Book Review: Orange Mint and Honey by Carleen Brice

I read the most interesting book over the Easter holiday weekend.

And you heard me right... over the weekend.

It is rare for me to pick up a book and read it straight through over a couple of days.

Very rare.

I spend a good week or two these days on a book. (What's up with that?)

But this particular book, Orange Mint and Honey by Carleen Brice, really caught my attention.

I've never read anything byCarleen Brice. I just know she's a member of Miss Celie's (Tayari Jones) blog family. So I see her over in those parts, lol! Plus, she has a blog, The Pajama Gardener.

But when I read a synopsis of the book, I immediately placed it at the top of my reading list.

Now, I had plans for my Easter weekend, and I pretty much ditched all ot them...

Because I couldn't put this book down.

Orange Mint and Honey is the story of Shay Dixon, a twenty-five year old grad student attending school in Iowa. In the beginning of the story, she is at an all time low: depressed, broke, and burned out. Her only bit of joy in life is jazz music, and she is particularly enamored by the High Priestess of Soul, Nina Simone. A "visitiation/dream" of sorts takes place, and Nina Simone convinces her that she (Shay) needs to go home.

The problem is, home is NOT a nice place. She grew up with Nona, a mother who was an hardcore alcoholic. In fact, Shay hadn't spoken to her mother in seven years. Shay's childhood was so jacked up that Shay pretty much raised her ownself. As a result, she is angry and emotionally scarred.

When Shay returns home to Denver, she finds a mother who's totally different. Nona is now in AA, and a recovering alcoholic. She even sponsors another recovering alcoholic, a young woman around Shay's age. Nona's an avid gardener. And she is also raising Shay's 3-year-old half-sister Sunny in a healthy environment.

So, the attitude should be-

"My mother is wonderful now, and we can all hold hands and walk off into the sunset. Oh joy!"

Uh, no.

It ain't that simple.

Shay is angry and resentful. Who wouldn't be? And now, she has to look at her mother Nona who is now, all of a sudden... stable?

Can Shay accept and forgive this unrecgonizable "new" Nona?

Hmmm...

Shay and Nona have to come to terms with each other. The past... that's the problem. That's the wall shored up between them.

The story goes on from there.

I am drawn to stories about complicated mother/daughter relationships, as I myself have terrible "Mommy isshas". These stories give me insight into my ownself, and my own problems with forgiveness. And this had to be one of the best novels I've ever read that REALLY delved deep into the complicated act of forgiveness.

The author did a fantastic job weaving themes of addiction, renewal, mother/daughter complexities, and forgiveness, all of which are very tough themes.

Now, don't let the lovely title and pretty cover fool you.

*LadyLee vigorously shaking head*

This was a tough, heart-wrenching book. Very tough and in your face. I mean, the author held nothing back and got really raw with it. I had to put it down for a minute and think hard about a few things. It really had a powerful affect on me. It's been a good two weeks since I read it, and I am still thinking about this book.

Plus, it's just very nice to read a book that is EXTREMELY well written and thought out.

I've never had Orange mint, but it is supposed to be bitter, wild, and grows all out of control.

That's how I saw the main character Shay- bitter, angry, pissed, hurt.

But is it possible, somehow, to soften out all that bitterness... with a little honey, perhaps?

Hmm...

If you're looking for a good fast read, and especially if you have some of these issues, you should really check out this book.

And check out the drink! Miss Celie (Tayari) has posted a nice recipe, Carleen's Orange Mint Mojitos, as a part of her Cocktails and Writers series.

Looking for a good read? Go get this book!

You won't regret it:)