carol_with_flowers

Carol

Bodensteiner

author

Welcome! Whether you're a first-time visitor or long-time friend, I'm glad you found your way here. I'm a writer who's inspired by the people, places, culture, and history of the Midwest.

My Books

One of the best things about writing is the opportunity to share experiences with readers. The stories in my memoir and my historical novel encourage readers to recall their own growing up years and the lives of their ancestors, whether they 'grew up country' or not. Because of the stories readers share with me, I've developed a deep appreciation for the value of preserving everyday stories - the fabric of our lives and culture.

Stitched Through Time: The Story of Libbie Jensen’s Quilts

Stitched Through Time shares the journey of the author's family’s heirloom quilts through five generations, a journey that spans hopes and dreams lost, reconciliation and redemption.

Simple Truth

Angela Darrah gets the job of her dreams only to find her client may be exploiting immigrant employees. With each new revelation, she finds herself questioning not only the client but also herself. Ultimately, she must answer: What is she willing to risk to help someone else?

Go Away Home

Set in World War One-era Iowa, GO AWAY HOME is a captivating coming-of-age novel that explores the enduring themes of family, friendship, and love, as well as death and grief.

Growing Up Country

Growing Up Country, Memories of an Iowa Farm Girl

GROWING UP COUNTRY delivers a treat as delicious as oatmeal cookies hot out of the oven—a memoir of a happy childhood growing up on a family farm in the middle of the country in the middle of the 20th Century.

On the Blog

On turning 75

By Carol / 28 November 2023 /

I turned 75 this year, an age I’ve looked forward to. It’s a cool number, don’t you think? Since I’ve arrived here with good health, good family and friends, and an active mind, I consider myself so fortunate. Yet when I actually turned 75, I found myself ambivalent. During the past year, I had a…

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A new creative venture – poetry

By Carol / 03 October 2023 /

I’ve undertaken a new creative venture – poetry. Inspired by Poetry Palooza, a poetry-focused event I attended last April, I’ve joined friends who are also interested in giving poetry a try.  Most people I mention this new venture to tell me they don’t read or like poetry. They had a bad experience with it in…

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