👒🏡 “Anything but Plain” (2022) 🏡👒 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Publisher: Revell (October 8, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 0800739515
ISBN-13: 978-0800739515
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“It's not easy being the bishop's daughter, especially for Lydie Stoltzfus. She's not like other Amish girls, as much as she wishes she were. The only thing she does well is disappoint others. Leaving her family and church seems unbearable, but staying might be worse.
Knowing Lydie is "between" jobs, the local doctor asks her to fill in at the front desk for a few months. To Lydie, this is a boon. It gives her time to figure out how she's going to say goodbye to her neighbor, Nathan Yoder--the main reason she needs to leave Stoney Ridge. Nathan claims he's in love with her, but she knows she's not good enough for him. If in doubt, Nathan's father reminds her frequently.
As Dok spends time with Lydie, she recognizes symptoms of a disorder rare among the Amish. She offers treatment for Lydie. But will it be enough to make her stay? Or has help come too late?
Bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge, a small town that feels like an old friend.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell Books (a division of Baker Books), for providing a complimentary review copy through their Revell Reads blogger program. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
I’ve actually read more of the author’s contemporary romances (total of 4) than I have her Amish fiction. This is only the second one I’ve read.
And, while it is set in Stoney Ridge, it is a standalone title. As of note, Fern Lapp was introduced in The Keeper, the first book of THE SEASONS OF STONEY RIDGE. Though it isn’t necessary to read that series, I would be interested in reading it.
Getting back to this story …
What makes this unique is why I was drawn to it – Lydie and her ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). While researching online, I came across a few resources that actually had the quote “Amish kids don’t get ADHD”. That isn’t entirely true – they are just not diagnosed with it.
There is a debate that ADD (attention deficit disorder) and ADHD is the result of bad parenting or a reliance on tech devices such as cell phones, tablets, even computers that tend to mess with attention spans. I have seen some ADD or ADHD tendencies with my mother, and I have to admit – I am seeing a slight issue with my reliance on my phone and internet. Then again, I’m always expecting an email, shipping information, or writing. Perhaps it is a good idea I read physical books and NOT eBooks.
Of course, the technology issue isn’t a viable reason in Lydie’s home. She’s Amish and her dad is the the bishop. He isn’t too strict, but Lydie lives within the ordnung.
After seeing the interesting and “reflective” cover, I wondered how the author was going to work an interesting “disorder” into a Plain community. And, for those worried, she does it in a way that is respectful to the community, yet highlights how many – plain and Englisch tend to overlook it.
On this visit to Stoney Ridge, Fisher introduces us to:
👒 Lydie – daughter of David, love interest of Nathan
🍅 Nathan Yoder – son of Walt and Sarah; brother to Mick; loves Lydie
🏡 Mick – Nathan’s brother
🏡 Walt – Nathan and Mick’s father
⛪ David – Bishop in Stoney Ridge, father to Lydie and other children
🏡 Birdy – mom of two boys, mother of Lydie, wife of David
🏡 Tillie – David’s mother
🏡 Hank – Edith’s husband, Fern’s son
🧵 Edith – Hank’s wife
🩺 Dok (Ruth) – David’s sister, left the order, has a clinic in Stoney Ridge
🏡 Sarah – Nathan and Mick’s mother, Walt’s wife, inherited Black Gold Farm
🏡 Patsy – interested in Nathan; Mick is interested in her
🛩️ Owen – Englischer who peddles chemicals to the farmers, sprays the Yoder farm
🏡 Fern – Hank’s mother
With all of the characters, Fisher keeps it simple with Lydie, Nathan, and David’s POVs. Thankfully, she does put a “meet the cast” list at the front of the book so we can see who is who.
While the main story is about Lydie and her “struggle”, there are other plot lines that could be confusing to some readers:
✳️ Nathan and his organic farming
✳️ Nathan’s interest in Lydie
✳️ Mick’s interest in Patsy
✳️ Patsy’s interest in Nathan
✳️ Drug-Selling (this is a reference towards the end of the book, but thought readers should be advised)
Lydie knows she doesn’t fit in and wants to leave as soon as she can. She doesn’t want to disappoint anyone anymore as she always messes things up, despite her good intentions.
Right off there is a mishap involving Edith Lapp and a “mini skirt”. I had to laugh with Hank. Of course, that is ANOTHER job poor Lydie has lost.
Nathan – despite Lydie’s “problems” – has feelings for her, and a longing for her. Yet, she won’t tell him why she insists on being “just friends”. Yet, his father makes his feelings about Lydie known … to her. There’s something he can’t (or won’t) forgive her for. (It’s actually, once known, quite trivial).
Lydie isn’t the only one having issues with Walt – his own son, Nathan does; only on the farming technique.
Nathan sees the benefits in organic farming, yet his father and brother Mick do not. Walt gives them each half to do with as they please with the “winning” brother ending up running the farm. Mick too sets his sights on leaving though.
Lydie’s Mammi (Tillie) is planning to stay in Stoney Ridge indefinitely. That doesn’t sit well with Birdy (Lydie’s mom), who ends up leaving – with the younger boys – to help out David’s oldest daughter who is pregnant. Tillie has a major project – fix Lydie. Her method is “harping” on her and “managing” her.
Dok (Ruth) – David’s sister, estranged from her Mother for leaving the plain community – gives Lydie a job. After a few mishaps, Ruth sees herself in Lydie and makes the ADHD connection. David won’t hear of testing Lydie as he doesn’t like labels – they’re for jars and cans, not people.
Ruth decides to work with techniques without the diagnosis. After all, Lydie shows promise and the patients love her. Tillie listens to Ruth despite thinking Lydie needs to try harder and apply herself. Tillie is honest about what Lydie is going through.
In the middle of trying new strategies, including “mindfulness” to manage her wandering mind, she is asked by Mick to talk to Patsy on his behalf, while Patsy wants Lydie to help “get” Nathan, going so far as to present Lydie’s work on some Farmer’s Market signs as her own. And, Lydie’s doodles end up causing a few issues as well.
Nathan and Mick are also arguing about the use of chemicals on crops.
Nathan is still trying to figure out what happened between him and Lydie. And, she is still determined to leave until something happens causing her to stay long enough to sort it out.
To say Fisher keeps readers reading until the end is an understatement. This really did run to the last few pages. And, my honest thought is that this had an abrupt and “open” ending. So much so, I am left wondering if the author plans a series or sequel to this book. If so, I would probably read it to see what’s next for everyone.
The book, like Lydie’s mind – in my opinion – tended to wander as well. It was almost as if the author was trying to replicate how Lydie’s mind worked so we, the readers, would get a sense of it.
In researching the book, I noticed that one reviewer had mentioned that the author brought a “new age” technique of “mindfulness” to the plot and from what I perceived based on their 3-star reviewed, they were not pleased with the inclusion in the plot.
What does mindfulness mean? There are multiple definitions. But, one definition is “the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something”, another is “living in the present moment”. If Lydie’s mind was wandering and she was getting distracted – she isn’t in the present moment and not “aware” of the task she was on. Examples? Leaving doors open, not paying attention, and starting tasks before she was done with what she was working on.
Mindfulness is a key component of Buddhism, which dates back to 5th century BCE – hardly “new age” which actually pertains to the early 1970’s.
However, it does seem that mindfulness has a reference in the bible with Psalm 46:10 – “be still and know that I am God”. The “be still” part is actually what Dok was trying to help Lydie with – stilling her mind through non-medical intervention, and to concentrate on what needed to be done, and when.
Being mindful isn’t inherently evil, nor a bad thing. It can, in Lydie’s case, give her a calming perspective in which to manage her day and tasks better, especial given her tendency to wander. And, she can be fully “present”. I found the idea refreshing, especially opposed to medication which can have adverse effects.
I completely understood Lydie as a person. I too use a planner not only to keep track of appointments, but to chart my photos, writing word counts, and to keep up with my book obligations. I definitely use lists to run multiple errands (anything over 3 places to go), lists for chores or “to-do” lists. I do tend to take things out and leave them, or I often start a few tasks here or there. However, it isn’t all the time, but I understood how she felt.
Ruth’s approach to assisting Lydie, despite the lack of a proper diagnosis, was beneficial and unique – treat her like she has it, without going against David’s wishes.
It was also interesting to see Tillie go from the crotchety, smothering, bossy person to stepping back and accepting Ruth’s approach. In addition, Tillie’s acknowledgment of Lydie’s progress was heartwarming.
It also proved that one does need a diagnosis in order to “manage” their life, only a desire to do so.
That said …
Aside from the serious aspects, there were some moments of humor – Mick building a still inside the bishop’s shed. The still explodes, causing Mick to have to rebuild it, which ends up being a blessing by the end of the book.
With regard to the “drug-selling”, while I hate revealing part of a book, it is in reference to an arrest made at the end, with regard to a theft at Ruth’s office. Only baking soda was taken though, but the person selling it didn’t know.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. There were times I found it hard to put down. I did feel slightly overwhelmed with the information Ruth kept putting out there for Lydie and it which felt more educational than entertaining. That slightly hampered it a bit. Thankfully, the author’s use of short chapters and her easy flow writing kept the story moving for the most part.
Since this is not only distributed by a predominately Christian publisher, it is also a book regarding the Amish community. As a result, tenets of their faith and mentions of God and the bible will be noticeable.
Fans of Fisher’s Amish stories will probably enjoy this read.
RATING:
4 (3.8) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 (3.8) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 (3.8) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty books, including The Sweet Life, The Moonlight School, and A Season on the Wind, as well as the Three Sisters Island, Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, The Deacon’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.
She can be found on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzannewoodsfisher/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/suzannewfisher
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