Birdbaths and Paper Cranes: A Family Tale.

New York, NY Penguin Group: Plume Books, 2002. Paperback First Edition thus [2002]; First Printing indicated. First Edition thus [2002]; First Printing indicated. Near Fine in Wraps: shows only the most minute indications of use: just a hint of wear to extremities; mildest rubbing; the pages have tanned somewhat, due to the aging process. Binding shows barely discernible lean, but remains perfectly secure; text clean. Very close to 'As New'. This a Remainder, showing a mark at the bottom edge; NOT a Book-Club or Ex-Library. 8vo. 189pp. Foreward by Josh Randall. Edited by Scott Brown. Trade Paperback. This book is guaranteed to make you reminisce and cry and laugh along with Sharon Randall as she writes of her life. It is beautifully written, short and direct ~~ always having her short stories end with a rememberable last line that leaves you thinking more. I found this book languishing on my bookshelf after borrowing it from my mom last year. I needed something "lighter" to read after my spree of historical fiction. I thought this one was rather a slim volume and I can surprise my mom by returning it this weekend. But it was a surprise to me! For such a small volume, this woman writes with a real punch ~~ a punch to the soul. She shouts, cajoles and whispers to your memories and soul with grace and humor. Just like a mom and wife, daughter and sister and granddaughter. I only wish I had a bigger box of hankies nearby. I was hooked from the start; I couldn't put the book down after reading the foreword by her son. Now that I know why my local newspaper carry her column, I will be reading her work again and again. She speaks to the mother and wife inside of me. She makes me sit and remember who I was long before I have gotten to this part of my journey. She talks as if you're sitting next to her with a cup of tea and you both are just gabbing away ~~ only her stories serve to remind you that life is short and it is even more precious than we all realize. This is a book that should be shared, not hoarded in dusty libraries or in the back of the bookcase. This is a book that everyone should give to their loved ones ~~ male or female. It speaks to all of us. I just love writers like Sharon Randall ~~ they really speak to our souls and it is up to us to truly listen ~~ with our ears and our hearts.