Kate’s 2¢: “Blues in stereo: the early works of Langston Hughes, 1921-1927” by Langston Hughes  

“Blues in stereo: the early works of Langston Hughes, 1921-1927” by Langston Hughes  

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   Danez Smith did a good job of narrating this book that arrived on one cartridge from NLS.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Blues in stereo: the early works of Langston Hughes, 1921-1927 DB126089

Author: Hughes, Langston

Reading Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Danez Smith

Subjects: Poetry, Stage and Screen, African American Topics

“Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes was most well-known for his poems, novels, and plays that highlight Black American life in post-slavery America. James Mercer Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1901, in Joplin, Missouri and began writing poetry when he moved to Lincoln, Illinois. After graduating from high school, he spent a year in Mexico followed by a year at Columbia University. During this time, he worked as an assistant cook, a launderer, and a busboy. He also traveled to Africa and Europe working as a seaman before finishing his college education at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania three years later. Setting the stage for an enduring and genre-defining career, Hughes wanted to tell the stories of his people in ways that reflected their actual culture, including their love of music, laughter, and language, alongside their suffering. He began writing short pieces in his personal notebooks before seeking a home for his resonant verse. Over the course of his four-decade career, Hughes published his first book of poetry with Knopf in 1926 as well as poems with Yale University and small, grassroots literary magazines. Today, he stands as one of the greatest literary innovators. But how did this literary giant rise to such heights? Blues in Stereo zooms in on Hughes’s early work (1919-1929). National Book Award finalist Danez Smith joins as curator for this work, offering an introduction on Hughes’s lyrical, evocative, and award-winning poetry and notes on the formation of his signature style and craft. Collected from libraries and little-known publications across the country, Blues in Stereo features some of Hughes’s earliest undiscovered writings; the collection of his poems published in The Crisis, a monthly publication form the NAACP edited by W.E.B. DuBois from 1910-1934; and even an original unreleased play co-written with DuBois, complete with a full score. This beautifully rendered collection of Hughes’s early works is sure to become a bookshelf staple.”– Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

New York, NY : Hachette Book Group, 2024.

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Cudmore Libby Negative girl

“Negative girl” by Libby Cudmore

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   Libby Cudmore as Valerie and  Jay Karnes  as Martin did a good job of alternating the narration of the book. Although I didn’t appreciate the lgbtq under-current of the story, I liked the detective aspect and the numerous references to bands and their music.

Featured snippet from the web

Libby Cudmore worked in video stores, bookstores and temp agencies before settling down in Upstate New York to write. The Big Rewind is her first novel, and her short stories have appeared in PANK, The Stoneslide Corrective, The Big Click, Big Lucks, the HANZAI JAPAN anthology and others.Feb 2, 2016

She is the author of Negative Girl (Datura 2024) and The Big Rewind (William Morrow 2016) as well as the Wade & Jacks P.I. series in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and Tough.Her short fiction has appeared in The Dark, Smokelong Quarterly, Monkeybicycle, Shotgun Honey, Stone’s Throw and HAD, as well as the anthologies Mixed Up, Welcome Home, Hanzai Japan, A Beast Without a Name and Lawyers, Guns & Money: Crime Fiction Inspired By the Music of Warren Zevon (co-edited with Art Taylor).She is the 2018 recipient of the Oregon Writer’s Colony prize, the 2023 Shamus award for best P.I short story, and the 2023 Black Orchid Novella award.

She is the current co-host of the OST Party and Misbehavin’ podcasts and the former co-host of The Shattered Shield podcast, and teaches short fiction through The Writer’s Circle.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Negative girl DB127875

Author: Cudmore, Libby

Reading Time: 7 hours, 10 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Karnes, Jay

Subjects: Mystery and Detective Stories, Suspense Fiction

“Martin Wade lived hard in his youth, but unlike many of his former bandmates and roadie friends, he didn’t die young. Instead he hit the recovery path, cleaned up his life, and became a private investigator in a dying city in upstate New York. When his heavily tattooed and scarred assistant Valerie sets up an appointment with a young woman who needs help keeping her biological father away from her, none of the three realize that the father is Martin’s old bandmate, still using, and on a destructive path that will soon be headed straight for Martin’s clean life. As Martin struggles, Valerie becomes increasingly obsessed with their new client’s life.”– Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

London : Penguin Random House, 2024.

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Kate’s 2¢: “An Amish reunion four stories” by Clipston, Wiseman, Fuller, and Irvin

“An Amish reunion four stories” by Clipston, Wiseman, Fuller, and Irvin

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   Lauren Berst did a good job of reading these lovely tales about Amish life, loves, and tribulations.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

An Amish reunion: four stories DB117611

Authors: Clipston, Amy, Wiseman, Beth, Fuller, Kathleen, Irvin, Kelly

Reading Time: 9 hours, 0 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Lauren Berst

Subjects: Religious Fiction, Romance

Downloaded: 02/20/2026

“From bestselling authors in the Amish genre come four stories about reuniting with those you love. Their True Home by Amy Clipston: When Marlene Bawell moved from Bird-in-Hand ten years ago, she was in the deepest of mourning for her mother. Now they have moved back so her father can seek employment after being laid off. To help save money, Marlene works at the hardware store owned by Rudy Swarey’s father. She knew Rudy growing up and didn’t think much of him—because he was so immature! But just as she starts to realize how much Rudy has changed, her life is once again turned upside down. Will Marlene ever have a chance to find her own true home? A Reunion of Hearts by Beth Wiseman: Elizabeth and Gideon Beiler experienced one of life’s most tragic events. Unable to get past their grief, the couple abandoned their Amish faith and went in different directions, though neither could bear to formally dissolve the marriage. When their loved ones reach out to them to come home for a family reunion, Elizabeth has reason to believe that Gideon won’t be there. Gideon also thinks that Elizabeth has declined the invitation. Family and friends are rooting for them to reunite, but will it all be enough for Elizabeth and Gideon to get past their grief and recapture a time when they were in love and had a bright future ahead of them? A Chance to Remember by Kathleen Fuller: Cevilla Schlabach, Birch Creek’s resident octogenarian matchmaker, is surprised when Richard, a man from her Englisch past, arrives in Birch Creek for a visit. While he and Cevilla take several walks down memory lane, they wonder what the future holds for them at this stage of life—friendship, or the possibility of something else? Mended Hearts by Kelly Irvin: At eighteen Hannah Kauffman made a terrible mistake. Her parents and members of her Jamesport Amish community say they’ve forgiven her. But she feels their eyes following her everywhere she goes with eighteen-month-old Molly. Thaddeus, Molly’s father, escaped this fate by running away to Jamesport. Now that Thaddeus is gone, Hannah’s old friend Phillip is stepping up to be by her side. He has waited patiently for Hannah to realize just how much he cares for her. But when Thaddeus returns after two years, Hannah can’t deny the love she feels for him. Does the fact that Phillip has waited patiently for her all this time mean that she owes him something? Can she trust either one of them? Can she trust herself? She has repented and been forgiven by the One who is most important—her heavenly Father. But is she willing to risk making more mistakes by opening herself up to love?” — Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

[Grand Rapids, Michigan] : Zondervan, [2019]

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Kate’s 2¢: “Eggshells” by Caitriona Lally

“Eggshells” by Caitriona Lally

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   Alana Kerr Collins did a good job reading this unusual story based on Irish culture. In among the weirdness are some very funny comments or observations.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Caitríona Lally is an Irish writer. She has published two novels: Eggshells (2017) and Wunderland (2021).[1] In 2018 she was awarded the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature.[2]

Biography[edit]

Lally studied English literature at Trinity College Dublin.[3] After graduating in 2004, she taught English in Japan and spent time travelling abroad. She then worked as a copywriter, and as a home aide in New York.

Lally began work on her first novel Eggshells in 2011, during a period of unemployment.[4] Eggshells tells the story of Vivian, an enchanting outsider who believes herself to be a changeling[5] and roams the streets of Dublin in search of belonging. The book explores ideas of home and the meaning of society. Lally worked on Eggshells while working a job in data entry. She entered the manuscript into the 2014 Novel Fair Competition held by the Irish Writers Centre in Dublin,[6] and won the chance to pitch it to agents and publishers. The opportunity secured her an agent and a book deal, and the novel was published in 2015.[4] Eggshells was shortlisted for the Newcomer Award at the 2015 Irish Book Awards and the Kate O’Brien Debut Novel Award. In 2015, Lally received a Literature Bursary from the Arts Council, which enabled her to start research for her second novel.[7]

She performed a spoken word piece in the 2016 Dublin Port project Starboard Home.[8]

Wunderland was published in September 2021. It follows Roy, exiled from Ireland to Hamburg, where he works as a cleaner at an exhibition of miniatures. On writing the novel, Lally said, “Writing Wunderland was a chance for me to indulge my obsessions with trains and all things miniature, and to explore two characters coming at life from very different perspectives.”[1]

Lally and her husband, who works for the Irish government, live in Dublin with their family.[9] Alongside her writing, Lally works as a cleaner at Trinity College Dublin.[10]

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Eggshells DB113135

Author: Lally, Caitriona

Reading Time: 7 hours, 37 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Alana Kerr Collins

Subjects: Humor and Humorous Fiction, Psychological Fiction

“Vivian doesn’t feel like she fits in—and never has. As a child, she was so whimsical that her parents told her she was “left by fairies.” Now, she is living alone in Dublin, where the neighbors treat her like she’s crazy, her older sister condescends to her, social workers seem to have registered her as troubled, and she hasn’t a friend in the world. So, she decides it’s time to change her life: She begins by advertising for a friend. Not just any friend. She wants one named Penelope. Meanwhile, she roams the city, mapping out a new neighborhood every day, seeking her escape route to a better world, the other world her parents told her she came from. And then one day someone named Penelope answers her ad for a friend. And from that moment on, Vivian’s life begins to change. Debut author Caitriona Lally offers readers an exhilaratingly fresh take on the Irish love for lyricism, humor, and inventive wordplay in a book that is, in itself, deeply charming, and deeply moving.” — Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

Ashland, Or. : Blackstone Audio, ℗2017.

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Kate’s 2¢: “Edson” by Bill Morrissey

“Edson” by Bill Morrissey

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   Jay Rose did a good job of narrating this story. There were no chapter breaks, so the story flowed together like a melody.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bill Morrissey (November 25, 1951 – July 23, 2011) was a Grammy-nominated American folk singer-songwriter based in New Hampshire.

Early life[edit]

Morrissey was born in Hartford, Connecticut. Growing up in Connecticut and Massachusetts, he started playing guitar at age 13 and formed a jug band in high school.[1] He graduated from Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in 1969[2] and studied literature for a short time at Plymouth State University before beginning his musical career.[1] Morrissey hitch-hiked to Alaska, worked on a fishing boat, then down to California doing odd jobs and trying to get gigs. His travels eventually brought him back to New England, where he found work in a mill in Newmarket, New Hampshire.[2]

He was influenced by the American country blues of Mississippi John Hurt and Robert Johnson, the pure country of Hank Williams, the Kansas City jazz of Count Basie and Lester Young, the folk revival of the 1960s,[3] and his own working-class experiences.

Career[edit]

His eponymous first album was released in 1984 on the Reckless label, and then re-recorded for the Philo label. It includes the song “Small Town on the River”, which, as with much of his work, reflects life in New England mill towns. In this case, it’s a song about a small town in New Hampshire after the mill closes.

Over the course of a three-decade career, two of Morrissey’s twelve albums received Grammy nominations and several earned 4-star reviews in Rolling Stone.[4] Stephen Holden, for The New York Times, wrote, “Mr. Morrissey’s songs have the force of poetry…a terseness, precision of detail and a tone of laconic understatement that relate his lyrics to the stories of writers like Raymond Carver and Richard Ford.”[5]

In addition to his song-writing, Morrissey is also the author of two novels: Edson (1996) and Imaginary Runner (posthumously published in November 2011). He said that his writing was influenced by Raymond Carver and Thomas Williams.[6]

Morrissey’s last album, Come Running, was co-produced with Billy Conway of Morphine, and released in 2007 on Morrissey’s label, Turn and Spin Media. Come Running features guitar work by Dave Alvin and the remaining members of Morphine, Billy Conway and Dana Colley.

While Morrissey was best known for his often dark, literate lyrics, he also occasionally wrote humorous songs, such as “Party at the UN” (“It’s such a happy community / Everyone’s got diplomatic immunity”) and “Grizzly Bear”, about a frustrated working-class man dating a wealthy young woman who wants to “dance till we dehydrate,” while he just wants to “take her home and dance the grizzly bear.”

Personal life[edit]

Bill Morrissey was married and divorced twice. His first wife was Lisa Glines. His second wife was Ellen Karas. Morrissey continued to work with Ellen Karas professionally after their divorce.

Death[edit]

Morrissey died of heart disease in Dalton, Georgia on July 23, 2011, during a tour of the Southern US.[7][8][9][10]

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Edson DBC03824

Author: Morrissey, Bill

Reading Time: 5 hours, 36 minutes

Production: Perkins Library, Perkins School for the Blind

Read by: Jay Rose

Subjects: Psychological Fiction, Romance

Henry Corvine, a 37-year-old musician with a stalled career and a failed marriage, returns to a hardscrabble New Hampshire mill town, not sure if he is on the verge of giving up or starting over. Lyrically written and emotionally rich, this is the first novel by an acclaimed songwriter. Contains some descriptions of sex and strong language.

New York : Knopf : Distributed by Random House, c1996.

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Kate’s 2¢: “One last stand, Alaska Air One Rescue (04)” by Susan May Warren  

“One last stand, Alaska Air One Rescue (04)” by Susan May Warren  

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   This book was one of seven on a cartridge sent to me by NLS.

   Cynthia Farrell and Adam Gold did a good job of alternating the narration of this action packed adventure. Many of the daring deeds were probably humanly possible, which made them all the more thrilling. I like the warmth and camaraderie of the SAR teammates.

AI Overview

About this result

Susan May Warren

 is a USA Today bestselling, Christy, and RITA award-winning author of over 90 inspirational romantic suspense, contemporary, and historical novels. Known for her, often Minnesota-based, adrenaline-laced stories, she has sold nearly 2 million books worldwide. Warren is also a writing coach, founder of My Book Therapy, and author of The Story Equation.Amazon UK (+2) – View

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

One last stand DB127479

Series: Alaska Air One Rescue

Order in Series: 04

Author: Warren, Susan May

Reading Time: 11 hours, 2 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Farrell, Cynthia, Gold, Adam

Subjects: Religious Fiction, Romance, Adventure, Suspense Fiction

“As a member of the Air One Rescue team, pilot London Brooks has built a new life–one far away from her clandestine past as an operative tasked to take down a branch of Russian terrorists. She has no desire to reenter that world or endure the grief of losing everyone she loved, including her fiancé. But the past won’t stay past. When she finds herself falsely accused, her reputation tarnished, and her life in danger, she has no choice but to plunge back into the treacherous world she left behind. Even if she must surrender everything–and everyone–she loves in her new life. Shep Watson will never forget the day he saved London Brooks from the avalanche that nearly killed her. He knew there was more to her story, but he’s intent on keeping her secrets. Just when it seems she’s finally ready to let him into her heart, her past comes knocking. But he can’t bear to lose her again. Which means, somehow, he’ll have to enter her world, keep up with her, and figure out a way to bring her home. But when the danger comes home to Alaska, what will it cost the Air One Rescue team?”– From publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

Solon, OH : SDG Publishing, 2024.

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Kate’s 2¢: “One last stand, Alaska Air One Rescue (04)” by Susan May Warren  

“One last stand, Alaska Air One Rescue (04)” by Susan May Warren  

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   This book was one of seven on a cartridge sent to me by NLS.

   Cynthia Farrell and Adam Gold did a good job of alternating the narration of this action packed adventure. Many of the daring deeds were probably humanly possible, which made them all the more thrilling. I like the warmth and camaraderie of the SAR teammates.

AI Overview

About this result

Susan May Warren

 is a USA Today bestselling, Christy, and RITA award-winning author of over 90 inspirational romantic suspense, contemporary, and historical novels. Known for her, often Minnesota-based, adrenaline-laced stories, she has sold nearly 2 million books worldwide. Warren is also a writing coach, founder of My Book Therapy, and author of The Story Equation.Amazon UK (+2) – View

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

One last stand DB127479

Series: Alaska Air One Rescue

Order in Series: 04

Author: Warren, Susan May

Reading Time: 11 hours, 2 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Farrell, Cynthia, Gold, Adam

Subjects: Religious Fiction, Romance, Adventure, Suspense Fiction

“As a member of the Air One Rescue team, pilot London Brooks has built a new life–one far away from her clandestine past as an operative tasked to take down a branch of Russian terrorists. She has no desire to reenter that world or endure the grief of losing everyone she loved, including her fiancé. But the past won’t stay past. When she finds herself falsely accused, her reputation tarnished, and her life in danger, she has no choice but to plunge back into the treacherous world she left behind. Even if she must surrender everything–and everyone–she loves in her new life. Shep Watson will never forget the day he saved London Brooks from the avalanche that nearly killed her. He knew there was more to her story, but he’s intent on keeping her secrets. Just when it seems she’s finally ready to let him into her heart, her past comes knocking. But he can’t bear to lose her again. Which means, somehow, he’ll have to enter her world, keep up with her, and figure out a way to bring her home. But when the danger comes home to Alaska, what will it cost the Air One Rescue team?”– From publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

Solon, OH : SDG Publishing, 2024.

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Kate’s 2¢: “Drowning Ruth” by Christina Schwarz

“Drowning Ruth” by Christina Schwarz

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   Annie Wauters did a good job of narrating this complicated narrative arc. It was like opening a box of jig-saw pieces with all those little nooks and crannies that are difficult to fit together.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Drowning Ruth is a 2000 bestselling novel by Christina Schwarz, author of five novels (as of 2021).[1][2] Drowning Ruth was chosen as a selection for Oprah’s Book Club in September 2000.

Development and release[edit]

It’s scary looking back, because I see how it might not have worked out at all. I just hoped I’d have enough money from the book to justify starting another one. It’s done more than that.

Schwarz, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly[3]

Christina Schwarz began working on the characters for Drowning Ruth in 1989,[3] drawing inspiration from what she called a “Boo Radleyish” neighbor from her childhood, who was largely a recluse and was rumored to have shot at children who trespassed onto her property.[4]

Having received her Master’s degree from Yale University, Schwarz began teaching at a private high school.[4] Her husband encouraged her to quit teaching and dedicate herself to her novel.[4] Schwarz spent almost five years writing the book while working odd jobs; her husband, Benjamin Schwarz (who eventually became an Atlantic Monthly editor) financially supported them.[3]

In 1999 she sent the first few pages of the novel accompanied by a cover letter to the Virginia Barber Agency.[5] Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, the agent who received it, found the submission “irresistible” and asked that the rest be sent urgently.[5] Schwarz, however, explained that she could not afford to send the entire manuscript to New York by FedEx.[6] Deb Futter, of Doubleday also loved the book, ultimately winning the publishing rights at auction and releasing it as “hard-soft” title with Ballantine Books.[5] At the time, Futter said the exciting thing about the book was its “utter obsessiveness.”[5] Random House Audible, a joint effort between Random House and Audible Inc., announced that Drowning Ruth would be its launch title.[7] The foreign rights were also sold to publishers in the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark.[8][5] The book reportedly found support among independent booksellers, particularly in Wisconsin, where the story is set.[6] However, the digital-only audiobook release drew complaints from these sellers, as they spoke of being left out of the market.[9]

Plot summary[edit]

Amanda and Mathilda are two sisters who live in rural Wisconsin. While Mathilda is petite, well-liked, pretty, and adventurous, Amanda is tall, clumsy, awkward, and serious. When Mathilda marries Carl, Amanda feels betrayed and leaves to go to nursing school. Meanwhile, Mathilda and Carl are married and living together on a small island near the family farm. They are happy there, and welcome their child, Ruth, into the world. A short time later, however, Carl begins to feel trapped, enlists in the army and is sent away to France. Mathilda is devastated and angry at his departure and decides to move back to the mainland and into the old house of her late parents.

Amanda begins to feel agitated and upset. She’s also frequently ill and has become a nervous wreck. Amanda is persuaded to take a rest from her nursing job, and travels back to the family farm to stay with her sister and niece. The three grow close, and Amanda begins to see Ruth as their child, becoming very protective of her. After living in the farm house for a while, Amanda persuades Mathilda to move back to the island. Hesitant at first, Mathilda soon agrees, and the three of them go to the island.

During the summer, it becomes apparent that Amanda is pregnant and desperate to hide the pregnancy. Mathilda agrees to adopt the child as her own and make up a story about the baby being an orphan from a “hired girl.” While Amanda is pleased with this arrangement, she has to hide her pregnancy, so she cannot leave the island until after the baby is born.

Mathilda delivers Amanda’s baby girl in the house while Ruth is under the bed. Sometime in the night, Amanda changes her mind about Mathilda raising the baby and tries to leave the island by walking across the ice with the child. Ruth, who is roughly four at the time, follows Amanda out onto the ice. Mathilda runs out after them. Out on the ice, they walk over a thin patch and the ice starts to break. Ruth and Mathilda go under, while Amanda desperately tries to save them. Mathilda pushes Ruth to the surface to save her, but falls back in herself. Amanda tries desperately to pull her out, but can’t do it without falling in, so Mathilda bites her sister’s finger to force her to let go and leave her to drown in the freezing water. Ruth is half dead and frozen on the ice with the baby, but she is revived.

Amanda takes the baby to a woman in town who has recently had a stillborn child. She tells the woman that a hired girl had the baby and then died during childbirth. She also tells her that the baby’s name is Imogene. The woman is so taken with the child, and so amazed at the situation that she doesn’t notice that both Ruth and Amanda are frozen and wearing nightgowns. She also doesn’t notice the blood on Amanda.

Soon after Mathilda’s death, Carl returns home from the war with serious injuries, and is nursed back to health by Amanda. Ruth, traumatized, is behaving oddly and very leery of her father, whom she barely knows. The three of them live together without incident, but after a while, Carl starts to suspect that there might be more to the story of his wife’s death than he has been told. As far as he knows, his wife wandered out into the night all alone and disappeared, later to be found under the ice.

Amanda begins to experience severe anxiety again. She is institutionalized in a mental hospital, and Carl is left to take care of Ruth on his own. Worried that he doesn’t know enough about children, he asks his cousin Hilda to come to the farm and care for Ruth. Ruth dislikes the strict and humorless Hilda almost instantly. Hilda sees Ruth as a problem child, and seems almost to enjoy punishing her.

Later on, when they are young adults, Ruth and Imogene become friends.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Drowning Ruth DB50849

Author: Schwarz, Christina

Reading Time: 11 hours, 29 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Annie Wauters

Subjects: Suspense Fiction, Psychological Fiction

In March 1919, nurse Amanda Starkey, seeking refuge, returns to her family home to live with her younger sister Mathilda and Mathilda’s three-year-old child, Ruth. Within a year, Mathilda is dead and Amanda is raising Ruth as her own. But both Amanda and Ruth are hiding memories of the night Mathilda died. Bestseller. 2000.

New York : Doubleday, c2000.

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Kate’s 2¢: “The Widow” by John Grisham

“The Widow” by John Grisham

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   Michael Beck did a good job of narrating this legal thriller for us. Interesting how circumstantial evidence, no tangible proof, could get Simon convicted as guilty.

   Too bad the FBI and other law enforcement groups couldn’t hire the hackers to help solve crime and provide them a legitimate job.

 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Ray Grisham Jr. (/ˈɡrɪʃəm/ GRISH-əm; born February 8, 1955)[1][2] is an American writer, lawyer, and former politician, known for his best-selling legal thrillers. According to the American Academy of Achievement, Grisham has written 37 consecutive number-one fiction bestsellers, and his books have sold 300 million copies worldwide.[3] Along with Tom Clancy and J. K. Rowling, Grisham is one of only three anglophone authors to have sold two million copies on the first printing.[4][5]

Grisham graduated from Mississippi State University and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1981. He practiced criminal law for about a decade and served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1983 to 1990.[6] Grisham’s first novel, A Time to Kill, was published in June 1989, four years after he began writing it. It was later adapted into the 1996 feature film of the same name. Grisham’s first bestseller, The Firm,[7] sold more than seven million copies,[1] and was also adapted into a 1993 feature film of the same name, starring Tom Cruise, and a 2012 TV series that continues the story ten years after the events of the film and novel.[8] Seven of his other novels have also been adapted into films: The Chamber, The Client, A Painted House, The Pelican Brief, The Rainmaker, The Runaway Jury, and Skipping Christmas.[9]

Early life[edit]

Grisham, the second of five children, was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to Wanda (née Skidmore) and John Ray Grisham.[6] His father was a construction worker and a cotton farmer, and his mother was a homemaker.[10] When Grisham was four years old, his family settled in Southaven, Mississippi, near Memphis, Tennessee.[6] As a child, he wanted to be a baseball player.[9] As noted in the foreword to Calico Joe, Grisham gave up playing baseball at the age of 18, after a game in which a pitcher aimed a beanball at him and narrowly missed doing the young Grisham grave harm.

Although Grisham’s parents lacked formal education, his mother encouraged him to read and prepare for college.[1] He drew on his childhood experiences for his novel A Painted House.[6] Grisham started working for a plant nursery as a teenager, watering bushes for $1.00 an hour. He was soon promoted to a fence crew for $1.50 an hour. He wrote about the job: “there was no future in it”. At 16, Grisham took a job with a plumbing contractor but says he “never drew inspiration from that miserable work”.[11]

Initially, Grisham attended Horn Lake High School, a school that was so overcrowded some classes met in a church or a gymnasium.[12] In 1971, he transferred to Southaven High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball.[12] He credits his 12th grade English teacher, Frances McGuffey, for inspiring his love for reading and for introducing him to the works of John Steinbeck in particular.[13]

Through one of his father’s contacts, Grisham managed to find work on a highway asphalt crew in Mississippi at age 17. It was during this time that an unfortunate incident got him “serious” about college. A fight with gunfire broke out among the crew, causing Grisham to run to a nearby restroom to find safety. He did not come out until after the police had detained the perpetrators. He hitchhiked home and started thinking about college. His next work was in retail, as a sales clerk in a department store men’s underwear section, which he described as “humiliating”. By this time, Grisham was halfway through college. Planning to become a tax lawyer, he was soon overcome by “the complexity and lunacy” of it, deciding instead to return to his hometown as a trial lawyer.[11]

Grisham attended the Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Mississippi, where he hoped to launch his baseball career but was benched instead.[12] He and two close friends, Bubba Logan and Parker Pickle, transferred to Delta State University in Cleveland where Grisham hoped to revive his baseball career as a walk on player, but he was cut from the team and he left school after one semester.[6][12][14][15] Ultimately, Grisham changed colleges three times before completing a degree.[1] Although he started there as an economics major, he eventually graduated from Mississippi State University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting after being inspired by a fellow student, a Vietnam veteran, who planned to go to law school.[12][14] He later enrolled in the University of Mississippi School of Law intending to become a tax lawyer, but his interest shifted to general civil litigation. He graduated in 1981 with a J.D. degree.[6]

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The widow DB133042

Author: Grisham, John

Reading Time: 14 hours, 26 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Michael Beck

Subjects: Bestsellers, Mystery and Detective Stories, Suspense Fiction, Legal Fiction

Downloaded: 02/19/2026

“Simon Latch is a lawyer in rural Virginia, making just enough to pay his bills while his marriage slowly falls apart. Then into his office walks Eleanor Barnett, an elderly widow in need of a new will. Apparently, her husband left her a small fortune, and no one knows about it. Once he hooks the richest client of his career, Simon works quietly to keep her wealth under the radar. But soon her story begins to crack. When she is hospitalized after a car accident, Simon realizes that nothing is as it seems, and he finds himself on trial for a crime he swears he didn’t commit: murder. Simon knows he’s innocent. But he also knows the circumstantial evidence is against him, and he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. To save himself, he must find the real killer …” — Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller.

New York : Penguin Random House, 2025.

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Kate’s 2¢: “Englisher, Annie’s People (02) by Beverly Lewis ”Kate’s 2¢: “Englisher, Annie’s People (02) by Beverly Lewis ”

“Englisher, Annie’s People (02) by Beverly Lewis ”

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   Mary Kane did a nice job of narrating this cozy romance novel. Even though I knew this was one book in a series, I was let down by the ending. Perhaps the next book in the series will tie-up the loose threads.

   I suspect every sect has members rebelling against the leadership.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification.

Beverly Marie Lewis (née Jones) is an American Christian fiction novelist and adult and children’s author of over 100 books.

Lewis is a former schoolteacher and musician. She started playing the piano at age four, and began writing short stories and poetry when she was nine years old.

Much of her writing focuses on the Old Order Amish. Her maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, was born into an Old Order Mennonite Church, which interested Lewis in her own “plain heritage.” Her father was a pastor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch community), where she was born and grew up. She was raised and continues to be part of the Assemblies of God community.

She went to Evangel University, and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2003. She is also a member of the National League of American Pen Women.[1]

Lewis is married to David Lewis, and they have three grown children and three grandchildren. They live in Colorado.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Englisher DB62875

Series: Annie’s people

Order in Series: 2

Author: Lewis, Beverly

Reading Time: 8 hours, 2 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Mary Kane

Subjects: Religious Fiction, Romance

Downloaded: 02/20/2026

Annie, from The Preacher’s Daughter (DB 62283), promised her father she would give up her forbidden art for six months and join the Amish church, but she falls in love with outsider Ben Martin. Meanwhile, Annie’s pen pal Louisa decides to go home, and an Amish mother chooses excommunication. 2006.

Minneapolis, Minn. : Bethany House, 2006.

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