Prayers for Sale

OK, I admit it. I am that girl — the one who selects books based on whether or not I like the cover. And when I spotted Prayers for Sale late last year at Borders, I was drawn to the antique dress floating above a peaceful-looking mountain town. While I had never heard of author Sandra Dallas, the staff reviews really piqued my interest. Little did I know that this historical novel would turn out to be one of the best books I read in 2010.

Set in 1936, Prayers for Sale tells the story of two women — eighty-six-year-old Hennie Comfort, and the newly married seventeen-year-old Nit Spindle — who form an unlikely friendship in the Great Depression-ravaged gold mining town of Middle Swan, Colorado. 

The story begins one late winter afternoon when Hennie, peering out her window, notices Nit curiously studying an old sign outside of Hennie’s home that reads PRAYERS FOR SALE. Hennie is instantly drawn to the young girl and invites her to come in out of the cold. Of course, Hennie wouldn't think of accepting Nit’s money for a prayer; she's never accepted money from anyone. And even though they never really get around to sharing any prayers, they do begin to reveal the stories of the struggles and hardships that have shaped their lives.

Hennie soon invites Nit to join her quilting circle, the Tenmile Quilters, and it is during these quilting sessions that their friendship deepens. Dark secrets are revealed, and I was genuinely surprised by many of the revelations, especially Hennie's.

Ms. Dallas' portrayal of Hennie's kind, nurturing demeanor and Nit's simplicity lends an authentic quality to these characters and their exceptional journey through tragedies and triumphs. An enjoyable, highly recommended read!

The Wednesday Sisters

While recently traveling to and from Scottsdale for a girls’ weekend, I couldn’t have selected a more appropriate book for the journey.  The Wednesday Sisters, Meg Waite Clayton’s second novel, is a captivating tale about the special bond of friendship. The book begins in September 1967 when five very different young women meet in a neighborhood park and discuss their families, dreams and literary aspirations. As the novel progresses, we see these weekly meetings evolve into a writing group where each character — Frankie, Brett, Kath, Linda and Ally — eventually shares passages from stories they’ve written. It is through their writing — and what they discover about themselves along the way — that a beautiful friendship begins to blossom.

Although most of the novel takes place before I was born, Clayton does an excellent job providing the reader with a historical overview that really evokes the flavor of the times. The relatable, endearing characters together experience events that shaped the decade — the assassination of Bobby Kennedy, Apollo 11’s moon landing, the Vietnam War — not to mention countless Miss America pageants. As these events were recounted, I couldn’t help but think about some of the events that have had a profound effect on my own life, and those of my friends.

It’s easy to fall in love with the characters Clayton has so deftly created. Their friendship is certainly to be envied and leaves you longing to spend the afternoon sharing hot cocoa with the cast of kindred spirits in your own life. A true gem!