The beautiful cover art is what first attracted me to this book. I had no idea that I would become hooked after the very first page. I finished the book in just one day.
First Paragraph….
“There’s a thud as her little body collides with the steel fender. No scream. Just a soft sigh, a surprised breath inhaled as she’s lifted from the ground only to be returned there. I hear it happen. I see it happen. And I wasn’t even there”.
Tessa is a young mother who can’t seem to get over the death of her four year old daughter, who was killed by a hit and run driver outside of Bright Futures pre-school in Massachusetts. Her husband Ethan encourages Tessa to see a therapist to help her through her grief. He tells her that it is not normal to sleep in Abby’s bed, with her baby blanket and stuffed bunny, after falling asleep reading a children's book.
Tessa agrees to meet with Celia, a therapist, and through those meetings Tessa makes some progress working through her grief. Trying to keep some balance in her life, she begins to open up about other personal demons in her life: a troubled teenage son, her alcoholic ex-husband, and a new husband.She continues to be obsessed with the fact the there seem to be no leads as to who the hit and run driver was, and at times is obsessed with finding out who killed Abby.
The story is told in alternating chapters by these two women. Through these therapy sessions the two women form a strong bond that helps each of them deal with issues of their own, and eventually each is in a better place mentally to make peace with their past.
Part mystery, part emotional human drama, this story is one that will have readers anxious to turn the pages and read on. Just about perfect in every way, a truly satisfying debut about grief, loss, marriage and women in crisis. I look forward to reading move books by the promising new author. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
I have enjoyed many Tess Gerritsen books in the past and I looked forward to reading The Bone Garden: A Novelfor my book group. Sadly, this one has been on my shelf now for a couple of years.
The story begins when newly divorced Julia Hamill purchases a 130 year old house just outside of Boston and discovers a skeleton buried in the garden. Curious to find out more about the newly discovered bones, it seems a relative of the previous owner of the house has knowledge about how the bones got there, and as a result, the story is slowly revealed through a series of old letters.
The real story takes place in Boston around the 1830s and revolves around the students of BostonMedicalCollege and the patients of the affiliated hospital. One student in particular is brilliant but poor and in order to continue his studies at the school, is forced to become a Resurrectionist, (body snatcher) to pay for the cost of his education.
This historical medical thriller depicts, disgusting unsanitary medical conditions of the 1800’s and a graphic amputation scene, which was a bit too much gore for me personally. The who-dun-it aspect of the book kept me reading, but by the end of the book, I found myself somewhat disappointed in the overall story.
Dates: Friday, May 22 - Monday, September 7, 2009 (Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day weekend)
Requirements: Summer vacations are meant to be relaxing and fun - not stressful. However, some people interpret "fun" by doing nothing but going to the beach and vegging out -- while others like to maximize their sight-seeing adventures. To that end, I have developed two different levels of participation:
Beach Bumb: you will read 3 books during this time frame (a leisurely book-a-month); cross-over book selections from other challenges may count; and you do not have to list books in advance -- after all, summer vacation is a time for spontaneity.
Globe Trotter: you will commit to reading 6 pre-selected books during this time frame, but you may substitute up to 3 books due to changes in travel plans. Cross-overs for 5 out of the 6 books are allowed, but ideally one book will be read for this challenge alone.
Literary Genres: I personally enjoy travel memoirs, but you may read any literary genre that you enjoy - provided it allows you to "travel" to a different locale that you would like to visit: Perhaps a mystery that takes place in Paris? Perhaps a romance that takes place on a Californian beach? Perhaps a historical fiction novel that takes place in 16th century England? Or a science fiction novel that allows you to travel to a galaxy far, far away? It doesn't matter the genre, as long as it transports you to another place that you would like to visit.
It seems like all my reserved books have arrived at the same time, and I just know that some will have to be returned unread in 2 weeks :( Here they are:
Sara Shepard’s novel The Visibles: A Novel is the type of story I generally love. It is a bit of a coming of age novel about a girl from a dysfunctional family. The novel is about a young girl named Summer Davis whose mother has abandoned the family. If that isn’t tough enough for a young girl, there is also Summer’s father who suffers from mental illness and an older brother seemingly in denial of it all. The theme of family, loss, and how family background and situations affects each of us deeply is prevalent throughout this story.
A substitute teacher in Summer's Biology class gives a talk on DNA. He tell the class that DNA is all that matters: whether you are sick, smart, stupid, what you look like, how you think, everything about your past and everything about your future. He adds that you cannot escape your parents, and that you are tethered to them for life because of your DNA. While the rest of the class makes jokes about what the teacher has said, Summer becomes obsessed with the Biology teacher's lecture. The Visibles: A Novel is told from the first person, Summer's perspective, and although I enjoyed the story, I had a bit of a problem relating to Summer's attitude in general. Although the story jumps around a bit, as it progresses clues are revealed that made me want to read more. The story reaffirmed how there are often questions left unanswered, pieces of our parents lives that we might never know that affects the person we are today. There was also some fascinating symbolism in this story, specifically about the Twin Towers before and after 9/11 and how it relates to Summer's life.
I was happy I decided to review this book for the Amazon Vine program. I thought this coming of age story was well done. RATING - 4/5 - COMPLETED - 5/20/09 WHERE FROM - My Stacks
Set against the repressive rules of Wahhabi Islam, this gripping novel introduces us to Naser, a twenty-year-old immigrant from the Sudan living in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah as a political refugee. A second-class citizen in Saudi society working in a menial job, Naser leads a lonely, bleak life. Everything abruptly changes when a girl furtively drops a note next to him saying that she wants to get to know him. Concealed from head to foot in a black robe and veil, she writes to Naser that she will be distinguishable by the pink shoes she wears especially for him.
Relationships—even companionship—between unmarried men and women are outlawed in their strict Muslim culture, and as the couple grows closer and secretly begin to meet, the religious police inevitably target them. Unwilling to give up the one thing in their lives that has meaning—each other—Naser and his girlfriend bravely face the consequences of their forbidden love affair, as the novel comes to a terrifying and deeply moving climax.
Mailbox Mondays is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
My mailbox was full this week with this treasure chest of books.; Gillian Flynn (almost done & it's very creepy but pretty good) - courtesy of Amazon Vine program.
; Kamila Shamsie - courtesy of Amazon Vine Program
; Nasem Rakha - ARC 7/2009
; Kate Walbert - ARC - 6/2009 - courtesy of Simon & Schusters Advisory Board
; Davis Bunn - ARC - courtesy of Simon & Schusters Advisory Board
; Nadine Dajani - courtesy of Forge Publicity
; Marie Bostwick - pub date 5/26 - Kensington Books
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;Cathy Holton
;Claire Cook
; Emily Chenoweth
; Luis Alberto Urrea
