Mary and Me, A Lasting Link Through Ink chronicles the lives of Mary Potter Kenyon and Mary Jedlicka Humston. The two have been pen-pals for more than three decades, and their friendship quite literally grew on pieces of paper.
Having had a few pen-pals when I was young, none of whom I have stayed in touch with as an adult, I am impressed that their relationship lasted and grew as they lived through phase after phase of life.
This is my first time reading anything by Humston, but I’ve read two of Kenyon’s other 3 books. She writes with such flow and ease, that as a reader, I easily enter into her world. Even when that world is somewhat foreign to me.
This is an easy-read kind of a book. Not really a stay-up-all-night-and-finish-it book, but one of those you pick up to read a bit of here and there. It kind of made me want to write my best friend a letter (but texting is more our gig – and we can put some deeply moving, deeply disturbing and deeply funny things in little bite-sized text pieces. In fact, I’ve often had the thought that if I died and someone went through my texts to Marti, they might wonder what in the world went on inside my pretty little head.)
But back to Mary and Me.
The book is split into topics with an essay by each of the Marys followed by a guest essay. I wasn’t a big fan of the guest essays and skimmed through many of them because they made the book feel a little disjointed to me.
Both Mary’s are good writers, and I wouldn’t hesitate to read more of their work.
If you’d like to win a copy of this book, leave me a message in the comment section and tell me if you’ve ever had a pen-pal and whether or not you still stay in touch.
If you are interested in reading more of Mary’s books check out the links below.
Check out my ChemoTherapist review here.
Check out my Coupon Crazy Review.
I have yet to read this one.
So glad to be the recipient of your musings. And quips. And ponderings. Love you!
Life wouldn’t be right without our constant communication. I choose to believe our texting is quality conversation 🙂
Ooh, love the concept! I haven’t had a pen pal before but I think I’m going to sign up for one soon :). It has always seemed so fun!