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Miracles on Maple Hill
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Book of the Month > November 2023 - Miracles on Maple Hill

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Cleo (cleopatra18) | 484 comments The November winner is Miracles on Maple Hill! Let's start the discussion!


message 2: by Cleo (last edited Nov 07, 2023 10:56PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Cleo (cleopatra18) | 484 comments I'm really enjoying the book so far. Marly is a spunky heroine and I find Sorenson's descriptions are excellent, making me feel like I'm right in the story.

The situation with her father's PTSD is sad and it's hard to read his reactions sometimes but I like how he is simply accepted for how he is and there is hope for improvement. However, that brings me to a little quibble in that the title pretty much gives away a big part of the book, or at least, I think it does. But in spite of that, it's a great start!


Jaylia3 | 9 comments I finished this on Veteran's Day, which is very fitting! Unlike Caddie Woodlawn this was a new to me book, which is maybe partly why for me it was more interesting than enjoyable. Even with the miracles and the general improvements in relationships between characters as the story went on, this had too many intense or heartbreaking moments for me to love it. Not so much the father's PTSD, but the way Marly's exuberance (and love of mice) sometimes gets quashed, even though things are better by the end.


Cleo (cleopatra18) | 484 comments Jaylia3 wrote: "I finished this on Veteran's Day, which is very fitting! Unlike Caddie Woodlawn this was a new to me book, which is maybe partly why for me it was more interesting than enjoyable. Even with the mir..."

Well, I wish you liked it better but I'm glad it was at least interesting. Except for Marly, I think I'm enjoying the setting more than the characters but I'm not far into it so I'll keep my mind open!


message 5: by Marianne (new) - added it

Marianne (mariannegie) | 42 comments I finished as well a few days ago. I liked how the dad's PTSD was shown from a child's point of view; I hadn't been expecting that heavy of a topic. I also remember thinking "uh-oh" in one of the early chapters when Chrissie said that she hated sugaring because Mr. Chris worked too hard. While I'm on the subject, was Chris his first or last name? Funny for the wife to be Chrissie Chris, but I guess it would also be a bit funny for Chris to be married to Chrissie!

The other part that made an impression on me was the bit about the foxes in the den. Joe ended up surprising me almost as much as he did Marly. Oh, and I also enjoyed the parts about Harry the Hermit living off the land as much as possible, but still enjoying the company of friends.


Rosemarie | 183 comments I've just finished my reread of the book. I read it four years ago and forget a lot of the details, so I really enjoyed it again-and paid more attention to the details. I really enjoyed it.
All of the members of the family developed and changed during the course of the book-but Marly didn't lose her enthusiasm.


Loretta | 87 comments Hmmm…was something sent out to let us know that this book won the November poll? 🤔


Loretta | 87 comments Was able to get this one from the library. I finished it last night. The only word that comes to mind to describe what I thought of it is “sappy”, which ironically fits because throughout the book the author talks about syrup.

Again, not sure how or why this book received any awards. 😕


Cleo (cleopatra18) | 484 comments I don't know whether I'm just in the mood for children's books but I loved this one as well. Such a nice trip back in time to a simpler life. I liked Marly's relationship with her brother and it was nice to see people caring about each other and helping one another out. A lovely read!


Rosemarie | 183 comments I felt the same way, Cleo.


message 11: by Lynn (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lynn (lynnsreads) Oh I loved this book so much. The gentle way the family and the father live together and to see him slowly healing from his war experience was just wonderful!! It's on my favorites list.


message 12: by Lynn (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lynn (lynnsreads) Loretta wrote: "Was able to get this one from the library. I finished it last night. The only word that comes to mind to describe what I thought of it is “sappy”, which ironically fits because throughout the book ..."

Haha sappy! LOL


message 13: by Cleo (last edited Feb 25, 2024 06:49PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Cleo (cleopatra18) | 484 comments Lynn wrote: "Oh I loved this book so much. The gentle way the family and the father live together and to see him slowly healing from his war experience was just wonderful!! It's on my favorites list."

Exactly. I like how the complexities of life fit in with the simplicities and the patience that was shown in so many situations.


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