Kirjahaku

ANNA is an account of the life of Anna Marie Gamble, blending fact with fiction. The story is based on a frank and revealing memoir written by Anna at age 84 at the request of her children. The author met her when she was 96 years old while visiting his brother's wife at a convalescent facility in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The author assumes the person of his brother in telling the story. It parallels most of the chapters of Anna's memoir. The author steps out of the story for a brief interlude following Chapter Nine. The cumulative effect of Anna's travails leads him to a moment of contemplation to reflect on the cruelty and enormous problems she overcomes through faith. He is reminded of the story The Song of Bernadette by Franz Werfel and likens Anna to St. Bernadette. The story takes place in various rural areas of Pennsylvania near Scranton. As told by Anna, her family moved forty times by the time she was fourteen years old. They lived in small clapboard shacks and apartments barely habitable by humans, finally settling into a large, rented farm, where they lived until Anna left home at age 18. Ten children were born into the family, five of them having died before she was six years old. The book begins with a short preface, in Anna's words, followed by an introduction by the author. In Chapter 1, Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother, Anna recalls a hellish existence at age four, in particular, the dysfunctional relationship between her mother and father. The mother, Della Duvall, was absent from the home for long periods with no knowledge by the family of her whereabouts. The father, Daniel, was an exceptional musician and passed his talents onto his children. He often drank in excess and had an explosive temper. He was cruel to his children at times, especially Anna, who was anemic and suffered from rickets.The author takes up the story after meeting Anna at age 96. Their daily encounters are described with humor and humility. After Anna is unable to care for herself, the author moves her into the room with his wife where he can assist with her needs and ensure that she is properly cared for in her waning days. She maintains an unrelenting belief in life hereafter to the end. Anna in an inspiration to all of us.

In "Killers Can't Hide," the stakes are high, and the line between justice and political ambition blurs. Caught in the crossfire of Sheriff John Loudermilk's reelection bid and the aspirations of his ambitious deputy, Harlan Haynes, Delbert Cantrell finds himself in a race against time to prove his innocence. With the local authorities more concerned with closing the case quickly than uncovering the truth, Cantrell takes matters into his own hands.Enter Sydney Saperstein, a seasoned attorney, and Isadore Holt, a sharp-witted detective. Together, they form an unlikely alliance determined to unearth the secrets buried beneath the surface of Maysville. From the backstreets of Mississippi to the deserts of the southwest USA, their investigation unravels a web of corruption and deceit that threatens to tear the town apart.As Cantrell and Holt delve deeper into the case, they uncover a sinister campaign to unseat the Sheriff Loudermilk and expose the dark underbelly of Maysville. But with danger lurking around every corner, they must rely on their wit and determination to see justice served."Killers Can't Hide" is a gripping murder mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the final page. With twists and turns aplenty, this tale of intrigue and deception is sure to captivate audiences from start to finish.If you enjoyed the suspense of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, you will also love this book.

"The Adventures of Faraday Fox" is an incredible journey of a brave red fox as he travels across the United States of America, from Dahlonega, Georgia, to Port Orchard, Washington. Orphaned as a baby, Faraday is domesticated by Shirley. When he is ready, he is released into the Cherokee National Forest in hopes he will find a new home with the forest animals. After a while, he decides he wants the life he knows and loves with Shirley and embarks on a quest to return home. But which way is home? Thinking he would eventually catch a ride back to his home in Georgia, he makes his way across the U.S.A. by walking, hitching rides in the baggage compartment of a bus, the back of a McDonald's trailer truck, and in a boxcar. Along his travels to America's cities, he faces perils, makes friends, and shares stories and adventures. He finally reaches Monterey, California, where he finds Shirley on vacation with her daughter-in-law, Vissy. Now happy again, Faraday travels with his new family to Port Orchard, Washington, to live out his life with Vissy, Mike, and their granddaughter, Charlie. This book is perfect for readers seven to twelve years old and older who will enjoy following Faraday's heartwarming and thrilling journey. Shirley Adams's beautiful interior images make this book a special treat. If you enjoyed books like "The Cricket in Times Square" by George Selden, you will love "The Adventures of Faraday Fox."

Corners of My Mind is a captivating collection of American short stories that promises to be the ideal companion for your next flight or bedtime routine. This eclectic assortment of tales delves into the lives of ordinary people who find themselves thrust into extraordinary situations, weaving a rich tapestry of human experience.Within these pages, master storyteller Travis Short draws upon a vast array of sources-his own life, the lives of those around him, and flights of imagination. Each story emerges from a unique spark, be it a vivid dream, a fleeting conversation, or an evocative image. From soldiers and preachers to lonely women and even talking dogs, the characters in Corners of My Mind are as diverse as the stories themselves.In "Old Men Cry Too Easily," readers are introduced to Jacob Monroe, whose seventy-sixth birthday is overshadowed by the haze of Alzheimer's, blurring the lines between celebration and reality. "Trimming Trees for God" unfolds the tale of a radio minister whose charisma ensnares an agnostic listener, leading to a dramatic personal upheaval when the listener's wife leaves him for the pastor. In "Lap Dance" reveals the heartbreak of a widower who is swindled out of his life savings by a seductive pole dancer. "Extra Extra Read All About It," a headline provides an unexpected lifeline to a man caught in the throes of infidelity. "In from the Cold" tells of a young soldier abandoned on a frigid North Korean mountain after escaping an abusive home life. Meanwhile, "Julius the Talking Dog" features a canine with remarkable intellect who converses with his master about the Tibetan concept of transference, while maintaining a peculiar silence around everyone else.Each story in Corners of My Mind is imbued with unexpected twists and poignant moments that linger long after the last page is turned. Dive into this collection for a journey through the surprising and often profound corners of the human experience.