March 1st - Family at Booknook by Brenda Humphrey Meisels
Michigan author Brenda Humphrey Meisels will be appearing to discuss and sign books - this book club meeting will be on Monday rather than Tuesday.
A traumatized teenage mother, a cantankerous older man and a precocious child create an unlikely family.Sixteen-year-old Sparrow is pregnant. Banished from her home, she isdeposited at Dave Stanley’s bookshop. Withdrawn and seemingly unawareof her pregnancy, Sparrow remains and works at Booknook. With the birthof her daughter, Finch, she awakens and is determined to keep her baby.Dave becomes a surrogate grandfather, protector of mother and daughter.Longing for her mysterious, absent father who, she mistakenly believescan complete her family; Finch grows up feeling the sting of beingillegitimate. This is a story of relationships and of hope, in which areclusive single mother and a feisty girl come of age.
Ms. Meisels Writes:As a psychotherapist I have heard many personal narratives and havebeen privileged to play a part in helping people like Sparrow. I wantedto show authentic characters that make mistakes, hurt and bleed butlearn to trust, love and find resolution. The novel is set in Michigan:Milan, Adrian, Clinton, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, places I am familiarwith and fond of. I’m excited to meet and talk with people about thenovel and the process of writing and publishing.
