Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Review: The Last Christmas Ride

By Edie Hand (with Jeffery Addison)

From the book jacket:


“The five Blackburn children grow up in an idyllic setting on a northern Alabama farm. Their days are filled with horseback riding, make-believe adventures, and climbing to the top of a nearby Indian mound to dream about the future. … When they grow up, they go their separate ways.”


The above blurb doesn’t even begin to describe the emotional intensity of this wonderful little Christmas read. The book is based on a true story – the period of time in the life of the author.


After two of her brothers are killed in separate accidents and the third develops a devastating brain tumor, Edie looks back on her life and the importance of the little things that make Christmas a special time.


This is the first book I read for 2010. I chose it to sort of finish out my holiday reading before getting back to more serious pursuits. However, this turned out to be a book that made me think about family and friends and the love shared between them. I thought about how important they are to me and how I need to make more time for them.


It’s not a lengthy book, but it’s long on feelings and heart. The author opens herself to the reader in a way few would have the nerve to do. She reveals feelings she has that many would prefer to hide from those around them.


Her honesty and obvious love for her family make this a wonderful book that could be read any time of year, not just during the holidays.


No comments: