This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

Small Blessings

Tom Putnam is not living- not really. His life is not bad, exactly, but he is existing. Just existing. Married to a woman who named Marjory- who has some peculiar quirks, Tom stays in this marriage because while Marjory had many quirks before, after finding out about Tom’s affair- her quirks have increased.

Tom is resigned. His life is quiet. He loves teaching. Loves the small community he’s a part of. And, he cares for Marjory. And feels some sense of responsibility for the role he played with his affair and her behavior.

Tom does not know this- but things are about to change.

One day, Tom and Marjory are at the college bookstore and they begin chatting with the new manager- Rose. Rose is a free-spirit and a breath of fresh air for this college town. And, then, Marjory does something strange for her- but normal for most people- she invites Rose to dinner at the house for one day soon. With that invitation, Marjory takes the first step in changing everyone’s lives.

A change is a-coming in other areas as well. Tom gets a letter saying that he has a child coming- a child from his affair ten years ago. Tom can’t explain what he feels- but it’s not panic. It might even be happiness- but it’s such a foreign concept to him- he’s unsure.

One day, Tom looks around and doesn’t recognize his life. It’s like he’s been given the chance to have a life that he wished for and he has to decide if he’s willing to step out in the brave new world or stay where he is.

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Argh! This book is so hard to describe without saying “OMG This is where the X went down, this is what happened here that you are all SERIOUSLY and etc!” It’s not unbelievable events- in fact, it’s quite believable. But, it’s so hard to talk about without ruining things!

So, moving on the characters- good grief the characters! They are a quirky lot. Mostly academic types- well read, well presented.. maybe not so well behaved! Each one has a funny or charming way about them- Tom and Rose, especially.

Marjory, though, Marjory is a character that needs a bit more explanation. She has quirks, she has some issues. But, when she invites Rose to dinner- you can tell that is something for her, that is something she needed to do. And in doing so, she sets this book in motion- and gives all the rest of the quirky characters in this book things to ponder.

Basically, SMALL BLESSINGS is about lives of people that look pretty good from the outside- but the inside is another thing. This is about a re-awakening of life. Of finding happiness and grabbing it with both hands.

Do you want something to read that is memorable? A step up above light and fluffy- but several steps down from dark and dreary? Try SMALL BLESSINGS.

 

*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration from St.Martin’s. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

 

Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T