Books that make you go hmmm?

Contributed by Jane Borcherding, Hive Overland Park

As an avid reader, when a book comes along that sticks with you such as an unusual storyline or it causes you to reflect on your own life, maybe in some cases you really connect with the characters in which you find yourself cheering them along that way- then it is a story worth recommending.  All three of the books did just that in one way or another.  A memoir about an opioid addict and a historical fiction set in the dust bowl are books I generally shy away from, but alas they came highly recommended to me.  I’m so thankful they did!  They had me laughing, yelling and crying!  The third book is a modern-day time traveler- sliding doors story line- no hesitation on reading this one.  With these broad range of titles- there is so much character perseverance, unique friendships and inspiration that I hope you sit back, enjoy them. These books will make go hmmm? Happy Reading!T

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The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin. 

This autobiography really drives home how the pressures around us to be supermom can easily spiral out of control when you feel you can’t ask for help. Hardin tells her very humbling story of being a soccer mom, living in a nice suburban cul-de-sac, becoming an opioid addict then getting thrown into jail, which has an entirely unique class system.  This glimpse into the prison system and how it works against those that are really trying to restart their lives will have you ready to write to your local representatives. With the hope and determination to be reunited with her children, Lara claws her way through, even though at times it seems it takes three steps back to move one forward.  A beautiful, well written memoir on how a mother’s love, perseverance and self-forgiveness can be a saving grace for redemption.

West with Giraffes, by Lynda Rutledge

This book takes you on a historical adventure with 2 giraffes who survived a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic, Woodrow Wilson Nickle who is a migrant worker fresh out of the dust bowl and a grumpy old man that oversees the care and transport of the animals.  Beginning in New York, their destination is the San Diego Zoo, which at that time had the first female director. The story unfolds with Woody, now 105 years old, desperately needing to reveal his journey with “Wild boy” & “Wild Girl” so many years ago as he drove them to their new home.  Weaving actual events and real-life figures with fiction, Rutledge creates an epic coming of age tale on the bonds that can form with animals, the kindness of strangers and how it can change a person, especially over a long period of time.  Not only is this story action packed, to the point you can’t put the book down, but also full of tender-hearted moments that will have you reaching for a Kleenex.  Enjoy this ride as it is a very bumpy one!

The Memo by Rachel Dodes and Lauren Mechling

This light, fun and somewhat chaotic read will give you pause on the question -what if you could go back in time and change a few choices in your life? Would you?  Jenny Green gets that chance.  Her life is a mess and she finds herself feeling on the outside at her college reunion, with so many successful friends. It’s as though she missed the memo to success. When Jenny is offered a memo with a blueprint for making all the right choices, she has a second chance to rewrite her past. With a clever way to time travel, Jenny bounces between the past and present to change her life, but what will it cost her? This is a fast paced read with a lot to ponder on friendship, how to gracefully move past mistakes or mishaps, what it means to be truly happy, ambition, and philosophical thought on free will, and the importance of appreciating the people around you.