Mary E. Trimble

“To all the girls who have faced injustice and been silenced. Together we will be heard.”
—-Malala Yousafzai

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb is an extraordinary memoir of a young Muslim girl who was shot at close range, by a Pakistani Taliban as she sat on a school bus surrounded by her classmates.

Malala, her father, mother and two brothers lived in Swat, a mountainous village in Pakistan. Her father was a strong advocate for education and worked hard to open his own co-educational school, believing the government schools were inadequate. Further, he felt the lack of education was the root of Pakistan’s problems.

Malala was born in 1997 within a society that highly valued the birth of boys. When a son was born it was cause for celebration, but the birth of a girl was met with quiet disappointment. It was believed her role in life would be simply to prepare food, give birth to children, and be obedient to her husband. Malala’s father, however, did not share the beliefs of his countrymen concerning women. Although they were strict Muslim, the family did not believe in the growing influence of the Taliban, who forbid education for girls, threatened those who attended school, and even burned school buildings. Malala’s father did not insist that she cover her face, praised her efforts in excelling in her school work, and encouraged her to speak out about her God-given rights and talents.

The memoir goes into detail about Malala’s life as a young child, their customs and beliefs. She loved her country and its rugged mountains. Her greatest joy was attending school with her friends and competing with them in examinations.

When Malala was fifteen years old, as she sat on a school bus with her friends, a Pakistani Taliban shot her in the face. The bullet grazed her left eye, skull and brain, lacerated a facial nerve, shattered her eardrum and broke her jaw joints. She was rushed to Birmingham, England and against all odds and with the aid of British doctors, Malala survived her wounds.

When Malala was 17, she was awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, the world’s youngest Nobel Prize laureate. At the time of the book’s writing, she and her family live in England. She likes her new country because “people follow rules, they respect policemen and everything happens on time.” There is no fear about harm on the way to school, women have jobs unimaginable in Pakistan. Nevertheless, Malala misses her homeland and longs to return.

Malala does not want to be remembered as the “girl who was shot by the Taliban” but rather the “girl who fought for education.”

Book Review: Refuge

Posted on December 19, 2022 by Mary

Refuge, a novel by Dot Jackson (1932 – 2016) is a gripping story of discovery and love that takes place in the late 1920s and early 30s. Mary Seneca Steele’s privileged Charleston background is of little value when she faces her abusive, unemployed though money-grabbing husband. Although she would have liked to divorce him, North Carolina is a “no divorce” state. When Mary Seneca (called Sen) finally has enough of his emotional and physical abuse, she packs up her young daughter and son, and in her husband’s expensive Auburn Phaeton automobile steals away in search of her late father’s roots in North Carolina’s Appalachian Blue Ridge Mountains.

Nearing her destination, Sen follows what she remembers of her father’s description of his homeland, but takes a wrong turn on a rutted winding road and sinks the car into a shallow part of a river. She and the children are able to climb out, soaking wet, and salvage most of their clothes. They discover an abandoned house and take refuge there. Although off to a rough start, it doesn’t take long for Sen to become acquainted with relatives and neighbors, people with whom she finds happiness and fulfillment.

Years pass, the children thrive, and Sen becomes an integral member of the community. She becomes especially close to her cousin, Ben Aaron Steele and it is from Ben that she learns about her family’s roots and the true meaning of life, love and loyalty.

Author Dot Jackson spun a story rich in details, and told in an authentic, captivating Southern voice. I especially recommend this novel to those who love Appalachia-based stories. The author beautifully describes the hilly landscape, the floral and fauna particular to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the attitudes of the people who live there.

Book Review: Rescue Ranch Rising

Posted on December 12, 2022 by Mary

“Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.”
——A Cherokee proverb

Rescue Ranch Rising, an uplifting novel by Heidi M. Thomas, is book three of her “Rescue Series.” The contemporary western takes place on a Montana cattle ranch.

Samantha (Sam) Moser’s dreams went up in flames when her barn burned to the ground. Although her horses escaped the fire, her plans to both rescue horses and people are also threatened to turn to ashes. As Rescue Ranch Rising begins, Sam observes the burned remains of her barn and is overwhelmed with the now dimming possibility of restoring her dream of having her own arena to help guide traumatized people, especially veterans, heal by equestrian therapy.

Sam lives on the Montana ranch her grandparents once owned. She’s made headway toward realizing some aspects of her dream. She’s made a positive influence on a teen who was once a Gothic girl; she’s made real headway toward helping veterans suffering from PTSD, and she’s rescued neglected horses and abandoned dogs. Sam strongly believes that horses have the power to heal. In a program at an agriculture college, vets have responded favorably to Sam’s sessions to help them gain emotional strength and self-esteem through their involvement with horses.

Possibilities seem to brighten when builders give her a quote to build a new barn, but then betray her when they leave the area and abscond with her down-payment. In the meantime, Brad, the man she loves, seems to be pre-occupied, leaving her doubting their relationship.

Sam’s life and dreams are in turmoil. Will her faith and her solidly loyal friends be enough to turn her bad luck around?

Heidi M. Thomas writes with heart. Growing up on a working Montana cattle ranch, she writes from first-hand knowledge both the satisfaction and the concerns of a modern-day rancher. Although Rescue Ranch Rising would stand alone, I would recommend reading this intriguing series from the beginning starting with Rescuing Samantha, Rescuing Hope and this third story, Rescue Ranch Rising.

Book Review: One Perfect Day

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Mary

A novel of depth, One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling, addresses the often wrenching decision to donate an organ of a loved one to a person who otherwise might die.

Nora Peterson prepares for what she hopes will be the best Christmas ever. Her twins, Charlie and Christi are high school seniors. Once they leave home, nothing will ever be the same for Nora and her husband, Gordon. The family has a happy, affluent life. The twins have had every advantage and it won’t be long now before they’ll be off to college to start their own lives.

Miles away, in another state, Jenna Montgomery, exhausted from her ER shift, returns home to care for her daughter, Heather. For years, Heather, 20, has suffered with a failing heart. Being a nurse, Jenna is well aware of how serious her daughter’s condition is. If she doesn’t get a heart transplant soon, she will die. It’s that dire. Jenna is a war widow and she faces this burden alone.

When tragedy strikes, one’s family’s devastating loss becomes another family’s blessing.

One Perfect Day is a story of tragedy and hope. Organ transplants give life; unfortunately it often means another life has been lost. It’s never a simple solution, but it can be a life-saving answer to prayer.

I have read several books written by award-winning author, Lauraine Snelling, and have especially enjoyed the “Red River of the North” series. Snelling is a master story teller. Her descriptions, whether it be emotions or landscape, come alive under her pen. One Perfect Day is a departure from her usual genres, at least in my experience, but she does justice to a crucial, life-saving topic—the importance of being an organ donor. I highly recommend this book.

Book Review: The Oregon Trail

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Mary

“When I strike the open plains, something happens. I’m home. I breathe differently. That love of great spaces, of rolling open country like the sea, it’s the grand passion of my life.”
– Willa Cather

The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey by journalist and author Rinker Buck is an absorbing modern-day journey of two brothers experiencing the 2,100 miles of Oregon Trail as closely as they could to the pioneer experience.

Middle-aged brothers Rinker and Nicholas Buck and their dog Olive Oyl set out from Kansas in a covered wagon pulled by three mules. Rinker was considered “Boss” and Nick “Trail Hand.” Though the brothers are opposites in lifestyle, attitude, and experience, it takes both their individual talents to manage this alternately harrowing and exhilarating journey. While Rinker did the in-depth planning of the trip, Nick’s skill with mechanics and innovative repairs made completing the trip possible.

Rinker Buck does a remarkable job of sharing their first-hand experiences, then toggling to emigrant stories of the 1840s and 50s, bringing the Oregon Trail journey to life. The Oregon Trail, we learn, isn’t a long, single rutted road, but rather a wide network of tracks and named branches along the 2,100-mile route, much of which is now paved. Various needs and conditions necessitated different routes as the pioneers sought forage for their stock, water, or perhaps a shorter, more comfortable route. The Buck brothers experienced many of the same trials and tribulations as the emigrants.

I loved this book. The author’s honesty about the struggles and inconveniences they faced, as well as the beauty and observations they witnessed, make The Oregon Trail a rich, rewarding, and well-researched read.

Book Review: The Hope Raisers

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Mary

The Hope Raisers: How a Group of Young Kenyans Fought to Transform Their Slum and Inspire a Community by Nihar Suthar, is an eye-opening account of determination to effect change in one of the largest slum neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya.

Korogocho, home to about 200,000 pressed into 1.5 square kilometers, is known for its extreme poverty, food and water shortages, and rampant pollution. Children and adults daily pick through trash at the huge Dandora dumpsite hoping to find food for their families, or recyclables they can resell. It is a village where gang violence prevails, where poverty and scant education make it almost impossible for young people to find a way toward a better future.

Out of this poverty, three teens decided to make changes in their community, changes that would bring hope and inspire young people to make more of their lives. Daniel Onyango created a band, a musical group called the Hope Raisers, to inspire the kids of Korogocho. He was quickly joined by his friend, Mutura Kuria. They began teaching children how to express themselves through art and music.

After finding a pair of discarded rollerblades in the dump, the teens learned that the strange-looking roller skates were used in competition. They scrapped together more pairs of rollerblades, cobbling together parts to make useable pairs. Sometimes they stuffed rags into the toes of the rollerblade shoes so that the smaller children could skate.

In the meantime, streets around Korogocho were paved, a ridiculous expense since no one had a car, or even a motorcycle. The boys organized play times practicing on the unused paved streets. They formed regular practice hours and took the sport seriously. In order to participate, children had to attend school, thus assuring that children were bettering themselves in more than a sport. The leaders sought donations and applied for grants enabling them to purchase equipment and compete in organized contests.

Lucy Achieng, a young girl who refused to fall victim to an early marriage, tried this new sport and found her talent. She helped others achieve success at competitions. They gradually worked their way toward participating in Roller Games World Championship in China.

The Hope Raisers is an inspiring account of how a few people can effect change in an impoverished community. These three young Kenyans were determined to make a difference, to raise their village from the slums, and to pave the way toward achieving a better future.

Book Review: Painted Skies

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Mary

Painted Skies by Barbara Marshak, a moving and inspirational novel, takes place in modern day Wyoming ranch country.

Vonnie Daniels, 58, takes a vacation from her job as a law firm receptionist in Indiana to volunteer for ten days at the Sage Creek Guest Ranch in Wyoming. Her job will be to greet guests as they arrive, and manage the front desk. Her mornings are busy but she has the afternoons to ride horseback and enjoy the country life-style. She’s never lived in the country and she’s taken by the raw beauty of her surroundings.

Eleven years before, Vonnie lost her husband to a heart attack. Other heartbreaks have also taken their toll, namely the three miscarriages she suffered before finally giving birth to their only child, a daughter, Jacqui, who is now married and has a daughter of her own. Jacqui was against Vonnie taking this trip, thinking it frivolous and risky.

While at the ranch Vonnie finds peace and friendship. She loves her little cabin, the magnificent view, and enjoys the companionship of Gertie, the ranch’s baker. Gertie invites Vonnie to go horseback riding, a scary but exhilarating experience. Gertie’s a down-to-earth woman and her friendship is a balm to Vonnie’s anxiety.

But all is not well on the ranch. Mysterious, dangerous instances mar the tranquility of the Sage Creek Guest Ranch, vandalism that not only causes damage to ranch property, but also involves danger to Vonnie.

Toward the end of her stay at the ranch, Vonnie meets a charismatic cowboy. A promising new future presents itself, but will practical, common sense prevail, or can Vonnie let go of old fears and let her future blossom into a new, vibrant lifestyle?

I found Painted Skies not only a fun read, but an inspirational story. The author vividly paints the rugged Wyoming landscape, its wide-open skies, jagged mountains, and vast stretches of land. The main character is deeply spiritual and I appreciated the scripture quotations as she discovers truth among the healing words.

Book Review: The Clovis Dig

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Mary

The Clovis Dig, a novel by Teri Fink and Robb Grindstaff, is both entertaining and educational. The contemporary story takes place in Eastern Washington.

Orchardist Claire Courtney is shocked when a chiseled, three-dimensional arrow-shaped rock, about ten inches long, is found while digging a new irrigation trench in her East Wenatchee, Washington orchard. Believing it must be ancient, Claire feels obligated to call her alma mater, Washington State University, and report the finding to their archaeology department.

When Native American Joe Running, Associate Professor of Archaeology at WSU learns about the find, his interest is piqued. After he visits the site, an official dig is organized, initially with Joe together with two students.

Once word spreads about the find, the Courtney Orchard is inundated with archaeologists, students, the press and onlookers. Claire’s once peaceful life is shattered. You can’t run an orchard with people milling about. In addition to the confusion, local tribal leaders come to the site, fearful that an ancient burial site will be disturbed.

But then a body is found. Not an ancient body, a relatively recent one. So now law enforcement people are swarming the area and an investigation of a different kind begins.

The Clovis Dig characters ring true and the situation believable with elements of mystery, suspense, and romance. The novel was inspired by a true archaeological find. The word “Clovis” is what archaeologists call the oldest widespread archaeological complex in North America.

Book Review: Notorious RBG

Posted on October 31, 2022 by Mary

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik is a remarkably frank biography of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933 – 2020), her time as an attorney for the ACLU, as a federal judge, and finally her service on the U. S. Supreme Court.

RBG’s high energy level and extreme intellect allowed her to manage raising a family while excelling first as a law student, then as a self-described “flaming feminist litigator.” Although throughout her career she fought for women’s equality, her main objective was to make the laws of the country work for everyone.

Like many women of the era, RBG was paid less than her male counterparts for the same work done. In one case she was actually told her pay was modest because her husband had a good job! RBG worked all her life to defy gender stereotypes. At one point she fought for a widower and his right to compensation for child care, the same as would be awarded a widow. She didn’t want to be called a “women’s judge, nor a political judge, but a judge’s judge.”

I was inspired by this biography. In my working career as Admissions Director at a well-known deep-sea diving school in the late 1970s, I received less pay than a man in my position would have been paid. When I brought this to my boss’s attention he actually said, “Oh, Mary, we couldn’t afford to pay you what we would pay a man in your position!” RBG fought for equality for pay, for benefits, and for equal recognition for a job well done.

RBG was an amazingly energetic woman. In addition to her many responsibilities, she maintained a work-out schedule and, in fact, had a personal trainer. Her regular exercise routine consisted of squats, curls, planks and 20 full push-ups. RBG’s one regret when reaching her seventies was that she had to give up water skiing.

Notorious RBG is a fast-paced biography with quotations from family members, close friends, United States’ presidents, colleagues, and clerks, as well as quotations from RBG herself. I appreciated learning more about how the courts, especially the U.S. Supreme Court works. RBG was an inspiration, an intergenerational icon, and Notorious RBG does her justice.

New Release: My Brother Eric

Posted on October 17, 2022 by Mary

I am so pleased to announce the release of my latest novel, My Brother Eric. The story is actually a continuation of my last novel, Maureen, but the story stands alone.

When the Cahills learn that a boy from the local high school is homeless and living out of his car, they feel the need to help. But they have a big cattle ranch to run. Will this city kid fit in?

Eric, 16, is living on the edge, and he knows it. He doesn’t know how much longer he can go on like this. Winter is coming on, and nights are already getting cold. The law is bound to find him and report him to Child Services. But Eric is determined not to move again, to finish high school in Chewack.

My Brother Eric is my fifth novel. In addition to my novels, I have written two memoirs, Tubob: Two Years in West Africa with the Peace Corps and Sailing with Impunity: Adventure in the South Pacific.

The book is available in paper or e-book format through your favorite bookstore or Amazon.