Laura McHale HollandCritiques

I appreciated the small-town 60s vibe and the multitude of characters, but for me, that was about it. The numerous storylines became perplexing and it began to drag on near the end of the book. This was a satisfactory debut, but an author with abundant potential.

I would like to thank Laura for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a fantastic followup to Reversible Skirt. We dip right back into McHale’s incredible memories. She’s great at keeping a steady rolling, flowing pace while never dropping us out of the sensations and emotions, the poignant poetry of a younger self she sees with astonishing clarity. We’re right there with her as she faces the conundrums, the horrors and the vital discoveries of growing up and entering the world. The teenage “her” has had to grow up fast, but she rises from the hard knocks, with aplomb, humor, a deep sense of empathy and a razor wit.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Aunt Truly’s Tales: Enchantment for Story Lovers by Laura McHale Holland is a wonderful collection of ten adult short stories that was a pleasure to read. I love short stories, especially to read at night when you don’t want to stay up half the night reading. I read these, one or two at a time and truly enjoyed them. Aunt Truly is a character in herself. She may be old, but she’s independent and does what she wants. You will love all of the whimsical characters in Aunt Truly’s Tales. And you are in for a good old dose of fun while reading them.

I like that Laura McHale Holland describes her book as “a dash of whimsy and a dose of wisdom for our times.” Because that’s what it felt like to me. The homey feeling in Aunt Truley’s home is sure to be a trip not soon forgotten. I encourage you to pick up this short story book for many hours of enjoyment. This one is a Four Stars for me.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I enjoyed The Kiminee Dream very much. I loved the small town and all of its people. I did find myself reading some of the pages over to get the gist of the story and all of the characters. There is a bit of mystery going on in Kiminee, thongs happening that doesn’t make sense but then it’s Kiminee, and this is the way things are. Holland does a wonderful job of keep readers attention through all of the twists and turns that show up. Like the disaster that blew its way into the small town revealing things not to be known. And for a debut novel, the writing is phenomenal. Holland is an author I would very much like to read again. One I think we will be hearing quite a bit about if this first book is any indication. If you enjoy a good small town story with a bit of a mystery and twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is one you definitely want to try. I give this one Four Stars.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

This is a set of ten really sweet short stories. These are like very short fairytales. They are each a short story that has a moral to it. These stories are supposedly told by Aunt Truly who was introduced in the book called The Kiminee Dream which is a story that will make you cry and laugh. These are very sweet stories. I received a copy of this book from ireadbooktours for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This is a tale of laughter, sadness and everything in between. The town of Kiminee, Illinois is a town with happy and sad people. It also is a town like other towns where there are many secrets that want to be told. This is a book about a town that seemed to revolve around what happened to one very talented young girl. Carly Mae Foley is a great character. This story revolves around her and her family and how they handle life’s challenges. The people of this town are great. I did not want to put this book down until I knew all the secrets. I received a copy of this book from ireadbooktour for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I found this book to be a charming read. The townsfolk were interesting. There were many people to get to know. Not all of them good but most were. Some had secrets as well.

I liked Carly Mae. This partly had to do with the fact that I was introduced to her in the beginning of the story. The first several chapters were a bit more focused on just a few characters, so, I got to form a bit of a bond with them. In regards, to all of the various characters in this book; I agree with other readers that there were a lot. Maybe too many or at least I would have liked the timing of them to be spaced out a bit more so that I could get to familiarize myself with who everyone was.

I did untangle it all the further I got into the book. The latter half of the story was better. This is because by than I had everyone figured out and what their storylines were. So, I could just sit read and enjoy the story. I would try another book out from this author.

Her family and the entire town knew Carley Mae Foley was gifted from the minute she was born.

She could read at two years old, she could paint as though she were a professional artist at seven, and could play the violin like a master.

When a tornado made its way into Kiminee and took away her father, found her mother doing things she shouldn't be doing, and buried Carley under a chicken coop almost left for dead, the town was worried.

THE KIMINEE DREAM has sweet characters, some complicated characters, some odd characters, and a lighthearted theme with drama of course and one big crime.

Something was always going on in the town, and the reader is treated to multiple interesting story lines but has you wondering how they fit together. You will see that it all comes together in the end for a sweet read and all circling around to Kiminee.

I enjoyed the small town aspect and how everyone pulled together when things got tough.

The author's easy writing style made the book even more enjoyable.

THE KIMINEE DREAM is a book you will want to read if you enjoy going back in time to a less complicated lifestyle and a little bit of magic.

Enjoy if you read this book. 4/5

This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I was provided with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, whimsical novel with a splash of magical realism recalling Alice Hoffman or Laura Esquivel. The author titled this "love poem to Illinois disguised as a novel". You can feel the love she has for small-town America and its eccentric inhabitants. Interestingly, I got very strong southern vibes from this, and it was difficult for me to place this in Illinois (which I know very little about). The language is very poetic which from the onset set my expectations really high. Somewhere around the first 50 pages, I went on to research whether Laura McHale wrote anything else because I really liked her style.
However, the latter part of the novel dragged on a bit, and I lost the satisfaction of reading which I had in the beginning.
For me, this novel fell flat in the main story, which somewhere around the middle became very predictable. The many storylines didn't help, and at times it was difficult to remember who everyone was. I do think that a more inquisitive editor could've made this a much better experience.
But, I can't seem to shake off the fuzzy, comfortable feeling I had while reading this. Like a childhood memory of summer when all the people we loved were there in one place.
In that sense, Laura McHale Holland did a very good job.

I received a signed print copy of this book from the author through the internet and the following is my opinion.
It takes a skilled author, like Laura McHale Holland, to be able to write stories with the brevity she has succeeded to doing for the 21 Flash Fiction [micro] contained in this book. I should know because I’ve already written a book where the vast majority of the 100 stories are only five sentences long.

There’s nothing missing in any of these stories, they’ve got a beginning, a middle and an ending; they’re also fraught with a myriad of developed characters as well as emotions. The content of each of the stories are not one-dimensional as they all are fully developed, containing allegorical implications and familiarity, nor are they limited to a particular genre of writing directed at a particular kind of audience.

The physical book, with its small size, 4” x 6” and less than a ¼” thick, can quite easily be carried in a handbag, large purse or even in a pocket of a jacket.

For wanting to give her readers a sense of being part of the story, like being in the shoes of a protagonist, or witnessing the story taking place right in front of them, as an aficionado of Flash Fiction, I’ve given the author, Ms. Holland, the rating of 5 STARS which she has garnered.

Holland's Just in Case is a collection of flash fiction stories. For those who are unfamiliar with this writing style, flash fiction is snapshot writing. Most of the time, these stories are mere paragraphs long, often way shorter than major news stories, some shorter than minor news stories even! The stories in this collection run the gamut from creepy to quaint.

Really, there's a definite talent to writing flash fiction, and writing it well. I've tried my hand at it. I suck. I'll stick to my poetry, thanks! Holland definitely does it well. 'Cold Case' was a favourite, a play on the folktale of 'Hansel & Gretel' that startled an amused laugh out of me. 'Drifting' was another favourite. It was poetic; a tribute to nostalgia and growing old. Other faves include 'Believe Me', about unimaginable loss, 'Butterflies', about a surreal disappearance, and 'When She Wakes Up', about the nature of what is real and what is not.

As with poetry, flash fiction often offers the reader the chance to find meaning significant to them, or to really consider certain aspects of society, or psychology. A few of these stories I wish were just a chad bit longer. Most were perfect in length given the genre. What I do wish was that there were more that twenty-one of them! As was, I flew through this in about 45 mins.

*****Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. Reviewed for XPresso Tours.

The summer of free love, sex and rock music set the background for Laura’s descent into self-torture as she moves from being a teenager to a young adult. Exploration with sex and drug lead to an abusive relationship far from the Catholic life she was expected to live. This memoir covers Laura’s life between June 1963 and September 1972, her relationships with a stepmother, sisters, and several men. This is an ugly coming of age story set during a time of national and personal crisis.

Resilient Ruin is a captivating coming-of-age story about a teenager who breaks away from her abusive stepmother and spirals downward into depression, drug and alcohol abuse, risky sexual behavior and involvement in a cult.

I was hooked into this story from the first page and carried along to the end by a fast- paced plot, believable, dynamic characters, and vivid sensory details. I came of age in the 60s so could easily relate to the times. As a reader, I felt like I was watching a movie from that tumultuous time as scenes came alive to me. McHale Holland’s writing is rich in detail and flows seamlessly, leaving the reader feeling not only engaged in the story but a part of the story. Her main character is feisty and rebellious with an edginess that foreshadows an underlying resilience. So no matter how many fixes she gets herself into, she leaves you with the feeling that she will eventually find her way. She delivers on her title as she survives, finds forgiveness for her abusive stepmother and moves on to live a productive, fulfilling life.

This memoir is a study of the impact of the times (60s and 70s), the loss of biological parents, the effect of abuse on a teenager and the resilience of the human spirit. Beyond being a riveting story, it will give hope to teens who are struggling with coming of age and their parents. It also will also serve as a valuable resource for caregivers who work with the at-risk teen population.

A riveting coming –of-age memoir about surviving abuse and finding forgiveness.

Thanks to Goodreads for sending this First Reads book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

I am not a fan of short stories and these, of course, are the shortest as they are flash fiction. This fact is the main reason this doesn't get higher stars, so I'm not sure that's exactly fair. The writing was very well done. It takes a lot of skill to be able to write flash fiction and have it be meaningful and believable and Holland does just that. I didn't like some of the stories as they were on the morbid and dark side, but most of them were enjoyable for me.

This was a very quick read and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes short stories.

There's a richly layered tapestry of voices inside this anthology, some familiar and others intriguingly mysterious. Their perspectives and their stories are playful and serious, inspiring and inscrutable. The undercurrent flowing through this "diversity of voices" will be familiar to everyone; its timeless quality achieves the book's stated purpose of engaging today's and tomorrow's readers.

The book itself can be sipped and savored, which is how I've been reading it, dipping in and out of the different sections, marveling at how these stories speak to me about relationships, families, and the human experience.

I was intrigued by the idea of a book of flash fiction far more than I was by the actual works contained within. Some were quite clever, some were sad, others were funny, and they certainly were not poorly written, but I just had trouble getting into the book at all. That only makes sense, as the author's quick bursts of art are just that - quick.

I can't recommend the book, because I had to force myself to finish it, but I did think of other writer friends while reading it, and thinking how this "flash fiction" is probably a fantastic writing exercise. I wish I could rate it higher, but I just didn't find it terribly enjoyable. I would like to blame that on myself. Perhaps "flash fiction" just isn't for me!

I'm a big fan of well-written flash fiction, and the stories in Laura McHale Holland's collection The Ice Cream Vendor's Song never disappoint. Her dark, often troubling themes marry beautifully with the precise, concise form.

A collection of 'flash fiction' - very short stories.
I was a bit hesitant about trying flash fiction; I was slightly worried that these very short stories would have little depth and remain bland and superficial.
Holland's work was a very pleasant surprise. Though the stories are indeed very short, they convey a wealth of emotion and succeed in being original, intriguing, and a great pleasure to read.
I really enjoyed it, they're great stories for when you're taking a short break and just want something to read that won't take very long, but still want to have a complete story.

When I was young, riding in the car with my mom and peering at the cars that we passed, or looking out the window of BART at the passing homes, I often wondered what the lives were like of the people in the many cars and houses. The collection in The Ice Cream Vendor's Song gives you a glimpse into quite a few people's possible lives. It is an interesting and memorable book of flash fiction.

Although many of the stories I wouldn't call complete stories, some are, and all have something worthy about them.½

I am a big fan of flash fiction and won this collection from LibraryThing's Member giveaway.
Each of these short pieces is its own vignette and many have interesting and challenging ideas for you to ponder. They vary from snapshots of ordinary moments to sometimes fantastical situations. I would definitely read more from this author.
Recommended

I started to read these short stories and was intrigued, then dismayed, then horrified, then mesmerized. I wanted to hate them and put them down, but I absolutely could not. There is much anguish in the stories, there is pain, they are disturbing and the voice of Laura McHale Holland demands to be heard. I look forward to reading her works again.

The Ice Cream Vendor's Song by Laura McHale Holland is a book of short and shorter stories. Some I liked more than others, but all of them will make you think. I enjoyed reading each and every and one. A good book for an afternoon or evening read.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, rather it be good or bad.

Received through Lbrary Things. Short stories that are intense, challenging, troubled. Some are heart rending, Some are frightening. I wish the world did not generate such angst. Not for the faint of heart but presumably a look at the thoughts generated by one woman's reality. I hope writing it was cathartic. Thanks or the opportunity.

I received this book free from Library Thing to read and review. The author has produced a unique collection of short stories, most of which are not very long. These stories address all different facets of human nature, some good points and some bad points. The book is ideal to pick up and read whenever you have a few minutes to spend while waiting for someone or something (an appointment a meeting, etc.). Once you read them, these stories will stay with you. Each gives a complete picture, some covering a moment in time while others covering longer periods. They deal with everything possible, from separation to loss to good and bad fortune and so on. None of the stories covers the same subject or has the same moral/lesson/thought. I found these stories to be very interesting and thoughtful, a smorgasbord of life. It is not often that a reader reads something and leaves with much more, but the author has done this. I found myself reading a story and stopping to reflect on it before moving on to the next one. This is not just any book of stories, but a unique collection of tales that give you a great deal of food for thought yet are short enough to cover the issues the author wishes to. This is a collection to keep and go back to whenever you want a breath of fresh air or something worthwhile that is short and sweet.

Tonight I downloaded a Member Giveaway book, The Ice Cream Vendor's Song. It is a collection of extremely short stories, most of which are very strange. I managed to read almost half of the book, but decided it was enough for me: I was not enjoying them.

If you like strange and weird stories, like some of Theodore Sturgeon's works, you might appreciate this collection.