So far this summer, I’ve read the following:
Love Walked In, by Marisa de los Santos. It’s an interesting story of love and how, when you date (marry) someone, you get all those family & friends connections. In other words, baggage or some sort of complication comes with almost everyone. It’s an easy read with references to classic movies which has made me want to rent a few of the movies mentioned such as: The Philadelphia Story, Love Affair and Libeled Lady.
What I didn’t like about the book was the ending. Too neat, too convenient. Don’t get me wrong, I love a happy ending but, not at the expense of being realistic. Life is messy and to wrap it up in a neat little package complete with a bow is boring. I won’t give examples because that would be too much of a spoiler. I would recommend this because the story is a good one but, be forewarned, the ending is lukewarm.
Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand: LOVED it!!
This was one of the books I won from Books on the Brain and Hatchett Books. I read it while on vacation at the beach and, since the story took place “at the beach”, it was a good choice. The story takes place in Nantucket, which *surprise*, I’ve never been, too. The author did a fabulous job describing the island and I felt like I could get around Nantucket just from her wonderful descriptions. Nantucket is now on the list of places I’d like to visit while we’re living so close. That’s the type of travel I like ~ no jet lag!
Back to the book ~ it got my attention from the first chapter. And why wouldn’t it ~ we’re introduced to the three main characters and their emotional issues all at once since they arrive on the island together. And we’re talking some big issues. I almost put the book down when I found out one of the women is battling cancer. It’s such a scary subject to me and having lived through my dad’s unsuccessful battle with cancer, I didn’t know if I wanted to even think about it while on vacation. But, I was too invested in the story line by then so I kept on reading. I could relate to all three women: I’ve seen aspects of them in my friends and in myself as well. Who doesn’t know someone desperately trying to get pregnant? Or who is ill? or who is in an unhappy marriage? It’s a very relatable story.
I’m not a “lay out and read at the beach” kind of gal. I’m either swimming, walking the beach, snorkeling, etc. But when Favorite Man and Favorite Girl were fast asleep, I’d be reading into the late night. I was able to finish the book before leaving the island.
One of the recurring things in the book was “finding sand in your shoes” and so, when I was packing to leave St. John, I was not too careful in getting the sand out of our things. It’s been nice to find a little sand in my shoes now that I’m back home. It brings back good memories.
The book was a gift from the blogosphere and, if it’s not too tacky, I’d like to pass it forward to someone else to enjoy. I’m going to have a giveaway so leave a comment and I’ll put your name in the hat. Literally, I’ll take all the names, put them in a hat and let FG pull a winner. It’s in good shape, but be forewarned, it might have a little Caribbean sand in it.
The drawing will be on 21 August so please leave a comment before midnight on 20 August. Thanks!
Hi to Patti & Kathleen
The book will be on my list of reads. Know how hard leaving a home behind is – but Patti ingrained some of her gypsy ways with me & tho I hate to move, I love a good move. It’s a fresh start, and I’ve been able to make some great friends and take along some on the journey. Patti can grin that in her left behind houses – I’ve camped in one (Wyoming) with no electric & no hot water, I’ve lived in one (Atlanta) that we sold together ‘by owner’ and I’ve rented one out for her (Charleston) – the renter, I’m still in touch with.
A home is what you make it wherever you are. The memories are what tear us apart emotionally. But there are good ones no matter where you land. And houses get broken apart. Just this past month -I spent days crying and kvethcing over a place that I thought I might lose to first Hurricane Gustov and then Ike. In both cases down here in south Mississippi, the water rose 8-10 feet and threatened my back door. Some dodged a bullet – others were not so fortunate. But place is the operative term – home is where you are, and what you are…Not a piece of property. Enjoy Virginia – it may not be “back home’ – but it is home and has it’s good points.
For those of you who don’t know or have forgotten – today’s Patti’s birthday. so Happy, Happy!!! & thanks for the book review!
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Thanks for the book suggestions, Patti! I found a couple that look good at Target (they seem to have a good selection of the newest on the NYT list). Happy reading!
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If my name gets pulled before Grandma Betty’s I will mail it to her as soon as I finish it! I love beachy stories that are complete with Carribean Sand!
I just read a memoir called Funny in Farsi. Sorry, cant remember the author’s name, but it was a funny story about a girl who immigrated to the US from Iran – great family with lots of funny quirks! =) I’ll send it to you as a swap if I win your book —
lets see, 2 bribes in one reply, will this mean I can be omitted from the drawing? =)
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What a fun way to catch up on your activities by logging in and reading about the displaced beach bums’ great beach vacation. Loved the pics of FM and FG (what, neither can operate a camera and snap your photo?) but mostly loved the nostalgic return to the Caribbean haunts we, too, loved. Nice tribute to your dad. We miss him also.
Picked up your comment on our Bryce/Zion trip. This weekend we’re off to CA for a bike ride with sons, d-i-laws, and to get our grandkid “fix”. No beach, unfortunately.
Stay well.
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Hey Patti, Sounds like a great read. You wouldn’t have to mail it if I win!
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Bunnyb ~
International readers are welcome to join in on the giveaway!! I’ll enter your name ~ good luck.
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Oops, I meant THE KABUL BEAUTY SCHOOL. I guess having a toddler robs the brain sometimes! 🙂
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Hey, now that we’re home I have actually finished one book, THE KABUL SCHOOL, and have started another one. Who new I’d be able to read with a toddler in the house? I’d love to win a book. Drop my name in the hat please!
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Sounds like a fun book! If international readers are welcomed to join, count me in! 🙂 Thanks!
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From Stacy:
Please put me in the hat for your book. Sounds interesting & you know me and Lynn – we’re massive book swappers, so it’d get passed along if we ‘win’! Hi from Lynn by the way – she really enjoyed your VI trip.
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Good reading and I would not mind having some sand from the Caribbean.
I may have to get the movies also.
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