Turn The Page ... Tuesday

The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion

From Amazon: "Mrs. Sookie Poole of Point Clear, Alabama, has just married off the last of her daughters and is looking forward to relaxing and perhaps traveling with her husband, Earle. The only thing left to contend with is her mother, the formidable Lenore Simmons Krackenberry. Lenore may be a lot of fun for other people, but is, for the most part, an overbearing presence for her daughter. Then one day, quite by accident, Sookie discovers a secret about her mother’s past that knocks her for a loop and suddenly calls into question everything she ever thought she knew about herself, her family, and her future. Sookie begins a search for answers that takes her to California, the Midwest, and back in time, to the 1940s, when an irrepressible woman named Fritzi takes on the job of running her family’s filling station. Soon truck drivers are changing their routes to fill up at the All-Girl Filling Station. Then, Fritzi sees an opportunity for an even more groundbreaking adventure. As Sookie learns about the adventures of the girls at the All-Girl Filling Station, she finds herself with new inspiration for her own life. Fabulous, fun-filled, spanning decades and generations, and centered on a little-known aspect of America’s twentieth-century story, The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion is another irresistible novel by the remarkable Fannie Flagg."

Yo! Adrienne Says: I thought this book was a hoot. Definitely an easy and enjoyable read. Add this to your list dear readers ...

The Shoemaker's Wife

From Amazon: "The fateful first meeting of Enza and Ciro takes place amid the haunting majesty of the Italian Alps at the turn of the last century. Still teenagers, they are separated when Ciro is banished from his village and sent to hide in New York's Little Italy, apprenticed to a shoemaker, leaving a bereft Enza behind. But when her own family faces disaster, she, too, is forced to emigrate to America. Though destiny will reunite the star-crossed lovers, it will, just as abruptly, separate them once again - sending Ciro off to serve in World War I, while Enza is drawn into the glamorous world of the opera . . . and into the life of the international singing sensation Enrico Caruso. Still, Enza and Ciro have been touched by fate - and, ultimately, the power of their love will change their lives forever. A riveting historical epic of love and family, war and loss, risk and destiny, inspired by the author's own family history, The Shoemaker's Wife is the novel Adriana Trigiani was born to write."

Yo! Adrienne says: Love at first sight? Tragedy? Destiny? This book as it all ... and I loved every bit of it. Another one to put in the pile if you haven't read it already.

The Station Master 

If you have been following along you might remember that I have been working my way through this translated short stories book. The latest being Kyara. This nugget was a fascinating look into the world of women's fashion. The main characters were a beautiful boutique owner and one of her clothing suppliers. Like the other stories in The Stationmaster there is no real plot - just a story of someones life. They are interesting reads that offer a bit of insight into the Japanese culture. If you liked reading outside of your "comfort zone" I suggest this collection for a bit of interest. 

Mere Christianity

From Amazon: In 1943 Great Britain, when hope and the moral fabric of society were threatened by the relentless inhumanity of global war, an Oxford don was invited to give a series of radio lectures addressing the central issues of Christianity. Over half a century after the original lectures, the topic retains it urgency. Expanded into book form, Mere Christianity never flinches as it sets out a rational basis for Christianity and builds an edifice of compassionate morality atop this foundation. As Mr. Lewis clearly demonstrates, Christianity is not a religion of flitting angels and blind faith, but of free will, an innate sense of justice and the grace of God. "

Yo! Adrienne says: My book club "Wine Women and the Word" took the summer to read this and discuss last month. I had never read C.S. Lewis aside from "The Chronicles" and was excited and nervous to delve in. I really, really loved this book. I think it is perfect to read wether you have been a Christian for as long as you can remember or just curious/questioning. Lewis is so matter of fact and I  relate to that. He just states it as it is without any fluff. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.