I've been a long-time fan of Amish fiction . . . having spent quite a bit of time camping with my family in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country during my childhood and see the Amish lifestyle from afar, it always intrigued me. I was a natural-made fan of the fiction! So it's no wonder that as an adult, I've often wondered how "plain" or a more simpler way of living would be. In many of aspects of our life, we've accomplished that, to a degree. Moving from our 'sticks and bricks' home to our 'home on wheels' caused me to give up most of the "stuff" that filled our closets and shelves and really make a determination on what was important. From clothes and jewelry to furniture and decorations to even food and products. But still . . . we have electricity and technology and cars . . . not quite Amish!
My third squishy happened to be a book!
A bloggy friend of mine had mentioned that she was a reviewer for Bethany House publishers and, being intrigued by the idea, I did a little research and signed up. When the first list of books to chose from was e-mailed to me, this one caught my eye *right* off the bat! Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman? It had to be for me!
When I got home, it was waiting for me ... and do you know, I opened it up on Sunday and stayed up Monday until I'd finished it?! It wasn't quite what I expected ... because it's not about an Amish family ... but it was fun!
So if you're like me and you've ever come to the end of a rough/tough day--where the phone never stopped ringing, the e-mails were endless, and technology seemed to give you more to do, not less--and wondered what life might be like if you lived the simpler life of the Amish? Then this story--Almost Amish--is the perfect story for you! Main character Julie Charlton tires of her daily grind, and in an opportunity that's part "Survivor" and part Amish fiction, she and her family accept a challenge to "live simply" for the summer. It really was a fun (and funny) read - seeing how they faced their weekly challenges and watching the so-called "simple life" become both comfortable and comforting. And most importantly, how it changed the dynamics of their family life.
Cushman does a great job of developing the story line and her characters and includes a few fun twists in the plot, as well. Definitely a happy summer read.
So . . . if this sounds interesting to YOU, and you'd like to try it for yourself, leave me a comment telling me what kind of books you most like to read. You don't have to be a follower (though it's nice) -- just leave one comment! I'll randomly pick a winner on Wednesday, August 15th! (And who knows? I may throw in some other *happies* as well!)
**Disclaimer: Bethany House publishers did not compensate me for this review. I did receive a free copy of the book to read and it is this copy I am giving away.**
**Disclaimer: Bethany House publishers did not compensate me for this review. I did receive a free copy of the book to read and it is this copy I am giving away.**
:)
