Friday Fiction Fiends #2 - Meet Brook

I asked my lovely friend Brook, who I just met but feel like I've known for a lot longer. I think that's what happens when you bond over the summer solstice. She has a lovely way of writing & if you haven't gone over to her blog yet then GO NOW! It's not only well written, but life affirming.

Without further ado, Brook's Picks.

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i have a few beat up books.

my books for life.

books that came to me.

when i needed hope.

books i now pull off the shelf when i need courage.

or a delicious re-read

or a moment to remember

the time when they spoke to me.

a time when

the characters were real

and i watched their paths

and continued walking on my own.

you see, i look for

books with strong heroines

and kind heroes.

books that wrench my insides

and calm my heart.

books that start with a sigh

and end with chills.

our family picture inspired by nancy turner's "lone tree on a hill"

these is my words by nancy turner

"to anyone who has every stood alone on a hill in a storm."

i clung to those words.

i was facing a personal storm and felt very alone.

a friend gave me these is my words.

i dog-eared the pages and stuffed it into my purse--next to my car keys, and extra diapers.

i needed it close to me.

i needed sarah infusing my blood. if she could face rattlesnakes, indian attacks, fires, and outlaws--i could certainly face getting out of bed.

daughter of the forest by juliet marillier

like sorcha, i thought i knew what i had signed up for in my personal sacrifices.

i felt my fingers bleeding from the thistles.

i hurt.

and my work was slow.

i felt displaced

and there was no end of my task in sight.

but i continued.

thinking of her.

i filled a tiny glass bowl with scratchy twine, like her thistles

to remind me

that i could do hard things.

and i did.

matched by ally condie

i remember the moment matched was placed in my hands.

i went home and read and read.

its words soothing to me.

gentle.

days before i had made hard choices.

and matched was like balm to me.

soothing me, whispering that breaking away,

making choices that spoke to my soul

would be alright.

and i looked to cassia and hoped i was brave

and right.

and i continued to push out of that bubble

in order to breathe.

and hoped that when i finally stepped out

i would be

strong.

i look for a book that will change my life.

a character that will guide my actions.

a story that encourages me to believe, to grow,

and so i take that book

and cram it in my purse, keep it on my nightstand, or hand it to a friend

and tuck its lessons into my heart.

and then i pretend to also tuck a small pistol in my apron pocket, like sarah, and i get to work.