Before We Were Yours

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate


It's the 1920s, and for many couples, the Tennessee Children's Home Society orphanage is the answer to their fervent prayers of having a child. Georgia Tann, the operator and touted savior, promises happiness in exchange for a great deal of money. She's mastered the art of manipulation when it comes to matters of the heart.

Tann was an all-powerful, conniving, ruthless individual who ran this institution with cold, calculating cruelness. Poor, innocent children were snatched off the streets, and taken from hospital wards and mental institutions. Under the guise of helping parents in time of need, Georgia and her associates preyed upon the vulnerable and naive, who never fully understood that their signature virtually made loved ones disappear. To make matters worse, a corrupt judge and a Memphis mayor perpetuated this shameful period in history until as late as 1950.

This compelling, historical fictional story introduces readers to Avery Stafford, a feisty Southern lawyer who returns home to her privileged roots. Her beloved grandmother has strong memories hidden in the crevices of her mind about a spirited, poverty-stricken family that once lived on the Mississippi River. Avery is determined to dig deep into the past, even if it ruins the family's pristine reputation.

As a result of this true scandal, Tennessee adopted new, reformed adoption laws in 1951.

"For the hundreds who vanished and for the thousands who didn't. May your stories not be forgotten". 

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine by Gail Honeyman

Eleanor leads a simple life. After the daily grind of a menial job, she looks forward to the Friday evening ritual of pizza, Chianti, and plenty of vodka. Weekends are spent dreaming about a local musician she's never met, but loves from afar. And if someone at work or on the street, happens to stare at the hideous scars on her face, she understands. It doesn't bother her at all.

Things seem to change when she meets Raymond, the unkempt, geeky IT guy from work. By chance, they save an elderly man's life and become fast friends. Eleanor gradually ventures out of her sparse apartment, accepting luncheon "dates" with Raymond, boldly changing her drab appearance, and even socializing with total strangers.

What Eleanor doesn't share are the dreaded Wednesday night phone conversations with "Mummy". She doesn't like to talk about her painful childhood memories. Maybe her therapist can unlock the past she's tried so hard to forget. In any case, those painkillers she's been accumulating may eventually take care of the problem.

If a novel can be labeled a comedic love story, then this one falls into that category. Readers will laugh at Eleanor's hilarious, innermost musings about life in general. But expect to shed a few tears interspersed with the laughter, as Eleanor learns that she deserves a life filled with friendship and perhaps, even love. This character will capture your heart.

What a pleasure it will be to meet Eleanor when this novel becomes a movie for all the world to see.