Tuesday, February 9, 2010

21 - Making Toast; Roger Rosenblatt

Making Toast; Roger Rosenblatt
Amy Elizabeth Rosenblatt Soloman was a successful pediatrician, the wife of a hand surgeon, and mother to three young children, ages 6, 4 and 1. She was just 38 years old,  in the prime of her life, when she collapsed while working out on her treadmill at her home and died.  The cause of death was an undiagnosed heart anomaly. 

Ginny and Roger Rosenblatt, Amy's parents, should have been traveling and enjoying life, but when tragedy struck, and their daughter's children were left without their mother, Ginny and Roger moved from their Long Island home into the home of their son-in-law,Harris, to care for their three, young, motherless grandchildren.  Their life now was filled with diapers,  play dates,  school activities, preparing meals, bedtime stories and everything in between....even "making toast" just perfect to the likes of all the children.

MY THOUGHTS - This short, but touching memoir (just 171 pages) is not all sadness and gloom as one might expect. Written in simple prose, the story is not depressing or sappy. Yes, it is about loss and grieving, but more importantly, when all is said and done, it is about family, and about doing the right thing.  It is about rolling up your sleeves and  stepping up to the plate, and helping the people who need you the most.  It's about rebuilding lives in the aftermath of tragedy, and redefining what family really means. RECOMMENDED - 4.5/5 stars

(Review copy provided through Shelf Awareness/ECCO Books)

20 comments:

  1. I loved your thoughts on this one and I know that I would absolutely enjoy it!! Great review!

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  2. I got this one too so I'm really glad to see it's so good!

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  3. This sounds very moving. And I imagine it might be hard to make this book NOT be depressing. In fact, it almost sounds like a feel good book.

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  4. This sounds like a very worth reading book-thanks for bringing it to our attention-great post

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  5. I got this too and am glad to hear its not depressing!

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  6. Sounds like a tearjerker, all the more because it's true.

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  7. This sounds like such a sad read but I'm glad to hear it's not all complete doom and gloom. It sounds like a very toucing memoir.

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  8. Glad you enjoyed it, but I think it might be a bit too sad for me.

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  9. Sounds like this could be a depressing read - glad to hear it is well done.

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  10. I love the cover, and the title is certainly interesting. It sounds like an interesting memoir. So glad you enjoyed it.

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  11. I have been waiting to see what people thought of this one! I was so close to requesting it but had to hold myself back. So glad it was good!

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  12. This sounds really good - about the true meaning of family! Great review!

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  13. That's the spirit, really.. ** It is about rolling up your sleeves and stepping up to the plate, and helping the people who need you the most. It's about rebuilding lives in the aftermath of tragedy, and redefining what family really means.***

    Totally loved those lines!

    I will keep an eye out for this one!

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  14. That's the spirit, really.. ** It is about rolling up your sleeves and stepping up to the plate, and helping the people who need you the most. It's about rebuilding lives in the aftermath of tragedy, and redefining what family really means.***

    Totally loved those lines!

    I will keep an eye out for this one!

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  15. This sounds excellent. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

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  16. This looks like an interesting book! Enjoyed your review!

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  17. I had seen this around and thought it looked like a nice little read. Then I heard Mr. Rosenblatt on NPR today and quickly figured out that I'm going to have to get this one soon.

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  18. I missed getting a copy of this book and it sounds like a sad but inspiring story. I definitely want to read this book.

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  19. It sounds like this could have been a really dark and dreary book, but it wasn't. Glad to know it was a compelling and interesting read for you. I think I might like it as well!

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