Post-Wedding Joy

The Big Event took place last week on a picture-perfect day.  The weather was beautiful, the bride radiant, the groom joyful.  The assembled family and friends had a marvelous time at the festivities.  The celebration continued all week, as (according to traditional Jewish practice) different people hosted a festive meal in honor of the newly married couple each day, and the meaningful blessings recited at the ceremony were repeated.

Now that the special day is an even more special memory, we are returning to our normal routine.  For the booklover, that naturally means delving into the stacks of unread books patiently awaiting my attention during these happily busy weeks.  As this pile grows smaller and the heap of read books increases in size, I’ll share my favorites.  In the meantime, here are a few titles that are well worth reading.

16-year-old Katie and her father live alone in their huge house following her mother’s death.  In an effort to cope with her grief, the teen takes a summer gardening job on an old estate.  Katie becomes fascinated by the aura of mystery surrounding the elderly owner (who no one ever sees) and, with the assistance of a co-worker and a glamorous librarian (my favorite character!) uncovers the past of her reclusive employer–and she and her grieving father begin the healing process from their own sorrow.  Young Adult

Violet Paz may be half Cuban, but she feels 100% American.  So when her grandmother enthusiastically begins planning a lavish traditional quinceanera to mark the teen’s fifteenth birthday, she is not exactly keen on the idea.  What’s a girl to do?  With a sense of humor (her quirky extended family members become subjects for her speech team’s Original Comedy competition) and a bit of ingenuity, Violet comes up with a plan.  Young Adult

11-year-old Primrose loves visiting The Girl on the Red Swing (a restaurant where everything is served on a waffle) and spending time with Kate Bowzer, its owner–who might be almost the only adult who understands her.  Since her parents disappeared at sea in a storm, everyone but Primrose is convinced they have died.  Her adventures–and misadventures–make for delightful reading.  Ages 10-13 

Wedding Joy

 

As spring blossoms into summer, the Big Event in our family moves closer.  The feeling of wedding excitement is almost palpable now.  As (according to our tradition) the young couple saw each other for the final time until the wedding a week from tomorrow, and the parties involved put the finishing touches on yet another plan, we definitely experience a sensation of immediacy.  Whereas we were inching toward the goal, now it feels like we are racing.  With the anticipated arrivals of family members this week, the excitement is sure to build until it reaches a crescendo on the day of the wedding itself.  The joy each of us feels at this time is a marvelous thing.   Even mundane activities are a pleasure.  And the skies themselves are doing their part: the weather has been beautiful.  Who could ask for anything better?