The photo was taken on a hill I climb at least once a day and often twice in my three-mile walk each day. I’m often singing for joy at this point because I’m almost to the end of my walk. It also reminds me of my What I’m Reading ~ Road to Terminus by Catherine Leggitt. Here’s the back-cover copy:
The paths of thre
e strangers collide on a desperate road trip along Route 66. One is running away, one is racing the clock, and the child who binds them merely hopes to survive.
Middle-aged widow Mabel Crowley hasn’t felt needed in years. But when a homeless child named Stryker shows up at church one Sunday, Mabel’s life takes a drastic turn.
George Stanton is not who he seems. Running from the law in his brand new 1955 Lincoln Continental, he’s planning a mad dash to Mexico to leave his past behind. He can’t let an old woman and a sick kid get in his way.
Eleven-year-old Stryker has never eaten with utensils and doesn’t know how to read, but she can identify the make, year, and model of every car on the road. She won’t reveal the identity of her mother or why she’s been told to never let her tattered stuffed monkey out of her sight.
Mabel races against time to save Stryker’s life. George only wants to save his own skin. Soon their destinies become irrevocably entwined, and the road they choose could change their lives forever.
My Take:
Road to Terminus is the ACFW book club choice this month. While it isn’t my usual type of book to read, I stayed up until 2 a.m. to finish it. So, take my word for it–don’t start reading it right before bedtime.
Set in the 1950’s it was a welcome relief from modern technology. It’s also hard to believe that time is now considered historical. I don’t know if Catherine Leggitt lived during that time period or not, but if she didn’t, her research was spot on! the story is both a physical journey and a personal one for all three characters. Characters that Leggitt captured perfectly
Stryker had my heart from the first time she was introduced, and I knew Mabel Crowley’s life would never be the same. It took a little while to warm up to George Stanton. He was a self-absorbed, chain-smoking, whiskey guzzling, scoundrel (as one reviewer put it), but watching his personal journey kept me turning the pages. I think in part because George represents the part of ourselves we don’t want to see and I wanted to see him redeemed.
And Stryker. What a sweetheart. She represented the good in the world, along with Mable. I loved the way Stryker l knew so much about cars and how it moved the story forward. If the adults had listened to her, they wouldn’t have had nearly as much trouble.
This is a touching story that will stay with me for a long time. A story I believe readers will enjoy.
Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library. Do you consider fiction set in the 1950s historical?
This week I'm reviewing Catherine Leggitt's Road to Terminus. It's a book you won't soon forget. Leave a comment and I'll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library! #Christianfiction Share on XOh, and before you go, check out my interview with host Susan Fontaine Godwin: https://youtu.be/W_xwWkL_qGo
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Comments 45
The Road to Terminus sounds good. Yes, I consider the 1950s to be historical. Actually, anything before cell phones seems historical.
You have a beautiful area in which to walk. Lovely photo.
Author
Funny, Priscilla, about anything before cell phones being historical. 😀 And thank you! I do have a beautiful area where I walk. And safe.
Yes, I do because I was born in 1949. I remember in the 60’s, we considered items from the 30’s almost antiques. But with antiques I think it has to do more with the workmanship.
Did I just call myself an Antique?
That’s what my mother said when she turned 100. “Yesterday I was just old, now I’m an Antique.”
Author
Paula, I love your mother’s comment when she turned 100! That’s what I’m going to say. 😉 And I agree a lot of the workmanship from the 30s was excellent!
Sounds really interesting. I think the 1950s is historical, though it does seem weird to say that. I like disappearing into different time periods though.
Author
It’s just hard for me to view the 1950s as historical…even the Vietnam era because I lived in that time, Megan. 😉 Thanks for stopping by.
For me, the book started slowly but sped up and became one of the favorites I’ve read this year. I read it on Kindle, hadn’t seen the cover–love having pictures to add focus.
Author
I love the cover, Delores. It looks 1950ish. And it’s a book I’ll long remember. Thanks for stopping by.
Love the photo and verse, Pat. The 50s historical? Since I was born in 1948, my inclination was to say no. Historical is before I was born. But, now that I have a few years behind me 🙂 I think that period is certainly historical. Historical events were taking place all around the world. Some I was aware of (remember Weekly Reader?), and even in the U.S., there were life changing events. I guess any time you have some 60 years or so to look back on, you could consider those times to be historical. Books have been written about those times! Thank you for making me feel old this morning, Pat 🙂
Author
Making you feel old, Tim? It makes me feel old! And yes, I do remember Weekly Reader. It’s still hard for me to consider that time period as historical. Historical is in the 1800s. lol Good to ‘see’ you here!
No, the 50’s seen like yesterday to me but then I’m a
relic. I graduated from high school in 52. Now I’m 86 but still 18 in my heart! I look forward to reading to reading the book! I love your pictures, Pat, and especially the captions. You choose well.
Author
Thanks, Joyce! And isn’t it funny how no matter the years, we still feel 18 in our hearts! I actually think I could still climb a tree…but I won’t. lol Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Wow this does sound like a refreshing change from modern tech in a book. I’m laughing at the 1950’s setting bc I was born in the 50’s. Def have to read this. Sounds engaging.
Author
Toni, I think you will enjoy Road to Terminus! And I liked the way Catherine Leggett realistically captured the 1950s. Thanks for visiting my blog.
It probably is due to all the technological advances since that time. However, I love books set in the 50’s
Author
Lisa, I think this is the first one I’ve read set in the 1950s! Since I really enjoyed it, I’ll be looking for more. Thanks for stopping by.
Interesting sounding book written about the time period I was born. I don’t consider it historical as in historical books. How about mid century as in decor? Not sure that is better but not what I consider historical if I am reading a book.
Author
I know, Gloria! But if a writer submits a story written from the Vietnam era back, it’s considered historical. Thanks for stopping by,
The picture reminds me of an old hymn: “Stepping in the Light.”
I have heard of this book but never read it. I want to read it as soon as I can find some time. I don’t consider the 50s historical, just part of my past. I lived through those years, becoming a teenager before the decade ended. I guess I still view the time before I was born as historical.
Author
I agree, Edward. Any time period I lived in cannot be historical! I simply won’t accept it. lol. Always good to see you here!
I’d like to read it. I like what it says about the kid in the story.
Author
Lynn, Stryker was wonderfully written! Readers can’t keep from falling in love with her. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, Patricia, I was born in the ’50s and I just figure anything in the past can be considered “History.”
When I was a kid, I hated History all dry facts and memorizing dates, no ‘flavor’ to understand it. But I loved sitting at the feet of my elders and listening to them talking about the same subjects, they made History live.
Nowadays, there are many channels on TV that have excellent shows that show the actual videos taken during the first and second world wars that draw you in making it more real.
I also like reading books that can make History live. So I will have to get “Road to Terminus.”
One of my favorite authors that writes a lot of 19th century history fiction is Dan Walsh.
Author
I’ve often said if history was presented like fiction, everyone would love it. lol I always loved history until it came to memorizing dates…then I was ready to move on to something else. Thanks for stopping by, Pearl!
I consider the 1950’s historical. Thank you for sharing “Road to Terminus”. It sounds like a must read.
Enjoy your weekend!
Author
It is, Caryl. I think you’d really enjoy it.
It was memorizing dates that turned me off to history as well. Knowing what happened, and the people involved was the interesting part. For my part, if I could keep the events in sequence, and put the dates in the right century, that was enough for me.
Author
I know, Tim, I know!
Hi Patricia,
I celebrated my 74th birthday a couple of weeks ago, and find myself telling our kids and grandchildren about what we did growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, so I guess I accept the historical references to those days. Like several others have mentioned, I didn’t care much for memorizing dates back then, but I now tend to look for more historically themed things to read about. “Road to Terminus” sounds like a must read. Thanks for sharing this review!
Author
Michael, happy belated birthday wishes! I think you’d really enjoy Road to Terminus. So glad you stopped by my blog!
I think this sounds interesting. Thank you for sharing.
Author
Lucy, I think you’d like Road to Terminus. So glad you stopped by!
Hi, wow, that is very good that you walk 3 miles a day and it looks like a nice place you walk at. My husband , my pup and I walk 2 miles a day. Road to Terminus sounds like a great read, and yes I think that 1950’s is Historical. Thank you for sharing about this. Have a Great weekend and stay safe. God Bless you and your family.
Author
Alicia, as much as I sit at the computer, I almost have to get out and walk. Don’t know what I’ll do this winter. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I’m reading an advance copy of Susan May Warren’s new book, The Price of Valor
Author
I’m looking forward to reading that one soon, Joan! Thanks for stopping by.
Author
Joan, I’m looking forward to reading that one soon! Thanks for stopping by.
sounds great! Yes, I do consider the 50’s historical.
Author
Hi Shelia! It is a great book! So glad you stopped by!
I don’t consider a book set in 1950 a historical, but maybe that’s because when I read historical they are usually set in the lat 1800’s to early 1900’s (before 1920)…lol! Though I’ve read books set in the roaring 20’s, this isn’t my favorite time period.
I love your picture, what a wonderful sunrise (?) to see everyday 🙂 I can’t believe you do a 3 mile walk, I’d definity have to work up to that! Even a mile walk sounds like too long…lol!
Author
Hi Trixi. I usually break the walk up. A mile in the morning and two in the afternoon. I sit so much, I have to do something! lol. I think you’d enjoy this book.
Yes, I might consider the 1950s to be historical. It sounds like an interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
It is very good, Diana! And I’m starting to maybe think of the ’50s as historical…thanks so much for stopping by!
NO, I’m not ready to be history and I was born in 1959
Author
I so agree, Phyllis! And I was born before that. lol.Thanks so much for stopping by.