Review: The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae

The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ailsa was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. At age 28, her heart is failing, and she now lives full-time in a hospital Palliative Care Zone. The book starts with the news of a compatible heart and the medical staff rushing Ailsa to the operation room to receive it. The transplant is successful, and the story follows Ailsa as she copes with her new heart and lease on life.

This is a beautifully written story. The life of Ailsa is not unique as so many people wait every day for an opportunity to receive a most needed organ transplant. My cousin and best-friend, Benoît, was born with Cystic Fibrosis. When he was an infant, his parents were told that he would not live past 14 years old. He celebrated his 14th birthday with gusto. Then his parents were told that he would not see age 21, yet he did. As the years went by, more and more treatment options became available, giving Benoît more years to live. In his early 30s, the disease was winning and Benoît was desperately waiting for a lung transplant. No match was found, and he passed away. I still miss him a lot today.

Throughout the book, the organ donation subject comes again and again. A lot of people have a hard time thinking about donating their organs. The author of this wonderful book presents this subject in a very positive manner. I recommend this book wholeheartedly.

🙋🏼‍♀️ A big thank you to St. Martin’s Press for sending me a final copy of this moving book. The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland will be available at your favourite bookstore on October 29, 2019.

#poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #book #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #bookphotography #thecuriousheartofailsarae #stephaniebutland #bookreview #fiction

View all my reviews

Comments

Review: Fight For Her by Liz Plum

Fight For Her by Liz Plum My rating: 3 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! FIGHT FOR HER by Liz Plum is a coming-of-age YA Romance. It is an easy-going story about a love triangle between a popular girl, a star athlete, and a bad boy. The story was interesting and had some potential. It was just a bit too juvenile for my taste and sometimes too dramatic. It is nonetheless an enjoyable love story if you put your teenager's thinking cap on. The author delivered a good story with a lovely ending. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #fightforher #lizplum #bookreview View all my reviews

Review: Asking for a Friend by Kerry Clare

Asking for a Friend by Kerry Clare My rating: 3 of 5 stars Kerry Clare's ASKING FOR A FRIEND is a beautifully crafted exploration of the enduring bond between two women, Jess and Clara, who meet in university and embark on a journey through life's tumultuous terrain. This character-driven narrative delves deep into their complex friendship, which spans two decades and weaves through love, heartbreak, marriage, anxiety, and the multifaceted challenges of motherhood. Clare's storytelling skills shine as she navigates the ebb and flow of their relationship, capturing the essence of female camaraderie. This book celebrates the strength of female friendships, emphasizing the significance of history, familiarity, and loyalty in sustaining these connections over time. The novel also fearlessly tackles contemporary issues affecting women, from the right to choose to the emotional toll of motherhood. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstag

Review: Waves by Ingrid Chabbert

Waves by Ingrid Chabbert My rating: 5 of 5 stars WAVES, written by Ingrid Chabbert and beautifully illustrated by Carole Maurel, is a deeply personal and poetic graphic novel that explores the profound journey of a young couple trying to conceive. Drawing from the author's own experience, the story delves into the emotional depths of heartbreak, resilience, and the power of hope. The use of metaphors in Waves is exceptional, creating a mesmerizing reading experience. Chabbert skillfully weaves together the themes of writing, coping, and healing, forming a profound connection between the protagonist's pain and her quest for renewal. The dreamlike illustrations by Carole Maurel add an ethereal touch to the narrative, particularly in the visual depiction of the boat and waves of paper. While the subject matter is emotionally intense, WAVES is an extraordinary work that invites readers to embrace vulnerability and contemplate the complexities of life. I highly recommend this gra

Two Dogs and a Book

Search This Blog