Stories That Bind Us by Susiie Finkbeiner - A Book Review

  

I was excited to find one of Susie Finkbeiner's books that I had not known about. We purchased one for me and three for gifts. I truly hope those that received one as a gift enjoy Stories That Bind Us as much as I did. The story is set in the early 1960s, but many of the events are indicative of that entire decade. It is interesting to read historical fiction that overlaps one's own childhood. It was also interesting to know that myself and one of the gift recipients would read it through a much different lens than the other two recipients. The wonderful thing is that the important themes of this book will resonate with all generations.

Susie Finkbeiner crafts beautiful, poignant stories centering around believable, relatable characters experiencing real world events. While Stories That Bind Us revolves around civil rights and the Vietnam War era, the theme of mental health dominates the story. Finkbeiner's writing skills make it very easy for readers to walk with Betty Sweet through life's beauty and adversity. They will admire Betty's ability to create just the right story to explain life's events and to encourage herself and her nephew. Readers, too, will be encouraged.

The Nature of Small Birds by Susie Finkbeiner - A Book Review

  

This is the second book by Susie Finkbeiner set in the Vietnam War era that I have read. Both were excellent, deserving of more than five stars. The Nature of Small Birds is about three generation of a close knit family, focusing on the impact adopting a preschooler who arrived in America from Vietnam via Operation Baby Lift had on each of them. As with most family relationships there was a mixture of pleasure and pain, but most of all there was love and acceptance. For one family member in particular the acceptance was a long time in coming as it entailed allowing the grief over losing a son to the war to settle. Emotions are intense and run deep in this novel. Readers will find their lives touched by Minh and her family. Finkbeiner is a master of utilizing the time-slip genre to enhance the tale.

I give this book my highest recommendation, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Revell via Library Thing without obligation. All opinions expressed her are my own.

All Manner of Things by Susie Finkbeiner - A Book Review

    

Susie Finkbeiner captured the essence of America during the Vietnam War era. Through the vessel of the Jacobson's family story she explores the impact of war on soldiers and those they leave behind, social unrest, racism, the effect of an uncertain future on the already turbulent times of adolescence and young adulthood, and the search for God within it all. The emotions in this book are real and raw. The characters will join those from other books of great depth who continue to reside with you in the recesses of your mind. Above all, the theme of hope will ring true.

Susie Finkbeiner is a new-to-me author, but one I will continue to look for in the future. I am very grateful to have received a copy of this book from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to write a positive review and received no monetary compensation.