The Book Addict
First, I must confess I’m a book addict. I can’t walk by a display of books without picking one up. My “to-be-read” list will outlive me. Not only did I start reading early, but I found my love of reading at a very young age (thank you Curious George!). We lived just 3 blocks from a public library, and it was on my way home from school every day. I remember my mom telling me to “put a couple back for other kids to read”. I have always had a teetering pile of books handy.
There were only two periods in my life when I wasn’t “reading” – in college and then during my Master’s degree program. When I finished my Master’s, I spent the entire summer chewing up ‘fluffy’ books – the kind that are fun to read but don’t take much thought.
Book Lovers Unite
I think there must be a vibe that book lovers send out, one that gravitates other book lovers to them. I’m blessed to be surrounded by great girlfriends who love to read. We all have such different tastes. One loves Sci-Fi, one true crime, one bios and autobios, one YA fantasy, and one will read anything she can get (she’s most like me). We attempted a book club once, just a great group of friends who love to read. We had no assignments, no requirement to finish a book, and an opt-out if we truly did not want to read something. It didn’t last long….we were too wrapped up in the food and wine that accompanied, and never actually discussed the books! Wine lovers tend to gravitate together too, don’t they?
Books Make Great Gifts
I think books make terrific gifts for anybody, young or old, and I’m constantly on the hunt. I’ve torn more book lists and review out of newspapers and magazines than you can shake a stick at (my apologies to waiting rooms everywhere), I flag them online, and I have a Pinterest board just for books. It’s always book-giving season in my mind.
The summer I finished my Master’s degree, I stumbled upon Moon Over Madeline Island by Jay Gilbertson. What attracted me to it was “Madeline Island,” which is located within the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior, a breathtaking area of northwestern Wisconsin. When I pulled it off the shelf I just loved the snappy cover. It LOOKED like it would be fun to read. I found that to be an understatement!
The Storyline
“Moon” begins the story of Eve and Ruby, two jaunty, fun-loving friends from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It follows their life-changing decision to move to Ruby’s “cabin” on Madeline Island. It’s a story about friendship, adventure, bad hair color, duck boats, love and loss. It’s sure to grab your heart. Gilbertson’s ability to paint a vivid picture of not only his characters, but their surroundings, emotions, sights, sounds and smells really pulled me into the story. I was smack dab in the middle of their lives, laughing and crying right along with them. He is a talented author! I loved how he portrayed the unbreakable friendship between two women. As I was “living” the story, I felt my very dearest friend living it right alongside me. I could clearly see us in Eve and Ruby (our husbands already call us “Lucy & Ethel!”).
I gifted my BFF the book as a way of telling her how much she means to me. And ever since, when someone asks me for gift ideas for very dear girlfriends, I always tell them, “Get them Moon Over Madeline Island.” The best news….it’s part of a trilogy! Truth be told, I’ve read all three books so many times I’ve lost count!
I hope you enjoy Moon Over Madeline Island . Take a read and let me know what you think…Comment below; I’d love to hear from you!
