by Laura DeNooyer | Jul 16, 2024 | Book Reviews
As a kid in the 1960s, I had great respect for my grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles. So did my friends. Overall, grandparents and their wisdom were valued. I enjoyed hearing their stories. I asked questions, wanting to learn from them. I always figured...
by Laura DeNooyer | Jul 2, 2024 | Book Reviews
Have you ever heard a grandparent’s or older person’s story and thought it should be written as a memoir or a novel? I have. And so has Gretchen Carlson, author of More Than Grit. It’s based on an event in her grandmother’s life—one her grandma kept secret for...
by Laura DeNooyer | Jun 18, 2024 | Book Reviews
We all have our favorite family recipes with the memories and nostalgia they stir in us (pun intended). I especially value the recipes my mom and grandma wrote by hand. With the world wide web and dozens of cooking websites, do people even hand write recipes on...
by Laura DeNooyer | May 20, 2024 | Book Reviews
In the early 1900s, the U.S. government pushed immigrants to assimilate into American culture. Authorities frowned upon immigrants using their native language or keeping their particular customs. Schools were taught in English; students were required to speak it. All...
by Laura DeNooyer | Apr 16, 2024 | Book Reviews
With so many World War II stories set in Europe or America, Seashells in My Pocket by Terri Wangard is a breath of fresh air—both figuratively and literally. The unique setting is Brazil. Several scenes take place on the Atlantic seashore by Recife or Natal—vivid...
