WAITING ON WEDNESDAY — THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS — MAY 18

On By Laurel-Rain SnowIn WAITING ON WEDNESDAY

Today I’m excited about an upcoming release that spotlights an issue with which I am familiar—the foster care system and what happens after.  Waiting on Wednesday is an event, hosted by Jill, at Breaking the Spine, in which we share books we’re eagerly anticipating.

The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, tells us what the foster care system and its aftermath was like for one young woman.

A mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written debut novel, The Language of Flowers beautifully weaves past and present, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she struggles to overcome her own troubled past.

The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating grief, mistrust, and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings.

Now eighteen and emancipated from the system, Victoria has nowhere to go and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. Soon a local florist discovers her talents, and Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But a mysterious vendor at the flower market has her questioning what’s been missing in her life, and when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.

What unique upcoming books spoke to you this week?  Please stop by and share….

28 thoughts on “WAITING ON WEDNESDAY — THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS — MAY 18”

  7. Wow, i too am familiar with the foster care system once being a foster mother, this is one that is definitely going on my list of ‘lookout’ for books. thanks for making it a choice.

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  10. Hi Laurel-Rain,

    I have always been fascinated by the Victorian penchant for using flowers to embody passion and I love the use of flowers in the lovely cover of this book.

    I have a friend and work colleague, who lets slip snippets of information about her life in children’s homes and foster care surface once in a while. It isn’t often that she opens up, so I can only begin to imagine some of what she went through.

    This sounds as if it is going to be an emotional rollercoaster with some intense and deep emotions.

    I’m not sure that I would be able to cope with this book, I will need to give that some more thought, but thanks for sharing it with me.

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    1. Yes, I think the issues are difficult for many people, Yvonne. Especially for those who’ve lived through these experiences. I worked in the field professionally, so I have an easier time of it, I think. Thanks for stopping by.

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