Books, Books, Books, and a Cat

Smart, tough, and complicated mother-daughter relationships are at the heart of this novel.  Told from the point of view of three different women, the reader gets to connect with these women and what they went through.   Lila grew up without a mother and with an abusive father.  She takes the brunt of the beatings to save her older brother and sister.  She goes on to become an important person who is super successful and has an amazing husband but in the long run she is similar to her absent mother.  Her daughter Grace resents the fact that her mother was never around.  It is difficult because the two are so similar.  The story looks at their relationships but also we get to know the people around them and how they shape their lives.   This book is filled with great characters who are unique and interesting.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and all of the intricate relationships. There is also a mystery element to the novel ...

There was lots of great advice in this book.  It really made one think about what is really important in life and letting things go.  Jieun has magic and has accidentally lost her parents.  In her quest to find her parents she lives many lives and this last one she is determined to help others let go of their pain by washing their stains (troubles) away.  Each person she meets has had troubles in their life and you feel for each character.  I'll be honest that I did find the names confusing and I was a little lost at times.  The book is translated and there were things l had never heard of before like some  of the food.  The story was interesting in parts but I felt more like I was reading a philosophy book or self help than a fiction story.  It was more about the lesson than the actual story.  There was also a loose thread at the end that I wish had been resolved.  Overall, not a bad story but I did have trouble staying focused at ...