My favourite book read in December ‘23
That was misleading. We all know I can’t pick a favourite book. This is one of my favourites from December, and I think it will be one that I think about for some time.
If you loved Where the Crawdad’s Sing by Delia Owen and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, this is the book for you!
Let me introduce you to The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters. This is one of those books that as soon as I finished it, I messaged a few friends and said, “You must read this book ASAP!”
The Berry Pickers is a deeply moving, beautifully written story set around a Mi’kmaq family from Nova Scotia. It delves into the life-altering event of the youngest daughter, Ruthie, going missing from a berry farm in Maine. This incident unfolds layers of family dynamics, trauma, and the haunting past that shadows the family members.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is Peters' portrayal of the Mi’kmaq culture and the harsh realities of their life. The vivid descriptions of the blueberry fields, the nuances of seasonal work, and the cultural backdrop add depth to the narrative. Like many of my favourite books, it is the characters in this that really bring the impact. Each character bears the weight of their past, vividly conveying the multigenerational impact of Ruthie’s disappearance. Peters masterfully intertwines multiple timelines, illustrating the ripple effects of a single event across generations.
This book explores themes like loss, grief, resilience, race and identity.
Put simply, this is one of those books that makes you feel so much. It is emotionally intense. I shed a few tears while reading it. I also couldn’t put it down. I was immersed! Just putting it out there, that I won’t be surprised if this book wins awards.
If it wasn’t already obvious, this is a book about child loss and family trauma, so this is not the book for you if these are sensitive topics for you.
If you are looking for beautiful character development, exquisite writing, and for something to really hit you in the heart, this is the book for you because life is too short to read bad books.