Lee's latest book 'Shattered' where a 19 year old is crippled by a snow-boarding accident – a freak of timing, or a murder … we are left to wonder.
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| Lee's book |
The story, or two, are a delight to read – there's the main story with a sub-plot, which adds to the twist of the tale.
I really enjoyed it … for two reasons:
First and obvious I guess – the story … it happily took me along, and I was interested to see what would happen next.
Secondly – I'd recommend it as an education 'tool' to start to understand disability, how to cope with it from both the outsider (parent, friend, contacts – medical and community), and from the person whose life has suddenly, and so dramatically, changed.
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| Lee's banner for her new Young Adult novel |
I've been fortunate in my life … in that I should have been involved with major incidents – but I was overseas and thus was not in the country – until my mother near the end of her life had major strokes and was confined to bed … we were very fortunate that she was able to communicate.
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| Disability Symbols |
It was a learning experience that I had to come to terms with, as well as learn to deal with – it was a struggle, and mentally demanding … but we coped – I learnt and we both laughed our way along – yes with, at times, lots of grief.
However – this is not about me –
but Lee's book 'Shattered' …
… lives are altered, we need to adapt and change, we should appreciate others' challenges …
If I had read this book … perhaps a much younger self would have enjoyed the story, but today's self – appreciated the accuracy of the times in the book that showed how all the characters dealt with their lives … something that we really do not come across … unless disaster intercepts our lives, or we're in that type of work.
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| Snowboarder in soft snow |
I really did enjoy the book – and do highly recommend it: to everyone to read … it has depth, the characters are interesting, the storyline makes sense in today's world … and is there to make us think about things perhaps we had never had reason to do so, and I would hope to remember/learn from.
Lee – I congratulate you … 'Shattered' is a highly readable book – with hope, with struggles, but most of all with positivity …
It is in the Young Adult genre … but frankly could be enjoyed by everyone and discussed within the family setting – a great read: Highly recommended.
All the best Lee (also known as Cheryl … but to me she's Lee!) …
You can pick Shattered up here: Amazon Smashwords
I slightly give up with the changes in text size ... so I do give up!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
38 comments:
Lee will be thrilled to hear that!
Hari OM
I know a few folks who enjoy this lady's work... I confess it is not for me - only because I struggle to get any reading done at all these days and when I do it's mainly scientific or biographical. It's always good to hear of something that has been worth spending the time on though! YAM xx
As usual, you've put your unique and delightful touch to your post, and I'm thrilled that it was about Shattered. I'm also thrilled that you enjoyed reading Libby's story. That is the best news of the day. Thank you for giving me so much space on your blog, Hilary.
And, yes, I'm really Cheryl, Lee being my middle name. For some reason I no longer remember, I chose to publish under C. Lee and it has stuck.
As you always say, Cheers!
@ Alex … thank you – it seems she is thrilled with the post … but her book is well worth reading …
@ Yam – that's excellent to read you're aware of her works, even if you feel they're not in your realm of reading. Yes I enjoyed her story … an interesting take on writing a Young Adult novel …
@ Lee – delighted to have put the post up for you – it was a pleasure to read, to think about … and then to add in the thought about a learning experience for many who might be interested in learning.
It's funny coming across people's names on the net or their blog – and sort of debating where they got their name – I've always known you as Lee … so it stays with me! But thank you for the explanation …
As you say Lee, Cheers to you three – thanks for visiting and taking note of Lee's book – it's a good read and will make an excellent Christmas present … all the best - Hilary
Snap. I am featuring Shattered on my blog today too. I only received my copy yesterday but I am really, really looking forward to diving in.
Shattered sounds like a good informative story. Congratulations to Lee.
Hi Lee, Hi Hilary,
I have read at least four of Lee's books, and I have enjoyed each one of them. Now I look forward to reading Shattered because it touches on a real-life experience that very few writers write about.
Thank you, Hilary, for featuring Lee.
Shalom aleichem
Shattered does sound highly readable. I'm sure Lee will have much success with it.
Thanks for featuring Shattered, Hils.
Cheers,
Congrats to Lee.
@Alex I am very pleased. As you know, after a couple of years of writing something, you can only hope someone will think it's worth reading.
@Yamini Definitely not your kind of story. I love to read biography, too. In fact, I read just about everything that comes in the printed word--even warning lables. :-)
@Elephant's Child I'm on two of my favorite blogs today. How lucky is that?
@Romance Reader While this story has some romance, it wouldn't be up your alley. My focus is not on love.
@Pat Garcia You're the best. Thanks for your great comment.
#Sandra Thanks for following me around today!
#Liz A Thanks so much.
Congrats to Lee! So glad to hear you enjoyed Shattered so much. Sounds like an interesting story.
- Ugh! I Can relate. I hate when the text size changed. It drives me crazy trying to figure it our sometimes.
Thank for sharing.:)
~Jess
@ EC – I'm looking forward to reading your interview post … the book is a really good read.
@ Nas – it's a thought provoking read …. Lee's done really well …
@ Pat – great to see you and your comment – yes I've read a couple, but really enjoyed Shattered. From a real-life experience … I'd say it read a little like a tv programme – so it was entertaining. Enjoy the read ahead of you …
@ Sandra – it's a fascinating read – and I'm sure Lee will have success with her book.
@ Liz – thank you …
@ Good to see you Lee – thanks for answering the comments relative to my post on your book Shattered …
@ Jess – great to see you … I'm sure you'll enjoy her book and relate to her approach to the story.
I am now using a Mac – but need to put pics in via my pc … I'll adjust and learn as the days go by!! So will watch when I post my next one …
Cheers to you all – and thank you for stopping by … Hilary
Great review and by adding your perspective (young you vs. today's you), I think you gave the book an added dimension for reading.
Hi, Hilary - Thank you for inroducing us to Lee and to Shattered. I love the idea of a story within a story -- and an educational tool as well.
It's not an obvious choice for me, but what you've told us about has really interested me. It's time I tried something different! Nice one Hilary.
Congratulations to Lee! I'm so glad she wrote this book. As a child of someone disabled, I think she has done a great job of understanding how disability affects the lives of people - all the people involved.
Sounds like a good read. It's interesting how we react differently to circumstances depending on where we are with our own lives.
Wonderful review Hilary. You've certainly piqued my curiosity so I'm off to check out the book. Hugs xx
@ Joanne – thank you … I'm glad you noted my personal perspective – I hope people will read to see how the book unfolds and reflect the whys and wherefores …
@ Donna – yes … introducing an adjunct to the actual story as the tale unfolds … adds that enticing element to the mystery … as well as it can be looked at in an educational analysis for and used as such, if wished for …
@ Keith – it's an interesting read – not a juvenile book – but one we each can probably learn from, or at least think on – I hope you give it a go …
@ Tyrean – yes … she's written another very interesting and informative book. I hadn't realised you experience life with a disabled child … but wonderful to know that Lee has written the story well …
@ Mike – I so agree – since my mother was ill I've definitely looked a great many things in a different light – because I can see things from alternative aspects ….
@ Debby – thank you … I hope you'll give it a read …
Thanks to you all for your ideas and thoughts … I hope everyone will give the book a read … and think about it as you enjoy the story – cheers Hilary
The best fiction is definitely capable of affecting our lives. Alain De Botton's How Proust Can Change Your Life is a brilliant example of that!
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s accidentally anguilliform Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Thanks for the recommendation, Hilary. Congrats to Lee!
I have a friend whose son suffered traumatic brain injury and is now wheel-chair bound from a skateboard accident.
Will be interested to read this.
I wish I had time to read more YA because I bet I am missing out on some good books!
Cheers, Denise
I've read several of Lee's books so I know what a truly wonderful writer she is. I've no doubt this one is special. Congratulations, Lee!
Thanks, Hilary, for your support!
So glad you enjoyed Lee's latest release. It looks like a wonderful read.
Yes! Agreed! The essential story of dealing with disability definitely should be directed at a young, fit audience.
As you found with your beloved mum, it can be exhausting. I was still working when my elderly, beloved mum was threatened by involuntary euthanasia by a relative :( My previously strong mum needed my help with everything, particularly keeping her safe. I didn't handle that period with grace or skill.
@ Bazza – thanks so much for your suggestion … I'll look into your recommendation …
@ Denise – yes it's great to read the support for Lee and her new publication. I feel for your friend with her son …
That's good to read you'll be looking at Lee's book to read and I hope others will pick up more YA books …
@ Yolanda – yes … I've read a couple … but she seems to hit the right note for YA readers – and I hope this will introduce her to many other new readers.
@ Sandra – it is an interesting and informative read.
@ Hels – it'd be interesting if this could be used as an educational discussion tool – I think it'd open many eyes.
Thanks re my mother … and yes I gave up work to be with her … and too had some trying times during the five+ year illness – but your experience was desperate to read about.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts .. it's good to see commenters being prepared to consider the challenges with sudden disability … which so often is completely unexpected and which we're unprepared for …
Take care and have good weeks - Hilary
Hello Hilary: I am not quite sure why, but I have been having a bit of difficulty coming up with a suitable comment for this post. I suppose it is principally because I am unfamiliar with the author, and unlikely to read the book. Let me simply say that I applaud your dedication to the author, and anything that improves the lot of people with disabilities, physical or mental, wins kudos from me. Hugs from moi à toi. David
@ David - don't worry ... I quite understand ... I've known Lee for ages ... and on occasion will help fellow bloggers with their books - if I can see a fit between my blog and the subject of their book - as here ... re the disability aspect, and possible opportunity as far as an educational read (as a tool) ... including reading, thinking, analysing and debating the sad (and positive) possibilities arising from a disabling accident.
Thanks for coming by to comment - mental and physical challenges are so difficult to understand - if we've never had something disabling touch us ... appreciate your thoughts here - all the best and yes hugs from moi a toi too ... Hilary
A great review! It's such great timing for the book too.
I always enjoy Lee’s writing and look forward to reading this new adventure. She has such insight into a person’s psyche. Thanks for sharing your view of Shattered! Good luck Lee!
It's wonderful to see Lee's book here.
Thanks for this review, Hilary. I have marked it as a To Read. It is always good to read such inspirational stories.
Congratulations to Lee!
There's definitely a learning curve to being a support person for someone with a disability. Each time we adjusted to one thing with my dad's ALS, everything would change again, and we'd have to adapt once more. But he was willing to talk about what he needed from us, and that helped a lot.
I like when I can learn something from a book while enjoying it. It sounds like this is a winner.
Lee writes such great stories. I've read a few, always loved them and learned to solve problems I didn't want to face. I'm looking forward to this book.
@ Holly – thank you … it'd make a good Christmas present …
@ Lisa – yes Lee writes really well and from you, as a fellow prize-winning author, your comment makes a lot of sense. I enjoyed her characters and her view of Shattered …
@ Lynda – isn't it fun – her book deserves to be read by many …
@ Pradeep – that's great – it's an interesting read and good to think about aspects she's written about …
@ Shannon – yes … Lee is a clever writer.
Yes adapting to whomever is injured, or whom we're looking after or being fully involved with is really difficult … especially an ALS sufferer – such a devastating disease … but it sounds like your father was open with his challenges, which must have helped so much.
@ Dan – thanks … it's an interesting read – and there's food for thought in it …
@ Jacqui – you're right … I enjoy her stories – and appreciate your comment, about how you adapted … I'm sure Shattered will get you to think …
Thanks so much for being here to show support to Lee – all the best and enjoy those reads! Cheers Hilary
I've read the comments and appreciated them all as I know Hilary has. I follow her blog and when she gives it over to an author with a new book out, she's doing that person a great favor. Her readers are the best! She's the best.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to get Shattered into the school systems.
@ Lee - brilliant - it's good to have you here and to share your new book - I'm delighted to help out.
@ Sandra - and Lee .... I think it'd be really useful to have the book, or its ideas as a discussion group in classes/school - to give the children a concept of disability/serious illness ... so they're not so shocked should it suddenly occur. Lots of useful discussion could be brought to the fore ...
Thanks Lee - I've been delighted to share your book with friends who come on here, read and comment or just read ... all the best to you both with your books - Hilary
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