30 Day Book Challenge: Day 10
Day 10: A Book That Reminds You of Home
Sweetly by Jackson Pearce
There are two reasons why I connect this book with the feeling of HOME.
1. It is set in "Live Oaks, South Carolina" so basically in my home state! The story is about a brother and sister who are turned out of their home by their stepmother. They leave Washington (state) and travel toward Folly Beach, South Carolina. In the prologue it is revealed that the girl, Gretchen, was a twin. Her sister was taken by a witch in the forests of Washington. For Gretchen and Ansel, escaping from Washington is a dream made possible by their banishment by their uncaring stepmother. They arrive in South Carolina and the Jeep breaks down, stranding them in Live Oaks, SC. They are taken in by Sophia Kelly, a local candy maker who creates treats seemingly made of magic. You can see the fairytale retelling set up here. Hansel and Gretel.
2. This is the first book I bought when I moved back to my home state in 2012. I remember riding with my younger brother in his 1970-something, Powder Blue, VW Beetle on a sunday driving expedition. We had no real idea of where we wanted to go but we were just out driving around, enjoying the scenery and discovering new places. He asked me when I last bought a book and if I wanted to stop at the bookstore. He offered to buy me a book because he was happy I was home. So we went into Books A Million and my eyes landed on this book. The purple drew me in, the fairytale retelling drew me in, and so...I took it home. I devoured Sweetly.
It is a shame they recently redesigned the covers, I have both Sisters Red and Sweetly in the original covers. They are so beautiful. But now Fathomless and Cold Spell will look out of place...unless of course I design my OWN covers and print them out...hmmmm.
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