"The Sky Beneath My Feet" by Lisa Samson is definitely an upside down, inside out story of one family whose lives collide in their quest for worth and love during what was to have been a month's vacation. Beth's husband must make a decision concerning a job offer and goes into seclusion during his one month sabbatical leaving his wife and sons on the outside. Beth must continue with day to day demands without her husband and as such meet a group of people called the Rent-A-Mob who make her ponder her existence. And then there is her eccentric, artistic neighbor who brings a revelation to Beth's family and others. Her brother enters the picture dragging her to the inner city to a half-way house to rescue a friend's daughter. The book has its funny moments but there are times that it is hard to follow the main character's thoughts as they seem flighty. Overall, a good book to read.
This book was received free to review for BookSneeze.  

Jane Kirkpatrick gives voice to reformer Dorothea Dix in "One Glorious Ambition: The Compassionate Crusade of Dorothea Dix." Although this is a fictional account of nineteenth century Dorothea Dix many of the events and places are based on factual accounts. Dorothea Dix aspires to fulfill God's purpose in her life but her path is not neatly laid out just as in our own lives there are numerous twists and turns. At first she believes teaching and writing are her earthly purposes. Then, an unexpected visit to a prison opens her eyes and mind to another calling as she remembers her mother. Thus her crusade becomes that of giving a voice to "those who can not speak for themselves": the mentally ill. This is an inspiring story making one stop and think what is God's purpose for my life. An author's interview and reader's guide with book discussion questions are included.  I received this book from WaterBrook Press  to review.