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About this item
Highlights
- "Susie Finkbeiner has quickly become one of my favorite new storytellers.
- About the Author: Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of All Manner of Things, which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, as well as A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home.
- 384 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Christian
Description
About the Book
Betty Sweet is still recovering from the loss of her husband when she becomes the temporary guardian of a five-year-old nephew she never knew she had. As they struggle to move forward, they build a relationship upon the foundation of storytelling and its special kind of magic.Book Synopsis
"Susie Finkbeiner has quickly become one of my favorite new storytellers. She brings history to life with engaging plots and delightful characters who you'll want to cheer for and weep with. Her novels are not to be missed!"--Lynn Austin, author of Chasing ShadowsBetty Sweet never expected to be a widow at 40. With so much life still in front of her, she tries to figure out what's next. She couldn't have imagined what God had in mind. When her estranged sister is committed to a sanitarium, Betty finds herself taking on the care of a 5-year-old nephew she never knew she had.
In 1960s LaFontaine, Michigan, they make an odd pair. Betty with her pink button nose and bouffant hair. Hugo with his light brown skin and large brown eyes. But more powerful than what makes them different is what they share: the heartache of an empty space in their lives. Slowly, they will learn to trust one another as they discover common ground and healing through the magic of storytelling.
Award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner offers fans a novel that invites us to rediscover the power of story to open the doors of our hearts.
From the Back Cover
Rediscover the power of story to open the doors of our heartsBetty Sweet never expected to be a widow at forty. With so much life still in front of her, she tries to figure out what's next, never imagining what God had in mind.
When her estranged sister returns to town, Betty finds herself taking on the care of a five-year-old nephew she never knew she had. In 1960s small-town Michigan, they make an odd pair. Betty with her pink button nose and bouffant hair. Hugo with his light brown skin and large brown eyes. But more powerful than what makes them different is what they share: the heartache of an empty space in their lives. Slowly, they will learn to trust one another as they discover common ground and healing through the magic of storytelling.
"Susie Finkbeiner graces us with a quiet novel about ordinary people who use storytelling to navigate a life that has become far more complicated than they wished it was. Stories That Bind Us reminds us that life is messy and love hurts sometimes--but it is always worth it."--Erin Bartels, author of We Hope for Better Things and The Words between Us
"A heartbreaking, heartwarming story so fixed in real time that reading it feels like visiting some familiar past. Is there anything more wonderful than a story full of characters that take up residence in our own history? This story is a gift."--Shawn Smucker, author of the award-winning novel Light from Distant Stars
"There is a timelessness to the experience of reading Stories That Bind Us. In a voice that will be welcomed by fans of Anne Tyler, Finkbeiner creates compelling drama from the breath-to-breath moments of an ordinary life."--Allison Pittman, author of The Seamstress
Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of All Manner of Things, which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, as well as A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home. She serves on the Fiction Readers Summit planning committee, volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and speaks at retreats and women's events across the country. Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan.
About the Author
Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of All Manner of Things, which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, as well as A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home. She serves on the Fiction Readers Summit planning committee, volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and speaks at retreats and women's events across the country. Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan.Dimensions (Overall): 8.4 Inches (H) x 5.4 Inches (W) x 1.0 Inches (D)
Weight: .75 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 384
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Christian
Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company
Theme: General
Format: Paperback
Author: Susie Finkbeiner
Language: English
Street Date: June 2, 2020
TCIN: 79381481
UPC: 9780800735708
Item Number (DPCI): 247-33-9813
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 1 inches length x 5.4 inches width x 8.4 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.75 pounds
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4.9 out of 5 stars with 9 reviews
100% would recommend
9 recommendations
Absolutely Spellbinding!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Connie Saunders - 5 years ago
Betty Sweet suddenly becomes a widow at age 40 and author Susie Finkbeiner eloquently shares her journey in Stories That Bind Us. I was especially moved by the description of Betty's early days of mourning, when she stayed hidden in her house for almost a month, and it is when her sister is placed into a mental institution that she experiences another life-changing event. Betty, who never had children, becomes the caregiver for her five-year-old nephew, Hugo. He is as needy as she is and it's obvious that a special bond is about to be created between a grieving widow and a sweet little boy with light brown skin and big brown eyes. As Hugo struggles with the absence of his mother, it is his Aunt Betty who chooses to comfort him with the stories that she shares. Some are true and some are made up but they become the stories that bind them together.
Stories That Bind Us is a realistic portrayal of widowhood, depression, mental illness, and the racial climate of our country in the early 1960s. I highly recommend this beautiful story that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming and I won't soon forget Stories That Bind Us. There are moments of both tears and laughter sprinkled throughout but isn't this true of life? Finkbeiner reminds us that love can heal us and that the events that threaten to break us are often preparing us for a happiness that we didn't know was waiting! "Love hurts sometimes. But it was always worth it." (p. 311)
I received a copy of this book from Revell. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my honest thoughts.
Great Read
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Sue - 5 years ago
Stories That Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner is a Christian fiction book set in the 1960’s. It addresses such themes as death, race, mental health and several others. Betty Sweet has just lost her husband. She is devastated but must pick up the pieces of her life and move on. There are family ties that are both good and not so good that Betty encounters.
I must admit I haven’t read a book set in the 1960’s before! It was very interesting given the time period. I also enjoyed the themes explored. This is an enjoyable novel. I think those who lived in the 60’s might enjoy it even more than I did. The story was good and the book was interesting to read.
I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, which I was happy to do.
Susie Finkbeiner knocks it out of the park again.
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Mimom2one - 5 years ago
Susie Finkbeiner knocked it out of the park again. I feel like I'm living in quaint LaFontaine with the whole Sweet family. Their last name suits them perfectly. They're such a kind, caring, & loving family. Heartbreak comes early and often for Betty Sweet but she's reminded of God's enduring love.
Special memories early are the stories that bind us. The places Betty travels brings back such good memories for me. Even the places I haven't been or don't exist anymore I can completely envision myself there.
Betty's story reminds us that sometimes we don't know how much we are lived until much later in life. Hard times can cloud the good memories. I teared up when Betty realized that her mother really did love her all along.
Forgiveness comes theyh action much more so than words. I am so grateful for Betty's heart and love that she shared with so many. Betty showed such love, compassion, & encouragement to her sister and others. I can't imagine how she didn't realize just how special she was.
Here are my two favorite quotes from the book. "God was in the whisper. But sometimes that whisper burned like fire. " "Don't let the scary things of the world keep you from seeing the good, " I whispered, as much to myself as to him. "Even ther darkest night can't put out all the light."
(no review title)
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Abby - 5 years ago
Every single that that happens to us is a scene in our life story. We may feel that it's pretty boring, but when our story begins to intersect with other people that's when things get interesting. Each and ever person is in our life for a reason, even though it may not be clear for a long time. Our story may not be just for us, it could be for others as well. Our stories touch each other in some way, nothing we go through ever goes to waste.
I received a copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Compelling Family Drama
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
- 5 years ago
Stories that Bind Us is another amazing story from Susie Finkbeiner--a story of a family who has captivated this reader's heart and will not easily be forgotten. It is a story that is heartbreaking and yet, oh so heartwarming too. The author infuses a little humor throughout the story that keeps the hard parts from becoming dark and desolate. The richness of the characters and their emotions is genuine and deeply moving, resonating within the reader. Betty, an all too young widow, and a wonderful auntie-mama; Pop Sweet who made everyone feel as if they were God's gift to him; Marvel, a woman who knew just what to do at just the right time, and each of the other characters that bring so much into the story. The author tackles the gritty subjects of depression and mental illness, death and grief, and does it well. Readers will get caught up in the lives of these characters and their stories. The author has captured well the setting and era of Stories That Bind Us as she has expertly written the distinctive dialogue and descriptive scenes of the book. Having lived in Michigan for much of my life, I loved the references to places I know and have visited. Poignant and intense, this character-driven story takes the reader into the heart and soul of a family and their hard journey to a place of hope. Don't miss the chance to fall in love with the Sweet family as they find the power and beauty in stories--the power of stories that can change a life, can bring healing, and beauty in the words that can work their way into one's heart to bring wholeness.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
(no review title)
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
jsher - 5 years ago
Susie Finkbeiner has done it again - woven together a compelling, delightful, thought-provoking story with an incredible sense of place and flawed, lovable real characters. Set in the early 60's, history is delicately woven in to this story about loss, love, conflict, the power of story, sacrifice, and other timeless, and at the same time timely, issues. You will fall in love with, and no doubt relate to, Betty Sweet and Finkbeiner's wonderful cast of "ordinary" characters thrown into extraordinary circumstances. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and maybe even grumble (or worse) at the characters as they experience life with all its joys and sorrows. A delightful, emotional , hopeful read well worth every word.. Stories That Bind Us is a must-read.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for purpose of review.
(no review title)
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Janet - 5 years ago
Susie Finkbeiner has done it again! This book introduces you to characters you wish were your real friends and neighbors while weaving in historical events from the early 1960s. I especially appreciated the way she dealt with the mental health issues of one of the characters as well as the way that affected the people who loved her. You will experience a wide range of emotions reading Stories That Bind Us, but ultimately you will feel an overwhelming sense of hope.
I didn't want this book to end!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
BrendaSue - 5 years ago
"Just along the horizon I saw the birth of the morning. This was the gift God had for me right that moment. I saw hope."
This passage struck me, I live this daily. Each and every morning I I say "thank you to God for giving me another day and for whatever that day brings". Each day is a gift, each day brings renewed hope.
Susie writes such great books about families and you will fall in love with the Sweet family and their small town life amidst some incredible historical events. Susie has a track record for tackling tough subjects... Cancer, the Vietnam war, the Dust Bowl, and more. And now, race and prejudice, mental illness, and a young widow. Despite writing about subjects that would lead one to expect her books might be dark and depressing, they are not. The overall message is always one of hope! Susie weaves together amazing stories of families and the Sweet family and their stories will stay with you for a very long time. I loved the character of Betty and I loved that Betty told such a wonderful stories! I love Betty's strength, her compassion, her patience. Hugo melted my heart and Dick and Nick captured my heart. I loved reading about so many places that I have visited! I really enjoyed reading all ofthe kitchy language and terms from that era. Pedal pushers and Bermuda shorts, girdles, and so many other fun references! I found it difficult to put this book down and yet, I wanted to delay the inevitable, that I would finish this book. I didn't want it to end! Stories that bind us has all the feels, I laughed and cried, each more than once. I was a bit angry on one or two occasions at the Injustice! And my heart was warmed by the consistent message of love and hope.
What a Remarkable Book!
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Rebecca Maney - 5 years ago
"There once was a turtle named Sam. . . He lived near a river filled with crayfish and frogs and minnows. . . . .but even as wonderful and special as that riverside was, Sam was too afraid to enjoy it."
Isn't it true that a well told story possesses a certain impression of artistry? Stories paint pictures, while their canvases store memories in an easy-to-open vault; available at just the right times, . . .perhaps, when a heart is heavy or a pair of sorrowful eyes need a touch of brightening. Or a loved one just needs to have something to remember. And just like flour blends the ingredients of a beloved family recipe into a well formed loaf of bread, a story has the uncanny ability to "bind us" together, forever.
There are those in this book who need these special kinds of stories; a grieving wife, an unstable mother, a terrified little boy, a kind, shy man and family members who are grieving the loss of one of their own. So often remembering is loving, and being loved resides at the heart of every good story.
What a remarkable book, written by an author who writes simply enough to form everyday people into outstanding characters.
I received this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews.