Book Review: The Last Runaway

My first book of 2014! I had never heard of this book before I came across it at an airport book store, but I'm really glad I picked it up.

Title: The Last Runaway
Author: Tracey Chevalier

The story of an English Quaker who emigrates to Ohio in 1850, and her struggles to find her place. She becomes involved in the Underground Railroad, finding herself pursued by a slave hunter.

I loved this book on so many levels. The book deals with some very difficult social and political issues, covering slavery, people's decisions to take part, or not, in the Underground Railroad, and discussions such as abolition and Colonization. But it manages to do from a very personal perspective, as the reader becomes involved in the lives of the characters. Honor, the main character, goes through many discoveries as an immigrant herself, while navigating the political landscape of the time. As an immigrant myself, I found familiarity in her experiences acclimating to the United States, even in a wildly different time period.

I absolutely recommend this book. What books are you starting the year with?

Happy New Year!

Happy new year, dear friends! Since I'm not one for resolutions, I find the first post of the year challenging. But rather than keep agonizing over it, I will just wish all of you a wonderful 2014. 2013 was full of obstacles and plot twists, and I am truly hoping for a less bumpy ride this year.

Our holidays were filled with a lot of food, sleep, happiness, and time away from routine and the internet. We snuck off on a secret trip to Europe to meet up with lots of family, and had a wonderful time.

I consider myself very blessed to have a family full of wonderfully talented creative folks. One of my aunts has been hand-painting ceramics for years, and I had no idea! I found out when we unwrapped this beautiful gift. It was great to spend time with family and get to bring home this handmade treasure, which I'm absolutely in love with.

Now it's back to the routine, and I'm diving back into fiber full force! The dye pots are back up and running, and I have some knitting projects to share soon. Here's to a 2014 full of surprise and opportunity!