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A TALE OF TWO CITIES by Charles Dickens Here we are again! It's the last day for our current Book Club read, A Tale of Two Cities. I hope you enjoyed the book and were able to connect with it whether it was your first time through or your tenth time through! On that note, let's jump in and bring this baby home! Last week we left off with the rug pulled out from under our feet. Darnay had just been unexpectedly tried for the second time and found guilty, and it happened by the most unlikeliest of witnesses, Dr. Manette. It wasn't his verbal testimony that put the final nail in Darnay's coffin. It was his written testimony. An account he wrote in his prison cell of the events that led up to his wrongful imprisonment - one that caused his disappearance from the world of the living for 18 years. Can you imagine how crushing this is to Manette? How he has sought and campaigned for Darnay's freedom only to be the one that secures his demise? How Madame Defarge must be enjoying this! I have to throw something in here at this point. Think for a moment about the comparison Dickens offers us between the peasants and their thirst for vengeance that steps far outside the lines of righting the wrong committed to them. They kill those responsible. Then the hate spreads like a cancer, and they attempt to annihilate an entire class of people whether they were guilty of the crime or not. Now, lay beside that the actions of Dr. Manette who was wrongly mistreated as well but chose to forgive the blood relative of those who wronged him. Not only that, he did all he could to rescue him, live in peace with him, and move forward with life. Which has the greater peace in the outcome? Who reaches the point where there is no longer innocent blood on their hands? As I write this with regards to the peasants, I am struck with the mental picture of Christ as he stands next to Pontius Pilate right before his crucifixion, and the crowd cries out, " May His blood be on us and on our children." (Matthew 27:25) We're not finished yet. CHAPTER 11 - DUSK FRANCE The first item I need to call attention to is the chapter titles. The last chapter was "The Substance of the Shadow," now "Dusk,' and then "Darkness." We are descending into night, The sun is setting on Darnay's life. The chapter begins with the parting words between a husband and wife. Have you ever thought about what you would say to your husband if you knew he was about to die? I'm going to throw in a couple of things here. Do with them what you want. I try and make it a practice to say goodbye to my husband and give him a kiss every time he leaves the house. Don't think for a minute that those kisses are always super heartfelt. My husband and I are both firstborns, and sometimes there is a standoff that has just occurred before he leaves. What it does allow is for the last thing that we speak and do before he leaves for work is not words spoken in anger. In January, I got a call from my husband saying that he had been travelling on the interstate (4 lanes separated by a walled median) when a wheel and tire flew off a van, went over the median, and struck the roof and windshield of his Dodge Ram truck. Thankfully, the roof absorbed the majority of the impact. The windshield was shattered. (My husband ended up with small shards of glass in his mouth). Thankfully, despite the shock, my husband was able to get his truck safely over to the side of the interstate and didn't hit anyone in the process. When the police officer arrived on scene, he told my husband that he was lucky to be alive. (We don't believe in luck. We believe in the protection of God!) If that wheel had been just the tiniest bit lower, he would have died. I get the emotion of saying goodbye to your spouse in this chapter. All the things you want to say. Lucie passes out, and who comes to her rescue? Sydney Carton. Note that Dickens tells us that he doesn't have a flush of pity but of pride. He carries her to her carriage and asks little Lucie if he may kiss her mother on the cheek. As he does he whispers the words, "A life you love." Do you begin to see where this going? "Greater love has no man than this: to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13) The one who seemed to have no purpose and no ambition in life is the one that now steps with a settled step. He knows the path that is opening the up before him. CHAPTER 12 - DARKNESS FRANCE Carton's plan is put into action. He stops in the Defarge's wineshop. Why in the world would he do that? He MUST BE SEEN! It must be known that there is a man about that looks almost identical to Darnay for this to work. As he sits he overhears conversation between Monsieur and Madame Defarge, Vengeance, and Jacques Three. Monsieur Defarge is troubled with what is going to happen to Darnay because of how it is affecting Manette. Madame Defarge is questioning Manette's loyalty to the Republic, and we see Madame Defarge for who she really is when she tells us that Lucie's life is hanging by a mere flick of her finger. But the greatest reveal of this chapter, the part that we were holding our breath for, is who was the sister that the brother hid away before he went after the Evremonde brothers for what they did to his other sister? Of course it is Madame Defarge. Now, we understand why her hatred goes so much deeper than that of a "mother bear" that we talked about earlier. Her husband is not on board with all of this killing and reminds her of Darnay's mother that tried to intervene. Dickens knows how to speak to his readers about everything they are feeling. I don't know about you, but there have been several moments where I have thought about the benefit of taking out Madame Defarge. As Carton leaves, he asks for directions to the National Palace, and Madame Defarge takes him to the door, puts her arm on his, and points the way. We all know how thoughts run through our heads, and Carton is no different. He imagines himself lifting up her arm and stabbing her under it. We may mistakenly think that that would stop the bloodshed, but when you cut off the head of a resistance leader, often there are many more waiting to take over and the action fuels the fire. Carton returns to Lorry's home, and they anxiously await Manette's return from his last ditch attempt at saving Darnay. As he enters, it is evident that all is lost. He immediately begins looking for his bench and tools. Now Carton's path is set. There is no looking back. Never breathing a word to Lorry about his true intentions, he gives him the paperwork that allows Carton to leave the city for "safekeeping" and gives him the paperwork that falls out of Dr. Manette's jacket that gives permission for Manette, Lucie, and Little Lucie to leave as well. He tells Lorry that Lucie and Little Lucie are in grave danger and to secure passage for them to leave France tomorrow by 2pm. He is to only wait for Carton's place to be filled and then he must leave without exception. He says his goodbyes to Lorry and Manette in a way that only he understands that they are forever. He walks outside, looks up at Lucie's window and whispers a Farewell. We know what's coming. CHAPTER 13 - FIFTY-TWO FRANCE Why the name 52? Because 52 are condemned to die the next day. Darnay writes his goodbye letters To Lucie. - He confirms his innocence of any knowledge of what his father and uncle had done. He confirms his love and blessing over her and tells her they will meet in Heaven. To Manette - He also confirms that he had no knowledge of what his father and uncle had done. He leaves Lucie and Little Lucie in his care. To Lorry - He tells his him the state of his worldly goods and leaves them all in his care. He never thinks of Carton, and he falls asleep. He sleeps a little, but the wakes up with everything on his mind. (I think all of us can relate to this.) He thinks about the guillotine. How high it is, will the hands that touch him be red with other's blood, etc. He paces as he plays all this out in his mind. The hours count down. Then he hears footsteps. Note how often the theme of footsteps shows up in this book. This time the footsteps are bearers of hope (though Darnay doesn't know that yet!) They belong to John Barsad (the spy, Miss Pross's brother) and Sydney Carton. I'm not going to go through all the exchange, but Carton has Darnay switch clothes with him and write out a letter that tells us exactly what is happening here. He writes of the words that he told Lucie long ago. It is only to keep Darnay busy for the next step. Remember the powders that Carton picked up from the chemist shop? He passes the powder under Darnay's nose, and he passes out. Carton puts on Darnay's clothes. Calls Barsad back and with the help of some friends, they carry Darnay out. This does not startle the guards as it is common for people to faint from the emotion or have come in drunk and passed out. They have no trouble getting Darnay out the door and Carton takes his place. Then the gaoler comes for him. Dickens is so gracious to us in the fact that he allows a companion to emerge so Carton doesn't go through this by himself. A young woman joins him and they begin the journey together. Dickens give us one more huge blessing, because she somehow realizes that he is not Darnay. As he goes through his final moments someone knows of the sacrifice that he is making. Meanwhile, a carriage leaves quietly bearing Manette, Lucie, Little Lucie, Lorry, and Darnay asleep in the corner (but everyone thinks it is Carton). They pass through the check point and are not pursued. CHAPTER 14 - THE KNITTING DONE FRANCE We knew that Madame Defarge would never be satisfied with just the death of Darnay. His entire family must pay the price, so she secures the method to make sure that happens and sets out to accomplish it. We have to love Miss Pross by the end of this chapter. How creepy for Miss Pross to be in the house by herself finishing the packing when she looks up and sees Madame Defarge in the room with her. Seriously, this is the stuff that horror movies are made from! The faithful Miss Pross has made it her business to put herself between Madame Defarge and Lucie (even though Lucie is already gone, she's trying to buy them as much time to get away as possible.) The age old stand of love versus hate shines forth in their exchange. Madame Defarge lunges and Pross grabs her and wraps her arms around her waist. She can't get to her ax. Madame Defarge reaches into her bosom for her gun, but Pross hits it causing it to go off and Madame Defarge falls down dead. Miss Pross settles herself, puts on her bonnet which hides the scratches on her face and her messed up hair, locks the door, crosses the bridge over the river, and drops the key into the river. She meets up with Jerry Cruncher where she realizes that she is deaf from the gunshot. She will never hear again. They leave France. CHAPTER !5 - THE FOOTSTEPS DIE OUT FOREVER FRANCE/ENGLAND Note our footsteps, again, in the title of the chapter. I don't know about you, but I am ready for the footsteps to come to an end and life to move to a more peaceful state. We're almost there but not quite yet. The carts rattle through the streets carrying the 52 prisoners to the guillotine. Darnay (Carton) is the star of the show, the one that all have come to see. He pays them no heed only focusing on the girl next to him. Vengeance is in a panic looking for Madame Defarge who would never miss this pinnacle event. And as Vengeance scrambles and screams the carts unload and the blade begins to crash down. Sydney focuses only on the girl in front of him. He turns her back to the guillotine, so she doesn't see the continuous flow of death. He reassures her, and they kiss each other goodbye. The girl steps forward and is gone - number 22. Carton steps forward reciting to himself, "I am the Resurrection and the Life..." He places himself in the spot, the crowd pushes forward, and then it all fades away. Number 23. Thank goodness Dickens doesn't leave us hanging there. We must know if the rest of the people that we have come to love, did they make it? First of all, Defarge, Vengeance, and many other of the leadership of the revolution end up dying by the end. It takes a long time, but beauty does come from the ashes of everything that happened in France. But to those we love, Lucie lives and has a child that is named Sydney. Dr. Manette revives and lives out his life well watching over his family. Lorry lives out his days blessing the family before he passes away. Darnay is not mentioned in the initial paragraph. However, he is mentioned in the next paragraph. Lucie weeps on the anniversary and when she and Darnay die, Carton knows that he holds a very special place in each of their souls. As the boy grows who bears his name, the actions of the original Sydney Carton are blotted out and replaced with all the amazing things that the young man does under the name of Sydney Carton. It is the last quote that solidifies everything as much as the opening quote did. "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done, it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." When I closed the book with my high school group, I looked at them and asked them who their favorite character was in the book? Now, I ask you. For me, Sydney Carton was the lynchpin in this amazing novel. The power of change, of finding purpose and love, of self-sacrifice. He overwhelms me and leaves me in awe. We would all be so blessed to have a friend so committed, and it leaves us asking how quickly we would be to do the same. I hope you all enjoyed this book. I find it unbelievably moving. Hopefully, as we close the cover and reflect over the pages, we are challenged in our own thoughts and motives, because as we know it doesn't take much for thoughts and motives to turn into actions whether good or bad.

REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt YELLOW LIGHT WITH CAUTION AGE: ADULT Remarkably Bright Creatures is a story that follows three different people's journey. Well, let me rephrase that. It is a story that follows two people and an octopus. Tova is a lonely widow whose son disappeared years ago. Cameron is a 30-year-old guy who despite being super intelligent can't hold down a job and has very little purpose in life. His mom disappeared years ago, and now he thinks he's discovered who his real father is. He's off on a journey to meet him. Marcellus is the brightest character in the book, and he's an octopus close to the end of his life. When Tova and Cameron end up meeting each other through work at a local aquarium, Marcellus makes it his life mission to bring these two hurting individuals together. Now before you think you already have it figured out how that's going to happen by reading this review, let me just say there are a few unexpected twists that make this an overall heartwarming story. Some people, myself included, will struggle with the intelligence of the octopus, and how he tells his story to us the readers. (He doesn't talk to Tova or Cameron.) While I do know that the octopus is an intelligent creature, it was hard for me to feel that some happenings in the story were believable. Others will love the brilliance of using such an unlikely character to bring people together. HEADS UP - There is a fair amount of language including G**d*** and one f-bomb. There are 3 sexual relationships mentioned (one is a married couple). There are no intimate details given.

GREEN LIGHT WITH CAUTION AGES: 4TH - 7TH GRADE THE LEMONADE WAR by Jacqueline Davies. Illustrated by Karen De La Vega The Lemonade War is a story of sibling rivalry with a bit of business savvy thrown in for an unexpected learning twist. Originally published as a chapter book in 2007, this is the graphic novel rendition. Jessie and Evan typically enjoy a close sibling relationship. This all changes when Evan finds out Jessie will be skipping third grade to join him in his fourth grade class at school next year. Evan struggles in school while his sister, Jessie, excels and loves school. Angry at the idea of constantly being compared to Jessie and coming up short. he allows the idea of a lemonade stand to turn into a sibling competition to prove that he is smarter than Jessie is at least one area. The fun of this book is two fold. It teaches the idea of raising money for a cause, and it introduces lots of great business concepts as Jessie and Evan attempt to learn so they can outdo each other. HEADS UP - Obviously, all of this happens because of a fight between a brother and sister. That includes Evan telling Jessie that he "hates her." There is no question that Evan is struggling and feels threatened by the idea of Jessie being in his class. Lying and sabotage occur. SPOILER ALERT By the end of the story the relationship is healed, and the two are working together.

DAUGHTER OF EGYPT by Marie Benedict GREEN LIGHT WITH CAUTION AGE: UPPER HIGH SCHOOL - ADULT The Daughter of Egypt is an absolutely fantastic read. Intertwined in this amazing historical fiction account are the lives of Hatshepsut and Lady Evelyn Herbert (daughter of Lord Carnarvon). Set in two different time periods, the lives of these two ambitious women speak volumes in times when women were more articles of beauty and arm ornaments than ones of knowledge and authority. The story begins in 1919 at Highclere Castle (yes, the home featured in the well known Downtown Abbey series). If you are not familiar with the fact that Lord Carnarvon was an avid amateur Egyptologist who funded many archeological expeditions to the Valley of the Kings with Howard Carter, you will be by the end of this story. Lady Evelyn, "Eve" as she was known, developed a love and passion for the mysterious Egypt as a result of her father's involvement, and this shines through the story from the beginning! The book alternates sections of Eve's life with those of the little known Hatshepsut. Benedict pulls us into the hot, desert region of Thebes, Egypt 1486 BC, and I'll tell you, we don't want to leave! Unfolding for us is an unbelievable tale of power, riches, and family dynasties. I'm going to leave it at that, so the wonder and mystery are not spoiled. There are a couple of items to be aware of. HEADS UP- This book refers to the Egyptian gods Hatshepsut is considered the God Wife of Amun. Marriage to close family members is very common to keep the royal blood lines pure. There are no details given, but the story makes it clear that the sexual union between Hatshepsut and her husband is watched by priests to guarantee the purity. Later, Hatshepsut takes a lover after her husband dies. She is not allowed to marry again. There are no details to their intimate life.

A FORTUNE OF SAND by Ruta Sepetys YELLOW LIGHT WITH CAUTION AGE: ADULT A Fortune of Sand is Ruta Sepetys historical fiction debut into the adult book world versus her typical crossover books (teen-adult). The book is full of twists and turns (Actually forget that. It's full of floor-drops-out-from-under-you moments!), and will leave you completely shocked with what is going on, but there is content to be aware of. Set in Detroit in 1927 around the powerful and super wealthy automotive industry, A Fortune of Sand, tells the fictional story of the Lennox family who are tycoons in the glass industry especially in automotive windshields. The family is a mess of spoil and privilege except for the youngest, Marjorie, who doesn't fit the mold. Artistic and truthful, she looks for an escape from her family. Applying to a secret, but exclusive arts program, she attempts to prove herself, but it doesn't take long to realize that something isn't right. Odd rules and the disappearances of the other members leave questions and concerns to be answered. The ultimate question becomes is Marjorie going to prove herself this time, or has she just dug a major hole that her family is going to have to get her out of? HEADS UP - There is some language to navigate including 2 f-bombs. The biggest content warning is going to be sex. A lot of crass conversation and references occur around sexual topics. The topic of syphilis comes up. There are two times that you know people are having a sex, but it is closed door.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES by Charles Dickens Buckle up!! The next two weeks are about to be intense as we wrap up A Tale of Two Cities! CHAPTER 7 - A KNOCK AT THE DOOR FRANCE Remember last week I asked you if you expected the outcome that happened at court revolving around Charles Darnay? Did you think things could go so easily especially since Lucie trembles so much at the end? But before we get into that, I've got to pull out one more thing I noticed. Did you catch the fact that when someone has been accused and released from court, their name must be painted onto the front door or the doorpost? Even though the household tries to live below the radar by sending Miss Pross and Mr. Cruncher out to run errands and do the shopping, it's virtually impossible to disappear. Darnay, Lucie, Little Lucie, and Dr. Manette sit around when the fire when Lucie cries out. She thinks she hears strange footsteps on the stairs. Note Manette's response to her. "The staircase is as still as Death." A simile, yes, but encased in it is foreshadowing, because Death has just shown up. The dreaded knock occurs on the door, and Darnay is taken away. He was released and retaken on the same day. Not even one whole day in freedom. (Chapter 10) Who is it that's denounced him this time? It's Citizen and Citizeness Defarge. Remember the imagery we had earlier of Madame Defarge being compared to a cat as she played with a mouse. The game continues on. CHAPTER 8 - A HAND AT CARDS FRANCE What is the National Razor that will shave a man close? It's the guillotine. Remember Pross and Cruncher are out shopping while everything is going on. Proper, English Miss Pross gets the shock of her life. Standing up from among the Republicans looking like a peasant Frenchman is Pross's crooked brother, Solomon aka John Barsad. Do you remember who John Barsad is? He was one of the original men who spoke against Darnay when he was accused of being a spy in England. (Who's the real spy?) Barsad is also the spy that went into the wineshop and tried to get the Defarges to talk with him. (Guess what that means? Since we now find him as a Republican that makes him s a triple spy which could get him in serious trouble.) Pross is shocked that her brother, who in her eyes could do no wrong, is standing before her dressed as a Frenchman. She is horrified by this. As they stand and talk, Sydney Carton joins the group. When did he enter the picture? Remember the end of Chapter 5 there was a stranger standing with Lorry. Here's our stranger! Carton recognizes Barsad. He knows who he is, and he uses it to his advantage. He takes him off where the two of them can talk, and as Miss Pross notices there is an unusual light in Carton's eyes. A metaphorical game of cards is played as Carton knows that Barsad can get people into the prison. At first, Barsad thinks that Carton is going to attempt to get Darnay out, but that's not what he has planned.. CHAPTER 9 - THE GAME MADE FRANCE An arrangement has been made between Barsad and Carton. Carton tells Lorry and Cruncher that he has secured one visit with Darnay. As Carton tells this to them, Lorry's anxiety grows and the tears began to fall. Remember at the beginning of the book when we first met Lorry, he was extremely calm and collected. He wore his work like a suit of clothes that he could slip in and out of. Gone are those days. The weight and connection that he has to the Manettes has taken its toll. Note also Carton's response to all of this. He's care and concern for others has grown even more past Lucie. Speaking of Lucie, now she becomes the center of Carton and Lorry's conversation. Notice that Carton will not say her name. Carton asks how she is, and Lorry responds that she is anxious but as beautiful as ever. Carton's response is a grievous sigh that borders on a sob. Foreshadowing is all I will say at this point. What follows is a beautiful conversation between Lorry and Carton as they look back over their lives. Who will mourn for them when they are gone? Carton asks if Lorry's childhood seems like it was a long time ago. Pay attention to the fact that Carton is acting as if he is as old a man as Lorry. They walk together to the gate of the house where Lucie is. Carton refuses to go in, but as he turns to walk away, he touches the gate and says to himself it is the gate that she has touched. He walks along where she would have walked. There's a few more things that I could touch on with this chapter, but I'm going to pick and choose just a couple more items.. Carton stops by the chemist shop and picks up some powders with a warning on their usage. We'll know why next week. As he walks the streets he reminiscences about his childhood, and we are given the answer to Carton's apathetic approach to life. Once, he was a bright and competitive youth intent on becoming the best among his peers. His mother died when he was young, but somehow he managed to continue on. It appears that the rug was swept out from under his feet when his father died. His whole life changed after that moment. Now, as he walks the city, he thinks back to his father's funeral and the words that were spoken that we often hear even today at funerals. "I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die." We really have to stop and ask ourselves why Carton is repeating these words to himself. As he walks, he encounters two separate things: a young girl and the stream that appears purposeless, yet is absorbed into the ocean and likens it to himself. There are big things at work here. The man who has appeared to live his whole life as an uncaring, unconcerned, borderline waste of a life has been metamorphosing over the second half of this book, and I can guarantee you that the butterfly that is about to emerge is more beautiful than any of us could imagine within a character. The real trial begins. Not the one for show and for toying. The one that is meant for finality. We were lead to believe that there were two voices coming forth to accuse Darnay, the Defarges. Now, we are shocked into the reality that there is a third voice, and the owner of the voice is shocked even more than we are. The voice of Dr, Manette in testimony won't be heard in his vocal voice but in his written hand. Remember how Manette shook the night that Darnay talked about the letter that was found in the English prison he was held in? We knew that there was a letter somewhere that had an intense weight attached to it. There was no way it could be the letter Darnay mentioned, because Manette was held in a French prison not an English one. Remember also, how at the storming of the Bastille Defarge immediately went looking for Manette's cell? He was on the hunt for something, and it was the piece of paper that is about to be read in the courtroom. The very man that made it his life mission to get Darnay released for the love of his daughter will be the one who puts the final nail in his coffin without ever having intended to. CHAPTER 10 THE SUBSTANCE OF THE SHADOW Now it's time to understand why Madame Defarge has such an intense hatred for Charles Darnay that goes far beyond just that of a "mother bear" forced to endure watching the mistreatment of her loved ones her entire life. No, this hatred is even more deeply rooted, and the story arises and smashes everyone who hears it just as white water rapids rush through a canyon sweeping and drowning anyone who should happen to stand in its path. In the tenth year of his imprisonment, Manette, with the help of a rusty nail, soot from his chimney mixed with blood writes out the tale of what happened to bring about his incarceration. Did your soul weep as you read this part of the story? One night, he had the misfortune to be so well known as an up-and-coming doctor. Isn't it interesting that I say that? He was honorable, reliable, and talented, and it was these things that caused him to be sought after by two disgusting, aristocratic brothers: the Marquis de Evremonde and his younger brother, Darnay's father. Manette has no choice but to go with them. He is taken to a "damp, decayed" home (note the setting completely sets the tone for what he is about to see!) where he sees the two brothers in the light and realizes they are twins. They take him to an upper room where a beautiful, young, peasant woman lays in bad shape and is bound by gentlemen's attire including a scarf that bears the letter "E" on it. Manette removes the scarf from her mouth, and being half crazed out of her mind, she begins shrieking, "My Husband, my brother, and my father!" counts to twelve, and then cries, "Hush!" over and over again. He tends to her. Givers her medicine and lays a reassuring hand on her for half an hour. Then the elder brother tells him there is one more person for him to examine. The other is a handsome, peasant boy about seventeen who is in the loft over the stable. He is clearly dying from a sword wound, but before he passes he has a story to share. He is the brother to the screeching woman locked away in the room. The story he relays to Manette is as horrific as we could ever encounter. The younger Evremonde brother (Darnay's father - he is married at this point and Charles is a toddler) notices the beautiful young woman who is a tenant on the Evremonde land. (Notice that the boy accuses both of the brothers, the Marquis for the way he taxes them and forces them to live, and the younger for his actions against his sister. ) He wants the girl for his pleasure even though she is married. Her husband agrees to the arrangement, but she refuses. To punish the husband and bring him under submission where he will force his wife to go with Darnay's father, the Evremonde brothers (note the "they" in the accusation) harnessed him to a cart by day and worked him endlessly. By night he was forced to stay up and quiet the frogs so the nobles could sleep. It didn't take long before his body couldn't handle the strain, and he collapsed as the noon bell chimed twelve times. He gave twelve sobs and died. We begin to understand the cries that the woman makes - the counting to twelve and the shriek for her husband. As the woman is taken away to be used for the pleasure of Darnay's father, her brother sees them. He rushes home, tells his father (whose heart bursts and he dies - the "my father" of her screams), he takes his younger sister and hides her, and he tracks his sister and Darnay's father with a sword in his hand to the very building where he now lays. At first, Darnay's father tosses money at him as if money could solve it all! (Did it solve the death of the boy beneath the wheels of the Marquis' carriage?) When that doesn't work, he struck at him with a whip. When that still didn't work Darnay's father drew his sword to protect his life, and he stabbed the woman's brother. But it's what happens next that absolutely seals the deal The boy, gallant to the very end asks to be lifted up to see Darnay's father who isn't there. The boy then turns his head to the Marquis, dips his finger into the blood that flows out of his wound and marks a cross in the air while cursing everyone of the Marquis' family, and then he dies (the "my brother" of the woman's screams). Hush, they're all dead. For 26 hours the woman screams, and then she begins to fade. Note that the Marquis couldn't care less about the personhood of the woman dying. He is only amazed how long a peasant can hold on. The woman lasted for a week before she finally died. The Marquis and his brother tell Manette he is not to tell anyone what happened that night. They attempt to pay Manette, but he refuses the money and goes home. The next morning the gold is found on his doorstep. Manette cannot keep the secret. He writes to the Minister knowing full well that nothing will probably ever come of it due to the brothers' position. As he finishes the letter he is told that a woman waits to talk with him. It is the younger Evremonde brother's wife. Note that she says she is the Marquis' wife. I looked this up and according to what I could find the twins were joint inheritors both with the title of Marquis. She knows what her husband did, and she is sick about it. Bringing her little son with her, Charles, she has come to try and find the younger sister (who was hidden away), so she can support her in private. She knows that there will be fallback from this horrific deed, and she looks to protect her son from it. She brings what little she owns personally, a few jewels, that she wishes to give to the younger, unknown sister. Of course, Manette has no idea who she is. Charles witnesses all of this, and the mother entreats her little son to be "faithful." Later that night a call comes for Dr, Manette, and he is taken instead to the prison where he spends the next 18 years of his life imprisoned wrongly. Before he is taken inside, the brothers step out from the darkness and identify him. The Marquis holds Manette's letter in his hand, lights it on fire, and burns it. Manette has just been buried without a trace. And so, the doctor who set out to save Darnay's life, becomes the very one who unknowingly convicts him. And we know who that missing sister is, don't we?! As I close today's post, my mind is flooded with so much scripture. Do not commit adultery. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding. He who does so destroys his own soul. Looking at a woman with lust is the same as committing adultery. The words go on and on. How amazing and understandable that the actions of one event can tear an entire family down for generations. I look forward to any comments! Next week, we'll wrap it all up!

ORRIS AND TIMBLE LOST AND FOUND by Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Carmen Mok. GREEN LIGHT AGES: K-1ST - READ TO ME 1ST - 3RD - I CAN READ MYSELF I am absolutely loving the Orris and Timble series. Book 1 is so sweet and wonderful, and Book 2 doesn't disappoint. A quick heads up- you will want to start this series with the first book to fully appreciate the friendship. Orris and Timble have become the best of friends. A highly unlikely friendship since they are a rat and an owl. Book 1 explains how their friendship came to be. Now, every night Timble comes to the barn so Orris can tell him a story. But one night, Timble doesn't show up. More days go past without Timble coming, and Orris is convinced that he's been forgotten about. Maybe their friendship wasn't as important as he thought it was. However, just maybe, there might be another explanation! Most kids will experience a similar situation in their lives at some point with regards to friendships. It's very easy to make assumptions and think the worst when unexplainable things happen. Orris and Timble help readers realize there might just be a simple explanation when it seems like things are going wrong. Orris and Timble is a delightful, easy chapter book series for beginning readers.

THE LAST MANDARIN by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung YELLOW LIGHT with CAUTION AGE: ADULT The Last Mandarin has a completely different feel to it than Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series. Gone is the small town atmosphere and community of Three Pines. Instead, all paths lead to the White House and China. At first, I thought I wasn't going to enjoy it as much, but in the end, it won me over.. In today's world of constant struggle between the US and China, The Last Mandarin feels as though it could have stepped right off the evening news into book form. The most unlikely mother/daughter team find themselves caught up in the midst of an international crisis. Alice is a food blogger, while her mother, Vivien Li, is a well-known Chinese activist who gained popularity for her involvement in the Tiananmen Square protest. When all security and fire alarms go off around the world simultaneously causing intense panic, the US is able to trace the signal back to China. Knowing this is only a test for something bigger coming, the panic escalates when next, all elevators shut down worldwide trapping thousands of people inside. The US knows this cannot be tolerated and must be stopped at all costs, but what if who they think is behind all of the chaos is as much a victim of the attacks as they are. With the ability to travel to China without raising too many red flags, it's up to this often-at-odds pair, Alice and Vivien, and their unique contacts to try and unravel what's really going on behind the scenes. The Last Mandarin is a nailbiter right up to the very last page. There are several really cool places included in the story including an amazing part in Xi'an in the middle of the Terracotta Army. HEADS UP - There are two main considerations with this book. -There is quite a bit of language including the often used f-bomb. -Vivien Li's son, Alice's brother, is gay and married to a man. There is very little detail given to their relationship.

ALICE WITH A WHY by Anna James GREEN LIGHT AGES: 5TH - 8TH GRADE Alice With a Why is a story that takes us back to Wonderland. This time instead of following the original Alice, it's her granddaughter Alyce that finds an unexpected way in to the magical world. Thinking that her grandmother's stories were just that, stories, Alyce is shocked to meet in person The Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, White Rabbit, and other familiar characters from the original tale. Even though there are similarities between the two adventures with the whimsy and characters, this book is definitely it's own story. Alyce carries a heavy burden. Her beloved father was killed during the Great War that has just recently ended. As she travels through Wonderland, it becomes very evident that she is wrestling with the loss and is blessed to have a reliable guide that helps her on her journey. SPOLIER ALERT Instead of the two queens as in the original, there is a Sun King and the Queen of the Moon who are warring against each other. At first, I felt as if this was a bit of a mistake to put them in as characters. However, the more you realize the breadcrumb trail of hints that we as readers follow relating to the loss of Alyce's father, I get the feeling of war that this interjects into the story.

CAPITANA by Cassandra James GREEN LIGHT AGE: 9TH GRADE - COLLEGE AGE I absolutely love when I can share a squeaky clean YA book!! WOOHOO!! Not only that, but it's a story about pirates and romance and swordfights! A book this good is heading straight to my SARAH"S FAVORITES BOOKLIST! Ximena Reale has been fighting with everything she has to leave her family's past in the past. She has scratched and clawed her way through the prestigious La Academia, the well known school that trains pirate hunters to guard the seas. Even though she is at the top of her class, there is no escaping the fact that her father and mother were hung for being notorious pirates. Ximena wants nothing more than to erase that tie from her life and to no longer be known as a daughter of pirates. The only way to accomplish her goal is to make it as a Cazador and gain the coveted Cazador Cloak. To do so requires an act of ultimate, indisputable bravery, and Ximena knows just the situation to pursue. The dreaded pirate, Gasparilla is back. If that wasn't enough, Gasparilla is a pirate that's been dead and buried for years. To the average person that sounds like a situation to stay away from, but to Ximena. it is just the ticket. Both my daughter and I read this book, and we loved it! The second book in the series will be released soon, and we can't wait for it! HEADS UP - There is a tiny mention of magic in the book.

CABIN by Patrick Hutchison YELLOW LIGHT AGE: ADULT Cabin is the kind of book that speaks to people who feel lost in the daily grind of life. It's the story of an unhappy guy sitting in his cubicle every day, hammering it out on his computer into what feels like a nothingness oblivion. That's where author Patrick Hutchison starts his story in this autobiography. What began as Patrick trying to find something purposeful in his life morphed into the hunt to buy a house. Except, his budget wouldn't accommodate anything in the Seattle, Washington area. So he looked further out, and further out still until he landed on a Craigslist ad for a tiny remote cabin. Unbeknownst to him, that tiny, falling-down cabin was going to change his life in some pretty big ways. Cabin is a story of friendship, of making memories, of taking a leap of faith, and ultimately challenging oneself in ways that have a lasting impact. HEADS UP - There are a few things to be aware of. -There is a spattering of language including a handful of f-bombs -There is a decent amount of alcohol consumption -There is one point where the author talks about his experience with taking mushrooms.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES by Charles Dickens CHAPTER 3 - THE SHADOW FRANCE What are your thoughts on Madame DeFarge and Vengeance especially after this chapter? A note arrives from Dr. Manette to Lorry and from Charles to Lucie by DeFarge. When they walk out to deliver the note to Lucie, there in the courtyard are Madame DeFarge and her friend, Vengeance. We can tell immediately that Lorry is troubled by the appearance of Madame DeFarge, and he askes about her coming. DeFarge says that it's purely so she can see Lucie and know who she is to keep her safe. I don't know about you, but that woman makes my skin crawl and rightly so. Do any of us believe for a second that she has Lucie's safety in mind? Not a chance! Think about what happens next. The note is delivered to Lucie who is so overcome with gratitude that she kisses Madame DeFarge's hand. Madame DeFarge immediately pulls back. Lucie's gets a "check' in her spirit and is terrified. Madame DeFarge sees Little Lucie and asks about her. We have this powerful moment of imagery as the dark shadow that covers Madame DeFarge slides over onto Little Lucie. All of our momma hearts cry out in protest. Then to frost the cake, Lucie asks for mercy for her husband. Madame DeFarge responds that they have begged for mercy for their husbands, children, and sister-women for years to no avail. Does Lucie really think that the trouble of one woman could mean anything to her? The woman is an absolute snake. We are so far removed from punishing those that committed the horrific crimes on the poor. Now, the goal is to wipe a class off the face of the earth. CHAPTER 4 - CALM IN THE STORM FRANCE Did you catch that 1100 people, male and female, died over the four days that Manette was gone? Since Manette is a doctor, he has been able to gain access to Darnay for an "examination," He also tends to the needs of other prisoners. As we follow him around, we get a deeper picture of what life around the prison looks like. At one point, Manette walks through the gate and passes out. When he comes to, he is struck by the craziness of the fact that he is helped by a group of "Samaritans" that are sitting on top of a pile of bodies. One moment they're ready to help. The next minute they're ready to kill again. Just a historical heads up = by this time the king and the queen have been beheaded. Manette is convinced that he will be able to get Darnay freed to be able to help his daughter who helped him be "recalled to life." (Have you noticed the continuing theme of resurrection in this book? ) By this point, Darnay has been in prison for 1 year and 3 months! I'm going to end this chapter with a comment on La Guillotine. The jokes, the replacement of Crosses worn around the neck for it. It has become the faith and religion for those in the uprising. They are consumed by it. CHAPTER 5 - THE WOOD SAWYER Dr. Manette tells Lucie there is a window where Darnay could look out and possibly see her. She won't see him, and she mustn't make a sign that she is there for him. Remember our road mender? He is now a wood sawyer and lives close to where Lucie goes and stands. It doesn't take long before he notices her and talks with her. One day when she has Little Lucie with her, he is particularly gruesome. As he cuts his wood, he pretends to be chopping people's heads off just like Samson does. (Samson is the name of the man who runs the guillotine.) He proceeds to pretend to kill an entire family. Lucie gives him drink money, so he'll leave them alone. One day as she stands in her spot, Lucie is surrounded by a dancing mob . They are dancing a horrific dance called The Carmagnole, and Lucie is caught up in the middle of it. Dr. Manette assures her that she won't be harmed. As they turn to go, they see Madame DeFarge walking. I think Dickens gives Lucie a double dose of terror by having her show up right after the dance. Interestingly, all of this happens on the cusp of Darnay's appearance in court. It is finally his turn. At the end of this chapter, we have a mysterious visitor that arrives and is standing with Lorry. Any guesses as to who it is?! CHAPTER 6 - Triumph FRANCE This chapter title gives most of the chapter away, but leave it to Dickens to throw a twist in at the end. A few things to note in this chapter. -Darnay is charged for being an emigrant. What is the difference between an emigrant and an immigrant? -Gabelle (the reason Darnay came) has been let go, because they now have Darnay as a result. I have to admit I felt a bit like I was watching a crime show where they get the littler fish and use them to catch the bigger fish and work right up the ladder. -Manette is able to get Darnay free. -Irony that the very people who were ready to tear Darnay to pieces rush around him and hug him instead. The crowd puts Darnay in a chair and carries him home to Lucie. -But if everything is okay and over, why is Lucie trembling so much at the end of the chapter?