Tips for Tuesday - Books: A Better Place: A Memoir of Peace in the Face of Tragedy and The Family Tabor

We may have been given one or more of the books listed below for review purposes.  Any and all opinions expresse here are our own.

Mom - Today I am recommending two books.

The first book I am recommending is A Better Place: A Memoir of Peace in the Face of Tragedy by Pati Navalta Poblete. This very timely book is the true story of a woman whose 23 year old son was senselessly shot and killed. It tells the story of how she went from being consumed by anger over her son's death to a place where she could channel those feelings in a more positive way to change not only her life in a positive way but the lives of others as well. This book also emphasizes why every life matters and why even one person senselessly cut down by gunfire is too many. If you have become desensitized by all the endless reports of those cut down by gun violence, you will never be able to feel that way again after reading this book. Pati's son may not be the only person ever killed in this way, but his death and this book does put a face on this tragic epidemic. This might make it seem like this book would be too depressing too read. However, although it is an incredibly sad and heartwrenching book, it is also in some ways inspirational and even uplifting as well. Most importantly, it is hopeful. It shows that even when it comes to something as horrible as the gun violence epidemic facing our nation even one person can make a change in a positive way.

The second book I am recommending is the novel The Family Tabor by Cherise Wolas. On the eve of Harry Tabor being named the Man of the Decade, he struggles with an indiscretion that happened years ago that may have had serious unintended consequences for someone else. At the same time, his wife and his three grown children are all dealing with their own private crossroads. This is a book that shows that you never really known what is going on other people's lives even if those people are in your own family. It is about the things that tear families apart and the the thinks that bring them together. This book is very supenseful, and you will want to keep reading to find out what is going to happen. Although in some ways the end of the book does not seem to provide complete closure, it is  still a mostly satisfying read.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.