If you enjoy a relaxing, fun read during the holiday season, here's a book recommendation:
"Velva Jean Learns to Drive" by Jennifer Niven.
This is definitely a page turner. Set in the mountains of Western North Carolina, the book chronicles the coming of age of Velva Jean, a character who kind of reminds me of "Scout" from "To Kill a Mockingbird," in that I found myself admiring her wide-eyed innocence and her growing sense of independence. Good read about a simpler time that was on the verge of becoming much less simple.
Here's a review:
From Publishers Weekly
"Niven makes some memorable moonspun magic in her rich fiction debut (after two nonfiction books) about 10-year-old Velva Jean Hart, a North Carolina kid determined to drive and sing at the Grand Ole Opry. After Velva Jean is born again, her daddy leaves and her mother falls ill, and not even Velva's bargaining with God can save her. Her brother, Johnny Clay, is some comfort, but Velva Jean grows up fast after promising her dying mother to heal people with her singing. At 16, Velva marries charismatic Rev. Harley Bright, a moonshiner's son, railroad fireman and part-time evangelist who later resolves to become a full-time preacher. But Velva Jean's independent streak (she wants to learn to drive), her singing (which sounds sinful to Harley's ear) and her friendship with a half-Choctaw, half-Creole blues musician fire up Harley's controlling jealousy. It's a touching read, funny and wise, like a crazy blend of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, a less morose Flannery O'Connor and maybe a shot of Hank William."
Available at amazon.com
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