Monday Moments - Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

 Can Love Make a Broken Person Whole?  (inside blurb)

Hello Beautiful is a gloriously written book by Ann Napolitano.  I had so many markers I can't list them all. Her writing and characters are brilliant. 

William Waters was stifled as a child. He always felt he should not have lived - his sister who died as a toddler should have carried on. And sadly, his parents conveyed that message.  He shrunk and ultimately was disowned. He got a farewell check of $10K. That was it. 

He fell for Julia Padavano in college. He  got her and three sisters ( twins Emeline and Cecelia, and just glorious golden Sylvie)  and was overwhelmed by the love and commitment.  Julia was ambitious and kept moving forward.  It was too much.  He gave up his wife and daughter (Alice)  since he felt he was too damaged. 

This story moves back and forward with the whole family.  Key blurb - Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most?  

OMG.  It all pulls together.  Have tissues ready for the grand  finale.  This blog is not  big enough to quote wonderful words. I loved the writing, the characters, and this book.   Please join me in enjoying a work of word art.  

Monday - Makes One Think About Life

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano will stick with me for a long time. This poignant tale of a twelve-year-old and his life turned upside down is well executed, written, and very touching. 

Edward, his older brother, his parents, and 183 other passengers board a flight from Newark to LA. A Colorado crash leaves Edward as the only survivor. He becomes That Boy and has to learn to live again. 

First he has to physically heal. The mental healing - will it ever end? In alternating chapters, the author gives us the family dynamic on the plane, as well as letting us meet other passengers. And then the anchor chapters are Edward's adjustment to living with his aunt and uncle, gaining a best friend in the odd neighbor girl, Shay, dealing with school, camp, plus the pressure of being "famous" and being approached by strangers in person and by letters. 

How does Edward resolve his life as he gets a bit older? What does he want to do with insurance money? How can he perhaps help other lost souls?  Lots of questions to make one think about ones own life.

  Dear Edward is a quiet gem of a book. Well done.