The Weight Of Silence | Heather Gudenkauf

On a hot August morning in Iowa, two little girls are found missing from their beds. Martin Gregory awakes to find his daughters bed completely empty, in a panic he searches the house thinking she just woke early and went down stairs to watch television. Coming to the conclusion that his daughter is nowhere in the house he wakes his wife Fielda and calls the police. Fielda suggests they check Calli's house, but when they arrive they discover that Calli is missing as well.


Seven year old Calli Clark has not spoken a word in nearly three years. When Calli was just four years old, she witnessed her pregnant mother, Antonia, fall down the stairs and lose her baby. Since that tragic day Calli has been a selective mute. At first her mother tried to get her to speak but she wouldn't, eventually her mother just figured she would speak when she was ready. Her father Griff on the other hand, was not so kind. Griff Clark was an alcoholic with a mean streak. When he got drunk he would pick on Calli for not speaking, he went as far as making fun of her, calling her a retard and putting her down. Calli knew to stay away from him when she could, she knew what he was capable of even at seven years old.

Petra Gregory, a sweet seven year old girl, is Calli's best friend and neighbor. However, they didn't become friends by living next door to each other , they met in school after Petra learned Calli did not speak. Curious she went to Calli's lunch table and sat down next to her and began to talk to her, the two formed a friendship over a peanut butter fluff sandwich. With Petra around, Calli doesn't need to utter a word, she knows what Calli wants to say and therefore is her voice in the world. No one understands their special friendship but the girls don't really care, they have each other and that's all that matters.


The Weight of Silence is a novel full of suspense and secrets. It is told in alternating viewpoints by each person involved in the story, it is so well written however that it never becomes confusing. The story has a very nice flow to it and chapter after chapter you will just want more. Gudenkauf has written a debut novel that has a thumping heart beat. I didn't want to put it down, it was addicting and intriguing. There is so much to think about in this novel. Gudenkauf really touches on a few important issues in society today. From the effects of alcoholism and abuse, to the abduction of these two sweet little girls. These are real issues that need more attention.


Every forty seconds a child is abducted in the United States. Every forty seconds Forty-nine percent of cases a family member is involved, twenty-seven percent are by an acquaintance, twenty-four percent are by a stranger. In eighty percent of abductions by strangers, the first contact between the child and the abductor occurs within a quarter mile of the child's home. Most potential abductors grab their victims on the street or try to lure them into their vehicles. About seventy-four percent of the victims of nonfamily child abduction are girls. Seventy-four percent of abducted children who are ultimately murdered are dead within three hours of the abduction. One in five children ten to seventeen years old receive unwanted sexual solicitations online.

child abduction facts

The Alchemist | Paulo Coelho

"It's not the treasure at the end of the journey that matters the most, it's the lessons you learn a long the way"

I've seen this book everywhere and read plenty of reviews on it, so when i found it at half price books for just a dollar i had to buy it! I would of paid full price but i knew one day i would find it on clearance, and i did. Frugal me lol I let my husband read the introduction and even he liked it which says a lot because no matter how hard i try i cannot get him to read. The first words that came out of his mouth was "It sounds like the secret" I guess it kind of does in a way... but better in my opinion.

Follow the signs, and follow your heart and you will find your dreams. The Alchemist is a story of a Shepard boy from Andalusian Spain named Santiago. After having reoccurring dreams of the Egyptian Pyramids, he sets out on a journey across the desert in search of buried treasure. Along the way he meets a few people who will all have a role in helping him achieve his dream. A Gypsy woman, a King, a Crystal man, a English man, and the Alchemist.

Santiago's journey was not an easy one, he faced obstacles all along the way including almost giving up completely. Thanks to the people around him he was given the extra push he needed to continue on. When you work hard and give it your best, you will be rewarded. He found love where he least expected it, learned to follow his heart when he needed it and found self fulfillment and happiness.

"Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there"

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The message was simple but powerful all the same. To follow your heart and your dreams, and to never give up when it gets tough but most importantly to trust in God to show the way. There comes a point when we either decide to keep going or just to accept what is easiest for us to achieve, Dream big but accept little basically. This story was about dreaming big and even when you want to quit to remember that we were never promised a paved road to self fulfillment and happiness. It was very touching and inspiring.

I think this is suitable for anyone, no matter the age. We can all learn a lesson from this novel. Read it you will enjoy it, it may even help you along the way.

I Broke It ..

Well, it looks like i will be blogging here for awhile or permanently. I broke my website [don't ask] well OK I'll tell you. I went to update my template and when i hit save the screen went blank, I then proceeded to try and log back in but again a blank screen and now i have no idea how to fix it. see for yourself I don't have the time or energy to redo the entire site again. I'm annoyed because i spent a lot of time fixing it up and adding all of my books. I really liked the book set up i had going dammit

Anyway, i just finished The Alchemist yesterday so I'll be posting the review on here shortly. Until then i need coffee and food, I'm famished.