Stories That Bind Us

You won't soon forget Betty Sweet or the stories she tells. Her beautiful starting-over story carries deep themes of mental illness, loss, grief, and love, yet it carries a sweet air that is never depressing. A powerful, somewhat nostalgic story full of hope, sure to touch the most tender pieces of

Show More

your heart.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

Show Less

This is a beautifully written heartwarming family story that shows with love and faith, even the most severe problems can be overcome.

At 40 years of age, Betty becomes a widow. She was deeply in love with her husband of 23 years and didn't know how she would live her life without him. His family

Show More

was very supportive of her as she tried to find her way out of the darkness of grief. Her sister-in-law, Marvel finally convinced her to get out of bed and out of the house. Her 10 year old twin nephews also helped her find herself again. Just as she was beginning to feel more normal, her estranged sister Clara showed up at her door needing a place for her and her 5 year old son to stay. Betty was surprised that her sister was a mother and equally surprised that her nephew Hugo was black. Betty never questioned her sister but made up the beds so they would both have a place to stay no matter how long they needed to. Clara can't seem to cope with her life and begins to stay in bed all day, leaving Betty to take care of Hugo. As she tries to help him overcome his fear and shyness, she finds that she is falling in love with the little boy. " Don't let the scary things of the world keep you from seeing the good."

Interspersed with this story that takes place in the late 50s and early 60s, Betty tells the story of growing up, of having a mother who was manic depressive and died in a sanitarium when Betty was 10. She talks about how sad she and her sister were but that her father became more and more distant from them and left Betty in charge. When it turns out that Clara is also mentally ill and goes to the hospital, Betty takes over full custody of Hugo. She tells him beautiful stories about imaginary people and characters but they all pertain to whatever is going on in his life. Even though she worried at first how to take care of him because she had never had any children, she soon finds out that love and faith can solve her problems.

I loved the characters in this book - not just the main characters but the secondary characters, too. Betty is a kind and loving woman, Hugo is a delight as he learns to have fun, Marvel and the twins are funny but also very protective of Hugo. And the entire Sweet family are full of love and caring for each other. This story takes place in my home state of Michigan and these people all resemble people that I knew growing up in the 60s. I also enjoyed the references to places like Belle Isle and it brought back a lot of memories of going there with my family.

This is a beautiful book about love and faith and family and shows that family isn't just family by blood but people that you love also become part of your family. I loved this book and can't wait for the next book by this author.

Thanks toLibraryThing for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own

Show Less

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

Show More

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.

Show Less

I received this book through a Librarything.com Early Reviewers giveaway. It is a heartwarming story about a young widow, Betty Sweet, who learns to cope with her grief with the assistance of her husband's family. Her sister comes to visit, and brings her 5 year old son, who is a surprise to Betty.

Show More

This story will keep your interest, and has a pleasant ending.

Show Less

Ever so often, you run across a book that is really important - significant and lasting. Stories That Bind Us is such a book. I would call it an American classic, every bit as important as John Knowles' "A Separate Piece" or J.D. Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye." Set between the spring of 1963 and

Show More

the epilogue in the spring of 1964, it is the story of Betty Sweet and what happens to her, and to her small-town world near Detroit during that time. It is a sweet and simple story, rich in memories and nostalgia but with an importance that belies its simple sweetness. After her husband dies unexpectedly, Betty is surprised by a visit from her long-estranged sister and her sister's five-year-old son. What happens between them and in the history and headlines of that day are what makes this novel so very important for our time. I loved this from the very beginning, but it was only in the closing chapters that I realized how very important I believed the novel to be. You must read "Stories That Bind Us."

Show Less

Susie Finkbeiner, is a new to me author who has instantly become a top pick for me. I cherished her most recent book, Stories That Bind Us. Set during the 60's, this chronicled Christian tale sucks you into the story immediately. Betty, at the young age of 40 unexpectedly becomes a widow and is

Show More

suffering from extreme melancholy.

I enjoyed reading how laid back the 60's were compared to life in this day and age, and how easily it was to become part of the Sweet family through Finkbeiner’s writing. All good books must come to an end, unfortunately.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Show Less

I received this ARC through the LibraryThing April Giveaway. Family commitment, God, unconditional love and memories of the 60’s. This story has it all.

I was sent this book from the publisher/publicity team. My ratings and reviews will be my own personal opinions and are in no way influenced by publishers or authors who may have sent me books to review.

I was not really sure what to expect from this one. I will say that this one really pulled me in

Show More

right from the start. It had me in tears right from the very first few chapters. I thought I was going to fly though this one, but it ended up not being for me.

I was not able to finish this one. After the first few chapters, everything slowed down way too much. I had to go back and read the synopsis to see if anything else was mentioned happening after the initial chapters. The pacing was just not working for me and I did not find myself absorbing much of what was going on.

Sadly, I did not finish this one.

Show Less

Stories that Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner has Betty Sweet becoming a widow at forty years of age in 1963 in LaFontaine, Michigan. She met her husband, Norman when she was fourteen and they married after graduating from high school. Unfortunately, the couple never had children. Betty loves spending

Show More

time with her rambunctious twin nephews. Betty is surprised when her estranged sister, Clara arrives one evening with her five-year-old son, Hugo. She can tell that the pair have gone through a journey and she happily settles them in her guest rooms. Clara seems to do nothing but sleep leaving Betty to care for a frightened Hugo. People look at them suspiciously when they walk together with Hugo’s little light brown skinned hand enclosed in Betty’s larger white one. Hugo is frightened of losing his mother and Betty helps him overcome his nightmares with stories that she has created. There will be difficulties ahead, but the family can get through them if they have each other.

Stories That Bind Us is one of those books that lingers with you after you finish it. I thought it was well-written and captured the era. Significant historical events are included in this book including the assassination of JFK, Martin Luther Kings “I Have a Dream” speech, and an elephant that rampaged a city. The author touches upon the difficult subjects of depression, death, and racism. I thought she handled these sensitive topics very well. The present is interspersed with stories and memories of the past. We learn about Betty’s growing up years, how she met the Sweet family, her marriage to Norman, how much Mama Sweet meant to Betty, and other memories. It all comes together into one lovely tale. The Sweet family is realistic with their joys and struggles. They have a bakery in a small town where a chain bakery is trying to run them out of business. Pops Sweet is getting older and Albert still pines for Clara. Marvel and Stan are raising their mischievous twin sons who are kind to their grieving aunt. The stories that bind people together are their memories of loved ones and friends. I like how Betty’s make-believe stories fit into the book and how they help a frightened little boy. They formed a bond between Betty and Hugo. Hugo was such a sweet little fellow. I had to laugh along with Betty and Marvel when Hugo jumped into the mud pool with the twins. I thought the Stories That Bind Us is timely considering what is currently going on in our country. Stories that Bind Us is a heartwarming tale filled with hope, love, special memories, and family.

Show Less

I have always enjoyed the books I've read by Susie Finkbeiner and this book is no exception. The story is easy going and on the bland side, but that is not a criticism but that it is not action-packed. It shows what a regular family is like when bad things happen. The main character, Betty, goes

Show More

through a couple of really bad experiences in a very short time and this story shows how she deals with the situations and how her family helps her.

The story is set in the early 1960s, in lower Michigan. I can relate to these descriptions as I live near the areas described. I understand the background and surroundings.

This is a Christian book, but it is not preachy in any way. It shows how a Christian woman uses her faith to get through rough times. It also shows how weak our faith can be at times.

Towards the end of the book, there were a couple of historical happenings that were incorporated that I felt could have been left out. I felt like they were added to lengthen the timeline of the story but were not really needed. This is my biggest criticism of the book.

The editing was very well done. This is very important to me as poor editing can ruin an otherwise good book.

This review is my own, personal opinion and I received this book through the Revel Reads Blogger program. A positive review is not required. I give this book a 3 out of 5-star rating.

Show Less

"Stories That Bind Us" by Susie Finkbeiner is one of those rare, special books that truly made me happy. To clarify, I enjoy reading almost any book; that was also the case with this one. What I mean is that, during and after reading it, I was left with a sense of personal happiness...a sense of

Show More

abiding joy. This is truly a special book, and I recommend it very highly.

Main character Betty Sweet is a genuinely good person. She cares about others, is loyal to her family, and always does whatever she can to help in any given situation. The story focuses on her relationships with her family, both past and present. Through this, the reader is treated to an in-depth study of her character.

The story itself comes through in three main components. First, we have the present day, in which Betty is coping with the death of her husband, the surprise arrival of her estranged sister and her son, and the opening of a chain competitor to her family's business. Second, we have Betty's memories of the past, through which we learn more about her, her complicated relationships with her parents and sister, how she met her husband, and how her relationships with his family members evolved over time. Third, we have Betty's stories. These are a mix of stories she remembers from her own childhood and new ones she makes up. All are told to her young nephew as she tries to help him cope with his mother's illness and feel comfortable in his new life.

This book deals with some serious issues: death of a spouse, death of a parent, mental illness, and racism. Despite these heavy topics, the story still feels uplifting; I never felt overwhelmed by the difficult subjects, but instead found inspiration from the way Betty dealt with them.

Overall, this book is a wonderful slice-of-life and character study. Nothing monumentally exciting happens to the characters, but I still eagerly anticipated each new small development in their lives. I wanted to learn what happened next just as much as if I'd been reading a best-selling thriller.

Honestly, I can't say enough good things about "Stories That Bind Us". Read it, enjoy it, and give some thought to the stories of your own life, and how they bind you to the people around you.

Five out of five chunks of creamy mild cheddar!

Show Less

Another magical read from Susie Finkbeiner, and she does not disappoint, you will be drawn in from the first page. She sure has a way with words, and while you will find your heart breaking at times for the main character here, you will also find that it is being warmed and bringing smiles to you

Show More

at a different time.
We are offered Betty Sweet, but with her comes her husbands family, and they will wrap you up in their warmth and kindness, they sure lived their faith!
I found myself wondering how this was going to end, but we are entertained through out this read with delightful made up stories, and we find that the gifts keep giving, in the most unexpected ways!

I received this book through LibraryThing, and was not required to give a positive review.

Show Less

Betty is the temporary guardian of her young nephew. The book moved too slowly for my tastes and I could not finish the book.

Stories That Bind Us is the kind of peaceful read that's perfect for the beach.
It doesn't rely on suspense or action to get the reader's attention. Instead, readers are treated to a captivating narrative with relatable characters who face challenges that readers can understand and with which they

Show More

can empathize.

But just because this book is comforting doesn't mean that tough issues aren't addressed. Grief, abandonment, loss, mental illness, the inability to have children, and parent issues--- the author deals with these challenging topics in a way that acknowledges the pain and emotional impact, but also gives hope.

Betty, the main character who finds herself a widow at forty, is sweet, caring, and patient, but not unnaturally so. The reader is shown that she is not perfect or attempting to appear flawless, but that she deals with the feelings of jealousy, discouragement, fear, and the rest with self-control, and she extends love in very challenging situations.

I found Betty's in-laws endearing, and the twins Dick and Nick were so adorable, whether they were sneaking Betty a cat, helping her nephew Hugo learn to swim, or making a mud pit in the backyard, and they did it all without losing their charm. Albert, Stan, Marvel, Norman, Clara, and Pop are so memorable, and they are so authentic that they could exist off the page. And I love how they all care for and support each other.
This book is such a gem.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell, through Interviews & Reviews. A positive review was not required.

Show Less

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

Show More

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.

Show Less

This is the story of Betty Sweet, recently widowed at 40, she is dealing with an unexpected loss and depression. Her in-laws are a strong family and their support is life-saving. Betty's estranged sister arrives with a son and Betty discovers she is an aunt. She ends up having temporary custody of

Show More

her nephew and the two form a bond through the telling of stories. Yes, it sounds a bit like a made-for-TV movie....BUT the characters are real and complex and that kept me interested in their lives. This is a character-driven story...my favourite kind. It's a story about life and how we can help each other in big and small ways.

Show Less

Betty begins caring for her sister's young son Hugo out of necessity, which helps her move through the most intense part of fresh grief after the sudden loss of her husband. Having a defenseless little human depend on her helps Betty to focus a little bit more on her own health and the activities

Show More

of their daily lives, like eating and taking showers, which she struggled with after losing her husband. Betty's story felt real to me. Her grief was raw and painful, and the way she took on Hugo was hopeful and sweet and wonderful.

Beginning with Hugo's arrival on Betty's front porch, the story took a different direction that I anticipated. All along the way, things were a surprise to me. What I'm saying is that I thought I had this one figured out early on, but I did not and I'm grateful for those surprises. The characters in this story are all delightful, even when they grieve, and I loved the way it ended. And Hugo is precious. I don't always gravitate toward books with little children occupying large roles, but Hugo's portion of the story moved the overall narrative so well, and I enjoyed all of his scenes.

Even though there is a lot of grief and sadness in this book, the story is not a sad one. I felt a lot of hope while reading it, especially with how everything ended for everyone.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, Revell Books!

Show Less