I have a sweet little step-back-in-time gift box looking for a home that has Donna Everhart’s book, When the Jessamine Grows, recipe cards for two of the recipes mentioned in her book (Joetta’s Switchel and Idiot’s Delight), an engraved wooden spoon, a hankie, Donna’s upcoming book-signing schedule, plus a few other bookish surprises.
My gift box is all yours if you’ll share why Donna’s book appeals to you. I’ll toss your name into a hat and voila, it might be headed your way.
As a child growing up in the South, learning about the Civil War was scary and confusing, wondering if this could happen again in my lifetime. I always wondered what it was like growing up in such a time. In junior high I was drawn to books about the Civil War, starting with Gone With the Wind. Then I read a whole series of books by Gwen Bristow. I have several ancestors who died in this war, and they never owned slaves. It was mostly poor farmers just trying to protect their land and homes. How sad it must have been when families were divided on opposing sides. Donna’s book sounds like a very interesting read.
Initially, I would not have been drawn to this particular style of book, but I am so grateful it has landed in my hands. I love having a whole new perspective on war from those who were still at home and dealing with what was going on there. They had challenges that were just as difficult. This side of history is equally important.
The few books I have read that have taken place in the south have always captured my interest so much that I can’t seem to put them down. The last one I read was “Where The Crawdads Sing.” I just loved that book. I think that looking at life from the perspective of the person and family that was at home and not in the war does sound interesting, and could be one of those that I may not want to put down. I lived in the South for 8 years and there is so much of the south that I love. Pass the Sweet Tea Please!
Reading historical fiction is one of my favorite genres! Books that tell stories from times gone by leaves me wishing I could go back in time. Learning about those “left behind” to make a life and living while war raged around them is very interesting to me. 🙂
Since my dear Mr. Frank came into my life (and has since departed this Earth), I have grown to love historical stories about love, life and war. The sacrifices families made to survive, the hope and faith they had to maintain for their loved ones on the battle front, the creativity they had to come up with to make ends meet, feed and clothe their families. The post traumatic stress that was experienced, but never talked about. The resilience. Even with all the struggles previous generations have experienced, I believe life was simpler, and fuller. I’m currently raising two sons, trying my best to instill good morals, values and gratitude within them. With today’s challenges, I believe risilience is still a gift we are experiencing; one way or another and is still something to still be grateful for.
My great grandmother was born in 1879 and passed in 1973. She was my hero and I could spend hours listening to her stories about her life. The struggles and triumphs are what she was most proud of. She would tell me “If I could get through something like that, you can get through your problems, too. ” Donnas book reminds me so much of my grandma.
I love to read historical fiction, mostly about homesteading the west. I’ve never read a book based on the civil war. This sounds like a very interesting book!
I love reading Historical Fiction and enjoy the Civil War era, they are interesting books and I learn something new I think every time I read on. Looking forward to reading this book.