by Ann Marie Stewart | Nov 17, 2017 | Encouragement, Faith, Family, Marriage, Parenting, Relationships, Teaching
As the cast of Oklahoma! danced “The Farmer and the Cowman,” blonde-haired Henry strutted his toddler self, wearing a cowboy hat and boots, just like his dad, the cowboy lead. His baby sister Gracie clapped in time to the boisterous music. Henry had adored Seussical...
by Ann Marie Stewart | Nov 12, 2017 | Book Clubs, Encouragement, Writing
ON THE MORNING I was supposed to fly to Nashville, I awakened at 2:40 am with a piercing double ear infection. Stars in the Grass was a Christy finalist for Best Debut Novel and the Awards Gala was that night; but after googling AIR TRAVEL and EAR INFECTIONS, my trip...
by Ann Marie Stewart | Oct 10, 2017 | Encouragement, Family, Marriage, Parenting, Relationships
The counselor loaded the first and second grade campers on the back of the hay truck. They were done with the games near the lake and were headed to yet another adventure on the 630 acres of camp. He was about to board when the tractor popped out of gear, heading...
by Ann Marie Stewart | Sep 4, 2017 | Ann's Book Reviews, Book Clubs
Six books to fall for! Bellwether books worth your time to read, each readeemables. 1. THE STORY KEEPER is a mysterious author whom Jenn Gibbs must find or her new job may soon be her old. Jenn finds herself in the mistaken possession of a treasured book from the...
by Ann Marie Stewart | Jul 11, 2017 | Ann's Book Reviews, Book Clubs, Encouragement, Marriage
IT TOOK ME 85 minutes to read Irish filmmaker Simon Fitzmaurice’s 165-page memoir of living with ALS. His story was especially powerful because in 2012 the best man, Paul, in our wedding died of ALS. It’s Not Yet Dark reminds us all that a death sentence can teach a...
by Ann Marie Stewart | Mar 15, 2017 | Ann's Book Reviews, Book Clubs, Family, Marriage, Parenting, Relationships
I liked my Life. Actually, it sure seemed like Maddy did. So why did she kill herself? That’s the question her husband Brady and seventeen-year old daughter Eve wrestle with in Abby Fabiaschi’s smashing newly released debut novel. On a snowday in March, I quickly...
by Ann Marie Stewart | Mar 14, 2017 | Ann's Book Reviews, Book Clubs
I am drawn to books that connect with what is happening in the world today. But how does The Postmistress, a WW2 novel set in 1940-1941, help us understand 2017? The premise begins with war-time reporter Frankie Bard asking, “What would you think of a postmistress who...
by Ann Marie Stewart | Jan 8, 2017 | Ann's Book Reviews, Book Clubs, Relationships
Finish this sentence: I AM ___________. If you are white, you probably didn’t write that. “Why not? Because it’s a given. It’s identity that is taken for granted,” the defense attorney not only states that to the jury in Jodi Picoult’s latest novel Small Great...
by Ann Marie Stewart | Oct 30, 2016 | Ann's Book Reviews, Book Clubs
I’ve been reading — a lot. I just haven’t found super amazing bellwether books. So I’m sharing some good books, some of which would be bellwethers if I hadn’t already reviewed so many WW2 novels. Here’s a potluck of potential reads in order of my favorites....
by Ann Marie Stewart | Sep 14, 2016 | Ann's Book Reviews, Book Clubs
Of the many WW2 books I’ve been reading lately: Secrets She Kept, All the Light We Cannot See, and The Nightingale, Salt to the Sea (debuted at #2 on NY Times bestseller list) may be one of my favorites. Though this true tragedy about refugees fleeing an advancing...
