Seven: In the Lane of Hope

by Michael J. Marini

This is a story of life. Life with all its beautiful moments and tragic times... and the realizations that come from them. It's a narrrative about big dreams and unshakable spirits, and of running on nothing but hope even in the face of enormous obstacles. It's a journey of triumph - where what is good and right truly comes out ahead. Guided by seven sisters, follow this true story about a family of 13 as they discover they already have everything they need to cross the finish line strong. To cross the finish line as champions. It's what they were made for. And the same applies to you. Run with them through a sometimes impossible course, past obstacles and over hurdles toward a finish line of epic proportion. The challenges might look big. They may even be big. But there's always a way through if you keep this in mind... No matter what you're going through, you're not alone. Seven exists to prove it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Inspirational

212 pages, Paperback

Published September 29, 2018

About the author

Michael Marini is a second-generation Italian who was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He is the 10th of 11 children and uncle to 27 nieces and nephews. Michael is a professional piano player, author and educator. Combining his writing and music, he has created a unique "story & song" called, SPIRIT OF SEVEN. Together his novel and the piano soundtrack, Between Then & Now, convey a symbiotic message of hope.

Michael and his wife, Wendy, live in central Pennsylvania with their dog, Gus. He is known as Gus "the love bus" and is an ambassador of goodness wherever he goes.

Reviews

[Silvio Merlino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seven: In the Lane of Hope is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. I was given this book by my sister who gave a copy to everyone in my family of eight. Michael J. Marini takes the reader through an amazing story led by his seven sisters. I was pulled into the story immediately and found it hard to put down. It only took me two days to finish it. Very easy and enjoyable read!

It is almost like two books in one with the middle seven chapters being about each of his sisters and each chapter is linked to one of the spirits of hope, peace, patience, grace, faith, love and joy. The first three chapters and final three chapters are about his father's comeback from an illness. I loved the chapters about his father because they are filled with life lessons that only a father can give. It reminded me so much of my own father and the lessons he taught me. I found myself highlighting quotes and marking pages so I could go back to them for inspiration. I also liked how I could open to any page and be drawn into a story. Truly this is a book that keeps on giving!

[Debbie Marinelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a story of a large family, a family who worked hard to achieve goals. There are lots of little stories entwined in the big story but the message behind every story is the same. Keep your eye on the prize and have faith and believe in God. He will get you through. It is a heartwarming story with lots of great advice and sayings.

[Suzan Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm, inspiring, and funny memoir about a remarkable, loving family of 13 and their joys and challenges. Read my full review:

https://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2018/...

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully loving book filled with inspiring stories. I enjoyed reading about a family twice as large as mine. I intend to hold onto it and read it again and again.

[J.P DuPont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that this book is an absolute keeper! At the beginning of the "Coronavirus shutdown" last month, I asked my sister to send along any books she thought I would enjoy. I told her I wanted an antidote to all the depressing news I was seeing on tv everyday. This was one of the books she sent me. She thought I would enjoy the book because it is about a big Italian family that live close to some of our cousins on the east coast. They have two family businesses and seven girls in the family. They are also known for being incredible runners in that area. My interest was peaked so I sat down with it.

I could not put this book down! Maybe it was because I have all the time in the world to read now but regardless I did not want to put it down. It took me less than two days to read it, which is saying a lot because I normally take my time with books. The stories pulled me in and I felt like I was sitting in the room during some parts. I especially enjoyed the stories about the seven sisters and all the running stories. I felt like I was in the race in a couple chapters. Very well written and easy to read.

I will be passing this book along to my wife and three children to read. It's one of those kind of books.

[Wendy Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured this book in under two days! A friend had suggested it and I found it to be extremely uplifting with a good dose of humor. The author's style of storytelling makes you feel like you're witnessing the events in person. Highly recommend!

[Hazel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very nice book, and I enjoyed it despite the two stars. It is a memoir and reflection of the author's relationship with his father and seven sisters, and of the deep faith which he shares with his father. The catalyst is a crisis--his father is hospitalized and near death; the eleven children and mother rally around him and spark his total recovery. Marini then reflects on his relationship with his sisters and the unique qualities which each brought to bolster his father's spirits. He weaves in anecdotes from the past giving a picture of a lively, warm, and loving household. The father was a runner and instilled the love, talent, and discipline of running in each of his children.
Second to the religious reflections are those on running. If you're a runner, you'll enjoy and identify with the descriptions of training and races.
The family is local to me and I know some of them from their family business, so I was interested to discover a bit more about them. And of course, over the years I've read newspaper articles about a couple of generations worth of runners from the family as they win competitions on county, state, and national levels. I now have an appreciation for what goes into competitive running, and I marvel at the energy of a family that coordinates school, business, running, and being pleasant people. I do wish the author had given some details about his mother and brothers, and explained a few comments (like that one sister saved another's life, but no detail of what happened).
It's not great literature, but with all the dismal and discouraging news in our world, this was uplifting to read. And I think that was his goal.