The card I received from Debbie

I got a recipe for what look to be scrumptious cranberry oat bars.

 It was printed on the back of this card featuring an adorable holiday kitten.

An Invisible Thread: The true story of the bond between a harried sales executive an eleven-year-old panhandler and an unlikely meeting with destiny

I devoured this book in 2 days. Not only was it a nice change of pace from the dark novels I've been reading, but it was an amazing story of 2 people whose 'chance' meeting seems predestined. Although completely different in almost all ways, Laura (a white female 30-something Manhattan executive) & Maurice (a black & nearly homeless boy) develop a friendship that has survived for 30 years. Laura provides Maurice with safety, consistency and nonjudgmental love until he is in his late teens. Then she gets married and moves away, and Maurice is on his own. He has learned street survival skills but also has learned the difference between right and wrong, and despite some poor choices he matures into a good man. She feels remorse for feeling like she abandoned him and he is embarrassed because he thinks he disappointed her, but they do reunite after a few years.

Throughout the book we learn how he overcame growing up in his dysfunctional, criminal, addicted family and his desperate living conditions, and about how Laura survived growing up with her dysfunctional, violent, alcoholic father. "Resilient" is the word I would use to describe these 2 people, and even through their disappointment with each other, the bond of trust and affection was never completely broken.

I don't think it's a spoiler alert to suggest that, if you like having a picture of the characters in your head while you are reading, go to the pictures at the end of the book (they were at the end on Kindle) and see them throughout the years - or just check out a few pictures at a time as the timeline plays out!

When You’re Not Feeling Well

What better company than a good book and a cute kitty? I’ve been home the last couple of days and have been reading Commonwealth by Ann Patchet. This book made quite a few lists for books to read in 2016.

It is the story of two families connected by divorce – blended families, step siblings – covering almost 60 years. It goes back and forth in time, although I think this is handled pretty well. I’m not sure about that. If I was having to read this in 20-minute installments just before sleep each night, I don’t know if I could keep everything straight. But, I read it in just a couple of days while I was home sick.

Even though I couldn’t relate to the blended family situation, I thought the characters were distinct, well-drawn, and interesting. We get to know the children by observing them, from what their siblings say about them, and from what their siblings say about them once they’re grown. Life takes them in many different directions. The relationships pull apart and come back together.

The only other book by Ann Patchet that I’ve read is State of Wonder, which we read for book club. Although that was fantastical, I remember it as being readable and compelling. In  Commonwealth, she takes on ordinary life. I again found her writing enjoyable to read and the book (and this kitty) was good company while I was under the weather.