What I Learned - Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet by Jamie Ford

This book was gorgeous and surprising - I am ashamed to say that until I read this I was unaware of the displacement suffered by the Japanese in the States after Pearl Harbour. I will definitely be reading more now.

What I Learned:

I love how observant this is … for a lot of people talking to strangers can make you feel even lonelier than just talking to no one.

I think we've all felt like this at times. Like there's absolutely no point having nice or precious things because they just break or disappear. I know I've felt like this. It's important to remember that this feeling is temporary though and that things will always get better.

Another cracking observation. It doesn't matter how much you try to escape from or forget your past. It is always there. Maybe instead of trying to escape and forget we should just try dealing with it instead.

One of the most honest descriptions of caring for a relative you know isn't going to get better I have ever read.

Consistency. Just keeping on keeping on. Putting one foot in front of the other. Every day. Until you get to the place you want to be.

You are not what's happened to you. Take today and make the most of every second going forward. You still have time to change your stories ending.

I love this thought Henry has now he is a widow. Moving on and the guilt involved with that can be so difficult. It's so important that the person who's gone ultimately loved you and wanted to see you happy and squeezing every moment from your life, because life is too short not to.

Just love this. It says it all.

No one else is like you. I've said it before, and no doubt I will say it again...please don't ever deprive the world of your particular special brand of uniqueness. The world wouldn't be the same without it.

We should remember that sometimes the smallest kindest towards another is all they need to keep them going.

This reminds of another quote that really resonated with me. "my life is like my eyeliner. Almost, but not quite" Sums up my life perfectly!

Another just stunningly beautiful passage. It actually made me smile. It's a timely reminder that even though I am a slightly broken person at the moment I don't need to be perfect to have an infinite worth to other people. Quite a thought when you really stop and take it in.

...and thank goodness for that! Perfection is over-rated. My daughter and I are far from the perfect family, but all in all we have a great, if unconventional, life, full of laughs and smiles and crazy times. Think the Scottish version of the Gilmore Girls. And I'm not sure I would have it any other way.

I say it often, just take the leap because really, what is the worst that could happen. You might just surprise yourself!

It's universally acknowledged that my house is more than a little shabby around the edges, carpets older than I am. Draughty. Freezing in the winter. But it's home. And it feels like home. And we are luckier than most.

...the people who know you and love you will always see through even your best pretend.

..and why is it that the hardest choices are always the most important with the furthest reaching consequences.

Isn't that really the only way we should all be defining the people around us? Always make sure that your actions match up to, and where possible exceed, your intentions.

Sometimes difficult to remember in the middle of a sleepless night. But true beyond a shadow of a doubt. Hope is always there. Try hard to look for it.

The way I try to live my life every single day.

Choices more often than not don't come round again so move through your life with a quiet conviction. Make the decision your gut is telling you is the right one. Don't look back and say what if. Have you ever seen the Ashton Kutcher movie The Butterfly Effect. If not I can recommend it. It's a reminder that all your choices have brought you to the amazing person you are now, and you have absolutely no way of knowing what would have happened if you had chosen another road. I'm willing to bet it wouldn't be what you anticipate.

Find Jamie Ford online at:

See my Jamie Ford Reading List Blogpost here.

My copy of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet was published by Allison & Busby. Find them online at: