The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor

This was recommended by a long-time friend's mother who is especially interested in Ireland (because they're Irish) and the Titanic. This was a fascinating perspective of the Titanic disaster of 1912. It follows an Irish teenage girl named Maggie Murphy and a group of fellow travelers from her parish as they embark on the Titanic headed for America. She is one of only 2 survivors of her companions. The story is told partially from Maggie's time from both her and a couple others' perspectives, and Maggie's great-granddaughter's point of view.

The story of the Titanic has been told and retold countless times. It is a tragedy that has captured the attention of generations. The Girl Who Came Home was told in a fresh and heartfelt way. I connected with Maggie and her great-granddaughter. I was so concerned with who was going to survive and so heartbroken that most did not. It is truly a tragic story and this book will make you experience some of the emotions felt by the world as they experienced the sinking of that great ship.

If you enjoy historical fiction you will love this book. It was a little slow in parts, but perhaps that's just because I knew the climax I was waiting for. Good read!

4 out of 5 stars

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

I have been neglecting this blog. I've started a new one that will hopefully result in a little extra bling (fingers crossed!) but I will try to keep this one updated with the books I read on the side.

I read The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, probably 6 months ago or more, so the specific details are fuzzy. The main character is a ward of the state who has gone from foster home to foster home until turning 18. Unable and unwilling to get a job, she spends her nights sleeping in a local park across the street from a flower shop. Her one true passion is flowers and the hidden language they possess. After convincing the shop owner of her knowledge and skill, she gets a job doing what she loves and eventually opens up her own business. Things seem to be going well, but she is unable to get over the demons of her past. Can she learn to love when she has never felt loved by anyone in her life?

Good story, interesting to learn about flowers. I got irritated with the main character because she kept making choices that I felt were either irresponsible or totally contrary to her overall well-being. But I enjoyed the book and would recommend it!

4 out of 5 stars