Book Vault

Imagine being one of thousands of impoverished Northern European immigrants living on the Dakota prairies in 1888. On January 12 of that year, during a grueling winter, families awaken to a balmy, unusually mild, spring-like day. Children are sent back to school. Much needed errands away from the farmstead are made. Before the day is over, weather conditions change dramatically. People away from home, especially the children, are caught in a disastrous blizzard. Laskin captures the brutal, heart breaking chapter in American history. I'll never complain about weather alerts again. Highly recommended.

In Freedom, Jonathan Franzen tells the story of a multi-generational family, each struggling to make sense of their own life as well as their relationships with each other and significant others. Through Franzen's descriptions and the voice of each character, the reader is drawn to each person, wanting to understand them better. A book that is funny, moving, and thought provoking. Glad it was on my bookstand to return to.