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Mary, the mother of Jesus: an inspirational woman

Everyone knows that Mary was a young woman, a virgin, from a poor family in an obscure village in Galilee. Everyone knows that she was a young woman who showed an unusual faith and humility. What everyone may not realize is that her unqualified yes to God’s plan for her life entailed great personal risk and suffering. She may not have realized at the time that her yes would open seasons of confusion, fear, doubt and darkness in her life as events unfolded. She would know sorrow as she watched her firstborn son as he was shamed, tortured and left to die like the worst criminal.  However, her greatest joy would be to see him raised from the dead as her Lord and Savior. Everyone knows her name but do they truly know her story? 

A small village in the middle of nowhere. Nothing particularly special about it. Until one day as a young woman going about her day, completing her chores as her life would be changed forever. She is approached by a man in brilliant white. He tells her that she is highly favored and the Lord is with her. Can you imagine her surprise and disbelief? Her? Highly favored? However, it was true. As the mysterious man tells her God’s plan, she must have been hit with a tidal wave of emotions: Confusion. Fear. Awe. Gratitude. Joy and Peace. She simply replies, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be as you have said” (Luke 1:38). She must have rushed home, filled with more questions and fear of the responses from others. She became pregnant and gave birth to Jesus in a lowly manger in Bethlehem. She watched him grow into a man and set out on his ministry. She witnessed some of his miracles. She heard about others. And as she stood by his cross at his crucifixion, did she truly understand what was happening? Or did her mother’s heart wish there was another way? 

Mary had a unique perspective in the life of Jesus. She is the only human who was present at this birth to be present at his death. She saw him arrive as her son and die as her Savior. One of my favorite songs is the song Mary, Did you know? written by Michael English in 1991 and has been covered many times over. It is often dismissed by some people as ridiculous. “Of course, Mary knew. The angel told her. She knew the Scriptures” they say. But did she really? Did she truly understand what her son would go through as the Messiah? Did she look down at her newborn son and see the great I AM? Did she see him grow up from a baby to a toddler to a child to a teen to a man and see the Son of God? Or did she simply see her son? Many believers have the privilege of centuries removed from the situation to easily dismiss the possibility that Mary didn’t fully understand the task God had given her. It wasn’t until I became a mother that I began to see Mary through a mother’s eyes. As I held my own child in my arms, moments after her birth, how could I possibly fathom the person she would grow up to be? Mary may have known what the Scriptures said but knowing the Scriptures and seeing them unfold before your eyes in two very different experiences. 

Women are highly valued in God’s eyes. Despite history and society telling us differently. Even today, some would use the Bible to devalue women. However, anyone who truly knows the Bible knows there are women who were instrumental in God’s plans. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, many women were placed in situations to be God’s instrument. None of these women were perfect but they all had faith to believe in God who can make the impossible possible. Rahab, the prostitute, in Joshua 2 risked her life to hide God’s spies. Esther risked death at the hands of her very powerful husband to save God’s people. And Mary risked being an outcast and shunned from her community for claiming to carry the Messiah. Imagine if a woman came forward today, claiming to be a virgin and carrying the Messiah, conceived by God. I doubt many of us would believe her. Mary’s story reminds us that God’s best servants are often ordinary people who are asked to be a part of extraordinary events. Also, most importantly to me, is that a person’s character is revealed by his or her response to the unexpected. Some would fall and be broken while others would rise up and be extraordinary. 

In conclusion, Mary is inspirational to us as a woman and as a mother. We can be like Mary. A woman who brings Jesus into our world by expressing his character, his forgiveness and his grace. As women, we can pray to be like Mary, a woman who was willing to be available to God and says “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be as you have said” with faith. Being willing to be a part of God’s plan can be scary and with most certain risk to our lives as we know it. However, when we do, God will provide us with the strength and courage that we need. I highly recommend checking out Michael English’s Mary, Did You Know? Even if you know the song already, take a closer listen and see Mary in a new light. 

God, Me and Sweet Iced Tea: an inspirational devotional

God, Me and Sweet Iced Tea by Rose Chandler Johnson is a 52-day Bible devotional with insights of day-to-day topics as well as bigger theological topics. In the South, sweet iced tea is a refreshing staple. This devotional is designed to experience and recognize God in the small, everyday moments to be as refreshing as sweet iced tea. Each devotion is followed with suggested Scriptures to read, study and meditate on each topic, questions for journaling, a prayer and a sweet tea moment (or a thought for the day) and a prayer focus for the day. Topics include being thankful, kindness, and forgiveness. 

Even though I am not a fan of sweet iced tea, I do love a tall, refreshing glass of iced tea and the title of this devotional stood out to me. Each devotion is written from the personal experience of Ms. Chandler Johnson with insight and grace that helps readers recognize the divine presence of God in our every moments. With the variety of Scriptures to read, this devotional opens God’s word and reminds us that God is always here and wants us to come closer to him. I highly recommend God, Me and Sweet Iced Tea. 

God, Me and Sweet Iced Tea is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

What You Wish For: an inspirational story to find joy in everything

What You Wish For by Katherine Center is the story of Samantha “Sam” Casey, a school librarian at the Kempner School, who hides from the world an embarrassing secret. Very few people know that she suffers from epilepsy but her boss and parental figures, Max and Babette Kempner, helped her see joy and create joy in her life. When Max suddenly dies, he leaves big shoes to fill. The staff at the school do their best to carry on until Kent Buckley, the Kempner’s son-in-law and school board member, announces he has hired a new principal and it is someone Sam knows! Duncan Carpenter was the guy she liked at a previous school when she was a mousy, quiet staff member and he was the exuberant, fun-loving teacher. But the man who arrived looks like Duncan, but he sure doesn’t act like Duncan. He begins by making major changes at the school and Sam will not stand for it. She immediately goes into action to get Duncan to leave or get him fired. What caused Duncan to change so much? Can Sam get to the bottom of it and show Duncan that the school doesn’t need his changes?

 

I LOVED this book. This amazing story grips you in from the opening chapter and never lets you go until the final sentence. I loved Sam. She was vulnerable and introverted. Even though her tendency was to hide from embarrassing moments, she found the strength to be front and center when the situation called for it. I also loved Duncan. When he is first introduced and he is not the man Sam remembered, I knew there was a reason behind his behavior. Sam and Duncan’s personal stories are heartbreaking, and I wanted to reach through the book to hug both of them. I loved each of the beautiful people who made up the staff at the school, even Sam’s quirky, math-obsessed friend, Alice. Katherine Canter provides a story with lovable and relatable characters to tell a story of survival and finding joy as joy is the cure to many negative emotions and situations. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll find that creating joy in your laugh helps chase away the negativity that surrounds you. Great advice for the world we live in now. I highly recommend What You Wish For!

What You Wish For

is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Christy and Todd: The Baby Years series

At last! The Baby Years are here for Christy and Todd. The author, Robin Jones Gunn, has written about Christy, Todd and their friends for almost 30 years. I loved forward to seeing Christy and Todd as they grow their family and relate to them as new parents and laugh and nod as they go through the challenges faced as new parents and learning to be a couple with the demands of life.

Sandy Toes is the first book in the series. It begins where One More Wish ended, Christy has found out she is pregnant. She’s at the doctor to confirm the pregnancy and right off the bat, new trials come her way. Her father is facing early retirement, her aunt is thinking of selling her house and she must help Todd with his struggles as he comes to terms with his mother’s lack of involvement in his life. Todd is presented with a new job opportunity which could be the stabilizing factor in their life as they prepare to welcome their baby. Will God open the door for Todd? The top question in the series, is she having a boy or a girl?

Salty Kisses is the second book in the series. The story opens 18 months after the birth of their baby. They are at the airport keeping up their friend, Katie, who is coming home for the funeral of her father. As they deal with their friend’s loss, Christy is desperate to connect with her friend again but the timing is never right. Soon Christy and Todd are leaving on their road trip to Glenbrooke, Oregon to see other friends. During the trip, Christy realizes how isolated and alone she feels without a friend who is also a mother is connect with back home. And as Todd opens the discussion for baby #2, Christy feels overwhelmed. Will she be able to connect with other mothers once they get home? Will there be another baby in their future?

Sunset Lullaby is the final book in the series. The story opens after the birth of their second child and the challenges that Christy and Todd faces as their lives get busier with the children, work and social commitments. Christy faces questions about the decisions she’s made in her life as she struggles to juggle the responsibilities of wife, mother, and friend. As she and her new friend and neighbor, Jennalyn, discuss the cultural and society expectations of women as career women, wives, and mothers, Christy learns a deep lesson that she cannot and doesn’t have to do it all. Where does their lives go from here? What else is in store for them as they build their lives together?

I loved this series as I have loved the original Christy Miller series and all the books which have branched off from the original series. I grew up with Christy. I started reading the series when I was a teenager and followed her as she struggled with every teenage drama and issues one can face as well as what it truly means to trust in God and follow him. I look forward to reading the series again as I can relate to Christy’s struggles as a mom, wife and woman in today’s society. I look forward to the day when my daughter is old enough to be introduced to the series and grow with Christy as I did. If you are fan of the series, you will enjoy seeing our beloved characters in the next stage of their lives.

More Heaven: a story of one woman's desire to educate all children

More Heaven by Jo Anne White, Ph.D is based on a true life experiment in the Philadelphia school system in the late 1970s. In response to the 1975 Education for the Handicapped Act, public schools were to educate all children despite the severity of their disability. As everyone was nervous and skeptical that the program would work, Dr. White was hired as the sole teacher and program coordinator. This is her story.

The story opens with Eva in March. The sole student, Eva was exhibiting autistic behavior. With each day, Miss Tina, the teacher, is able to draw Eva out and she begins to blossom. Slowly more children are added in the new school year: Patty, Ricardo, Martin, Beverly and Warren. As well as a teacher’s aide, Kaye. Together, the teachers and students begin to learn the basics of life and education. Math, writing, field trips to stores and the zoo. Each student has their achievements and their setbacks but their push forward. Each student leaves an impression on the heart of their dedicated teacher.

More Heaven is a great, inspiration story of one teacher’s dedication and determination to see children with disabilities get an education that was previously denied. To see her students blossom and excel is proof that anyone can learn if just given the chance. It is a special teacher’s heart to be a special education teacher. I can great respect for those who teach these children and try to give them the tools to have the most meaningful life as possible. I highly recommend More Heaven.

More Heaven

is available in paperback for $12.95

or on the Kindle for $3.99

My favorite Robin Williams roles: a tribute

This week the world lost a great comedian and great human being. Robin Williams had made people laugh for almost 40 years. When I saw a Facebook post that he had died, I thought it was a hoax but when I saw that all the major news networks were reporting the same sad news. It took my breath away. Robin Williams was a great comedian who could pick up on anything and run with it. I have laughed so hard that I was left breathless. While I watched all the tributes that aired, they showed some of his most famous roles on particular Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Genie from Aladdin (1992), I realized that while those were great roles, they weren’t my favorite that he played. My favorites are Sean Maguire (Good Will Hunting, 1997), John Keating (Dead Poets Society, 1989) and Adrian Croanuer (Good Morning Vietnam, 1987).

Good Will Hunting, a story about a mathematical genius discovered as a janitor at M.I.T. is counseled by Sean Maguire, a man with deep pain himself. Sean’s speech illustrating how Will truly lacks knowledge about the world is my favorite in the entire movie. It’s too long to quote but the essence is there’s a difference between book smart and knowledge of the real experience. My favorite line is when Sean says “You don't know about real loss, 'cause it only occurs when you've loved something more than you love yourself. And I doubt you've ever dared to love anybody that much.” I love that Sean teaches Will that life will have bad times but as he tells it “You’ll have bad times, but it’ll always wake up to the good stuff you weren’t paying attention to.” I love this illustration because when I am going through rough times, I see all the good things in my life and I am able to push through. Mr. Williams played Sean with such vulnerability and passionate that you root for both him and Will.

Dead Poets Society is a story of a great teacher who inspires his students to seize the day and become greater than they ever thought they could be. This movie combines two of my loves: poetry and inspirational teachers. The poem at the center of the movie is “O Captain, My Captain!” by Walt Whitman (1865). Mr. Keating is the type of teacher who values education and not just school education but education in which someone learns and broadens their minds. Someone who learns and tries new things. Someone who says “I will” because someone else said “You can’t.” I see that passionate teaching in Mr. Williams’ performance. One of my favorite quotes is when Mr. Keating tells his students, “There’s a time for daring and there’s a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for.” This lesson is about how and when to challenge a system you deem unfair. It’s a quote that can be applied to most situations: when to act and when to wait. The students begin to realize that they don’t have to follow the paths that their parents had planned for them, that they are the masters of their own destinies. They begin to buck the system and the school’s code of “tradition, honor, discipline and excellence.” If you have never seen this movie, I highly recommend it.

I was first introduced to Good Morning, Vietnam in a high school history class. While it is a comedy, it has its dramatic moments portraying an unpopular war. Adrian Croanuer is a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio Service. One line that never fails to make me laugh is when Adrian first starts his radio show: “Goooooooood morning, Vietnam! Its 0600 hours. What does the “O” stand for? O my God, it’s early!” While Adrian is popular with the troops, he begins to annoy a couple of officers who believe that his brand of comedy and music has no place in the Armed Forces. Adrian soon learns the harsh reality of fighting in Vietnam when the enemy could be the man standing beside you. Good Morning, Vietnam was the perfect movie for Mr. Williams’ fast paced, quick witted humor while portraying a dark and difficult time in our history.

Robin Williams had so many great roles that I could probably write a book about them all. I have only highlighted a few of my top favorite. He will be forever in my heart and memories as the man of many voices who brought so much joy and laughter to others but could not overcome the darkness inside his own mind. I pray that his family finds peace in knowing that he is greatly beloved by millions and he will remain among the greats. He will be forever the Genie, Sean Maguire, Mr. Keating, Mrs. Doubtfire and the many characters he brought to life as only he could. It deeply saddens me that people do not understand how someone like him could be depressed. Depression, like cancer, can strike the rich and famous. It can strike the poor and downtrodden. It can strike anyone and at any time. It is incredibly heartbreaking that in the depth of his despair, he only saw one way. I pray that his life and legacy will lead to better understanding and education about depression that we do not have another sad ending like his.

Rest in Peace Robin Williams 1951-2014