July 2021: Before We Were Yours, by Lisa Wingate

 I had read this book last year, and having really liked it, I suggested "L" read it, and then we could discuss. We give this book 5 stars for its Page-Turner element. The only setback was that "L" has a hard time with scenes where kids are hurt, and this book definitely has a scene that is both heartbreaking and unsettling. That scene aside, this book has a lot of food for thought - here are a few:

For one, this book is based on actual events that took place in the 1920 through 1950. There are many hidden/ugly chapters in U.S. history, this is one more. 

There is a strong undercurrent of the need to live our lives as authentically as possible. It seems that at every turn, this book offers another example of someone conforming to what "others" (family, society, whomever) will think of their words/actions. There's a nice analogy of "finding the music" to one's life. Kind of like, if each of us has a theme song for our lives, what would it be? Sometimes, we never stop to listen, we don't pause long enough to find our own music, our own path in life.

This book deals with the elderly and issues related to nursing home care. And since "L" and I both have had our mothers in nursing homes before they died, we zeroed in on this aspect a bit. For example, when the protaganist, Avery, says that her family "can afford" to keep her grandma in a premium nursing home, it left me feeling like, Oh. Well, how nice is that for her/them? The reality for too many is that they cannot afford premium care in old age. There's a whole system of for-profit medical science and nursing homes that I could discuss, but won't. Suffice it to say, that America doesn't do a great job with its elderly. We are stuck with minimal options, and families do their best. But sometimes, it's just not good enough.

There is a moment in this book where it refers to an "old slave cabin" being moved to someone's estate. Without giving spoilers, think about that for a moment. Pay attention to that section of the book, or if you've already read it, and you're reading our review after-the-fact, what do you think about what that cabin was used for? "L" and I had our own epiphany...having to do with those who were considered throwaways (by the power brokers in this book) - and what symbolism we see for that cabin having been for people considered throwaways pre-Civil War. 

"L" is reading Wingate's nonfiction book, Before and After -- not a sequel for this book -- but definitely related. I'm not reading it. So if she decides to post an "Comment" here later on, well then, that's up to her. I'm the writer between the 2 of us...she doesn't like to write...which is why you hear from ME all the time (haha!). Peace out.