tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post4382970060729196742..comments2023-10-20T10:18:36.203-04:00Comments on You've GOTTA read this!: When Katie Wakes: A Memoir - Connie May Fowler (Kindle)Sandy Nawrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-1817511585777248102009-08-25T17:30:59.238-04:002009-08-25T17:30:59.238-04:00I haven't read any of her books either, but ...I haven't read any of her books either, but am adding her name to my list. Its really interesting to me when a fiction author gives readers perspective in to their own lives through a memoir. Barbara Kingsolver did this. There's another author (who's name I can't recall now to save my life) who wrote a number of books that were kind of family sagas. She also wrote a memoir about her father having Alzheimers. Danielle Steele wrote a memoir of sorts, though it was more of the story of her son who had bipolar disorder.<br /><br />As a counselor, I work with a lot of women who put up with emotional, verbal, and even physical abuse. Oftentimes, they did have some form of abuse in their childhoods that sort of lead to them feeling, on some level, that they didn't deserve better treatment. They don't seem to recognize their "damaged goods" or "I deserve it" ways of thinking. They gravitate towards the familiar, which is abuse and being treated like an inferior and second class citizen rather than as an equal. It is always so difficult for me to listen to what these women put up with, especially when they continue putting up with it. <br /><br />I commend this author for being open about her experiences and hope her story will be an encouragement to other women that they can move beyond such destructive relationships to find love and happiness. I've seen a few clients do this, but so many continue to stay and put up with the abuse. I also appreciate the story of how her dog was beside her through all this. A similar story is that of Karen Petit, a childrens' author who lives in Columbia SC. Her memoir is called A Paw On My Heart and is about her rescued black lab Ivey and the ways Ivey changed her life after a time of tremendous personal difficulty. Karen's history includes an abusive marriage also. Ivey is deceased now, also. Animals can be such a source of strength and comfort. I have had my guide dog, a yellow Lab named Maggie, for just over 12 years now. She remains healthy and happy and has served me faithfully for 10 years. She and I began working together right before my last semester of college and she was with me through grad school, obtaining my first "real" job, several boyfriends, living on my own without roommates for the first time, and so many other difficulties that go along with young adulthood. <br /><br />My first guide, a black lab named Poppy, retired young due to anxiety issues. At the time, I was devastated, but I later realized that her real purpose in our family was not to work for me for a long time. That was just to bring her to us. Her ultimate purpose was to be with my Mom through some very difficult transitions in her own life. She needed Poppy more than I did, as I could go on to work with a dog who was better suited for me. Mom took Poppy in because she knew how important it was to me that Poppy remain in the family soI could still spend time with her. She put up with Poppy's fear of storms that lead to damage to Mom's home, shredded blankets, and some sleepless nights. They took care of each other through some tough times when Mom needed someone to look after and needed the company. I'm thankful they were able to help each other that way. I've written tributes to both Maggie and Poppy on my blog. <br /><br />This certainly sounds like a book I can't wait to read, especially since it has a happy ending for the author.<br /><br />Carmella Broome, Licensed Professional Counselor in SC<br />Author, Carmella's Quest: Taking On College Sight Unseen (Red Letter Press 2009)<br />http://CarmellasQuest.LiveJournal.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-87219289622628410222009-07-16T08:41:16.340-04:002009-07-16T08:41:16.340-04:00Great review.... I couldnt even refill my coffee ...Great review.... I couldnt even refill my coffee cup until I had read it all the way through. <br /><br />I have not read this but I believe I will.Sheila DeChantalhttp://bookjourney.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-86391392947095722562009-07-14T17:52:28.171-04:002009-07-14T17:52:28.171-04:00I know of the author, but have never read any of h...I know of the author, but have never read any of her books. You have encouraged me - thank you! :)Thoughts of Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05572910467988997432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-90082180573472727922009-07-13T18:29:12.786-04:002009-07-13T18:29:12.786-04:00I haven't read any Fowler, but this one sounds...I haven't read any Fowler, but this one sounds really good. On to my WL it goes!Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06474584473012742915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-88860159385754573902009-07-13T09:32:46.699-04:002009-07-13T09:32:46.699-04:00I too haven't read any of Fowler's books -...I too haven't read any of Fowler's books -- but I think I know you like her! This sounds so powerful.Okay, okay, I'll add her to the wish list already.Beth Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-46310047288992922032009-07-12T13:42:48.934-04:002009-07-12T13:42:48.934-04:00I've never read any of her books but it sure s...I've never read any of her books but it sure sounds like I should. They sound like very powerful books. I'll look into them. Thanks Sandy. Really great review!Darlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15387389557243960084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-31063855227153308312009-07-12T01:17:02.455-04:002009-07-12T01:17:02.455-04:00This does sound good, Sandy! I read memoirs on oc...This does sound good, Sandy! I read memoirs on occasion and am always on the look out for ones just like this. Thank you for the recommendation and great review!Literary Felinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13079276242303738719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-44674018436936507852009-07-11T05:23:42.709-04:002009-07-11T05:23:42.709-04:00Sounds like I need to add it to my "books to ...Sounds like I need to add it to my "books to buy" list!ANovelMenageriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12328178716595263790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-12028302413810441662009-07-11T01:09:27.456-04:002009-07-11T01:09:27.456-04:00I haven't read anything by her, but I'll d...I haven't read anything by her, but I'll definitely keep my eyes out for her work...sounds excellent!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02515314638093018928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-26963934860926111062009-07-10T14:00:27.819-04:002009-07-10T14:00:27.819-04:00Jackie - I knew you had purchased Sugar Cage. You...Jackie - I knew you had purchased Sugar Cage. You are a tough customer, so I truly hope you do love her!<br /><br />Bumbles - Sorry to tug at your heartstrings, and sorry about the pudding! It got to me too, having put my Lab to sleep five years ago. Plus I am just emotional about this woman's life, and am constantly awed that she could suffer as she did and still create such beautiful novels.<br /><br />Anna - I think you could pick just about anything this lady has written and see her talent. Most of her books are under 300 pages...a quick read!<br /><br />ds - Remembering Blue is one of my favorites. Just wait until I review "The Problem With Murmur Lee" on 7/21. That one made my eyes fill up.Sandy Nawrothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-18642477470158058932009-07-10T13:46:30.861-04:002009-07-10T13:46:30.861-04:00Oh, Sandy. What a heartbreaking life; rather, a li...Oh, Sandy. What a heartbreaking life; rather, a life that would have broken anyone clearly not as strong or talented as Connie May Fowler. Three generations of abused women--shows just how difficult that cycle is to overcome...Thank you for your perfect review. Now I must read this, and reread Remembering Blue (which I only vaguely remember).dshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07616750784052488695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-89574824874317966882009-07-10T13:27:03.959-04:002009-07-10T13:27:03.959-04:00I really need to tame by TBR pile a bit and read o...I really need to tame by TBR pile a bit and read one of her books already. You have talked about her a lot, but I really really want to know when an author is really really worth checking out. Thanks for the review!<br /><br />--Anna<br /><a href="http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Diary of an Eccentric</a>Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08046635675540466183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-57932095093109492052009-07-10T13:16:29.311-04:002009-07-10T13:16:29.311-04:00Stop making me cry in my pudding parfait (which is...Stop making me cry in my pudding parfait (which is my sweet treat for the week - and not as yummy as I built it up to be). When are you going to review something happy?!?!?! I was holding on there through the book passages because, it made me angry as you mentioned it did for you too. But then you went and told me her dog - her best friend, the first creature to provide her unconditional love, her saviour from the cycle of abuse - has since died, and I fell apart.The Bumbleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08334162339045336577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-41791429506003255972009-07-10T11:53:29.506-04:002009-07-10T11:53:29.506-04:00I think you may have mentioned Connie May Flower b...I think you may have mentioned Connie May Flower before - lol!!!<br /><br />Sugar Cage is about 5th on my list at the moment. I am really trying to read it soon, but these book group books keep getting in the way! If Sugar Cage is good then I'll make sure I get all of the others!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07698068501004755678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-12182917246415882662009-07-10T11:30:16.519-04:002009-07-10T11:30:16.519-04:00Missy - It makes me so happy when I hear about peo...Missy - It makes me so happy when I hear about people that have read Connie's books. She is to be admired for her strength and her amazing talent as an author. I'm doing my best to spread the word!<br /><br />Melody - well, I'm just going to keep working on you girl! I have another Fowler book that I will be reviewing soon that was every bit as wonderful as the rest of her books!Sandy Nawrothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-86951082583147845222009-07-10T11:03:34.783-04:002009-07-10T11:03:34.783-04:00Can you believe I haven't read anything by thi...Can you believe I haven't read anything by this author? I need to do so soon after reading your review!Melodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03967837585961009598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124681312732868654.post-26605001041295023322009-07-10T09:13:13.328-04:002009-07-10T09:13:13.328-04:00This is one of my very favorite books...I have men...This is one of my very favorite books...I have mentioned it on my blog several times...I think I may even have reviewed it awhile back. Connie May Fowler is a strong woman and an awesome author.<br />Great review!!Missy B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10291867551001087415noreply@blogger.com