Anything but Plain by Susan Woods Fisher Book Review and Surprise
About the Book
Book: Anything But Plain
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Genre: Amish fiction
Release date: October 4, 2022
It’s not easy being the bishop’s daughter, especially for Lydie Stoltzfus. She’s not like other Amish girls, as much as she wishes she were. The only thing she does well is disappoint others. Leaving her family and church seems unbearable, but staying might be worse.
Knowing Lydie is “between” jobs, the local doctor asks her to fill in at the front desk for a few months. To Lydie, this is a boon. It gives her time to figure out how she’s going to say goodbye to her neighbor, Nathan Yoder–the main reason she needs to leave Stoney Ridge. Nathan claims he’s in love with her, but she knows she’s not good enough for him. If in doubt, Nathan’s father reminds her frequently.
As Dok spends time with Lydie, she recognizes symptoms of an uncommon disorder among the Amish. She offers treatment for Lydie. But will it be enough to make her stay? Or has help come too late?
Click here to get your copy!
My Review:
I don’t think I have read a book from Susan Woods
Fisher that has disappointed me. Anything but Plain was captivating. I really
enjoyed this book and revisiting the Stoney Ridge Amish Community and catching
up on other characters from past books.
I love the ADHD plot. She really touched on the
heart of the matter and the different affects it has on individuals. I think so
many people can relate to this issue and story. So many people get labeled as
lazy or careless and do not have the tools or awareness to help them live with
ADHD.
Lydia Stoltzfus is a single 19 year old Amish Girl.
She is the daughter of deacon David Stoltzfus who you will already know from
previous stories. Lydia has a heart of gold but can’t seem to hold a job for long.
She is forgetful and can never seem to complete anything she has started. Lydia feels that she needs to leave her
community and start over since all she ever does is make a mess of things and
disappoints her family and community.
Lydie tugged on my heartstrings and especially her creative
doodling and her perspective on individuals. I loved Dok and her using her own
experiences and knowledge of ADHD. Perfect
Patsy wasn’t perfect after all. You will have to read the story to find out
about that.
Lydia’s
neighbor Nathan Yoder is also 19 and wants to make the family farm and organic
one. His father and brother have used so many chemicals on the farm that the
farm seems to not producing like it should. He feels that the chemicals are
affecting the farm and the health of his mother. Nathan and his brother have
always been close friends with Lydia. He has feelings for her and can’t seem to
figure out why she avoids him and what is going on in her life. He never gives
up on her and has me rooting for him the whole time.
The story had a lot of areas that were not
predictable and a few surprises with the major and minor characters.
Disclosure:
I received this complimentary product through Celebrate Lit Bloggers in exchange for
my honest thoughts.
About the Author
Suzanne Woods Fisher is a Christy finalist, a Carol Award winner, a two-time ECPA Book of the Year finalist, and the Publishers Weekly, ECPA, CBA, bestselling author of more than thirty books. Her genres include contemporary and historical romances, Amish romance, and women’s fiction. She and her husband live in a small town in California, where everyone knows everyone else, knows what they are doing and why. Most folks act a little nervous around Suzanne because they usually wind up in one of her novels. She has four grown children and enough grandchildren to keep her young. Visit Suzanne at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
More from Suzanne
Easily Distracted? 8 Strategies to Help Stay Focused
Anything but Plain is a story about a young Amish woman with undiagnosed ADHD. Lydie Stoltzfus feels like a square peg in a round hole. She just doesn’t fit in and, to make matters worse, she’s the bishop’s daughter. At this point, the only path forward she can see is to leave Stoney Ridge. Leave her church, her friends, her family, her neighbor Nathan Yoder. It’s better to leave, Lydie decides, than to keep disappointing everyone she cares about. I won’t say anymore so that I don’t spoil the story for you.
ADHD is not a common diagnosis among the Amish and many might assume it’s not a real thing. Of course, they’re mistaken. ADHD is a real thing. While I don’t have ADHD, I do have many friends and family members who have been diagnosed. It’s challenging! And something we should all take seriously. Here’s why:
Evidence is mounting that a growing dependence on digital devices could be giving all of us some ADHD-like symptoms. Have you wondered if distractibility is becoming a problem for you? Or has a spouse or child or friend remarked on how often you pick up your phone to check a text message or scroll Instagram? You might remain physically present but your mind has wandered away. For me, the answer is, regrettably, yes.
There’s a recurring phrase in Anything but Plain that comes from an old-fashioned farming term: Walking the beans. Literally, it means weeding by hand. Figuratively, it means paying attention to our priorities. To pull the weeds before they take root.
One of the takeaway lessons of this book is to “walk the beans” of technology’s role in my life. So…I’ve been working on a few strategies. When I practice, I see a difference. Life is calmer. More manageable.
So…I wanted to pass these tips along to you. (If you have little children, these might not work for you. Not when your little ones are awake, anyway.) Hopefully, you’ll find them to be useful, and maybe spark some strategies of your own.
- Make a plan. I start the day with an index card and write down the day’s priorities. And I check off tasks as I finish them!
- Go off-line. Create an environment that helps you stay focused. Turn your cell phone to silent. If working on the computer, close your email app. Put yourself in distraction-free mode until you’re accomplished what you need to do
- Finish one task before moving on to the next. Even little tasks.
- Distractibility is at its peak during transitions. Build in margin. For example, arrive a few minutes early instead of rushing in a few minutes late.
- When distractions are high, make tasks smaller and break down your large projects into smaller tasks to help you concentrate and give you a sense of accomplishment and progress.
- When I’m facing a big task, I’ll break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces.
- Set a deadline for a task. Beat the clock! Use a timer.
- Rewards! When I beat the clock, I’ll take a break from computer work and pop up to the garden, text a friend, walk the dog. Something that feels good.
Blog Stops
The Avid Reader, October
7
Babbling
Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 7
She
Lives To Read, October 8
The
Write Escape, October 8
Debbie’s
Dusty Deliberations, October 9
Happily
Managing a Household of Boys, October 9
Vicky
Sluiter, October 9
lakesidelivingsite,
October 10
Texas
Book-aholic, October 10
Lighthouse-Academy,
October 11
Simple
Harvest Reads, October 11 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Locks,
Hooks and Books, October 11
Abba’s
Prayer Warrior Princess, October 12
Inklings
and notions, October 12
Southern
Gal Loves to Read, October 12
Library
Lady’s Kid Lit, October 13
Because
I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 13
Truth
and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 14
Blogging
With Carol, October 14
Elly
Gilbert, October 14
deb’s
Book Review, October 15
For
Him and My Family, October 15
Holly’s
Book Corner, October 15
Ashley’s
Clean Book Reviews, October 16
Jeanette’s
Thoughts, October 16
Splashes
of Joy, October 16
Empowermoms,
October 17
SusanLovesBooks,
October 17
Mary
Hake, October 17
Bigreadersite,
October 18
A
Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 18
Blossoms
and Blessings, October 18
Cats
in the Cradle Blog, October 19
Pause
for Tales, October 19
Spoken
from the Heart, October 19
Little
Homeschool on the Prairie, October 20
Cover
Lover Book Review, October 20
The Adventures of a Travelers Wife, October 20
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. Enter to win your own copy here.
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