Spring Has Arrived After All

What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam J. A. Chancy—This is a beautifully written novel about the effects of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti through the eyes of an extended family.

It was chosen for the One Maryland One Book, 2024 by the Maryland Humanities Council so that book clubs and readers can discuss the many themes that Chancy has to offer.

Each chapter is narrated by a different character, from the oldest, Ma Lou to the youngest, Jonas. Some survived and others perished on January 12, 2010, which is known as Douz (for the 12^th). Some of their stories are about their inner lives, about Haiti and others are more political. Each can be read alone but after reading the entire novel, the reader certainly gets a feeling for one of the poorest countries in the world. No, not a happy story but certainly one that needs to be told, and a book club pick that would make a very interesting discussion.

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede—We all remember 911 but do we recall what happened to the planes that were in midair when all the airports were closed? Probably not, nor would we if this incredible book had not been published.

38 jetliners were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, many of their crew not knowing what happened to cause this. There were 7,000 passengers and crew, from all over the world and the town of Gander welcomed them all, not only to large open areas like schools and public areas but to their homes as well. And the hard-working animal rescuers must never be forgotten.

Jim DeFede highlighted some of the passengers: an American couple returning from Russia with their newly adopted 2-year-old, parents of a New York firefighter waiting to find out if he was alive, an orthodox Rabbi who connected with the Newfies, and the fun-loving crowd that never forgot their hosts.

Most stayed in Gander and outlying towns for only four days but the friends they made there lasted a lifetime. I urge you to read this very uplifting story and check out the musical Come From Away based on the book. You may also wonder why our new administration could ever have this attitude toward Canada.

The Which Way Tree by Elizabeth Crook—I introduced you Elizabeth Crook’s The Madstone in Books I Read while I COVIDed. And this is the prequel that I mentioned. Benjamin (the hero of Madstone) was only 14 years old in The Which Way Tree when he and his younger sister Sam, living alone because of the death of their parents, set off to find and kill the infamous panther that killed Sam’s mother and maimed Sam. Along the way, they pick up a caring preacher with his panther tracking dog as well as a Tejano outlaw. Benjamin narrates this episodic journey in letters to a judge, and it is literally and literarily a page turner. Sam is relentless and will never let anyone turn back as she drives Benjamin and everyone else to distraction. I loved this novel and wished it would never end. Crook is a storyteller in the classical sense. I intend to read more of her works.

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler—Gail Baines is dealing with lots of issues: her job is in deep jeopardy, her daughter, Debbie is getting married and Gail wasn’t invited to her bridal spa day. Her ex-husband Max has arrived on her doorstep armed with a cat, and Debbie finds out her husband-to-be may have “strayed”. Can Gail solve all her problems in three days?

Leave it to the indominable Anne Tyler, who has been writing about family matters since 1964. If you haven’t read any of her books, you should start. At 84, she’s still writing and still writing well.

It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time: The Worst TV Shows in History and Other Things I Wrote by Bruce Vilanch—If you don’t know who Bruce Vilanch is, look at the cover of the book to your right and you will recognize him as a comedian and celebrity but you may not know he has been a comedy writer for many years, specifically for television comedies, variety and award shows as well as movies. He is 77 years old and has many stories to tell. If you are my age, many of the names that he drops will be familiar.

But this book is not about his grand achievements, it’s about his grand failures, from The Star Wars Holiday Special, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, to the Paul Lynde Halloween Special. And there’s more, a lot more. He’s a wonderful storyteller, very funny but not catty. If you’re looking for something to take your mind off, well everything, this is the book for you.