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    Annie's Stories
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    Annie's Stories
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    Annie's Stories
    Ebook415 pages6 hours

    Annie's Stories

    By Cindy Thomson

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    The year is 1901, the literary sensation The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is taking New York City by storm, and everyone wonders where the next great book will come from. But to Annie Gallagher, stories are more than entertainment—they’re a sweet reminder of her storyteller father. After his death, Annie fled Ireland for the land of dreams, finding work at Hawkins House.

    But when a fellow boarder with something to hide is accused of misconduct and authorities threaten to shut down the boardinghouse, Annie fears she may lose her new friends, her housekeeping job . . . and her means of funding her dream: a memorial library to honor her father. Furthermore, the friendly postman shows a little too much interest in Annie—and in her father’s unpublished stories. In fact, he suspects these tales may hold a grand secret.

    Though the postman’s intentions seem pure, Annie wants to share her father’s stories on her own terms. Determined to prove herself, Annie must forge her own path to aid her friend and create the future she’s always envisioned . . . where dreams really do come true.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTyndale House Publishers
    Release dateJun 20, 2014
    ISBN9781414396101
    Unavailable
    Annie's Stories
    Author

    Cindy Thomson

    Known for the inspirational Celtic theme employed in most of her books, Cindy Thomson is the author of six novels and five non-fiction books, including her newest, Celtic Wanderings: A 40-Day Devotional. She is co-founder of the Faith & Fellowship Book Festival and vice president of the Mordecai Brown Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit that seeks to promote the legacy of this early twentieth century Hall of Fame baseball pitcher. She owns the team blog Novel PASTimes, a venue for readers of historical fiction mostly posting interviews with novel characters. A genealogy enthusiast, she writes from her home in Ohio. She often complains that her visits to Ireland are not nearly long enough. Visit her online at CindysWriting.com.

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    Reviews for Annie's Stories

    3.5/5

    139 ratings696 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Cindy Thomson's Ellis Island series began with Grace's Pictures, about a young Irish immigrant who comes to New York City at the turn of the 20th century. She finds work as a nanny for a family and a room at a boarding house run by a kind Christian woman, and becomes enthralled by photography.The second book in the series is Annie's Stories, about another young Irish immigrant who lives in the same boarding house. Annie is the housekeeper at Mrs. Hawkins' boarding house. She was raised by her father, a storyteller called a seanchaithe, in Ireland. When her father died and Annie went to live with her an uncle, who treated her poorly.Her uncle shipped her off to the Magdalene Laundries, a horrible place for girls who are abandoned by their families. Many of the girls were pregnant and gave birth to babies there. (The Magdalene Laundries have been in the news over the last year, and the Oscar-nominated movie Philomena dealt with this issue as well.)Eventually Annie was sent to New York to live. Annie's father left her with a small writing desk, filled with children's stories he created for Annie. She treasured these stories, and reading them gave her great comfort.The local postman, Stephen, has a crush on Annie, but he hasn't worked up the courage to tell her. They both enjoy reading, and Stephen suggests that they read the hottest book in publishing, The Wizard of Oz, so that they could discuss it together.As someone who loves to read, I really enjoyed the role that books and the publishing industry played in the story. Stephen lives above a publisher's offices, and we get to glimpse how publishing worked in the early 1900s.Thomson does a great deal of research for her books, and because of that, the reader feels dropped right into the middle of this fascinating era in New York City. There is a subplot that involves the Pinkerton Detectives and another boarder, and the steely resolve that Mrs. Hawkins shows in dealing with an unpleasant situation is impressive.Annie's faith is a very important part of her life, and it informs everything she does. Mrs. Hawkins is a deeply religious woman as well, and their strength of faith is inspirational to readers.I so enjoyed catching up with Grace as they all prepare for her wedding to Sgt. McNulty, a policeman. Perhaps we might see another wedding in a future Ellis Island book?Anyone who wants to add to their reading list will have some new suggestions too, from Jules Verne's Facing the Flag to H.G. Wells First Man on the Moon and of course, Frank L. Baum's The Wizard of Oz, which plays such a big role.If you enjoy historical fiction and Christian fiction, Annie's Stories is a must-read for you. I felt like I was catching up with old friends, and made some new ones that I hope to meet up with again the near future.
    • 4/5
      Dreams of a Better LifeThis is the second book in the Ellis Island collection by Cindy Thomson. It can be read as a stand-alone novel. Set in New York during the early 1900's, the book tells the story of Annie Gallagher, an Irish immigrant who has come to America to begin a new life. Annie has terrible memories of her life in Ireland. All was well in her life until her father died. After his death, Annie lived with an uncle who sent her to the Magdalene Laundry, a horrible prison-like institution for unwanted girls. The primary reason she was sent away was because her cousin made false accusations against her. When Annie is finally rescued from the laundry, she arrives in America with only her father's writing desk and the treasured stories he wrote during his lifetime. Annie feels alone and abandoned by God.Annie moves to a boardinghouse run by Mrs. Hawkins. She is a kind woman and treats Annie well. Still, Annie feels that nobody truly cares about her and she dreams of moving on and opening her own library one day. When Annie's cousin arrives from Ireland, she moves into Mrs. Hawkins' house and Annie is faced with old memories from her past. Memories she wishes to forget. She can never forgive her cousin for the misery she caused Annie back in Ireland. Where can Annie turn for love and support? She has friends, but longs for a deeper relationship.Stephen Adams is a postal carrier who delivers mail to Mrs. Hawkins' house. He is quite attracted to Annie, but is also quite shy. Stephen loves books, as does Annie, and that seems to be the way Stephen can get closer to Annie. Stephen longs for a family, but he is deep in debt and has nothing to offer a woman. He also has issues from his past which he struggles to rise above. Annie and Stephen are both reading "The Wizard of Oz" which is very popular at that time. They enjoy discussing the book with each other. However, Stephen still has a difficult time winning Annie's affection.While Annie is trying to rebuild her life, the boardinghouse is suddenly being investigated due to the behavior of another boarder. If Mrs. Hawkins' house is shut down, what will become of Annie? Will she realize the dream of having her own library? Circumstances seem to forever defeat Annie. Her father's stories seem to be the only things left to Annie. Could they be the key to fulfilling Annie's dreams? How can she overcome her troubles? Will she finally turn to God and find the hope and peace she seeks?"Annie's Stories" is a book filled with history, mystery, and suspense. It is also a story about second chances and forgiveness. I enjoyed it very much!I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.
    • 5/5
      I have enjoyed getting to know this author and her stories. Annie's Stories takes place at the turn of the twentieth century and I enjoyed how it combined real history with Annie's life. Annie's father was a storyteller and in a manner, Annie continues his legacy. She has to do this in America where she has been sent after her father's death. I like how Annie stays strong and tries to honor her father in her new life with a chance to publish his stories. This does not go exactly as she had hoped and she has to keep calm in what happens afterwards. I look forward to more stories in this Ellis Island Series.I received this book free from the publisher to review.
    • 5/5
      I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed reading through the eyes of a male character, slipping back into his early memories of the circus while on his own in the aged care home. I found that I could really visualise the scenes throughout the book. There's an ill fated romance. The good guy is great, the bad guy is despicable and I was more surprised at the end than I expected to be. Despite the male perspective, this is still a girls book. The male character is a little too perfectly painted to fit the ideal romantic lead for men to really appreciate, but I honestly didn't think about it like that until after I had finished the book. Robert Pattinson wasn't how I pictured Jacob, despite reading the version with him on the cover. I imagined an young ex footballer, not so lanky. Oh and a red head. I might not watch the movie in case it spoils it for me, but you should definitely read the book.
    • 4/5
      WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Review Let's get the bad stuff out of the way so I can get on with telling you why you need to read this book, like yesterday.

      First, if you haven't read WATER FOR ELEPHANTS yet, SKIP THE PROLOGUE! For your own enjoyment, do not read the first 3 or 4 pages. No lie, it's the climax of the entire book. Why the author and publisher thought that beginning the book with the end of the book was a good idea I'll never understand, but it's the equivalent of SE7EN beginning with Brad Pitt shooting Kevin Spacey, or Jaye Davidson dropping his drawers in the opening scenes of THE CRYING GAME to reveal his flippety-flop and marble bag. I wished someone had warned me. Oh well, what's done is done.

      If I hadn't've loved the journey Jacob Jankowski takes in this novel as much as I did, the ending-stealing-prologue would have made me want to throttle a baby panda. Luckily, the rest of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is nearly perfect. This is the first book I've ever read where I didn't find a single error. Not one. My hat goes off to Sara Gruen's editing team. The plot is tight, almost too tight; so well plotted that the author kinda shows her hand by building the reveals. Strangely enough, this book reminded me of FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, and I'm sure you'll understand when you read it.

      Sara Gruen also excels in character development. I adored every person I came across in this book. Jacob is an entertaining and sympathetic narrator. August is a true sleazeball, but, even though I hated him, I felt sorry for him, too; he really did come off as mentally unstable, which made me believe that he couldn't be held 100% responsible for his actions. Still, he got what he deserved in the end. Walter (aka Kinko) was my favorite character in the book; he's one of those supporting roles that you come to love more than the main character, at least he was for me. Barbara stood out as another strong role from a smaller member of the cast, having been so expertly drawn by the author as to be unforgettable. Uncle Al was devilish, but I could understand his motivations; he was living in the shadow of Ringling, and nobody enjoys being second best. Camel's fate was probably the saddest part of the book for me because he was the only one who had no control over what happened to him. And the list goes on and on and on... I probably feel the same way about this cast as most Potter-Heads feel about the students and staff of Hogwarts.

      Lastly, I've heard nothing but bad things about the movie so I doubt I will ever sully my memory of this book's characters by watching it. I will also say that the blurb on the front of the Algonquin Paperback version is horribly misleading. The reviewer from Parade magazine couldn't have read the same book I just read. Here's the blurb: "Gritty, sensual, and charged with dark secrets involving love, murder, and a majestic, mute heroine." WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is not a dark murder mystery. Far from it. This book is beautifully written, and gives one a wistful feeling; it made this man-child want to run out and join the circus. It sure as shit was not sensual. There's two sex scenes: one involving drunken and raunchy sex, and the other concerning coitus described in laughably maudlin prose, with silly dialogue like "Let me be inside you." There is murder... kinda/sorta... but it's all off camera and soon forgotten, aside from the spoiler in the prologue. There's absolutely no mystery or secrets, but that doesn't detract from the story. And that "majestic, mute heroine" actually refers to an elephant who's only in about a quarter of the book.

      In summation, this book will make you wish for the hard life of a carny as well as a pet elephant. I took half a star off for the spoiler-y prologue and the goofy-ass sex scene, but this book is just damn entertaining, and probably the best book I've read this year.
    • 5/5
      I don't think words are beautiful enough to describe this book. I was in love with this from the get go. Throughout this book, I caught myself smiling as I read... full on cheesy smile, as I was totally entranced by the world I was lost in. I also found tears in my eyes over and over- both in joy and sadness. This book tore through me.

      I can't really review this beyond saying that Water for Elephants was magical. If you have yet to read this (which I highly doubt, considering I am one of the last people on earth to read it), stop everything and go start it now.
      This is one of those novels that I wish someone had thrust this one on me so I could have experienced the beauty that this story is earlier.
    • 5/5
      This book is amazing.
    • 5/5
      I listened to this book on tape and have to say I am not sure I would have enjoyed it as much just reading it as I did listening to it. The readers really brought a LOT of life to the story.
    • 4/5
      This was a really good book. Took me awhile to get through but it was worth it. Definitely recommend it for someone who is just looking for a new good book to delve into
    • 5/5
      I loved this book. There aren't enough good things that could be said about it. My review that I'm going to add to my blog will be more detailed.
    • 3/5
      A good solid story, nicely developed characters and plot. A romance story that held more interest for me than it would normally due to the book being set at a circus. I fell in love with Rosie (the elephant) and loved how everything went down with her. The ending was a typical happy one that left me feeling pleased although it was lacking a bit and seemed somewhat rushed. I am a little taken aback that this book is given the credit to have an afterward with questions, thoughts and ideas for the reader. I didn't find the book to have too much meaning behind it and thought it was what it was... a good solid, romantic circus story that was at times exciting with a hint of mystery and had you on the edge of your seat a few times.
    • 4/5
      I have always enjoyed circus stories, both written and on film, so I was anticipating a great read with Water For Elephants, a circus romance set in the 1930’s. But this was not a Disney tale with a kindly ringmaster, a manly and noble trainer and a glamorous bareback rider. Instead the ringmaster was cruel and conniving, the animal trainer was downright psycho and dangerous, and unfortunately, the bareback rider came across a little flat and colorless. Why our runaway young veterinarian fell in love with Marlena remained a mystery to me throughout the whole book.The color and thrills were certainly there in the setting and I loved reading about this shabby, travelling outfit that turned into the glamorous and exciting Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show On Earth once the big top had risen and the band were playing. The depression era was a time of hardship and these travelling shows brought glamour, commotion and pizzazz to small-town America. Of course this was also a time that folks expected a lot of entertainment for their money and if they didn’t feel they got their money’s worth, they were quick to run these performers out of town. I loved many things about this book, both the side characters and animals that peopled this story were memorable, the setting was fantastic, the story was inventive. For me the book’s downfall was in the romance. I just didn’t find Jacob and Marlena a believable couple. I would have found it more realistic if Marlena was simply using Jacob as a mean of escape from the horrible situation that she was in. I did like the format of hearing about Jacob’s youth from his ninety-three year old self and I though the ending was fun but a little contrived.So for me, Water For Elephants was a good read, but not a great one.
    • 2/5
      This book was marginal. The only reason it has any stars is because the description of the circus was fun to read about. The characters seemed to be an afterthought. It could have been better had Gruen attempted to make an effort toward developing her plot. I put the book down and I had no idea what I had read.
    • 4/5
      The Basics

      The story follows Jacob Jankowski, ninety-three years young and living in a nursing home. He is haunted by memories of his twenty-three-year-old self and the circumstances that dictated he had no choice but to runaway with the circus. That circus being simultaneously the best and worst thing that ever happened to him.

      My Thoughts

      I love circus stories. I’m discovering this, this book being part of that discovery. There’s something, even sans magic or fantasy elements, that is very fantastical about running away with the circus. About Jacob’s story and how his life did a complete one-eighty and resulted in his being swept up in what was an alien world for him. That’s one of the things this book does well, illustrating the ways that being part of that world for Jacob was like traveling to a foreign country, having to learn a new language and new customs.

      Another thing I want to emphasize that this book has going for it: a good sense of humor. I think that’s where the whimsy comes through. Gruen isn’t afraid to make fun even during a serious moment, and it gives the book a lightness that is prevalent throughout. No, it isn’t Shakespeare. It doesn’t need to be. It’s a feel good book that does its job: it makes you feel good.

      I will say that there is one thing that brought the experience down for me. Unconvincing romance. The entertainment industry has become saturated and infatuated with love at first sight. That’s a romantic notion, I can’t fault them there. What I can fault this book for in particular is that characters have to speak to each other eventually, and these two don’t really. And when they speak, they have to talk about things that make sense of why they love one another. The most that can be said is Jacob suffered from a severe hero complex that made him feel obligated to rescue Marlena at every turn, but otherwise they had little in common that justified their relationship.

      The great thing being that the book is not so obsessed with the romance that it doesn’t have more to offer. Rosie the elephant, for instance, was an adorable highlight. Most of the animals were, in fact. Walter and Camel were a couple of my favorite side characters that got a good deal of time devoted to them. August is a pretty interesting villain. Things that make for a balanced book that I personally enjoyed.

      Final Rating

      4/5
    • 3/5
      A vast improvement from Riding Lessons.
    • 5/5
      Love the book, hate the movie. Hate is probably the wrong word since I stopped watching the movie 30 minutes in and cannot speak to the remainder of the film. How can Hollywood take a perfectly written story that even opens itself up for easy adaptation to the big screen and completely bungle it? I know.... you want to know what I think about the book, not the botched movie job. Well, okay. Gruen has taken the concept of a Depression era circus and provided the reader with a wonderful historical fiction piece steeped in nostalgia, romance, hard nose business tactics along with the weaknesses and fallibility of human nature. Jacob is no Robert Pattinson - you thought I was going to drop the movie references, didn't you? - he is a young man with his entire life before him and no clear path to move forward given the fateful circumstances that arise. I absolutely love the narration.... give me crusty old narrators any day of the week! It brought back fond memories of my experience reading Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, a story that did jump wonderfully from book to screen. Gruen has a eye for detail and a way with words that allows the reader to experience the story as though it was actually unfolding before them. I also learned an awful lot about the Depression era, circus lingo and how during that time period, the majority of people looked after themselves. Kind of scary to think we may be tipping that way now. Overall, this makes the second circus themed book that I have been pleasantly surprised with, the other one being The Night Circus, which is a completely different story and cannot be compared with Water for Elephants. My recommendation is to read the book, savor the story and completely by-pass the movie.
    • 4/5
      Jacob Jankowski does not complete his veterinary examinations, but he lands a job as a vet for a circus anyway. It alternates with the 93-year-old Jacob, now a resident of a nursing home that cares very little about its residents. He is looking forward to the arrival of a circus. There's a lot about relationships in the circus and the competitiveness between the circuses that haven't quite reached the level of Ringling Brothers. I was bothered by some of the profanity in the book and by some of the adulterous relationships.
    • 5/5
      I borrowed this book from my friend one summer and I really loved it. I had already seen the movie and since she had the book, I thought I'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did! This book effortlessly switches from elderly Jacob to young Jacob and, to be honest, I love both version of the character equally. Elderly Jacob is hilarious yet sad. His wit made me smile while I was reading it - probably not a good thing because I was reading it whilst at my friend's place. Right away, I grew attached to the characters. Also, there were more plot twists in the book than there is in the film (which I was expecting). I was so engrossed in the book that I zoned out. Just like that. When my friend was giving away her books, I jumped at the chance to own her copy. "But you've already read it," she'd said. Ya, well, I wanted to be able to read it again. I highly recommend this. It's intricate, complex and heartbreaking yet heartwarming.
    • 5/5
      I loved this book. As soon as I started reading it I couldn't hardly put it down. It's a great story about how love prevails. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good romance and drama story.
    • 5/5
      I read the first half of this book in a matter of days, and the second half in a matter of hours. I haven't been able to put it down. It is fascinating, historic, eye-opening. The impact of having a spouse who is abusive is just as strong as the impact of an animal being abused in this book. The romance of the circus is shattered among the secrets and the truth behind it. The glitz and glamour of performers that we so often can't get enough of are scuffed by the truth we are so often blind to. I will read this book again and again, I'm sure.
    • 4/5
      As much as I did not like this book in the beginning, it really grew on me. I'm not sure if there were just too many interruptions in the story line, or what, but the further in I got, the more enjoyable it became, and the less we were dealing with the main character's current self.

      It is a really, PAINFULLY slow start though. I mean, after you get past that part, you breeze through. The action starts to pick up and things begin to fall into place. I think the main difficulty with the first few chapters or so is that you're trying to get background information to help set the scene, but you're being interrupted as soon as you're starting to get a grasp on what's going on or how important it may or may not be later in the book, and then POP you're back with old man Jacob who is confused and a little afraid because he's losing his mind a bit (no more than would be expected of a 93 year old man). You, in turn, become a little confused too until you are going back down memory lane with him.

      Also, and note that I don't suggest under most circumstances, later in the book, after they get Rosie, keep your computer by you. Hell, even in the beginning a bit, it'd be nice to have. There's a good deal of Polish in here. Now, normally, I wouldn't have a problem with Polish. I can usually figure out what's going on in a conversation, but I can't read Polish. It was nice to have Google Translate handy to help out with that.

      I don't normally suggest this either, but, when you're done, read the author's note. There's some surprising information in there!
    • 5/5
      This is one of my favorite books. It is so incredibly poignant. The male protagonist is such a likable character that you endure each obstacle together. I personally cried in the theater because they showed him as an old man wanting to join the circus.
    • 5/5
      Sad read, disturbing at times, with a happy ending. 5 stars for pacing and suspense.
    • 2/5
      Eh. It was fine. The writing is workmanlike, and the story is laid out step by step, the reader adds nothing. The tone (though not the story) is rather YA. I once saw about 5 minutes of the movie and found it absolutely unwatchable, but this was better. I have nothing more to say.
    • 4/5
      Amazing book. I loved it.
    • 5/5
      This may be one of my favorite books. The author did an excellent job of creating a realistic and believable world, especially since she had no personal experience with circus' prior to writing this novel. I loved how she wove in details that seemed minor but still added to the story. The only thing I didn't really like was the death of Walter, but in order for the book to have a legitimate ending it probably was the only way to close that storyline. I was worried near the end that this was going to have some surprise ending, like discovering that Jacob was just like the other old man in the home, that all of his memories were false, but he believed them so much that they became real to him. I was very glad that did not happen!
    • 5/5
      5***** and a &#10084This was excellent. It's a compelling story, with a fascinating insight into the world of the traveling circus during the Depression. There's an interesting twist to the ending. But our book club spent as much (or more) time discussing the treatment of the elderly in nursing homes as we did discussing the central circus story. Book Club # 1 read it in March 2007; Book Club # 2 read it in October 2007; Book club # 3 is discussing it in November 2008.
    • 5/5
      This was one of my favorite 2 or 3 books that I read in 2011. It's a beautiful portrait of an old man's reflection on his life, and his current state of mind. It's also a beautiful portrait of several relationships earlier in his life, and their evolution. There was enough action and intrigue to keep me on the edge of my seat most of the time. I listened to the audio version of the book, and think the performance of the actors added significantly to my enjoyment of the story.

      I highly recommend this book.
    • 5/5
      Good book. Could not put it down. Love the ending. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie!
    • 5/5
      A lovely story. Jacob is old and in a nursing home and his reminiscing about his days working for a circus. We go throught the behind the scenes of what happens to the animals, the workers and also the beginning of a love story for Jacob.

      For me, it was a hard to put down book, well written, Jacob was a great character that by the end of the book, you want a happy ending. It's a romance, love triangle and a good vs bad novel. Worth a read and eventually a re-read.