Reading Frenzy

In the last few weeks, I have read three really interested books by Leisha Kelly.  Like other great books I have read in the past few years, I just happened along the series at the local library.  By some miracle of chance the book I picked up was the first in the series, although at the time I did not know it.  The books are Julia’s Hope, Emma’s Gift, and Katie’s Dream and they follow the fictional life of the Wortham family during the Great Depression. 

The first book (Julia’s Hope) starts with the Wortham family traveling from Pennsylvania where they have lost everything to Mt Vernon, Illinois in hopes of finding family and a new life.  Just like in life, things do not always turn out as expected and the family lands in the rural outskirts of a town called Dearing, Illinois.  They live off the land, forage for food, and strengthen their faith with an unlikely angel on earth Emma.  This book definitely encompasses the value that it is better to give than receive.  Unexpected friendships are formed and blessings are around every corner.  Oh, to live in a world where others did good, because it was the neighborly thing to do!  I definitely was not ready for the story to be over and was so happy to find out that there were more books about this fictional family.

The second book (Emma’s Gift) continues about seven months down the road.  It was a shocker to me, but this book deals with death of one whom lived a long life and one whom’s life ended way to soon.  This book follows the Wortham’s and the neighboring family through their journey of grief and adaptation to unexpected changes in life.  You have a choice you can continue to live and make the best of things or you can sink into the depths of despair and maybe not escape.  I really could relate to the characters of this book.  My grandpa had lived a long life when he past in August 2010, but my mom had so many more years left to live when she past in September 2010.  Life is not always fair, but we have to live with the cards we are dealt and make the best of it that we can.

The third book (Katie’s Dream) picks up the Wortham family another seven months down the road.  It is about inner strength and doing what is right even if the world around you is telling you that you are wrong.  Sometimes it is much easier to go with the flow.  Sometimes it is much easier to believe gossip.  But if we hold our ground, the trials and tribulations will make us stronger along the way.  This book is full of hope and determination and it was hard for me to set this book down.

I looked up the author on the internet and there are seven total books of this series.  I am saddened to discover that the author and her son past away in a car accident last year.  She leaves a wonderful legacy behind with her thought provoking fictional works.  I look forward to reading the remaining books: Til Morning Is Nigh, Rorey’s Secret, Rachel’s Prayer, and Sarah’s Promise.