Bookish Thursday - Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley
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Book Summary
Barnaby Brown has had enough of freezing winters, insurmountable debt, a dead-end job, and his solitary life as a young widower with no one but his beloved parrot Popsicle. He yearns to move to California and reawaken his long-lost early life as an artist. But new troubles come in threes. His ancient car crashes into a snowbank. Popsicle escapes through a window carelessly left open.
A New York gallery owner offers to represent Barnaby’s paintings—but is he on the up-and-up? All of it serves to shock Barnaby into confronting how low he has sunk, and he vows—again and again—to change. He has a few obstacles, starting with his heavy drinking and long-term neglect of his ancestral home. As he takes steps toward a better life, he re-discovers the value of old friendships and latent talents seen in new light, and finds the courage to consider a second chance at love. Rejoining the mainstream of life presents several startling mysteries he must unravel, with a few mortifying but enlightening stumbles.
A heart-warming novel about ordinary people reclaiming their dormant potential, Waterbury Winter celebrates the restorative value of art and the joy to be found in keeping promises.
Find out more about Waterbury Winter by visiting GoodReads or the author’s website. You can also purchase it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org.
About the Author:
Linda Stewart Henley is the author of Estelle: A Novel. Among other honors, it won Silver in the Independent Publisher Book Awards for Historical Fiction and was a finalist for The Eric Hoffer Book Awards as well as for the 2021 Nancy Pearl Award. She lives in Anacortes, Washington, with her husband. Waterbury Winter is her second novel.
Now for my take on the novel...
I LOVED IT!
I was in a bit of a funk when I started reading this book and went into it with a 'let's just get this over with' attitude. Not really a good attitude for a book I have committed to read and review.
Several hours later - yes, I binge read it - I had to lay it down, finished.
Henley's portrayal of Barnaby really struck a cord. Of how life can just keep happening, swamping us, until we find ourselves in a place we never expected to be and feeling like we are stuck and can't get out. And you find yourself not being the person you want to be and living a life you don't want to live.
However, that's not as depressing as it sounds. Old acquaintances come back into his life, knowing him from the days when he was the promising artist with lots of potential and Barnaby is slowing realizing he doesn't have to keep traveling the route he is currently on.
A missing parrot, a stolen painting, lots of snow, an old friend back in his life are just some of the things Barnaby has to cope with - and cope without the crutch of alcohol.
The book hit me right between the eyes. I too, while definitely not in the circumstances Barnaby was in, was at a point I needed a 'reset'. I understood where Barnaby was at in his life and how hard it is to get that push to get out of the rut and do what you need to do to live your best life.
Waterbury Winter, while a quick read, gives you a lot to think about.
For other opinions on this book, please visit the following...
May 2nd @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley. We interview the author about her book and also give away a copy to one lucky reader.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
May 3rd @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews Blog
Stop by Lisa's blog today and read an interview with author Linda Stewart Henley.
https://lisahaselton.com/blog/
May 3rd @ Fiona Ingram's Blog
Visit Fiona's blog and read Linda Stewart Henley's guest post about writing historical fiction.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
May 5th @ Amanda Diaries
Visit Amanda's blog and read her interview with author Linda Stewart Henley.
May 7th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion
Join Linda as she interviews Linda Stewart Henley about her book Waterbury Winter.
https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/
May 8th @ What is That Book About?
Michelle spotlights Linda Stewart Henley's book Waterbury Winter.
https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/
May 9th @ Mindy McGinnis
Join Mindy as she features Linda Stewart Henley's guest post about mixed genres in writing.
https://www.mindymcginnis.com/blog
May 12th @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy's blog today and read her review of Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
https://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/
May 13th @ CK Sorens' Blog
Visit Carrie's blog and read Linda Stewart Henley's guest post about the importance of setting.
May 15th @ Choices
Visit Madeline's blog and read Linda Stewart Henley's guest post about what a difference an editor makes.
May 18th @ Beverley A. Baird
Visit Beverley's blog and her review of Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
May 19th @ Reading Is My Remedy
Join Chelsie over at her Instagram page today where she shares her review of Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
https://www.instagram.com/reading_is_my_remedy/
May 21st @ Bring on Lemons
Crystal shares her thoughts about the charming Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
May 24th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Make sure to visit Anthony's blog and read his review of Linda Stewart Henley's book Waterbury Winter.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
May 25th @ Beverley A. Baird
Join Beverley again as she features Linda Stewart Henley's post about inspiration in art.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
May 26th @ The Frugalista Mom
Visit Roselyn's blog as she reviews Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
May 27th @ A Storybook World
Deirdra's blog features Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
May 30th @ Liberate and Lather
Stop by Angela's blog today and read her thoughts about Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
May 31st @ The Faerie Review
Lily spotlights Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
https://www.thefaeriereview.com/
June 2nd @ Pages & Paws
Join Pages and Paws for their review of Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
June 4th @ World of My Imagination
Nicole reviews Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
https://worldofmyimagination.com/
June 5th @ Jill Sheets Blog
Visit Jill as she interviews author Linda Stewart Henley.
http://jillsheets.blogspot.com/
Judy, thank you so much for the lovely review of Waterbury Winter. You had exactly the kind of reaction I hoped the book would produce. Best wishes, Linda
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