Nest by Esther Ehrlich
This is one of those books that I found myself reminiscing about my childhood days. Back in the 70’s with the sharing of the two-sided popsicle, turning t-shirts into bikinis, playing outside till it got dark, the HoJo Inns with the key hanging from a plastic tag with their beds arranged with flowered bedspreads and their TV’s sporting way more channels than you could ever get from home. So many carefree days and happy memories found their way back as I read through the pages of Nest and as I look back my life was simple but for Naomi, a.k.a Chirp her life was getting difficult. Chirp never thought she would find a true friend in her neighbor Joey and as the tears fell down my face again, it is a friendship like this that we all so desire. It’s not so much the ability to have fun together, to laugh and be crazy, it is the ability to be still and know that it’s good. It’s that silence, when the rest of the world is rushing by, the ability to see what others don’t and be a friend, that’s what makes their friendship so special. Joey is the youngest in a line of brothers; his father often leaves his mark on Joey which makes Joey fearful of his father. Joey has his guard up; he’s on the defense so when Chirp sees him on the sidewalk, their conversation is short. Chirp mother’s health starts to deteriorate and it’s hard, oh it’s so hard on the family. Once a dancer, she inspires her daughters to dance and their lives revolve around being active. Playing vinyl records, twirling, and belting out the words to David Cassidy, Chirp and her sister loved to put on a good show, audiences are optional. Mother goes to a center for treatment and reality got hard. Everyone starts to act differently; it’s all so confusing for a twelve-year old. Chirp takes comfort in watching her birds but even that activity she’s having a hard time enjoying. Joey steps in and takes her on a bike ride, a ride that opens Chirp up to the world around her. The memories of how her mother used to be and the way things are supposed to be, grab Chirp and all she wants is normalcy. Joey, I love this kid. His world is not the best but he’s there for Chirp.
I was surprised to see that my name finally made it into a novel’s pages. Sandy Lynn was the waitress at the Pewter Pot and I was beaming with pride as the spelling was correct and I had made it into an amazing book to boot! Although I am not chubby, nor old (I don’t think so), I was a waitress for so many years, I am quite proud of my debut and again, so happy I was inside this book. This book will definitely be one that you will not be able to stop reading it until you are finished, I can almost guarantee it. The writing was beautiful and effortless, capturing the true essence of childhood and their age of innocence. I laughed and I cried, many times over as I read Nest, I wasn’t prepared for the journey this book would take me on but it is one I will truly remember. I cannot forget the lilacs, for their fate lies in the memories that they hold.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Random House in exchange for an honest opinion.
