Ink on His Fingers, by Louise A. Vernon
49/30 | Started 10.27.22 • Finished 12.01.22
Not sure how much of the meat is true, but the story is about a boy apprenticing for Johann Gutenberg. It shows that Gutenberg was more interested in the beauty of the replication of the Bible than just its mass production. And that God provided for him when his resources were taken away. Easy enough to follow and a good read aloud.
The River, by Peter Heller
48/30 | Started 11.08.22 • Finished 11.21.22 | 4 stars
Having previously read Peter Heller, I figured I would enjoy this right off the bat. It did not disappoint.
There’s always relief in committing to a decision, even when there’s no choice.
This thriller is set in northern Canada, where we find two friends embarking on a trip along the Maskwa River. The two outdoorsmen, Wynn and Jack, made fast friends during freshman orientation and are skipping out on a semester to make this dream of a journey. Things quickly turn south when they realize a wild fire is fast approaching. There's also the introduction of a suspicious verbal argument heard on shore, and two inebriated men in another boat. I can't share more than that without giving the story away.
The night was pitch, but Wynn could feel that the sky was moving overhead, scraping the treetops.
I really loved the story-telling in this novel, from the insights into Wynn and Jack's past, to the moment-by-moment on the river. Everything that Wynn and Jack do is completely believable, as is everything that happens to them. It doesn't seem far fetched at all, unlike some other novels I've read recently. There is some darkness about, but it didn't bother me. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a slow burn of a thriller.
He heard a loon call, piercing and forlorn, and it poured into his spirit like cool water.
Lulu and the Dog from the Sea, by Hilary McKay
47/30 | Started 11.03.22 • Finished 11.16.22
Another story Carolyn really enjoyed. She was a big fan of the illustrations and liked the dog from the sea and the kite and the cottage owner (I think because I gave her a voice). Cute story.