Review by Bluebird03 -- Dibs and Dabs of my Life

[Bluebird03]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Dibs and Dabs of my Life" by Gertrude Coulter.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Coulter was born as a twin to her bother, Jim. Early in life, she, her siblings and their parents moved in with her grandmother and grandfather, in a home with only two bedrooms and one bath. She grew up in simpler times, when "anyone could walk around the block without feeling afraid", and her childhood days were filled with playing Red Rover and jumping rope.

The author paints a cozy world filled with front porch swings, homemade ice cream and stay-at-home moms. She also writes of World War II, the Great Depression, her marriage, her children and, later, attending college and beginning a career.

I award Dibs and Dabs of My Life by Gertrude Coulter 4 out of 4 stars. I loved that reading this book was like a walk down Memory Lane, and I thoroughly treasured each step. Having also grown up in the South, I could identify with so many of her memories, as well as some of the locations mentioned. Like Coulter, my childhood was also in a safer and less hurried time. I can remember playing with the neighborhood kids until dark, when our only worry was that we would not be able to finish our game before being called in for dinner and bed.

As someone who loves a good sense of humor, I found myself laughing out loud at a few of her stories. One of my favorites was the time Coulter and her brother were briefly suspended from school because of a poem they had written, and she even includes that poem in her book. Other amusing tales include her older brother Roy attempting to capture a chicken for their dinner (and the lively events that ensued!) and their fascination with a Baptist baptism.

Additionally, I appreciated that she included the actual prices of groceries during that era. It was interesting to compare those prices to today's costs. In several instances, she also listed her salary at a specific job.

The pace of the book was quick enough to keep the reader engaged, yet slow enough to allow time to savor each detail. In addition to painting vivid pictures with her writing, Coulter also included photos of her family members throughout the book. These pictures provided a personal touch and allowed the reader to become familiar with Coulter and her family.

This sweet story will appeal to anyone who longs for a kinder and gentler pace of life. Also, the fact that there is no violence or sexual content should appeal to many readers. Only someone totally disinterested in reading about a simple lifestyle will find this book unappealing. There was nothing I could find to dislike about this book. It was exceptionally well edited, as I could find no errors. I highly recommend this delightful and engaging story to readers of all ages.

******
Dibs and Dabs of my Life
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like Bluebird03's review? Post a comment saying so!

[nooregano]

Sounds like an absolutely adorable story! She seems like such a gentle woman. Thank you for this review, it was crisp and very insightful!

[Hayley2-0]

This memoir seems very captivating I'd like to know how it was for the people who were there during world war II She seems to have had a very happy childhood.

[Bluebird03]

Sounds like an absolutely adorable story! She seems like such a gentle woman. Thank you for this review, it was crisp and very insightful!

Yes, she was very grandmotherly and precious. Thank you so much for your very kind comments!

[Bluebird03]

This memoir seems very captivating I'd like to know how it was for the people who were there during world war II She seems to have had a very happy childhood.

You can easily imagine life back "in the day" with her words. Thank you for your kind comments and for stopping by!