Book Review: My Parents' Marriage by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond

 

I heard Nana read aloud a passage from My Parents' Marriage in a writing group I belong to, and my first thoughts were “The writing is so beautiful” and “I have to read this novel.” When the novel was published, I read it quickly because the plot was engrossing and the writing lyrical.

One theme in the novel is plural marriage. Because I know several women who have had their lives affected by plural marriage, I wanted to find out how Nana handled it in her book. She explored the pain and reverberating effects of plural marriages on the wives and their children with deftness and compassion. In the end, I enjoyed this novel and I came away from it a changed person.

A five-star read.

 Here’s the novel’s blurb:

 Determined to avoid the pain and instability of her parents’ turbulent, confusing marriage, Kokui marries a man far different from her loving, philandering, self-made father—and tries to be a different kind of wife from her mother.

 But when Kokui and her husband leave Ghana to make a new life for themselves in America, she finds history repeating itself. Her marriage failing, she is called home to Ghana when her father dies. Back in her childhood home, which feels both familiar and discomforting, she comes to realize that to exorcize the ghosts of her parents’ marriage she must confront them to enable her healing.

 Tender and illuminating, warm and bittersweet My Parents’ Marriage is a compelling story of family, community, class, and self-identity from an author with deep empathy and a generous heart.

Snow!

Earlier this week, I woke up to beauty on the other side of my bedroom window. 

(As former New Englanders, we love the snow and don't mind it doesn't happen too often.)

 

Thanksgiving Day! We didn't have any children or grandchildren home for the holiday--they're coming at Christmas. But we did have a lovely mix of relatives and people who feel like relatives. 

Book Review: I Worked Hard on That!

I've read a LOT of children's books over the years—everything from Tikki Tikki Tembo to The Stinky Cheese Man to Dr. Suess’s poem “The Pale Green Pants.” So, I thought there weren't any new ideas left in children’s books. But Robyn Wall proved me wrong. Her new children’s book I Worked Hard on That! takes the reader on a delightful journey with a spider named Kiara as she spins her webs and learns about beauty and creativity. 

When I began writing, I wish I’d known how the journey of creativity goes. How each experiment in making something new leads you on an exploration that hones your skills and voice. But don’t think the creativity journey is only for writers and artists. The same principles apply to writing a mathematics proof, programming, even engineering.

And  I must mention the illustrations by A.N. Kang are gorgeous—they tell the story in pictures as Kiara’s webs grow more beautiful along the way.  

 I’d encourage you to pick up this book for a child you love. Or, buy it for yourself--you’ll love it. 

Autumnal Flowers

 

I love autumn flowers. They are bright and beautiful when most plants have gone to sleep. When the trees follow suit, the air is pink. A hint of the spring to come. (These are blooming in my garden.)

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Awareness

 May is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Awareness Month. As someone with this rare genetic disease, I want to do my part so more people are aware of it. I hope someone will see these photos and say, "Hey, I can do that" and won't wait decades, getting sicker and sicker, before they are diagnosed.

This is one of many EDS "party tricks."
If you cover my pants with your hand, my head looks like it's on backward.

Cute EDS Awareness t-shirt.

This is the EDS "gang sign.
Take your thumb and touch your forearm