Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Book Review

Our book club this month is reading "The Memory-Keeper's Daughter". Usually I don't review books online as I attend a book club for that. However, this book has stirred some emotions in me that I'm not quite sure about. Maybe its because the book is soooo sad (which I didn't know about before I started it!), or maybe its because my own parents divorce is still something I am coming to terms with, or maybe it was watching a family literally torn apart in such a distructive way when things could have been resolved so many times over. My heart broke for all the characters in this story, for a time when health problems like Down Syndrome and mental health problems in general were something people didn't deal with pretty much at all. I still don't know if our society deals with mental health problems "well". I still get teary just thinking about this book.

Don't get me wrong, this is a good book, rivetting I would say! However, its a tissue box book. Be prepared! Its a book that has made me re-evaluate people and things in many ways. It has certainly made me think about lots of things in my life. However, now I need to read something that is happy and upbeat, something that leaves a bounce in your step, especailly going into the holidays and preparing for my mother's upcoming wedding. Any suggestions????????

6 comments:

LizzyP said...

Do you mean the Memory Keeper's Daughter? I've heard of that but never read it. Sounds intriguing . . .

Jennifer said...

I don't know what books you have read but I really enjoy Shannon Hale's books. They are Young Adult books so they are pretty easy and quick to read.

Sant Family said...

We read that book for our Bookclub a couple of years ago - I assuming you mean Memory Keeper's Daughter. It is a sad book.

I would read something by Richard Paul Evans. Or "Christmas Jars". Those are light, easy reads that are happy.

Sant Family said...

Oh, I also LOVE Shannon Hales' books. All of them. So do my daughters. Charlie will too someday, if not now.

Kevin and Andrea said...

I love your new pictures! We made our blog private and I want to add you to our list of readers. Will you send your email address to me at awgunnell@gmail.com so I can put you on the list? Thanks!

Kristen Crockett said...

Our group did that one last year; discussion led by a woman whose younger sister was handicapped, and she shared her experiences about (her and her siblings) always being shunted aside because the disabled sister's needs trumped everything else. She talked about her resentment and struggles to forgive herself and her sister. It was a really interesting night to think about the other side of those stories. "My Sister's Keeper" is a similar themed book.