To Maddisyn and Grace, From Kathleen C

First off, I wanted to apologize that I haven’t written a blog post to you both. I commented on both of your introductions but I realized you both may have not seen them! Ahh I’m so sorry! Please check out the comment section of your intros.

So it’s really late at night and I just finished reading Counting by 7s. I don’t have a working computer right now so I’m typing this in the notes section of my iPhone and I’ll paste it to the site when I have access to a computer. I wanted to get my thoughts down about this book before I forget!

This book really broke my heart. I mean, in the first scene you know the tragedy that happens but I seemed to forget after reading the next hundred or so pages which describe the events leading up to Willow’s tragedy.

Ugh, I love this girl! She is so inspiring to me. I think it’s because she is so passionate about all the aspects of her life but not to the point where I’m intimidated by her genius and strength. I’ve never really had a consistent hobby like she does with her gardening and I admire the vast knowledge she has of the world around her.

She also has no idea of the amazing effect she has on people. She has a unique ability to know exactly what to say to others at the right time. As readers, we see more of what goes on in her head but it’s interesting to see the things she says aloud to others and the things she chooses to hold back. I wish I had that ability! I always feel like I either say too much or too little when talking with others.

While my heart ached throughout most of the book, I also felt a strange sense of hope. The ending inspired me. I was teary-eyed and satisfied but also sad. I love that her new family is comprised of misfits that fit together so beautifully but it’s also a pretty romanticized outcome of a terrible situation. Most kids that lose their parents won’t have the same result.

What do you two think of the books you’re reading? I’m going to start Out Of My Mind right now. Let me know how you both are doing :)

Have a great day!