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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister (TLC Tour and Giveaway)

Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister (Rated: P, S)
G.P. Putnam's Sons
ISBN: 978-0399157127
Published June 9, 2011
Hardcover, 288 pages

When I closed the last page of this book I wanted to give a whoop of joy because, like its title suggests, this novel brings joy and satisfaction. It is a moving and inspiring book. Right from the beginning as I began to read I knew I was going to like it. The phrase, “There is nothing so seductive as reality,” on the first page caught me somewhere deep within. I had to keep reading.

When Kate recovers from breast cancer, she has a festive dinner with the six women who stood by her and were closest to her. When she tells her friends that her daughter Robin wants to take her white water rafting down the Grand Canyon, something that she is terrified to do, they encourage her to do it. The women make a pact that if she does it, they promise to do something scary or difficult too. And so the adventure begins for each of the women and the reader.

The author chooses to tell each of the women's stories separately (dedicating a chapter to each) so that it feels like reading seven short stories with several of the same characters intermingling in each of the stories. I didn't know if this was going to work for me at the beginning, but I actually loved it. I got to know each of the women's personal stories, and I felt I got to know them more intimately this way. The character development was well-done. All the women had different circumstances, were of different ages and with different life situations.

Each woman and her story offered gems of wisdom and insight on a particular aspect of life. I savoured this book. It gave me so much food for thought that I couldn't read too much of it in one day because I needed time to absorb it all. Essentially, this is a book about healing, acceptance, and friendships. 

Bauermeister's writing is beautiful, filled with metaphors, never bogged down with superfluousness, but full of wonderful prose. It's the kind of writing that makes you ponder, reflect, and appreciate life. This book made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me want to take risks and not fear failing. 

If you are looking for an inspirational read this summer, don't hesitate to pick up this book. I highly recommend it. If you feel stuck in your life, have just undergone a difficult time, or you simply want to read something that will make you smile for a long time, take the time to savour this very enjoyable read. And one more thing; if you have a best friend, this would be the perfect gift book.

Note: This book had some mild language and some sexual references, not explicit.

Buy it on Amazon.com

About the Author:
Erica Bauermeister is the author of the national bestseller The School of Essential Ingredients (Jan. 2009). She lives in Seattle with her family. Connect with Erica on her website, www.ericabauermeister.com, and on her Facebook page

And now for the giveaway!
The publisher is offering to give away one copy of this book. Entering is easy:

1) Leave a comment with an email address.
2) Giveaway open to Canada and US.

Extra entries:
Each extra entry must be a separate comment.
1) If you are a follower, new or current, leave a comment telling me so.
2) Like me on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did.
3) Follow me on Twitter and leave me a comment telling me you did.
*Buttons for following found on top left-hand corner of blog.
Giveaway ends July 8, 2011.

I will count this book toward the following challenges: Reading the World Challenge

Disclosure: Thanks to Lydia Hirt from G.P. Putnam's Sons for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

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37 comments :

  1. I love when I begin reading the post in my Google Reader and pop in to leave a comment...and then I learn it's a giveaway, too! Wow, this sounds inspirational and lovely.

    derekannette at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great review! This book sounds really interesting to read. Thanks for the giveaway!

    junegirl63(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am following you on Twitter as
    "crazymidwestgal"

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds great, would love to read this.

    littleone AT shaw DOt ca

    ReplyDelete
  5. GFC follower

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like you on FB

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  7. No need to enter me, as I already have the book. Just wanted to say I'm glad to see you enjoyed it. I really need to make time to read it, especially since I loved The School of Essential Ingredients so much.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I just finished this book and thought it was fantastic! It was so refreshing to read about women who supported each other instead of competing with each other.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This book looks so good. Definitely my kind of book :) Win or lose, I'll be reading it. But of course, I'd love to win a copy :) Thank you for the chance!

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  10. Like you on Facebook as Tiffany Drew

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  11. This looks lovely. Thank you.

    headlessfowl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm following on GFC @headlessfowl.

    headlessfowl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. This sounds like it would be a great book club selection!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This one sounds really good! This would be perfect to add to my summer reading. Thanks!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am a GCF follower as well.

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. This sounds like a great book, exactly fitting my mood.

    I'm a follower on Google.

    manyrasip@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. This book sounds so interesting and inspirational! Sounds like a book for my TBR list. Your review was excellent.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I just won this book in a giveaway -- I can't wait to read it after hearing so many positive things about it!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I read her first and wasn't overly impressed...but this has gotten good reviews from several reliable blogs (like yours!) that I follow...may need to give her a 2nd chance.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This sounds like a wonderful read - so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for being on the tour. I'm featuring your review on TLC's Facebook page today.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am going to a friend's 60th birthday party this weekend - her actual birthday is the 4th of July, and I am going to go and purchase this book for her.

    She gave me Poser by Claire Dederer (from Seattle) and I just loved that one and it was so perfect for me, and I was wondering what to offer her and up popped your review of Facebook. thank you It looks lovely
    patricia@patriciaswisdom.com
    or
    patricia@wiseears.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a wonderful review! I love books that make you feel happy when you're done reading them; even reading your review put a smile on my face.

    knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. This sounds like an interesting one. Please count me in. Thank you!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I follow

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I follow on Facebook

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I follow via Twitter

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I would love to be entered. I've been seeing great reviews for it!!

    bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm a follower.

    bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I liked your page on Facebook.

    bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I want to read this book so bad.

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I follow via GFC as Jessy

    I am an old follower

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I follow in twitter @hootowl1978

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am too late for the giveaway but wanted to let you know that I am a new follower from Book blogs. I am following GFC My Life. One Story at a Time. I would like to invite you over to my blog for a follow. Also, please like my Facebook page and post your book information there. Thanks. Donna

    Twitter: @MyBookofStories
    Blog: http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com

    Facebook: My Life. One Story at a Time.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting! I appreciate your feedback.

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