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Slightly Dented Halos
Slightly Dented Halos is a creative nonfiction account of a family after inviting elderly in-laws to share the home. From comical anecdotes of combining different lifestyles to the heartbreaking depiction of a life ending, the author provides a panoramic look into life with seniors.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2010
3 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Jackson
4 books2 followersLA Jackson's writing style has often been compared to a conversation with a friend over a cup of coffee. Drawing from her own experiences raising a son, blending a family, caring for elderly relatives, maintaining a successful career outside the home and clinging to a sense of humor, Jackson explores the complexities of relationships, writing about the aspects of life that make her laugh or cry. Jackson lives outside Chicago with her husband, three Dobermans and very few unexpected visitors.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 7, 2011
May have slight spoilers.
Slightly Dented Halos is a true accounting of the author's life after inviting her elderly in-laws to come live in her home. It spans over a five and half year course of their time together.
I absolutely loved Ms. Jackson's Slightly Dented Halos I have never been one to really read true life accounts, but this was one that the description just caught my attention and would not let go.
I felt so many emotions through out reading this novel-- curiosity, intrigue, amusement, shocked, and sadness-- enough to tear up near the end. I had to sympathize with LA in parts of the novel as I could hardly imagine how she felt even with the dialogue. But there were parts between Betts, the mother in-law and LA, that I could not help laughing about.
This book to me, hardly felt like one. Ms. Jackson really brought it to life, making me feel I was sitting beside her while she spoke it.
The emotion of the book as I said before was bountiful. It was very real the difficulties endured by in-laws and LA and her husband, Reed. Gus, Betts husband, was mostly wheelchair bound after having a stroke at the age of 29. Betts was very...everywhere. She was very much devoted to the Lord and as sweet and generous as anyone could be.
The author recounts some stories of elderly care in the novel with them as well. She also goes into some of the conflict and difficulties of putting family member(s) in a nursing home.
In this novel I saw LA and her husband do something that I don't believe most people would do for their elderly parents-- in-laws or otherwise. I saw them take in two people who was in need of physical/emotional help and needed the stability and love of their family around them. It was truly an engrossing read and something I will not forget.
I would recommend this novel to anyone.
*I received an Ebook copy of this book for free to review from the author/publisher.
Slightly Dented Halos is a true accounting of the author's life after inviting her elderly in-laws to come live in her home. It spans over a five and half year course of their time together.
I absolutely loved Ms. Jackson's Slightly Dented Halos I have never been one to really read true life accounts, but this was one that the description just caught my attention and would not let go.
I felt so many emotions through out reading this novel-- curiosity, intrigue, amusement, shocked, and sadness-- enough to tear up near the end. I had to sympathize with LA in parts of the novel as I could hardly imagine how she felt even with the dialogue. But there were parts between Betts, the mother in-law and LA, that I could not help laughing about.
This book to me, hardly felt like one. Ms. Jackson really brought it to life, making me feel I was sitting beside her while she spoke it.
The emotion of the book as I said before was bountiful. It was very real the difficulties endured by in-laws and LA and her husband, Reed. Gus, Betts husband, was mostly wheelchair bound after having a stroke at the age of 29. Betts was very...everywhere. She was very much devoted to the Lord and as sweet and generous as anyone could be.
The author recounts some stories of elderly care in the novel with them as well. She also goes into some of the conflict and difficulties of putting family member(s) in a nursing home.
In this novel I saw LA and her husband do something that I don't believe most people would do for their elderly parents-- in-laws or otherwise. I saw them take in two people who was in need of physical/emotional help and needed the stability and love of their family around them. It was truly an engrossing read and something I will not forget.
I would recommend this novel to anyone.
*I received an Ebook copy of this book for free to review from the author/publisher.
April 19, 2011
I am sure that L A Jackson and her family have earned their halos - and not the dented kind. It takes a special sort of angel to invite her aging in-laws to live with her. This short book covers the span of five years living with, and caring for, aging parents but it is not the sappy, self-promoting or self-pitying drivel you might expect.
Ms Jackson's writing style reminds me a lot of the late, great Erma Bombeck (am I dating myself with that statement??) There is no plot line to carry you through - no real cronology. Instead each short chapter allows us an, often humorous, peek into life in an intergenerational household.
Sometimes it is a little tricky to keep up with the timeline of events but the humour and genuine affection with which each incident is related, serve to keep the reader engaged. We learn to love Betts through her faith and poetry and Gus as he faces a life of trial and disability with determination and courage.
Make no mistake, God and faith pervade this book and the lives of this family, old and young. And God has a sense of humour. I laughed out loud more than once as I made my way through the stories of the lives lived in these five years. My heart also swelled in the bittersweet moments. Did it make me want to run out and invite my in-laws to live with my family? NO!! But it did give me a new appreciation for those angels out there that do.
Ms Jackson's writing style reminds me a lot of the late, great Erma Bombeck (am I dating myself with that statement??) There is no plot line to carry you through - no real cronology. Instead each short chapter allows us an, often humorous, peek into life in an intergenerational household.
Sometimes it is a little tricky to keep up with the timeline of events but the humour and genuine affection with which each incident is related, serve to keep the reader engaged. We learn to love Betts through her faith and poetry and Gus as he faces a life of trial and disability with determination and courage.
Make no mistake, God and faith pervade this book and the lives of this family, old and young. And God has a sense of humour. I laughed out loud more than once as I made my way through the stories of the lives lived in these five years. My heart also swelled in the bittersweet moments. Did it make me want to run out and invite my in-laws to live with my family? NO!! But it did give me a new appreciation for those angels out there that do.
May 18, 2011
Slightly Dented Halos by LA Jackson is the true story of the author's life after she invited her in-laws to move in with them. Gus is confined to a wheelchair for mobility and Betts just isn't able to take care of him any longer by herself.
This was a delightful book. LA Jackson doesn't hold anything back, she tells us the good, the bad, and the ugly. Gus is depressed and rather grumpy, he just wants to stay at home. Betts is a scatter-brained do-gooder who enjoys helping others as well as sprinkling crumbs across the kitchen counter. Slightly Dented Halos is full of amusing anecdotes and sad stories.
The book tackles a big issue in today's society, the growing population of elderly needing care. The decision to put someone in a nursing home is one of the hardest decisions any child could ever face. LA Jackson tackles it head on with grace and humor.
You'll laugh and cry over this book.
*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher through a blog giveaway. I was not required to write a positive interview.
This was a delightful book. LA Jackson doesn't hold anything back, she tells us the good, the bad, and the ugly. Gus is depressed and rather grumpy, he just wants to stay at home. Betts is a scatter-brained do-gooder who enjoys helping others as well as sprinkling crumbs across the kitchen counter. Slightly Dented Halos is full of amusing anecdotes and sad stories.
The book tackles a big issue in today's society, the growing population of elderly needing care. The decision to put someone in a nursing home is one of the hardest decisions any child could ever face. LA Jackson tackles it head on with grace and humor.
You'll laugh and cry over this book.
*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher through a blog giveaway. I was not required to write a positive interview.
April 26, 2011
This was one of the most intriguing books I have read in a long time. Being a home care industry professional, I see a great need for caregivers who welcome elder loved ones into their family in times of need. I applaud LA Jackson and her publisher, Michelle Halket, for creation of this literary masterpiece. I highly recommend this book to caregivers and other healthcare and home care industry professionals.
September 9, 2011
The author is a friend from IL and this is the story of taking care of aging in-laws. I can empathize; fact is, we have commiserated with each other over dinner and several glasses of wine!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews