"The Honk and Holler Opening Soon," by Billie Letts

 "The Honk and Holler Opening Soon," by Billie Letts

Caney Paxton wanted his cafe to have the biggest and brightest sign in Eastern Oklahoma-the "opening soon" part was supposed to be just a removable, painted notice. But a fateful misunderstanding gave Vietnam vet Caney the flashiest joke in the entire state. Twelve years later, the once-busy highway is dead and the sign is as worn as Caney, who hasn't ventured outside the diner since it opened. Then one blustery December day, a thirtyish Crow woman blows in with a three-legged dog in her arms and a long-buried secret on her mind. Hiring on as a carhop, Vena Takes Horse is soon shaking up business, the locals, and Caney's heart...as she teaches them all about generosity of spirit, love, and the possibility of promise-just like the sign says.

This is such a great story.  Full of many characters, all quirky in their own way and each one interesting in a different way.  The way the story is told, you don't get confused with all their individual stories, like you do in other books when there is a big cast of characters.

You know each one isn't perfect but they all care about one another despite not being related.  The way the author describes everything and everyone, you can see it all so clearly in your own mind's eye.  The Honk and Holler is the hub and the safe place for all the characters in the book.  I am sure there are many of these small town diner's dotted all over the country.

Stars out of 5 : 5  This story gets you hooked right away.  I needed to know what happens next and the author keeps things moving along at a fast pace.  This is my first book I have read by this author and I don't think it will be my last.

I purchased this book for my own enjoyment and the book review is all my own words.

"The Dressmaker of Khair Khana," by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

 "The Dressmaker of Khair Khana," by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Former ABC journalist Gayle Tzemach Lemmon tells the riveting true story of Kamila Sidiqi and other women of Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban’s fearful rise to power. In what Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, calls “one of the most inspiring books I have ever read,” Lemmon recounts with novelistic vividness the true story of a fearless young woman who not only reinvented herself as an entrepreneur to save her family but, in the face of ferocious opposition, brought hope to the lives of dozens of women in war-torn Kabul.

This book is the true story of how the Sidiqi sisters survived and prospered against all odds when the Taliban took over Afghanistan when the Russians left in 1992 .  It shows despite being forced to give up jobs and being unfairly restricted on what they could or could not do, they were able to start a business and survive when many were starving and/or fleeing the country.

What they did though was not without great danger, that could have put their whole family at risk.  In fact there were a couple of times in the book that you were sitting on the edge of your seat wondering what would happen next.  Kamila proved to be a very level headed entrepreneurial woman who figured out how to make the best of a terrible situation.  She was also a kind hearted woman who wanted to help other women out as well.  

Between her and her sisters they helped many other women earn money to help their own families.  This books ends in 2002 when the Taliban left Afghanistan when the Americans took over.  What would be interesting now would be to see what these sisters are doing now in 2024 with the Taliban back in power?

Stars out of 5 : 4 This was an interesting read and an insight to what it was like to live in Afghanistan as a woman.  It did make you realize how lucky I am as a woman that I can do what I want when I want without asking permission from a male member of the household.  I am glad I read the book and would like to read Gayle's other book called Ashley's War again set in Afghanistan.  She has also released a book called The Daughter's of Kobani which also looks good and is set in Syria.

These are my own words and I purchased this book for myself.

"Lyrebird by Cecelia Ahern"

 "Lyrebird by Cecelia Ahern"

In the south-west of Ireland, rugged mountains meet bright blue lakes and thick forests. Deep in the woods, a young woman lives alone, forever secluded from the world, her life a well-kept secret. She possesses an extraordinary talent, the likes of which no-one has seen before: a gift that will earn her the nickname Lyrebird.

When Solomon stumbles into Laura’s solitary existence, her life is turned on its head. Pulled from her peaceful landscape to the cacophony of Dublin, she is confronted by a world desperate to understand her.

But while Solomon knows the world will embrace Laura, will it free her to spread her wings – or will it trap her in a gilded cage? Like all wild birds, she needs to fly free…

Lyrebird is a thoughtful, deeply moving love story; a story of the wild heart in us all and the quiet that lies underneath the world’s noise.

This book was chosen by the book club my mother attends in the UK.  Honestly it wouldn't be one I would have chosen for myself, but I am glad I read it.

This is a story of Laura who for all her life has lived in a solitary world, with very little contact with the outside world.  Through no fault of her own she is pushed into the spotlight and the world of showbusiness.  What happens next is in parts inevitable and is a lesson which everyone in her world learns the hard way.

I felt sad for most of this book knowing what was happening to Laura, I just wanted to pluck her out of the city and plop her back into her country cottage where she is the happiest.  She has people on her side, but first she has to get away from the others, who are trying "to help her."  Though in reality they are helping themselves more.

Meanwhile there is a complicated love story and an even more complicated back story to explore.

Stars out of 5 : 4 It's a different story, that's for sure.  It always amazes me the depth of authors imaginations when it comes to developing book ideas.  I am glad I read this book.  As I said at the beginning of this review, this would not be a book I would have personally chosen.

This book was borrowed from the library and the review are my own thoughts.