Margot was never the brightest bulb in the room, which is how she ended up losing her entire home and herself when her husband Dick passed away from choking on a sandwich. Seeing such a frightening sight of his husband unconscious on a normal evening must have been awful! Author Lesley Crewe approaches readers with this plot, followed by tons of family drama, challenges, and unexpected events to unravel as Margot tries to move on from this tragedy.
Right from the beginning, I felt sympathy for our main character Margot. It has to be so difficult to have your husband gone when they are supposed to grow old together with you. Yet, I think his death was what brought Margot and her family together. With her two siblings, she got to spend time living with them and reconnecting their relationships filled with chatter and memories. Margot also has two adult children, who try their best to support their mother going through this dark time. These characters are so real, because there are times we just want to scream at our loved ones for a silly mistake or for the way they behave.

As Margot begins to overcome her grief, she realizes that she has to start learning how to live by herself. Going out of her comfort zone, she becomes a drugstore cashier to try to buy a home of her own. Though she could feel the judgment from everyone claiming she is an awful person and inconsiderate, she tries her best to ignore all of them so that she can understand more about herself.

Although this book was difficult for me to get into at first, I ended up loving it because it showed me how people react to grief in all kinds of ways. Some people lose themselves, others deny the situation happening, or some realize that they were being taken advantage of the entire wedding. I also loved how this story was based in my city, Fredericton, NB! This gave me a much better visualization of the buildings, environment, and overall vibes.

Another thing I did not enjoy as much was that there were so many characters! There were different vibes and personalities everywhere, so it was kind of challenging to keep track of everyone for me. But I did understand why it had to be written this way because it gave us readers all sorts of perspectives about the same main event.

Overall, I recommend this book to young adults/adults because it can be relatable for many readers in those age groups. I would also offer this book to readers who are curious about what life is like with a large family, filled with challenges and solutions.

I rate this book a 4/5 stars!

A Pocket of Time: The Poetic Childhood of Elizabeth Bishop, written by Rita Wilson and illustrated by Emma FitzGerald, is a beautifully crafted picture book exploring the childhood of Elizabeth Bishop, one of Canada’s most celebrated poets. Set in Great Village, Nova Scotia, the book follows a young Elizabeth as she experiences both the wonder of childhood and the grief of losing her mother. Wilson blends biographical details with a gentle, poetic rhythm, showing how ordinary observations can become meaningful sources of inspiration.

FitzGerald’s delicate illustrations beautifully capture the warmth and scenic beauty of Nova Scotia. Her vibrant colors and expressive style make the book feel comforting and inviting while bringing Bishop’s childhood world to life.

What I loved most was the way Wilson weaves fragments of Bishop’s poetry into the narrative. The combination of poetry, biography, and illustration gives the book a unique musical quality and makes Bishop’s story feel personal rather than academic. The themes of childhood, family, memory, and curiosity also reminded me of my own childhood and gave the book a comforting sense of nostalgia.

Overall, A Pocket of Time has originality, artistry, and emotional depth. I would recommend it to readers of all ages, especially anyone interested in poetry, art, or beautifully told stories.

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Into the Current by Jared Young is an emotional and thought-provoking novel about a young man named Daniel Solomon who is forced to reflect on his life after a plane accident leaves him suspended between life and death. As Daniel revisits important memories, he begins to understand how his choices have shaped who he is. The novel explores themes such as regret, personal growth, and the importance of making the most of the time we have.

This book changed the way I view the value of life and reminded me that every choice can have a lasting impact. As summer is approaching, it has encouraged me to focus on improving myself, appreciating the people around me, and making better use of the time I have. Overall, Into the Current is a meaningful and well-written novel that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys reflective stories with important life lessons.