Book Review- Alice Bliss

If you have begun to read this post, and have not yet read this book, I will be here when you get back but first, open up a new page by clicking on this nice little book link to the left and order it, go to your library and request it (but you will end up wanting to have it on hand anyway for keeps) or download it to your fun little technological reading machines.

 I want you to know that I do not get paid to do this book club, nor do I get any benefit from my book reviews, so I am completely honest, I won't tell you to go out and purchase something if I think it should be in yesterdays trash....so when one like this comes along and I say read it...I mean that you will be missing out on a little treasure if you don't. I simply love reading, and do lots of it, and dearest Ms. Harrington, you have absolutely knocked this one out of the park. Congratulations.

This is a story about a young middle school aged girl, who has a daddy that deploys with the Guard, a younger sister and a mom that goes a little off the rocker trying to adjust to life without her spouse. (I think we have all had those moments...) so she finds herself trying to tackle her coming of age and keeping a family afloat all while juggling the emotions of her daddy, her hero being gone. It is a very honest portrayal of the views from a childs eyes, one that I myself have often forgotten to consider at times. My favorite thing about it is that if it were not for a few references like IPODS and certain cars, this book could have perfectly taken place 50 years ago, or in todays day. It was wonderfully detailed and painted one of the clearest pictures yet.

Here's the next best part. It does not matter if you were a military child, parent, or have absolutely no military affiliation...any person that has a relationship with their father or has gone thru those awkward early teen years can find worlds of appreciation here. (And in my case, a few walks down memory lane, and an instant need to strengthen the relationship with my own dad and call just to say I love you)

There were crushes, crazy family members, raw emotion and all the other things you need for a great page turner. After I had already begun the book, I was pleased to learn that though it has just come out this Summer, it earned rave reviews from many places including PEOPLE magazine. (And now, Army Wife Network!)

My reading it as an Army wife had me relating to Mrs. Bliss, however, it also tugged me back to my youth at the same time. There are the staples that would have anyone reaching for the tissues, and then some details that maybe only us military spouses might tear up at.....then again during deployment, I could tear up at spilled milk (don't cry over spilled milk.....yeah right, talk to someone enduring deployment when emotions are at a high point and tears flow at the most random times). This is overall, the tale or a father and daughter and their love and respect for one another.

I feel comfortable saying that this has been one of the best books I have read this year and I will sing its praises. I am warning you, shocker, do not have any mascara on because there are times where you will find yourself misting up...at least I did. I am so thankful that I had the chance to read it before many people did, and I hope so much that you will add this one to your collection, you may go back to it in a few years and read it with a totally different viewpoint then you do right now or you may lend it to an Army sister/brother that you meet along your journey.

I look very forward to hearing about your opinions of this one....

Happy Reading!